Just before the pandemic hit, there were a flurry of concerts. My son is in a band called, Peach Fuzz, which was formed in the Summer of 2019 in the drummer, Will's garage. After playing in the MSA Fall Soiree in September 2019 and at the MSA Winter Soiree on December 2019, they got a chance to play at the historic Phoenix Theater in Petaluma. Not only was this an opera house from the early 20th century, but a music venue and a movie house. It also being used to serve the youth in the area. The Phoenix Theater is now a non-profit run by a great guy, Tom Gaffey, who has spent his life refurbishing old movie houses. The venue has skateboard ramps for the kids. They have days where there is a free teen clinic to get health checks, birth control, testing, etc. They also have concerts like this one to help young bands like those that were playing last night. Please consider donating to the Phoenix. 

This evening was on Valentine's Day, so my husband and I shared a light dinner at a cool little cafe in Downtown Petaluma that was an intersection of our interests: wine and boardgames!

It is difficult to put in words what this night meant to me. In the back of my mind I knew that the pandemic was edging closer and possibly already here. I had to wrestle with the decision to go to a concert indoors. No one around me was as concerned as I was, so I was made to feel that I was overreacting. If they were right, I couldn't live with myself denying my son this opportunity and I would never miss any of his concerts. It was beautiful to see joyful young people creating music, dancing, and generally being energetic teenagers. Parents were instructed to steer clear of the mosh pit and that delighted my Gen X soul. 

In my humble opinion, the band brought it that night. Leo, the lead singer was just a master entertainer and commanded the stage. I also appreciate that my son and the bassist, Michael were able to play both guitar and bass. Will the drummer laid down those awesome beats. 

Photos of the band were taken by the talented Aiden King and the photos of the graffiti and the venue were taken by me.  It was such a great night. 

December is usually a time when there are all kinds of Winter concerts at Marin School of the Arts. 2020 meant pivoting music concerts online. Students that were used to performing live at the Performing Arts Center at Novato High, Sweetwater Music Hall, and the Novato Hopmonk were learning new skills like recording tracks, editing them together, and recording video to the music to create this. Megan, the vocalist pulled the final result together. 

This song was the final performance to the Winter Soiree and it was a great way to end a night of talented students and alumni of MSA. It was great that we could end that horrible year with the promise that good love is on the way.