Summer Concerts with your Boomerang Kid

Of course, I'm not talking going to a mosh pit type horror show. There are some amazing opportunities to bond with your kids this summer, no matter where you live, and I urge you to pick a few options and make the effort to explore a world of which you may not (yet) be familiar.

Trust me, it will be well worth your time and effort.

My adult son Ben and I recently shared one of the coolest nights together in a looong time--by going to an incredible Tom Waits concert in Phoenix, Arizona. It was Waits' first appearance on a long-anticipated tour that will take him around some unusual destinations. Not random picks, either.

Those unfamiliar with the genius that is Tom Waits, suffice it to say this man can make Bob Dylan sound egotistical and self-serving. Waits is one of those throw-backs--a genuine one-of-a-kind who's part circus-barker, part-con-man (same thing?), troubador, poet of the ages and musical jester who knows how to play with an audience and keep his integrity intact at the same time. No easy feat.

Not bad lessons for your progeny, eh? The concert, Waits' first in 10 years, was also the first in a tour that corresponds with a certain constellation in the night sky. Or so he explained during the "press conference" he held announcing his ambitious plans. This guy's raspy voice, dark messages and ultimate visions of glory made this night memorable on so many levels.

Ben and I scored these amazing seats (the tickets sold out in about 5 minutes, no kidding) and we got up close and personal with the strange machinations of the Waits gang. Held in the newly restored Orpheum Theater in downtown Phoenix, the theater was the perfect start for his starry vision.

Why? Because the ceiling reflected a night sky, with twinkling lights lending a mystical timbre to the unorthodox singer/story-teller. His subject matter is definitely R-rated (Ben's 23) and his lyrics are poignant and meandering. The show encompassed all his typical tics and predelictions for pomp and ceremony. Make that stomp and ceremony.

Wearing a 3-piece suit (with vest) and trademark bowler hat, the guy worked the crowd like a reformed alcoholic at an AA meeting. Stomping his feet, raising little dustclouds as he did so, evoked a mood of surprising depth and old-timey feel-good.

Midway through the 2-hour set, the back of his suit bore credence to his stamina and hard work--it was soaked within an inch of its seams with Tom sweat. The band seemed almost at times to be playing in its own little orbit, but no one cared. But Tom even made a couple of false starts and did a couple do-overs. More teachable moments about making mistakes and getting on with it anyway!

This was Tom Terrific!

And when he put on a glitter-domed bowler hat and twirled slowly, slowly, with the lights dimmed, the entire theater sparkled and danced like some crazy '80s scene. He played about 25 songs--can you imagine a concert where every intonation and breath of the performer is heralded as Gospel-speak? Well, this crowd sure did. Except for the occasional loud-mouth who requested a song, it was a fairly well-behaved crowd.

And with his remarkable agile body, arms fluttering this way and that, knees bent, crouching now and then to make a point, this performer proved once again what a national treasure we have in him. The real deal.

No sell-out (he is famous for turning down scads of commercial offers) his songs are dense homages to the dark side of humanity. And yet, there is also the glimmer of hope. Even if it's represented by a crazzy, glitzy disco hat.

Do yourself and your kids a favor. Reserve judgment and offer to take them to a concert (a play, a movie, a whatever) that THEY choose. You can coast on the credit for years.

At least, that's what I plan to do.