Independence Eve

Living in CA, I became very accustomed to the 4th of July as a day off work that I enjoyed immensely as an excuse to go hiking, or to the beach, or just to cook a really amazing dinner that took several hours to prepare. The first year I came to Texas, I was amazed.

Ever since, as much as my husband and I travel, we try very hard to be in Texas for the 4th, and last night I was reminded of why. We attended the Independence Eve celebration hosted by the Houston Symphony in The Woodlands, TX. For those of you living in blue states, that would be the 3rd of July.

It's hosted at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion, an outdoor concert venue that seats more than 16,000 people. Every year, The Pavillion is at capacity for this wonderful celebration.

When the event's organizers opened by recognizing our troops, past and present, the crowd rose in a yelling, cheering standing ovation. Michael Krajewski, Houston's favorite conductor, kicked off the event with a fanfare and then the national anthem. In California, I always felt silly as one of a few with my hand over my heart at the baseball games, but here, the crowd again rose as one, every hat off, every hand on heart, every voice raised in passionate song.

The Symphony then conducted a magical one-hour tour of American composers, some recognized, others not, with just enough commentary to remind us all of how our country has evolved over the centuries. The squirming 8 year-olds beside me stopped wriggling and complaining and were at rapt attention within 15 minutes.

In the second "half", as Krajewski called it, the Symphony brought on the popular favorites, kicking off with The Yellow Rose of Texas. The "American Sing-Along" was meant to be one song near the end, but no one let that hold them back. From intermission on, the crowd was sparkling with energy and participation. They went wild when The Woodlands' own Will Makar, a local high school junior of recent American Idol fame, came to the stage. I have to admit, despite my skepticism, that the kid can sing. He hasn't quite learned that the world doesn't rotate around American Idol, urging the crowd to give credit to the symphony as though it was his own band and absolutely cracking up an attractive violinist when he stopped to shake her hand and flirt on the way out. But he can sing, and he did bring the crowd to their feet. In fact, when he sang God Bless the USA, the entire crowd was on its feet, waving flags and pumping fists. They absolutely exploded during the always-popular Service Medley, when service personnel from each branch of the military are asked to rise as their song is played. It always gives me goosebumps to see them all stand at attention with pride as the crowd gives them the recognition they deserve.

The close for the event is traditionally the 1812 Overture, accompanied by cannons fired by actors in period military costume. One year, Krajewski tried to play something different, explaining that 1812 was not our war, and that Tchaikovsky was not American. The next year, with no comment at all, it was back. As the music closed last night, an enormous, stage sized flag was unfurled, and the crowd absolutely roared.

If all of this sounds sort of hokey to you, I will admit that in the first year, I could not bring myself to fully participate. I sat as an observer, watching the rest of the crowd indulge in a pleasurable frenzy of patriotism. I thought about how people in San Francisco have too much pride to let loose this way (Bay to Breakers aside). And then I decided that this is San Francisco's loss. The next year, I sang.

I challenge every one of you to enjoy the 4th of July some year in Texas. It will change the way you see the holiday.

Whether or not you support the actions and attitudes of the politicians currently in office, they are not what defines the United States of America. They will be gone in 4 years, or 8, and hopefully 200 years from now, your great-grandchildren will still be free to vote, run for office, and complain about government policy without fear of reprisal.

But I digress. This is a wine blog. Accordingly, I should note that we picked up a bottle of 2004 Mondavi Select Central Coast Chardonnay at the event. It was simple, buttery, and very cold - a perfect wine for a hot night at the symphony.

Happy Independence Day!