This afternoon, I went to see a free performance by the Carolina Chocolate Drops. It was truly awesome. The band specializes in African American string band music from the early twentieth century. It was similar to bluegrass, although with a bluesy inflection.
The performance was held at the studios of WYEP, the local public radio station. I listen to them a lot, and that was how I found out about the performance. Because I was a member, I was able to get in free.
I left for the 1:00 P.M. performance at around 11:30 A.M. I took the 54C down to the South Side, and had lunch at a Subway on East Carson Street. I walked the length of Carson Street in order to get some exercise. I saw a few stores I would like to check out in the near future.
Around thirty people showed up for the concert itself. The one thing that annoyed me was that although they said the doors would open at 12:30, we were left waiting in the lobby until 1:00. Given how small the lobby was, it got to be rather claustrophobic.
As mentioned above, the performance itself was excellent. The most prominent instrument was the fiddle, but jugs and the "bones," a percussive instrument actually made out of cow bone, also played a role. The band's playing was very enthusiastic, and the DJ who interviewed the players was engaging.
Unfortunately, the performance was short-less than an hour in all. Apparently, it was broadcast live over the radio. I purchased the band's latest CD afterwards.
The performance was held at the studios of WYEP, the local public radio station. I listen to them a lot, and that was how I found out about the performance. Because I was a member, I was able to get in free.
I left for the 1:00 P.M. performance at around 11:30 A.M. I took the 54C down to the South Side, and had lunch at a Subway on East Carson Street. I walked the length of Carson Street in order to get some exercise. I saw a few stores I would like to check out in the near future.
Around thirty people showed up for the concert itself. The one thing that annoyed me was that although they said the doors would open at 12:30, we were left waiting in the lobby until 1:00. Given how small the lobby was, it got to be rather claustrophobic.
As mentioned above, the performance itself was excellent. The most prominent instrument was the fiddle, but jugs and the "bones," a percussive instrument actually made out of cow bone, also played a role. The band's playing was very enthusiastic, and the DJ who interviewed the players was engaging.
Unfortunately, the performance was short-less than an hour in all. Apparently, it was broadcast live over the radio. I purchased the band's latest CD afterwards.