2010’s already looking up!

Howdy friends and family, whew! It’s taken me nearly a week to slog through life and be able to get to this computer to write about the demise of 2009 and hello! to 2010. As most folks know, we made a journey back to the place of the Snakehandlers birth, Seattle, to play a command repeat performance at Highway 99 Blues Club for their Hayride to Hell New Year’s Eve bash. And what a bash it was. It was great seeing a lot of old freinds and fans, and some new ones too, including Sammy the dwarf, who walked around with a sombrero balanced on his head while it was filled with chips and salsa. You could eat off his head! Crazy night. Oh and he wasn’t wearing much else, trust me: some frilly gals undies and a banner saying baby new year.

Of course there was the requisite burlesque, which we miss in Austin- there’s a scene here, but not affiliated with music like it is in Seattle. And Purdy Mouth and Memphis Radio Kings, plus Vince Mora, helped us ring in the new year in style. Can’t beat Prince’s Purple Rain to roll it all in!

We also played the next two nights, for all our friends and fans who couldn’t make it to Highway 99. Friday at the Little Red Hen, where it truly ALL started: Jorge and I met there at a Swain’s residency show one Thursday back in 02. Now I feel old. Ha! THAT was a FUN night. All our old dancing and music buddies came out in droves. Folks, no one dances anywhere in the world like they do at the Little Red Hen, seriously!

Thing is, with all that action, I got disoriented, as so often happens since my accident a year and a half ago, and I forgot the words to about a dozen songs throughout the night. I made words up for our original tunes, but for ones that folks know, well all I can say is thank G-D for our wonderful friends who started singing out loud all over the dance floor to help me find my way back to the song! Better than a bouncing ball for certain.

And we kicked out the last night at the Shanty, blowing the doors off the place, and bringing in enough to cover the cost of out trip back ‘home’! Couldn’t ask for more than that. We loved playing with the Rainieros and Johnny Mercury, and can’t wait to do it again, hopefully before next year?!

It was soul-filling to drive the streets of Seattle, see so many wonderful friends, eat great dim-sum, see MORE great friends, and get a taste of that wonderful NW weather. It rained nearly the whole time we were there. The only sad part was walking where I used to walk my pup, and staying at my house there, where she used to live. I miss that dog something fierce.

And yet. When I walked through the door of our home here in Austin late Monday night (actually, early Tuesday), it felt like I was home. And that’s a good feeling! I have another one: 2010  already feels better than 2009. It’s got to be better, for so many!! So here’s a belated glass raised to toast you all and to bring in a healthy, thriving, fulfilling new year!

Hope to see you all soon,

Ruby Dee