Last week we went to Clark Park, a nice little shady, grassy spot a few blocks away.We checked out the farmer's market (every farmer's market has a Mennonite/Amish contingent) and found some good produce and flowers.
We were also proselyted to the communist party there. I'm thinking of joining; they were such nice clean cut boys (Marx and Engels shown here).
Clark park is on the corner of a plot of land that was used as an old Civil War hospital. A hundred years ago, local citizens planted a piece of the Gettysburg geology there as a memorial.
Randomly, there is also a Dickens and Little Nell statue.
As we were just finishing up our brunch burritos from Honest Tom's psychedelic lunch truck,
...a ragged crew went past us, with obvious bluegrass instruments. They set up and played a few songs, including an interesting variety called Cajun bluegrass using a rebar triangle instead of a washboard. Cajun dialect is actually less understandable than regular bluegrass lyrics. They called themselves Buffalo Death Rattle and noted they were "on tour." In bare feet and with a dog: my kind of tour. Couldn't get a better picture as they played "in the round, " but facing in.
...a ragged crew went past us, with obvious bluegrass instruments. They set up and played a few songs, including an interesting variety called Cajun bluegrass using a rebar triangle instead of a washboard. Cajun dialect is actually less understandable than regular bluegrass lyrics. They called themselves Buffalo Death Rattle and noted they were "on tour." In bare feet and with a dog: my kind of tour. Couldn't get a better picture as they played "in the round, " but facing in.
Inspired, we drove out to Longwood Gardens, the remnant estate of Peirce DuPont, chemical magnate, and dabbler in fountains and horticulture. I didn't see a single weed or downed leaf the whole day.
After wandering around nicely appointed and immaculately tended gardens, we were informed that there would be a bluegrass band playing at the outdoor stage. "Bonus!" we thought. "Maybe they'll be as good as Buffalo Death Rattle."
Imagine our surprise to get to listen to Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, four-time winner of the International Bluegrass Association group of the year. They were a bit more "polished" than BDR. And not a cajun cussword the whole time. Plus the fountains near the stage accompanied their finale.
Then, to add to the magic, we went over to the main fountains and enjoyed 10,000 gallons per minute of Tchaikovsky and lit fountains.
One day, two renowned bluegrass bands on tour. Does it get any better than that?
I submit it does not - get better than that, I mean. I'm a faithful follower of your blog. I'm loving living in Philly vicariously. You're a great writer, Evan . .. Gabe . . . Evan. Don't do it. Don't join the communists. It can't end well.
ReplyDeleteLove the fountain show at Longwood Gardens. Might have seem that taco truck on Diners Drive-ins and Dives. ;-)
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