Lotus & Space Bacon at The Capitol Theatre: An Evening of Catharsis & Remembrance
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Life gives us weeds and wildflowers, toxic moments and blossoming memories, we do not always get to pick what comes next. It is a cocktail of tragedy and euphoria, shaken and stirred, at times smooth but often on the rocks. We crave the mixology of moments that utilize the ingredients we desire most, the flavors of friends and places and things that our palates have come to know and love.
Why is that?
We are powerless over the circumstances and outcomes of the outside world. And when they level you like a cocaine-fueled Lawrence Taylor in his prime, you need those people and places and things to lift your spirit. We face death and heartbreak and crippling uncertainty together. Somewhere in between the raging individualistic nature of existentialism and the blatant naivety of happy-go-lucky idealism, the harsh realities of the human condition present us with this heartfelt truth; we heal together - through friendship, fellowship, and community.
Music intrinsically captures all three.
Music is unlike anything else. Far greater minds have spent hundreds of years contributing to the canon, theory, philosophies, history, fusion of genres, education, techniques… so I won’t waste your time in an attempt to sound more knowledgable than I actually am. All I know is that music has restored my sanity and saved my life more than any psychiatrist or prescription - I have tried a few.
Music has protected me, nourished me, and rescued me from the pits of hellish conditions and hopeless situations - utter self-destruction and unfathomable darkness. And live music has specifically enriched my life in a spiritual sense that is beyond my literary comprehension. Lotus and Space Bacon at The Capitol Theatre is the concentrated intersection of the people and places and things I need to lift my spirit when life levels me….. like a cocaine-fueled Lawrence Taylor in his prime.
It’s no secret that many of us are hurting. The Lotus Family especially. Chuck Morris was a true one of one. His exuberance was contagious as was his pursuit for adventure. His kind-hearted nature put fans at ease. He always went out of his way to make people feel at home and wasn’t afraid to engage in some shenanigans from time to time. For the past month his loved ones have posted beautiful eulogies and memories that ooze with love and respect for both him and his son. He was the backbone of Lotus and his family, friends, and fans will carry his spirit with them for eternity.
After a once-in-a-lifetime two-night run at The Fillmore in Denver, Lotus and their crew are coming to the east coast to pay respects to their fallen brother and raise money for his family. There will be more tears, but we will celebrate the lives of Chuck and Charley Morris together while the sounds of Lotus and Space Bacon echo off the hallowed walls of The Capitol Theatre. There is no better venue in the northeast to ensure that the heaviness is handled with love. The historic venue will set the tone for an unforgettable evening spawned by tragedy and the unconquerable desire to uphold all that Chuck selflessly gave to the world.
Space Bacon understands the moment and is honored to contribute their music with compassion and humility. Both Lotus and The Capitol Theatre have left their fingerprints on the DNA of the band and team. This isn’t just another show, another opening slot, another set of music. It’s an opportunity to represent the NYC live music scene with authenticity and respect. Bacon has carved their own path with unrelenting tenacity, from countless shows at Garcia’s to the big stage at The Cap for the second time, but this one means a little more. If you’re a Lotus fan traveling to Port Chester for the show, make sure you’re in the building to see Space Bacon. They’re going to leave their hearts on the stage.
We often anticipate our earthly scripts to unfold a certain way, to slowly burn in the direction we’ve always intended, to build and crash like waves on the shores of Long Island. We don’t plan on the good dying young. We move to new places and take new jobs and make new friends. But we must never forget those old places and old friends that made us who we are. The unpredictable, altered speeds of life often throw us off course. When we want it to slow down, it moves faster. When we want it to move quicker, it drags on.
We wade through grief and failure, doing our best to keep our heads above water. We bury our family and friends as stress overwhelms us, the despair washes over us. The realization of our powerlessness often crushes us. The pain twists our arms and breaks our ribs. But there is hope.
Hope requires vigilance though. We must stay vigilant in calling our friends out of the blue just to say we love them. We must stay vigilant in our pursuit of priceless moments, divine sunrises painted with the brushstrokes of a power greater than ourselves, shared laughter that captures the youth of running lemonade stands with our siblings, the music that heals our tattered spirits and soothes our open wounds. We must stay vigilant… in taking care of one another, changing our lifestyles and improving our mental and physical health, always searching for a way to help another human being. We must stay vigilant in upholding all that is honest and pure and good. We must recognize the fragility of these moments and cradle them, for they are fleeting, yet oh so precious.
We must never lose hope.
Let us join together this Saturday, May 6th at The Capitol Theatre with open hearts, meditative minds, and vulnerable spirits grounded in strength for an evening of catharsis and remembrance. God bless.
- Zachary Andrew Franck
Rest In Peace Chuck & Charley Morris
