You can feel it all over

This is where I would normally put a picture I took during last night's wonderful show at the Hotel SnS. Unfortunately, due to a stupid water-spilling move on my part, my camera is out of commission and may be down for the count. So I don't have any photos of last night's show.

But don't cry for me, friends. Even if my fellow basement show revelers hadn't taken enough pictures to go around, the images would still be stamped in my brain for posterity. You don't forget weekends like this one. I'm sure I say something similar every year, and every year it's true.

The fun commenced on Friday night with the Rock 'n Roll Hell party at SnS. I'm very proud of our collective creativity: there was nary an Elvis nor a Janis Joplin in the house. No, a peek into Rock and Roll Hell in Humboldt Park on Friday would have shown Allen Ginsberg chatting with Don Ho as DeeDee Ramone and Waylon Jennings faced off in a Guitar Hero battle, while Laura Branigan, Dusty Springfield, and Mimi Farina discussed pork cheeks with John Philip Sooza. I went as Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and although I wasn't forced to sing "Waterfalls," I did brandish my gasoline can and threaten to burn down random people's houses. Sam (or should I say Michael Hutchence?) always has the best party ideas.

Saturday got started seemingly just a few hours after Friday ended, with the annual Hot Doug's outing, followed by the annual baking and cooking and Hotel SnS prepping. I really think our chefs outdid themselves this year, with a truly stunning array of pork-related items among other delicious dishes and desserts. Alison needs to make at least twice as much mac and cheese next time. Same with those oatmeal butterscotch cookies. Evonne wins the creativity prize for the year, though, by making commemorative pot holders for all.

Not long after Jeff and Susan (and Mike and Paula) arrived, the show got underway. It seems like each year's basement show has its own unique vibe - this might have been the "chatty" year. We're all easily distracted, it seems, and somehow managed to spend four-plus hours of concert time singing, playing, telling stories, asking questions, petting dogs, cooing over babies, teasing one another, dancing, and laughing. To focus on the "singing" part of that wonderful amalgam, there were many songs that stood out for me. "More Like the Moon" was lovely as always. "Thirteen" was excellent, and "Simple Twist of Fate" was an inspired choice that (eventually) worked out really well. (I liked the thought of Bob Dylan playing a living room show somewhere and being inundated by requests for Jeff Tweedy songs.) "I'm Always in Love" was a fitting choice to dedicate to Nat, and the upbeat song helped to counteract my sadness. For the first time I won't be chatting with her about our show today - and that's a damn shame, because she would have loved the story of the dedication.

Finally seeing "The Unwelcome Guest" performed was as amazing as I could have hoped. After years of Alison requesting it, her wish was granted at last - with the added bonus of Mart and Dave accompanying Jeff on vocals and guitar. As always, the talents of our musical friends made the night even more memorable. "Airline to Heaven" and "Long Cut" sounded great. And watching Jeff take a seat to watch Mart play "Sir Duke" (which they theoretically were supposed to play together) is a memory that will make me smile possibly forever. If we get to do this again next year, I hope we manage to convey some of our more unusual requests ahead of time so Jeff can feel more prepared - I did feel guilty about peppering him with so many requests for songs he could hardly be expected to know out of the blue. The performance of "Sir Duke," however, was perfect just the way it was.

After Jeff's last song was finally played, the group picture taken (about ten times), and the awesome Jay Ryan posters were signed, we bid the Tweedys goodnight. After a break for more chatting and consumption of various baked goods, it was back to the basement for the evening's main event (just kidding! or AM I?): more songs by Mart and Dave. From "Rocky Raccoon" to "Purple Rain," and the full ballad of Officer Ron Tugnutt and the Golden Nugget Rug, we sang and danced until we could sing and dance no more. Saying goodbye to everyone in the early morning hours is always bittersweet. We've had a fantastic time together, but it's almost over for now. People have planes to catch and drives to make, and some of us won't see each other again for quite awhile. Until people upload pictures, anyway.

How many different ways can I find to express how thankful I am, every year, that we get to do this? I don't think I'll worry about that too much. Whatever words I find, they're always genuine and from the heart. A lot of families had a brighter start to their new year thanks to the money raised by Letters to Santa. I am so fortunate to have an incredible group of friends who make this weekend so much more than just a show, or just a party, or "just" anything. Jeff and Susan are so giving of their time and energy, kindness and talents - and patience - in making these events possible. And then making them amazing. If I say that every year, then I guess it just means I'm one lucky girl.

