Cloud Cult played an hour-long set today to kick off the U’s Spring Jam. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect – gloriously sunny but enough breeze to stay cool. I love these guys. Before they start the show, they do a group huddle/cheer and they have so much enthusiasm and love and their lyrics are both inspiring and haunting. They have two painters on stage for every show, Connie Minowa and Scott West, and they each complete an entire canvas that is auctioned off at the end of the set. I want one of these paintings…not just one from the artist, but one that they’ve done at a show that I attended. The bidding was already in the upper hundreds when I checked today, though, so I didn’t come home with one.

I didn’t feel like carrying my camera gear around today so I brought the point and shoot instead. A few snapshots…

They played my two most favorite Cloud Cult songs, Love You All and Pretty Voice. I tried to video record the first on my iPhone but the audio is terrible. I need to learn to not stand in front of the speakers. (On a more positive note, my new earplugs worked great!)

I finally met Ben Kyle tonight. I said to Tony, bass player extraordinaire and best bartender ever, “Tony, will I ever meet Ben? Does he come out in public? I never see him after shows.” So Tony dragged him over and I got a chance to shake his hand and be total awkward fangirl.

But before all that, a tasty dinner, the company of good friends, an introduction to the powerful voice of Audra Mae and another lovely show by Romantica.

It was a birthday kind of weekend.

And now it’s over.

Last night, I got my first chance to check out the other roller derby league, the Minnesota Roller Girls. I’d been to the Roy Wilkins for the Brawl of America last summer, but never seen a regular bout there. Last night was their championship bout and I lucked into trackside tickets thanks to a friend. It’s something of a different beast than the North Star Roller Girls – a bigger production. I kind of like that each league has something different to offer. Now I want season tickets to both.

View the entire gallery here.