Summer sing-alongs

Man, I am completely stoked about Beale Street Music Festival this year. (Holy smokes, I just used stoked in a sentence!) The lineup looks absolutely amazing.

Three days, four stages, a crapload of fantastic bands: My Chemical Romance, Disturbed, Santana, Sheryl Crow, Fergie, The Black Crowes, Matisyahu, Aretha Franklin, and -- be still, my heart! -- Ben Folds. I really respect Ben Folds and have wanted to see him in concert for … forever. I’m also looking forward to checking out Lord T & Eloise, whose music (coined “Aristocrunk”) has gained a lot of national attention. Take a listen here.

I’ve heard quite a few people say this is the best BSMF lineup in a long time. I think it’s going to be a great weekend, and it's in the same park I've been spending every Sunday lately. (See high-quality diagram to the left.) Very cool.

I’m looking for other concerts this summer – you know, before I get too settled in. I don’t particularly want to do Warped alone, and everybody else is being waffle-y. None of the other festivals work. Bonnaroo has a stellar lineup and is close to home, but it’s too crowded and too expensive ($250 a ticket? No way …). Coachella has a great lineup but is too far away; Lollapalooza hasn’t announced its lineup, but it’s too far, as well. Dave Matthews has a couple of doable gigs in August (Memphis, Cincinnati). Maybe I’ll hit one of those – again, if somebody tags along.

By the way, I’m feeling a bajillion times better today than yesterday, so sorry for the Woe-is-Meisms. Smacky put it best when he said he’s lucky to have someone who can remember the good even when he’s showing the worst. I not only have the greatest husband in the world, but the most fantastic, patient friends in the universe … through thick and thin. Thanks, guys.

… and see you at Music Fest.

P.S. Hope nobody was too attached to the blonde highlights; my hair’s short and red now. Going to spend my last few months livin’ it up. ^_^