Also see:
2007
2006

Out on the weekend

In January of 2005, my friends and I got together for the first Jeff Tweedy show at Hotel SnS. We had never done anything like it before, and I remember it well as a beautiful mess of a night, full of singalongs and crazy requests and disbelief that the show was even happening. Through some great organization, teamwork, and super genorosity on the part of a lot of people (first and foremost Jeff and Susan) we have now been able to repeat that experience twice. Of course, "repeat" is inaccurate. Last year we had a blowout of a weekend featuring three musical acts on Friday night, three official performances on Saturday night, a PA system and detailed recording setup; the works. It was awesome, of course, but I figured that the quality of "pure, crazed giddiness," was something that could never really be captured again. Things could be equally amazing, but not in the same way.

As it turned out, I was half right. Saturday night was definitely not the same as that night in 2005. But to me, it had a very similar vibe. We did away with the PA and all its trappings, and planned for more informal sets from Mart and Dave. As it turned out, we got so much more than we bargained for.

The fun actually began on Friday, with the "I Hate the 90s" party at SnS. As it happens, I do not hate the 90s at all. The years 1990-1999 saw me from age 10 to age 20, so it would be pretty sad if I hated them. I dug up enough 90s clothing and accessories to provide headbands and chokers for others, and necessitate a costume change for me halfway through the night. I was pleased that Sam and Paul were on the same schedule. What can I say about the party? Besides including a bona fide 90s rock star (Sam's friend Eli of the Smoking Popes), we enjoyed jell-o shots, 1994 Sassy magazines, an array of costume styles from grunge to slacker to britpop to kinderwhore (thanks for the reminder, Thax) to hip hop, Malibu Musk, and a masterful playlist that included the extended version of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme. There's a verse about the plane ride to California! Who knew? It was nice to see some more Chicago-area friends I don't get to hang out with very often, and meet some new people too. Abby and I briefly became Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, performing "Nothin' But a G Thang" for the whole basement late in the night. And Trish should be giving Macarena lessons to the masses. (Well, actually, nobody should be giving Macarena lessons to the masses. But Trish could.)

Then came Saturday. The highlight of the early afternoon was meeting Judy and Doug's adorable baby Hannah, with the second annual trip to Hot Doug's thrown in for good measure. Then came cooking, Wii playing, final basement prep, and greeting the continuous stream of friends coming through the door with delicious food and/or drinks. From mac & cheese, lasagna, Dick's savory meat (it never gets old!), and pierogies to brownie bars, cookies, chai birthday cupcakes and almond bark containing more than 50% of California's entire supply of almonds, and more. There were also hot pink porn star drinks created by Sooz's Paul - delicious and surprisingly potent. A few more guests joined the party, including our poster artist extraordinaire Jay Ryan, who brought his wife Diana (designer of our 2005 poster) and some guy named Andrew Bird. He had an appointment to fix a hammered dulcimer later on that night, but he hung out for awhile.

After a great set of originals by Dave Mirabella, Jeff and Susan arrived. I think it's around this point that the details start to get hazy for me. (I can blame the porn stars for that, but only a little bit.) There was some chatting and more eating, and more music. Jeff played about a million songs for us that night. We went around the room with everybody picking one song ("If I can't play the song you request ... then you get to pick a different song") and then choosing the person to go next. It was a lot of fun, and people made some great choices. My own selection was "Woodgrain" - something I'd never heard in person until Saturday. I will love Heidi and Kristina always for choosing "Let's Not Get Carried Away" and "More Like the Moon," respectively. Anyway, there were lots of songs (but not the theme from "Cheers"), and stories, and laughter, and even dancing. Kande's Sock Jeff was a big hit. Later, Dave, Mart, Adam, and Devin joined Jeff for the "singalong" song portion of the evening, becoming the "Five Man Acoustical Jam" (thanks, Paul) and powering through a variety of covers and Wilco songs. By the time Jeff serenaded Susan with a couple of Herman's Hermits tunes to cap off the night, my mind was officially blown. The night had been somehow greater than the sum of its parts - and its parts were pretty damned great. I think a big part of it was just being able to look around the room at a sea of really good friends. Everything seemed to radiate a warm, comfortable (and yes, a little bit giddy) happiness. I am officially very lucky.

After the show was finally over and the annual group photo was taken, we went back upstairs for a quick poster signing. Hannah and Doug reappeared, and Jeff got to hold Hannah. Much documentation of the cuteness ensued. Not long after the Tweedys were escorted out by the Beloved Valet, we had another wonderful performance by Mart in the basement. Curtis Mayfield and the Police blurred together (into a really interesting supergroup) as we sat and sang along in the wee hours of the morning. Dave even took over on guitar at one point while Judy, Paul and I (and many others) sang "Corduroy Cutoff Girl" - proving that it can't be that hard to pull off.

