This post is part 2 of a 3-part series. Read part 1 – Read part 2 – Read part 3

While this huge batch of photos is loading, let’s have a few more words from Pablo Neruda.

___________

Take bread away from me, if you wish,
take air away, but
do not take from me your laughter.

Do not take away the rose,
the lance flower that you pluck,
the water that suddenly
bursts forth in joy,
the sudden wave
of silver born in you.

My struggle is harsh and I come back
with eyes tired
at times from having seen
the unchanging earth,
but when your laughter enters
it rises to the sky seeking me
and it opens for me all
the doors of life.

My love, in the darkest
hour your laughter
opens, and if suddenly
you see my blood staining
the stones of the street,
laugh, because your laughter
will be for my hands
like a fresh sword.

Next to the sea in the autumn,
your laughter must raise
its foamy cascade,
and in the spring, love,
I want your laughter like
the flower I was waiting for,
the blue flower, the rose
of my echoing country.

Laugh at the night,
at the day, at the moon,
laugh at the twisted
streets of the island,
laugh at this clumsy
boy who loves you,
but when I open
my eyes and close them,
when my steps go,
when my steps return,
deny me bread, air,
light, spring,
but never your laughter
for I would die.

This Red Bat had the pleasure of seeing The Avett Brothers play at the Rio Theatre last night. Wow, are those guys ever energetic! Are they like that every time they play? How do they do it, night after night? They must be fairly exhausted after they finish a show. I was awed by their songs, their musical skills, and most of all their work ethic. They try really, really hard, even though it’s obvious we already love them. Which just makes us love them more.

Today I’m swamped with non-Avett photos needing attention, so I’ve only got time to post a few from last night. Of course I took a lot of pictures. My apologies to anyone near me who suffered through my incessant clicking (not that any of the ecstatic fan horde up front even cared). I hope I can get back to the rest of the photos soon because this band has the kind of stage presence that makes for lots of fascinating shots.

Recently I had a frustrating, painful experience with unexpected computer problems during a crucial stage of a project, so in a spirit of solidarity I’m including a few photos of banjo problems that happened during the show. Also because the phrase is inexplicably hilarious to me. From now on, when I have technical difficulties, I’m going to refer to them as “banjo problems.”