30 % chance of Rain...

That was the Labor Day weekend forecast
for the Gorge at George..
but as we were driving,
the closer we got to the concert,
the higher that % grew.

But Rain or Shine
The Dave Matthews Band
will perform!!
And we will be in the crowd!!

It was POURING when we arrived at the Gorge!!
We sat in the car in the parking field--
waiting....
for a half an hour--
It NEVER rains in Eastern Washington,
right,
It was a downpour!!

Luckily, Ron had ignored the forecast
and grabbed the Cub's ponchos we had
purchased in Chicago--
We pulled them on and joined the line
waiting for them to open the gate.

I took no photos--
I was in too many layers to find my camera-
I had on a t-shirt, thermal shirt,
rain jacket, poncho and had the
blanket stuffed under the poncho
to keep it dry!!

The line started moving...
the rain kept falling--
the crowd was enduring....
but we were still excited--
and as Jessica said--
"it just adds to the adventure!!"

We had reserved seats--
so we didn't have to run for a spot
on the grassy terraces.
We showed our tickets--
had our purses searched--
and then made our way down
the slippery slope to our seats--

Our tickets were sopping wet from having to
show them to so many security guards to get to the floor.

Found our seats--rain still falling
1st warm-up band was playing...
the Yonder Mountain String Band.

Here's our row--
see the stage covered in plastic!!
good times!!

We decided since the seats were so wet--
we might as well get our food and
our concert T-shirts!! YEAH!!

Here's Michael and Jessica eating rice bowls--
trying to find shelter
from the overhang of the food booth!!

Ron getting our coke and water--
look at the sky
and the puddles
and the other ponchos and
trash-bag cover-ups!!

obliviously,
staying dry was more important than
being a fashion statement!

Look at the sky--
conflicting messages:
black clouds
and the start of the rainbow!!

As we made our way back to our seats
the clouds broke--
the rain stopped
and the sun tried to appear--

Michael and Jessica,
taking photos --fast,
in case the rain came back--

Ron kept his poncho on the longest....
just in case...

We were wet--
but oh, so glad to be here!!

The rainbows started appearing...

the sun started shining....
our clothes started drying

And we were ready for the concert...

Dave
(as in Matthews)
came out and thanked the crowds for
showing up in the rain
and for the Yonder Mountain String Band
for playing thru the storm

He was making jokes like a warm up act--
pretty funny!

G. Love and Special Sauce
was the next group--
love him--

He was great and really got the crowd going!

Then we noticed the sky--
dramatic,
crazy clouds--
rolling in.....

It was so cool--
surreal looking--
and the crowds really started pouring in
it was crazy!!

And then the famous Gorge Sunset happened--

Amazing colors--
perfect temperature

Getting us ready for the show....

Lights dimmed,
sun had set...
glow sticks appeared..

a few lights swept the stage....

Then the lasers started.....

And then,
WOW--
the lights, the music
the smoke
(on stage and the funny- smelling kind )
filled the air!!

The band was amazing--
truly musicians playing multiple instruments
--jamming--

And yes, I was dancing and singing--
it was too dark and crowded
for any incriminating photos

too bad--
you will have to take my word--
I had some good moves going on!!

loved the music-
the giant screens were great--
we were already so close,
but it was fun to see the facial expressions of the group.

Surprised how well these photos turned out--
no flash
and I was dancing and singing--
And it was soooo crowded --
with fans walking on the chairs
to get to their seats!!

the band was GREAT--
the guy on the electronic violin was amazing--
the sax player played 4 different types of instruments
the bass player never changed his expression--
the drummer looked like he was having the most fun--
and the guitar player reminded me of Clark Kent!!

But the real star--
Dave Matthews was incredible--
loved his love song--
"You and Me Together"-
I was singing it all night!!


Here is their latest album --
oh, that's right--no such thing as "albums" anymore--
Here's the latest CD--
Go get it!!

So, in case I haven't made it clear--
I HAD A GREAT TIME!!!

I really am a fan of live music.
I have gotten hooked on concerts--
so this is an announcements, kids--

I am going to more concerts--
I am going to dance
and sing
and make your dad smile--

Next on OUR concert tour:
Jason Mraz,
Billy Joel and Elton John

and I have LiveNation
and Ticketmaster on speed dial!!



Oh, as a side note to this concert:

you need to ask Jessica
about her up close and personal
story of Dave Matthews!!
Even though she never got his autograph--
she does know his periodontal probing numbers!!