Centered in Six

Yesterday, we participated in a performing arts extravaganza at the Real Library. The basic concept was that on 6/6/6, starting at 6 and running for 66 minutes, various artists (visual, performing, spoken word, etc…) would present a 6 minute long performance. Our hostess, the lovely and talented Tracy Doreen organized the event. You may remember her as the championship hula-hooper who performed with us during our Wisconsin Film Festival show in April. Parts of what was called “6 in the City” were to occur inside and other parts outside

Our plan: Load drums, amps, PA and selves into Robin’s VW van. Everything was plugged in to one power strip. At seven pm, we would pull into the driveway, Matthew would jump out of the rear door and plug us in to the extension cord provided. Pam would start playing the opening chords to Perfect World. Kat would jump out of the passenger door, open the sliding side door, pull the vocal mic out. Robin would pop the camper top. Then, everybody picks up instruments and start playing. When we were done, we throw everything back into the van and drive off. We called our masterpiece an “MP Drive by rockin’!”

Well, we got there two minutes early and pulled into the driveway. There were a large number of people standing in a circle holding hands, chanting and side-stepping. So, we stayed in the van hoping they would finish soon. Our conversation roamed to different topic. Three minutes go by and we’re talking about revving the engine. Four minutes go by and we’re talking about peeling out and leaving. Five minutes go by and we’re talking about farts. Six minutes go by and Kat decides she’s going to play with her shoes off so that she can be “one” with the chanters. Finally, it’s 7:05 (five minutes into our six minute performance) and Tracy says, “go ahead and start ‘cause they don’t look like they’re going to stop any time soon.”


Matthew dives out the back door. We’ve got power! I start playing cords. Kat jumps out, opens the side door and sets the mic stand up. I get out continuing to play. Robin pops up the camper top then sits behind his kit. We all look over at Kat and she keeps trying to pick up her guitar. Every time she tries, she gets a shock! So we’re all yelling, “Pick it up!” and she keeps trying! Well, I just start singing the first verse and Matthew yells, “Put your shoes on!” Half way through the second verse, Kat’s got her shoes on and she’s playing without a problem. Funny thing, that day, Tracy had emailed me asking if we needed a two- or three-pronged extension cord. I said three. (Note to Tracy: That third prong ain’t just for show. Check your ground wires.)



So, we’re playing along and the circle chanters are continuing. We’re getting smiles from a lot of people and sneers from a few others. Innocent civilians are caught in the cross fire of the new age v. rock culture clash. Most of them are bewildered but loving it. Aaaahh, life on the isthmus!

But seriously, if you can’t “center” yourself in under six minutes, there’s something wrong.

Here's a video of part of our performance that captures the event quite well:



*No hippies were harmed in the filming of this video...But Kat still has a twitch in her left hand from the repeated shocks.