Carry On

October 4, 2014

Destination: Greek Theater

Cost: $56.75 plus gas

It was near the end of junior high, May 1969, and somehow this geeky fourteen year old had entered the heights of society, wrangling an invite to Kerri Vest’s slumber party and getting to hang out with the Charles Evans Hughes Junior High literati – the brightest and coolest kids in the West Valley during those wonder years.

Kerri had a new album to share with us, and pulled Crosby, Stills and Nash off the top of the stack of LP’s. We played that record over and over on that warm just-before-summer night, in the glow of black-light posters while putting on Yardley nail polish, all of us entranced. It was different music than what we were used to as Beatles and Monkees fans. These boys would not be in Tiger Beat. Listening to their soulful folk-rock may have marked our first adult musical experience.

How can that memory be 45 years old? How can Crosby, Stills and Nash still be together? Their appearance at the Greek Theatre on Friday proved they’re very much together and thriving: they created a magical evening.  I had previously seen Buffalo Springfield at The Santa Barbara Bowl (with Steve Stills and Neil Young), but never saw CS&N perform live.  Thanks to Goldstar, I was able to get a $69.00 ticket for $40.00. After that, I found out about the Greek parking shuttle lot near the pony rides in Griffith Park, where it costs only $7 to park. So I was able to justify stretching my budget to see this iconic band.

They opened with an all-time favorite, “Carry On” and it was clear from the outset they had a crack backing band. Over the next three hours (with one intermission) they played a variety of old and new tunes for the adoring crowd. David Crosby’s strong vocals were a big surprise – “Guinnivere” was an unexpected highlight of the evening.

We’ve all weathered a bit in the ensuing years, but it was gratifying to see the Greek packed to the non-existent rafters with members of the peace and love generation. We

geezers still have the stamina to venture out on a balmy night and sit under starry skies to hear some great rock and roll. Thanks goes out to Crosby, Stills and Nash for rewarding us with their vital performance: they are indeed three together and for each other.

Wunderbar

September 27, 2014

Destination: Santa Anita Park

Cost:  $35.98 plus gas

I never thought I’d experience a polka version of the Beatle’s “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” but leave it to Oktoberfest to bring out the Teutonic in all of us. I’d heard that Santa Anita Race Track was hosting a Beer Garden in their infield, and a little horse racing would sure add some Oomp to my Pah.

It seemed like a good deal - $10.00 to enter the festival area, which had a stage for live music, lots of quality breweries offering their wares, and the obligatory pretzels and wurst. Parking was free in Lot 6, all that was needed was frauleins in dirndls and frat boys in lederhosen. Happily, there were attendees that eagerly donned Bavarian attire. As a bonus, tents were set up where you could place wagers so that you didn’t have to leave the biergarten to bet the ponies. Then later in the day, the German band gave way to music by Boogie Nights and Spazmatics – interrupted by thundering hooves every forty minutes or so.

I didn’t realize was how much fun the infield was – even without the Oktoberfest activities. There was a great selection of food trucks circled up like a wagon train, plenty of beverage stations, and many happy racing aficionados camped out with their folding chairs, umbrellas, and drink tables. It took me a little while to get the hang of the race schedule, figure out the odds, and keep an eye on the clock so I wouldn’t miss the post – but pretty soon I was placing bets and cheering for my horses.

 

Later in the afternoon, I walked through the tunnel under the track to the Grandstands and experienced the real Santa Anita. I hadn’t been here since watching equestrian events at the 1984 Olympics, and loved the old building with its dated green and yellow décor. The views out to the San Gabriel Mountains were fantastic and the people-watching was exceptional. I especially enjoyed the young couples decked out in racing finery, both sexes wearing hats with the men in ties and the girls in fancy sundresses.

I had some trouble trying to figure out the automatic wagering machine. It spit out a ticket for a different horse than the one I thought I had bet on. The goofed up ticket was my only win of the day. I might have to try to mess up again next time.