Part of our band's standard promotional patter is our availability for "weddings, wakes, bar mitzvahs, divorces and other celebratory events." We played our first "wake" last night. It was the post-funeral gathering of family and friends "back at the house" of the deceased. After several days of the usual subdued and somewhat morose interactions, the folks were really ready to lighten their load. It was an outdoor, evening gathering, and we played acoustic under the trees in the yard. Our playlist is mostly upbeat pub fare. For the wake, we omitted the rebel stuff, or at least we tried to. Several people in attendance follow us regularly, and eventually started asking for their favorites. We tried to gauge it by taking our cues from the faces of the family. As the show moved along, and the assorted beverages were availed of, the mood lightened immensely and folks started smiling and dancing. We went through or list, and then slid into another hour of impromptu stuff, all of which was received with enthusiasm. By the end of the night, and after something over three hours of playing, we were exhausted, but exhilerated at having been a part of what turned out to be a special evening for the family of the departed. A good feeling. Hope my own wake turns out to be as much fun for all concerned.