Checking out which super groups of musicians I wanted to rock out to, I created a schedule of epic proportions. I was all set to rock Brooklyn Comes Alive with gusto when I received a very sad phone call. My ride had to back out making it pretty much impossible for me to go. Bummertown!
FOMO (fear of missing out) started to set in as I realized all of the once in a lifetime musical experiences that were bound to go down in Williamsburg this year that I wouldn’t get to be a part of. Instead of wallowing in my sorrows, I decided to channel all of the excitement I had into a blog post where I’m going to share with you what I would have done if I had been there.
After taking a yoga class at one of the many yoga studios near by, I hop in the shower, put on all of my sparkly things and glitter up my face. Looking like a million bucks, I’d head over to Rough Trade to see Wokes with Jokes. What is that you may ask? It’s a stand up comedy act about the jam band scene. I had the pleasure of hanging with one of the comedians Brett Siddell side stage at the Peach Festival and that dude is funny! I had been working out my laughing muscles for weeks in preparation.
Even though the venues are really close together, I’d be staying put at Rough Trade so I could witness the badass magic that is Karina Rykman and her band. The last time she was in Burlington, I gifted her with a pair of sweet glitter boots and I’d love to see them in action. Karina is one of my favorite bassists because she meshes musical genius with charisma which is one of my favorite combinations ever.
I know that it will be so hard, but I’d pull myself out of there so I could scoot over to the Brooklyn Bowl to catch the end of Shira Elias’s Soul Tracks featuring some of my favorite peeps. That woman can sing and she’s joined by the scene’s best soul musicians and singers. My soul is crying a little bit from not being there in real life.
After my soul shaking musical adventure, I’d run my sparkly booty over to The Music Hall of Williamsburg to see the Adam Deitch Quartet before bopping over to Rough Trade again to see three of my friends rock out together. Who are these amazing friends? They are Michelangelo Carubba, Rob Compa and Eli Winderman. Holy guacamole!
After my mind was blown by that collaboration, I would leave slightly early so I could catch the tribute to Col. Bruce Hampton, Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks at the Brooklyn Bowl. Those three men have had a huge impact on my life and getting to pay tribute in this way is an honor for me. And to see George Porter Jr., Taz, Adam Smirnoff, Jeff Sipe, Peter Levin and Elise Testone do it is a dream come true.
I’d likely be starving by then, so I’d grab some food at the Brooklyn Bowl. Not only is that venue the coolest, but they have some interesting and delicious food choices. With a full belly, I’d hop on the path of the next journey which is exactly where I was, the Brooklyn Bowl. Marc Brownstein, Borahm Lee, Alvin Ford Jr. and Khris Royal are going to be throwing it down. Even though I’d be missing some music at the other venues, sometimes you’ve just gotta make a choice and be happy with where you are.
It’s easy to start to feel FOMO at this festival because there is so much to see. But you’re there and that’s amazing!! Shift your FOMO into JOMO (joy of missing out) and surrender into the magic of the present moment.
The next place my dancing tushie will end up at is the Music Hall of Williamsburg for the Steely Dan Tribute. When your roommate (Hayley Jane) is in anything, you go! She’ll be joined by the best of the best covering the best so it would be pretty much impossible for me to be anywhere else.
You’d think by now that my musical wad had been blown, but it’s just picking up steam as I gallivant back over to Rough Trade to listen to the Baby Jesus Peasant Party headed by Jesus from Lettuce. That man’s funky and I’d be so gettin down to his beats.
Jam Cruise is one of the coolest ideas that anyone has ever had. I’ve had the pleasure of being on the boat twice in my lifetime and ever since I’ve had a huge desire to get back on. Maybe this year will be my year. One of my favorite aspects of Jam Cruise is the jam room where you never know what exactly will happen, but you know whatever it is will rock your world. Brooklyn Comes Alive brought the Jam Room to the Music Hall of Williamsburg and it’s going to be hosted by George Porter Jr. and Karina Rykman and Craig Brodhead. Holy macaroni!!!
While that’s happening, I’d definitely be bouncing back and forth from the Music Hall to the Brooklyn Bowl where the Purple Party: A Tribute to Prince would be taking place. I just got a purple vest, so even though I won’t be there, I’m going to wear it and have a Prince dance party in my kitchen at home.
If I was able to be there for realsies, the mind blowin soul shattering musical journey I’d just been on would cause me to have to sleep for at least one month. But it would have been worth it. Hopefully you’re able to go because if you can, what else could you possibly be doing that is more awesome than Brooklyn Coming Alive? Tickets are still available and you can get them HERE. Starting at $85.
Please share all your videos, leave comments and/or text me all about it. You’re going to have the best time ever!!!
