2001-06-07
Thank god for Gale and M.F., posted at 12:25 a.m.
Epiphany in Baltimore has moved to epiphanyinbaltimore.blogspot.com I just returned from seeing Melissa Ferrick at The Ark in Ann Arbor. Once again, I was left amazed at the intensity, passion, and talent of this woman. She is easily the best live performer I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. If you ever get a chance to see Melissa Ferrick - she tours non-stop, and is bound to be in your area - then please go. You'll be glad you did. Her CD's just do not do her justice, although they are quite good.She made me a bigger fan this past week when she refused to play the Michigan Womyn's Festival this year because of the festival's exlusionary practices regarding transgendered women and men. It was a big deal, and Melissa was bashed in a lot of different circles for refusing to play. Myself, I think the idea of a women-born-women festival is just plain shitty. I'm mystified how anyone can support the Michigan Womyn's Festival - a separatist, exclusionary group that doesn't see value in allies, feminist men, or bringing people together... only in putting up walls in between groups. (I also hate the spelling for Womyn that they give.) I think the festival's policies are hypocritical and, frankly, disappointing to me, who has always strived to be the best ally I can be. Therefore, I was extremely moved by Melissa's decision. I think it matters a lot. Right now, I am a bigger fan of hers than I ever have been before. I'm so glad she stood up for her beliefs, and I respect her so much right now.
Ferrick brought up the issue tonight both directly and indirectly. During her song "Welcome to My Life," she did an extended riff on how acceptance is the key to her life, how all the different chisms should sit and eat together, that getting together with a bunch of people just like you and complaining doesn't do anything. It was incredibly powerful. It also was when she screamed from the top of her lungs, "Everyone is welcome at my shows, whether you're gay, straight, bisexual, transgendered, female, male, disabled, white, black, young, or old." Everyone knew exactly what she was talking about - that damn festival.
But, it's odd, but the lyric that got to me most tonight was the following, from her song "I Will Arrive": "So I just (could) let go / and I let you in / But I'm afraid that I'd fall apart limb by limb / So I hold on to the dream that one day / I will arrive". I had always seen this song as a pontification of possible fame for Melissa, but now I see it as something totally different. A part of me is a hopeless romantic, and I realize that this part of me has never been realized. I've been in love, but have never let anyone in on the reciprocal end. It seems to me that Melissa is dealing with the same issue in this song.
So, yeah, the concert was incredible. I can't believe this woman isn't a star. Not that I'd necessarily want that, of course. I like seeing her in places like The Ark, which holds around 300. The place was sold out tonight (we had to scalp tickets).
That being said, the night out to the concert was a bit expensive for me. No, not the $11 tickets. I got towed. I couldn't find a spot, and the doors were about to open, so I parked in a no parking zone. Big fucking mistake. My poor car, still recovering from its 2,200 mile exodus over the weekend, was towed. I'm really, really broke. I had to break open the golden dollars I got in May of 2000 for my graduation in order to go tonight. My credit cards are maxed out after my trip, and every job I have has a horribly slow turnover rate for pay. The towing cost $139. Gale, my wonderful friend Gale, had to put it on her credit card. Gale, thank you.
So the evening ended on a sour note. I was actually really angry about it, but held it in like the good repressed boy I am. $139. That is just so much money. 14 CD's. A VCR. A plane ticket. 7 fill-ups at the gas station. Absolutely ridiculous. I'm such an idiot. I hate Ann Arbor.
Still, rock on, Melissa Ferrick. That was the best $150 concert I've ever been too.
and...
All Hail Gale.
Thanks for helping me out, GG.