Whole Phamily

Whole Phamily is Going Strong

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 03:59:00 +0000

You may have noticed we haven't blogged in like 8 years or so.

That's because we've been busy building up this lifestyle brand.

Check out our Etsy shop where we're selling Phish yarmulkas. It's an OhKeePah!

But we are hoping, praying, and working toward manifesting that Phish will play in Israel.

It's the middle of a global pandemic.
We hope that you stay safe and healthy.
Wash your hands.
Practice social distancing of a minimum of 6 feet.
Wear a mask.
Listen to Fauci.

We have launched our "Love and Light on Friday Night" project geared towards Jewish Phish sisters. Let us know if you'd like a pouch sent to you. It includes two candles, an inspirational card about shabbat candles, stickers, and a small gift. The idea is that we can manifest our unique power as Jewish women to bring light into the world and into our own homes. At the same time, we can also be lamplighters in influencing Phish to play a run of shows in Israel when live music returns and it is safe to gather in large groups.

photo by Rozy K, used with permission.

Symbiosis can work

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 18:36:00 +0000

The article today on Jambase that talks about the many successful fan efforts to get Phish to play specific songs, quite honestly, brought me to tears. It's one of the most beautiful things to be reminded yet again of the love that my favorite band has for its fans. Because the love that I feel for the band that changed my life is beyond more than words can say.

You all probably know by now that I would love if Phish would play in Israel.

A bunch of years ago I had a whacky vision inspired by who knows what that they would play there on a specific date.

When I asked a dear friend to pass on a whole research packet I put together (admittedly, that really does sound a bit bonkers) who is close to the band, quite legitimately, she said she wouldn't feel comfortable passing it on. That's understandable.

I am no social media wizard.

I am an individual, a mama, a fortunate wife.

I am chatty.

I am friendly.

I am sometimes misunderstood.

I am usually truthful.

I am Loony.

I love Phish.

I am grateful for chatting with Fish this spring when he told me directly, in response to the Phish in Israel question, that he would "love to play that amphitheater," making no promises.

"I just go where they tell me to set up my drumkit." -Jon Fishman, drummer of Phish

I have zero official record of that conversation.

So believe me or not.

Maybe so or maybe not.

But Fish told me that.

I will continue in my earnest, honest way to put out the energy in the world that a bunch of us would love it if Phamily had a reason to visit Israel to see our favorite band play an epic run.

Politics shmolitricks.

Love and light will prevail if Phish played in Israel.

If you will it, it is no dream tour.

#phishinisrael

Two TV Sets, Two Cadillac cars, and 3 Yahrtzeits

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 20:39:00 +0000

Earlier this summer, Jewish memorial kaddish services were said at the scene of Phish shows in Philadelphia and Saratoga Springs. Where else but at Phish, which attracts close, kind and family-like community does this happen? Perhaps at other jamband shows, but it's not likely at Barbara Streisand, Beyonce or Billy Joel concerts. Phish really is its own (AC/DC) bag.

Each of these prayer services honored the memories of the recently departed, and that they happened at Phish speaks to the energy and spirit which penetrates this community. Two degrees of separation seems alive and well; at Phish its a small world, and it's moving real fast. There is a small percentage of Phish fans who are observant Jews but for the most part it is a secular audience of diverse religious backgrounds where the expression "shows are my church" is frequently heard. Successfully gathering a quorum of Phish fans at a show for *anything* outside of a tasty jam is something to write home about.

This blog entry serves to offer respect to each of the individuals memorialized. These kaddish prayers this summer helped phans to go backwards down the number line and honor the memory of those no longer with us. A Jewish prayer service stated at a secular rock & roll show more than one time is unlikely and simultaneously hard to ignore. Something is happening here but you don't know what it is, do you, Mr. Anastasio?

6/29/16 Mann Music Center, Philadelphia, PA

quorum of 10 gathers close to 5:55pm for a Jewish prayer service to honor the dearly departed before a Phish show

On lot, during pre-show tailgating that is part and parcel of a summer Phish show, a tall gentleman wearing a 13-point lightening bolt baseball cap approached the Whole Phamily-Jam Shalom tent and asked if we could get a minyan (quorum of 10 people) together to say kaddish for his father. We stated our goal was for a 5:55 pm gathering. At about 6:15pm, with a lot of work to gather people to participate, since it's hard to get Phish fans to stay put, a service began.

We didn't find out about his father, but we are sure his neshama had an aliyah (his soul rose to greater heights).

7/3/16 Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY

Set Break

Our dear friend Noah Lehrman organized a set-break kaddish, Page-side, for his recently departed uncle Sol Frieder.

Until his death, Sol was the oldest living actor in the Screen Actor's Guild and held roles in films by Woody Allen and with such actors as Sam Waterston. He was as old school as It gets and had a family that loved him dearly.

After the Show, in the Pavillion section in front of the light board; Page Side.
Michelle Rein.

friends purple budda, gathering together in a huddle with dear friends and friends of friends to remember Michelle Rein, of blessed memory. Her holy soul was brought down as her sister Stefanie led the group of 10 Jews in the Hebrew prayer to remember her. She shared some memories of her sister: that she was a scholar of Islamic Art, that she saved the life of her dog, and that this dog ended up saving the life of another friend This was at the end of an amazing show that encored with "Rock & Roll" which Trey and Page left everyone on a huge high, so it's my hope that Michelle picked up on this great energy in a venue that was only a handful of miles from where she journeyed on to her next stop of her own adventure.

The Dude of Life was a part

We joined forces with so many, including Josh Fleet, the creator of the Phish Talmud and writer of an important piece in the Huffington Post about Phish and Judaism.

I am a proud gun owner!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 07:10:00 +0000

Glue guns, that is.

Since we *are* on the topic of guns, I figured why not shout out to the world I own two guns! I know some folks are more reserved about telling the public, and yes it would probably be wise not to give away trade secrets.

However, I think you'd have to be living in a cave, or maybe have your head buried in an academic journal or otherwise be totally oblivious to the DIY crafting explosion over the past 20 years, to not realize there's at least one (more likely multiple locations of a) Michael's craft store in every major American metropolitan area. No, I get no revenue by the way from that link. I'm just nice like that. Not like I am driving much traffic to Michael's. But let's leave the self-deprecating stuff aside. This is a positive place.

The glue gun is readily available at many local craft stores in both the low heat only and LO/Hi combo versions. Hot glue sticks are available in various lengths, too.

It's been a fun crafting evening amidst the busy life I lead of caring for a family of 6, hosting a large Shabbat lunch today with way too much food, and getting 3 children ready to leave for 5 weeks. B H for a dishwasher!

Gearing up for Summer Tour. Not like I am going on tour. I wish. Only in my dreams. But I am getting to at least 3 shows in the next couple of weeks. And gearing up to sell OhKeePahs, HeadyBands, hoodies, and other donut-related items in person.

Here's a cute tote I just made.

What exactly happened with the whole donut explosion thing? It's like....slap some Fishman Donuts on it and people go ballistic. I don't quite get it. But somehow the masses love it. So, being the enterprising and entrepreneurial self I am, I am slapping donuts on my crafting items. This phenomenon fascinates me and is a topic I'd love to research and write about. But that's another story.

And a fanny pack I accessorized.

And some luxury hotel slippers, headyfied.

Anyhoooo...

