By Stephen Pate, February 10, 2008, updated May 15, 2009
Saturday was a major work day with interviews scheduled all over town. We would find out that tight schedules don’t happen. Like all trade shows, party stamina is a determinant of success. I think I blew it last night. Whatever.
Disco Rockin Llamas were on the calendar for a 1 pm interview at Sweetwater’s. We arrived at noon expecting lunch but Sweetwater’s had no food service. We got the last table at the Irish pub next door and waited over 90 minutes for bar food.
Missing Disco Rockin we headed out to get a Lennie Gallant pic at the Aitken Centre which is not the centre of anything other than confusion. Staff were a little jumpy since the power was out. Must have been a blown fuse, a very large fuse.
Undeterred we zoomed downtown to Back Line where Terry Kelly was playing at the Nova Scotia showcase. We arrived in time for a Celtic kitchen party with people jumping up from the audience to step dance a few steps. Cynthia MacLeod and Kendra MacGillivray danced along with our nimble Tim Chaisson.
Terry Kelly’s enjoyable performance was capped by the audience singing, hand clapping and foot stomping rendition of “Mary Mack”. I interviewed Terry afterward. He’s a positive, inspiring person.
On a hunch we went back to Nicky Z’s and the PEI showcase. Nudie and the Turks, Mystery System, Disco Rockin’ Llamas – everyone was there in the green room. I interviewed Nudie and the Turks. Then I finished the Disco Rocking Llamas interview and then schmoozed with Tim Hamming of Mystery System. There are quite a bit of PEI talent in one small room with finger food. The ever smiling Tim Chaisson arrived and it was Old Home Week music style.
There was barely time to wolf down a sub before we jumped on the bus to the Aitken Centre and the 20th Anniversary Show. CBC was televising the event and the production values were very high with special effects, lighting synchronized videos on backdrop screens. The impressive show had high entertainment value. It should be on TV in early March.
With work done, the party plan swung unto action. Taking the bus we landed at the Delta for a night of rock with Carmen Townsend, The Trews and Slowcoaster. We met John Simms from Truro and Lynn Horne who prevailed on me to take the stage in the Member’s Lounge. I gave them my best “I Can’t Get Over You” and ‘Whatever Could It Be.” Someone asked my name: I couldn’t see faces with the lights in my face.
Carmen Townsend is still hot but has dyed her hair. There you heard it here first. Not red anymore, it’s dark brown. Still a hot rocker, she has toned down the pure scream and the result is better music.
Slowcoaster are easily my favourite band in Atlantic Canada. Their music is totally danceable with compulsive rhythms. We know all the songs. Steve MacDougall was playing at the top of this form. He controlled the pace and emotion through a long set. The crowd loved it. I couldn’t do pics or videos, too busy bopping to the music. Sorry.
Exhausted I headed back to the Crowne Plaza. My happy feet were killing me.
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