Liuzza's Kats - from left to right: Kinderkitti, Neen, Sauvage, Bethesda Boy, Beach Bob, Mike/Albq, Rhonda

The second day of fest was done, and it was time to walk over to Liuzza's for the nightly Kat gathering. Once again, tons of kats and other folks were there. I had a chance to talk with Bruce, the "Duke of Tchapatoulis" from WWOZ. He was a really sweet guy who wanted to talk to me about my grids. Even Juju was there. She'd taken the day off from the fest, but came to Liuzza's to hang with the kats afterwards anyway. I met lots of other kats too, until I hopped into Beach Bob's car with Mike/Albq, Bethesda Boy and Leigh for a trip back to the Lasalle.

Jersey Jim, Sauvage, Bethesda Boy, Mike/Albq Sha

CajunNY and Whirlwind Wendy

Juju's cool shirt, Jersey Jim & Sauvage

CajunNY, Harmonica Joe & Turbodog

Back at the Lasalle, I took a nice shower and hung out with Kinderkitti and Rhonda while dressing. They decided they didn't want to go to Vacquero's, so I met Beach Bob and Mike down in the lobby and we took a cab uptown. It was another memorable cab ride with Ralph the United Cabbie. The man was insane, blowing his horn and racing through traffic. He had no idea where Vacquero's was, but obligingly pulled over and looked it up in a phone book. We arrived safe and laughing to meet Steve/LBI, Jujuvoo and MVanx, who were already there. We grabbed a nice big table in the bar and had another meal of appetizers and drinks. The smoked shrimp quesadillas were one of the better new items we tried.

Afterwards, Mvanx headed home and Juju and LBI were going back to her place to chill for the evening, so Bob, Mike and I grabbed another cab down to Storyville District to catch Marcia Ball and John Mooney. When we got to the door, they told us that Marcia was sold out. I asked them if they would be letting more people in later for John Mooney, and the doorman would only give a very iffy "maybe". Then I thought of something. I asked if Henry Butler was sold out in the small room. The guy said no, we paid, walked through the small room to the bathrooms and right into the big room where we caught the 2nd half of Marcia's set. It seemed like a silly game, but hell, we'd play it if it got us into the place.

We found lots of other kats there, including Big Dave and NY Texas Red (Kelley). Leni and her posse where there, they split to get some food and then came back later. Marcia Ball was awesome. Even though the Storyville's big room is fairly large, it seemed very intimate with her and her band performing. The crowd was crazy for her. We stayed during a really long break, waiting for Mooney to finally come on stage. Kelley introduced me to a sweet drink of Stoli, vanilla and gingerale, that the bartender had recommended. He was so tickled that I was ordering one too, that he didn't charge me either, nice lagniappe. We danced and drank and talked until finally Beach Bob and I were pooped and decided to head home.

We walked back the 3-4 blocks to the Lasalle and tumbled into our rooms around 3am. Apparently, I just missed the second shift of kats arriving at Storyville for the rest of Mooney. Several showed up, including my roomie Pete, but we must have just missed him.

Marcia Ball at Storyville District

Big Dave, Leni & Beach Bob

Big Dave with ??, NY Texas Red (Kelly) & Neen

The Lovely Kelly (NyTxRed)

Big Dave with ?? girls

John Mooney at Storyville

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