Pic Today 8/31/11

THE LAST PLUMS OF SUMMER

The best plums of summer come late,

like the black Friar plums in late August.

As the Friars ripen they turn black.

You know they're ready to pick

when a silvery, powdery "bloom" appears.

That's when they're sugary sweet

and juicy delicious.

Tangy yellow flesh, with tiny pits,

these plums are made to slice in a bowl,

and share with someone you love.

Enjoy these last days of summer!

Pic Today 8/30/11

! ! !

Meet !!! (pronounced chk chk chk),

one of the LouFest headliner bands

(and my personal favorite.)

A fantastic lineup of talent as the

2nd annual LouFest came to a close.

This dance-punk band of talented musicians

heralds from Sacramento, California,

with Nic Offer (the great "Nicasso")

as front man and lead singer.

He reminded me of a younger Mick Jagger,

and energized the crowd with his up-front gyrations.

!!! has toured internationally with

the Red Hot Chili Peppers!

Pic Today 8/29/11

DAY TWO

LOUFEST MUSIC FESTIVAL

More great weather, more great music,

bigger crowd, amazing "indie" bands

from across the U.S.

Highlights include TV On The Radio, !!!,

Cat Power, The Low Anthem, Ume,

and Old Lights (from St. Louis.)

So many great musicians, so much great music.

And a fabulous sunset at the end of the day.

More pics tomorrow (final blog on LouFest),

which will feature MY FAVORITE BAND of the festival.

Here's a hint . . .

( ! ! ! )

Pic Today 8/28/11

DAY ONE, "LOUFEST" MUSIC FESTIVAL

FOREST PARK, ST. LOUIS

Perfect weather, 9 "indie" bands, 2 stages,

a great venue in beautiful Forest Park,

as Day One of LOUFEST draws a huge crowd.

(As expected.)

Some of the better performances Saturday were from

The Hold Steady, Deerhunter, The Roots,

Surfer Blood and Dom.

Sunday's line-up includes

TV On The Radio, Cat Power, The Low Anthem, and !!!

(Yes, there's a band called "!!!")

This is the 2nd annual LOUFEST,

which seems to be gaining in national popularity.

(More pics tomorrow.)

Pic Today 8/27/11

GOURMET "UNDERGROUND" DINING:

BEHIND THE SCENES

Underground dining events are sweeping the nation.

Gourmet diners get on a "member list",

wait for an email invitation,

and do their best to reply quickly

(first come, first served)

to grab one of 24 seats at a 9-course gourmet meal.

And they're not even told "where" the event will be held,

not until 24-hours before the gourmet experience.

This event, held at the Piper Palm House,

at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis,

"sold out in 9 minutes."

It takes almost as many chefs, sous chefs,

assistants and servers in the back of the house

to prepare this memorable event.

Take a peak . . .