I skipped through an almost-full parking lot in the High Falls neighborhood, and to my astonishment, rounded the corner on the way to the ticket tent and ran smack into a throng of people. They were crowded into the fenced-off space that surrounds the Lamar Outdoor Stage --- and the beer --- and seemed pretty entertained by Small Stars, an amazingly fashionable band from Texas. 

The crowd was young and happy; I got the impression that some of them made the trip back down to High Falls to reacquaint themselves with the now-defunct Tiki Bob's, which acts as a venue for the festival.  And they would have, except for the fact that there was no liquor allowed in or served in any of these "once popular watering holes." Someone working the door outside the old Empire Brewing Co. told me the state had pulled a fast one. I wonder how the rest of the weekend will go once people spread the word that this Summer Fest is a dry one. 

Michelle Shocked began her second set around 10 p.m. to a good-sized audience inside a stripped-to-the-bones Empire. Beer signs swung from the ceiling and were plastered to the wall. I sipped my water, waiting to be saved. I had read that this woman was a divine mix of soul and blues and gospel, and I wasn't sure if she could flip my switch. But I saw Jesus. 

It was bizarre, almost eerie being in this recently occupied joint. But somehow it worked, and the guts of this abandoned restaurant were perfect for the haunted soul that pushed its way into the thick air. I think you could have squeezed blood out of Shocked's voice. It was sweet and raw, and with the juicy strum of her guitar, I had to lick my lips. Shocked raised every hair on my body so many times, I lost count.   

Had to bust a move over to the old McFadden's, where I caught the tail-end of Eilen Jewell's set. It was modern, Johnny Cash-type stuff that I was quickly addicted to. Twenty people sat in seats, and I wanted to tear up the floor. Her smooth twang reminded me of The Sundays, with a little bit of country. I've gotta get her album. 

Walked through the swinging doors into the cavernous Tiki Bob's to mellow out to the Leah Randazzo Group. A vixen of a front-woman challenged her bass player to a duel, and my eyes weren't leaving the stage. This young band offered a mix of funk and jazz and pop, and were so good, I almost cried when I looked to see who exactly was watching. There weren't more than 10 people in the room. Oh well, everything takes time.