The forecast had called for rain, and maybe even some severe weather, but what we encountered was more than any of us expected.
Our
destination: the Sigur Rós concert at the Orpheum Theater in downtown
Omaha, the first stop of five on a brief American tour for the art rock
band from Iceland.
As show time neared we headed back to the Orpheum only to be greeted by
perhaps a thousand souls huddled together outside of the venue while a
venue spokesperson explained that we could either gather in the
basement or wait outside until the tornado warnings were over.
Soon after the skies opened up, drenching Omaha with some of the most torrential rains I've seen in the past few years.
But
lucky for the sold-out crowd that was wondering if it was all for
naught, the tornado sirens subsided at about 9:15, meaning the show
would go on, if 90 minutes behind schedule.
At the same time that same weather was causing carnage across the
Midwest, to the tune of four reported deaths at a Boy Scout camp less
than an hour away across the Iowa border.
If anything, that
contrast made it that much easier for me to appreciate the moment for
what it was, and for me it was that rare chance to see something unique
and beautiful, surrounded by friends and the people I cherish the most.