There are many elements which contribute to a concert experience, not limited just to the performer or their talent. For me these include the venue, the audience itself, my frame of mind, the set list, sound and lighting, opening acts, and other intangibles that come into play. Last night's Dar Williams concert at Hurricane's in Mission Beach was a serendipitous recipe for a delightful evening. My friend and I arrived early, checked out the venue, listened briefly to some sound checks, and then found a place to eat amid the food stands around The Plunge, an indoor public swimming pool, and the old wooden Mission Bay Coaster, which had been fully restored and was thriving again. The plan was to get back to the venue early, buy our tickets, and stake out a good seat.
Plans often go amiss.
It is always fun talking with other people about their music tastes. One of those was Jim, who had heard Dar twice previously in San Diego in 1995 and early 1996, once with Lui Collins, and more recently with Joan Baez. I had also attended those two concerts. In addition, he had seen Dar perform in Reading, England on a recent trip. The five of us were going over lists of our favorite performers, over plates of burritos with hot salsa.