Back in the day, when I was a child, my family and I went to a few runs of the Lilith Fair. We are big fans of Ms. Sarah McLachlan. She is kind of a theme song player in our house. We also love Sheryl Crow, and other ladies who sing their hearts out at festivals (I’m looking at you, Lisa Loeb.) We went two years in a row with a slew of people: the Breens, my cousin Lauren, my cousin Jimmy. etc. The next year we changed the cast of characters, and then that was that. Then we moved to Michigan in April of 1999 and Lilith was just a memory of my past. I remember that one year my best friend Lauren went too, with her Dad and sister. We found each other at breaks, and walked around together (we were sitting on the lawn, they were sitting in seats.) It was one of the first times that I was trusted to go find a friend by myself — I must have been 11 or 12, and I remember finally feeling like I was growing up. I remember my cousin Jimmy told a girl that she had nice wings. She said thanks, danced in a circle, and went on her enchanted way. Mya was at the Lilith Fair one of my two times, and she sang a few of her songs, and then tap danced for like 10 minutes. It stood out in my memory as a moment when I realized some people, even famous people, have talents they don’t always share with the public.

When my sister told me earlier this year that the Lilith Fair was making a comeback, I immediately decided we had to go.

The Breens were on board, because they are generally awesome like that, and plans were made: Lilith Fair, Chicago 2010. Almost-Family Reunion Tour. So tonight I fly to Chicago, to see my sorella and my mom, and my dad, and the Breens, to see Sarah and other woman who know how to rhyme and make me sway. I will be there for less than 48 hours, but it will be worth it. Line up includes:

Sarah McLachlan
Kate Nash
Court Yard Hounds (2/3 of the Dixie Chicks)
La Roux
Heart
Mary J. Blige

…and more.

And I, for one, cannot wait. Chicago, here I come. Sarah: it’s a long way down to the place where we started from. It’ll be nice to see you again, after 12 years.

Hope everyone else has excellent weekend plans…