"Is it the end or beginning??"

Gathering of the Vibes
Seaside Park - Bridgeport, CT
July 31 – Aug 3, 2008

This was something of a “hometown” event for me – but this was my first time at The Vibes. It felt like I wasn’t even going anywhere, since all I did was drive 40 minutes, have coffee with a good friend in Port Jefferson, then hop on the ferry and POOF! I was there! Almost too easy to be going to a festival. Of course, that caused me to not bring the proper supplies and I ended up spending too much money on food and beverage... but I suppose that's what happens at the end of an adventure.... you get a little bit lax. But it's ok to be less than perfect. I'm getting used to accepting that!

I spent a lot of time in the Cosmic Casbah with the Karma Wash crew from the Unbroken Chain symposium. Mostly thanks to a fortuitous run-in with Wesley, who brought me back to see where it was all happening. Kasbah events for me included a great jam session with the Kind Buds, a much needed nap (courtesy of Jonny Wa), a late-night chill session/jam, becoming acquainted with the owner of the cutest tush in all the land (Darling Tavi), blueberry pancakes and excellent coffee, a surprise visit from the Great Wendini,… and the Mystery of the Missing Martin – which fortunately was ultimately solved with no casualties.

I also spent time with my old friend, Thom (along with new friends, Lottie and Josh), in his vendor booth. This was where I experienced the massive rain squall on Saturday afternoon – complete with thunder, lightning, wind and rain ("don't let go! don't let go!”). Saturday started as a lovely morning – sun, a few puffy clouds… then it got dark. We ended up in full “Batten-down-the-hatches” mode for a good half hour of strong winds and heavy rain. Complete with panic, refugees, tipped over boxes, and a little “stress relief” as soon as possible. While Thom’s booth survived relatively unscathed, our neighbors were not so lucky. It seemed that the booths directly on either side of us were completely demolished. Grateful Don, the tie-dye vendor, lost his entire set up. His tent pulled up out of the ground and flipped over the fence behind us, into the camping area. His entire inventory was all soaked, w/the colors running all into one another. I have to say I was inspired by his optimism as he simply sent his staff into town for a new tent, held a half-price sale, and made the best of it.

I think the best part of the weekend - and perhaps the summer - was the grand jam session after it was all said and done. I was so tired after 8 festivals, and so close to home, that I had planned to head home as soon as the traffic cleared - the idea of sleeping in my own bed was oh-so-inviting. But, Jonny insisted I come to the Cotter's traditional Invitational Jam Session... at least for a little while. What a time was had. There were probably 4 or 5 people with guitars, a mandolin, several congas, bongos and other instruments of percussion and from 3 to 25 voices at any given time. The funniest was that I started out simply singing harmonies and enjoying everything. Jon had his guitar and at one point asked me to hold it so he could play the mandolin. Of course, how can one sit in a circle of music, guitar in hand and not play? So I started to play along and apparently I hadn't let on that I could do such a thing. I think Jon almost fell over. I didn't think it was all that impressive, but apparently I was wrong. Either way - it was a great time and the next thing I knew it was 2am, too late to drive home - so I played some more.... and then it was 4am... difficult as it was to put the music to bed, it was time for me to do just that.

Sleep and then finally home on Monday. ..I could not have planned a better closure to my summer Festival express!