I Do Stuff…

WSP Wood Tour poster

I posted twice about this performance from the show, now I have more time for an in depth review from last night.  The Fillmore in Silver Spring only opened last September and none of their booked acts thus far peaked my interested.  In November it was confirmed that Widespread Panic would be taking a indefinite hiatus starting in 2012.  They would play their already book, and sold out, four nights in Puerto Morelos Mexico and limited engagements in Atlanta, Denver, Aspen, and Silver Spring.  I jumped all over the tickets when they went on sale in middle November.  It could possible be the last chance to see the band for a few years and it was going to be an all acoustic tour which sounded really cool.

The two shows at the Fillmore would kick the tour off and I decided to catch the first of the two shows.  As much as I wanted to see both nights, the high ticket price and distance from my house on a school night precluded me.  I left work at 6pm for an 8pm show time which Widespread is pretty good at keeping.  I knew that traffic would be a little rough, only once I got to the American Legion Bridge did things slow down.  I still managed to make it to the parking garage by 7:30, enough time to find a bit to eat and head into the show.

Just the lobby alone was impressive.  You are given a choice to go upstairs or into the club on the ground floor.  On either side of the floor there is a huge bar that has a good selection of bottle beers.  They do have drafts, but it was limited to only domestics, prices were “ok” at $7 for my bottle of Anchor Steam.  I was impressed they had it however so the price was worth it.  The upstairs has a VIP section with seats along either side of the balcony and on the second level opposite the stage is a tiered VIP section with tables.  Behind all the VIP sections there is space for general admission patron to stand.  You can’t see much of the stage from these spots, but there are tvs hanging from the ceiling that have a feed of the stage.  The live feed, with audio, is piped into a bar and lounge in the basement which is really cool.  The dance floor is made of wood and there are the signature Fillmore hanging chandeliers, four in all, next to a mirror ball.  All in all this is a really nice venue and I can’t wait to get back to the place.  Even the bathrooms are impressive.

jam on guys

As for the performance, it kicked ass.  I have seen acoustic songs before and been to quite venues like the Birchmere and Rams Head Tavern but this was completely different.  The song selection was good, each version was played in a mellow fashion to go along with the acoustic instruments.  John, Dave, and Jimmy all sat in chairs while they played.  One thing I noticed about Jimmy was he didn’t switch his guitar much, if at all.  I am use to seeing him get a new guitar every couple of songs, depending on what sound he is looking for that particular song.  All the band members seem to enjoy the night and really get into the acoustic vibe.

The audience was a typical WSP crowd, a little older and much more mature than some other acts I see.  There was of course lots of drinking, the floor after the show was covered in spilt beer and empty plastic cups.  All in all, they were respectful of the performance and really got into at times.  On several songs, because of the performances quite nature, the audience would sing along with John.  When I was dancing to the music at times I would look up at the balcony and see everyone grooving to the music.  It was also funny to see the audience at the start of each set whip out their cell phones to snap some photos.  Don’t think I am throwing stones, how do you think I got my shots from the night?  Just a funny observation from the night.

Getting home took about 70 minutes cutting through downtown DC.  Unfortunately I can’t make the performance tonight.  I do look forward to going back to the venue sooner rather than later.  I think it is a welcome addition to the live music scene here in Washington DC.  I just hope top caliber acts continue to go to the State Theatre, Birchmere, and 9:30 Club.

Set 1 (8:18pm start)
01. This Part Of Town >
02. Worry
03. Fishing
04. St. Louis >
05. Clinic Cynic >
06. Wondering
07. Free Somehow
08. Genesis >
09. Holden Oversoul
(9:12pm end)

Set 2 (9:55pm start)
01. From The Cradle
02. Can’t Get High
03. Gimme
04. Degenerate >
05. Pilgrims >
06. Travelin’ Man >
07. Saint Ex >
08. jam >
09. Driving Song >
10. jam >
11. Driving Song >
12. Breathing Slow >
13. City of Dreams
(10:56pm end)

encore: (11:00pm start)
14. None of Us Are Free
15. May Your Glass Be Filled
16. Walkin’ (For Your Love)
(11:16pm end)

Notes:
Wood Tour
Last ‘Fishing’ – 11/29/08, 215 shows
Last ‘Free Somehow’ – 10/28/08, 225 shows

time to go home

This venue is incredible and seeing WSP here us a real treat. I love the acoustic playing, very mellow versions of known songs so far. Been very impressed with the first set and can’t wait for the second. For a tour opener this has been a great performance. I am missing the president’s state of the union address for this show but it is totally worth it. I will catch it on my way home.

