07-15-23 A Galactic Mess
The most important part of my job is keeping the performers happy, or rather, keeping my crew happy, or rather keeping the audience happy… Today was not without its tests but I think overall… mission accomplished. One of my stages had technical difficulties getting going and started 45 minutes late. Poor Tennyson King duo were left standing on stage waiting on the tech. The great thing is that we had them play for our Peak Music Fest last summer in Cranbrook and I bought a tank with Tennyson’s face on it and wore it today. When things were dragging out and some people started to get up to wander away I stepped in front of the stage and told everyone we were sorry but they should stay as I liked these performers so much that I bought the shirt. People laughed and sat down again and I know enjoyed the show. Tennyson insisted on pics with me and a selfie with him and his band mate.
I came up with a platform yesterday and was happy to be at the stage to see it in use. Unfortunately, the reason I was at that stage was to send the Sound Tech home as he was very sick but wanted so desperately to be there. I felt sorry for Norm and assured him I had it covered and if he was well enough tomorrow that he should come back. Tom, the twin brother of one of the VIP hosts, Jan and his friend Roland who are both highly qualified, stepped up to take the stage over. Such a blessing!
On the way back from there I was thrilled to get the chance to see two of my regular volunteers perform, Jemma Hicken with Daniel Tucker. I jumped out of my cart and took a moment to let the audience know that Jemma stage managed Woodland Stage last year where she was now performing. She told the audience that she had begun volunteering when she was 15 and the crowd cheered
I found myself, amidst all the little fires I had to put out (not literally), able to catch small snippets of the people that I know personally or follow. Liam Docherty is a gifted young man who is being produced by Doug Cox and I was so thrilled to hear him live as I have been following his career. He is a sweet young man.
While I was at the Grassy Knoll I was thrilled to catch up with Ash who volunteered previously. She also is an awesome and powerful young person
Next up for a quick listen was Lindsay Beaver and Brad Stivers from Texas. They have performed with a band at two previous Fests and it was a thrill to catch up with Lindsay.
Doug Biggs was doing his usual great job at Grassy Knoll stage and the crew rocked!
Back at Crossroads, the lovely human that is Roy Forbes sat for an interview with Holger Peterson for CBC. Roy is blind now and I have so enjoyed chatting with him and his wife Lydia and making sure they are transported around the grounds as needed. They truly are the definition of a sweet couple. Later in the day as I was supervising the shutting down of the outer stages it was lovely to listen to him performing on the concert bowl stage.
Meanwhile, back at the barn, I was not always happy to find things were not running smoothly. This was in great part due to someone who rented gear to the fest and then insisted that they be the ones to handle it. Brian was constantly usurping the power of the stage manager and I had to wrangle that stage constantly, or so it felt. Fortunately, my stage manager is Eli, a most lovely human being and my whole crew stayed calm and patient as they were being treated, not as kindly by some of the paid staff. Tomorrow will be a very different day. It was lovely to see the McKenty family performing as The Awakeneers on that stage as they are usually the stage crew along with brother Eli.
Also great to see Daniel Lapp again since he was last in Cranbrook, performing with two others as Lappelectro.
I loved bringing Polky from one stage to another. I had a beautiful woman in Polish headwear and a white dress standing on the back of my cart and ahead of me the stand up bass player accompanied by cymbal played us along through the forest.
Ricki Lee Jones is a Goddess. She proved to be the most down to earth, wonderful human, even taking time to sign a few autographs before stepping on stage. She was truly mesmerizing in a, I would love to have a glass of wine and chat with her, kind of way
The crowd showed their appreciation
I did not really look after myself today and finally had ’breakfast’ sometime after 3. And then lunch sometime after that and finally after all outer stages were cleared and only the Concert Bowl Stage was rocking, I wandered out and got a most delicious chicken kebab and rice that I wish I could make at home! The vendor even purposely skipped past the tip button when he found out what my position was here, so sweet.
I have been trying to be sure to take crew shots. Not only do I want to remember the fun but it will help me to remember everyone when I go to schedule next year.
Little fires everywhere, all extinguished
Footnote: The reason for the title is that the road manager for Galactic is a major asshat and he was extremely disrespectful to me and my crew. I have never seen Doug Cox dress someone down so completely. It was incredible. He actually said that he would have no problem announcing to the audience that they would not be playing tonight. I was there to witness it and I did enjoy it.
triumphgal 