A Dispatch from Quebec City: A Riff on the Outside Looking In

Riff: A short repeated, rhythmic or melodic formula

He didn't speak the language and knew little about this little city. But, from the outside looking in it seemed like a fairly French little city, as far as French Canada goes. He wasn't sure how he would have enjoyed a stay of longer than 4 days.....but, with a festival and wife who communicated for him, he was okay on the outside looking in.

Rammstein had not played North America since 2001 the intense individual in the long overcoat told us on the hot summer day. But the band was here at the Festival d'ete de Quebec playing to their many, many adoring fans (one of whom carried a severed goat head). We were fine on the outside looking in.

We hung with the kids. No, not the severed goat head. We hung at the stage where the circus performers dazzled the little ones (and their parents). It rained and all stayed because everyone was okay on the outside being drawn in.

The Museum of Civilization taught the importance of the West African riff - the building blocks of a genetic code that led to jazz, and blues, and rock and roll. We learned from the outside looking in, always just diving right in.