Hoping to Rooster Like I Used To

Much the way the Watermelon Festival swells the Museum District for a day, the Down Home Family Reunion takes over Jackson Ward every August.

And naturally J-Ward girl has to be in attendance.

It was about 3:30 that I was standing in my bathroom next to the open window, and I heard music.

Since the festival starts at 4, I recognized it as what had to be the sound check.

Listening as I brushed my teeth, I realized it was time to gather my forces and get myself over to Abner Clay Park.

There was a surprisingly good-sized crowd already seated in front of the stage when I arrived. I found a shady spot and set up my chair just as the MC began introducing Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners.

People started dancing to the very first song of their accordion-based sound and more joined in throughout, despite the heat of the afternoon sun.

The band had driven all night from Rhode Island to make this gig and had to leave the second it was over to play another in Baltimore tonight.

You'd never have known it by the energy that they expended onstage.

Introducing one song, Leroy said, "This a song my Daddy wrote waaay back in 1981!"

Wow, practically a golden oldie.

Most ear-catching lyric: "Can't rooster like I used to, I think I need a booster."

Yes, it was a song about Viagra and Cialis.

That's 21st century zydeco for you...and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

After their set, I wandered the global market, admiring fabrics and clothing and inhaling a lot of essential oils.

Wanting a little something to eat, I tried ordering a Hawk's BBQ, but they'd already sold out.

I ended up with a jumbo hot dog instead and took it back to my corner of the park to enjoy.

A recent transplant from Idaho sat down with me to chat.

I said hello to several neighbors, but didn't run into the one I was certain I'd see until the next band had started.

They were Back 'n Da Day, a group who sang classic Motown to recorded music.

But they had all the required voices to duplicate every big hit of the Spinners, The Temptations, et al and, just as importantly, all the right choreographed moves.

More than a few of the guys lounging behind me sang every note perfectly along with them, which I found pretty cool. It was my very own chorus.

I know from previous years that the crowd will grow much larger for the evening performances, and the atmosphere will get very party-like, familiar and fun.

My neighbor and I had been so busy talking that I hadn't even realized how late it was getting.

But it was, so I put my shoes back on and we walked out together, him going to a neighbor's house for another drink before returning for more music and me home to get ready to go out.

Three hours plus lost in a haze of zydeco, Motown and neighbors; now that's a down home family reunion in the 'hood.

And now I'm going to make some arriving reunion-goer very happy when I vacate my parking space.

I know they'll enjoy.