Well anyway, the Pranksters are
loose in Portland at Powell's Books where Kesey graciously signed many
books. A large crowd was on hand to greet the Bus, but as only the Merry
Pranksters would do, George parked on the opposite side of the building
where they were all waiting. We were there for fifteen minutes before they
realized we had arrived. So we walked around the corner where a fun band
of musicians were pounding out a rhythm on five gallon water bottles and
an old stainless steel double sink.
They had a
bass fabricated out of a couple of old brooms and some vagrant wood. We
paraded the seekers around the corner to the Bus. The band parked themselves
beside the Bus next to the tree stirring up the scene with a delicious
beat appropriate to start the evening.
When the Bus pulls into a town,
it is always greeted by dazed citizens, people who have read the stories
and Kesey's books, friends and family. Carol who played the Good Witch
Glenda in Twister was there. Sunshine rendevoused with partners and friends
in tow. Of course there is always plenty of looseness attracted to the
Bus. On the way into Portland, a red convertible recognized the colorful
International Harvester and tuned into KBUZ following us all the
way to Powell's. 
The trunk of that Ford was
filled with monster's beyond even our stimulated imaginations. The evening
was beginning to take shape. That Ford pulled up beside the Bus and with
two of the freakiest monsters I had seen in years. These things made the
Bozos look tame! They crawled all over the Bus, through the crowd, and
into oblivion... which is where we were headed for the evening's main event.
The Shake & Bake!
The Books were all autographed leaving the readers and visitors satiated as the Bus pulled out with music playing and Pranksters rapping over the sound system. George randomly drove around the block twice followed by the red convertible with the monsters, slowly making our way a few blocks away to the Roseland. The impromptu band was also in tow in their own brightly decorated Winnebago-ette. The impromptu band told me their name which was really cool but I can't for the life of me remember what it is.
The scene at the Roseland was perfect.
The hall was at the end of a renovation so in another six months it will
be a spectacular joint. Across the street is a Christian Mission with plenty
of homeless hanging out... we didn't seem too out of our element for some
reason. Atmospheres like that are good for carrying-on dramatically because
no one seems to be bothered by all of the commotion.
And speaking of civil unrest... as we wrestled with moving the Thunder
Machine up into the second floor using brute manpower, a bust was going
down on the street for some reason we didn't bother to inquire about. The
first set of stairs we attempted allowed us to go halfway up before realizing
it wouldn't fit. So we lowered it back down onto the sidewalk to wheel
it through the five cop cars and ten cops putting the handcuffs on two
black guys for some reason. The cops were totally nonplussed as we pushed
the oddly shaped, dayglo cacophony inches past them on our way to the back
stairs of the Roseland.
It took seven of the lumberjacked security force of the Roseland to get the Thunder Machine up the stairs into the the second floor main room where the main stage for the Shake & Bake was located. The Roseland has two levels, upstairs being much larger with a balcony on three sides. Downstairs, there is a smaller performance room and a small restaurant.
The stage was set. Time to suit
up and get up for the gig. Moses was going to attempt to arm all of those
Bozos... and Gringos!
Ohhhh yes he was.
Click on Eli to hear more about Shake & Bake
(to go back, click your BACK button in your browser)