concerts

West side, best side!

/ Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

I had the best time on the west side of Michigan this weekend! As I approach my move-in date in Atlanta, I’ve been cherishing every moment with my closest friends here.

One of my coworkers-turned-friends is also celiac, and we hit up an all GF brewery in Grand Rapids, Michigan called Brewery NYX. I haven’t had such good beer in over eight years! The food, the beer, the laughs… I definitely needed it! I had such a fun afternoon with this lovely group of ladies.

After parting ways with Danielle, Tara, Maggie and Cheryl, I headed to my friend Crystal’s to hang out with even more wonderful ladies! Crystal and two of her girlfriends who I’ve become close with this year – Sam and Mercedes – invited me to an all-female event called “The Sorry Papi Tour – The All Girl Party,” which featured Latina DJs, an all-female staff AND all-female audience! It was wonderful! I haven’t felt so safe being myself and dancing like I do in a club EVER. It was such a great feeling reuniting with Sam and Mercedes, and of course seeing my dear friend Crystal is always a treat. My ladies and me had the best night (I just wish I remembered more of it, haha!)

Last but not least, I woke up around 10:30am on Sunday (which is rare for me!) and I headed west to Holland, Michigan where I’d be meeting one of my best friends from college. KayLee and I have been close since 2015 and it was amazing to hang out with them on different terms. In June when I saw them last, we were both going through a hard time. Now, we’re both out from it and are on the other side. Talking with KayLee on the beach, swimming and grabbing some good grub was much-needed – and a great ending to a great weekend!

I could easily say something like “I just wish I had more time with everyone” and of course that’s true… but nothing about my weekend felt rushed or inauthentic in any way. I value(d) all parts of my weekend – including my phone calls with friends on the way there and back – and couldn’t have asked for anything more. Until next time, Grand Rapids!

Photos taken Saturday, August 19 and Sunday, August 20, 2023.

Falling for Philly… & Lily!

/ Cate Tracey / 14 Comments

Since October, I’ve been on an adventure to not only rediscover myself—but find home. I’ve always had a since of home within myself, but it’s time to find that physical place where I feel that sense of community and support that I’ve been longing for since childhood.

I took myself to a comedy show and Larkin Poe concert in Philly last week, and felt nuances of Chicago, Boston, Toronto and other places that once made me feel deeply comforted. I got in late on Wednesday, March 8 and was welcomed by the friendliest Lyft driver I’d had in a long time. We talked about all things Philly, and reassured me that I was scoping out a great city to potentially call home.

Thursday, March 9 was full of work from my Airbnb but I explored Rittenhouse Square and Center City as I was on the hunt for some good sushi prior to seeing Greg Fitzsimmons at Helium Comedy Club. Not only were the rolls and laughs much-needed, but strolling through the city lights and riding the subway again made one thing abundantly clear: I need to be in a larger city again.

Friday was rainy but I had more breaks throughout the day, and was able to take myself on some great walks. I meandered through Old City (which is a contender for where I’ll be heading next!) where I saw Ben Franklin’s grave sight and the Betsy Ross house. Old City had a funky-yet-old school vibe, seemed super dog friendly and was extremely walkable—all things I’m looking for in my next home.

I also loved exploring Washington Square West and Gayborhood in the rain. I felt like I was in Boystown Chicago and downtown Boston at the same time. Everyone was really friendly, yet minded their own business… it was refreshing for a larger city. I’d love to live in a row home in a big city one day. 🥲

The main event (in Philly that is!) was seeing Larkin Poe live. Larkin Poe is a badass sister duo who really helped me fight for my marriage, and subsequently cope with my divorce. Some of their music even helped me put my feelings of moving to and back from Chicago into words I couldn’t – and still can’t – accurately articulate. I highly recommend ‘em if you’re in need of some soulful, kick-ass songs. Seeing Larkin Poe by myself might sound odd to some, but 1) I’ve always loved taking myself on dates, 2) I don’t give a shit what people think of me 😅 and 3) it was cathartic to feel that music around me by myself, because it was a journey I took on my own.