Here are some of my favorite musicians visiting a gun shop somewhere in Europe a while back. I love the theatrics, the fun and games, when Trey scratches his very white leg, the silliness between Mike and Trey, the fact that Trey tries to bargain down and then when they finally offer him lower than his offer, he *still* walks away. These are good, solid guys! They definitely would be fun guys to hang with but that's another story.

√

What exactly did Trey do with that whip? I don't really want to know.

Safety Concerns Especially in the Jewish Community...I Prefer a Cavern.

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 17:38:00 +0000

Your time is near, the mission's clear....

Have been thinking a lot lately about guns and gun safety. The Orlando tragedy was just that. Tragic. I do believe that people have access too easily to very dangerous weapons and many people act irresponsibly.

However, others act responsibly. I don't really like bringing up this topic since it can often get ugly, but I am doing it anyway. Feel free to bash me. When thinking about being a synagogue goer, and thinking about having spent time in Israel, I don't have to think too much to come to the conclusion that, overall, our synagogues are a lot safer in Israel (the 2014 Har Nof synagogue attack and tragedy comes to mind and is very sad). Many synagogues are beefing up security around the United States. It's about time, I think. At least in Europe it's easy to find a synagogue when you're a tourist because you just look for the police car outside. Back in the states, what this that means is that community members are carrying weapons. And these weapons are stored in local homes.

It's a sad state of affairs, but it's not just swastikas being painted on synagogue walls anymore.

The topic was covered recently in the 5 Towns Jewish Times.

This all being said, I am concerned about my children's safety. Five years ago when I moved here I heard murmurs that people owned guns. I didn't think about it too much. But now I decided to ask the question that the Brady Campaign's ASK Pledge recommends. Which is, before you send a child over to play to another family's home, ask the simple question:

"Is there an unlocked gun in the house?"

So far, I asked twice.

The first time was a huge bomb because I didn't ask word-for-word. The mom was highly offended and thought I was meddling which I wasn't. I had only asked wrong, and I made a mistake. Call me stupid, call me an airhead. I did it wrong. It was a mess and it took me a few weeks to ask the question again but in the right way.

The second time was totally fine. This family happens to let their children know they own a gun. The mom said it was a well-worded question. Her children know that the parents go to a shooting range. I have no idea if the children know where the gun is located in the house, but at least I know the parents keep it locked up.

A friend who lives on the Upper West Side said not to be fooled; just because she lives in a liberal area, there are gun owners. She is just too chicken to adopt the pledge.

But you know what, it's like asking if there's a gate around the pool. It is well-worded and an educated question. If you don't like guns, and especially if you're a shul-goer, you're basically gonna have to get with the program and realize it's the reality. Or just live in ignorance. Or just hope that the people you send your children to play at are responsible. But that is the whole point of the Brady Ask Campaign.

Not that I personally think a person can beat down ISIS when they come knocking down their door. Especially when the gun is hiding behind the Manolos in the closet.

Personally, I prefer serpent deflectors and ribbon reflectors. Happy Summer Tour!

Just Relax, You're Doing Fine

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Fri, 27 May 2016 22:28:00 +0000

Had an unfortunate interpersonal fail today which ended up working out. But it took a while. It was energy-draining. Also I am sleep-deprived. And very busy with many things to do in life. Grateful for my health, home and family above all.

Still, I found great solace in Strange Design. As is often the case with so many Phish songs, I find tremendous goodness in their lyrics and music. This time was no different.

Here's a beautiful rendition. I was there at my first New Year's Eve shows in 1995.

Strange Design

I'm needing less restraint before
I'm needing to hit the lights and close the door
I'm fine, I'm fine
Cause I'm...

(chorus)

Dripping in this strange design
None is yours and far less mine
Hold the wheel, read the sign
Keep the tires off the line
Just relax, you're doing fine
Swimming in this real thing I call life

Can I bring a few companions on this ride?

I'm feeling, my heart's not beating anymore
I'm feeling. It's alright, this happened once before
I'm fine, I'm fine.
Cause I'm...

When you mess up, apologize and be honest

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Fri, 27 May 2016 15:03:00 +0000

"Because sometimes I am dripping in the strange design...swimming in this real thing I call life." -Phish

So I told a mom friend this is my first time asking this and this is all new. And to bear with me if I don't get it right. She was so curious what could I be wondering.

And it all went so very badly. The conversation followed the lines going south.

I didn't take to heart what the recommendation is to ask this question.

Hey, I guess it's good to start off by totally messing up because it will only get better from there, right?

Here's what the Brady website states.

Did I ask the question below exactly as they say to?

Nope. You know how first times can be. You get nervous. You freeze. You mess up. I did all of the above.

Above is the very simple question to ask. And clearly it is worded the right way.

And I didn't ask that way.

And then it went way downhill way fast and I felt terrible and she said her feelings weren't hurt meanwhile I apologized profusely and said I should have asked the way it is recommend and she said something disparaging about following data and website recommendations and I really don't want to remember too many details because it all could have been avoided if I just asked the way the gun experts recommend.

And let's just say she was extremely angry with me. She said her blood was boiling. That I was bs-ing her and wanted to pry. And when I said it is a tough topic she said it's not a tough topic it's an invasion of her privacy the way I asked.

Because if I asked that way she could have answered no and then she wouldn't have revealed if she owns guns or not.

And her children don't know they have them. And they are always in locked position and in a safe locked box. And now that I know her family has them, this has compromised the safety of her family because they don't talk about it as its an adult topic and now Kevin will tell Jimmy who will mention it to Alex. And then it won't be safe for their family. That I have opened up a whole can of worms.

If only I asked the way the experts suggest you ask. I wouldn't have pissed off this mom. I had to reassure her I wouldn't let my husband know this information. All people need to know is "do you have an unlocked gun in the house." This mom suggested adding on unsecured.

The people who are in our community and own them, according to this mom to whom I numerous times apologized for not asking the way I should have, she things at least store them safely away from children.

This might sound provocative but...After a little thought I realized maybe it's that among my demographic - college educated, professional, White collar - you have people who act responsibly with their firearms. And that many of these stats are based on greater America. Life in more rural or less educated places. Pennsyltucky. Places where kids ride ATVs. Families who sling around their guns. Have guns hanging as decorations.

There's a reason I am not the leader of any boards or corporations. Because the mom was right. I could have asked in a much nicer way. Been less harsh. I could have and should have said "I don't know if you own a gun or not and you don't have to tell me" (she felt I wanted to know if there is one) "but are there any unlocked and unsecured guns in your house when my child comes to play?"

For now I will take this mom's word for it that in our community people don't talk about it with their children. I imagine they put it on par with having sex toys in the house. Good for the family, kids can't know about the dildos.

Then again it's not so handy when the spiked 9 inch penis surrounded by black leather is under lock and key.

"Just relax you're doing fine."

I listened to Strange Design after this unfortunate convo and it was cathartic. The mom later apologized to me and said she felt bad.

It's best to follow directions and read the signs.

Should I eved broach this topic again with another family it will be word for word what the ASK campaign says.

Deep breaths. In the past. Learn from mistakes. Do better and listen to the experts.

Hot as a pistol, and by the way do you guys keep guns in the house?

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Thu, 26 May 2016 05:04:00 +0000

"Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile." -Grateful Dead

Taboo topic
Gun ownership isn't talked about much in my world of observant Jews.
Out in the open, that is.
That's how it works among my kind - you do stuff and you don't necessarily talk about it.
That's not always a good thing. Especially when it comes to child safety.

