So today I finally decided to go to the Seattle Art Museum. I walk down Pine and stop at 6th for the pedestrian light to change, when I hear concert-like music coming from a block to my left. I spot a crowd and think Well, I might as well turn here and check it out.

As I get closer, I think These guys are really good. What is this going on here at the Sheraton? Maybe it’s a local band playing for some seminar... Traffic is still going through and there are crowds on both sides of the street.

Out of curiosity, I was just going to pass by. But the music caught me; they were ON!! So I get even closer and then they start playing “Get Down On It”. Thinking what a good cover it was and how good these guys were, I manage to bring myself to about 20 feet from the stage. I see the sign on the drum — my jaw just dropped! It was no less than Kool & The Gang THEMSELVES!!

OMG!! What? How? When? Where am I? — I grew up with their songs, and here they were outside a hotel lobby giving a free concert, and I just happened to be walking by! Crazy!!!

I still can’t digest this, so surreal!! I can’t imagine how many times they’ve played their songs and, yet, they played and danced as if it had been their first time! They were so good!! They danced spectacularly!! The rhythm and the atmosphere were so contagious!!

I stayed for the rest of the concert where they played their most famous hits including “Get Down On It”, “Ladies Night”, “Cherish”, and closing with “Celebration”.

After reflecting about today’s experience, I can only imagine how fans felt when The Beatles played unexpectedly on the roof of a building, or when U2 popped in the middle of LA… Two of my favorite bands — Wow!!

Of course, I never made it to the SAM…