Cairo Calling.

First off all, photoset here: http://picasaweb.google.com/presstheactionbutton/Cairo

Welcome to historic Cairo (KAY-roh).  A small town on the southern tip of Illinois where the Mississippi and Ohio River come together.  Years ago the town was expected to thrive, shipping routes and steam ships ran the economy.

Unfortunately the town was mostly left abandoned, as commerical use for boats turned from hauling goods to moving trash.

Walking into the town now may seem like any other highway strip town that you'd run into.  Something like Carrington for example.  While different from our standard of social interaction, it was still expected, living up to the expectation of a small American town.  If you head just east, however, walking to the river tells a completely different, and absolutely wild experience.

Cairo is often labeled as a ghost town by visitors.  The reason for this: just one block off the strip, you'll find shattered windows, collapsed buildings with no restriction.  As I took a picture of an old furnature storefront sign, bats flew out.  Not even kidding.

It takes a while to realize when something is missing.  There were a few spaypainted windows in the city (pictures following), but absolutely no tagging, or remenants from other travelers.  These were not slums.  This isn't left over excess that can be used to squat, salvage, dumpster, etc... the run down buildings only hold what people left behind.  Half finished soda, a few building supplies, whatever couldn't it was blocked off behind doors with unlocked chains.  Many of the barriers were not kicked in, but simply rotted off.

Up on the second floor of an abandoned theatre, watching for soft spots on the steps the sense of adventure was only matched by the sense of dispair.

So why have a festival here?  It is one of the most bold, and well intentioned of any DIY movement, headed by Chris Clavin.  Opening up a completely non-profit coffeeshop and bookstore, the hope is establishing new work, a stronger community, and a future for the kids.  Word is the mayor of the town told the high school that they need to leave for any hope of a future...  The town is essentially given up on from any political standpoint, previous elections only ended up in folks taking money for repairs and leaving town.

Whether the idea comes through, with a punk/music community opening new businesses, and bringing more resources to the town, or if the shop closes down, there is something fantastic about the work put in, and the sense of a special friendship with everyone who has visited that town, and wants to see travelers stop in a small town with a lot to offer.

On a lighter note, some fun media from the fest, and funny police stories are on their way.  The authorities there are complete sweethearts by the way. En route to Lexington to hang out with some new friends before heading to Chicago.  Also, we playedwith some amazing bands, and we had some good four square with Andrew Jackson Jihad, Vacation, and The Wild.

The Wild are our East Coast twins, by the way.

Stay well

Phil