Kids turn things into guns
The Wolfman's Brother, nearly 9, lately has been making things into guns. Legos, aluminum foil, you get the picture. This is probably all very normal for a kid his age. But this is pretty new, and I worry about the real deal. Who knows what his influences in school are in this realm.

Gossip or truth? Liberal NYC Jews ain't here in suburban Philly.
A few years ago, when we moved here, I was privy to a conversation at a Shabbat table where a couple told me that there's a lot of hush hush discussion about who carries a gun in town. That some rabbis here carry weapons to shul. That overall this is a conservative Republican frum community where a lot of people own guns. Moving from New York City to Pennsylvania was a real culture shock in that regard. Since then I have heard nothing, but I try to stay out of pretty much all busy-body discussions. I don't really know what people talk about.

What my Gut tells me.
My gut tells me that I wouldn't want my children in any home where there are guns. Period. Loaded, unloaded, stored separate or together, in a bed stand, in the attic. I don't want my children in a home where there are guns. Many people here have told me they don't get me. That they live inside the box and I am very much outside of that box. So maybe I don't have that many friends to begin with to lose. But I do wonder what might happen. Will people start whispering into each other's ears...Rachel Loonin the mother who likes live music, kept her last name, feeds her children kale and only 1 slice of pizza, and who knows what else goes on in that house...that the hippy liberal suspicions we had about her all along are true. I doubt the Shabbat meal invitations are at risk because we don't get invited out much anyway!

It's not that big a deal to ask if there's an unlocked gun in the house.
A brief bit of research shows that homes are safer if there's a gun safe. When ammunition is kept separate. When the safes are locked. According to Asking Saves Kids, which is run by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, you should ask if there's an unlocked gun in the house before you send your kids there to play. An ABC News entry gives advice about how to ask others if they have guns in the house. This article in the Washington Post offers a bit more nuance and discussion from a parent's perspective.

These things do give me reassurance. However, my gut still tells me I do not want my child in another home where there is a gun. How can I trust that the owner is responsible and will always lock their gun? Yes, it is our constitutional right to bear arms. That's the 2nd Amendment, right? But it still makes me feel uncomfortable. Am I then supposed to get into a whole discussion with the gun owner..."do you always keep it locked? Does your child know about it? Has your child ever touched your gun? Did you even forget just one time?" We're not talking the level of discomfort from them being in a home where there's junky snacks served or tv on all afternoon. And don't even ask about drugs. Prescription drugs are in so many of our houses and can be pretty dangerous and potentially lethal chemicals. Just in case you thought you could get me on the cannabis argument. This is very different. This is about life or death. Yes, I will let my child play in your house if you have prescription drugs. It's the reality of our society. And what about toxic chemicals like bleach that I don't keep in my own home, partially for safety reasons? Am I going to start preventing my children from going to homes that have Clorox?

Should I just throw in the towel and say that guns are a reason to keep my children away from your home?

And yet, I choose life.

Probably one of the few people who I am guaranteed to know will actually read this full blog is a person I know who I think owns a gun whose house we visit sometimes. What's the answer? Hard to know. It is 1:27am and I still have to do dishes in the kitchen sink, pack up an order, and take a shower before I go to sleep. What a convenient way to leave things open-ended.

This is the closest I want my children to getting to "hot as a pistol but cool inside."

Fishman Donut Phish Yarmulkas Kippas....you don't get a refund if you OverPray

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Tue, 24 May 2016 06:12:00 +0000

Pretty excited to have these in stock.
Have been selling some as pre-sale before Summer Tour starts.

But we are saving most of them to sell in person this summer.

Getting good feedback.

Here's our new logo.

Glad to have another great item to add to the Phish community.

''

this was the bad version, the first try.

Note. Please note: the photo above is *not* the current incarnation of the Phish Yarmulkas.

My mom is here and we got to talking about the number 127.
Mom: "Why do you have a card with the number 127 on it hanging in your bathroom?"
Me: "I love the number 127; I have a deep connection to it."
Mom: "Me too"
Me: "I know, it's your number originally in my life. But I write about it from time to time in my blog. So I guess you don't read my blog."

It occurred to me that most people don't read my blog.
So, if you're reading this, good for you.
You're definitely in the minority.

I don't think she's going to be reading this, but I did explain to her at least part of my prediction about Phish playing in Israel from 2012 that didn't come true. At least I am making some progress. I spoke in person with Jon Fishman this year and told him it would be great if they played there. To which he said, "Yeah, I'd love to play in 'that amphitheater' but I just go where they tell me to set up my drum kit."

I have no clue if anyone in the band has heard there is at least one Loony girl who would like them to play there. I have no clue if they know who I am or what I am up to. It's a small world, and it's moving real fast. So, I like to think they know who I am. But that's not likely. Well, Mike knows who I am. He told me I leave him really long messages on his voicemail. That is very true. Yet it's also a big world and there's a lot of people in it. So sure word travels fast, especially if you're annoying and in people's faces. But I am an honest gal, so I have that. If I ever get into a person's face (which has been known to happen), I do know that I am always kind, friendly and fun-loving. And I know that at least 2 people like reading my blog and my posts on various boards, including the Freaks List. People just don't like reading on and on when I ramble on and on and on. For some reason people like reading Big Dog's Ramble. And who knows maybe people like reading what I write. Actually a bunch of lovely Freaks women came up to me at the most recent ball and told me they love my posts on Freaks list. We are all just so busy with life and who has the time to ramble on and on. But I am really warmed when some really nice women come up to me and say they like what I write. You have to block out the noise, forget about the negative comments, and just move on and focus on the positivity because it's all the goodness that's out there that is what is going to propel you. Don't let one negative thing hold you back.

For the most part, people don't reply to what I say. "God never listens to what I say." That's not true, actually I disagree. I believe that the Aybeshter does listen. BH I have a cozy happy home with my material needs met. And a loving dear husband and BH healthy children. These are really and truly the things that matter. A happy, peaceful home. Health. Sufficient sleep. Can't say that the last thing really happens all that much. Especially when you're wasting time writing a blog.

Pink Talking Fish at the Ardmore Music Hall, PA 4/9/16

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 19:06:00 +0000

Fortunate for us we planned ahead and bought tickets a few weeks ago to this sold-out show. Once again the Ardmore Music Hall booked a solid band of stellar talent, and I am feeling repeated waves of gratitude for having excellent music so accessible outside of New York. A ten minute drive from our house with free parking makes this venue a win win all around for any local freak.

A hybrid blend of Pink Floyd, the Talking Heads, and those boys from Vermont, Phish, we enjoyed a real treat last night from talented musicians. They put on a solid show, and we were treated to familiar Floyd tunes such as "Mother," "Dogs," and "Shine on You Crazy Diamond." The music was absolutely on point, though as we were getting into the groove, my dance neighbor Casey, a lovely and beautiful woman who clearly knows how it happens, said that hearing David Gilmour perform one particular Floyd tune played would *really* blow your mind. No doubt, but I was really enjoying lead guitarist Dave Brunyak take the music to a contemporary level in front of my very eyes.

