Last night's gig

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:34 am

awip2062 wrote:This must be the one they had meant to be the closer, but they got an encore called and had to play another?

you are correct

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:40 am

Last night was the most fun I've had playing in a long time. And it wasn't because this was the first paid gig we've had this summer.

We got to do the show in the amphitheater I mentioned several pages ago.

I'd been looking forward to this for some time. It's really a beautiful park.
(more pics of the place here http://www.afcity.org/DE_ArtsCouncilAmphiteatre.asp)
We got ourselves set up and sound checked (didn't have to do our own sound... and the resident sound guy was a VERY nice older gentleman). We'd heard that there would be an opening act called PALS. We were then told that PALS would be dancing and would need the whole stage, so we had to kind of break down and drag all our gear to the very back of the stage.

It turned out to be worth it. PALS was a group of down syndrome kids who did dance routines to songs such as The Twist, Stayin' Alive, and even Somewhere Over the Rainbow. It was so cool to watch them giving it their all and basking in the generous applause. Being inconvenienced for their sake was well worth it.

So, we took the stage after a brief set up. I had a couple of co-workers there who had never seen us. That can be a little embarrassing because you're showing a side of yourself that they've never seen before. But we launched into our set with gusto (starting with Twist and Shout as we so often do) and had the crowd won over in no time. Lots of families in the audience with little kids. Many of them let their kids roam and we soon had a bunch of them just in front of the stage dancing their little hearts out and on the grass behind us (I was told later) playing air instruments. Between songs I introduced the audience to "the Midlife Crisis Dancers!"

It was a great crowd... one of those where you look out and so many of them are toe-tapping and smiling, making lots of eye contact, some of them singing every word along with you. Made for a really happy night. We even had them calling for an encore (always a nice compliment... we gave them Footstompin' Music by Grand Funk for the encore). But the best compliment of all came when the organizer came to us afterwards telling us that she had been getting lots of positive comments and that they definitely wanted us back next year.

I had a friend there with a camera. Hopefully I can share a couple of pics in the next few days.

Walkinghairball · Post by **Walkinghairball** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:43 am

CHA-FREAKIN-CHING ! ! ! ! !

Excellent.

*Waits for gig pix*

CygnusX1 · Post by **CygnusX1** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:55 am

ElfDude wrote:Last night was the most fun I've had playing in a long time. And it wasn't because this was the first paid gig we've had this summer.

Awesome place Elf! Hey, having a "house" sound man is a good thing.

Did you guys have to tip him?

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:59 am

CygnusX1 wrote:
ElfDude wrote:Last night was the most fun I've had playing in a long time. And it wasn't because this was the first paid gig we've had this summer.
Awesome place Elf! Hey, having a "house" sound man is a good thing.

Did you guys have to tip him?

Wow... that didn't even enter my head.
(feels like a jerk)
I do know he was being paid to be there though at least...

Walkinghairball · Post by **Walkinghairball** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:05 am

If the people paying you didn't tell you to kick him some dough, don't fret it.

But mayhaps next gig you might just so he knows you all like what he does.

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:16 am

Walkinghairball wrote:If the people paying you didn't tell you to kick him some dough, don't fret it.

We haven't been paid yet. Told to expect a check in the mail.

Walkinghairball · Post by **Walkinghairball** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:37 am

ElfDude wrote:
Walkinghairball wrote:If the people paying you didn't tell you to kick him some dough, don't fret it.
We haven't been paid yet. Told to expect a check in the mail.

Oohhhhhhhhhhh I hate the check is in the mail!!!

awip2062 · Post by **awip2062** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:57 am

Whoa! That is cool! It looks like it was a great night and one to remember for sure!

Big Blue Owl · Post by **Big Blue Owl** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:35 am

Yeah, cool sounding show, Elf. Pic us asap!

Kares4Rush · Post by **Kares4Rush** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:18 pm

It sounds great Elfie! I'm so glad.

I hope you get PAID soon, though!

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:24 pm

My apologies if this image is huge...

Walkinghairball · Post by **Walkinghairball** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:37 pm

Cool...............but that's it?

Just one pic?

Big Blue Owl · Post by **Big Blue Owl** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 6:56 am

Very cool pic, Elf! It captures the joy you get out of playing music and shows how much younger you look than your brother

Glad you didn't melt!

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:12 am

Heh... sweated a lot but didn't melt.

Leon, I can post a couple more. My friend with the camera said she planned on putting the the pics she took on a disc and giving it to me eventually. But I wanted to share with you guys sooner so I asked her to e-mail a couple. In front of that grassy area it makes it look like we're playing for no one. I assure you, that wasn't the case.

Anyway, here's a good one of my brother and the bass player.

And here's a shot of all of us... me with a mic in my face (as so often happens with pics like these)