What will happen for second set…..oh boy oh boys.

Let’s try some live blogging tonight. At the Widespread Panic show in Silver Spring, MD. The tour opener for the Wood Tour and probably the only six shows in America all year. I am psyched! Got a beer in hand, show should be starting shortly.

it was a night for beer

Photo Gallery

After nursing a hangover from the night before, Nancy and I got a late start on our trip to Baltimore. As a surprise Nancy got a hotel room in the Inner Harbor for the night.  We planned to spend the evening out eating and drinking, not having to worry about driving home. Getting a late start we did not arrive in the city till after three o’clock, plenty of time to check in and get settled in before heading out for the night.  We got an upgraded room, still the king bed but got moved to the 18th floor. The view was pretty bad, we looked directly into the court yard between two close buildings.  But then again we were in the city not for the room but to eat and drink. What we did get out of the upgraded room was a free happy hour and breakfast the next morning.

After parking the car we “relaxed” in the room for a few minutes and then headed down to the hotel bar for some drinks. While checking in the guy gave us a free drink ticket when he found out it was my birthday so the first round was on the house.  Plus we had some time to kill before the hotel happy hour so we enjoyed another round before heading up.

Once 7pm rolled around we packed it up and headed for the happy hour for some more drinks and hors d’oeuvres on the 17th floor.  Here the beer selection was down right horrible and there was no red wine.  But my mission of drinking all night was not going to be interrupted by this little fact and I plowed through two Amstel Lights.  The one saving grace was the hors d’oeuvres which were actually really good.  There was a fruit and cheese platter and these awesome mini burgers that Nancy and I both filled up on.  This actually helped solve one problem, what to eat for dinner.  Now we could focus on drinking!

James Joyce Irish Pub

Late in the evening we headed for the Inner Harbor to start bar hoping.  As many times as I have been there I didn’t have any places in mind on where to drink.  I like to wing it most of the time when it comes to finding food on trips.  We agreed that I would pick the first place and Nancy the next, going back and forth till we found our way back to the hotel.  Shortly after arriving to the Inner Harbor I saw a sign for Sullivan’s.  I didn’t know what it was before walking up, but the sign outside looked inviting and they offered a terrace so we could smoke.  When we walked in it was a swanky place, felt out of place being there.  We talked to the hostess and she said we could sit outside and a waitress would eventually come out to take our drink order.  We sat on the far side, right next to a three piece jazz band playing at the bar, I saw that and got excited!  Nancy smoked a cigarette and then I started harping on her to go inside, it wasn’t freezing out, I just wanted to hear the band.  We got a seat on the far side of the bar, ordered another round of drinks and a plate of oysters Rockefeller.  Nancy is not one for sea food, but she does love this dish.

After a quick drink it was time to head to the next bar.  I thanked Nancy for indulging my jazz music tastes and we headed deeper into the harbor.  We passed several promising places but nothing that sparked interest from Nancy.  Searching on her phone turned up an Irish pub, James Joyce, not to far in Little Italy.  Here we spent several hours drinking and talking.  This place was much more lively than Sullivan’s with a crowd that knew how to drink and a band playing traditional Irish music.  We bellied up to the bar and ordered a round of Guinness, this was my staple drink for the rest of the night.  Nancy even meet the lead singer from the band on one of her smoking breaks.  She leaned over after the set break and told me she just smoked a cigarette with the guy, real cool and down to earth.

National Aquarium

By now it was getting late and we both were getting hungry for some food and another round.  When making our way to James Joyce we noticed a place called Roy’s with the description of “Hawaiian Fusion”, this sounded interesting.  Unfortunately when we walked in after 11pm the kitchen had just closed down and they where only serving drinks.  We didn’t much fit in with the crowd and we got a cool reception from the bartender.  No need to stay where we are not wanted so we walked out, still looking for food.