Here's the setlist I culled. The official setlist is posted at the end of this post. But cut me some slack: Me no misses nice noob, but a seasoned über-educated music fan like Bob Lefsetz or any one of the myriad of kind freaks on Neddy and JR's list or in the greater jam band live music world I am neither:

Set I

very. very. very makeshift. But, mama tried. Haven't really done setlists since 1995 but I'm going back to my more youthful days. Don't love looking at a screen so at the end of the set I can at least go back on my notes and see what I just experienced. Yes, that did just happen.

totally incomplete but pretty good for not asking for anything except for Dogs, which I of course recognized but didn't know the title of. Ruff ruff.

The show, which was billed as covering Phish's Gamehenge, was truly for any fan of rock & roll. You didn't need to be a Phish fan to appreciate this show. If you're a music fan of these genres (prog rock, punk, new wave and plain ole rock) you would likely have been familiar with most of the Floyd and Talking Heads tunes played. Incidentally, I felt a very personal sense of gratitude towards my brother who introduced me to Pink Floyd. I likely would never have known any Pink Floyd if not for my big brother. So, thanks dude! But if it were just Floyd and Talking Heads, that would have been enough. Dayeinu, as they say.

But oh did those Lizard people gather and that famous mockingbird did fly. What I mean by that is that if you were there because you love Phish (which I am guessing was most of the audience) at many points during this show in suburban Philadelphia, you'd probably be smiling all the way to King of Prussia. Especially when my new and local mama friend Sam called it when they started the first notes of "Possum." (note: even though I knew they played this song, it didn't make it to the set list. Such is life).

Tela...pretty psyched! Wilson seemed as if unfinished, and I felt a sense of emptiness with the absence of Mike Gordon's fun "blat boom," (or is it blap boom, feel free to debate) so when they played Dogs then AC/DC with sounded like a M*A*S*H theme song intro (see below: clearly that was my own idea and not what was played) and back into the classic Wilson ending, the sense of closure was fulfilling.

Set II

One very special moment at 1:10 (approx) minutes into the intro of Shine on You Crazy Diamond (see video above), I glanced onto the stage and saw keyboardist Richard James do some kind of half moon motion with both arms, as if conducting the group to its next stage in this 10+ minute long song and into the entire Second Set. As if to say, here we go, and we're all in this together. Right on, Richard!

Phish's "Moma Dance" followed by Pink Floyd's "Mother" was fun back to back, especially since some interpreters tend to think of Phish's tune as having a maternal feel to it because of its name (which if you look at the lyrics doesn't really, and more makes you feel like you are a prep school hippy summering in Oak Bluffs with your Vineyard Vines khakis, or back in the day, Vuarnets).

We are in the throes of a presidential election year, so when they arrived at the lyric "mother should I trust the government" in "Mother" I couldn't help but elevate on a nearby bar stool look out at the sea of fans and wonder if anybody else was thinking about what will happen this November.

An added bonus, of course, is that while everyone there comes for the good vibes and tasty tunes, there's always a great communal feel at these types of shows. Either you see people you know, meet new friends, or don't even talk to a single soul but you have the feeling of connecting with something greater than you because of the music. The question is: what do you do with that feeling when you walk out the door?

Thank you to PTF for posting the official setlist.

April 9th, 2016
The Ardmore Music Hall
Ardmore, PA
Gamehendge concept

Set 1:
Wilson Prelude*>
TMWSIY>
In The Flesh>
The Lizards>
Psycho Killer>
The Lizards
Have A Cigar>
Tela>
Esther Interlude>
Crosseyed And Painless
Wilson>
Dogs>
AC/DC Bag>
Wilson>
Wild Wild Life
Colonel Forbins Ascent>
Great Gig In The Sky**>
Famous Mockingbird>
Once In A Lifetime>
The Sloth
Dogs>
Possum***

Set 2:
Shine On You Crazy Diamond****>
What A Day That Was>
Moma Dance
Mother
Take Me To The River>
Down With Disease>
Seamus
Life During Wartime>
Down With Disease

E: Loving Cup

*w/ Is There Anybody Out There? and Houses In Motion lyrics
**w/ Aly Paige on vocals
***w/ David Bowie tease and "I Want My MTV" lyric from Money For Nothing
****w/ Harpua and David Bowie teases

Bernie Reprise: Two TV Sets & Two Cadillac Cars

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 04:35:00 +0000

Many moons ago, my dear friend Ariela told me that if this is a Phish blog, she'd be lost. I assured her that it is not. Sure, I am inspired by much of my favorite band's lyrics, but as stated in the subheader, this is a cultural commentary. I talk about parenting and other stuff too.

However, it's a presidential election this year. Me? I don't get too into it. I can say I will not vote for a bigoted and racist fool.

So far, the thing that has caught my attention is that Bernie Sanders has wonderful things to say about the band that changed my life. Yep, Loony gets about that deep when it comes to her politics. As the old adage goes, "Her life was saved by rock-n-roll" (and the Torah).

I know that most of you reading can't relate to the power of a Tweezer Reprise, but there is incredible power, emotion, depth of heart in experiencing that song live. Ask any phan and no one will deny the proper respect that a Tweeprise deserves. There's little debate that this tune is emblematic of the Phish experience. It's filled with positivity and hope and all good things. It is a very motivational tune.

So when Bernie walked out to this tune at a recent rally, I was pretty psyched.

I was also pretty psyched to meet the very solid and kind Tom Marshall, one of Phish's essential lyricists and collaborators, recently though a friend. Sometimes it's hard to keep all of my seemingly disjointed thoughts together, but I shared with his wife, whose name is spelled Lea Lea but pronounced "LiLi" as in the song "Yaalili", that her name reminds me of this really catchy tune that was popular in the Jewish world like 5 years ago. She definitely gave me a blank stare, but was kind about it. Am I nuts? Nah, just got a little bit of the loony thing going on.

When you have a conphergence of a person who loves both Phish and her ancient heritage (that's me you're talking about!), you get one freaky, heady holy chiller!

How I get from a Princeton prep school hippy who writes noodley jamband tunes (the classic one being Golgi Apparatus) to heart-o-Flatbush observant, chassidic Jews who created a tune that has reached millions of Jews is the power of my ever connecting thoughts. I attribute this ability to the aybishter, as always. What can I say, it's a G!d-given gift. I just want more people in my life who can appreciate this stuff.

I just hope that Tom and Lea Lea got a kick out of the video. And of the Balki-looking guy towards the end.

Farberware is Built to Last!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 19:44:00 +0000

My mother's friend Shelley always swore by Farberware, so when I first married I got a few pieces. Over the years, I have acquired more. As a kosher keeper, I have two sets, naturally. I still use some of the other brands, but I really do love Farberware.

check out what I have for meat!

So I was pretty disappointed when the lid to my dairy 8 quart slipped on the counter and the knob fell off.

I called Farberware's 800 number, 800-809-7166 isn't so easy to find, but find it I did! Can I tell you how amazing of a customer service experience this was? In this day and age of long queue waits on the phone and being given the runaround by companies, this was not at all the case with Farberware!

My friendly customer service rep, Richard G, was nothing but pleasant over the phone. He said if it is a factory defect they will send me a replacement for free. Within an hour of looking at the photo I emailed (to his personal email at the company, not some anonymous address), he replied to me, stating indeed they would replace it for free. And actually I am getting not the glass top (which I never really loved), but the stainless top, which is my preference.

As the music I love is always on my mind, I could not help but state:

Farberware is built to last!

And so is Jerry, whom I continue to thank for being part of such an important venture.

