The Whole Shebang ~ Another Gavin DeGraw Weekend (A SummerFun Chapter)

I can't wait to visit this venue in Hyannis again.

 It was a rather epic weekend.  Road trip to Massachusetts, 3 concerts, visiting my daughter, meeting lots of friends.  Days later, it's all jumbled together in my head:  one whole shebang*.

The week had started out with some disappointing news ... my daughter (a restaurant manager) would have no time off while I was in Boston because it was restaurant week.  She would not be able to go to the concerts either.  She indulges me once a year.  And this year I'd purchased meet and greets for us both.  I had my heart set on her meeting Gavin DeGraw so she'd know first hand what I know--how genuine and lovely he is in person.  I called the hotel and cancelled three of my five nights and regrouped.  I knew Phyllis had tickets for some of the same shows and was so happy when she agreed to travel with me for the three days.  I was still hoping for a last minute reprieve for my daughter too ...

The drive was slow ... an hour to get over the George Washington Bridge alone.   Texting with my daughter as we went, she confirmed she was working at both restaurants until past midnight.  I told her we'd be drop in to The Marliave for a late lunch to see her and would miss her company at the concert.  And that is how Nicole came to join us at the Blue Hills Pavilion harborside in Boston.  Let no ticket go unused ...

Gavin DeGraw in Central Park (A SummerFun Chapter)

At first I was impatient.  When the dates were announced for the summer tour--#SummerTour14--I didn't think I'd last until August, when my local shows were scheduled.  But as it turns out, the anticipation has been half the fun.  Reading posts, checking out pictures, watching videos from friends who have been attending concerts all summer long has been almost nightly fun.  I think I've known a couple of people at least at every show.  I'll be seeing Gavin along with Matt Nathanson, who is co-headlining this tour, and Andrew McMahon, who opens for them, a few times over the next two and a half weeks.  I can't wait for the adventures to begin but I dread the moment the last song is sung.

photo credit @jbjlover86

The SummerStage in Central Park is the first concert on my schedule.  I'm meeting friends from as far away as California, Pittsburgh and Buffalo along with those of us in the greater New York/New Jersey area.  The NJ contingent met at the Port Authority having arrived by car, bus and train. The SummerStage was an easy cab ride away and it was just after noon when we arrived at the gate to the venue.  Five hours to go until the gates would open.  Six hours until showtime.  There were 11 people ahead of us.  Mission accomplished.  Front row secured.