SHARING THE SHOWS
So my summer of writing and concerts and travel was punctuated by my annual trip to Tampa, Florida to grade Advanced Placement essay exams. We call it “summer camp for word nerds.” I think of it as Summer Camp/Big Cypress for Word Nerds because I feel the same way I do at a show.
This year was even better because after four straight days of grading essays (I’m not supposed to talk about anything that goes on there or the folks at the College Board will tape my fingers together so I can’t type anything), I was able to coordinate a trip to Skipper’s Smokehouse, a true Deadhead bar in suburban Tampa for Uncle John’s Band. I had seen them two years earlier, and they’re one of the better Dead tributes I’ve seen. Thirty years of playing will do that. I met up with Mark (North Carolina) and Dave (Texas), both English teachers, and we chowed down on some sushi at Harpoon Harry’s Crab House, this spot next to the Tampa Convention Center. It was cool alternating conversations between music and shop, which is something I can never do with my “academic tribe” or my “Dead crew.” Code-switching is cool. We met up with Charlie (Georgia), Rod (Long Island), and Ryan (Maine) at the Marriott on Water Street, and after a technological gaffe, caught our Uber up there. There, I saw Beth, who I had spoken to on our group Facebook page, and Adair, another reader. Skipper’s Smokehouse is a true Deadhead bar, with Steely logos in the bathroom, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen a smaller Dead tribute with a Shakedown. I got three bracelets there my last time around, and they’re still going strong. In fact, the lady who sold them to me was there, and I did some repeat business by purchasing a necklace. Mark and I read each other’s blogs and talked music and philosophy. Dave and I talked country music and teaching. Rod reminds me of Johnny Mac (8/16/18) in his mannerisms. Long Islanders unite! Charlie reminds me of Dean (4/4/19), a fellow Southerner, in his. Always cool to be able to be able to make those kinds of connections. The band started at about a quarter after 8. They opened up with “China Cat,” segued into “I Know Yuou Rider,” played a song I’d never heard (if anyone knows of it, feel free to comment) and jammed out on “Cumberland Blues.” Around that point, a young lady walked around with a big jar, yelling, “Contributions for the band! Give it up or you will get shivved in the parking lot!” I like my skin the way it is, so I gave a couple of bucks, and they rock hard enough to deserve it. Somewhere on the floor, I heard the words “Rhetorical Analysis.” Not what I’d expect at a show, but it was a pleasant surprise melding academicland and showland. Side note: I was informed that Dr. John had died (my current events had been lacking this week). He was a true icon, and I figured the band would do a tribute to him, but I wouldn’t be around for it. Next was the Janis Joplin tune, “Me & Bobby McGee,” followed by “Fire on the Mountain.” At that point, it was raining heavily. Now, multiple choice question: do you think I danced in the rain? Take your time.
Disclaimer: once it got REALLY heavy, I limited my dancing space to the canopy, but it didn’t stop me from getting blisters from dancing in the rain in flip-flops (“I got blisters on my feet!”), so much so that the next morning, I had to wear sneakers. But it was worth it. The boys went into the Stones’s “Miss You,” followed by “Iko Iko.” At that point, they stopped due to the heavy rain (I respect their desire not to be electrocuted). A few folks brought out some bongos, and there was a pretty neat drum circle. I met Ryan’s friend Doug, and the three of us had a good conversation about our respective universities and positions (I love shop talk at shows!). Rachel (Minnesota), a lady from the reading, came in with her friend Eric (Austin, Texas), and we had some good conversation. Those two win my patented Badass of the Night Award, as they stayed until the end of the show, 1 a.m. My crew was thinking about heading back during the setbreak, and we agreed on 15 minutes. I informed Mark of this as he was talking to Rachel. During the “Begonias” that opened the second set, the following dialogue took place: Rachel: Are you really leaving in fifteen minutes? Me: Not anymore. That was a total lie, as I ended up leaving with the group during “Sugaree.” I go to these shows all the time, and I didn’t want to be shot (I have to be awake to score those essays), so I figure missing part of the set wouldn’t hurt. The ride home was pretty chill. This show, while short, was a very unique experience. This blog has given me a wonderful way to integrate my love of writing and my love of shows, but this is truly the first time I actually combined my work life and my show life in such a robust way, and it integrated seamlessly. And I met some cool people. Thanks, guys, for making it a great night, and for contributing to an amazing AP experience (best thus far). Hope to do it again next year!
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