For the past month now a familiar group of professional and amateur musicians have been invited to host-band Hunu?'s basement clubhouse-like rehearsal space on University Avenue to prepare for the Bob Dylan Birthday Party. Each Monday evening was spent with the band learning and re-learning Dylan songs. With 34 acts and almost as many musicians, there are a lot of arrangements to collaborate on and instruments to plug in or change hands. This is the same every year.

As each new act shows up -- hopefully with a six-pack in hand -- the band's members discuss the details with them. Those details can be easy (just play the song like it is on the record) or more challenging (change the key, mic this, incorporate another instrument, play it in this style, etc.). The song is rehearsed one, maybe two, sometimes three times, and then the band is ready for the next act. Through it all, singer Rita Coulter takes notes. These cheat sheets are given to all the band members on show night. This is the same every year.

On show night, you look for the posted song list to see when you'll be up. You then try not to drink too much, or you decide to drink too much, before it's your turn. The band opens with a few songs, and then the guests begin to take the stage. This is the same every year.

Yet, within these parameters of a Bob Dylan Birthday Party, there are no boundaries. Once the night begins, it feeds off its own steam. As everyone gathers, it takes on the feel of a family reunion. The performers and fans are their own community. It's rockin' warm and fuzzy.

This year The Bop Shop and Bodhi's Café took up the cause and offered up Village Gate's atrium as the venue. With the space larger than most live music bars, the added stairs and balcony views, and two temporary drink stands, all trepidations were soon squashed. The crowd piled in, even larger than usual. The Bop Shop's Tom Kohn told me he couldn't imagine it ever being anywhere else from now on.

Without going through all the performances, I would like to point out a few. Having the bathrobed Buzzo blow his horn during my song felt like I'd received a blessing. Watching the guitar make-out session between City's own Frank De Blase and HUNU? guitarist Don Christiano was hot! Tuned in and turned on! And Suzi Willpower closed the house with her loving memorial wail.

Next up: Greek Fest