An Evening Under the Stars

What better way to spend a Friday evening in town than a concert in the park? Well, I guess I could be cruising the French Riviera, but I'm feeling very "local" this evening, so close to home it is!

Although I am always looking for my next adventure "away from home", I thought it would be a cool to hang out in my own "backyard"... in this case, my local green space. And tonight, for free, which is my second favorite four-letter "F" word (my first is, um... FOOD), I get to see The Stylistics, a group I have swayed to for many years.

So I am here and I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful night. The air is crisp, the stars are dancing over the treetops, the crowd is mellow and, best of all, I am here with my sweetie.

Now I know that my fellow concert goers think I am a weirdo 'cause I am sitting here, thumb-pecking on my BB... screen illuminating my face like a mischievous kid who's ready to tell ghost stories at a camp out... I mean, other than the flicker of a few citronella candles in the grass (I don't think Smokey Bear would be happy about this), wandering kids waving glo-sticks and the beams from the stage that seemed to carry the notes of "Stone in Love With You" straight to my heart, a blanket of darkness has fallen over the park.

I'm loving every moment of the show... Well, except for the moments when they preface a song with, "the year was 1971" or, "this song was from our first ALBUM," as in, L-P... as in, put a nickel on the needle... I mean, I'm still getting over finding grays two days in a row... I am not ready to claim the year that I first heard "Betcha By Golly Wow" streaming from my box radio. (Note to self...add Clairol #120A to the shopping list.)

I hate to admit it, but the concert is almost over... I can tell because The Stylistics have crooned most of the popular tunes and now they are doing "the song that was #3 on the charts in the UK and Japan"... but they have not done their signature song (read: finale), so I am safe for a few more minutes.

Aw heck... I spoke too soon! I am not ready for the silky serenade to end, but something just happened... Since I don't think anyone would spit on my forehead, it must be rain. Dang-it! (Bill Evans did tell me to expect showers late tonight!) OK, pack it up buddy, the rain is starting to fall... I'm not looking to be in... let's just say, a bar-variety "T-shirt contest".

As the notes of "You Make Me Feel Brand New" echoed behind me and my footsteps quickened toward the car, I chuckled and thought to myself, "Still... couldn't have asked for a more beautiful night!"

Looking for a FREE summer concert near you? Check out events in these popular destinations:

• Atlanta, GA
• Charlotte, NC
• Daytona Beach, FL
• Freeport, MN
• Houston, TX
• Miami, FL
  
• New York City
• Northern NJ
• Orange County (Anaheim/Santa Ana), Ca
• Philadelphia, PA
• Naples, FL
• Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads, VA

Or, you can always log on to NPR (National Public Radio) for live and "recorded live" events right from your PC!