There was, at first, something different about the way this morning felt. I was made to forego my usual protein shake for heaps of French Toast, to abandon my classical music meditations for Cat Steven’s “Trouble,” set on repeat. It took me through my third cup of coffee to remember the implications of April 14. It’s Ruination Day.
Among the list of catastrophic events that count April 14 as their birthday include: the sinking of the Titanic, the assassination of President Lincoln, and the most severe of the dust bowl storms that once plagued our midwestern states, as well as the birthdays of some of the more unfortunate people I have, by happenstance, known. (I apologize if your birthday is today: I am sure you are a lovely person). In our present day lexicon, we are most likely to associate this day not with the historical tragedies of the past, but rather, the emotional turmoil that will erupt tomorrow: the imminent deadline for filing taxes. Plus, it’s Passover, so our parents will forever associate this day with the time we threw an event at the 5 Spot instead of observing at home – Jewish guilt is a powerful, lingering thing, you know.
Since we’re music-lovers and masochists in the best possible way, we’re celebrating Ruination Day the only way we know how: in song. We asked some local artists if they’d be interested in covering Gillian Welch‘s Time (The Revelator) album, a soft and soulful acoustic palette of songs, featuring the timely nostalgia of past April Fourteenths, and the crooning sadness of all those to come. Quickly, the idea garnered response: artists such as Nikki Lane, Sarah Jarosz, Shelly Colvin, Jesse Lafser, Andrew Leahey & the Homestead, Tattletale Saints, Robby Hecht, Amy Speace Adrian Krygowski, Anderson East and more signed on – plus some special guests we aren’t able to announce prior to tonight’s festivities – but trust me, they’re worth the mystery.
The free event is tonight at 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the 5 Spot, and RSVP here. Come and say hi – we’ll be the girls handing out the matzoh.
P.S. Big thanks to L/S events guru Emilee for making this all happen.
Lockeland Springsteen 