ian moore show

Ted and I got a special treat on Friday. We got to go see our friend Ian Moore play a show at our favorite venue, Schubas. Last time he'd played Chicago, we got my mom to babysit, so we didn't bring Cadence, and he was disappointed about that, so this time we decided to bring her to the show. Ted's mom was gracious enough to drive all the way into the city to play with Cadence in the Harmony Grill, Schuba's restaurant, during the show. We got there kind of late, so Cadence and I only had a chance to say hi as Ian was getting ready to go in to play his set.

(photo by Tim Lowly)

We took Cadence in for a few songs before returning her to Grandma in the restaurant. She loves live music, especially with folks who sing and play guitar, but she IS 2 ½ and was in the mood for running around, which would have been impossible in the packed out music room. I'm so glad Ted's mom was there so Ted and I didn't have to take turns going in and out of the show. Our friend Alana offered to take turns w/ us if Grandma didn't come to the show, but thankfully we didn't need to resort to musical chairs babysitting that night.

It's really hard to describe an Ian Moore show with words. It is such a rich experience. Ian and his multi-instrumentalist Kullen play with such intensity one moment, tenderness the next, ferocity another moment, playfulness the next…You really have to experience it for yourself. And you can probably in June. They'll be back playing Schubas again.

Ted was really happy that our friends Tim Lowly, our pastor's husband and for whom Ted drums, and Ryan Hammer, Tim's bass player and lovely person all-round, made it out to the show. He sat with them on the benches along the side of the music room, while I stood in the back behind people taller than me (which would have been 95% of the folks in the room).

2007 will mark 5 years since Ian and I lost our dads. I think it's what sealed our friendship—being in each other's presence while we were still strangers and yet being able to share the painful bloody mess that wounded hearts create. We only see each other about once a year, and it's always for such a short time, but I think we both get a real sense of comfort and peace from those moments.