Free (yes, Free!) Richard Thompson Show in Woodbridge, NJ ~ Wed, 7/22/20

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Free Richard Thompson Show  behind Woodbridge High School, NJ ~ Wed, 7/22/20 @ 7:30PM

Free show, in a large field, no tix required.
Boxes marked on ground for social distancing, bring chairs. Masks required when roaming grounds.

 

Also, Kinderhook tonight, (Sunday)  same deal.

Thanks for the heads-up !!  Find me and say hi,  I'll have a Large Hüsky and a chair.

I was going to go to this but the weather is looking a bit too dicey for me. T-Storms with 60mph winds and possible tornados. 

^ Yes,  postponed due to Weather.  I caught the Soundcheck and ate some Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken,  a taste of Ceviche,  some Rice.

Before the 60 MPH tornadoes rolled in,  Hüsky and I strolled the grounds and checked out the Venue.  Never been there before.

If anyone is considering a visit to Woodbridge,  the Peruvian place on Main St. is great.  Couple outdoor tables,  if you like Downtown Urban ambience.  Or efficient takeout setup with carefully - wrapped Food.

https://woodbridgeartsnj.org/richard_thompson.html#anchor1

Link from the locals above.

MAybe see some of you there.

Cancelled by a mighty wind?

LOL, shoot out the lights.

I have a few questions for our boots on the ground reporter, DS. How early did they let people into the concert site? Were people able to bring their own food/drink to the concert or was it food truck only? 

^ There's no gate or barrier upon entry.  You park behind the school and walk over to the field w/ lawn chair.  Show up whenever.  Maybe they have ushers closer to 'Showtime',  but it's fairly obvious where the 6-foot squares are painted.  The blue squares are ADA section.

Yes,  bring your Picnic Basket.  Food Truck never made it Wednesday.  Some lady told me last time,  only the Ice Cream truck was there.

Supposedly the Beer Truck will show up sometimes,  so I guess you can bring your own Hooch ?  I just brought water,  enough for Dog and I.

 


 

Rescheduled for Saturday.  See you there. 

Psyched that RT is sticking around for a Saturday show!!

Sticking around?  He lives in Montclair.

Tried to upload a few photos,  however it's not working out,  and I have stuff to do.  If anyone wants to fool with it, I can send them as fone attachments and you can fool with scaling for the VLZ specs.

Call or text or whatever. 

Is Saturday 7:30?  If I can swing this, it'll be RT "bookends".  My last show (Feb. 8) was Richard.

>>>>>Sticking around?  He lives in Montclair.>>>>

Lucky us!

Is Saturday 7:30?  If I can swing this, it'll be RT "bookends".  My last show (Feb. 8) was Richard.

Pretty strong bookshelf you have there. 

This could get bagged again, per the weather reportsad

Probably be squishy, at least.

Beautiful night, great music and a super chill scene. Felt good to get out and see some live music and felt 100% comfortable doing it.  Nice review,  videos. 

https://www.njarts.net/pop-rock/a-rare-treat-richard-thompson-at-woodbri...

Setlist from Keith's link above --

“I Misunderstood”
“If I Could Live My Life Again”
“Crocodile Tears”
“Valerie”
“The Ghost of You Walks”
“Beeswing”
“From Galway to Graceland”
“Walking the Long Miles Home”
“Who Knows Where the Time Goes?”
“1952 Vincent Black Lightning”
“They Tore the Hippodrome Down”
“Keep Your Distance”
“Genesis Hall”
“Wall of Death” (with Zara Phillips)
“The Storm Won’t Come” (with Zara Phillips)
“Dry My Tears and Move On” (with Zara Phillips)
“The Rattle Within” (with Zara Phillips)
“The Fortress” (with Zara Phillips)

Encore:
“Persuasion”
“I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight” (with Zara Phillips)
“When the Saints Rise Out of Their Graves” (with Zara Philips)

That link also has some video from close up.  I got some grainy cel - phone shots of the surrounding area.  Will try to post a few.

Couple of the Enormous Stage

rot3.jpg

View of Social Grid near stage --

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Hüsky's Social Security Square -- He has Kibble,  Water and guards the Lawn Chair

rot4.jpg

In the distance,  one of the vehicles parked is mine.  A convenient length of space to traverse w/ Lawn chair & cooler.  The brown paper bags are full of Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken,  Rice,  Ceviche,  Salad and Soup.

Way cool! Glad it came off. 

He was very Well-Behaved and did not raid the bags of Food.  Of course,  I gave H.I.M. some Chicken and Rice to supplement his Kibble.

Brick structure is Woodbridge High School.

from the uninhabited Squares towards the Baseball Diamond --

rich01.jpg

Anyway there were other Dogs present at the event,  and one was Genteel and Friendly enough to play.

rich03.jpg

They goofed around for a while and had Great Fun.  Some Jack Russell cross attempted to pick a fight,  so we fled that area in a hurry.
In the background you can see the porto - lets and Ice Cream Truck.  That was the only Food truck.

rich07.jpg

The Ice Cream Truck.  I did not partake,  but they must have it somewhat together in order to deal Ice Cream in such hot Weather.  Refrigeration and food Certification + actually showing up.

