Shakedown Street. Urban Dictionary defines it in the following way: "The strip of vendors outside of a concert in the parking lot, usually defined by their tailgate style tents. Common things sold are food, tye-dye, patchwork clothing and bags, tapestries and incense. The term comes from the so-named Grateful Dead song, because so many vendors found their place at Grateful Dead shows in their lot scene."
While that may serve as an adequate definition for someone unfamiliar to the lot scene, it is so much more to others. Shakedown is it's own micro-universe. I remember my first shows when I was in college and being simultaneously enthralled and overwhelmed when I stepped foot onto the lot scene. And yet, I immediately felt at home as well. When I was 13 years old, I met a woman named Ocean at a poetry reading in Chesapeake, VA. She had long dreadlocks that flowed beautifully past her waist, she played the guitar, and wrote poetry that made me think a little deeper about the world around me. She listened to my sad and angry 13-year-old self, gave me some pointers, and made sure to tell me that I had soul. She encouraged me to keep writing and to search for the love within myself. She left that poetry reading to begin her trek to the West Coast...for what I had no idea, but this moment is forever etched into my memory. I wrote a poem about Ocean, and my reflection of her, years later when I was in college still searching for myself. The sheer memory of her took me back to my 13-year-old self and how I yearned to feel the freedom she had found. I looked at her and I saw freedom. I saw spirit. I saw love. I think I chased this for years only to discover that what she was telling me back then was that these things existed within me all along. Perhaps, the first time I stepped onto Shakedown, I felt a little bit of Ocean's presence and that felt like home.
While that may serve as an adequate definition for someone unfamiliar to the lot scene, it is so much more to others. Shakedown is it's own micro-universe. I remember my first shows when I was in college and being simultaneously enthralled and overwhelmed when I stepped foot onto the lot scene. And yet, I immediately felt at home as well. When I was 13 years old, I met a woman named Ocean at a poetry reading in Chesapeake, VA. She had long dreadlocks that flowed beautifully past her waist, she played the guitar, and wrote poetry that made me think a little deeper about the world around me. She listened to my sad and angry 13-year-old self, gave me some pointers, and made sure to tell me that I had soul. She encouraged me to keep writing and to search for the love within myself. She left that poetry reading to begin her trek to the West Coast...for what I had no idea, but this moment is forever etched into my memory. I wrote a poem about Ocean, and my reflection of her, years later when I was in college still searching for myself. The sheer memory of her took me back to my 13-year-old self and how I yearned to feel the freedom she had found. I looked at her and I saw freedom. I saw spirit. I saw love. I think I chased this for years only to discover that what she was telling me back then was that these things existed within me all along. Perhaps, the first time I stepped onto Shakedown, I felt a little bit of Ocean's presence and that felt like home.
I can't think of a better place to people watch. I mean, airports are a lot of fun, but nothing quite beats this scene. I often find myself wondering about people's stories. How they found their way to this scene. Their history. Their tales from the road (and trust me....there are PLENTY of those!). The shots I included in this post (above) were some of my favorite candid shots from our trip to Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD and the Ntelos Pavilion in Portsmouth, VA to see 3 nights of Phish.
What still amazes me the most is also what I love the most, and that is the sense of family. For the most part, people look out for one another and we take care of one another. I, for one, like to share my cupcakes. If you've hung out with me on lot then you know they are delicious and full of love. I love these shots of people just being themselves. The one place I know that I can get away with never second guessing myself is here. I may not get to make a bunch of shows these days, but I know that when I step foot on Shakedown, I am going to find friends. I am going to find hugs and plenty of love.
What still amazes me the most is also what I love the most, and that is the sense of family. For the most part, people look out for one another and we take care of one another. I, for one, like to share my cupcakes. If you've hung out with me on lot then you know they are delicious and full of love. I love these shots of people just being themselves. The one place I know that I can get away with never second guessing myself is here. I may not get to make a bunch of shows these days, but I know that when I step foot on Shakedown, I am going to find friends. I am going to find hugs and plenty of love.
Besides all of my warm and fuzzy feelings about Shakedown, it is important to note that it is also a way people make a living. The business aspect is obvious and I spend my money freely to support my friends. Posters, pins, hats, shirts, tobacco pipes, crystals, wire wraps, beer, lanyards, koozies, socks, undies, cold beverages for $1, flags, and FOOD! There are vendors for just about anything you can imagine (though I seriously was missing my favorite Falafel and a Pickle guy this run!). You can find some of the best art around and my house showcases a fair share of posters from previous shows we have attended. My husband and I collect, trade, and make pins so naturally we have formed friendships with others who do the same. You can find plenty of people wandering Shakedown selling and trading their wares...we traded a pin for a beautiful tie-dye while in Portsmouth! It's all in the eye of the beholder...or stomach. One thing is always for sure: you will find excellent food (might I suggest a quesadilla from our friend Christy).
I am already mourning the end of our road trip vacation. Though sun-burnt and still sore from dancing all night at the shows, I miss my friends. I miss the freedom that comes from being on the road and the camaraderie of people I usually only get to "see" through social media. I am already counting the days until we arrive in Denver later this month, but until then...HUGS!
I am already mourning the end of our road trip vacation. Though sun-burnt and still sore from dancing all night at the shows, I miss my friends. I miss the freedom that comes from being on the road and the camaraderie of people I usually only get to "see" through social media. I am already counting the days until we arrive in Denver later this month, but until then...HUGS!