Sunday, May 27, 2001 - The Riverfront ArtsFest @ Kunkle Plaza & Café Venue - The Darcie Miner Band, Jellybricks, HaleStorM

Sunday, May 27, 2001
The Riverfront ArtsFest @ Kunkle Plaza & Café Venue
The Darcie Miner Band, Jellybricks, HaleStorM

Almost 10 minutes into Darcie’s set (which began at noon) we arrived and sat down on the top step of Kunkle Plaza. We had missed “He Said,” but heard is as we walked there. Darcie was decked out in a long skirt, Powder Puff Girls tee, and a pale blue knit hat. To her right, Millhouse (bassist) wore oversized pink sunglasses. The drummer, Chris and the keyboardist, Ryan, sat back and enjoyed the fact that it wasn’t raining and a nice breeze blew through the tent. By the end of the set, “Wasted Gold” was spinning in our heads.

After Darice finished, we walked around ArtsFest with Melanie’s mom. When we finished, Melanie’s mom left and we grabbed a hot apple dumpling with ice cream and two orange cream smoothies. Not exactly a healthy lunch, but it is nearly impossible to eat a nutritious meal at the ArtsFest. As we sat at the steps of the river with the sun beating down on us, we shared our dumpling and sipped our smoothies. One of many boats in the Susquehanna approached us. As it came closer, we noticed the grinning teen boy relaxing in it with his mother, father, and younger sibling. They boy stood as the boat floated by and asked if we would like to go for a ride. Informing us that they were going around the island, we glanced behind u and suddenly became intrigued by our smoothies and dumpling. T he boat continued on and we were safe again… or so we thought. Rumbling in reverse at the hands of his father, this boy would not give up. “It’s free! Five dollars!” shouted the persistent dimwit. Once again we became involved in consuming our lunch. The boat then moved along down the river. We were surprised that the boy’s father put he boat in reverse so he could pursue us further.

Walking around a bit more, the clouds began rolling in over the riverside. Thunder and lightning soon followed. Four o’clock was creeping up and the impending threat of rain worried us about the Jellybricks performance. Drops fell as we approached Kunkle Plaza. Naked Blue was still performing and the woman, Jen, told the audience there were welcome to stand up against the stage and out of the showers. We took advantage of the shelter and Naked Blue soon had to quit mid-song because of water. The rain was pouring, but the Jellybricks set up their equipment after Naked Blue tore down. At 4 10 The Jellybricks went on. By the time the sun was shining and we became acquainted with the man next to us, a promoter for Weapons for Peace. He told us to come to the CD Release party at Zee’s on the 16th. Well, since the Martini Bros. are playing we will have to try to make it.

The Jellybrickers were their amusing rocking selves, but still did not perform their Under the Radar song, “Too Far.” When they finished, we hung about hoping to grow a pair of balls and ask for a posse picture. Losing track of them, Melanie complained she needed to urinate, so we headed to the port a potties. Who did we see as we made our way there? Why the Jellybrickers! Shannon asked for a pick and Garrick said we’d have to wait a moment. Melanie again whined about her pee urge, so we said we’d be right back. (Melanie is a fast pee-er.) Melanie ran into her aunt walking over and quickly returned from the potty to frolic back over to the Jellybrickers again with Shannon.

When Larry, Garrick, Bryce, and Tom were ready, we went over by the cement walls, taking Tom's suggestion. Melanie asked a random man sitting nearby to take our photo. He took two snap shots from his seated position. We then thanked him and the Jellybricks. They asked us why we have come to see them multiple times but haven’t talked to them. We shyly responded with “I don’t know” and “You look busy.”

Later that night Shannon, her father, and I made our way to Café Venue to see HaleStorM. Assuming we were on the list, we walked in while Shannon’s dad parked the car. We were told we had to pay after the list was checked and our names were absent. Forking over $5 each we waited for Shannon’s dad. When he came in we told him he had to pay. In disbelief, he told us we didn’t because we hadn’t seen the list. We informed him that the list was indeed checked and we were not on it. Upset, he found HaleStorM’s manager, Mitch, and had him inform the owner that he did not have to pay. So Shannon’s dad got in free and we paid : P

Upon entering the seating area we were at a loss as to where to sit. Eventually Beth (the mommy lady) acted as our savior and pulled out two chairs for us. Whew! Can’t handle those decisions! Ashley was there again and Melanie was wearing her dark blue and green dress. Melanie’s mom said the design looked like jellyfish tentacles when she first bought it.

We felt special having "Just A Girl" dedicated to us from Liz. (Melanie loves No Doubt.) Shannon felt extra special having her nearing birthday announced and a round of applause. That night we also snatched up a sticker. Melanie put hers in her locker to stay there for the next student.

Between sets, a HaleStorM fan by the name of Tommy approached us. Holding out a marker he demanded our signatures on his basketball tee. Explaining that we were not worthy and undeserving of ruining a perfectly good tee. Tommy told us he would not leave until we signed. Melanie said that HaleStorM was worthier and he should have them sign his shirt. Jumping up, he said he would be back when he obtained all the StorMers John Hancock. Sighing, we thought about what to do when Tommy returned. When he did, Shel was standing by us and we once again told him we were not worthy. In unison they replied, "Yes you are!" Melanie told Tommy to have Shel sign and she went ahead to sign without hesitation. He again asked us to sign. Frustrated from the begging, Shannon grabbed the marker and his sleeve to write, "We're not worthy. Shannon." Melanie took the other sleeve and wrote, "The unfamous Melanie."