Last night was the Rufus Wainwright show. Let me just say this: FAIL.

It took Lisa and I nearly 2 1/2 hours to get into NYC in the pouring rain. Being unfamiliar with the Lower East Side, it took a bit of driving in circles to find parking. In the parking garage, Lisa accidentally locked her keys in the car. Twenty minutes later we had them back, thanks to an enterprising young parking attendant and his magic coat hanger. Hero! We met up with Susie and her friends and walked to the temple. We found a great spot in the balcony and I eagerly unpacked all my camera equipment and then remembered that the show was “unplugged” - no amplification and no lights. Only candles. It was lovely, but grrrrr. I did take some photos but I need to pull them off the camera and take a look.

Now. At the risk of sounding like a bitch, this show kind of, well, sucked. We were under the impression it was a sort of “Rufus & Friends” show - you know, a couple guest musicians, some group performances, and a lot of Rufus. WRONG. Rufus sang maybe three songs total. Aside from Beth Orton (who, okay, was cool to see but even she wasn’t at her best) and his sister Martha, I had no idea who any of the other people were onstage and they never bothered to speak loudly enough for us to hear. One woman introduced her song by saying, “This is Mr. blahblahblah, he’s here to pump my harmonium, and Lisa muttered, “That’s what she said,” and seriously that was the most entertaining moment of the night. Or maybe the most entertaining moment of the night was when Martha Wainwright sang some new song that consisted of a caterwaul that sent Susie into a fit of church giggles that forced her to have to walk away and collect herself.

Also, Rufus was wearing an ascot.

Afterward, as we enjoyed some complimentary champagne at Thor at Hotel on Rivington, we decided that the evening was akin to going to a neighborhood cocktail party and being forced to watch the host’s spoiled children “put on a show.”

The saddest part of the entire thing is that this concert was to raise awareness for an event called “Blackout Sabbath.” It’s a great idea and could be a big thing. However, neither Rufus or any of his people seem to have any clarity or mission or UNDERSTANDING of exactly what they’re doing. When they spoke about Blackout Sabbath, it was vague and unclear and depressing and the whole thing just irritated me because it was obvious it was just thrown together. Insulting, really.

Anyway, I’m going to do a giveaway of the swag we received at the show - think of it as recycling. Details tomorrow.

Oh, and Lisa got ill on the way home. I hope you’re better today, sweetie.