Michael Franti--Patron Saint of Peace
Yesterday was my 7-year sobriety anniversary. Sort of a big deal. I'd just gotten in from Seattle and was exhausted when at 10am I remembered I had bought tickets to Michael Franti and Spearhead. My first thought was, I'm too tired. And I feel like I'm coming down with something. And, and , and. . . . But I am soooo glad I went.I've been a fan of Spearhead for probably close to 15 years now. I've seen Michael Franti perform on tiny piers, smoky clubs, acapella at peace rallies, and now in a grand theatre. He only gets better and better. In fact, of the many times I've seen him perform, I believe last night was the best--even though I wasn't feeling 100%. I felt so uplifted by the end of the show. He's a magician and a healer and a peace maker, yogi, sadhu, saint, and, and, and. . . .
During the encore he brought a couple up on stage to dance. The guy then proceeded to get down on one knee and ask the girl to marry him. Then he pulled two kids onto the stage to jump around. After every show he sticks around and says hi to people, jumps down from the stage and gives out hugs and hellos.
As my friend and I were coming down the stairs from the nosebleed section, I said, I think I want to go down and see if we can say hello. I'd gotten a hug from him at another show years ago in Seattle. And it was a long shot, there were tons of people there. But it's like receiving darshan, so off we go and he was there waiting with open arms. What a lovely human being.
He has become so radiant and light over the years. He's always been positive and political, but it seems now that he's transcended--beyond the polarities as we say in yoga--and even his songs talk about it. "Nobody's right and nobody's wrong."
I can't imagine a better way to have celebrated my seven years!
posted by Sat Purkh Kaur Khalsa @ 9:05 AM
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