Music in the Park

Growing up in Alaska, there was this weekly event that we would go to called Music in the Park. Every Wednesday at noon (only in the summer) there would be a musical performance of some kind in this little park in downtown Anchorage. I seriously miss going to it so, so much. Usually the music was fun to listen to, but the best part was definitely people watching. Anchorage has its share of...colorful characters to be sure. There was usually an appearance by a drunk of some kind. Lots of kids dancing. (great combo there) But our favorite part was this lady that was there every time for as long as I can remember. She usually wore neon of some kind and often wore roller skates. She always was bouncing around, dancing to the music. Often while still wearing the roller skates. My mom told me that last week when they were there, they sang happy birthday to her because it was her 81st birthday! So I am convinced that the secret to a long and fruitful life is dancing in neon shorts in city parks. That is why I do it every day now.

Anyway, I found out that the park that is right across from our apartment building has these free Sunday night concerts every Sunday in June. Sadly, we had plans that conflicted every week except that last one, so we only got to go to one. I was so crazed in my desire to partake of free community events that I think Dave didn't dare protest going, although I think he enjoyed it too....it was a brass band, after all. And, like he does when we watch "So You Think You Can Dance", I could say "are they good? Is he good?" every two minutes.

It was so fun! I was basking in the glow of patriotic brass music mixed with free concertness while simultaneously feeling sad about the fact that it was the last week in June and we had only made it to this one time. The band was good and they did that thing where they play all of the military hymns (are they hymns? just songs?) and whoever served in that branch stands up and everyone applauds. I got nervous that it was going to be awkward when no one stood up for a while, but luckily someone finally did and it was this cute little old man who had been sitting behind us and whittling away on this walking stick. Like, tearing it up, he had an inch-thick layer of wood shavings all over his laps. So, needless to say we were already big fans of his.

 The fact that I cut Dave's hair is looking extra-apparent here...

I had to get a pic of the Luv Monkey blanket. It is our go-to blanket for any outdoor event and it never ceases to get a comment. And this also serves as proof that, while my arms are definitely hairier than Dave's, my legs at least are not.

The one thing that I am really sad that I didn't get a picture of was the "children's march." The director of the band was really into his job and he said that they have a tradition at these concerts where they invite all of the kids to go up and follow him around in a march while the band plays. I told Dave that I would give him $5 to spend however he wanted if he went up and marched with the kids but he refused. I was concerned for a minute that we might have a Pied Piper situation on our hands when the director led them around the back of the pioneer museum (which they were playing in front of) and out of sight but the reappeared a few minutes later so all was well. We were especially fond of this one little kid who looked like a strange mixture of an old man and a baby (don't pretend you haven't seen kids like that).

I also made these and took them over to play games with Dave's friends afterwards:

I was too lazy to cut the strawberries into smaller strips, though I see now that it really would have given them that extra something...