The Brian and Julia Show

While in Maryland, I was the guest of Brian and Julia, currently living in their upscale graduate student apartment at the University of Maryland.  We got to enjoy a couple of nice dinners and Brian cajoled me into finally joining Facebook.  Then once I was on that, I got invited onto crewspace.  So I think I'm got some catching up to do on the social networking thing.  I blame Brian.

Thanks for putting up with me for two nights, you two!  It was great to see you.  On to Baltimore, for the next show!  Exit stage left, stage right even...

Norfolk CT, Northampton MA

There's a brand spankin' new venue in Norfolk CT that will become legendary.  It's Infinity Hall, a beautifully restored theater/ballroom type venue with great acoustics, a restaurant downstairs, and a killer sound system.  The whole thing was built with the musician in mind, in the hopes that artists who play there will pass the word on that it's the destination to play in the area.  There's not much else happening around there, as Norfolk is way out there in the middle of nowheresville.  Very cool place to have or to see a show.  Meyer PA (CQs plus subs and front fills), a Yamaha MC7L, and QSC HPR wedges.  The hall was too dimly lit for my pictures to come out very well, so imagine a beautiful place or check out their web site if you want to see better pictures of the place.  Tell your friends...

The next night was at The Iron Horse in Northampton MA.

A bit of a dive, but a favorite of artists and fans alike.  A Soundcraft K2 out front, decent outboard choices, and a funky PA consisting of all Technomad boxes.  Just in case it starts raining inside the club, these speaker enclosures are 100 percent waterproof and look like military grade pelican cases.  Turns out they sound okay too.  Northampton itself was worth checking out too, a smallish touristy type downtown area just chock full of college types on a sunny day.  A mecca for the crunchy granola liberal birkenstock-wearin' patchouli-reekin', well, you get the idea...

Show in Maine

Another fine show tonight, this one in Ogunquit ME.  Jonathan's Restaurant is a restaurant downstairs and a dessert and drinks live performance space upstairs.  The system is easily 25 or more years old, and I think it's safe to say it's time for upgrades.  See the lovely stage?  The powerful Bose "stereo everywhere" speaker system?  Don't see it?  Look closely.  They're the white thingies on the tripods near the lights.

Also, the board was notable, an archaic EV mixer, and a bargain assortment of outboard items.

A closer look at the mixer, which mostly worked...

I don't have much else to say except that even in a challenging room and with limited equipment, we made it happen and the audience had a great time.  Heck, I even had a great time.

Playing tourist in NYC

I had three days (and a few partial days) to check out NYC.  I know, the video won't get me any awards.  The soundtrack might even be called cliché.  But I'm not trying to impress, just share...

Posting in NYC was not working so well.  I'm trying to catch up while at the Hilton in Portland ME.  The wifi works here.

I've been interested in walking around and getting the microcosm views of little neighborhoods within the city.  It's more interesting to me than hitting all the tourist traps.  Although, I've seen some of those too.  I did pay to go to the top of the Empire State Building.  That was cool.  I've also been sampling cheap eats, including various pizza stands, some famous and some not, to get that experience.

I've learned the subways and the general layout of Manhattan, seen most of Central Park, and explored most of the upper west side (my hotel is at 94th and Broadway).  I've hit Greenwich Village and the West Village, Battery Park, Grand Central Terminal, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, The Chrysler Building, The Empire State Building, and the American Museum of Natural History.  I think next week I'll check out the free Staten Island Ferry which gets you a good view of the Statue of Liberty and is only an hour round trip.  I'll probably also want to check out "Ground Zero" and Wall Street, and maybe some other notable spots.

My only lament is that I'm wandering alone.  I wish Kim and Aevin were here, there are so many things which would be so much better experienced with them.

Shows the next 3 days, back to "work".  I love what I get to do...