The kids were out of town this week on a trip with the grandparents. Between daily tasks and work, I didn't have nearly as much free time as I imagined I would, but John and I did manage to see a lot of live music. Monday night, we went to St. Cloud's restaurant and saw the Rolling Blackouts. The food was great, and the band was great for dancing, which we did. There was no dance floor, and we had to keep shuffling aside for the wait staff, but the place does want dancers and there was another couple there we knew from the dance world. Sweet.

Thursday night I saw Case/Lang/Viers at the zoo. True confession here, I had never heard of Neko Case or Laura Viers, and I hadn't thought about k.d. lang for twenty years. A friend needed to sell her tickets. Two other friends were swooning over the group. I thought why not? Swoon worthy. The song writing is strong, their voices are amazing, and kd lang owned me, me and the rest of the crowd. She knows how to flirt, but even more, damn that woman can sing. My favorites were the group song Atomic Number, and lang singing Neil Young's Helpless. The best part of the whole concert was being with my transported friends. I felt honored to be there.

Friday, John and I drove to Portland for the Portland Blues festival. We'd been wanting to go for years, but it happens over 4th of July, and we always throw a big family party then. It finally occurred to us that we could go for a couple days before the 4th. We were at the festival all day Friday and until 2:00 Saturday. We heard AC Porter with Stan Street, Julie Amici, Sportin' Lifers, Los Straightjackets, Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band and TooLoose Cajun-Zydeco band. I kind of paid attention to the bands, but mostly I danced. There was a big dance floor near one of the stages. The best part was being with so many people we knew. There must have been 20 Seattle dance buddies doing blues, swing, zydeco, and Cajun two step. For sheer joy, I think zydeco was my favorite. It was sunny and hot, and I am very proud of myself for staying hydrated. Driving to and fro was not a thrill. Next time (and there will be a next time) we'll take the train with the rest of the gang.

I am not a live music snob. I actually like dancing to recorded music too, but there is a wonderful magic as you watch the music created in front of you and a synergy as you dance to it.