Browse Day: October 27, 2007

Rockin’ Out

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We went to The Bridge School Benefit this afternoon to watch our very own Rockstar Joel play on the Side Stage. He got us in for free before the doors opened to the public and we also got to hang out with him “backstage” before his performance.

We also inadvertently got invited to a very deep Navajo “saging” ceremony to commemorate a man that adopted Neil Young into their family/tribe many years ago. He used to bless the stage each year but passed away recently. So, his daughter and grandson were in a handmade tepee that was on display and they burned some sage to bless the concert and remember him. It was very special but a little awkward since we just happened to go inside just to check out the cool-looking tepee.

Anyhoo…The name of Joel’s band is Everest and they’re in the process of recording an album that is scheduled to release early next year. They performed on the Side Stage just next to the mainstage an hour before the concert kicked off and sounded great today. A lot of people stopped to watch the show and were interested in who they were and if they had a CD for sale. We also sat next to a few young future groupies who were getting all excited to meet the band members and thrilled to get their sample CD. It was great to see Joel up on stage doing what he loves most. I can remember him always sitting in a dark candlelit room at Roebling playing his guitar for hours and I’m pretty excited for him. Once his performance ended, we actually didn’t stay for the actual concert but I’m sure it was good…if you’re a Metallica or John Mayer fan.

Here are some photos from today’s concert.

Winefest

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We went to the Harvest Festival at the Ferry Building last night to taste some organic wine. The Bangs came along and we got nice and toasty by the end of the evening. For $15, I got a bracelet for 5 tastings. I’ve never actually had organic wine before and some were pretty good while others were horrible. My favorites came from Paul Dolan Vineyards, which had a pretty good Sauvignon Blanc and Deep Red. Now, Jes has always said that I’ve never met a wine that I couldn’t drink but the one I had from Clif Bar Family Winery tasted like rubbing alcohol and I actually had to pour it out after one sip. They should probably stick to making energy bars.

The food tastings were all around $2 each, which I considered pretty steep for a small toast point with stuff on it. So instead we went to Acme Bread and shared a huge onion bread slab for $2.95. The one thing that we did pay to taste, however, was the awesomest Japanese pumpkin croquette I have ever tasted. The outside was perfectly fried (not oily) with a silky smooth center and tiny lumps of pumpkin. It was from a Japanese delicatessen that I’m going to have to try for lunch one of these days.

Other stands were showcasing their olive oils. I tried a pretty interesting blood orange olive oil and another oil that was described to be “buttery with a bite” and it sure was.

Along with wine, there were organic beers to taste but I didn’t try any until the end of the night when one of stands was closing up shop and giving out beer if you happen to be standing around them (like I was). Haha. I’ve never had organic beer before and whatever I had was pretty good.

Here are some photos.