One place that I love to stop by late at night in Baltimore is Sabatino’s, right in the heart of Little Italy.  The prices are reasonable and the food is pretty good.  Considering they are open till 3am on Fridays and Saturdays I hit it up regularly after shows.  Nancy and I settled in for another round of drinks and some late night pasta with tiramisu for dessert.  One thing bugged me while we were here, I noticed this guy in the opposite corner from our table and I just kept staring at him.  He looked familiar but I couldn’t place him.  It was about 30 minutes before it dawned on me, we saw Mickey open up for Joel McHale at the Warner Theatre a while back.  Mickey is from 98 Rock and he was having a late dinner with a couple of his friends.  I thought he was funny as shit when we saw him.

Unfortunately like all great things this too must come to an end.  We walked back to the hotel but we were certainly not done drinking.  The hotel bar was still open so we plopped down for another drink and shot the shit with the bartender who served us earlier in the night.  Finally it was time to head up to the room and catch a few zzz after a long night of drinking, in fact a long weekend of drinking.

frog from the National Aquarium

The next morning we woke up refreshed and headed to the free breakfast buffet on the 17th floor.  After checking out of the hotel we headed over to the National Aquarium to check out the fish.  I was planning on going here Saturday afternoon when we arrived, but the previous nights festivities delayed our arrival in the city so we had to postpone it till Sunday morning.  It had been years since either of us had been there, in fact it was probably 15+ years for me.  Some of the exhibits has been updated or rotated out, but basically just like I remember it from so long ago.  Another quick meal at Dick’s Last Resort were we got some decent food and a whole lot of bad attitude.

We arrived home late in the afternoon and both of us were exhausted from partying all weekend long.  We settled in for a movie but that was short lived.  I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep, which I did for a few minutes on the couch, but I had to get up and head out to Vienna with Jeremy to see Charlie Hunter perform.  The performance was forth getting out of the house for, but I certainly felt like crap till I got two cups of coffee in me.

I was surprised by the trip Nancy planned for my birthday.  We had a kick ass time bar hoping and taking in the sights of Baltimore for the night.  There is so much to do we could certainly go again, maybe next year for my birthday?

it certainly was cold

Photo Gallery

The day after Christmas Pat gathered the family for a trip to the National Harbor for ICE! hosted at the Gaylord National Hotel.  This years theme was How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  The exhibit is housed in a giant tent that has about a dozen industrial chillers pumping 24 hours a day.  Inside it is only 9 degrees so they advise you to dress warmly, they even provide you with a parka to help keep you warm.

On the way into the exhibit you get a history lesson on Dr. Seuss from his early works to his later more famous children books.  You find out how he helped the war effort during WWII and about other forms of art he created.  We know him best for his children books but he painted and sculpted as well.  As you near the entrance to the exhibit the lesson changes to some of the worlds more famous ice festivals and how exactly they come up with various blocks of ice.  I never thought about it, but clear ice is very difficult to make.  They deionized the water and chill it slowly for three days to get it clear.  It is clear because the crystal structure is very uniform, must like a diamond is.  They also make frosted ice and colored ice with various techniques.

atrium of Gaylord National at Christmas

For me the highlight was the slide near the end of the exhibit.  The exhibit is rather short and I would have loved to seen more ice sculptures.  The 9 degrees temperature was also not a problem as we all dressed in many layers.  If you were not prepared I can see it would have been rather chilly inside.  In fact it seemed like the weather outside was worse than inside.  A huge storm decided to blast the eastern shore with strong winds, cold temperatures and snow.  It was almost pleasant walking into the exhibit compared to outside.  In fact we had to wait for Bobby and Tracy to arrive with the kids so we took the opportunity to get warm inside the Garylord National Hotel.  I was amazed while walking inside the hotel and convention center.  The atrium is absolutely huge with shops and restaurants, all decked out for the holiday festivities.  I would love to stay here one night, some of the hotel rooms have balconies that look into the atrium.  Would be cool to sit out and watch the people from a private balcony.

After walking through ICE! it was getting rather late and we headed for the Public House for some dinner.  Fortunately this allowed us to catch the remaining quarter of the Packers vs. Giants game where the Packers absolutely crushed the Giants.  The food here was not bad and the prices where reasonable for the sandwiches we all got.  With a rather small seating room you couldn’t get many people in there at one time.

It was great getting together with the family, even my brother and his girlfriend came which was a real shock to Nancy and I.  ICE! could have been a little better or certainly a cheaper ticket price for the experience we received.  But the dinner together more than made up for the lack luster ice sculptures and high ticket price.