Hamden,
CT July 6, 2001, Maedowbrook Golf Course
Spent the better part of the day making plans with various friends,
coordinating directions and arrival times. It's not often NRBQ plays in
your hometown and to say I've been psyched about this gig would be the
understatement of the century. I spoke w/the concert organizer early in
the day (she is a friend) and she said everything was on schedule. The
road crew would be in town around 2 and the band were scheduled to
arrive around 5 for dinner. I told her they probably wouldn't arrive
until right before the show. She agreed but said they had planned a
nice meal for the boys upon their arrival. She invited me down to a
preshow reception at 6.
Let me just give you some background information on Hamden and the
Hamden Arts Commission. I'm proud to say that I live in a town that
truly appreciates and values the arts. I teach in a high school where I
am one of 5 visual art teachers and part of a fine arts department that
includes a staff of 10, just at the high school. Our town has a real
love of the arts and the Hamden Arts Commission is one of the local
organizations that is responsible for bringing some wonderful
entertainment to our town. This weekend, NRBQ. . . next weekend Blood,
Sweat & Tears featuring David Clayton-Thomas . . . for free. Not too
shabby!
The weather today was simply spectacular. It was just a beautiful day
that became a glorious night. When I arrived at 6:15, there were people
starting to come in but it was looking fairly sparse. I went to find
Mimsie (the organizer) at her office and was told she was already at the
concert site so I walked over there. I immediately ran into a group of
local friends and just went and hung out with them. Over the course of
the next hour, I watched as people arrived in droves, carrying coolers,
chairs, blankets, babies . . . the procession was endless and by 7:15
there were thousands of people settled into various parts of the
sprawling golf course. Oh, this was going to be good! I felt the energy
level begin to rise. Families were spread around picnic dinners,
children playing frisbee over to one area, a van from the local senior
citizen home driving a group of senior citizens onto the golf course to
enjoy the coming concert.
I had tried to get my parents to come to the show. My mother said they
would try to make it but I didn't believe they would show. I ran into
all sorts of friends, both local and friends who had travelled to see
the show. Saw some colleagues, neighbors and students. It was just a
great feeling to see my town supporting this show! Around 7:40, the
boys took the stage. The energy was there from the first note. I knew
it was going to be a great night. Sorry, I don't keep a set list but
here's a brain dump:
Wild Weekend
Paree
Magnet
Norma
Little Floater
Time & Place (see, John, I wasn't pulling your leg!)
Captain Lou
Twist & Shout
Eleanor Rigby
God Only Knows
In the Still of The Night
Be Here Now
Feel So Good And I Want You To Feel Good Too
Just Ain't Fair
Get Rhythm
Rc Cola & a Moonpie
Puddin' Truck
Ridin' In My Car
Green Lights
Rocket In My Pocket
The Mule Is In The Corn
If I Don't Have You
I'm sure I'm missing quite a few. As nightfall set in, the crowd, which
had been somewhat reserved, started to loosen up and soon the place was
rockin'! The guys really got off on the energy. At one point the
entire front of the stage was taken over by kids no older than 10. They
were mesmerized, especially by Terry. Every time he would look, smile,
or wave at them, they would scream at the top of their lungs, which of
course kept Mr. Adams quite entertained:-) The kids were just beautiful
and they were appreciating the band on that very unspoiled way that
little kids do, kinda like before the world gives 'em all its'
hangups:-) Kids respond to art very much the same way, before they've
had 'instruction'. I love that raw energy stuff!! It's so real and
pure.
Anyway, the guys played a great, long show. They came back for two
encores and it was obvious that everyone that was there had a great
time. Went for a bite afterwards w/some of the usual suspects. I
noticed I had a missed call from my parents so I called them from the
table. My Dad answers the phone "Norma . . . oooooh, ooooh, ooooh . . .
and proceeds into a few other key phrases from some 'Q' songs. Turns
out my folks went to the show afterall. They stayed at the back of the
crowd so I never even knew they were there. It's the first time in over
20 years of me seeing the 'Q' that my parents saw them. They only
stayed for about 6 songs but I was really glad they came to the show at
all. My mom actually liked them, hehehe! Jeff & Lis, we missed you but
chalked it up to a 'being-able-to-get-there-in-time' kinda thing. I
told the guys how proud I was of my town and the general consensus was
that Hamden is a great little town . . . a great little town indeed!!
Enjoy the weekend . . .
Stacey
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