Eventually even the best parties must come to an end, and this one was no exception. After some early morning Wii Sports with Sam and Paul, I headed back home as the sun began to peek over the horizon. It was a good weekend, I'd say.

Oh my

I can't possibly start in on this weekend quite yet. So I'll just post one of my favorite photos from Saturday night. Martin Rivas and Jeff Tweedy.

The baklava has been made

If the baklava has been made, it can only mean one of two things. 1) It's Christmas. 2) It's time for another Hotel SnS weekend of revelry! Since it's the middle of February, well, you make the call. I'm very excited! I'm not as distracted as I was last year, which is lucky, because I had a ton of work to do this week. But now, all that remains are final preparations for the 90s Party tomorrow. I just found GREEN and PURPLE jeans in the Basement o' Wonders. Holy crap. I've found so many great old clothes that I honestly may need to change outfits halfway through the party. How sad is that? Anyway, eeeeee! Friends! Fun! Tomorrow!

Farewell, Thax

Monday evening was Thax's "final" Chicago goodbye show, at none other than the illustrious Hotel SnS. Thax even composed a Hotel SnS poem for the occasion, which he performed accompanied by Sam on the omnichord as seen above. It was inspired in part by Sam's room.

(A word about my photos - this was the first time I used my new phone for picture-taking, and with my settings combined with the low light and absence of flash they wound up looking more like bad screen grabs. I hope to fare better next time.) Adam also read a poem he wrote - Thax Douglas #1.

The musical guests on Monday were all acts that Thax loves, including Recent Photo, Rich Experience (leather pants, metal boots, keytar and all), and one or two others I kind of missed while eating delicious Chinese food - though a group whose name I can't remember ... Bitter Tears? ... did an awesome rendition of Jesse's Girl. The "headliners" were Detholz! who were quite entertaining. Highlights included a cover of Celebration, their own song Spectacula, and a Phil Collins duo of Invisible Touch and Thax's request of Sussudio. The venue was packed, and most everyone was dancing. Sam stuffed a brownie into my bra at one point. It was a good night.

Thax has been a fixture at so many Chicago-area shows I've attended, for as long as I've been attending shows. I will definitely miss his presence on the scene. (Unless, of course, he comes back...)

Sing like you was singin' to Jesus!

Way back in late December of 2005, a bunch of needy families in Chicago had a super Christmas thanks to the generosity of many people. In a related story, in mid-April of 2006, many people had an amazing weekend of music and friendship and music and delicious food and more music, and some of them are still recovering and trying to figure out how they became lucky enough to know such a fantastic group of people.

When we do something, we don't do it half-assed. Both cheeks, as Gwennie averred. Saturday night was the culmination of everything, of course, featuring the musical stylings of Mart and Dave as well as Jeff Tweedy. Two Cow didn't end up performing, given their night's schedule at Subterranean, but they did stop by for food and drinks early on. It's kind of a shame, because I know how excited Jeff was by the prospect of opening for them.

We ate, we drank, and we were merry. Among the candy jock straps, pretzel fights, Boston terrier impressions, Bell Biv Devoe poses, brownies, and wisecracks were some very, very fine performances. Jeff's set was great, and seeing Dave and Mart play with him was such a treat. Not to mention the late-night campfire singalong afterward. The music didn't end until the not-so-wee hours of Sunday morning, and I drove home as the sun rose. It was the perfect finale.

If I had to compare last year's show to this year's, I'd say that last year had a more dreamlike quality to it - being the first of its kind, I don't know if any of us really believed it even as it was happening, and it was a bit more of a free-for-all. This year I think we all knew each other a little too well for the pure, crazed giddiness to reach critical levels - but that added something, too. Another red-letter day on my memory calendar.



By the way, remember that exam I took last Thursday afternoon? I got a 98.

One down, one (big one) to go

Last night was a crazy success, I'd say. Big crowd, lots of drinks, lots of food (including brownies!), and some wonderful music. The posters were beautiful, and there was even a goat head in the background! Can you believe it? It matched my goat head mobile so well.

Our fears of the police raiding the joint proved to be unnecessary, as the merriment went on unmolested until the early hours of the morning. Healthy White Baby was great and loud, Adam Fitz was great and not-as-loud, and Devin Davis was great and had a theremin. What more could you ask for? Well, maybe even MORE musicians and fun the next night, which is what I'm heading for now. At least, I'm making an assumption about the fun. Heh.

My 10 favorite shows of 2005

It turns out I saw exactly forty shows in 2005. I apologize to the thirty that aren't included on this list ... well, I apologize to most of them.

