Birthday Concert -- Need to pick one

The week of my birthday is full of concerts to go to, and unlike last year, I'm actually employed and can afford to go to one or two (tops). This is the listing of what's up.

[Poll #337589]

Personally, I'm edging towards Blackmore's Night being the official concert (mostly because I've never seen them live before), but may also attend either Altan or Seven Nations. It should be noted that the Birchmere is listing Seven Nations as an accoustic concert, not a full electric one, and will be in the music hall (no dancing). Tickets for any of these will range from 17 to 25. Both the Birchmere and Ram's Head have dinner options and great beer choices.

a word from our sponsor

yeah, the # of commercials, particularly during the opening ceremonies, was a bit rediculous, but on the other hand, this prediction of most of the time being used for politics hasn't panned out, thankfully.

although given the ratings and the price tag that NBC put on it, neither campaign could really afford it. especially not Kerry given that he's on his limited "public funds" for the most part.

quote

When we see music, face to face, we see that music creates the musician. Then, we consider the question: are we willing to be played by music? If the answer is "yes", there follows a life of suffering.

Sometimes music asks us not to be played, but to listen. That is, to give to music a pair of ears through which music may listen to itself. This is as "real" a need as giving music voice. The tragedy of contemporary rock performance (at least) is the extent to which we pack our ears with deafness, & then claim deafness as our right.

-- Robert Fripp, 8/18/2000