take only what you need from them.

so says MGMT.

Yes, THAT'S RIGHT. Sasquatch! Music Festival was this weekend! The whole experience was better than I could have imagined.

The weekend began with the Folk Life Festival on Sunday at the Seattle Center. As my roommate tastfully put it, it seemed as though the gypsy and gypsy-like wannabes all "came out of the woodwork" for this event. Take a borderline hippie-like city like Seattle and theme it with Folk music, and put a $0 price tag on it, and that's what you get. Highlights:

• Tequila Mockingbird. Good, innovative music complete with an accordian. Its player had the most impressive of dreadlocks, and good character as well, as I observed him give a hug to a 'free hug' solicitor in passing on the sidewalk.
• Zimbabwe dancers and musicians. I think it was mostly local people who learn music from Zimbabwe, but it was all so powerful. A song focused on augmenting and diminishing differently toned vibes, to which the dancers accompanied. I love the strong beat that seemed to be a theme in African music as a whole. A lot of power.
• Getting change from the arcade room so I could do laundry when I got home.
• Elephant ears, french fries, strawberry shortcake, and more. mmmm. Don't tell Andrew.
• Meeting 'Dave's Killer Bread's' posse. He wasn't there, but we were still able to get a photo with his booths' workers. They were cool.

Monday was a whole different beast. I felt like it was Christmas as we waited in expectation early in the morning for our ride to George, Washington (real) for Sasquatch. We drove and drove and finally arrived at the festival. After getting in, we were pleasantly pleased to find we were staying in the same campground as our friends so we were able to camp with them. Getting through security is a bit of a feat in itself, as they look through everyon'e bags, but once we got in, we walked up over the hill and saw the wonder that is the gorge. It was beautiful! You cannot ask for a better backdrop to a stage.

We arrived at our blanket on the lawn which served as our meeting/relaxing place, and we met up with the rest of our group. Mayer Hawthorne was the first performance I saw. I didn't know his music, but he was entertaining and enjoyable. Following this was the Seattle Rock Orchestra. They covered ArcadeFire. This was pretty cool, but as a friend described, a bit melodramatic. Following this was Drive-by Truckers. Thumbs down. Just pass by this band my friends, the only reason we, amongst many others, were down by the stage listening to this band as to wait in anticipation for Passion Pit. Yes! Passion Pit! Large sweaty crowds, awesome music with everyone jamming out. I found it interesting how easily one can move about in such circumstances while everyone's jumping up and down to the beat, they get all jumbled around.

Then She & Him which included a guest performance by Meandering Meghan and crew on the lawn. Camera Obscura on the other stage followed by Band of Horses. Then the real magic happened when MGMT came on. We had enough crowd craziness for the day and stayed on the lawn, but it was even better up there because everyone was still into it and you could still move around and dance dance dance. As their lead singer, Andrew VanWyngarden stated, "This has been the greatest night ever."

Thanks musicians, for your creativity.

Thanks friends, for loving music and sharing.

Thanks Sasquatch, for organizing this event.

I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so men will revere him.

Ecc. 3.12-14.