Bolt Cutters & The Family Name – Fighting for what you believe in, no matter the circumstances.

Georgia Off My Mind – Hoping that moving will give you clarity; reminiscing of what you miss and what brought you pain.

Self-Made Man – Being a bad bitch and doing it on your own!

Wanted Woman – Same as Self-Made Man, but also about those who didn’t want you back.

All in all, I believe Philly could be my next home, and I’m grateful that Rebecca and Megan brought me here. ❤️

On Saturday, March 11, I took a train to DC to visit my best friend, her husband and baby girl! Lily was born three and a half months ago, and I’m serious when I say I wanted to steal her! Haha Lily is the happiest, most well-behaved baby I’ve ever held. What a cutie!

Carolyn and I have been best friends since we roomed together in France nine years ago, and seeing her as a mom (well, a human mom; she’s already a badass fur mom!) brings happy tears to my eyes. I f’ing love Carolyn, Ryan, Lily, their families and fur babies more than I can put into words. I’ve been able to share in their milestones: I was one of the first people to know about their engagement, I was the maid of honor in the wedding, I’ve been part of their bridal and baby showers, and was the first of Carolyn’s friends to find out about their pregnancy. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. This is yet another reason why being only two hours away from them would mean so much to me.

We took it easy in DC; We hit up some nice cafes, watched a lot of Ink Master and Inked on YouTube, and laughed a shit ton. Before I knew it, I had to hit the airport and never wanted to leave.

There’s no disputing that quality time will always be my love language—even when I’m taking myself on fun dates!

Photos taken Thursday, March 9 through Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Lollapalooza Weekend 2022

/ Cate Tracey / 3 Comments

The one thing I love as much as travel is live music. Going to concerts and events where the music is blaring and the energy of the crowd is contagious pumps me up like no other.

Lollapalooza is a huge Chicago music festival that takes place in Grant Park every summer. I was finally able to attend this year, and it was worth every penny. On Thursday night, I saw Royal Blood at an indoor venue (The Vic, my favorite in Chicago) at a Lolla after show and was by far one of the best shows I’ve been to in recent years—and maybe of all time. I’ve loved Royal Blood for a few years now, and hearing Trouble’s Coming along with some of my other favorites was exhilarating beyond words. I had a blast and met some nice people in the crowd, and stayed up way past my bedtime!

I took the following day off to attend the actual Lollapalooza event and loved every minute of it. I’ve been planning who I wanted to see and when for quite some time, and was thrilled with yesterday’s lineup.

Genesis Owusu is someone I’ve recently discovered and loved instantly. He’s super political and progressive, and all his songs are as meaningful as they are bops!

I obviously had to see Royal Blood again. They’re one of my all time favorite duos and I can’t wait to see them again. Seeing them at an intimate venue and at an outdoor event were two completely different experiences—and I appreciated them both in differing ways.

After Royal Blood and King Princess for a drink and sit down session, I saw another longtime favorite: Glass Animals. Juan and I saw them back in March and have loved them since 2015 or 16, but going alone was my way of reclaiming them for myself. I danced with other loyal fans in the crowd and I had the time of my life. Dave Bailey delivered yet again!

Last but certainly not least was Machine Gun Kelly. One word: OBSESSED! I’ve attended somewhere between 50 and 100 concerts in my lifetime, and can easily say he and his band were the best performers and knew how to work the crowd.

I love that he raps and is punk—which led to the best surprise of the night…

AVRIL LAVIGNE performed with him!!! Oh my god, my ten-year-old self would’ve died knowing that this would happen in my future! We all screamed and it was SO MUCH FUN!!!

Thursday night and yesterday evening were full of memories that I’ll never forget, and I look forward to feeling more of this ❤️

Media taken Thursday and Friday, July 28-29, 2022