[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> In a message dated 1/11/01 2:28:08 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>
> << I second Alison's invite.
> >>
> Oh I wish I could have had more advance notice. I would have loved to have
> joined you guys! Nikki who usually joins me in these outings is on her way to
> sunny California right now.
Hi Rose,
I would have loved for you to be there too since I ended up there by myself, in
the center booth, best seat in the house, waiting, waiting, drinking a beer,
waiting, listening to the music over the sound system. The NYC Joni contingent
apparently needs to be contacted at the very last moment to see if plans are
still on. Jeez, I didn't know, so I left home today at 4:15 to meet a friend to
see a movie (Chocolat again for me, aahhhh!) and after the movie and a chat she
went off to her play rehearsal and I went downtown, getting to the Fez a little
early, standing in line, paying my hard cold cash, and doing that waiting thing,
just hanging out with independent me. No word on my cell phone; no word at the
Fez, which would have gotten to me if they'd been called since it's such a small
place, and with a "Leader" reservation for 6 it looked like all was ok to me.
Two evening messages from concerned Alison were on my home answering machine and
I heard them when I got home at midnight; it didn't cross my mind to check my
answering machine before going into the Fez. Hmmm.
I don't know why everyone cancelled at the last minute and I hope all's ok with
everyone; but along with that I've gotta say I've never been treated so rudely.
So, live and learn is what I say at such times.
The Mingus Big Band, though, was great. I only know Mingus from Joni's album, so
had no idea he wrote such quirky stuff, with some intricate passages, lots of
humor, and always tough (nothing sentimental). Seemed intellectual rather than
emotional. Listening to jazz recordings can make me kinda nuts, but hearing and
also seeing the musicians' interaction makes it quite enjoyable. I like how they
trade off the spotlight (so to speak) and how they listen so intently to each
other's playing. It all seems so personal and intertwined I'm drawn in. So the
evening was very pleasant despite my stood-up status. I ended up sharing "my"
prized booth with four strangers who spoke a Slavic language (I think),
listening to the music and eating hummus for dinner (that stuff is so yummy)
and, since the Fez is downstairs, feeling the subway trains (especially the 4
and 5 express trains) when they zip by underneath; it vibrates the seats and
gives everyone a fanny massage every few minutes, which is soooo New York I love
it.
I also spent some of my evening imagining Joni there on stage. That must have
been such a wonderful experience for the lucky few that knew about it in time to
get in. Her performance there wasn't that long ago, but I think of it as the
start of her reemergence and blossoming, and the Fez (in my mind anyway) is a
special place because of that. It's also very relaxed and the people that work
there are friendly, it's not too expensive (for NYC anyway), and they have all
types of performances (saw Susan McKeown, a fantastic Irish singer, last week).
The cafe upstairs is middle eastern decor with couches and candles and small
tables... very cozy. Anyone that visits NYC, check it out... just don't expect
me to be waitin' on ya.
Debra Shea
NP: Susan McKeown's Bones, "Ce Leis e?"
