When I received an email from the Crest saying tickets for the Indigo Girls were going on sale at 10 AM, I was in a meeting at my Midtown Sacramento Lyon office. I stepped out of the room to text my husband, imploring him to hop online to order tickets. He's not as fussy as I am regarding seating arrangements, because I prefer 4th row center stage over 2nd row off to the side, but when I'm not buying the tickets, I don't complain. Even though I am bringing it up here now. That's not really complaining in my book.
I sat next to a reporter for the Sacramento News & Review and snapped photos of the interior. See, this time I brought my Nikon camera instead of my smaller digital, just to see how much of a difference a better camera makes at a concert. Well, it made a huge difference. The detailing on the walls of the Crest reminded me a little of the State Theatre in Minneapolis which, like the Crest, was restored in all its magnificent glory. The reporter agreed with me. She was originally, I learned, from Ames, Iowa.
The State Theatre was where I saw the preview showing of Harold and Maude in 1971, one of my all-time favorite movies, perhaps because I identify with Ruth Gorden's character in some ways. I love old movie theatres, the kind with the sloping aisles, ornate detailing and velvet curtains. That type of atmosphere makes a movie goer feel as though she's in for a treat.
Up first, opening for the Indigo Girls, was Matt Morris from Denver, Colorado. His soulful style and range of octave brought to mind Glen Hansard (from the movie "Once"). He throws his heart into his music, which can mix passion with tenderness one moment and fire and angst the next. His performance of a new song, The Un-American, brought loud applause from the audience. I will buy his new CD.
When the Indigo Girls hit the stage, it was almost an hour later and, as luck would have it, about my bedtime. How I stay awake for these shows is beyond me; it's my age creeping up. They gave a good performance, but I didn't feel they were as enthusiastic as they could have been. 
I first heard the Indigo Girls in the late 1980s. I mentioned to the reporter next to me that I used to play their CD over and over when I was remodeling my first house. Great music to sand Sheetrock to. She laughed and said, "Was it Hammer and a Nail?" Actually, it was. These lyrics make sense: "Gotta get out of bed get a hammer and a nail; Learn how to use my hands, not just my head."
Amy Ray sang solo Romeo and Juliet, a tune by Mark Knopler, that was amazing and full of conviction. Emily Saliers balances the duo, her voice is clear and melodic. They played some old hits and tunes from their new CD Poseiden and the Bitter Bug -- ending the show, of course, with Galileo. (If you missed this show, they play tomorrow night in Berkeley.) They didn't get the crowd really hopping until the finale -- it was a lackluster performance for my tastes, but I'm happy we went. Not so happy that I didn't receive 9 hours of sleep last night and now must drag my butt to the office to pitch a new listing at our meeting this morning, though.
The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, available at Amazon.com.
Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, columnist for The New York Times'-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout Sacramento. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you.
Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub
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