my brother and i went to the los angeles natural history museum for their 'first fridays' show. these are a party of sorts that takes place within the museum. you can walk around and check out the exhibits, and there's drinks and live entertainment in different nooks and crannies.

but tonight... tonight was a special treat. the main hall was absolutely packed with everyone anxiously awaiting the performers. it was an odd venue - full dinosaur bones behind you, extinct animal exhibits in glass niches along the walls, and a full stage set up at the end of the hall. the first act was quetzal, and i was so moved by the violin phrases and solos. the violinist had so much expression in the notes... she was also really pretty! :)

after the opening act, son de madera, a jarocho band from veracruz, mexico, took the stage with special guest zach de la rocha. this seemed like a rebirth of sorts for zack. it was amazing to hear him playing guitar and singing (pretty well) with the band (who were incredibly talented). but when he busted out his notebook and began passionately and angrily flowing, it was spine tingling. his lyrics were charged and relevant, and you could just tell that he's been cooking stuff for a while. his familiar raspy delivery and intense focus was inspiring.

to me, zach has always been a symbol of integrity; someone who's foundation runs deep. to see him up there smiling and dancing after a few years of solitude was so comforting. the performance was real and raw and i'm hopeful that he'll be releasing material and performing more in the near future.