Our Big Weekend
There are certain contra dance bands that always draw a crowd. Nightingale and Wild Asparagus are a few that come to mind. Right up there with them are the Groovemongers. They have played at just about every dance weekend around and are synonymous with quality contra dance music. So you might be able to imagine our surprise when we found out that we would be headlining with the Groovemongers for Delafield, Wisconsin's first contra dance weekend. Ulp!
It went off incredibly well. We knew that this gig would be our last big appearance as the Cosmic Otters before the little one arrived. For eight months pregnant, Meg is a real trooper. We played for three hours on Friday night, led four workshops on Saturday, starting at 9:15 a.m., danced Saturday evening, and danced and played for another two hours on Sunday. Thanks to Pam and all of the wonderful Wisconsin folks for working so hard and hosting us.
We did a combined set Sunday afternoon with the Groovemongers, which was a hoot. The set was going off so well that I got a little too excited towards the end. When I launched into the Mason's Apron at an apparently overgenerous tempo, it prompted the mandolin player to shout, "And we're off!" Whoops, sorry about that!
After the dance, we pulled out of the parking lot to head home, and the unthinkable happened. I gently took a speed hump, and a loud "Sproing!" from under the hood of the car immediately followed. It turns out that I managed to bust one of the coil springs that comprises the car's front suspension, rendering the car completely incapacitated. Fortunately for us, one of our fellow contra dance friends was only 10 minutes down the road and was kind enough to drive us back to Chicago. Unfortunately for us, the car is still in Waukesha being repaired, so we have to trek up there on Wednesday to get it back.
It went off incredibly well. We knew that this gig would be our last big appearance as the Cosmic Otters before the little one arrived. For eight months pregnant, Meg is a real trooper. We played for three hours on Friday night, led four workshops on Saturday, starting at 9:15 a.m., danced Saturday evening, and danced and played for another two hours on Sunday. Thanks to Pam and all of the wonderful Wisconsin folks for working so hard and hosting us.
We did a combined set Sunday afternoon with the Groovemongers, which was a hoot. The set was going off so well that I got a little too excited towards the end. When I launched into the Mason's Apron at an apparently overgenerous tempo, it prompted the mandolin player to shout, "And we're off!" Whoops, sorry about that!
After the dance, we pulled out of the parking lot to head home, and the unthinkable happened. I gently took a speed hump, and a loud "Sproing!" from under the hood of the car immediately followed. It turns out that I managed to bust one of the coil springs that comprises the car's front suspension, rendering the car completely incapacitated. Fortunately for us, one of our fellow contra dance friends was only 10 minutes down the road and was kind enough to drive us back to Chicago. Unfortunately for us, the car is still in Waukesha being repaired, so we have to trek up there on Wednesday to get it back.
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