There are times that you can beckon
There are times when you must call
You can shake a ton of reckoning
But you can't shake it all
There are times when I can help you out
And times that you must fall
There are times when you must live in doubt
And I can't help at all

Three blue stars / Rise on the hill
Say no more, now / Just be still
All these trials / Soon be past
Look for something / Built to last

Wind held by the collar
Got a cloud held by the breeze
You can walk on coals of fire
But sometimes you must freeze
There are times when you offend me
And I do the same to you
If we can't or won't forget it,
then I guess we could be through

One blue star / Sets on the hill
Call it back / You never will
One more star / Sinks in the past
Show me something / Built to last.

Built to last till time itself
Falls tumbling from the wall
Built to last till sunshine fails
And darkness moves on all
Built to last while years roll past
Like cloudscapes in the sky
Show me something built to last
Or something built to try

There are times when you get hit upon
Try hard but you cannot give
Other times you'd gladly part
With what you need to live
Don't waste the breath to save your face
When you have done your best
And even more is asked of you
Let fate decide the rest.

All the stars / Are gone but one
Morning breaks / Here comes the sun
Cross the sky now / Sinking fast
Show me something / Built to last

Mighty Quinn on the Bus

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 05:14:00 +0000

It's ticket pre order season for summer shows and I am figuring out what we're going to do. Continuing feeling grateful and blessed we can now finally get to more shows. Stango is so supportive, and that's really the best part.

Been busy with headybands, hoodies, and other mech-related products to Whole Phamily. So the blog has been dormant. But I know there are some of you who enjoy this blog. So consider this an entry just for you.

There's just so much I love about live music.

You're either on the bus or you're off the bus.

So glad to be on it.

When Quinn the Eskimo gets here...

The author of the Mighty Quinn

The New Year is here and approaching

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 08:19:00 +0000

For all you fellow music-loving fans, NYE means only one thing: a great show of live music. Just seeing those three letters together in allcaps gets the salivating glands working. Before I got into the scene, New Year's Eve was nothing special. I'd watch the ball drop or go to a party. But when it turned into NYE I was hooked.

No video does it justice but if you want a glimmer of a glimpse, see if you can gain some experience here:

Most music shows would end it right there.. But after that huge display of fun and festivity there is a whole.other.set.of.music that gets played.

What can I say? Phish is just beyond beyond beyond amazeballs. I love them.

But it's actually a New Year's right now!

It is the Hebrew date of the 20th of Kislev, and just yesterday was what was called Yud Tes Kislev (Yud tet), or the 19th of Kislev. It is marked as the New Year or birth of...

Chassidus.

Chassidic thought is said to been born on this date - released to the world that is -- in 1772. I might be confusing some things here, so I immediately direct you to read more about it at Chabad.org On that date is when the Baal Shem Tov (the founder of Chassidus...he went out and sang about being Jewish from a soulful place and was joyful and also travelled from town to town at a time when there was great poverty in the shtetls. He taught that just being Jewish is the essence and you need not be scholarly to be relavent and valid and make a difference in the world) 's disciple the Maggid of Mezritch (Rabbi DovBer) was, as they say "returned to his maker." 26 years later it is the same date when the founder of Chabad Chassidus, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, was freed from his imprisonment in Russia.

So glad this is not a term paper. My writing needs some buffing and brushing. But you guys get my drift? It's a really big day. A holiday. A yomtov. My friend said she dressed her children up today in their fancy yomtov clothes. How fun.

I went to a Fabrengen tonight for women. I learned that the time in between the 19th and 20th of Kislev is exactly when the most recent Lubavitcher Rebbe also did his fabrengen.

Part of the connectivity here on a personal level is my birthday is at the end of Kislev as well as my wedding anniversary. It's a time when we are able to give each other blessings that hold lots of power and strength.

So I bless you all that you should get everything you need in life.

Kislev is the month of light. At a time when the month is darkest.

Go to 9:27 here and you will see a great performance of the song Light. It is just so so so beautiful. I know you think if you're not a Phish person you don't get it. But this is just a gorgeous song. It's a teaching in and of itself. Who needs this blog when you have Phish lyrics?

Obstacles are stepping-stones
That guide us to our goals
Fences are filters
That purify our souls

It is Chanukah soon after all!!

Positivity

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 04:16:00 +0000

The best antidote to pretty much anything is seeing the bright side of things. As you all know, I have taken a hiatus from this blog to focus on the commercial side of Whole Phamily. Gotta pay the bills, ya know?

We have sold many headybands over the past few months. Remember those?

For the Deadheads:

For the Cactusheads:

For the Fishmandonutheads:

Some toddler hoodies, too, that my sweetest most talented tween rager whips up in a jiffy.

And we have been working on our Fishman Donut kippot.

So when some folks on Instagram, when they saw the photo of samples for the kippot, had negative things to say about them, I insisted on keeping it positive. One person said "Stolen idea." Another said "damn guys...late to the party...this has been done." Even when I showed the haters the photo of my prototypes from last year, before their friend sold out their version of Phish kippot (which were the large satin temple-style yarmulkas) over Labor Day weekend, I was still received with negativity.

Social media can really bite!

Still, positive energy prevails. My styles are different, anyway. There is space for all types in this very small world. And my friends who I am selling the samples to are all very positive and think it's great what I have done.

My friend Josh (there are so many good Josh's out there) said just keep on doing what I am doing and ignore the haters.

I don't really think I will be venturing past the samples, anyway.

Life is too busy with other stuff.

Like catching up on all the Phish I missed. Lately I have been listening to shows from 1994.

This is a great watch

Admittedly, this is all pretty light stuff. I am so grateful for all that I have. I am blessed. Healthy children, bh, food on the table, and probably too much food at that, bills paid, bh, first time homeowners, we give tzedakah, all the basic life needs are taken care of, children have the blessing of Jewish day school and afterschools, college loans are paid off, we get to go out and do fun things together, we see live music, and life is good.

"Let your life proceed at its own design." This is a great idea, mantra, whatever you want to call it.

No, Phish did not say that. Remember, this is *not* just a Phish blog!

Rather than looking in the past and wishing things could have been different (like I should have gone to see the Dead in 1988 and Phish in 1989 when I saw kids wearing their t-shirts in my high school parking lot, or back in 1996 when I kept thinking I should have gone to yeshiva high school), just live in the present and enjoy what you have.

Everyone has their own journey. We all come to things when we're ready for them. I believe that everything happens for a reason. There is a grand master plan for each of us in our own lives. We can create our present and plan for the future. But regretting what we did or didn't do in the past isn't really all that helpful. That's part of staying positive.

Your comments and replies are welcome. Part of the reason I am not here so often is I don't hear back from many of you. Also, because I gotta earn some bucks with my heady merch.

Gearing up for GD50 with The HeadyBand: If I Knew the Way, I Would Take You Home

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 05:34:00 +0000

First and foremost: We are now selling the original HeadyBand. $15 plus shipping. Buy yours now from our Etsy shop! There's even a coupon code for 10% off down below. Gotta keep reading!

HeadyBand in Fishman Donut. Buy one today!

Many of my readers asked what happened to my blog. Gone, poof. No more Loony on Whole Phamily. It is true I left no message here regarding my whereabouts, and for that I apologize. However, most of my readers are people I actually know. So, I have had the good fortune of being able, IRL (that's "in real life" for most of the senior citizens reading, however that likely excludes my mother's friend Rachel and my mother in law who are both impressively Internet-savvy and both of whom I think read my blog), to tell you I am alive and well and selling my wares online. At long last, here is the official announcement on the blog.

