Scenes from a placid, and occasionally offbeat, Virgin Fest:
On a sectioned-off side of the painting wall near the South Stage, Chad Brady is still plugging away at his tedious task, making a guitar mural entirely out of picks. When asked if he would finish the project yesterday, he could only answer, "I hope." Saturday was spent painting the guitar and gluing up some of the guitar picks that will eventually cover the whole thing. The mural will be auctioned off after the festival, and proceeds will go to the Woody Guthrie Foundation. Let's just hope some of the ominously looming clouds don't let loose, at least not before the glue dries.
- Alex Plimack, 2:13 p.m. yesterday
I nominate Black Rebel Motorcycle Club for Loudest Band on the North Stage this year. At least so far. Stone Temple Pilots will probably be louder. But none of Saturday's North Stage performers (Jack Johnson, Wilco, etc.) had much oomph. Maybe it was too early in the day, or maybe the crowd just wasn't feeling it, but most people just stood still and watched the BRMC do their thing. Sigh.
- Sam Sessa, 1:02 p.m. yesterday
The idea of walking around the infield of Pimlico sans shoes is a daunting proposition. Sandals are also risky, as the ratio of barefoot to coverage is minimal. But that hasn't stopped festivalgoers from abandoning their footwear in the name of comfort. "There's no glass; it's pretty clean," said Colin Marshall, 17, of Baldwin, who was with his friend Desmond Davis, 17, of Phoenix. The lack of shoes (and shirts) contributes to the festival atmosphere, according to Marshall. "I just feel like being free," he said. And brave, apparently.
- Alex Plimack, 1:01 p.m. yesterday
Festival promoter/producer Seth Hurwitz had a good day Saturday. The highlight? He got to play drums with Chuck Berry during "Johnny B. Goode." How did he land that gig? "I asked him," he said. I'm sure it helps if you're signing the check, too.
- Sam Sessa, 12:14 p.m. yesterday
Some of the interesting things I've seen: A woman hula-hooping in a loincloth. A man dancing in a cowboy hat, shaking his potbelly. The glimpse of his plumber's butt was optional. Baltimore's beloved burlesque performers Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey riding bikes, dressed in natty pink-and-black ensembles. A couple dressed as an angel and devil. She shook her pointy red tail as she walked; he held his wings with one hand. Gotta love a man who's not afraid to wear glitter.
