Courtney Love Rocks First Avenue

I went down to "the hole" (First Avenue nightclub) to see the band Hole Friday night, and despite their very late start, was glad I went. Courtney Love turned 46 the day before the show, making her my contemporary. She still has the Seattle Grunge style, and really rocked out, playing her hits such as "Doll Parts," and even a Replacements song. She came across as a "female Kurt Cobain" -- raw, voicing her frustration in screams that punctuated her songs. I did not care for her free use of profanity, but admired her ease at talking to the audience. She talked about Minneapolis landmarks that no longer exist, such as Goofy's bar, where she wrote one of her songs. At one point during the show, she stopped a song to berate her 20-year-old guitarist for not understanding how significant First Avenue was in her life (she "basically lost her virginity in the bathroom!"). Then she apologized to the guitarist and the audience for her difficulty with intergenerational communication. The only weak part of the show were her two ballads, and I took that opportunity to duck next door into the 7th Street Entry to check out a band I know that was performing there called "Gotterdammerung." Friends watching that show were interested to hear my review about Courtney's show, as they did not buy tickets so could not "cross over" as I could. I loved how she strutted onto the stage in six-inch heels, then announced that she was done wearing those and would not change into flats, which she pulled out of her purse. ("These are cute flats, not practical shoes!, she said defensively.") Courtney ended the show with an acoustic ditty she called "Good Night Minneapolis" -- a send-off as sweet as a good-night lullaby.

An Incredible Week

With three kids, a business, home and marriage, I have a pretty active life. However, last week was even more of a whirlwind than usual. Here are the highlights:

• Sunday - Daughter Tacy departs for her first week of overnight camp in Loretto.

• Monday - Met at music teacher's house with seller to purchase a gorgeous 3/4 size guitar for Tacy (to surprise her with when she returns home from camp). In p.m. attended tap dancing class at Zenon Dance School.

• Tuesday - Had my first Pilates reformer personal training session with Gail at the downtown Y. Love how that machine really makes you balance and coordinate your body. Evening: attended Joan Baez concert at the Minnesota Zoo with David. It was a gorgeous evening, listening to a living legend and her glorious set of pipes and wonderful guitar playing. Talented backup band, too.

• Wednesday - Departed home at 3:30 p.m. and spent the evening volunteering at the WECAN (Women's Education Career Advancement Network) event at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park. It was a great night of networking and laughter, as we were entertained with a presentation by the Brave New Workshop comedy troupe.

• Thursday - Attended the Turnquist Child Enrichment Center's (the girls' day care) ice cream social in the evening. It was an idyllic night, and we got to hang out at Bottineau Park with other parents and their kids, eating free pizza and ice cream.

• Friday - In the morning, I had a doctors' appt., where I got my new IUD and learned that my endometrial biopsy results had came back normal. What a great relief! At Noon I took a ballet class at Zenon Dance School. Immediately following, picked Tacy up at camp, 45 minutes each way in an unairconditioned car. Late Evening: biked downtown to First Avenue nightclub and saw Courtney Love and Hole in concert. She strode onstage at 12:45 a.m. and played until bar closing at 2:00 a.m. As I biked home along First Avenue, I was greeted by the intimidating sight of four police horses lined up across the street, ready to keep rowdy bar patrons from rioting.

• Saturday - Attended a free concert with the kids at Orchestra Hall. We enjoyed lovely music by Mozart, Vivaldi, Holst & St.-Saens. Bonus: the kids were all well behaved! Afterwards, we checked out a jazz band around the corner at the Dakota Street Fest and saw incredibly talented tap dancers performing on Peavey Plaza, right next to Orchestra Hall.

• Sunday - (Okay, technically, this belongs to the following week, but it follows a string of amazing days so I'm including it.) We moved our bedroom into the downstairs front room, which I spent many hours painting during the past two weeks. Afterwards, we were exhausted, finally eating dinner at 11 p.m. However, it was great to finally move into the room. The girls are ecstatic to FINALLY get their own bedroom!!!!