This was a pretty crazy night. My overall impression is that putting a "festival" style event into an Opera House is a flawed concept and that they would be better off either shrinking the performer list or holding it at a more typical festival venue with a more typical festival feeling. Either Swallow Hill or the artists or Ellie Caulkins doesn't allow photos at their shows, so nothing new on the Photo Stream.

Next, I'll break it down artist by artist.

Boulder Acoustic Society

This was my first concert at the gardens. I called in and the ticket lady suggested I get there at 5:00. I got there at 4:45 to meet Ezra (arrival time 4:20) who was still pretty far back in line. Depending on the artist, I suggest getting there at something more like 3:00 or so if you really want good seats. Lots of folks make a day out of it with a picnic and games in line.

I went to see Leo Kottke and Loudon Wainwright III at the Botanical gardens because of my fond memories of concerts at the gardens as a kid. I remembered a family event, complete with picnics and blankets. This concert was my first at the Botanical gardens some 13 years later and the scene was just as I remembered it. I loved the open air and the family feel. What could be better on a Friday night than reclining in the grass, the sun setting as you listen to Leo Kottke play his guitar?

It was honestly hard to tell how well Kotkke was playing because the sound was really craptacular. I mean honestly, you pay to go see a concert you expect you wont have to strain to hear right? Who the hell was the sound guy and what was he sniffing that night...

I give it 3 stars: -4 for sound + 7 for being a badass = +3