I had my 15 minutes (more like 5 minutes) of fame today right here in St. John's! Believe it or not, I addressed the Mayor and Council at their meeting in City Hall! Lillian called after I got back from Signal Hill and asked me to speak before a group, telling them about Atlantic Fest. She seemed to think that someone from Philadelphia, explaining that she had come up to help and see the Festival for vacation, would go over better than she or Jim speaking.
So I put on the fancy blouse I had brought with me and trekked off to City Hall, a bit nervous. I was not the only one addressing Council in their chambers tonight - the recreation department had a slew of kids receiving awards from the Mayor for one reason or another. I was told where the press was sitting, so I could hand them brochures for the Festival. Lillian did a great job on them and they even had a schedule for all the nights in all the venues. I was supposed to be last, so I settled in a comfortable chair and wrote a few notes. Council was late arriving from their caucus meetings, and I was surprised when the person in charge of making things flow, told me to get up and stand beside the Mayor.
I was so surprised to be going first, I didn't have TIME to get nervous. I shook hands with His Honour Andy Wells and he welcomed me warmly. I surprised him by stating it was not my first time in St. John's and went on to talk about AtlanticFest 2006, which was starting in 3 days. I forgot about the TV cameras as I used my pick-someone-out-of-the-crowd-to-speak-to trick that I use at church when I have to sing solo. Worked like a charm!
I felt that I represented Jim and Lillian well and went 'home' happy. I got even happier when I found out that Jackie Sullivan was coming over to record a version of her song Oceans Wide that Vic loves so much. We had both heard it on the ROAR podcast and loved it. She had written it for her fiance who works in the oil industry and was gone for weeks at a time. She was getting married the week after the Festival and wanted to surprise her beloved by playing the song on the CD player for their first dance as husband and wife.
I was quiet as a mouse as they set levels and recorded the sweetest song I'd heard in a long time. I had tears in my eyes as she finished the song, thinking about sending my love 2000 miles home to Vic. *sigh* I guess I didn't realize how much I was missing him! If I can get ahold of Jackie, I will ask to publish the words to the website, as it's not released on a CD yet.
We talked about duties for the week after supper (a tasty roast) and made plans to deliver brochures to hotels, B & B's and the Tourist Cart on Water Street tomorrow as well as picking up samples of the Festival T-shirts. I never did see myself on TV, but I hope I made a positive impact. Sleep was very welcome and I went to bed early for a change.
Tuesday, August 8th
What a beautiful day! Windy, as usual, and very sunny and warm. Perfect for the chores we have to do. I got to talk to Vic on the phone and told him about my TV stint. Turns out now we've BOTH been on Newfoundland TV! He told me he was on when he was doing communications for the Targa Newfoundland Road Rally a few years ago. I called my father-in-law to wish him a Happy Birthday. Vic and Len were taking him out to dinner later.
Jim and I chatted about Great Big Sea, past and present, and somethings he'd like to see happen with them. We talked about accordionists and bodhran players in Newfoundland, about mics on bodhrans and using your hand to change the tone of the drum.
Jim had to be down at Bridie's for a Rogers Cable TV shoot to advertise AtlanticFest 2006 in two or three spots on the TV channel. Mike Hanrahan and Jackie Sullivan were going to play a song each for their spots and Jim was interviewed. I had a ball taking photos of the TV shoot! Lillian joined us later after her lunch date with her Mom & nephew.
I couldn't believe how much went into the TV spot before any film was shot! Lighting had to be just right, questions had to be asked and answered ahead of time, spots set for performance, performers rehearsing their songs and sound levels adjusted for each performer. The TV guys deferred to Jim for the sound levels - hard to argue with the expert! LOL! |
