I found myself in Sacramento a short eight months ago and immediately I fell in love with Midtown. I wandered around the charming tree lined streets, poked my head into every little shop and restaurant I could find. When I told people I was relocating from Southern California, I would almost inevitably be met with the question, “Why?”

Because Sacramento has soul and I could feel it from the moment I first arrived. There is just something about this city. As I strolled down J Street and saw that big marquee sign boasting some pretty impressive headliners, I knew that I had found something special. As a lover of live music, I had just found my new favorite place- Harlow’s.

After paying an unbelievably reasonable $12 for our tickets, my girlfriends and I got our drinks, found our table and waited for the show to begin. Zach Deputy was headlining, but he was not the only performer who caught our eye in this amazing and intimate little venue.

Anyone who has frequented Harlow’s has almost certainly had the pleasure of running into Lindol French, who in my opinion, serves as Harlow’s unofficial mascot. Not only was Lindol the only one dancing to the opening act’s reggae styling, but he was also feverishly taking notes and smiling like a five year old at the zoo.

Clearly, we had to know this man and what in the world he was doing. Turns out that Mr. French has been documenting his adventures as a Sacramento transplant via the Sacramento Press. Sooo, not only does this dancing machine love live music, but he is also championing the charm of my new city in hilarious column after hilarious column.

It’s fair to say that we were instantly friends. Lindol was willing to share the inside info on everything from food to music. It was like Lindol was waiting to welcome me and to tell me all of the secrets of leading an awesome life in Sacramento. But that’s the beauty of Lindol, he has that impact on most people he meets.

However, sadly, two Fridays ago, my friends and I went to Harlow’s to dance it out one last time with Lindol French. Don’t worry, he has assured me that it’s not us Sacramento- it’s him. Lindol has a bit of wanderlust and he has the opportunity to share his passion for music and culture with another great city: Nashville.

As a result, I danced out my sorrow so hard on Friday that I may have sprained my toe. My moves are a cross between the Roger Rabbit, an inebriated Elaine and something my friends and I have dubbed the orangutan. But, Lindol didn’t hesitate to give me that same welcoming smile and assure me that he loved my moves. Next time I head to a concert at Harlow’s, I am sure it will still be on Lindol’s recommendation- he has never steered me wrong. But, I will sure miss joining him on the dance floor.

This goodbye is bittersweet, I am so thankful that I met Lindol when I did- I appreciate his passion for music, his love of Sacramento and his willingness to share his adventures and advice with the rest of us. Big thank you to the Sacramento Press for allowing Lindol to share his Sacramento experiences and for providing me with the opportunity to send Lindol French the shout out and send off he deserves.

Good Luck Lindol- we’re proud of you for taking this adventure, but we can’t wait to have you back in Sacramento where you belong! Keep the stories coming!

Leah and the TS girls.