Then came Thursday

You might want to read these posts in reverse order; if you weren't there, they'll make more sense.

The crowd started to pick up steam a bit on Thursday.  Certainly, part of that owes to the fact that we pitched a tent in some prime parking territory (I can only imagine the parking anxiety this induced! Oh, the humanity!).  If I had a dime for every craned neck that drove by, my student loan would nearly be paid.  But that's kind of the fun part too, doing something so unexpected that people's little worlds suddenly start misbehaving.  A little novelty is irresistable.

Lunchtime showcases started with a handful of people but Keith MacPherson and Kendra Gale started roping them in.  If you didn't catch this duo, you missed out.  Kendra is a multi-instrumentalist and fantastic singer, and Keith plays bass and sings along too.  They sound so great together, and when Kendra gets her foot tambourine going all is right with the world.  Loved that they made it here, and that they were willing to stick around for another go at the Queen Street Market on Saturday.  Not to be missed in the future, FYI.

Richard Wetmore played his food songs later in the afternoon, educating the crowd about corn, corn syrup, agribusiness, farming.  Richard's unique combination of Anglican singing, swearing and jokes really has a way of getting the point across, despite the fatigue we inevitably feel when someone starts telling us how truly messed up the world is.  Hats off to you, Richard, I'm happy to come along.

Evening entertainment was Marc Zsammer and Dianne Roxborough Brown at Connell House (classical music), Tracy Anderson solo debut at Fusion (jazz), Keith and Kendra at Dooly's, and a triple feature at the Mainstage - Lonesome Jim, the Beaters and Singing Bridge Orchestra.  Reports are that all went well - the classical musicians were impressed by the beautiful sound and setting at Connell House, the Fusion gig was wall-to-wall, and they were still dancing at Dooly's when I got there at 1am.  Tracy tucked away her butterflies long enough for her fingers to show us some of what she learned in Toronto this summer. And Lonesome Jim was his usual self- acerbic wit coupled with virtuosic strumming and inimitable harp playing, the Beaters got the party started, and the SBO managed to get all the way through our disco and funk set without anybody throwing things.  Life was good!

I need to pause here to re-iterate what a good job Dean Weeks did.  Our SBO is an eight-person band with everything from 5 vocalists to trumpets, trombones, cowbells and shakers.  Thursday night was the clearest we had ever heard ourselves, and we played with only a short, informal soundcheck.  It takes real talent for a soundman to deal with that and make it look natural.  And SOUND GOOD. So Dean, we salute you.  Thanks again :)

Thursday wrapped up with 152 through the gate at the mainstage.  By then people had caught on that they should walk from one place to another.  Don't ask me where they parked.  So once again people forgot that 10pm is 'bedtime' and walked from venue to venue, seeing what they were missing and marvelling that in a tiny town, people could have a choice of which event they wanted to take in. It was great - even the Mayor was there.  Again.  At every event.  Nice work, your Worship.