True tales of writing for the Exponent

I have yet to find an experience quite as awkward as walking in on the wedding of two complete strangers, especially when you lock eyes with the groom in the middle of the first dance. So, of course, that’s what happened as I tried to find the musical group I was supposed to be covering for this week’s issue. The listing for the event had placed it at the Baxter Hotel, but had failed to specify where in the hotel it would be taking place. As a result, I assumed that it would be held in the ballroom. A big space, a musical act and a (potentially) large crowd all seemed to point to it as the logical assumption. However, as I previously mentioned, there was no band to be found —  only a surprised wedding party.

I found myself at a loss at this point, I haven’t spent nearly enough time in the Baxter to know where else the musicians might have been playing. I explored the rest of the second floor without finding much to report.

There wasn’t any music to be found in the lobby either. I asked the man running the chocolate stand if he was aware of any musicians playing at the hotel but he wasn’t. He told me that my best bet would be to check the areas next to the ballroom. Actually, I had already checked, but the dividers had been removed and the wedding had taken them all over. In the end, I had to ask a woman in an upstairs office, and she directed me to the back patio.

It turns out the only way to access the patio is through Ted’s Montana Grill, the restaurant in the hotel. No, you can’t get there from the alley that runs beside it. Trust me, the hedges are way too thick. Instead, you have to wait to be seated at the patio. Or you can be like me, miss the host stand entirely, and simply seat yourself, much to the chagrin of the staff.

I finally found the band I had been looking for. They call themselves the Coyote Gypsies, and they specialize in playing a mixture of Eastern European folk music, jazz and swing. The front man appeared to be in his mid-fifties, and played a rather eclectic range of instruments. Over the course of an hour, he played no less than two different types of harmonica, a viola, a banjo and sang vocals on several of the songs, including what seemed to be a mash-up of “Nine Hundred Miles” and “Gold Watch and Chain.” The other members each stuck to a single instrument, with an accordion, a guitar and a standing bass. Overall, the music was upbeat and enjoyable, although I wish I had found the patio sooner. In the end though, it provided me with the opportunity to share with you the sometimes roundabout process that leads to the articles you read here in the Exponent.

A few parting words to anyone visiting Ted’s Montana Grill. I would like to request that you exercise caution if eating the olives that come in the ultimate dry martini. The bleu cheese is extremely potent and they are absolutely bursting with it. The mountain breeze martini, however, is delightful.