Summer Breeze

Just in time for our area's reprieve from global warming-go out and celebrate how a cool breeze can transform this hot humid quagmire into one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. Yes, we can go outside again- armed with mosquito repellent- and see one of my favorite bands- The Grandsons play a free outdoor gig early tomorrow evening in Mclean. As if that's not enough -special guest guy on sax, Derek Huston will be sitting in. Derek hails from up here, but he'll be flying in from New Orlean-a place he is proud to call home. Ask him about it if you see him.

Troubadours Rocked/ Swingin' Johnsons with No Room to Swing A Cat

The Troubadours got off to a slightly rough start last night as they hadn't all played together since August, I think, but once in the groove, they nailed IT. (And whatever IT is- let there be no mistake- they've got IT.) People were clapping all through the first set and dancing through the second.
Not to mention Derek Huston, now free of Iguana-land just knocked my socks off.
As they say in New Orleans "It takes a cool cat to blow a horn" and boy, he's one of 'em. You can still catch him tonight with The Swingin' Johnsons down at The Sunset Grille in ole Virginnny.
If you don't know The Grille, capacity is around 40, and the 7 piece band is what percent of that? You can do the math or not, but get there EARLY. The band supposed to go on @ 9ish.

Post Halloween

The Fall Out:
Washed my hair for over an hour and still can't get the black out.
Forgot to put away the lime jello skull.
Burned the candles at both ends.
Served candy corn for breakfast.

The Cure:
Drink heavily, preferably at The Quarry House tonight
with The Troubadours and Derek Huston.

Or stay home and wash my hair


.

Huston Alert

Yes, he once was with The Iguanas, but now Derek Huston's a free agent, and man about town- many towns. This week he and his sax will be flying up here from New Orleans for two gigs. This Thursday November First, catch him playing with the long lost Rhodes Tavern Troubadours at the Quarry House. The next night he'll be joining Chris Watling of the Grandsons for the Swingin' Johnsons Reunion at the Sunset Grille on Friday November 2nd.
He may live in New Orleans now, but the DC area is his home turf so it's always fun when Derek's back up here.

August 29th

The storm that ate New Orleans is all over the news again, but little is new. It's the grim anniversary of unrelenting anxiety, anguish and devastation that should be somewhat over by now, but it takes these significant dates to turn our heads -to remind us it's far from finished.
Last Sunday I saw our friends who live in New Orleans, Derek Huston and Macon Fry, up here at a party in Virginia. Derek's family evacuated, and ended up starting a branch of their school while they were gone. Macon had to go as well. The band Derek was in scattered, and not all could return. Fortunately their houses were spared, and spared again when an under reported tornado ripped through the neighborhood a year or so later, but, of course, an incomprehensible number of people were not so lucky.

I'm overly fond of New Orleans as every year, including the year after Katrina, the Hustons have made room for our family to crash with them for Mardi Gras. (In the past that's meant six kids under one roof.) A lot of people think Bourbon Street= New Orleans. (As if D.C. is just Pennsylvania Avenue) Some are a bit taken aback when I tell them we take our children there.
Others don't understand how Mardi Gras could carry on after the storm. Those that live there know why-that it's an affirmation of life, almost as necessary as breathing. It's not just a party or parades, but a season sublime. And it's traditions of joy that makes that city tick-the pageantry, the abundant music and the amazing food. As we wander about in our costumes, laughing at the guys dressed as Elvis that just walked by, Derek likes to say "Everywhere else- it's just Tuesday."
New Orleans, like an endangered species, still critically needs help to survive. The suicide rate there is on the rise. How sad is that?
Besides everywhere else-it's just NOT New Orleans.

Maybe It's Something in the BBQ?

(Derek Huston, Bill Kirchen, Jack O'Dell, Johnny Castle,
and Andy Rutherford @ The Mayfields' 2007)


The Mayfields' legendary party starring Bill Kirchen and friends took place again over the weekend. Last year it was the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours' last gig before Dave Chappell left the band, and this year, the only Troubadour in sight was Jack O'Dell who has rejoined Bill Kirchen.
(Still like The Beatles, we can always hold out for a reunion...?)




(RTTS plus Derek Huston @ The Mayfields' 2006)