My family and I decided to attend one of the many events held in Philadelphia during the 4th of July celebration. Wawa Welcome America sponsors a number of activities from June 29 - July 4th, most of them free. Not having read the schedule carefully, I first drove my family to Lemon Hill Mansion, where a very nice man offered to give us a tour. I then asked about the jazz concert, and he informed me that it was being held at Laurel Hill, a historic mansion built in 1767, about five minutes away by car.
There are many historic houses in Fairmount Park. In this section of the park, there are six mansions that overlook the Schuylkill River: five on the east side and one on the west. Upon arrival, after the event had started, we walked into a first-class jazz performance by the Eric Mintel Quartet. What a treat it was to see such an extraordinary ensemble playing in such an intimate and historic venue!
I've wanted to see the Eric Mintel Quintet play ever since I met Eric at the Doylestown Starbucks about 18 months ago. We started talking while waiting in line, and I learned that he was a jazz musician. We followed each other on social media and I felt like I knew him, albeit remotely. (It didn't hurt that he bought me coffee.)
After the mini-concert, I had a chance to speak with him and the members of the quartet and then to introduce them to my family. Afterward, the family went outside, where the rain had subsided and the sun was shining. We spread out the food we brought with us and had a picnic under a tree... something we hadn't done in many years. It was a good day.
