[i]
Waking up at 8:30 a.m. Normally I wouldn’t be caught dead at this hour but I have no choice.
Almond and Chia Seed Bar. English Breakfast Tea.
Meeting up with Eric, Bri, and Cary at the Right On rehearsal spot. Piling in a white 15 passenger van and traveling to Chesapeake Beach in Maryland. Napping in one of the back rows.
Snacking on some Watermelon and Peanut Butter Dipped Rolls.
We’re taking the scenic route going up 17 and 301 rather than I-95. Bri spots an Amish Horse Buggy sign and about a minute later we actually see an Amish couple riding in a horse buggy. There’s concern that we’re not supposed to snap photos because it’s a graven image in their religion but it’s too late.
We happen upon a wonderful Amish Farmer’s Market. Buying up some vegetables and whoopee pies.
We arrive at the Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa. It’s a very resort-like place right on the water – just across the way is Eastern Shore. We set up the stage inside what they call a “bandshell” – it looks like a very tiny version of the Sydney Opera House. A marshy spot right underneath us and behind the stage are hundreds of seagulls, ducks, and one heron. The boats are all docked in the pier. The hot smell of salt and a nice breeze soothes the face. It’s very serene.
...
It takes us a while to do sound check but eventually we take a break and get ready for the evening.
Dinner at the Rod N Reel right out in front of the stage. Fish n Chips and Maryland Crab Soup.
We’re on at 7:15. Performing our first set of ELO tunes. The tables are packed out front and there’s a positive response from the crowd in between songs. A 45 minute break and then another set of the same songs. Some people notice we’re doing the exact same set but most don’t care. This kind of music really excites people.
Eric got some top shelf gin from up the street, Bombay Sapphire. Post show and post breakdown we all congregate in our hotel room sipping on Gin and Tonics. I spawn a new stage name for Eric: “Sapphire Edmunds”. Slicing up some of the produce we got earlier today. It’s nice to just hang out and not care about any chores, or business related worries. We take a trip up the street to a Citgo, the only food joint open at this late hour. Everybody wants munchies and fried chicken. There’s some kind of shift change inside and they won’t let us in yet. Nigel entertains everyone with his repeating joke of pretending to hit his head on the door in front of everyone.
At some point all is settled down. Eric snores and coughs in the bed over from me. I incorporate his sounds into my dreams.
[i] Images by me.
No comments:
Post a Comment