It is no simple task planning an event. Everything is booked months in advance, and particularly for an outdoor event, weather can be a wild card. The Farmer’s Almanac long-term forecast for first weekend of May in the northeast was “sunny and warm”., and the outlook for the next weekend was “rainy and cold”. Which should we choose? Hmn.. We decided the first weekend of May would be the date for Revival!

Come spring, as the day approached, we checked the local forecast with hope, then dismay, then hope again as the week-of was sunny and warm. Alas, cool, most air spread across the state on Saturday, making it a cloudy, cool day with occasional sprinkles of rain.

We had the foresight to cover the stage when the weather was nice, giving some protection underneath. Early afternoon finishing touches were made to the sound system. Barb provided a Yankee feast, served by Bailey and Leeza under the new service pavilion. In her tent, masseuse Amy was kept busy for hours as folks lined up for some hands-on healing. Parker tended merch tables, and photographed the festivities for posterity. Dogs and kids ran around playing on the back field. I set about building up campfires for warmth, no mean feat on a wet day.



Wayne and Lucy opened the music program with Hymn for Her, their special blend of songs about life, Love, and dogs played on a variety of instruments, switching off at the drum set. Selim Ucar followed with music from Turkiyeh, played on the saz, and accompanied by Rio Bisbee drummers Mike “The Hammer”, and Steve Arineau. Nick and Al Deal joined Rio Bisbee.Band next with a mini-set comprising Revival, (Ode to) Barbara Jo, Quick Stop, Reefer Leave Me, Be Thankful There’s Rock ‘n Roll. Singer songwriter Tim Seeley shared his original numbers, accompanying himself with solid guitar work. Oodalally, from Portland, Maine with Frankie, Hunter, Gabriel, Annie and Summit was the evening’s feature act with their complex original numbers that are unique, off-beat, and sweet. As darkness fell, Zach amazed all with his deft twirling of flaming brands. Judge played electronica with his DJ board for the last die-hard revelers before they headed off home. Rain had quit, but the evening was cool. We circled by the big fire in afterglow. Some spirits may have been dampened by the drizzle, but those who attended had a fabulous time at Revival!

Thank you to everyone from Studio 455!

Yocrzyan