So many BIG calendar dates are being bantered about these days. - like 12-21-12, for example. I kind of enjoyed the symmetry of 12-12-12 midweek. We didn't really expect 12-13-12 to be anything special - just another Thursday evening at Northwood. Mike worked out a set list that had a lot of our old originals from the Pink Elephant era - just to keep them alive. Of course, we were all trying so hard to remember them as we played that we didn't see what was going on. Out of left field, on a very chilly December night, a big, cheerful, ebullient crowd gathered - and they liked our tunes! We are a different band than we were back at the Pink, and the songs took on new energy and complexities. All of a sudden, it was a very important night - we identified ourselves as "more than a cover band." When Mike pulled out Dead tunes later on like "Uncle John's Band," "Truckin'," "Other One," etc. we settled right back into familiar territory. The classic Dead tunes are our foundation and inspiration, thank goodness. It's so exciting to know we have so much music to share. The dancers were exceptional too - so many different styles. Our long-time dancing guru, Roger, even put on one of the belly dancer's jingling belts and put on quite a show. We knew there was something very special about the evening's energy when it came time to pack up. No one wanted to go. Clusters of fans were gathered all over, enjoying the warmth of friendship before heading out into the chill. For me, 12-13-12 was a magical night and put me into my "winter solstice-gratitude-light in the darkness mode." Thank you, everyone. We head off for the Uncarved Block in Sebastopol on Saturday ("stoned rock musicians rock the stone store") and then on to the Hideaway on Sunday. We are so lucky.
Take care. Love, Sylvia