First Dispatch from SatchmoSummerFest

First off, to our great SatchmoFest friends, Kevin, Ed, Maria, Noam and Elise -- you get a pass this year, but never again! You missed another amazing experience -- and the only thing that would have made it better would have been your presence!

So where to start? Great music, great food, great friends, great wine....I guess that about covers it! And a full krewe including Brent, Carol, Jon and Dorothy, Steve and Linda, Kim, Barri and Ellen, Bill, Pat, Lee and Katja.

Here's a fast rundown:

Friday -- a pre-release party for Bin 504 at 822, followed by the SatchmoStrut down Frenchmen Street and dinner at 13, a trip to Preservation Hall to see the great Leroy Jones and Katja Toivola at Preservation Hall, followed by a rejuvenated Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers at Blue Nile.

Saturday -- tattoos at Electric Ladyland, great music at SatchmoSummerFest, dinner for 14 at Marigny Brasserie, Soul Rebels at Blue Nile and a late, late, late night at 13 (featuring the world premiere of "King Tot".

Sunday -- more music at SatchmoFest (including a wonderful performance by the Helsinki Connection, dinner at Maximo's, and a late night tour of clubs including a live recording by Marlon Jordan, Glen David Andrews at DBA and a vocalist doing headstands at the Apple Barrel.

And Monday including bike riding in the Quarter, drinks at 13 and a wonderful evening at Kermit's place featuring George French and Germaine Bazzle.

So what have we left out? A thousand and one memories of friendship, laughter and general silliness including Gaby sitting in the front row during Lee and Katja's performance; the unveliling of King Tot and The Tot family; Bill and Pat's postcard; the hotel pool; the conspiracy theory at Marigny Brasserie; dancing at the Blue Nile; closing down 13 and playing In the Waiting Line 50 times; the signed Bonerama poster; Bin 504!; making wedding plans with Jon and Dorothy; Hogshead cheese; Treme, Shmarr Allen....

Hoping others can help fill in the blanks and contribute their pictures.

Thanks to everyone for another splendid, splendid time. Wish we could do it every weekend!