It was Friday afternoon and the weather forecast calling for a severe thunderstorm was seemingly about to come true. It was decision time. The skies became dark and the wind swirled around the navy blue canopy bearing the Fridays at Sunset logo.
For more than a few folk, the question became, do I leave and avoid getting drenched and possibly pelted by rain and hail, or do I take the risk, stay, and witness two dynamic musical performances. What to do…?
For those who took the risk, the reward was well worth it. Suddenly, the clouds lifted, the gates were opened, and the crowd rushed in. There was spine-tingling electricity in the air. That feeling one gets when they sense something truly special is about to happen.
From the opening act Chkn Grese, followed by the strong vintage vocals of Melanie Fiona to the soulful melodies of Raheem DeVaughan, the kick-off to this year’s Fridays at Sunset International Music Festival met and exceeded all expectations.
After Chkn Grese warmed the crowd on this breezy night, the diminutive figure clad in black and white with the black fedora and shrouded in mystery took the dimly lit stage. Once the hat was discarded and the silky black tresses unleashed, Melanie Fiona, the Canadian-born singer/songwriter took the near-capacity crowd on a musical odyssey of life and love with songs like, It kills Me, Give It to Me Right and other selections from her debut album, The Bridge.
Fiona’s final selection, the debut single to her 2nd album, The MF Life, Gone and Never Coming Back, left the crowd moving, swaying and giddy with anticipation for the incomparable performance of Raheem DeVaughan.
DeVaughan bolted onto the stage amid flashing bright lights and decked out in a white suit with black accents. His high energy performance was propelled by swag appeal, and touched on themes ranging from the quest for love (You; I Don’t Care and Woman), to socially conscious tunes like Bullet Proof and Nobody Wins a War.
This is the 17th year for this annual summertime event and judging from the mood of those observed leaving the venue, it was a rousing success.
See related photo gallery:
http://rudolphhickmanphotography.smugmug.c...
Posted By: Rudolph Hickman
Saturday, June 4th 2011 at 3:23AM
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