Roll on, Jenny Jenkins

Just about everything that could have plagued Dan and Jim Maneri's children's performance on Saturday, did. Organizers didn't realize that they had booked it against one of the only other kids' shows of the day. Maneri was too ill to practice beforehand, then his computer ate the recordings we made for him of the 3 or 4 songs he planned to learn. He and Megan Palmer almost didn't make it to the park because they couldn't cross the street through the Pride Parade. When they did, they were late, and Jim couldn't get his keyboard to the stage, so he came equipped with a saw and bow instead.

But, the disorganization didn't matter to the most important audience member there (from my perspective), Declan. Dan sang "Jenny Jenkins" to pass the time until his cohorts showed up, and Declan wandered around under the stage, singing along, rolling his arms (it's his favorite song). When the others finally arrived, much laid-back silliness ensued, including a "face solo" by Jim.

But for Declan, one of the most amazing moments occurred when they sang Dan's simple "Spaceship Song," then jammed a little, chanting Declan's mantras. Having an entire crowd yelling "All stars merge!" and "Just the right speed, just the right angle," was, judging from the look on his face, one of the most enchanted moments of his life.

Life soundtrack: Lisa Loeb, "Jenny Jenkins"