HeadyBand in Cactus. Any devoted Phish head would understand why I chose this pattern.

Last fall I shifted my energies towards the commercial side of Whole Phamily. Together with Concealed Light, I opened our Etsy shop, where we have made a bunch of sales. We started our Instagram presence, where we are proud to have 1,585 followers to date. This is a modest beginning, but it's a start.

While I love writing this blog, I also wanted to earn money while contributing to the music community that I love so much. This blog didn't fill that need.

Have you noticed yet that you can Buy one of our Many Products right here!

Do not delay!

Get your Whole Phamily merch now!

Last year, while shvitzing it up on the elliptical machine somewhere between Antelope and Iko Iko, I developed the concept for The HeadyBand.

You can buy one of these now in our Etsy shop!

I already sometimes wore headbands at the gym to keep the wispy hairs out of the way. I owned a 1970s-style Phish terry headband, but my friend Stef said I could not under any circumstance wear that to the gym. Sure, Phil Lesh, the bass player of the Grateful Dead, could pull it off in the 80s, but not a busy mama striving for even a small semblance of contemporary fashion-fowardness.

Photo copyright James Lee Katz, posted on Thoughts on the Dead

HeadyBands are moisture-wicking headbands in patterns that fans of this music know and love. I wanted to wear my pride for this subculture at the gym, but not on a t-shirt.

I know. I know. It's a great name. Thanks for the compliment. The whole shebang isn't copyrighted or trademarked. So Sue Me! Yes, I understand the importance of Intellectual Property. Some of my favorite former clients are Intellectual Property attorneys. Catch my drift?

The name of what this is - pretty good. But you think I am actually gonna break the bank with this idea? Kein yeHi Ratzon, as the pious Jews pray. May it be your Will, oh G-d and G-d of my foremothers and forefathers, that these HeadyBands should touch the lives of every single soul who needs them, that they bring much mazal, parnasa, segulah and "all good things in all good time"!

And even though I write a lot of Jewish/Hebrew stuff there, HeadyBands are meant for the masses. This is just my frame of reference: the Jewish thing. So, if you, dear reader, were lost with those Hebrew phrases, fear not. It's all good.

Did you want to hear more about the HeadyBand? Ok!

HeadyBand in sacred geometry Metatron's Cube. Click this ENTIRE link and buy one!

Since I live a committed Jewish life, some people think that HeadyBands are intended for the observant Jewish woman in the Orthodox style. If you want to think that, be my guest. I was actually inspired by the hippy chicks who love wearing bandanas and headbands at shows. But it would certainly work well with a fall (a half-head wig). Attention heady frum mamas (a very small subset of the observant Jewish world): these headybands are for you!

We're not just about HeadyBands, either.

On our Etsy shop, Concealed Light is making and selling hoodies in similar patterns, as well as in patterns of matryushka dolls and rainbows. At 11 years old, she is a skilled sewer and I am so proud to partner with her. I commend this bright shining tween on all of her hard work. Expect to see absolutely incredible things from her as she grows. We have sold quite a few hoodies for the babies and toddlers in this sphere. Great job, my sweet, talented, skilled, bright firstborn child! (it's my blog and I can give her praise here if I want!)

Whole Phamily infant and toddler hoodies are $25 plus shipping.

Buy one today!
You can even custom order your hoodie.

We sell them from 3 mo - 5 T.

Rainbow Hoodie

Dancing Bear Hoodie

Back of Dancing Bear Hoodie

Back of Fishman Donut Hoodie

You don't have to be a Deadhead to love our hoodies! Matryushka doll pattern is Oh So Adorable! Buy one here!

The HeadyBand

Have you noticed yet that you can Buy one of our Many Products right here!

Do not delay!

Get your Whole Phamily merch now!

Which brings me to GD50.

In case you haven't heard, the Grateful Dead is performing their very last shows together this summer, their 50th anniversary. Jerry Garcia is long gone in the physical world, but his soul is long remembered . The songs that he and Robert Hunter wrote were truly built to last. Pete Shapiro is a modern-day Bill Graham (both Jewish men, I might add) and promoting these shows in Santa Clara, CA and Chicago. They even got Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio to play the "Jerry part." Not too shabby in my mind.

I believe in conPHergence, unity, setting aside differences and just listening to the good music. Because both the Dead and Phish produce(d) great great great music.

And I am so so so grateful to have been turned on to this music and the scene. I connect to its nuggets of goodness, light, and joy. Like so many others who have come before me, I find deep meaning in the music, lyrics, and greater community.

I am thrilled that Rabbi Shu and the folks at JamShalom will be coming out to Chi-town, partnering with Chabad of the South Loop, and having Shabbes pretty close to the venue. What a meaningful, great meshing of worlds.

So, it's a big year for Deadheads. Fare Thee Well, as it were. And I'm not missing the bus stop this time.

A big year for getting out the good products.

And the good product is The HeadyBand!

It took me a while, but I feel truly blessed to have tuned in and turned on. In this regard, I am actually talking about the music of the Dead and Phish (yes, blasphemy to say in one breath according to some!) as well as my rich ancient heritage which is as alive and relevant as ever. My wish is for these worlds to continue to thrive in a positive way to make the world a better place. And rather than dropping out, I will hope to continue to connect and at least try to walk the walk of society. Because being part of community is important.

You've got the Do Rey I've got the Me.

Try throwing that one around a board room table at Goldman Sachs.

Then again, who am I to say it hasn't been done by an erudite, educated, of-the-people chassid in the past.

I feel fortunate that I came up with the HeadyBand, and hope that you'll wish us luck, spread the word, and, heck, even buy one or two from us. I would rather sell out before I hit the Windy City, though it will be fun to push our wares on the streets when we get there. Chicago is going to be overrun with Deadheads. It will be FUN FUN FUN!

If you've read thus far, in our Etsy shop, use the Code RambleOnLoony at checkout for 10% off your total purchase. Thanks in advance for your support!

Scholastic Book Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 22:14:00 +0000

It's been a great week at my children's school book fair. I am co-chairing it with fellow mom and friend Shira. It is a first in a long time for their school. BH sales have been great and parent volunteers have been generous with their time.

But it is many hours to co-chair an event like this. I don't know how serial non-profit volunteers do it!

Like I told my friend Tova today: the book fair did well and so did my babysitter.

Walfredo and 127 and If You Will It It is No Dream (Tour) #hashtagitbagit

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 02:33:00 +0000

Phish played the song "Walfredo" the other night, a very rare occurrence from their repetoire, at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco. It was played based on a fan request. It was played in honor of the memory of phan Adam Berger, who passed away earlier this year.

I have waxed poetic in the past about various reasons why I love the number 127.

Or variations of it.

Photo from a Flickr post

Is it simply coincidence that they played this tune on the date 10/27?

I doubt highly that any of this was planned.
But I like to think that it's all there for a reason.

Do I think Trey was all like, "let's do Loony a favor and get all whack and play this song as a tribute to a dedicated fallen fan on her favorite number day."

Nah.

I didn't know Adam Berger but his blog is called Walfredo. Clearly he was a huge phan. He loved Walfredo. And Phish, probably the best musical outfit out there today, played it. In San Francisco, the town where he lived for many years. May his memory be a blessing.