Hüsky and his pal,  Levon.  They had a wonderful time,  and Levon was 'off-leash'  but I can't allow Hüsky to do that in gatherings where people have Snacks.  He steals Food,  although he has his own stuff.

rich06.jpg

You could just imagine the rancor when (not "if") Hüsky thieves Ice Cream from children and/or grown-ups.  People would complain.

Anyway,  RT set was about 2 hours,  no break.  Sound Check Wednesday was a few tunes including "Going Back"  from Byrds / McGuinn.

When the tornadoes blew in,  there was much Rain and Lightning.  The Lightning alarms went off and we had to clear the Field.
Ice Cream Truck never made it that day.

I never saw any Zoners there on either Wednesday or Saturday.  No AMSaddler,  no DJ EZWind,  no BluestNote.  They probably stayed Home and watched TV.

>>> I never saw any Zoners there on either Wednesday or Saturday.  No AMSaddler,  no DJ EZWind,  no BluestNote.  They probably stayed Home and watched TV.  >>>
 

That's a rather snide comment, DS. Probably why I thought better of making contact with you as you were leaving while RT was still doing his encore. Yes, I saw your Husky and figured it was you, I actually ran to catch up with you and then, remembering how weird my only other exchange with you was, I thought to myself, why am I chasing this guy, so he can ruin the end of a spectacular show for me? I thought better of it and went back and thoroughly enjoyed the end of the show.

DJ Chilly Wind

I took the opportunity to work some top-rate hours, since it looked like rain when work called.  Even a free show would've become expensive under the circumstances.

 

But speculation is fair, I guess.  If D.J.E.W. hadn't spied Stu, he might have thought, "I didn't see Stu.  He probably stayed home and fondled dog nuts."

 

Ahhh,  Bluest --

How I wish that I could stay home and fondle Dog nuts.

Unfortunately,  Hüsky lost his in an Awful neutering incident in Pennsylvania,  not far from the Delaware Water Gap.

And I agree with the cost / benefit ratio you mentioned.  Between the WED / SAT visits my fuel expenses were about $27.99 without even considering depreciation and Oil.  However,  I managed to score some Fine Cigar Boxes at Shop-Rite nearby.

Film at Eleven ?

what was the "other exchange"?

^ Turtle,  my recollection is that I had 1742 Litres of used Peanut Oil for Biodiesel,  and we were going to meet and exchange for scrap Aluminium Golf - Carts.

Somehow it didn't work out,  although it seemed like a Good Idea at the Time.

Here is a nice review of Saturday's proceedings by the fine website, Brooklyn Vegan: It's got photos, set list and even some videos.

https://www.brooklynvegan.com/richard-thompson-played-a-free-socially-distant-outdoor-show-in-nj-pics-setlist-video/

So one of the questions people have,  regarding public events during times of disease -- "What about the restrooms ??"

bld2_0.jpg

On the Wednesday evening original date of RT show,  this fine Restroom Trailer was parked nearby the venue.  Two Men and three Ladies stalls.  I didn't venture in;  the least amount of surfaces I contact,  lesser chance of touching the Corona particles.  But it's a nifty-looking Toilet Trailer,  all stainless DiamondPlate and Anodized Aluminium stairs.

Wasn't there on Saturday.  Just some porto-lets,  so I guess they took the trailer for cleaning.

Anyway,  that's it for restrooms -- either the porto-lets or Trailer,  if it shows up.  There is an * Actual Restroom * up on a more remote Baseball field,  but it was locked.

However,  the Library (adjacent to venue)  is open again with limited #'s of people,  and they generally tend to have clean restrooms.

"...That's a rather snide comment, DS. Probably why I thought better of making contact with you as you were leaving while RT was still doing his encore. Yes, I saw your Husky and figured it was you, I actually ran to catch up with you and then, remembering how weird my only other exchange with you was,..."

I thought I might address this statement or story before the next time I head to Woodbridge for the free Music.

~ We've never met,  and that's OK. There has been no "exchange".  If Skif or Bluest snub me,  well we've met many times before.  So they have Good reasons to avoid me and then post about it. Bluest actually started a FakeBook chapter trying to get my brand of aftershave banned,  which is his constitutional right.  I donated.

~ I didn't leave during the encore,  but actually went up to the Merch Booth near the stage.  (It was one carton of CD's).  No way I'm driving all the way up Route 9 TWICE and not catching every note.

Anyway I will have the Pup next time I see a show at Woodbridge High Baseball Field.  Feel free to say hello,  or not. He doesn't bite and actually quite Friendly.

No problem, DS. Next t ime I see your Husky, I'll introduce myself. He can make our formal introduction.  wink