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lighthead2toe · 06-19-2012, 01:10 PM

It's Friday afternoon, June 16th and my cell phone alerts me to an incoming call from my good bass player friend Mike Hewitt, aka "mandomyk" here at Corfid.

He's in a big hurry tying in last minute details to connect with several of us for the opening Gordon Lightfoot concert here in Ottawa at the Arts Centre. The conversation mentions something about having a drink at D'arcy McGees Pub, just across the street from the Arts Centre.

Everything is within walking distance for me and I've got time on my hands so off I trot and secure a comfortable chair outside on the patio at Darcy's and order up a fine glass of ale.

Running through my brain are thoughts all good. I'm truly excited!

It's a beautiful summer evening in Ottawa and from Darcy's there's a spectacular view of the majestic Chateau Laurier Hotel with all it's turrets and the Parliament Buildings of Canada.

No sign yet of Mike and my glass is almost empty, but looking at my watch I decide there's still time for one last glass of ale.

Overhearing some of the chatter around me I can tell there's more than just one Gordon Lightfoot fan sitting out here this evening. Sitting alone it's very tempting not to offer an engagement into the conversation because like myself it's evident some of these folks are guitar players but no, that would not be kind.

The anticipation factor now is building too high so a phone call to Mike reveals that we were to meet at Darcy's after the concert, not before.

Excitement sometimes can yield strange results for me. But all is well and fine as fine can be.

My watch is now showing 7:07 so I'd best be on my way. The concert will start precisely at 8PM and every Gordon Lightfoot fan fully understands how Gord interprets the word "punctuality."

As I drank down my last swallow I could see the crowd across the street waiting for the line to form and it's getting long. This is a sold out concert.

In the lobby I find Char, Mike and friends. Hugs and greets and then on to our seats.

The Ottawa Arts Centre is a beautiful concert hall. It was opened by Gordon Lightfoot in 1969. The acoustics are very pleasing to the ear. I especially appreciated how well the sound of his twelve string rang out there.

Unlike Massey Hall it doesn't have a main aisle, and having to enter your seat from the side of the room can sometimes result in disturbing patrons who are already comfortably seated. However, most of them understand. Baby Step Back. right?

The lights dim and to a thunderous roar of applause the Gordon Light Orchestra and the man himself waist no time and after a few gentle bows gets down to serious work.

MORE TO COME

RJ.

06-19-2012, 01:10 PM	#1
lighthead2toe Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada Posts: 920	Summertime Dream in Ottawa It's Friday afternoon, June 16th and my cell phone alerts me to an incoming call from my good bass player friend Mike Hewitt, aka "mandomyk" here at Corfid. He's in a big hurry tying in last minute details to connect with several of us for the opening Gordon Lightfoot concert here in Ottawa at the Arts Centre. The conversation mentions something about having a drink at D'arcy McGees Pub, just across the street from the Arts Centre. Everything is within walking distance for me and I've got time on my hands so off I trot and secure a comfortable chair outside on the patio at Darcy's and order up a fine glass of ale. Running through my brain are thoughts all good. I'm truly excited! It's a beautiful summer evening in Ottawa and from Darcy's there's a spectacular view of the majestic Chateau Laurier Hotel with all it's turrets and the Parliament Buildings of Canada. No sign yet of Mike and my glass is almost empty, but looking at my watch I decide there's still time for one last glass of ale. Overhearing some of the chatter around me I can tell there's more than just one Gordon Lightfoot fan sitting out here this evening. Sitting alone it's very tempting not to offer an engagement into the conversation because like myself it's evident some of these folks are guitar players but no, that would not be kind. The anticipation factor now is building too high so a phone call to Mike reveals that we were to meet at Darcy's after the concert, not before. Excitement sometimes can yield strange results for me. But all is well and fine as fine can be. My watch is now showing 7:07 so I'd best be on my way. The concert will start precisely at 8PM and every Gordon Lightfoot fan fully understands how Gord interprets the word "punctuality." As I drank down my last swallow I could see the crowd across the street waiting for the line to form and it's getting long. This is a sold out concert. In the lobby I find Char, Mike and friends. Hugs and greets and then on to our seats. The Ottawa Arts Centre is a beautiful concert hall. It was opened by Gordon Lightfoot in 1969. The acoustics are very pleasing to the ear. I especially appreciated how well the sound of his twelve string rang out there. Unlike Massey Hall it doesn't have a main aisle, and having to enter your seat from the side of the room can sometimes result in disturbing patrons who are already comfortably seated. However, most of them understand. Baby Step Back. right? The lights dim and to a thunderous roar of applause the Gordon Light Orchestra and the man himself waist no time and after a few gentle bows gets down to serious work. MORE TO COME RJ.