Sharing the joy, the Fourth and Leftover Cuties

by Chris Aaland

I cried Friday: tears of joy for family and friends who were treated like second class citizens for their entire lives; tears of rage for the hate-mongering that has engulfed this great nation for my entire life; and tears of fear for the great unknown. I rushed to find the nearest rainbow flag to post on my Facebook page, then run a photo of my children through the celebratepride filter, liking seemingly hundreds of posts and photos from friends who shared in my joy.

And, of course, we all came crashing back to reality by the end of the weekend. States like Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma and nearly every Republican presidential candidate railed against the decision, touting religious freedom and, in some cases, God’s law trumping man’s law. Fear and hate attacking equality and liberty.

Los Angeles quartet Leftover Cuties plays a free concert tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Buckley Park.

I’m not the most religious man around. The only times I’ve set foot in a church the past 25 years or so have been weddings and funerals, a baptism or two and perhaps a few Christmas Eve and Easter services with extended family members. If Jesus made a fly-by at Shelly and my wedding, it was in the form of good weather and spectacular scenery.

Religious, I am not. But I’m certainly spiritual. I believe in things like grace, redemption, true love and, to some extent, Karma. I seriously doubt that most gay and lesbian couples want to tie the knot in a church that’s run by overzealous parishioners who hate them. If you subscribe to a certain religious point of view, then by all means have faith in your beliefs. Nobody’s trying to take them away from you. We’re just trying to ensure the same principles spelled out ever-so-clearly by the Founding Fathers … many of whom were far less religious than we’ve been taught to believe.

So wave that flag. Wave it wide and high. The law of the land says we’re equal.

To many, Fourth of July means fireworks, beer and plastic little flags made in Taiwan. I had an FLC political science professor who always ranted about waving sparklers and eating charred hot dogs. It’s amateur hour, and there ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. Many of my relatives fought in the Pacific Theatre, Korea and Vietnam to defend Old Glory and her honor. Expect every little burg in our part of the world to celebrate this year. Silverton’s a perennial favorite – what with the International Rhubarb Festival and the firefighters’ water fight. Bayfield turns into Mayberry for a day. And Durango pulls out all the stops, with days of fun in store.

First, get your FAC drink on as Firkin Friday gets all patriotic this week with Red, White and Blueberry, which will be tapped at 3 p.m. Friday. “We’ve taken our award-winning Colorado Kölsch as a base and infused it with blueberry,” said brewmaster Ken Martin. “It’s a light and refreshing brew, but we’ll have some additional fireworks included with the delivery of the pints to celebrate the holiday.” Brewer Spencer Roper adds that “Fruit beers are great for summer. We’re incorporating some fun surprises.”

Then, head on up to the Balcony to hear Hap, Patrick, Dan and the Nord at 5 p.m. Friday. Seats are tough to come by whenever the Lawn Chair Kings play underneath the little sea shell stage covering.

Saturday’s highlights include Family Fun in the Park at Buckley all day long (face painting, bouncy house, Magi Nation and the return of Misto the Magi … it’s like Burning Man for kids!), the annual Street Dance on Main featuring the High Rollers at 5 p.m., the Stars & Stripes Parade at 6 and, of course, big booms in the sky after sunset.

Right after the fireworks, catch Papa Otis & the Spirit of ’76 at BREW Pub & Kitchen, where you can top off your Saturday BBQ belly full of Bud Light Lime and burnt weenies with some more elegant ales.

This week’s free Concert in the Park features a rising Los Angeles band, Leftover Cuties. This quartet’s handcrafted sound spans the decades – from the prohibition era of smoke-filled speakeasies to ’50s pop-rock. Comprised of Shirli McAllen (lead vocals, ukulele), Austin Nicholsen (bass, vocals), Mike Bolger (brass, keys, accordion, vocals) and Stuart Johnson (drums, percussion, vocals), the group’s spellbinding first album “Places to Go” garnered rave reviews from critics, with the new album, “The Spark & the Fire” built on that momentum.

Void Where Prohibited, Larry Carver’s longtime rock band from the Bay Area, makes its annual trek to town this week. They’ll play the Balcony at 6 p.m. tonight (Thurs. July 2) and the Derailed Pour House at 8 p.m. Friday. Void plays classic rock and blues from Hendrix, ZZ Top, Skynyrd, the Doors, Cream, Tom Petty & the Stones.

Moe’s Madness on its patio this week includes Cactopus tonight, Carusco on Funked Up Friday and DJs Noonz & Ralphsta on 1st Saturday.

Heading to Telluride for the Fourth? If so, remember the late, great Joe Cocker — former mayor of Crawford, Colo., not to mention the guy who sang “You Are So Beautiful” (an all-time highlight from “The Simpsons”)and “Up Where We Belong.”That’s because the Sheridan Opera House welcomes Joe, a Tribute to Joe Cocker! (yes, a band with two punctuation marks in its title) on Friday.

 Also of note: the Pete Giuliani Band plays the Lake House at Vallecito at 7 p.m. Friday, while Pete does his regular solo, acoustic gig at Mesa Verde’s Farview Lodge at 6:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

This week’s Top Shelf list recognizes three groups of people who can celebrate with pride this year:

My aunts Peggy and Margaret, who’ve forged great careers in education in one of the most hostile states in the nation, and who can finally celebrate their nation’s recognition of their undying love for one another

African-Americans who have lived their lives with the false banner of the Confederacy flying over their heads

My old man, whose Vietnam wounds still cut deep

For purple mountain majesties? Email me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.