The joint was jumping!

Dan's high school had its band banquet Friday night at the storied Val-Air ballroom. All of the different bands played, including the the freshman bands (here in West Des Moines we have a separate freshman school. You wouldn't want to have two high schools; it would weaken the football team, you know).

It was great. The kids got to play on the same storied stage that has hosted Victor Wooten (and the Flecktones), Emmy Lou Harris, Nickel Creek, Des Moines' own Slipknot, and countless other stars. The stage is perhaps most famous for hosting Howard Dean's caucus night episode. Maybe Dan's career will take a different trajectory...

Dan with the Valley Southwoods Concert Band

After all the big bands played they gave out awards. Dan, his buddy Miku, and Julie, the Sax player, were cited as the three top Freshman musicians. Yay!

After all the concert bands played they cleared the floor and brought out the swing bands, and the joint started hopping. The Val-Air was built for swing band dances, and the bands play swing music. It was a blast to see them playing the music for dancers, as it was meant to be played, in a house built just for it.

Dan psyches himself up before the set.

Swing it, bass man!

Travis on the vibes.

The horns lean in...

More cowbell, Miku!

This was the first time they did the awards banquet this way, and it was a great success. And profitable. They had a silent auction of about 60 lots, and I came away with $75 of home repair books for the minimum $7.50 bid. Look out, plumbing!