I wouldn't really call it a tour but the swing to State College, Pennsylvania, Chicago and Beloit this past weekend was absolutely prodigious! The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in State College was our destination for Friday, July 11. We got on the road by 6:30am & flew through Chicago with out a jam - always an issue. The Wail is so good at being road ready that the trips them selves are actually refreshingly boring. After a rollover, we welcome non eventful. State College was alive and happening. The Festival was extremely well organized and we were treated like top self artistes`. As we pulled up to our stage area we caught the last few refrains of Luminescent Orchestrii - ".....a frantic, salty and irrepressible stomp" - a tasty, hip balkan-esque romp from Brooklyn - perfect band for a perfect Friday night concert. The Wail was certainly ready to let loose after a long drive and we played two energy charged sets to packed stands.

The sound guys were a breeze to work with and the entire night was memorable - thank you to the Central PA Fest of the Arts and Central PA wail fans - we would love to see you again - soon.

http://www.arts-festival.com/hot_picks.html

Saturday brought early coffee and the trip in to Chicago to Katerina's - the Wail's new Chicago home. Violinist Steve Gibons and Melodica-ist Dave Adler sat in through out the evening, guitarist Alfonso Ponticelli and accordianist Juliano Milo joined in for a rousing Tchavalo Swing and Dark Eyes to wrap it all up. Definately Chicago's coolest, hippest and best music room. We look forward to a return date - hopefully Oct' 08. Thank you Katerina, Steve, Dave, Alfonso, Juliano and our dear Chicago fans & friends.

On to Beloit for the Riverfest - We played noon to 2pm and other than actually openning for the Beach Boys at 8pm feel that we had one of the best slots. Every one was happy and wonderful to work with and the early festival crowd was attentive and welcoming. Thank you Rod, Greg and the Beloit Riverfest.

I promise to try and be a better road photographer in the future (- I suck at it) - but a few images from the tour are better than my blathering about it. Even a picto tour of gas prices would work (under $3 in WI - up to $4.45 in Chicago).

Up coming gigs are --Mag & Sims duo at the Froth House on Allen St in Madison Fri 7/18 at 7pm,

The Wail in Paoli on Sat 7/19 at 1pm then to the Concourse that evening.

Monday night we're off to Milwaukee -

Go to the Wail gigs web page for all the detials. - thanks all -- sdp over & out