Just Cyd.

This was my first trip to Bogart's in Cincinnati. I was a bit intimidated, mostly due to the parking situation. I haven't solved the parking situation, but I did find a work-around.

Bogart's started out as a vaudeville theater, and has been a fixture on Short Vine near University of Cincinnati for nearly 125 years. In my lifetime, it's been the go-to place for rock bands not playing the giant stadiums along the river. The website was helpful in what to expect, but I learned some more stuff once I got there.

First thing I learned is there's a fast-lane thing, which gets you in ahead of the GA crowd. I don't recall seeing that on the website, but there were a dozen or so people in that line when I got there. If you want to be front and center, that's the line for you. I, however, decided to get extra-bougie. There was a pre-show VIP package for $20, and I decided to go for it. it got me in at 6pm (vs 6:30), and we got an hour of free food, beer samples and drink specials. We could also hear the opening act warming up. Food was catered by a local place, and consisted of two kinds of wraps, mac & cheese, homemade kettle chips, cookies, and possibly something else. Cartridge Brewing was sampling a beer, and I did partake. When I told the guy I knew of the place but hadn't been, he practically threw a gift card at me (which turned out to be TWO gift cards stuck together). future road trip! If you're local, into history and/or architecture, check it out.

During this pre-show thing, we could sit at the tables, but once 6:30 (?) rolled around, they were reserved for those who paid for them. Looking at the floor fill up, I decided it was worth an inquiry. for another $35, I could get a table for 4 for the night. all mine, to come and go as I pleased, with drink service once the bands hit the stage. for one person, it's a bit much, but for 4 people, heck yes! Given my pain level and the rapidly-filling GA area downstairs, I coughed up the $35 to get to sit.

the balcony area had its own bar, plus restrooms that were not at all scary. WIN! They also had monitors so we could see the stage, but honestly, the monitors weren't much better than the actual view - the lighting made things read weird.

I did venture downstairs pre-show to hit the merch table. the couple next to me had just got back, so we chatted for a bit. the stairs are a bit steep, but not the worst I've ever encountered. one of the many helpful employees said there's just no way to make the balcony accessible without gutting the building or causing more damage. the mezzanine, which is the street level, is where the accessible seating is, and there's a chair lift to get people to the GA area about 5 feet below. The accessible seating is a section with folding chairs that's first come, first served. I could have sat down there if I'd known. Every other venue I've been to the accessible seating is wheelchair-only empty spots with a companion seat next to it. Since I'm not a wheelchair user, I can't/don't use those seats. I was told that if the ADA section were to fill up and someone with greater need came in, they'd ask around to get someone to give up their spot, which is fair. I'm all for reasonable compromise and all that. The person in the power chair gets dibs over me with the cane.

Every single person I encountered at Bogart's was fantastic! Friendly, helpful, patient, you name it. It was a younger crew that I encountered, but none of them appeared to hate their job or wish they were elsewhere. Even the super-tattooed/pierced guy scanning the tickets was patient with me. I hate that i'm quick to judge appearances, but I really didn't expect what I thought would be a bouncer to crack jokes with me while we got our tech to cooperate. They were well-staffed, and appeared ready for anything.

To run a tab with the bar, our server had a QR code to scan, which would open an app in a browser and give me a code. I gave her the code, and that'd link us up. i could close my tab from my phone, easy-peasy, and download the app for future use. I did not, and can't find it now, but it was super simple to use, and reminds me just how far we've come since The Year of Concerts in 2010.

Overall, I'll be back for sure! My parking solution was to book a hotel (Quality Inn on 8th st) and Lyft to the venue (about $10 each way). Nearby parking might be walking-distance to an able-bodied person, but certainly not to me.

9:30. Intermission. She came out wearing a black/ silver duster that, from my vantage in the stratosphere, made her look quite matronly. Her hair is silvery-grey, thick and wavy, and past her mid-back. She moved around some, but then the song didn't warrant her whirling dervish norm. Beautiful traditional folk song, I think. First song over, she ditched the duster, revealing a beautiful dusty blue wrap blouse and a full black circle skirt. For the third song, she ditched the ballet flats and the dancing and movement continued.

Some lovely and fun stage banter. Backup singer well-matched vocally but towering over her in her 2+ inch heels.

Natalie's voice has definitely matured, in the same way Ani DiFranco has. 40 years in the biz, it's crazy to think she would still should 16. I thought she was a "few" years older than me - she turns 60 in October.

She gave us an Intermission because as we age, she said, we need to stretch and things start to hurt, and other urgent needs. much laughter ensued with that last comment

Two of the last songs were aphrodite and wonder, which had half the house on their feet singing and dancing. My aisle seat means I can still see the stage.

nice lengthy intermission, enough to pound out the above on my phone. she had a costume change to a black wrap blouse of the same style (and it looked good on her, so why not), with a red pleated skirt and sheer white flowy duster like before, but not so heavy and upholstery-like.

she opened the 2nd half with River, which was a sucker-punch i was NOT expecting. three or four songs later, when she launched into Life Is Beautiful, I burst into tears. i knew it'd come eventually (not the song, but i had hoped she'd play that or Jezebel). another song or two, then everyone left the stage again. she even warned us that things end. Lots of time spent bantering with the front rows, which was good to see. an artist of her caliber doesn't always play with the audience. someone came and turned off the stand lights for the strings, but the house lights were still down, so I knew there was more. A song with just Natalie, a guitar and accordion was lovey, then bass and drums came back for another four songs - FIVE SONG ENCORE! Carnival, Kind and Generous, and she ended with These are Days, which brought the 2nd round of tears for very different reasons (Spring 1995. Absecon, NJ. more later). prior to ending she made a joke about doing a 3 hour show, "you know who does a three hour show? Springsteen does a three hour show. *something something* Natalie Merchant does a three hour show!"

once the house lights came up, it wasn't two minutes before the stage was fully lit, the backdrop lifted, and teardown began. I joke that they'd be out of the building before I was. so. many. stairs! I knew that going in, but I also didn't anticipate being in this much pain. in my car at 11pmish - three hour show!

Getting to the Taft was easy -- it's on 5th street, which is one of the exits in Cincy. pre-paid for parking at the lot on that same block which had me a reserved spot (that i didn't realize until after i'd parked, but he was cool with it). getting home was easy, too, minus the asshole drivers. Bogarts in August is going to be the tough one.