The lights dim, a big smile moves across my face, the band takes their places and the room is filled with the drumbeat and strumming guitars, my body bounces to the rhythm. I’m in the second row, stage right, with a perfect view. I sing along to the opening lyrics, “I’m gonna die, oooh, I’m gonna die, but it won’t, be tonight.”

No, tonight is going to be a great night. It’s only been 48 hours since I saw Michael Franti and Spearhead in a dusty campground at the Arise Music Festival, but this intimate venue at the Belly Up in Aspen feels like a private concert, and a lot has happened since then. I need this.

There is an unexpected repetitive bumping into my left hip, (more…)