And thanks NYCJAMGAL for posting this nice video of the historic happening.

Back to 127...
Despite them not playing in Israel on 12/8 a few years ago (if you read my lengthy post you'll see originally it was to be 12/7, but couldn't be due to various reasons), I keep the dream alive....

#ifyouwillititisnodreamtour

Which is way too long of a hashtag.

That's why ya gotta #hashtagitbagit

But a girl can still dream, right?

Whoa whoa whoa whoa, before you get all, Loony is whack, Phish ain't gonna do no show in Israel, let me alert you to what Jambase reported on this show in the 2nd set, and I quote: "Trey introducted on Fishman as Moses, "here to take you across the Red Sea for "I Didn't Know."

Some may call that Comic Relief, I call it, coming all together. It's just that people don't know it, yet it's *right in front of their eyes!" People may laugh at this idea, but I know that the Nunever won't when he reads this. And that Zaney Laney is on board if she would only read this darn long blog. And of course my dear husband who supports all of my efforts. Do I need anything more? Oh, wait, yeah, I need the guys to decide that it's time to take the living fish into the land "Vayidgu l'rov," but as I'm not a bible thumper, but could possibly be perceived as such, I don't know how that would fly in the greater world, ya know?

And, no, Ariela, (and all my awesome smart friends who like to read this but can't follow the Phish stuff and I don't hold that against them but indeed they're still missing out on tremendous music) this isn't a Phish blog, haven't I said that all along?

Yay for purple girls and little ragers and glitter and sparkly friends and hoopers and curlicues and laughs and soul sisters and birth sisters and bobos and hello kitty and cleaning help and gel manicures and kind veggie burritos and my sweet kinderlach and the moon and for meeting a dude named Stango.

Where do Science, Philosophy, and Religion all Exist as One?

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 20:47:00 +0000

Only in one place.

In Gamehendge.

We have the great Icculus to thank for recording the story that talks about this land.

Apparently the land is in danger, if you take this sticker I purchased a few years ago at all seriously.

And today the Prince of Music (that's Levi to the layman) joins the cause with his Fly Famous Mockingbird shirt.

You may think it's Adar with my silliness, but it's Elul and it's time to get out into the field because there is where science, philosophy and religion sits right in front of us as one.

I personally can't see it, so maybe it's time to read the book.

Pre Rosh Hashana Music in Philly with Shlomo Katz

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 04:44:00 +0000

An intimate concert leading up to Rosh HaShana with quality people, holy words and tunes of inspiration. What more could we ask for on a Monday night?

The very special Shlomo Katz visited our neighborhood tonight with Pey Dalid as his last stop in America on the way back to Israel. He shared songs and stories. He gave over melodies (niggunim) from R' Shlomo Carlebach. He brought down words of Torah in the name of the Alter Rebbe, Rav Weinberger, the Izhbitzer Rebbe and more.

Thank you Lisa and Michael Wachs for opening your home and bringing Shlomo to town. Thanks also to Ben Weitz Photography for allowing WholePhamily to post your photos of this special evening. Not only is Shlomo musically talented, but he is good friends with our very good friends (all former Bronx residents). So there is no more apt place than to share what we enjoyed tonight than on WholePhamily. We are all connected.

Ganse mishpucha mamish!

Shlomo talked about the idea of repentence - tshuva, the theme of the month of Elul leading up to Rosh haShana which is in just a couple of weeks.

He said that the Alter Rebbe said that choosing to have compassion on your own soul (neshama) is the first step towards tshuva.

Shlomo then talked about his own rebbe - Reb Shlomo Carlebach. He said in his name that Reb Shlomo gave over a Torah in the name of the Izhbitzer (yeah, a lot of giving props there). All year I am fixing the things that I did wrong, but in Elul I am doing tshuva for all the things I did right but I could have done so much better.

He continued on the idea that I'm already keeping shabbat, I'm already eating kosher food, I'm already sending my children to Jewish schools. But the idea is that you could be even more plugged in and going deeper and doing things with more meaning.

This is the idea of "Bina" which has the same gematria (Hebrew letter numerical equivalent: Jewish numerology) as the name of this month : Elul.

Shlomo said that this gematria is 67, and my add is ...1967 was an important year in our history. This was the summer of love, the summer of be-ins, psychedelia, and the birth of the modern day hippy. This connection is so relevant because, ultimately, Shlomo Katz was playing inside a room of many Jewish hippies, both young and old.

The dream of the 60s is alive and well.
Well, a little more polished, and the free love thing didn't really work out, but the ethos is here.
Well, at least the music is, and really the music is what is at the core.

He then continued with some Torah from Rav Kook. When you have compassion for yourself and start doing tshuva you start to lose the fear of death. Rav Kook also stated once that he is Rebbe Nachman. Pshhhhhhhh. What is THAT all about???

Last but not least is a short video I took.

Shlomo said he felt totally welcomed and at home at the Wachs family home.

I couldn't agree more!

Feeling pretty grateful that this happened, that Stango was able to make it after a long day hard at work, that I met some lovely people and saw some friends from the hood, and that I made the effort to slap it all here on to this corner of the Internet.

Time for a Tweezer Reprise, if you ask me!

This is Phish Couch Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 02:15:00 +0000

If you ever were curious about what Phish couch tour looked like, look no further.

Oh. Waitwaitwaitwaitwait.

(so embarrassed I'm such a silly one I put 7/3/14 and not 8/3/14 not like anyone is gonna actually search for that video, right? or notice my mistake in dates? Not like this is going into any database, PHEW!!!)

Do you know what couch tour means?

Sorry again I apologize.
This isn't a Phish blog.

me and Trey Anastasio on couch tour (photo taken 8/3/14)

My favorite band is so generous to Live webcast their shows. Usually you have to pay. Sometimes we buy the shows and watch. Tonight is the last night of their summer tour. Unofficially called Deep South Tour. Or at least that was the poster Mike was holding earlier tonight. (sorry, can't find the pic someone tweeted of it...yeah I know dems da breaks).

Anyhoo it's a free show tonight. Not live music but I know what some of you fellow landsman and women are thinking. That's ok, everyone's entitled to their thoughts. I'm entitled to my actions. Let's leave it at that.

So incredible that their last show of the Summer Tour is in Alpharetta, GA. As we know this is where Rashi Mincowicz z'l may her memory be a blessing, ran her highly successful Chabad house. Let's think this show is for her. Even though I doubt the musicians know her story.

I'm Lighting Shabbat Candles For Israel, Meatballs and Meatstick

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 00:02:00 +0000

"Can I have meatballs," the Wolfman's Brother said just now. "It smells so good," he continued as the smells of Shabbat are wafting through our house.

So happy for our cozy home.

So sad for the news from Israel today.

Some of you may have heard of this, but over 2,000 women are Lighting Shabbat Candles for Israel tonight. Specifically have in mind 23 year old Hadar Goldin from Kfar Saba who was abducted today.

His name is Hadar ben Hedva Leah.

Go ahead please write down his name or print this page.

Have him in mind.

(The name hedva appears in the traditional wedding blessings and is often sung out loud "gila, rina, ditza v'hedva, ahava, achva, shalom v'reut")

May Hadar, a Givati soldier, get home safely and may he have a Shabbat shalom.

