David Gray

I took Ayrias to his first concert this evening, David Gray. The tickets said "for all ages". And Mr. Gray's music is quite worldly, folky and appropriate - I thought it would be a good 'first concert". So we started the week with shopping for "Schnitzer" attire - evening dress for me and dress shirt & tie for him. The shopping experience with the two of us was so enjoyable. Ayrias enjoyed the independence of shopping and helping me pick out my dress. The anticipation and excitement leading up to the concert was alot...I thought it might be a distraction at school but he was very focused and productive at school and at home considering.

The night of...we rushed home after school and he plowed through his homework and we got him dinner. He was excited to get ready for the "big night". We both got ready...he's was trying to refrain from making a big deal for Joaquin (as Joaquin was going to have to stay behind with cousin) but I could see the excitement oozing out of Ayrias too as he told Joaquin that we were going downtown tonight.

So we got dressed and headed out. He was so very excited. Found parking for $5.00 (highlight of the night for mom!) As we walked into the Schnitzer, I could see Ayrias' eyes light up...he was looking up, down and around at all there was too look at...people, architecture, paintings, art. He found a purple Kow for Kids cow that was playing the saxophone...made him stop in his tracks to read it's plaque.

So we meander around looking for our section...he says mom we've got to hurry the show is going to start. So we head downstairs and find our seats. The excitement is at it's peak at this point.

We chit chat for awhile about his field trip he went to at the Schnitzer -The Hobbitt. The architecture. The lights. The stage. The people coming and going. The instruments.

Lisa Hannigan opened for David Gray and she seemed to bore Ayrias. I enjoyed her eerie, angelic voice. Her presence was incredible and the words to her songs moving. Her instruments were so eclectic - there was one instrument she used...it was a cross between a violin and a bass...but she played a soft version of a rock song...it was so awesome!!

Short intermission between band change over...Ayrias meets two older women behind us Debbie & Diane. (is this an indication of what is to come???!!!)..he charmed the pants off of them as usual. They chat it up about Salem, Los Angeles, David Gray, Michael Jackson, 5th grade and Ayrias' Aspergers. They were nice enough but they were mouthy and loud behind us, chatting during all the sets...tried to pray that it wouldn't be a distraction for Ayrias, told him to focus on the words to each song and the instruments - seemed to work along with my periodic back & neck massages.

David Gray hits the stage and Ayrias goes wild. Well we both kinda did. Fugitive was his first song. We sang and tapped our feet. I caught him peering at me at which point I was just smiling...couldn't do anything but smile.

I thoroughly enjoyed this concert and I really feel like Ayrias did too. What was most amazing is that it just wasn't a stage and a band up there playing...they implemented all kinds of 'sensory' accessories to the show that kept Ayrias' attention (colorful changing strobes, disco ball with floating lights, lots of movement among the band mates). Kept his attention. He loved to participate in the screaming and clapping after each set (helped to relieve some of the pent up tension that accumulated).

So the band did the whole exit and encore return...which seemed to excite Ayrias. We were both screaming our heads off at encore. David and band return to play "my" favorite David Gray song "Shine". Ayrias and I get up and dance our hearts out. Debbie and Diane got a kick out of watching Ayrias dance and enjoy ourselves so much. Ayrias danced and danced and danced as hard as he could. I loved to see him enjoy himself. I so enjoyed myself too...actually the energy that was in the air at that moment was incredible and not something that you can experience all the time. We were both smiling ear to ear; I imagine Ayrias was taking in the energy as well.

We exited and kept ping ponging "that was so awesome!!!" He took a picture of the marquee outside the Schnitzer that was impeccable. He asked me all kinds of questions like what was your favorite instrument?, what was your favorite song?, what will you remember most?...at that very moment I realized that my son thrives on being exposed to the world when every since he was 4 and diagnosed with Asperger's, I always thought I needed to keep him from the world. He was living tonight and loved every minute of it. As was I. And he was seeing me living too!! Beautiful!!

So we're driving in the car on the way home and he says "mom, that was the most amazing night of my life. I'll remember it for the rest of my life...even when I'm 80"!! What can I say? What can I say? Thanks David Gray. But it was a moment that spoke volumes..."I'm a good mom!! He's an amazing kid"!!! A night I won't ever forget either. Alot of the time at school and in public, he demands "hands off"-no kissing, no hugging, no touching - PERIOD. All evening, he showed me so much affection...that spoke volumes as well.

He's working on coming up with the next evening outing. :-) I can't wait!!! We'll share pictures soon.