A Sunday to Remember

Noah, Lisa, Brian Vander Ark, Scott, Mason and Katherine after the show. (And I thought I was short compared to Scott!)

We had the best time this past Sunday! The weather was perfect after a very stormy night. The company was delightful and the music was awesome! We discovered some months ago that singer/songwriter Brian Vander Ark (lead of The Verve Pipe) was doing a second summer of his "Lawnchairs and Living Rooms" tour featuring his solo work as well as any requests from The Verve Pipe albums. After a short discussion, Scott and I decided that it was just too good of an opportunity to let pass. So we contacted his manager, and luckily secured one of the slots for the tour. After the date was selected we set up a time and then I created the playlist of requests, to which Brian graciously played as well as adding an on-the-fly rendition of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" that was fabulous.

We invited neighbors and friends as well as the school staff as well. The principal, Doug, of the elementary school that my kids attend is fantastic, not only knowing every child's name but truly knowing them besides. You'll hear him during the day saying things to a kid as he walks to his bus like "Hey Mark! How was your t-ball game?" And he honestly wants to know the answer. The kids love the guy and we have always found every answer we needed and every measure of help requested, so we all feel lucky to have him. Of course, he was invited to the event, and he and his wife attended.

When Doug arrived Brian was tuning his guitar and didn't see him right away. Of course I didn't think anything of it. Moments later I am busy getting hummus out of the refrigerator and I hear them excitedly "HEY MAN! OH WOW! It's been forever!" and happy hugs follow. It turns out, the school principal is related to Brian Vander Ark. They are cousins and played together a lot as kids. We're thinking this will only help Doug's street cred with the kids.

Anyway, the concert was really wonderful. Brian laughingly called me out as "a bit of a rebel" based on my set list. Hahaha! Those who know me know that there may be a wee bit of truth in that. We were lamenting the dreams of living in cities or edgier places full of creative inspirations and support. Then you have kids and you just don't want some guy asking your 3 year old for that gumball quarter, or dealing with the myriad of other priorities parenthood requires you to readjust. So, as parents we both ended up in 'the burbs'. GASP. He has a great song referring to it: Lily White Way, and if you haven't heard it, take a listen through his website http://www.brianvanderark.com/ . It received huge applause as well as hearty laughter throughout the song.

To any who live in West Michigan (Kzoo Mom of 2...listen carefully), he's doing a show with the full band, and his singer/songwriter wife, Lux Land, on January 24, 2009, at the Rockford Fine Arts Center. My kids are already saying "So, we're going, right?!"

Brian, Noah and Scott admiring kids singing post show. Yay! I love huggy people!