"Buy me some popcorn and Cracker Jack..."
About a month ago, I won some box seat tickets to a baseball game. They came from
Charleston Currents.
WooHoo. Box seats for the
Riverdogs, our local minor league baseball team.
They play in
The Joe, a 7,000+ seat stadium that's named after our
Mayor-For-Life Joseph P. Riley, Jr.
Last night the attendance was 4,356. Most were NOT blessed with box seats.
Saw a ballpark legend,
Tony The Peanut Man, working the crowd during the game.
Had not noticed before that the iconic straw boater he always wears is open on top.
That's his head you see when he bends forward to hand out bags of boiled peanuts.
Or to add to the stash of cash in his hand.
Did I mention the box seats have a server in each section who takes your requests for popcorn, Cracker Jack, hot dogs and beverages?
No leaving the game to go stand in line. She handed out a menu. A distinctly Charleston/ Lowcountry list of tasty items.
Sunset over the Ashley River is a beautiful sight from the ballpark.
And, as usual for an August evening, the breeze off the river was very welcome.
Oh yeah!
The humidity seemed slightly lower even as the scoreboard clock flashed 80 degrees.
It was a good game - marred by a few bone-head errors by both teams - but the home team was trailing 4-3 into the 9th inning.
Empty box seats started appearing around us but we staunch still-seated fans rooted for a come-from-behind miracle.
Of course, it helps to get some men on base.
The West Virginia Power had pitched 5 hitless innings.
We were pleased to see the pitcher now distracted by a runner at first.
Number 7, Jose Rosario (2B) got back safely.
The BIG finish was a walk-off, two RBI double by outfielder Jake Cave.
This win brought the Riverdogs to .500 for the second half (30-30).
The team shot out onto the field and celebrated with smiles, hugs and, probably, a few slaps on the butt.
Hey, it's the American Pasttime...baseball, I mean.
(Click on the photos for more details.)
It was
Thirsty Thursday with beer specials all over the park.
I had some popcorn with my beer but was amused by the slogan printed on the large $4 bag.
People often mistake hot for fresh in theaters.
Popcorn is REALLY good and fresh for about only 2 days.
Maximum.
Enjoy!
Oops. Forgot about the Cracker Jacks.
And apple pie.
Labels: Charleston Currents, Cracker Jack. apple pie., guaranteed worst popcorn in town, Joseph P. Riley, Jr.stadium, Riverdogs baseball team, The Joe, Thirsty Thursday, Tony The Peanut Man, WV Power baseball team
"Five" equals "Three"....
Went to see
Ben Folds Five at the Performing Arts Center last night.
Great time watching these guys reunited after a 13-year gap of being apart.
They also released a new album yesterday so we heard a mix of the old, the new and in between.
This was my fourth time seeing him on piano.
Over the years, I caught him in Atlanta and here at The Joe during
WaveFest but he was solo.
He appeared a few years ago at the PAC with a back up band but here he was now with his two original partners who had started it all in the Rock & Roll '90s.
Welcome back.
Back when I first started going to concerts, it was advised you sit on the left side if a piano was featured.
Well this what I was told for classical music. Going to the symphony.
That way, you see the hands of the player and the keys.
Good advice because I had not watched his hands before as he played and banged and slammed the keys!
I also know that he often ends a show with a toss of the piano stool at the sturdy Baldwin.
He did indeed. He tossed it so hard it bounced.
The drummer and bass player were not that violent.
But all's well that ends well.
The music was terrific, the banter was warm and friendly and one audience member was invited up on stage to sing
"Philosophy,"
Let's just say it was obvious the fellow was not a plant, placed in the audience as a gimmick. He alone set Karaoke back about 50 years.
The Baldwin piano took a pounding but, as you can see in the link above, that's just the way Ben plays it.
Ben Folds was VERY fan friendly.
He stayed onstage and shook hands and signed albums that were handed up to him.
If you don't know him and his sound, go online and listen.
I'm really glad my 2nd row seat was on the left.
Watching his left foot keeping time with the beat was spell binding ...and exhausting!
(Click on the photos for more detail.)
As often happens, I was probably the oldest person there last night.
That simply adjusts the numbers when they think about their average fan.
(Please click
http://photo.meetup.com/687.)
Labels: Baldwin pianos, Bassist Robert Sledge, Ben Folds Five, Do It Anyway, Drummer Darren Jessee, Fraggle Rock, Karaoke set back, my black t-shirt, Philosophy, The Joe, The Sound of the Life of the Mind., WaveFest
