late July, ought eight

D forest,

It is hot outside, and sometimes difficult too, sometimes even horrible. But here inside the D Note, where we listen to Chris Aaron shake his money maker on Tuesday night, it is cool and the atmosphere is pleasant, the tone of the vibe excellent. And that is a very simple highly complex thing.

This weekend we have many such things. We will tell you here about 4 of them.

1. Shakedown Street is playing this Friday night at 8pm. Shakedown is one of the best of the Dead centered bands and we are thrilled to have them. Many of us D Noters (though certainly not all) are secret dead heads (overt). Face it, the Grateful Dead hosted some of the most outrageous, far out and fun parties the world has ever seen, and wrote a few of its best songs. We pay tribute. Gather all your brothers and sisters. $8. Thunk opens up at 6pm.

2. Saturday night we have something innovative and cool. We are so glad we can still do that sort of thing. Dubbed "Future Global Society", this party will be techno, acoustic instruments and live percussion led by Mike Hall (the drummer from Born In The Flood). With DD Star and DJ Knows. This will be a one-of-a-kind mash up, so bring the spirit of adventure. 7pm. $6

3. Mollie O'brien, national singing legend, is going to be performing with Rich Moore at 7:30pm next Tuesday for the third installment of The Deep Listening Series. Mollie is one of the great singers and we've been trying to get her in the D Note for years. She has finally agreed. Here's an excerpt from Mollie's web bio: "Showcasing her old-time, folk, blues, and gospel chops are three albums with Tim O'Brien. There have been any number of collaborations, most notably the Grammy-winning True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe (Sugar Hill) with a stellar bunch of bluegrass greats. For the past few years, Mollie has worked with Garrison Keillor and Robin & Linda Williams as the Hopeful Gospel Quartet." Deep Listening Series is the one night every month, Last Tuesday of the month, when we all stay as silent as we can and listen to some of the best musicians in the world. $10.

4. Our annual Summer Clothing Swap is this weekend. Adults Sat. July 26, 2-4. Kids, Sun, July 27 12-2. Bring in your gently used or new clothes to the D Note and swap your old clothes with other fashionistas and families and acquire some "new-to-you" clothes free. D Note will donate all clothes not "swapped" to the Family Tree. After the kids swap on Sunday will be baby boogie, so you can feed two birds with one grain of rice.

One love,

D one,

Extra Credit: Flipping through the new eye-roller of a poetry anthology edited by the overbearing critic, Harold Bloom, we came across an astonishing poem by 17th century poet John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester. Thanks Professor Bloom. Attend closely class...


A Song of a Young Lady to Her Ancient Lover

Ancient Person, for whom I
All the flattering youth defy,
Long be it e'er thou grow old,
Aching, shaking, crazy cold;
But still continue as thou art,
Ancient Person of my heart.

On thy withered lips and dry,
Which like barren furrows lie,
Brooding kisses I will pour,
Shall thy youthful heart restore,
Such kind show'rs in autumn fall,
And a second spring recall;
Nor from thee will ever part,
Ancient Person of my heart.

Thy nobler parts, which but to name
In our sex would be counted shame,
By ages frozen grasp possest,
From their ice shall be released,
And, soothed by my reviving hand,
In former warmth and vigour stand.
All a lover's wish can reach,
For thy joy my love shall teach;
And for thy pleasure shall improve
All that art can add to love.
Yet still I love thee without art,
Ancient Person of my heart.