I (heart) The White Heart: Friday night rockin', Portland-style

[On the way to the show--do you think it might be cold?]
[A festive White Heart crowd eagerly awaiting some rock]
[Jose showing off his bass skills]
[The talented Doug Cowan and Bullyclub]
[Doug and Jose sharing vocals]

Sometimes, in the midst of a time when its easy to be cynical, over worse, depressed by many of the events of the world (and I'm not just talkin' about the death of Anna Nicole and Britney's troubles), it's necessary to get out and live a little and connect with one's fellow humans.

Friday night, I was off to the bright lights and big city of Portland, to catch one of my favorite musicians (and people), Jose Ayerve, sharing the bill with another talented musician with Portland roots, Doug Cowan and his band, Bullyclub. They were playing at one of the city's top spots to hangout on a Friday (or Saturday), The White Heart on Congress Street.

It's becoming a rarity in the Bush dystopia, to go out and see multi-generational gatherings and mixing of the classes, races and even sexual orientations, but The White Heart is truly one of those types of places. Get out and experience it, before you miss it.

As Bruce Cockburn once said, "You gotta' kick the darkness until it bleeds daylight," from "Lovers in a Dangerous Time." Friday night, I kicked the darkness hard.