Sarah Maclachlan (1995)

Ahhhhh….  this was an amazing show, with opening artist, Paula Cole, who had released the album “Harbinger” (1994) ~ Later became more well known for the single “Where have all the cowboys gone” on her next album “This Fire“.  She was a cutie with short hair, black clothes and black boots.  At the time I could totally relate to her and her words.

Strong women musicians were taking over ~ and I was a very happy Gurl both learning to love a whole new sound to music but also feeling empowered and understood with every new song….  ~ Sarah McLachlan released “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy” in 1994 and is one of the most amazing albums for me to date and this was the tour!~
The show was at the 5th Ave Theatre in Downtown Seattle that normally hosts the Broadway Musicals coming through town.  It is a large, beautiful theatre and I would say a formal way to see a music show.  With these two amazing women, I think at first I was disappointed that it wasn’t a smaller venue, but when they took the stage ~ I was so in awe of their talent and impact on such a large crowd.  The room didn’t feel so big anymore.

What truly sticks in my mind about this show is the amazing way the sound of their voices and the words they sang that night touched my soul.  I did not need to be closer to them, didn’t need to meet them, didn’t need an autograph ~ I really just needed that night with them. I am thankful.  ~

Phish (1996)

I am pretty much open to any music ~ I have my favorites, I was a child of the 80’s after all ~ but really if you sit me down and have me listen to any music, I will listen, and often I will like it.

Phish was new to me before moving to Seattle and Portland….once in the Northwest however I heard the name often and their music was everywhere.

The music had a pretty big following and people who used to follow The Grateful Dead were now seeing Phish with the same loyalty.  When they were coming to Portland to the Portland Memorial Coliseum some of my friends were big fans and said, “let’s go!”
So, I saw Phish and it was OK!  I am not a loyal fan, haven’t really listened to them since but it was a good show.  As you can see from the tix I wasn’t really close to the band, but once everyone was high and in their groove ~ we moved up closer and enjoyed the music and the show.  Everyone was totally friendly and dancing and in the Phish Zone.  I am not sure I made it into the Zone that night but I kept the tix for the memory of a great night with wonderful friends ~

My favorite of all of Clive Barker’s work is his book, Imajica (1991).  I am not one to read books more than one time, but I have read this book three times. Each time has been a different and incredible journey for me.  I have also recommended this book to many and given away many copies (even my signed one!) to people hoping they will enjoy the book as well.
The theatre was packed full and I was nervous to raise my hand.  Once called on by Clive Barker (heart beating so fast I can barely hear my own voice) I didn’t ask a question, so much as had a plea.  I praised the book Imajica to him and simply asked that he not make it into a movie.  He talked about how Imajica was his own journey with being gay and exploring his feelings about sexuality and his thoughts and experiences around religion and God.  He agreed that many readers get different things out of this book and because of the depth and intricacies he agreed it would not translate to film.  Whew!

I still remember how beautiful it felt to just be in the same room at Clive Barker ~ I went to the signing after and continue follow Clive Barker on his many journeys of creative expression….. ~

Bumbershoot also has art, food, dancing, vendors of all kinds and, of course, fun stuff for all ages.  There is almost always a drum circle that starts up and lasts most of the three days.  You can walk in, pick up a drum, dance a little, and move on to the next show….  Come and go through most of the shows or just walk around and people watch.

In 1996, I was excited to see Ani DiFranco because I was just falling in love with her music and the “strong woman” music of the time.  As we watched her show, which was amazing, the sun was shining and we were surrounded by beautiful, strong and fabulous women.  We laid back in the grass, looking up where there were acrobats scaling down the Space Needle.
In the spirit of the festival, I also looked forward to seeing Sex Pistols ~ being a fashion Punk of the 90’s.  They were in one of the larger venues, but worth wading through the waves of punks young and old trying to get a view of the great band.   The music was ok ~ but not as I remember in “Sid and Nancy,” with Gary Oldman.

The bands at Bumbershoot in '96

I honestly can’t remember the rest of the bands/shows I saw that day….  But it was a wonderful weekend to be sure!  I saved all this stuff in one of my photo albums with pictures of my friends Ada, Charla and Erik ~ pretty sure they were with me that day.

I have memories of waiting for Indigo Girls the next day, Sept. 1st, but they were in one of the larger venues, and by the time the music started it was just too much, too many people, and too long a day…  I regret that now, because here, all these many years later, I still have not seen them live.  Must put that on a “to do” list.

Bumbershoot Ticket

Bumbershoot is a must do if you are ever in Seattle for Labor Day weekend.  The tickets are more and more expensive every year, but it is worth it if you love and appreciate the incredible variety of music and art!  Now, there is also the “Experience Music Project,” also pretty expensive, but if you have a day it is worth it.  And if you love the history and memorabilia of music, bands and shows ~ The EMP is the mecca.

runner up for season 6 American Idol, coming home to Seattle to do an all ages show

I watched “American Idol” ~Season 6 only because of Blake Lewis.  He was (and is) very involved in the Seattle music community and had done some music projects with Funklove, Nu Sol Tribe members, Marmalade and others ~ many that you wont read about on Wikipedia.

Blake Lewis (left) and Funklove (2007)

Honestly, I had not heard him in person before “American Idol”, but during the TV show, he came to Seattle for a quick visit and got on stage at a local cocktail lounge and music venue ~ ToST. Then with Marmalade he showed off his beatboxing skills.  IT WAS AMAZING!  Afterward he shared with us from his Ipod some of the new music he was working on for his album A.D.D. (Audio Day Dream) 2008.

So, once “American Idol” was over, and Blake was runner up ~ it was fun to go see him play a big show at The Showbox in downtown Seattle.  Above is a picture of Blake Lewis and Funklove (a local musician) backstage before Blake took the stage.  Blake, his band and everyone running the show was nice, respectful and still had that Seattle vibe even after the bump in fame from Idol.

Blake Lewis (left) and Funklove (2007).

I have to say, the show itself was unremarkable ~ it was very much the produced music coming from the Idol experience.  I do look forward to his new music, on his own label coming out some time this year…..   ~

When we pulled up to The Paramount, there were people everywhere, excited, the energy was high.  My friends had the limo driver get out to open the doors for us ~ but before he did that he rolled out a red carpet for us to make our entrance to the show. For just a second, I was not a social worker in Seattle, I was a rock star too!

The show was amazing.  Even though I love the old Prince music from the 80’s, which he did not perform much of during this tour, it was great just to be in his presence, hear his guitar and watch him move.  I have the CD’s from that tour and the songs take me back to that “One Night Alone”.