It was one of those perfect early summer evenings. The sky was sending out les bisous d’or and there was just a faint enough breeze to play with the ends of my skirt.
My Mom had been telling me about the Top of the Park Festival, which takes place each summer on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, for years. She had her first date with Leonard – now her fiancé – there and had passed many a happy evening with my Sister as well, dancing under the stars.
Last Saturday evening, it was finally my turn. My Mom and I stocked up on a Mexican feast from one of the food stands set up by local restaurants and went to find Leonard, who was waiting…
…in an area under the trees called the Grove, where the fairy lights blinked and plastic tumblers of red wine awaited us. Just as we arrived, plates balanced precariously in hand, a family got up from where they were sitting at the front and center of the action and said, “We are leaving, do you want our spot?” It was one of those gifts that fall into place on such an evening. We smiled and offered copious thanks as they melted into the crowds.
As I settled in, I couldn’t help but be delighted with the calmness of the scene. People of all ages, races and styles chatted quietly with one another. Kids did cartwheels across the lawn. There was no pushing to be first in line or to procure seating closer to the stage, no frantic texting or gasping theatrically into cell phones. Perhaps I have been living in Europe for too long but it did surprise me, even though I grew up largely in the Midwest where we are known for our polite behavior. Such ease of conviviality, natural and without decorum, only added to the sweetness of the evening.
I think that it was Adam Gopnik who, in his excellent book “Paris to the Moon” nailed down the contrast that in New York you are anonymous and in Paris you are given the head to toe glance by each and every person that you pass. I had experienced the shock of that transition when I moved from Manhattan to France and am now used to that attention in Arles. At the Top of the Park, no one was particularly looking or not looking. We were all just there, together. And while the three of us were unanimous in our dislike for the main band – a let down after the swing of the Joe Summers Gypsy Jazz Trio that had opened for them – we didn’t mind leaving early, for we had already passed a wonderful moment on a perfect night, the simple peace of which I will not soon forget.
From a smaller venue at Top of the Park in 2011:
Many thanks to Leonard Wells, my Mom’s wonderful fiancé, who loaned me his snazzy Samsung Galaxy to take these photos. Alas, I forgot that I can’t download images from my trusty Canon on my laptop, so I will either continue sharing the posts from Provence that I had prepared in advance or smartphone snaps while I am in the States…
And I would also like to express my gratitude to the extremely generous David Terry, who has sent me two care packages of fascinating books to entertain me during the rest of my time in States and beyond…Merci, David!
Your description of an evening at the Top of the Park Festival reminds me of what I have enjoyed about celebratory public gatherings in the Upper Midwest (where my husband was raised). The relaxed conviviality was a big part of why I wanted to try living there. (That hope died after I realized I would have to do without a nearby ocean and mountain range.) Anyway, I'm so glad that you were able to tell us this story, with photographs, while it was fresh in your mind. How long will you be in Michigan? I wish you could stop here on your way back to France (via Asia), because our low-humidity, sunny summer is in full bloom and the river awaits! Someday… Enjoy the rest of your time there even more, Leslie in Oregon
David seems to be raising the level of reading singlehandedly — not that you and your blog followers aren't already reading at a very high level, Heather.
Why is it that I only get short visits to my husband's hometown of Detroit, Michigan. As always, I take notes on your Michigan post — we ate at Slow's last time we were there (for a funeral) and perhaps when we are there in August (for a wedding, thank goodness) we can take a side trip to Ann Arbor. Always good to hear from you Heather, wherever you are.
Thank you, Janey! That is very kind of you (and for the compliment too) but I now have, thanks to David, more books than I normally read in a year and new music to look forward to! Plus my Mom and Sister are spoiling me with their love and attention – not to mention all of the fun places that they are taking me to.
And I am right there with you about the comments. Why do you think that I have kept this blog going? 😉
And Greek! I knew I was forgetting one…OPA!
And a PPS (!) – I have had quite a few people in France tell me their fears about visiting the States because they are convinced that is like the crime shows (NCIS, etc) that are so popular…
After reading this, I had to go back and look through all of the comments again! Well, if there has been generalizations taking place, it was my fault to start with – although I honestly didn't see anything hurtful. But you know how much I appreciate your perspective AND your blasting through generalizations. 🙂
PS. The Republik of Zypern Zypern? Now I have to go and look that up!
PPS. An email will be heading your way this afternoon…
xo
H
David, you are a fine agent of giving if ever there was one – and your appeal seems to be working! Just look at Janey's comment below…
Now, I am glad that you asked about "Ypsi" as it is commonly called here because who would have guessed that this small town was home to so many interesting things? Thank you Wikipedia! As to the name, why, there is a specific reason and not at all what I had first imagined:
"Originally a trading post established in 1809 by Gabriel Godfroy, a French-Canadian fur trader from Montreal, a permanent settlement was established on the east side of the Huron River in 1823 by Major Thomas Woodruff. It was incorporated into the Territory of Michigan as the village Woodruff's Grove. A separate community a short distance away on the west side of the river was established in 1825 under the name "Ypsilanti", after Demetrius Ypsilanti, a hero in the Greek War of Independence.[9] Woodruff's Grove changed its name to Ypsilanti in 1829, the year its namesake effectively won the Greek war, and the two communities eventually merged."
I actually think that the rest of what I read is worthy of a post on it's own. But if you would like to dive in ahead, take a gander here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ypsilanti,_Michigan
I have been checking my mailbox on a nearly hourly basis in the afternoons, as you know, so I will eagerly await your gift of music. Folks take note! Is there any finer gift than words and music?
Resignedly yours as ever,
Ms. Heather
Thank you for making my day with that compliment, Joan.
And you have lived overseas far longer than I have in your amazing life – you know how exotic Tex Mex is when you haven't had it in years!! 😉
Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan and so it is an especially ethnically diverse area with the restaurants to prove it! I have had excellent Lebanese food, Mexican, Spanish tapas, Chinese, Japanese tapas plus really good farm to table contemporary American. All at prices that wouldn't buy me an entrée back in France.
He is the real deal. I already knew that but I certainly don't take that kindness nor his friendship for granted.