Here’s the real scoop about last night: Frank tried to get a jam session going in “our” restaurant by calling some musicians we met the night before, but everyone was in Wednesday night church and said they may stop in later. We waited, ate, and trashed the paper tablecloth with crayon doodles and games Frank always beat me at. Finally, after 10PM we were tired, and decided to get outta there fast before anyone DID walk in with his or her instruments and expectations! It wasn't meant to be.
I think Frank misses his buddies and Thursday night Jams.
Tonight’s concert is #8. (We’re on a countdown, now.) We’ve actually done 28 concerts in 28 cities so far! At zero, our coach turns back into a pumpkin and my gowns into rags…(I can’t believe they aren’t already!) and we go back to life as usual in our house in Lake Oswego, Oregon. But I still have my prince, (aw), and my glass slipper is this blog. I will cherish all eight remaining concerts, and we’ll just have to see what happens after that.
Tonight I will once again be sitting in the wings ten minutes before the show. Frank calls me “Old Reliable.” No one ever has to come looking for me. I like to sit there early to get a “feel” for the audience. How big is it? Are there pretty much the same number of men and women? Are they in an excited mood? Good! Some ladies are laughing. People seem to know one another. I hear some children this time. Uh oh, there’s a fussy baby! I don’t hear too much coughing yet. There’s some wheelchairs in the front and off to the sides. I’m glad they could make it, too.
After the Association President makes the announcements and we are welcomed, I walk on like in some way I already know these people. It’s usually halfway through the first half, though, before I can get a really clear reading that they’re with me. Sometimes I’m lucky and know right away. Looking out there I only see dark, with spotlights in my eyes! I’d just like to invite everyone into my living room.
Every audience has it’s own distinct personality; about as varying as the pianos I’m given. It’s usually just a few spirited people out there that lead the pack. After one of Frank’s bass solos, for example, if one person claps confidently, everyone else follows suit. We love the guys with the deep belly laughs and the ladies with the wonderful sighs and shouts. Then there’s the occasional whistler during the applause. (I’ve always wished I could do that!) The whole show comes so alive with a good house! This Midwest audience has stood clapping at the end of each and every concert, and then quietly sat back down for an encore. They really seem to appreciate us having traveled to their town. This is what makes everything worth it.
I’ve been sitting poolside once again while writing this. My bathing suit has been damp more on this tour than any six weeks in Hawaii! We’ve been in some pretty nice hotels lately, and during the day we take advantage of them when we’re not traveling. Today’s drive was only forty miles, so we have a little free time.
It’s snowing again outside. The drive here, although short, was full of blowing snow across the road. The temperature has gone up to a whopping 16 degrees.
The stores are now full of Easter decorations and by then we will be back in the Northwest. I feel for these people. Easter this year is March 23rd; just over three weeks away, and there are absolutely NO signs of spring yet. The Midwest has had its worst winter in years, and now we’re in for the earliest Easter in years! That makes for a tough combination in these parts.
I can just imagine all the cute little girls dressed up on Easter Sunday, with their little patented-leather shoes slipping on the ice, trying to gather Easter eggs in the snow. At least the colors will stand out! Frilly dresses will be covered up with coats and Easter bonnets will be woolen. Ouch! One could always stick some silk tulips in the snow to perk things up!
I’m hoping to God that I’m wrong about all this, because if anyone deserves spring this year, it’s the Midwest!
Tonight was as described earlier, except for one thing: instead of just water for our dressing room, we got an Easter basket! See? Easter is on everyone’s mind. It was all full of treats, with purple grass. Yes! That set the tone for the whole night, except Frank’s bass fell over at the end of the first half. He had tripped on the chord, and it fell hard, face down on the stage. The audience gasped! Frank picked it up, tried it, and it still sounded fine. There was more applause into intermission.
The group afterwards was lively, with families with kids taking piano lessons. There were some award-winning young pianists there tonight. I loved chatting with them.
We’re heading off early tomorrow morning for Bottineau, North Dakota. It will be the northern-most destination of our tour. We’re a little nervous about this journey because of ice, blowing snow, and driving through extremely remote areas. We have a concert tomorrow night in this small town near Canada. I’d better turn in. There’s really no time to celebrate about the great night tonight.
I’m dreaming of a green Easter,
Just like the ones I used to know,…..
ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzBRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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