We stood on the plaza in front of the Mariott Hotel in downtown East Lansing watching the clouds. Checking weather reports and making phone calls (Is it raining where you’re at?), we blinked and wiped stray drops away. The breeze turned to wind and suddenly died off in that classic “lull before the storm”. We figured we were pretty close to done by this time, even while we assured each other that this would pass.

Then Jessica Howe, a graphic arts grad from MSU interning with the City of East Lansing, shows up with a great attitude and a pop-up tent. Still watching the clouds we got the tent up, signs got placed, equipment made its way to the stage, and people armed with lawn chairs, umbrellas, and blankets started arriving. “You guys playing in this tonite?!”

The show went on. Actually only one of us, Ryan Knott, was ‘playing’. I’m the sound guy and I was there to record his show at the East Lansing Summer Concert Series that night. The threatened rain never showed, other than a few sprinkles, and the crowd that came out was glad they took the chance. Me too. I hope to be back next year with my own tent.