Whiling Away the Time at the Whitaker Music Festival 


With so many good free entertainment venues in the St. Louis summer, the Whitaker Music Festival is still a good choice. See you next Wednesday. 

When Jan said, "Who wants to go to the jazz festival tomorrow night?" I was frankly a little hesitant. For one thing, I knew the Bel Airs would be playing, and, well, classic R & B is not my first choice anymore. And also, I dreaded finding out how the newly sprawling Doris Schnuck Children's Garden would impinge on the space formerly reserved for Festival attendees.

Then I got to thinking about St. Louis summers and how hot it usually is in July, and the forecasted clear, cool weather for the day after July 4th, and I decided that this was an offer I should not refuse. As Marsha said at the break, "Well there are some of these concerts where 90% of the reason to go is just to be outdoors on a beautiful evening and enjoy the company of your friends." But actually, I was kind of enjoying the Bel Airs after all. My response was "This music is for your un-brain—the REST of your body." And my body was definitely moving to the rhythm and blues, just as it always does.

But I get ahead of my story. A thermos of cool herbal tea, potato salad and sandwiches in the other small cooler, the red, white, and blue paper plate and beverage holders, 2 folding chairs, and Stephen and I were packed and ready to go. Together with Jan's tomatoes, grapes and cherries and chips, and Marsha's olives, pickles, fig newtons, and CHOCOLATE (where are those wiggly fonts when you need them??), this became a riparain feast, never mind that there was no water in sight.

Jan went early to save a good spot under two huge oak trees and overlooking the Cohen Amphitheater. In this day of cell phones, we did manage to quadrangulate and ultimately meet. Our laps were spread with napkins and the feast began.

But I have to tell you that the PEOPLE are half the fun. There was the thin but beautiful five year old girl in pink hula skirt, pink bikini top, and blue ballet slippers who danced tirelessly for us as her family chatted. There were the eight had to be but pretending not to be gay guys on the three blankets. There were the well-padded and grey older couples of my generation. And, amazingly, there were more Elvis impersonators per square yard than I have ever seen. You have to realize that Elvis impersonation isn't just an impression, it's a lifestyle and a statement. There were the young college boys with dark sunglasses and long sideburns. There were the 70 year old kind of motorcycle looking guys that you swear hadn't changed a thing since 1955 except maybe their underwear.

Now just imagine yourselves looking first down at the burgers and potato salad in your lap, then at the other three fine human beings that are sharing this repast with you, and THEN out onto a vast sea of R&B lovers, perhaps 10,000 strong, I don't know, but the seats stretched way beyond the amphitheater. Now add that cool evening breeze, the walkway lights coming on as the sunset, and some good and fun conversation, and the fact that this evening's entertainment didn't cost you a dime almost seems beside the point.

Of course, if you get bored with the music, or even just want to stroll and talk, you ARE at the Missouri Botanical Gardens, possibly one of the most beautiful places on this planet. We took a stroll down to see the Chihuly installation hanging under the bridge in the Japanese Gardens. It is lit up at night, and can be seen from a great distance. The bridge is just a short walk past the Kemper Gardening Center to the Japanese Garden. And if you haven't seen the fabulous Chihuly exhibits both outside and in the Climatron, well, run, don't walk to the Gardens to see it. Check out the Missouri Botanical Gardens website for details.
 

Posted: Wed - July 5, 2006 at 10:09 PM          

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