After many festivals together, this year’s Mountain Jam was going to be different. This year my wife and I would have a six-month old child with us, our son Harry. As I discussed in an earlier post, we had no idea what to expect. READ MORE
Paul Kanterman
Tickets? Check. Beer? Check. Goodies? Check.
Wipes and Diapers? Check.
HB, ready for a weekend on the Mountain
The festival season is fast approaching. However, this year is going to be a very different experience for me and my crew. This year, I’m bringing along a six-month old, my son Harry. Crazy, you say? I don’t think so. Does it change the whole festival-going experience as we’ve known it so far. For sure.
Since 2001, my wife and I have hit at least a festival a year: the Vibes, the late and great Berkfest, Langerado, and for the past four years, Mountain Jam. We’ve got the whole thing down to a science. We know what to bring and we know how to get it all in one cart to schlep up the mountain. This year is a whole new deal, though.
My niece, Sammi, and her freshly painted face, at Langerado ’07
It was one thing to spend a weekend on the Mountain just two adults. However, this year there are things we’ll need to bring to the Mountain because we’ve got our son with us. There’s the tent, to give him a place to crash during the day, hearing protectors, toys, changes of clothing, and the aforementioned diapers and wipes, and there are many things I am sure I haven’t even thought of yet. None of this stuff was with us last year.
I’ve been surprised at the number of times people have wanted to know why I would expose my son to “that environment.” Inevitably these are people that have never been to a festival. Sure there’s a certain amount of sketchy people, but I live in New York City. I see at least three sketchy people on the way to the office each day.
My nephew, Matthew, at Langerado ’07
It’s not like this is the first time I’ve gone to a festival with kids, although they were much older than my son. In ’07, my niece and nephew (then six and eight) came along for the afternoons at Mountain Jam. They had an awesome time, were fascinated by the freaky people, and were treated quite nicely by them in return. They did wonder why the place smelled “funny,” but didn’t think anything of it. They’re kids. They do look like they’re having a pretty good time, don’t they?
Sure, there’s the risk that HB could be having a bad day, if that’s the case we’ll have to adjust our plan. That’s what you do when you’re a parent. But, for all of the challenges that bringing a baby to the festival will add, they pale in comparison to the joy I’m going to have sharing the experience with HB. When I think of dancing with my son on the side of a mountain, with 10,000 other fans getting down to Michael Franti with us, I’m overcome with emotion.
Should be a great weekend on the Mountain. Have you traveled with kids to a festival? Have any tips to pass along? Please share them in the comments!
It was a rare kind of August Sunday in New York City. Sunny, comfortable with no humidity in the air. A perfect day, as Central Park’s Summerstage wrapped up its 2008 schedule with a day of soul and funk.
We got to the park in time to hear the last couple of songs from Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens.
I’ve always loved the sound of a gospel choir.
Next up was the Menahan Street Band, in their debut performance. Made up of members of the Dap-Kings, Budos Band and others, it was no surprise that this was a tight outfit.
Their set really impressed me, and I’m looking forward to their debut album, dropping in October.
Waking up in Astoria, Queens, Sunday was a warm beautiful day. Alas the weather forecast told us that it would not last and we were facing one of those days at a festival. You know, those rainy miserable days that make you question how badly you want to hear some live music.
By the time we got to Pier 11 to catch the ferry over to the festival site, the rain was beginning to fall. There were a fraction of the number of people that were waiting on Friday. No doubt the weather was keeping many people home. Sure enough, by the time we got across the river, the rain was coming down hard and steady.
There was only one man that would motivate me and my seven-month pregnant wife to head out in this weather – Trey Anastasio.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Day One of All Points West. I usually hit the smaller Northeast festivals like Mountain Jam and the Vibes. But the setting was without compare. From almost anywhere on the festival grounds, a look to the East gave you a beautiful shot of the New York City skyline. Just to the right of that — Lady Liberty. Clearly a great setting for some music and, at least on Friday, the weather would cooperate.
Sunday is the final show of the 2008 Summerstage season. Wrapping up this twenty-third season of music are bands associated with Daptone Records, bearer of the torch of classic R&B. For the friendly price of nothing, you’re getting three Brooklyn based soul and funk bands, headlined by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings.
The show starts at three with Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens.
Next up, is the Menaham Street Band made up of members of the Dap-Kings, Antibalas and The Budos Band. All of these bands can lay down a serious groove, so this should be a good one.
Finally, closing out the day, and the summer, is Ms. Sharon Jones. After tearing up festivals across the nation, I expect her to be in top form for the hometown crowd.
It is going to be a beautiful day on Sunday. I’ll be there, representing LMB. If you’re going let us know.
Photos to follow, of course.
