I am a woman of dichotomy. I like to move, but I can be a sloth in a heartbeat. I enjoy vegan and organic food, but could drive through a McDonald’s without a blink. I meditate, journal and yoga regularly, but also need deep house or funk music to take my body to other places. Keeping the balance is a daily struggle.
On a Sunday night after returning from a relaxing retreat, I had two very different parts of my brain at work. Sloth Sandy wanted to curl up on the couch and watch “Reno 911.” The other side of my brain had a different plan that included a Widespread Panic (WSP) show at Red Rocks with a few good friends. I had only attended one WSP show in my lifetime. I don’t know any of their songs or lyrics, but I do remember they got me dancing.
“ …I surrendered myself to the universe and hopped on the CJ bus with a gaggle of merry revelers.”
In full empty-nest Sandy fashion, I didn’t purchase a ticket because maybe I wouldn’t want to go when the time came. It was a sold-out show, but I’ve been around long enough to know there’s always a ticket to be found. Friends encouraged me to take the Cactus Jack’s bus down with them, but I usually like to be in control of my own arrival/departure. Yet, on this night, with no ticket in hand, I surrendered myself to the universe and hopped on the CJ bus with a gaggle of merry revelers.
As the bus floated down I-70 with windows open, tunes blaring and sun shining, I knew I made the right decision. Not only to go to the show, but to not drive. After our patient bus driver dropped us off, I asked around for a miracle (aka, a ticket), to no avail. So I went on my phone and lo and behold there was a same-day half price ticket available. The universe’s way of saying, “Hello!”
Nothing compares to a show at Red Rocks or the anticipation that builds as the venue fills with buzzing excitement. I found myself amidst a sea of devoted fans adorned in tie-dye, sparkles and smiles that suggested they knew something magical was about to unfold. Widespread Panic is a band revered for their improvisational prowess and infectious Southern rock vibe. Little did I know the evening would transcend mere entertainment; it became a journey into musical ecstasy.
The lights dim and the air crackles with energy as the band takes the stage. They launch into their first song with a blend of tight rhythms and soaring guitar riffs that immediately captivate the audience. The music pulses through the venue, filling every corner with a blend of blues, rock, and hints of jazz. The crowd responds in kind, singing, dancing and cheering with unbridled enthusiasm.
As a lifelong fan of the Grateful Dead, I’ve found there is nothing more intoxicating than belting out lyrics with a mass of diehard fans. This evening I didn’t know one single song lyric, but it didn’t matter. The music became a living, breathing entity, enveloping me in its embrace—each band member, a master of their instrument, pourin’ their heart and soul into every note.
As the evening progresses, I lose track of time. But not just because of the captivating music; it’s the sense of community that permeates the air. Strangers becoming friends, united by a shared love for this band and their ability to create moments of pure magic. Conversations flow easily between songs, with fans swapping stories of past shows and favorite sets. There’s a palpable sense of belonging, as if we’re all part of something larger than ourselves.
The power of live music is astounding. It has the ability to transcend barriers and connect us in ways that words alone cannot. Even though my body ached the next day from a ridiculous amount of dancing, I did it. I booted sloth Sandy to the curb and allowed myself to be swept away in the music and immersed in the energy of the crowd.
We often have those contrasting moments that pull us this way or that. The point and purpose of dichotomy is the option to say yes more often, even if it’s new, scary or spontaneous. Because, at the end of our journey, it’s those moments that we’ll remember. We remember what happens when we say yes!
