Week O' Concerts

[przed]

It's been a good week for concerts.

Tonight, Stewart Copeland was playing at the Royal Conservatory's concert hall. He's started a sorta improvisational classical ensemble along with pianist Jon Kimura Parker, and they were doing a program of both Copeland's own compositions and pieces ranging from Bach to Prokofiev to Aphex Twin. Since I was seeing it by myself, I indulged in a first row seat, and ended up right in front of Stewart's drum kit.

It was a fantastic concert, and made me vow to see more classical concerts at the Conservatory. Their performance space is fab, they always have good people in and it's only ten minutes from my work. I really have no excuse.

On the other end of the spectrum, on Sunday night I went to see Kaiser Chiefs with a friend. As always, Ricky and the gang were fantastic and totally know how to work the crowd. As a bonus, they followed up I Predict a Riot with The Who's Pinball Wizard. The friend I went with is also a huge Who fan (we're seeing The Who's farewell tour this coming fall) so it was the icing on a very tasty cake.

I was happy to make the Kaiser Chiefs show, because on Friday and Saturday I'd been flattened by one of those colds that made every joint in my body ache. Fortunately it had progressed to the point of just being annoying by Sunday.

Tomorrow, I leave for MediaWest for the last time. I've been going since 1994, with a couple of breaks for Ros-related reasons, but with fewer people coming every year it seems like a good time to call it a day.

Comments

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Oh, cool, for both concerts! I know what you mean about not taking advantage of things as you should--I can walk to various concert venues. Do I even know who is playing? Why, no... But you've reminded me I should! *g*

MediaWest! So, we were likely at some MediaWests at the same time in the nineties.I had hoped to go this year, given that the people I'd like to see are going for the last time. *g* But then Escapade took my funds. I hope you have a good time--well, of course you will!--but I hope it's a really, really good time!

[przed.livejournal.com]

I always forget how much I enjoy classical music events until I go to one. And then I kick myself for not going to more. But only so many hours in a day, eh?

Oh, I do wish I'd known you in the nineties! I was mostly an UNCLE fan in those days, but I did used to hang out with Marcelle Gibson a bit at MW. I'm sure we'll have a grand time. And perhaps I shall see you at Escapade next year. Not to mention another little event we promised to host...

[sidewinder.livejournal.com]

Ah, you made the Off The Score show! So cool. That's the one I saw twice back in March and it is so great. And yes, you got the prime seat for Stewart watching, I love how he basically conducts from the drum seat.

I think last year was my last MediaWest. As you say fewer and fewer people every year, it's no longer worth me making the long drive as the dealer's room sales just are barely covering expenses now and not really earning me anything for all of that work. I know some people were trying to drive up enthusiasm to bring in new fans but then pretty much, as expected, had a lot of their ideas ignored/dismissed by the Old Dinosaurs In Charge.

[przed.livejournal.com]

It was a very cool show. And very interesting to see the interactions between all the performers. Your icon definitely captures Stewart's spirit during the show. I'm very much going to be keeping an eye out for more shows from Off the Score. And Stewart said, during an interview after the show, that they're planning on recording, so that's also exciting.

I no longer come to MW for the con, because then I'd be both irked and disappointed, but entirely for the people. And I think that's it's time to seek out a fannish venue that is welcoming rather than apparently seeking to actively discourage people from participating if they don't meet some approved idea of what fandom should be. ::grrrr:: Those Old Dinosaurs are soon going to meet the fate of those other dinosaurs. :-/

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

It's sad that this year's MediaWest will be your last one but I hope you have a great time there.

[przed.livejournal.com]

Well, it's not the last year for the con, but it is the last year I'll be coming. There's not enough of the con left to keep me coming back, and I'm sure I'll find other, better venues to meet up with my fannish friends.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

I'm glad your cold is passing and you enjoyed the concerts *g*

One of these years I'm going to get to North America and go to one of these legendary cons I've been hearing about for so long! I'm sad that Mediawest won't be one of them, but I'm glad it had a good run *g* Have a great time!

[przed.livejournal.com]

The cold is merely a sniffly annoyance now, and the concerts were fab. But probably not as fab as a certain upcoming show. *g*

Oh, it would be lovely to have you over for a con, though I certainly can't recommend MW anymore. But hey, we've promised there will be another BistoCon next year...

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

the concerts sound wonderful and I hope you have a good time at MediaWest. As it's the last one, they might get a larger turn out due to nostalgia.

[przed.livejournal.com]

The concerts were indeed fab, and MW is always a good time, though these days in spite of the con comm rather than because of them. And it's actually not the last edition of the con, just the last one I'll be attending. I love the friends I see here, but the con itself is a ghost of its former self.

[norfolkdumpling.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a fun couple of gigs! Hope you have a lovely time at MediaWest and go out on a high :)

[przed.livejournal.com]

The gigs were fab, and I'm havig a blast at MediaWest, even if it is a ghost of its former self. But the people are why I've always come, and there are still a number of my favourite people here.

[miwahni.livejournal.com]

For years I'd held up MediaWest as the one con that I'd really, really like to go to, but over the past few years I've heard more and more disappointing stories. This year there's been a lot of folks on my flist saying that they're not going back, or if they are, then this will be their last year. So go out with a bang, have a fantastic time.

[przed.livejournal.com]

Back in the day, it was definitely the one con I looked forward to all year, but it's sadly faded in attendance and programming. But the people are what make it, and there are still some of my favourite people here, so I am having a great time. But I think it's time to call it quits before it really does get disappointing and the continued idiocy of the organizers becomes more than a minor irritation.

If you're looking for an all Pros con, FJ Bryan and I have committed to running another BistoCon next year, probably the second or third week of August, definitely in the Detroit area. So if you're looking to travel halfway across the world for a fan get together...

[miwahni.livejournal.com]

Oh it's a tempting thought, believe me. But next year's trip is to NZ for son's wedding, and the year after that is Europe and UK - hopefully Bistocon will continue running for a few more years yet.