Loose Leaf Notes

Wearing a Mardi Gras mask, I had to be asked while being ticketed and wrist-banded at the door if I was old enough to be served at the bar.

After being snowed-in and cold for weeks, party-goers turned out in sold-out numbers and showed up in full Mardi Gras regalia, shaking off winter blues on the dance floor.

The event was put on by Republic of Floyd to benefit Blue Mountain School, the alternative school that my sons and many others in the room went to. I got a good laugh when Wild Life bassist John Winniki joked on stage that front man Richie Ursomarso (who was enjoying the set like big kid) went to Blue Mountain, saying something like, “It took a while but Richie (in orange) finally graduated.” Winniki and Ursomarso were joined by bandmates Luke and Jake Thomas (Kari and Mike Kovick’s nephews).

Between the rocking tunes of Wild Life, the Floyd FunkStars, Joel Vendetti and others, I don’t see why we can’t have a ball every month.

I was mesmerized by the belly dancing performances of the Gyroscopic Tribal troupe. At least one dancer (Leia on the right) is a Blue Mountain School alumnus.

The belly dancers weren’t the only ones to show their midriff. That’s longtime Blue Mountain School supporter and current board member Luke Staengl talking about the accomplishments of past Blue Mountain school kids, including his two sons, an engineer and an artist.

During the live auction with Tom O’Neill, my young friend Mars asked me if I knew what time it was. I held up my arms to show him wasn’t wearing a watch and the auctioneer thought I was bidding.

I told my friend Mara (a Blue Mountain School alumnus whose daughter in now enrolled) that she should wear red more often, as she spun me around like a flamenco dancer. I nearly danced my socks off. Well, they kept falling down. (Sorry Mara I missed the shot. This one is of Starroot and Willow, hot in red).

Speaking of red hot, it was my first time drinking beer with capsicum in it (from our local micro-brewery Shooting Creek) and eating Chef Natasha’s King cake, which tasted like a marzipan stolen, only sweeter. The night was sweet from beginning to end. Joe agrees!
Post notes: More photos and narrative to come in The Floyd Press this week. Video clips of the wildly entertaining evening are HERE, HERE and HERE. A story on Blue Mountain School is HERE.

Update: Read the Floyd Press story online HERE.