This weekend is the anniversary of one of my favorite experiences so I thought I’d share the story.

We have lived in Pergola, our small medieval town in Marche, for five years, spending as much time as our tourist visa would allow. Two years ago was our first experience of the Festa del Vino, a three-day party that takes over downtown.

One of the elements I like best about these local festivals is the pop-up restaurant. Groups of residents organize a cantina around a theme. They set up tables in the streets and take over empty buildings to prepare and serve area specialties.

We watched one such cantina set up directly under our balcony. Another was a half a block away. There on a rooftop terrace a rock and roll band was setting up on the afternoon of the first day. They were doing a sound check to get the amplification right on the drumkit.

We were excited about the festivities but hours of boom boom BAH ba boom boom BAH began to wear on us. Eventually they stopped and we set out to join the party.

We checked out all the different cantinas, each with their own specialty. That first night we ate in the one below our window– a great choice. Later on in the evening we met up with some friends and made our way up to the rooftop terrace, jam-packed with happy partiers of all ages.

The music was lively. They seemed to have different people singing. I wasn’t paying a lot of attention, mostly trying to hear the conversation with my friends.

After awhile I began to hear people in the crowd saying “Leets.” I ignored it. (Leets is how Italians pronounce my name).

They kept saying it. “Leets.” Then members of the band were saying it into the microphone. I finally comprehended that they were calling ME up on stage.

In a dreamlike stupor I finally got up and made my way through the crowd. I saw friends cheering me on and encouraging me. The bandleader asked me what I wanted to sing. I said, “anything Beatles.” He started playing Let It Be. It turned out to be an okay key for me. I started singing and they started applauding.

I have a preternatural ability to remember song lyrics MOST of the time but it failed me after the first verse because I was so stunned. I asked the audience for help and Stefano, the band leader encouraged a young woman to come up on stage and help me. Once she was there I could harmonize (my other superpower). It turned out wonderfully and I wasn’t even embarrassed that I forgot the words.

I think I must have floated back to our table. It was pretty surreal. For a long time after I ran into people on the street who had seen and heard me and gave me kudos.

I enjoy performing and I’m not afraid to be on stage but this was extra special. These were cool rock and roll musicians and I was on a rooftop in my adopted home in front of hundreds of cheering Italians.

I found out later that this group had formed just for the festa but decided to continue with the theme of singing with the band. On their Facebook page they told their origin story and mentioned me.

The following year the same group invited us to perform again. It wasn’t the same but it was still a pleasure.

This Friday night the Festa del Vino begins again. I don’t expect lightning to strike a third time, but just in case, I have a copy of the lyrics in my purse.