Tony Bologna goes to Bologna

Today, Wednesday June 27, is our last day off. What follows is 11 straight shows and then a flight home, so we will be very busy and tired. It was fantastic to have the first five days in Livorno, and then a nice trip to the countryside. As I write this, we are back at the Gran Duca in Livorno for the night.

After our gig at Ungawa last night we drove back atop the levee to find our motel. Our hotel last night, hmmm... Imagine a La Quinta motel near Fresno, with a grand marble circular staircase. They spread marble around like butter on pancakes. Everywhere, I tell you. It wasn't a great sleep, the AC was broken and our room faced the two lane blacktop with trucks rolling by. I hope I don't sound like a whiner, I'm not, just reporting the facts.

Since we are tourists, we decided to drive through Bologna to see what sights we could fit in a couple of hours. First stop was a large restaurant where we were met by Amerigo Crespi from the band, The Bradipos IV. Everybody ordered something different. Danny and I split a Ensalda Nizzarda, and lasagna bolognese with spinach noodles. Several pizzas and other dishes came out, and everything was shared.

The real Merman, Neptune

 

Amerigo went back to work and we found secure parking near the town center. We wandered aimlessly, just picking up a feel for the old town and iit's ancient buildings. We happened to find the Jewish museum in what had been the ghetto during WWII. Mel took the audio tour and gave us the skinny. Last stop was a vintage music shop which had an amazing collection of funky old keyboards, all for sale, if you could afford them.

 

Amerigo invited us to his apartment for coffee, and while waiting we bought a watermelon, and polished it off in seconds. It continues to be hot and humid, so anything cool, sweet and refreshing is welcome. Amerigo arrived and we entered his building through ancient 10ft. doors, which led into a cool courtyard, then up one flight and into a modern, stylish apartment. We met his girlfriend, Annamarie, who lives in Palermo, Scicily but is visiting for the week. They produced a tray of sweets, and we shared coffee and talk for the next hour. Amerigo is from Caserta, but unfortunately he won't be there Friday night as he has to work, and saves all his vacation time to travel to Scicily whenever he can. His girlfriend is a talented singer with her band, the Tintinette Swing Orchestra.

This is what the next 11 days looks like this:

JUN 27 - ITALY - TBC JUN 28 - ITALY - ROMA - CONTE STACCIO JUN 29 - ITALY - CASERTA - CAFFE' DEL CENTRO JUN 30 - ITALY - PISTICCI (MT) - CIRCUS JUL 01 - ITALY - COSENZA - CITTA' DEI RAGAZZI JUL 02 - ITALY - CROTONE - COLUMBUS BAR JUL 03 - ITALY - LECCE - MOLLY MALONE JUL 04 - ITALY - L'AQUILA - TOWN CENTRE JUL 05 - ITALY - PESCARA - L'IPPOCAMPO JUL 06 - ITALY - MARINA DI S. SALVO (CH) - BEAT CAFE' JUL 07 - ITALY - PINETO (TE) - BEACH PARADISE JUL 08 - ITALY - LIVORNO - SURFER JOE'S DINER