The Worthen House in Lowell Ma. was the place to be this past weekend! The rain started to fall Friday evening just as the 6pm event was getting ready to kick off the night on the open air stage in the Worthen Street parking Lot. And as a result of the sudden downpour the stage didn't see a live act until approximately 10:15 pm. The sky cleared enough for Casey Sullivan to finally get the outside event rolling followed by a longer than expected set by Air Traffic Controller who managed to push the City Hall clock in the background just after Midnight.
By 10pm Friday Bleu and Liz Longley were well on their way out of the city and gearing up for their Saturday night gigs in Cambridge Ma. And Bar Harbor Maine. Audrey Can't Die and Peter Lavender with his Band (Carl Johnson, Arte K, Sir Bob Nash, and Craig Himmelberger) had all called it a night and went on their way to enjoy start of The 2010 Lowell Folk Festival. And although the acts I just mentioned never got a chance to hit the outside stage I am in no way implying that any of them did not performed on this night, In fact.........they all turned in near perfect sets under not so perfect conditions. and when it was all said and done, it was certainly something worth remembering.
At 6:15pm a decision to cancel the outside event in the Worthen Street parking lot was made and the first act quickly moved indoors and prepared to set up inside the already packed to capacity club . Sound man for hire (Chris Assilen) headed indoors and set up while Peter and the gang loaded in. A quick sound check and away they went, Worthen Fest 2010 had officially begun downstairs on the Worthen floor and Peter Lavender and his band sounded perfect! while Peter played his set downstairs Bleu and The Aquavia Octet sat circled upstairs rehearsing for their set later that evening if the rain decided to let up, unfortunately that never happened but Bleu and the strings continued as if it was still on and as the overflow crowd downstairs found their way to the Worthen Attic; what had started as a rehearsal actually become a 60min performance of sorts as word spread and more and more people found their way upstairs. Peter Lavender was playing downstairs and Bleu was up playing upstairs, and everyone in attendances was loving it!
While this was all happening inside something equally amazing was happening outside in the rain. Liz Longley had arrived on time and although scheduled to take the stage in the lot at 7:30pm, she was unaware at this time the night had been canceled. As she stood under an abandoned beer tent to keep dry while waiting out the rain, she was simply killing time alone, and with her guitar in hand just picking out a few tune within minutes a crowd had gathered around the 8ft x 8ft shelter, with many of them unable to fit underneath they surrounded the tent and braved the rain, while Liz; being the constant performer she is, obliged them all and provided the faithful with a performance they will never forget. No Mics, No PA, and No Stage, just Liz Longley performing in what is probably her most intimate and impromptu performance to date. (Video)
Inside! Outside! And Upstairs!....Worthen Fest 2010 was certainly happening.
By 8:30pm Lavender had finished his set and Bleu's rehearsal turned live performance was over to a round of applause. Casey Sullivan had arrived and 3 members of the band Air traffic Controller were still en-route. Audrey Can't Die was next on the bill but the downstairs crowd immediately filled the space that Peter's band had just vacated. So without any real choice left the sound man hired for the night was asked to bring it all upstairs and get "Audrey" ready for their set. The rain was still falling, people were still coming, and Liz Longley (wanting to stay) had to head out for another gig the following night.
At 9pm "Audrey Can't Die" was rocking the walls of the Worthen House upstairs and the crowd loved every second of it. And it was during their performance that the rain had started to show signs of letting up. Not only was the night sky clearing but people started to gather outside in a dark quiet parking lot across the street and halfway into "Audrey's" set all 5 members of Air Traffic Controller along with solo performer Casey Sullivan were wondering where they were going to play (if at all), the Sound system upstairs was set up and ready to go, the room downstairs was asking for live music, the beer tents outside in the lot were back in business, and the sky had cleared with a solid crowd gathering. A second decision needed to be made! and band, owner, and promoter agreed....the last 2 acts of the night will be outside.
While "Audrey Can't Die" continues to play for the upstairs crowd finishing with a very unique cover of the John Denver classic "Country Roads" the powers that be we're setting up the stage outside for Casey Sullivan and Air Traffic Controller, all the while making it known inside and out that the Worthen Fest Parking Lot Blowout was about to finally start. "Audrey" finished their set and for the last time the live sound gear was moved from the room upstairs to the parking lot.
10pm; the announcement on both floors of the packed Worthen House is made, "The parking lot is open and the music will start approx 10:30" within minutes of the announcement inside as well as the countless updates to facebook and twitter pages the parking lot on Worthen street is packed, the sky is clear, and at 10:20pm Casey Sullivan takes the stage and welcomes everyone to the show. Her solo acoustic set was flawless and she is certainly a name you will be hearing more about soon, an amazing talent!
At 11:05pm Air Traffic Controller took to the outside stage, the lot was full, the sky was clear, and the music sounded great.
At Midnight the crowd demanded one more song.......and ATC did not disappoint! Ending the show in fine fashion with "Rain Song"
Peter Lavender, Bleu, Liz Longley, Audrey Can't Die, Casey Sullivan, and Air Traffic Controller, 6 amazing acts all performed under not so perfect conditions but in the end Worthen Fest 2010 (Part I) was perfect!
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