On my third post about Falcon Ridge I finally get to the official start of the Festival. After various mishaps FRFF was running on all cylinders Friday. What I mean by that is that I started my day with bacon and eggs and the Dharma Café; I have simple needs.
I made it down to Main Stage for Ari & Mia, the second act in the Emerging Artist Showcase. I discovered them at my first NERFA and not seen them since. There was miscommunication and they never received my invitation to play the Budgiedome. I was familiar with 10 of the 24 in the showcase. I flitted in and out of Main Stage during the day. I have to make my pilgrimage to Taste Budds and the WFUV booth. I balance out listening to music and soaking in the festival. I try and be in position to take photos of all my friends on stage. I am having a great deal of trouble getting anything done or you’d be seeing some photos by now. The one act that I didn’t know that impressed me was Nicolas Emden. I root to not like the acts I don’t know as I’m already rooting for my acts than I can vote for, the limit is three. Some of the acts I head backstage. I can go backstage as I have Gordon Privilege. My therapist likes that I call it that, so do I. I’m totally aware when I’m fortunate and feel guilty about it.
My plan was to forego the social event of the year, the Big Orange Tarp gathering of Emergos and presenters and take a nap. I love the party, but I knew I needed sleep. Too bad the nap never came; the rain did. There are worse things than getting stuck in the Budgiedome with my friends. It was a typical summer cloudburst, short-lived but intense. It did slow down dinner. Dinner involves Gordon Privilege too, I eat at the Dharma Café. Thanks to the storm delaying things we listened to the Kennedys’ set from camp. The Dharma Café takes its name from a Kennedys song, they are important to us as musicians and friends. We see them often enough that just hearing them was fine till they did Maddy Groves. They were joined by former Strangeling, Eric Lee, and Cadence Carroll. They did the Strangelings version of the song with Eric’s violin joining Pete’s electric sitar. It killed me to not be close for that. I spoke to them and it looks like they will re-create it when The Kennedys play the Common Ground Coffeehouse; Eric is the opener.
Katie and her beau, Jack arrived while I was downstairs. Katie is Bri’s friend who came with Bri their first time camping with us. Katie is family. She missed a few years as she was teaching in Panama two years ago and had to work last year. That meant suffering from Katie deprivation. She was a welcome sight. I like Jack, which is a good thing as they’d have to call it quits if I didn’t approve. Just let me lie to myself; it’s harmless.
My reception at the Dharma Café was a highlight of the festival. One of the kids ran back behind the main canape saying, “Gordon’s here.” Seconds later Carolyn comes running out, makes a beeline for me, and gives me a bearhug. My therapist is amazed at how many friends I have but that doesn’t stop me from feeing insecure. That greeting did wonders for my mental health.
I never made it to Main Stage that evening but did hear Tempest, Kim & Reggie Harris, and the Song Swap with Vance Gilbert, Tracy Grammer, Dan Navarro, and Sloan Wainwright. That’s when we transformed the Budgiedome into a theater. I had been telling people this was one of the best Budgiedome lineups ever, I was right. Friday night we had:
- Amy Kucharik+
- Ryanhood++
- Heather Aubrey Lloyd++
- Oliver the Crow++
- Martin Swinger
- Miles and Mafale
- Joshua Garcia
- Brent Ruggles
Amy, Oliver, and Joshua, are all artists I strongly encouraged to come to Falcon Ridge. The first two were Emergos, that’s what the plus sign means. Ryanhood and Heather won the Emerging Artists last year and returned as Most Wanted. They were wanted at the Budgiedome too. Martin, and Miles and Mafale are official Friends of the Budgiedome; Catherine is a Chick with Dip and Jay a Rooster. They are good friends and part of my local social circle. Brent played in the open mic.
I try and bring new artists to the Budgiedome. I invite every artist I meet that excites me. Amy, Oliver, and Joshua, all excite me. The warm reception they received from the audience excites me too. I love that people came up to and went out of their way to tell me how good they were.
It rained heavily but we were nice and dry in the dome. The same cannot be said of my tent; more on that tomorrow. Now to eat and get ready for therapy. The FRFF Cycle continues tomorrow.
Wise Madness 