Let's hope that one day the smell of Shabbat and even just maybe the good tunes unite us all.

photo from kveller.com

Journeys of Wandering Tribes

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 22:15:00 +0000

As is well known, the name given to a weekly Torah portion reveals its major theme and this week’s parsha, Masey, is quite a trip.

Masey are journeys – and this week the Torah details the journeys of the Children of Israel "bnei yisrael" during their 40 years of wandering in the desert after the exodus from Egypt.

אלה מסעי בני ישראל אשר יצאו מארץ מצרים לצבאותם ביד משה ואהרון

I would like to show some parallels between our own people’s journey - a people that pursues truth and light, a marginalized people that perseveres and succeeds despite small numbers - and other journeys of modern-day wandering tribes who also seek truth and light.

There is no research and few data to support my claims, but these tribes feature a very high ratio of Jews. This group of people embodies an energy that should be harnessed to bring positive change to the world just as The Children of Israel has done since its formation. These are the people who are the dedicated and devoted live-music fans of a slew of exploratory bands known as “jambands.” Having just seen my favorite jamband play 2 nights in a row right here, live in Philadelphia, my thoughts on the convergence of Torah and jamband music are still fresh.

The beginning of the Torah portion "parsha" lists a litany of locations – venues, as it were. These are the stops on the tour out of exile. As the verses, "psukim," say:

“vayisu……..vayachanu….. vayisu, vayachanu…….”

The portion repeats this cadence of "vayisu," they left, and "vayachanu," they camped, for each of the numerous locations. Some sound familiar, some less so, places like Rimmon Peretz, Terach, Chashmonah, The Western Plains of Moav. This is how we wandered through the desert for 40 years – from one place to another, always temporary, always seeking out the next place until we were ready to enter our promised land.

Similarly, fans of Phish and other jambands, and back in the day, the Grateful Dead, follow their favorite musicians to numerous locations. Some sound familiar, like Madison Square Garden and The Mann Music Center, and some less so, like Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Deer Creek, The Mothership, The Gorge, and more. While there are many fans, like myself, who are married with children and live relatively rooted lives, others follow their favorite bands perhaps for a week or a whole tour. Some in the scene look like they have been wandering for even more than forty years!

The crews pick up and leave to reach the next venue, and camp out for at least a while in the parking lot and tailgate. They are always looking for the next location, the next venue, the next show, following the good vibes.

Before I get to my point, I acknowledge some disconnects. These disconnects include that between Jews on tour and Jews not on tour / "on the bus" (which I imagine is most of the Jewish community). There is a disconnect between Jews on tour who are connected to traditional Judaism (aka "yiddishkeit" which includes me, a few friends, my husband) and Jews on tour not as connected to our traditions (which includes many friends and would-be friends, wonderful people who live for the live music yet rarely if ever light Shabbat candles, prefer things like pagan gatherings, have xmas trees, marry non Jews, or otherwise shirk anything that seems too “Jewish”). Of course, this overly simplifies things are there are many shades of gray in between.

Shortly after the Torah portion details the list of locations, it takes us to a higher level

והורשתם את הארץ וישבתם בה כי לכם נתתי את הארץ לרשת אתה

Clear out the land and live in it, since it is to you that I am giving the land to occupy.

Then we learn that the land is distributed to the families by a lottery system,

והתנחלתם את הארץ בגורל

Similarly, to score the insider’s jamband tickets, one enters a lottery months before tickets are made available to the public through traditional outlets. In this way, tickets are distributed to the various different inner networks of friends and families, often overlapping circles, that are so dedicated to their bands.

I’m not the first one to try to connect these seeming disconnects. From 1968-1972 Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach ran the House of Love and Prayer in San Francisco with this in mind. Many since and many still are on tour with their service to Gd "avodat hashem." My own experiences at shows are enriched and enhanced by my traditional Jewish vantage point. At the same time, there have been countless fellow Jews I have chatted with at shows who claim they aren’t religious and say things like, “being at a show is my church,” and yet this is their most intensely spiritual experience.

Like myself, people go to shows to leave life behind for a while and have a taste of what it feels like to be 17 or 21 or otherwise carefree again. Yet they are striving to see through the light (lines). Indeed, there is a lot of fog that surrounds.

The way I see it, light is most illuminated through Shabbat, beginning with Shabbat candles and ending with Havdallah. Personally I can't see how Shabbat candles can glow brightly at the stage of a live music show, but to each her own. Lighting candles far away from a festival stage, however, in one's tent, cabin, hotel room etc, has its own merit. I must add that no mention of Shabbat candles in our generation is complete without gratitude towards the work of the Lubavitcher Rebbe who initiated a widely succesful campaign to encourage Jewish women and children to light Shabbat candles.

I acknowledge the challenge presented in bringing in the light from both worlds - the Jewish and the jamband. A most memorable Havdallah at a jamband festival did exactly this a few years ago. Amidst the beautiful music, a small group of us who connect to both these worlds brought down the light of Havdallah. And yet all the while my friend's crew who was elsewhere on the festival grounds was texting her to return to them, perhaps not realizing the goodness that was happening in our family tent area. The push and pull tension of both worlds are real, and yet we can harness the best of each.

But where is the journey taking us?

אלה מסעי בני ישראל אשר יצאו מארץ מצרים לצבאותם

לצבאותם

We left exile in organized groups, in tribes, as crews, and we need to connect the dots, bring together our collective energies and fulfill our mission, arrive at our destination. When we do this we will all make it to the ultimate show and will merit the ultimate encore.

Then we will be picked up and leave: Vayisu

And we will be taken on the wings of eagles: V'Yachanu

And all of us wandering tribes will camp out together in our land forever.

Theodore Herzl famously said, "If you will it, it is no dream." Especially in these heady times of unrest in Israel, we need to hold onto this modern-day expression of our Gd-given promised land. And of a time when all will be good.

The light will be bright.
The music will ulnite.
We will all be kind.
We will be redeemed.

The jam will be epic.

GOOD SHABBAS!
SHABBAT SHALOM!

me at a Jones Beach Phish show , June 2009

Uh Oh

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 10:02:00 +0000

Look at me, all bragging about Title 17 and I Love Lot Shirts and I haven't watermarked a.single.photo with my name! Ok looks like I have some work ahead of me. As if I had nothing else to do but sip lemonade and meet up with my girlfriends. When will those family photo albums get done, I'd like to know.

Might as well share yet another original photo while I am at it. This was seen right in my hood. I followed the car to the supermarket so I could get a good image of it. Yes, I waited till the driver was in the store so I wouldn't freak them out.

Keeping Things on the DL, (aka close to the vest)

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Molly Loonin) — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 07:28:00 +0000

You want to share your big secret but maybe you shouldn't. Just keep it under wraps. That's my suggestion.

As a former legal industry applications consultant for LexisNexis, I am clearly aware of Intellectual Property law. Go ahead, ask me a question about Title 17 of the USC. And yet I am fascinated by one part of the subculture of musical bands like The Grateful Dead and Phish who continue to innovate and find inspiration from classic American brands.

This is why I take photos of these shirts and share them in I Love Lot Shirts. I am neither selling nor buying, just sharing in the groove. It wouldn't be worth it to litigate against any of these people: they're all tiny operations. I don't even know who the people are behind them. But I love that people create these images and they print them on shirts (and hats, capes, etc).

National Phish Association. Trey shreds it up at half court.

It would be a good year if you jibboo-d, too!

It happens all the time

Thank you so much, Phish, for Winterqueen. It really speaks to me.