Amy Lavere & Lucero @ The Shell and Dinner @ Spindini

Thursday night the family headed out to our first concert at the newly refurbished Levitt Shell at Overton Park to see a free concert by Lucero, a local band. It was a great night for outdoor music. The first opening act, Cedric Burnside and Lightning Malcolm, were really good. Then Amy Lavere, a local bassist with a great voice who is beginning to pick up a good following with her blues/jazz/rock mix, played a great set. She is really amazing to watch on the bass and her voice is something else as well. We got to know her on Sunday nights at Huey's when she used to play there, but she has now toured extensively throughout the US and Europe and was on Conan earlier this year. If I haven't talked about her on here before I should have, because she is definitely worth checking out. Now I have a confession to make and I am embarrassed and I know that my brother-in-law will be disappointed...but we didn't make it until Lucero. Drew did well for a while, but his two year old instincts took over and he started acting like a typical toddler at this point. So we had to pack it up and head home before the main show. We have seen them before at the Young Avenue Deli, but this was a concert to celebrate their new CD release on a major label and to kick off their tour. I was disappointed to say the least, but it was still a nice night for the most part and we got to enjoy some great live music.





Friday we went down to South Main with our friends Jason and Denise to eat dinner at Spindini, an Italian restaurant by one of the Gristanti's. The atmosphere was very cool, as the art and the awesome bar really set the mood. Dinner was great as well and Katie and I split a lobster pizza and seafood lasagna. I was also introduced to an Italian beer named Moretti which was excellent. After dinner Katie grabbed a slice from the Cheesecake Corner and we all headed to the Beignet Cafe and enjoyed some coffee and beignets.

Today we will head to the Liberty Bowl to tailgate and enjoy some chili and beer. I suppose we will watch the Tigers, although at this point they are becoming very unwatchable. I predict a 31-17 loss for us tonight. I am very tempted to stay home and watch the Florida v. LSU game instead. It is definitely time to start the search for a new head coach. Pictures to come.