Something funny happened when I looked back over an entire year of music-related memories. It turns out that some of the shows I thought were really awesome right after they happened just don’t stick out in my memory anymore. And some shows that I initially thought were simply “good,” I found myself coming back to and thinking “you know, that was actually pretty freaking sweet.” Of course, some shows I was exactly right about all along.

To cut off further ramblings, here’s my list:

1. 1/29/05 Jeff Tweedy, SnS Basement – This predated my blog, but hot damn. It wasn’t just the best show (weekend, actually) of 2005, it may have been the best one ever.
2. 6/29/05 Wilco, Albright-Knox Art Gallery – I think this was the best Wilco show I saw all year, and I saw a lot of Wilco shows. And the setting couldn’t be beat.
3. 10/20/05 Decemberists, Orpheum – A little sloppy, but as fun and unusual a show as you could hope for. How often does one get to take home a piece of smashed mandolin?
4. 10/26/05 Rhett Miller, High Noon Saloon – Rhett and Madison are an excellent combination.
5. 12/7/05 Jason Molina, Robbie Fulks; Second City – Laid-back, intimate, and super. Robbie covered “Dancing Queen” and “Billie Jean,” and he meant them.
6. 5/9/05 U2, United Center– It may not have done for me what it did four years ago, but a U2 show is still a pretty grand experience – especially from the front row of the “ellipse” in front of The Edge. (Pictures)
7. 5/7/05 Wilco, Vic – the show where everything went wrong onstage created some of my fondest concert memories of the year.
8. 5/23/05 Glenn Kotche, Pick-Staiger Auditorium – I know he was just the opener, but this was the first time I heard and saw up close a lot of Glenn’s upcoming material, and I loved it. I even put one of the songs on a mix CD for a friend’s birthday.
9. 1/19/05 Colin Meloy, Schuba's – the first time I’d seen Colin solo, at one of my favorite places. He was charming, and the songs were lovely.
10. 7/17/05 Wrens, Andrew Bird, Decemberists; Union Park – It was about 100 degrees outside, and dusty, and gross, but this was a really fun trio of performances from a super-appreciative bunch of musicians. (Pictures)

That’s it! I can’t do an honorable mention list, because it would be far too long.

TKO!

Piston Honda will END YOU!

Friday night, I was supposed to go see the New Pornographers at the Barrymore. Unfortunately, the show was postponed due to an emergency appendectomy for the bassist. Yikes. Suddenly, it was 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening and I had nothing to do. What would you do in a situation like that? If you're like me, you'd eat some dinner, grab the remaining insect candy sent to you by HotLix, and head down to Chicago for a Nintendo party at Hotel S 'n S. Much wacky late 1980's Nintendo high jinks ensued. Besides the actual playing of Nintendo, Paul and Kris and I had some spirited conversation about old school WWF wrestling, Sam presented me with a pierogi soap, Kris scared Amelia with Sooz's giant penguin, and I downed my share of liquor + Sunny D cocktails. Once we were sufficiently in the bag, the Nintendo-ing began. I did a respectable job at Tetris, beat Sam in Snoopy's Silly Sports Spectacular (which inexplicably takes place in Italy), sucked a whole lot at Marble Madness while Alison kicked some ass, and cheered on Paul as he took on Von Kaiser and Piston Honda in Mike Tyson's Punch Out. Sam also had all the sampling keyboards out, so many of the games were accompanied by avant garde soundtracks of our own creation. Lucas jauntily playing "Happy Birthday" with Cali's sampled meows as Sam and Paul drove around rescuing hostages in Jackal ... that was a particular highlight.

Does Grandpa's turtle have nuts?

Props to Sooz for getting that question out yesterday at the ice cream parlor without even cracking a smile. (Grandpa's turtle, if you're wondering, is a sundae. And no, sadly, it has no nuts.)

Anyway. I did not meet SPJ at the BBQ, but I did meet Kris's mom. So there you go. And though we didn't finish our game of Trivial Pursuit, Stacy and I were winning. Dammit. Sam makes really good margaritas. Aaand I'm out. Happy Memorial Day!

Sunny

It's a gorgeous day. I know I talk about the weather a lot, but honestly - my view in the office includes three large windows, and if it's lovely and sunny outside, it's constantly making me happy. (Of course, as I was writing, the sun moved behind a cloud. Bastard.)

Likkered up Trivial Pursuit on Saturday night was fun. Plus, Sam gave me a NKOTB 7" of Popsicle! That's it; I'm getting a turntable pronto. A couple rounds of Mad Libs were a good capper for the night. Note: no matter what age you are, some variant of "poop" as a noun or verb in Mad Libs is never not funny. I didn't get home until after 4:00 a.m., but still managed to get about 6.5 hours of sleep. Ahh, Sunday mornings.

Tonight: music.