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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dylan Spans Generations

Gita Sitaramiah St Staff writer

Barefoot, halter-topped and 17, Eden Ducrest danced to Bob Dylan on Wednesday.

Looking like a vision straight from the ‘60s, Ducrest only started listening to the legendary singer’s music last year.

Ducrest twirled in circles as Dylan sang at Spokane’s Riverfront Park. Her mom was thrilled.

“My mom totally loves him,” said Ducrest, clad in a long pink skirt and a string of silver stars around her head. “I think I’ve taken that part of her and am living that part of her.”

About 5,300 people watched Dylan at the Lilac Bowl. Others listened for free in the grassy area near the Clock Tower, on the steps outside the Opera House and behind the stage.

Few fans outside the Lilac Bowl had trouble hearing their free concert.

“The sound is excellent back here,” said Wade Bennett, 32, a fan since childhood when his father played Dylan records.

Dylan, a 54-year-old Minnesota native who prefers singing outdoors, chose the Lilac Bowl over a much larger venue - the Gorge at George.

Concert promoters late Tuesday frantically announced that Dylan would play in the Spokane Convention Center, citing cold, rainy weather.

But, when Dylan’s manager and promoters arrived Wednesday morning from New York, they toured Riverfront Park and admired the sunshine. That prompted organizers to move the concert back outside.

A diverse crowd - from kids dressed in tiedyed shirts, bell-bottoms and long skirts to middle-aged adults bundled up in sweaters and jeans - listened to Dylan tunes.

The first person in line for the concert had waited since 10 a.m. Wednesday to get the best spot in the Lilac Bowl.

“I’m a Dylan freak,” said Tom Schweda, 16.

Dave Trefry, 36, said Dylan’s poetic lyrics are what attracts the singer’s diverse fans.

“How many concerts do you see a suit and tie sitting next to a 16-year-old with grunge on?” asked Trefry, motioning to a man in a blazer sitting near a girl.

Before the concert began at 8 p.m., Jeff Cripe sat in the park drinking whiskey with his friends. He’d come to hear Dylan, but had no tickets.

“Dylan gives you a groove,” the 22-year-old said. “You don’t have to see him.”

Wearing a shirt he’d tie-dyed himself, Cripe and at least 10 others danced outside the Opera House, behind the Lilac Bowl stage, once the show began. “Everybody here should be dancing as good as Dylan is.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Gita Sitaramiah Staff writer Staff writer Bonnie Harris contributed to this report.