Here is the report on the Block Party. Big turnout - well over 100 people at our end of the block -- plus BIG numbers of kids age 10 and under -- at the other end of the block -- watching the band. (The band is age 10 - 14.)
The evening was incredibly beautiful. All the rose bushes and iris and clematis were in full bloom. There was lots of good food and drink. People stayed a long time - talking and laughing.
The band performed fro, 6:00 until at least 7:15. AND -- they started testing their equipment at 5:00 -- driving the 10 and under kids into a frenzy!!! The Band played in the driveway of the BIRTHDAY Boy's house -- and huge numbers of kids age 3 - 11 hovered around, watching.
One surprising thing was the amount of parental support for these band members. Every member of their families was wearing a blcak t-shirt -- with the name of the band in white letters. And -- the families were selling the t-shirts for $10 each. The families were also selling a CD that they had made of the band performing!!!
Although there were lots of kids outside of the birthday house, I was surprised NOT to see adults there - watching the band. (When I walked up to watch.) Later I found that the adults who were invited to the birthday party had taken refuge on the back deck -- where it was A LITTLE quieter. The band was very very loud -- although not horrible down at our end of the block.
Another thing that surprised me was that the 10 year old boys had set up a "Mosh Pit" in front of the band. Do you know what they are? A place where (usually masculine members of the human race) dance around - slamming into each other. Very rough and physical! The girls and young boys stood away -- staring,.
Another surprise -- I thought that the band was going to play actual songs -- written by actual musicians. NOT!
The band "wrote their own music". I think this was because they can NOT play actual songs because they can NOT actually play music. What they can do is make very very loud noises with their electric instruments -- magnified very loud by many "amps". They also shout absolutely incomprehensible lyrics into a microphone from time to time. (Lyrics which they have written.)
I retreated quickly down to the other end of the block.
The band stopped playing when the wind picked up and it got chilly. That is when the "water rifle" fight began. A running, water fight - drenching all the birthday party guests (kids, not adults.) Parents escorted drenched boys, with chattering teeth, past us on their way home. Of course -- these events led to a "dream party" of unimaginable fun and excitement for this age boys!
Each age group has their own idea of party fun -- and many age groups were very happy with the different activities "on the block"!!!