Day 10 (8/10) Tuesday
The drive to MA was brutal. I could hardly stay awake. I had to talk on the phone all the way in order to stay up. By the time I got to my grandparents house I was beat down. I could hardly keep my eyes open. My mother talked about going out to dinner and I almost turned her down. I just wanted to sleep.

When I got to my parents house I fell asleep in their big chair in the living room until my niece woke me up to say it was time to go eat. She’s so cute. I could hear her saying, “Nana, auntie Shelley is asleep.” I was way more than sleep. Hearing her felt like a dream.

I peeled myself up and went to dinner with my parents and my niece. We had a good time. We stopped at the supermarket after dinner and then I went home and washed my hair. As soon as that was done I bought my bus ticket back to New York and went to sleep.

The next day I was on my way back to Brooklyn and on my way to see Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal at Prospect Park. As if that wasn’t enough, on Thursday I had to do a show with Jeff and Shawn and the BEA Rock Camp for kids in Greenpoint. I didn’t get to sleep in until Friday and I did nothing that day. Well maybe I started writing this blog.

In Conclusion
As you can see we had a great time in Michigan. All the ladies out there reading this blog I want you to seriously consider coming next year. Michfest not only has music, but there are great workshops and the friends you make at Michigan stay with you for life. I mean it. I know some of you city girls are antsy about camping, but this is high end camping and trust you will be changed. If Gloria Bigelow can change, you can change. I love you Glo! If you are concerned about the cost, you can go as a worker and that will cover your entrance or get on the payment plan. This festival is one of the best organized events I have ever been to and I’ve played some places and seen some things. Trust! Sorry if I sound like a PSA for Michfest, but I love it that much. It is a refuge. It is a place of safety and peace. It is a land of womyn and what could be better than that? (That question is rhetorical. LOL!)

Thanks for taking the time to read my Michfest recap. I hope to see you next year! I will be there!

XXOO

Honorable Mention
-The man who stopped to give us bunji chords on the highway in Ohio after our stuff fell off the roof of the van. Now that's what you call a good Samaritan.
-The man who helped Gina get to the hotel in Grand Rapids after getting lost four times. She thought he might be a serial killer, but he turned out to be an angel.
-The missing forks in the Belly Bowl (see the photo below).
-Showers under the stars. There's really nothing like it.
-Gal's Diner for making the food RIGHT every day and every night! (Where's the cookbook?)
-Maritri Camping. Who would believe it? (see photo below)




[Maritri camping. Yes it really happened. lol]

MVP (Most Valuable Players (meaning musicians))
-Julie Wolf
-Lee Free
-Ganessa James
-Pamela Means

My Healers
Shirley Jons (sweat lodge)
Luciana Padmore (reflexology)
Linda and Donna (crystal/energy healing)
The ladies in the workers massage tent (massage)


[The Night Stage Crowd on Opening Night. You can't tell, but the crowd just keeps going.]


[The Night Stage during the day]


[The Night Stage lighting and sound tower]


[The Night Stage stage door]