The Old 97’s – South Street Seaport – July 4, 2010
Another scorching day, with me bummed that there was an unbeknownst opening act for the Old 97’s, an alt-country-rock band with plenty of energy. At this venue it is important to be in the front row in order to establish a civilized precedent of remaining seated for the entertainment. Unfortunately I wasn’t going to be that person, the pier’s boardwalk-type flooring was taking the brunt of the sun’s afternoon fury. I found a spot to sketch (as a diptych) Brooklyn and its bridge. By the time I got back to the stage midway through the opening act, the precedent of the front row was set with the standing standard, so that’s how I had to work. From this position my media choices are essentially pared down to graphite pencil; so be it – there are virtues there. I got the three front players but couldn’t see the drummer from where I stood. That was a good reason to grab a well-deserved beer before going over to the side, from where the drummer was the only one I could see. Ken Bethea gave one of the more lengthy and intricately embellished autographs.