Shawn Mullins at Club Passim

Everyone knows that I treat March Madness like a holiday, especially the first weekend, but I'm glad we were able to pull ourselves away from buzzer beaters, Cinderellas, and bracket busters Friday night so that we could go to the Shawn Mullins show at Club Passim.  Yes, that Shawn Mullins of Lullaby fame.

 We love Club Passim!  Club Passim is one of those iconic places in Cambridge, and after living in the city for eight years without going to a show, we're making up for lost time.  There's truly something magical when the lights go off in the small, basement club, and the candles (battery operated of course, this is Cambridge after all) flicker and the artist walks up to the stage.

There is so much history between these four walls from Joni Mitchell, to Bob Dylan, to Joan Baez.  I love that you can see the people walking down Palmer Street, staring in as they pass, as if trying to figure out what would draw so many people together.

On this night, it was Mullins, who opened his show by talking about the history of the club and how he missed out on his first opportunity to play on that stage many years ago because he got sick.  It seemed like he was really happy to be playing Passim and the show did not disappoint!

When Mullins first started singing, I could instantly hear Lullaby in his distinctive voice.  I'll admit, I had no idea about the music he has made since Lullaby.  I didn't know what to expect but JO and I both agreed it was an amazing show.

Mullins songs have so much depth, so much heart, that I felt like I was taking a bit of a journey with him.  From  We All Need a Little Sunshine to Light You Up the crowd was immediately drawn in.  When Shimmer showed up in the setlist the couple at the table next to us actually got up and danced, something I have never seen at Passim.  Towards the end of the night, Mullins played Lullaby and it was so perfect.  I was wondering if he would play this song but earlier in the night he assured the audience he would play it.  With the candles flickering, the evening winding down, and the beautiful accompanying music blending perfectly with the singing the song came alive.  Gone was my memory of the song playing all the time on the radio in 1998 (which he even joked about mid-song), replaced by the happiness and love you could see up on the stage.  Shawn Mullins is what Club Passim is all about~ the love of music!  Really, really good music!

If Mullins should perform again at Club Passim, or somewhere else local, I'll definitely go!

*Disclaimer~ I received two tickets to this show for writing this post*

Is it April Vacation or February Vacation?

It definitely felt more like April Vacation than February Vacation this week.  Temps soared to the 70s for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and it was glorious!

I got to sit in a good old adirondack char and read a book in Harvard Square by the giant bowling game on the "Plaza."

Lunch at the open windows of Grafton was a good default when there was a 90 minute wait to get on the roof deck at Daedalus.  

Sitting in the plaza listening to live music under the beautiful sunshine was magnificent.  Can't it be June yet?

JO and I even snagged a roof deck table at Daedalus for brunch on Saturday!

All this beautiful weather in the middle of winter makes me think I need to live in California.

Ski Weekend in North Conway

February Vacation kicked off with a ski weekend in North Conway, New Hampshire.  We hung out with JO's family at a condo near the ski resorts.  I'm not a skier (yet), and only lasted about five minutes on my skis, but the weekend was really fun.

New Hampshire had gotten a ton of snow the week before as evidenced by these giant icicles.

The sun was shining all weekend and you really didn't need a jacket at all.  I may not have made it down the bunny hill but I did have fun hanging out with the horses at Black Mountain.

We went to the Shanon Door Pub one night to listen to some great Irish music.

We even got a glimpse of the majestic Mt. Washington looking absolutely beautiful.

I do love the city life but every now and then you need the mountains to remind you why you are alive!

You Belong Here

These signs have been popping up all around my city and it warms my heart.  It's so important for people to know we are on their side and that they have the support of so many of their neighbors.

Paint Nite

Sometimes you just have to paint an elephant at Paint Nite!  And combined with the news of a potential Snow Day for Thursday, the school week got a lot easier to deal with!

Cambridge Unity Rally

I am so lucky to live in Cambridge!  On Monday, we held a rally in support of our immigrant population and our resolve to remain a Sanctuary City.  It was the day after the Super Bowl and I was exhausted but I made it a point to go to this event because I love my city and support our elected officials decision to remain a Sanctuary City.

Our city officials, including the mayor and vice-mayor, spoke at the event.  I was really very impressed with our both of these officials.  Our Mayor, Denise Simmons, spoke forcefully and emotionally about our great city and the fact that we will not bend to threats to federal funding.  I love that she refused to use the word president when referring to DT, instead calling him Mr. T (I can't even bring myself to write his name) until he acts like a president.  Our vice-mayor Marc McGovern also spoke from the heart and summed up all that is great with Cambridge.  I had never heard him speak before and boy was I impressed.

I loved seeing people from all races, backgrounds, ages, and genders standing together!  We are united together and Cambridge is stronger for it!

Our city hall was beautifully decorated by members of the community.  It makes me so proud to live here!

The Patriots~ Wow! Just Wow!

What can I even say about the Patriots crazy, history making Super Bowl win?  Nothing really!  It was amazing to watch with my dad!  History made, memories made!