Thank You

Perhaps two years I was listening to National Public Radio
when I heard Michael Franti and Spearhead for the first time.
The song was Hello Bonjour, and it held me in the driveway
long after I had shut off my truck's engine.
The words touched my heart
and I came into the house with my face still wet with tears.
Soon after, a friend had seen the band in Clearwater (at Ruth Eckerd Hall),
and she posted some Spearhead videos on facebook.
I recognised the sound and was thrilled.
I promised myself a Spearhead show.

When the dates for the next tour were announced
and I learned that the band was going to play Tampa
(at the St Pete Times Forum), I was excited,
then bummed when I found out they weren't headlining.
John Mayer's alright, but I wouldnt want his music
to be what was left in my ears as I left that night,
so I began to place my attention on the following manifestation:
MF and Spearhead, as headliners,
performing at an intimate venue
for an affordable price.
This prayer was answered when they were booked
at the Ritz Theater in Ybor City, Tampa.

I have alot of friends who are very well known entertainers,
and to tell you the truth, for me, music is about the energy,
and how it moves through me, more than it is about a performer.
So, on the day of the show,
when MF walked by us, en route to his bus, from yoga,
I said "thank you" and did not give chase.
Autographs and photos are not really my thing,
unless I'm truly friends with someone,
and even then...not so much.
The folks I was with wanted to walk around the corner, though,
so I went with them. They got their photos.
Michael, to me, looked tired.
While he was quite generous with the crowd, I was ambivalent.
Twice, I nearly stepped toe to toe with him,
and twice, let it go.
It was obvious he needed to rest before the show.
I did not wish to keep him.

I see performers as vessels, just like the rest of us.
They just happen to do their work on a stage, in the lights,
so I'm not much practiced at being a fan.
I am better at being a friend,
and I know, MF is friendly, but we're not acquainted.

When one of my friends stepped beside him
it seemed right, so I did too
and some other friend snapped an awkward photo
as I (oddly) mentioned aloud, "that's my bellydance teacher!"
to Michael, I guess, about the girl at his other hip.
(I am challenged at small talk)

When Michael stepped onto the bus
we returned to the doorway to await our entry.

I loved my first adventure to The Ritz Theater, that night.
I love that the cigarette and cigar smoking is kept to one room.
I love the layout.
I love the colors.
I love that the barrier before the stage is smooth
(I've been places where it's been chain link fencing).
I love the chandeliers.
I love that the bathrooms were clean
and that ALL empolyees I encountered there
were helpul, kind and smiling.

When I was a kid, I loved being near the stage.
Now, I dont care so much about that.
As noted above, the performer need not fill my eyes;
I'm there for the music.
I like room to dance.
All my friends, on the other hand, like the front.
I like their smiley vibes, so I stuck with them,
snuggled up to the left, in front of the stage.

One Eskimo was an interesting listen.
I liked their sound,
even though I wasnt able
to discern the lyrics.
I liked the versitle nature of the OE performers.
I had never before seen a musician
play the bass AND a horn simultaneously.
I also had never seen a drummer who had
a motorcycle headlight setup on his kit,
and a spiral cut cymbal,
which I found pretty cool.
I'm more of a hand drumming listener,
but this guy was a pleasure to hear.
I liked his style.

When Michael and the guys came to the stage
the energy rose in the room.
The chatting came to an end
and the focus was purely on the stage.

The music was fab and the crowd was lovely.

As Michael prepared to sing Shake Shake Shake,
he asked the crowd if there were a bellydancer to be found.
The light found us, he pointed in our direction,
"you are a bellydancer!"
and my beautiful teacher was called to the stage.
What a terrific moment it was, to see her dance
for folks that were so appreciative of her doing so.
(now, I suppose, I know why I said "she's my bellydance teacher")

My most tender moment came as Michael spoke about the water.
Having recently come from Alabama,
he had heard folks there speak
about their gulf beaches, about the BP oil hemmorage
about their potential economic fallout,
as well as the beaches (at that time) still being clean.
I stood there, crying, because I know,
you know, it's about so much more than the economy.

I have lived on the gulf coast most of my life.
Mine was a tender heart
and I appreciated that the water was mentioned.
(I do hope he also weaves in the need for energy
to be focused on the clear sacredness of the water
and those beings who live in and upon it, though,
rather than only the economy and the sand.)

The entire show was fabulous.
One thing which stood out to me
what the layers of respect I felt,
by which I mean,
the exchange of energy between the musicians
felt supportive and empowering,
the work of the support crew was spot on, constantly,
as if needs were anticipated with diligent capability.
(troubleshooting seemed like it was handled
much like one smooths wrinkles from fabric, with a smoothing hand).

When the show was over,
as often I do,
I stepped up to thank those who shared with us, their talent.
I thanked Jay, "thank you for coming to Ybor"
and he said, so warmly, as he hugged me, "thank you for having us,"
as if I'd just served him a homecooked meal.
Dave was quieter, and a bit more detached,
but he sat there signing a few autographs for folks.
Carl came with some smiles, to hear a word or two,
perhaps, in his quieter way.
Raleigh was already working on something else
when I caught his attention to thank him.
He smiled what looked like tired appreciation.
(I never did get to say thanks to Manas)

I love that the energy is infused into the crowd,
then drawn from it in a circuit
and then returned again, in cycles.
This was displayed so clearly in the invitations extended:
to my teacher, to the two who came to play guitar
and to the beautiful children who were called up to sing "I Love You".

I loved that, when Michael did come into the crowd,
he joined it, threading his heart into the masses,
and weaving a community of which he may not even be aware.

I made some new friends at the show
and others came to find me on facebook
when I posted some of my photos to the MF page.

It is my prayer
that those who are Spearhead (all of you, from roadies to frontman)
know that the energy they are radiating
is valued in such a way that the love is returned to them.
I pray that those who are around them
give them more than accolades, but offer a genuine friendship,
(whether it's literal, or not)
some home baked bread, clear libations of the soul,
sweet green things and peace.

Thank you to all of you in the band
and thank you to all of you Spearits, too.
I love you. I love you. I love you.

Spellbinding Sherry

PS I missed Cherine's beautiful voice that night
and LOVE her sound on the CD I have.