It was an inauspicious start to the Rookery's second full season of live outdoor music. The mini-squall blew in just as Molly and the Danger Band began playing the very first song of summer. Our newest tent, erected only the previous day and not yet securely anchored, literally was picked up by a sudden gust and shifted several feet to the south. But it remained standing, thanks to a few quick-thinking guests who leapt to their feet, grabbed support poles, and hung on for dear life.
And just as quickly the storm passed, the sun came out, and a sizable and enthusiastic audience enjoyed a gorgeous inaugural afternoon of outdoor music. Thanks to the guys who grabbed the poles. Thanks to Tom who crafted a solution to the missing tent part (our second consecutive year that a new tent arrived missing a critical piece). And thanks to everyone who attended our first Summer Sunday Serenade and were patient while too few of us tried our best to serve a gratifyingly large crowd pending the arrival of the Rookery's full contingent of summer staff.
Despite the several challenges, it was a great start to what we anticipate will be a wonderful summer of music. We have some excellent performers lined up for your listening pleasure. Several old favorites. And several all new to the Rookery.
And then there is Thea Ennen and her partner Dave Ja Vue, this Sunday's featured duo. The pair aren't exactly new to the Rookery. And yet this actually will be their first performance on our outdoor stage. We initially invited Thea and Dave to the Rookery for an indoor concert last November in conjunction with our first ever Perfect Getaway Spa Weekend. I was so impressed I immediately invited them to be part of our summer music series. To my great pleasure they accepted. In fact, they'll actually be performing twice this season, returning again in mid-September.
Thea Ennen has been described as a "new folk, country-rock chanteuse" and has garnered considerable acclaim for her exquisite and heart felt songs. Thea explores the edge of human emotions and yet offers hope for the future in her songs. Besides her musical contribution to the culture she is an artist in every sense of the word. When not on the road making music Thea writes poetry, draws, sculpts, and creates jewelry.
The River Falls duo performs mostly original rootsy-folkgrass, traditional bluegrass, and atmospheric ballads inspired by the Midwestern landscape, seasons, and relationships. The Minneapolis Star Tribune calls their music "some of the most inventive folk-rock around." "The most honestly penetrating recordings of the year," adds the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
We're very excited to be welcoming Thea and Dave back to the Rookery and introducing them to our outdoor stage this weekend. You can hear a few of their sample tracks HERE.
While the forecast for Sunday currently is looking a bit mixed (warm but with a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms), don't let that dissuade you from coming out to see this delightful duo perform. We worked hard this week to batten down the tent and it's now set to easily withstand a few wind gusts or raindrops. Anything more severe and we'll simply move the show back inside to where Thea and Dave initially performed at the Rookery.
Once again the Rookery grill will fire up at 1:30 and the music begins at 2. All seating is first come, first served. So if you expect to arrive after the music begins it might be a good idea to bring along your own lawn chairs. And maybe an umbrella.
