Luis Palau's CityFest '08

A lot of festivals call the waterfront home during the summer months, but none quite like this one. For 2 days, Luis Palau and his people filled the waterfront with activities for the kids, including appearances by Tom and Larry from Veggie Tales, live action sports with BMX and skateboarders, and then evenings filled with live concerts and a message from Luis Palau... all for FREE! I got off early on Friday and strolled down to the waterfront to secure my place by the main stage. I ran into a couple folks from church and chatted a bit, but quickly staked my spot close to the front. It was awesome!!!! It was like Creation Fest, just on a smaller level. It wasn't too packed at 4pm... but by the time the concerts got started and the cameras panned the crowd, I was amazed and the mass of people that had gathered behind me. And there were a ton of folks on the other side of the stage, enjoying the show on a huge monitor. They estimated over 150,000 folks came thru over the course of the weekend. We blew Obama's attendance out of the water!! :-) (my own personal goal!) I guess this God-less part of the country isn't so God-less after all!! There is hope for the NW!!! Anyway... altho my legs were killin' me after standing for 7 hrs. straight, nothing quite compares to lifting your hands and voice in worship, along with 80,000+ people... praising the name of Jesus together as one. It was a beautiful experience!!! Here was the line-up for day 1...

City Prayze... collection of praise & worship leaders from across the Portland Metro area!

Phil Stacey (from American Idol)

Kirk Franklin's crazy self... this man is entertaining to say the least!

The man himself... Mr. Luis Palau

Kutless

Chris Tomlin ended the night with worship... it was a beautiful thing!

On Saturday, I spent the first part of the day at Violet and Justin's for Cannon's bday, but left around 4pm to head down to the festival. Since I was by myself, I was able to move my way up to the front of the stage! I absolutely LOVE live music. And I love music that has meaning. I was bummed that I was there by myself again, with no one to share it with... but at the same time, I was so content and happy, just being surrounded by people that shared my faith in God, that shared my love for Him, that knew the words and were singing along, raising their hands in adoration. I'm not necessarily ready to die... but I can't wait to be in Heaven. Here was the line-up for Day 2...

Marisol

LZ7 (from the UK) He was our MC for the weekend, but also shared some of his musical talent!

Hawk Nelson

Homeboy walked by with a Pillar hat, signed by all 4... made me smile, so I had to get a shot!

MercyMe (absolutely FABULOUS!)

Luis Palau

TobyMac

Slim Cessna's Auto Club

Did someone say "Wicked Hot"?

These guys are one of the many bands that my cousin Stephen promotes, and one of the many concerts that I drag Sara to!!! But she loves it, so don't feel sorry for her!! LOL!!! The venue was right down the street from work, so we parked at DM's and headed down to meet up with Stephen for supper. Then we headed back to the club to hang out with Stephen and watch the concert. The people-watching was very entertaining... oh, and the concert was pretty good, too!! :-)

My cuz Stephen

Introducing the boys of Slim Cessna!

I think I heart him...

Actually, I know I do!

Paul Wright is one of my faves!!! And he rolled back thru Portland (the Couve, actually) for a concert out at Crossroads church!!

Ana, Jayden & I

I met up with Ana & Jayden for a pre-concert meal at Applebee's, then we all headed to the church for the concert! I didn't realize until we got there that he was actually opening for Leeland... so that was an added bonus! I only knew 1 song of Leeland's from the radio, but I really liked them! We didn't stay for the whole thing, tho... it was a little loud for Miss J! After the concert, we chilled back at their spot for a bit and I got to meet their dog Charlie... it was great to hang with my girls again!!

Accidentally hit the night vision... oops!

*smooches*

Ana & I

We are family...

My cousin Stephen rolled thru town on Saturday with yet another band! This is the 4th time he's been thru, and it's the 3rd band I've seen so far. He said this one would be my favorite... and he was right, they were really good! They're called Woven Hand... you should check them out. Anyway, I showed up before the 2nd band was about to go on, Calla (another good band, from what we heard backstage anyway) so we grabbed some drinks, I met a few of the guys and then we chatted a bit and waited for Sara to join us. When Sara got there, we headed backstage again and just sat and chatted about life, boys, girls... all that good stuff. One part of me is weirded out that we're all grown up, having grown-up conversations instead of playing in the store at Gma & Gpa's house... but I'm so glad that we have such a cool relationship!! And I'm so glad Sara is an awesome friend and totally digs hanging out with all these crazy bands!!! I have the BEST FRIENDS EVER!!

Anyway, when it was time for Woven Hand to take the stage, we went out on the floor and grabbed a spot towards the back so Stephen could go back and forth from the merch booth and we enjoyed yet another concert!!! As always, it was great to see Stephen again!! And I can't wait for him to come back this summer!!

Just in case I haven't mentioned it lately...

I LOVE Mat Kearney! He came back to P-town for the 2nd time this year, so Sara and I sacrificed our Thursday night for some Mat Kearney action!! LOVE HIM!!! Talk about a great day... KU defeated S. Illinois to advance to the Elite 8 and then Mat Kearney... what more could a girl want!!!

Concert week comes to an end...

Sara & I

with The Colour as the grand finale! It was even better the 2nd time around!! I would say Sara and I had a great spot on the floor... but as the night went on, someone's deoderant went bye-bye and it was pretty horrible. Boys were fleeing, and I was just praying they didn't think it was us! But regardless of the stinch... the music was FABULOUS!! I'm assuming most of you don't know who they are, but they kinda sound like The Doors... a mellow, psychedelic rock... I don't know how to explain it... I just know I love it!! Especially the sleigh bells!! HAHA!!!

http://www.myspace.com/thecolour

iknowkungfu

The 2nd stop of Sara & I's whirlwind concert week was at the Ash Street Saloon for the iknowkungfu concert on Wednesday. My friend Justin (Violet's hubby) is the drummer, and the other members are Dave and Bill, 2 of his best friends. The concert was fabulous! It's been about 3-4 yrs. since they've performed b/c they were all busy with their families, going to law school, etc. so it was fun to see them back up on stage!! And I have to admit... it was kinda funny to see Justin up there rockin' out on the drums... when I've been so used to seeing him in daddy-mode with the girls for the past 4 yrs!! But Sara and I had a blast... and now we only have 1 more to go!!!

Me rockin' my one-of-a-kind iknowkungfu shirt!

Justin

Bill

Dave

Me & Justin

http://www.myspace.com/themightyiknowkungfu