First Night of a New Year
Hope everyone had a wonderful New Year’s Eve. This is a bit late, but we went to dinner at our friend’s house in Alexandria, VA and after dinner out to the First Night activities. I’d never been to a city’s First Night before, although we’ve lived in several that had lots of activities on First Night. So, we had a great time.
The weather was cold but not fiercely so — so we walked most of the way to the Torpedo Factory Art Center for a bit of old fashioned rock and roll by the Grandsons. The surprising bit was that people spontaneously started to dance in the open area away from the stage. There was no seating and the stage was the floor, so unless you were in the front rows or exceedingly tall, you could only hear the band. The second surprise was the families — many people with children. Throughout the night, in all the venues we dropped in on, there were families with children. Here many were teaching their kids to jitterbug and fast dance. It was a hoot and everyone seemed to have a great time.
Next we walked to a jazz venue. On the way, Ern helped a couple taking pictures so they helped us out by taking our picture. 
From left to right is my husband Paul, me, and our friends EJ and Ern.
The jazz was wonderful but the venue was very, very warm — it was packed and all the standing room was filled. So after three numbers we headed over to hear another group. At the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, we listened to Al Petteway and Amy White who played a number of different instruments and played Celtic and Appalachian folk songs (some their own). We stayed to the end of their set. And because I loved their music I bought two CDs: Winter Tidings and Acoustic Journey.
Next it was back to EJ & Ern’s for dessert and to watch the ball drop in Time Square. Some interesting conversation and then it was the homeward drive and sleep and dreams of a better year to come.
Hope everyone had a wonderful a safe and joyous New Year’s Eve.