WTF with the Ibanez? Plus, the BluesFest

Okay, I know it's a lovely guitar, but why are all y'all finding my page because of the damn guitar I bought for my husband? It's beautiful. It's lovely. You want to know what it's like to play it, e-mail me and I might give you my husband's e-mail. Geez.

And then there's the Bluesfest. The Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth, Minnesota.

I used to go every year. I went to the first one. I even (and yeah, this is self-promotion) told one of this year's performers about the Bluesfest before it ever happened.

Have I ever told this story? Probably not. Actually, I probably wrote it, but never posted it.

So I was living in this house on Woodland Avenue (Party Row) in Duluth, right below the UMD campus. We were four women, and the Guy Under The Stairs.

(Ancient Letterman fans will get that one.)

Anyway, we had this great guy living in our basement named Mel Sando. He used to be a drummer, but decided, with a dedicated passion, to learn blues guitar.

So he did. He practice and practiced and.... well, here's the point. For over two years, I didn't watch ANY television without hearing Mel practicing about four feet below me.

At first he sucked. And then he got to be okay.

And then he moved. Then I moved. Then shit happened.

Fast forward A LOT: Mel Sando plays the BluesFest frequently. I'm proud, but kinda like a little sister proud. It's not like I had anything to do with it. I just had to listen to its painful beginnings.

And now Mel is good. Better than good. But like the painful beginning of blues, is the ending any different?

Oh, fuckit. That was my attempt at a profound ending to a post.

Anyway, for the multituedes going to the BluesFest (which has already begun) here's my FAQ from 4 years ago:

Blues Festival FAQ according to BeerPup, who was at the first one so
she ought to know:

What should I bring to the festival?

Money. Picture ID. Credit card/ATM card. Collapsible folding chair.
Insulated plastic mug. Sunscreen. Hat. Sunglasses. Individually
wrapped moist towellettes. Camera. Chair marker and pole. An extra
long-sleeved shirt to throw on over your regular shirt, if the
weather is dicey. Money. Did I say money twice? Here's the third:
money.

If you forget something, you can probably buy it there. Or heck,
borrow it off a stranger. Up to you.

What should I not bring to the festival?

There's the obvious: firearms, incendiaries, other weapons, etc.
Also, no booze, beer, drink of any kind, or food from outside the
festival, unless you are brining small children.
No blankets! (Unless you are bringing small children).

What kind of whacko would bring little kids to the Bluesfest?

BeerPup. She brought her daughter as a baby, and then later when the
daughter was a toddler and her son was a baby. The kids had a great
time. We did, however, bring earplugs for them and/or sit far back
from the music when we brought the kids. Other attendees didn't seem
to mind them, and sometimes were very entertained by them.

However, once kids are old enough to run faster than their parents
and/or be a nusance and liability to other attendees, don't bring
them. Wait until they can actually name some of the entertainers that
are playing.

What can I expect?

You will need to buy tokens if you wish to buy any food or drink at
the festival. Do this first. Then scope out a spot to sit. Many
people sit in the same general area from year to year, and day to
day, during the festival. This makes finding people a lot easier,
even if you don't have your own chair marker.

If you forget a mug, or are using your mug exclusively for pop or
beer, you should probably purchase one bottle of water from a vendor
and re-fill from the water fountains near the portable toilets. Drink
lots of water. You don't want to get dehydrated and too sick to
attend the following day of the festival!

Will I be able to park my car close?

Probably not. However, parking is still rather cheap at the festival.
Tailgating is fun, and allowed AFAIK. Park once during the day, and
if you leave the festival and take a break-- to see the aquarium,
walk on the boardwalk, or get some food in an actual
restaurant-- leave your car where it is and walk. Canal park has
everything you need. If you need to get downtown, take the free
shuttle.

What about necessities close to the festival?

There's a gas station across from the Park Inn on Lake Avenue.
There's a liquor store next to that. There's a drug store if you go
West on Superior street a about three blocks from
Lake Avenue. Walgreens, which is open 24 hours and fairly
inexpensive, is East on Superior Street from Lake Avenue, at 1301
East Superior ST., so you would have to drive
there. There used to be a grocery store in the same area but I'm
still trying to verify it exists. I'm waiting for local Duluthians to
call me back.

What about the locals?

Honestly, people who live in Duluth live there because they love the
city. They wish they didn't have to share it with tourists (and yes,
your are always a tourist when you attend the Blues Festival). But
they also know that since you had the good taste to spend your
weekend in Duluth, you can't be all bad. However, this is a weekend
when they will be very busy, so have a heart. Smile at the cashiers
and other service people, tell them Duluth is a great city (they
already know, but they love to hear it from others), and thank
them for making your stay nicer.

What about medical emergencies?

If you have a medical situation, go immediately to the First Aid area
at the festival grounds; if you need emergency transportation they
can get it to the Bayfront park faster than anyone; I believe they
have an ambulance on-site. If you can't move the person needing
medical attention, inform a security person ASAP. There are a lot more
security in on the grounds than you realize. Just yell "Security!" If
the person might need CPR, yell, "Does anyone know CPR?" People who
are trained in it will respond immediately, and there WILL be someone
nearby who knows CPR.

During non-festival hours for non-urgent medical situations, St.
Luke's is on 915 E 1st St (drive east on Superior or 2nd Street and
follow the "H" signs) and St. Mary's is at 407 E 3rd St (drive North
on Lake Avenue and then East on 2nd or 4th.)

What's with those big ships?

They're usually called boats. They usually contain iron ore, or
chalk, or coal, or some type of grain. Duluth/Superior is the world's
largest inland port (which seems like it's an oxymoron, but isn't)
and there is a lot of shipping traffic. If you're really
interested in the shipping, visit the museum at the canal (right next
to the lift bridge) to get your fill of info, as well as a great view
of the boats as they enter and exit the harbor.

Any other tips for attending the festival?

Well, there are just those those personal quirks--things I do at a
large event, as a female. Here's the list, but it's just my habit and
not a necessity: Always carry some toilet paper in your pocket, in
case you choose a portable toilet which has none. Always have
an individual moist towelette in your pocket. Never have your money
or ID anywhere but on your person. Don't eat the turkey legs at the
blues festival because they're not that good. Don't attempt to carry
more than two drinks at a time, unless you're a mutant and have
three hands. If you're really tired, leave the festival and take a
break. The performers are all great but you can't see every minute of
every performer. Carry a tampon in your purse; even if you don't need
it, a friend of yours will. Carry a condom too (I've never had a use
for one at the festival, but someone else might). Bring Advil. Bring
extra sunscreen. Bring Immodium, because it's one of those things
that when you need it you need it NOW. Bring your cell phone and call
your friends who aren't there and make them jealous. Wear
comfortable shoes. Be tolerant of others. If you can't remember
someone's name, just blurt it out and apologize. They'll forgive you.

Above all, don't drink and drive. There's a good reason for the free
shuttle. Please use it! Or call a cab! Don't spoil a good time by
letting someone drive who really shouldn't. And have fun, have fun,
HAVE FUN!

Addendum, 2008: Really, don't fucking drink and drive. My former roommate (NOT Mel) lost his wive a year ago because of a drunk driver. No excuse your drunk mind can come up with will explain a senseless death. None.