Mission Alfresco

The origins of the Idea can be traced back to the year 1988 in Paris.  Back then, the flash-mob-style pop-up dinner party was called Diner en Blanc.   It was so-called because those in attendance wore white.  Due to trademark issues, the Rescue Mission fundraiser had to find another name.

We were informed of the event a few months prior when the Soda Ash 6 was hired as one of the 4 musical entities scheduled to entertain. The three others were a flamenco guitarist, steel drum player and solo saxophone.  We were provided a schedule and map delineating the event at the Everson Plaza, located behind the museum in downtown Syracuse.  Instead of white, all in attendance were asked to wear red.

Upon arrival, the parking lot attendant recognized me as one of the performer, thanks to my red shirt.  I found a parking space near the plaza and took my horns out of their cases then ambled over to the near corner of the plaza where the event coordinator had set up white folding chairs for our use.  There were red lights around the perimeter of the plaza and numerous red balloons, that had interior lights that added to the visual experience of the themed even.

The schedule provided showed that we were to begin performing at 6: 30 p.m.   We began playing a few minutes earlier as we noticed the ominous dark clouds in the western sky beyond the Axa Equitable building and the Civic Center.  Although we were scheduled to perform in that spot for a half hour before rotating to the left as the 3 other musical entities were to do the same, we cut our third number short as the wind began to make its presence known.  As we headed across the plaza toward the partial protection of the cantilevered portion of the museum, we were pelted with enormous drops of rain.  We managed to reach shelter before the deluge and waited to see how long the rain would last.

Many of the folks who formed the sea of red and were sitting at the center of the plaza around long rectangular tables covered with red tablecloths had come to the event prepared.  As we stood beneath the concrete soffit of the building, we noticed umbrellas popping up amid the diners as they refused to allow the weather to dampen their experience.  Those who had not come prepared for the rain could be seen carrying their tables to the same place where we waited to get out of the rain.

After the wind died down a bit, it appeared that perhaps the storm might be short-lived.  The rain persisted, however and the decision was made by the Soda Ash 6 to set up under the overhang and resume playing, mush to the apparent delight of the participants who sat in close quarters and completed their meals.