We got to Wolftrap a little before they opened the "doors" (there were no doors) to allow us into the venue. While I waited at the handicapped entrance to the center, I spoke with a couple whose first encounter with GBS was a Mountain Stage show that Vic and I happened to be at. Their daughter lived in Raleigh, North Carolina and was also at the show, but they had come all the way from Missouri to see GBS at Wolftrap. What nice people! Nancy was there with hubby and her daughter this time and they were excited. There was also Bonnie, whom I had met at the Harrisburg show, with her two kids. They sat a few rows in front. Other familiar faces were seated all around, but I have no names to go with them. I missed Nadine, who had been at the Atlantic City Show. She was a constant at Wolf Trap for GBS until now. But it's hard to attend when you are thousands of miles away. I also missed Howard and Cheryl, but I had talked them into attending last night's show and they couldn't do this one.
They didn't allow access to the covered portion until 30 minutes before showtime, so we sat at the edge of the grassy area and chatted for a bit. I didn’t have to worry about a spot since we had assigned seats. The first time at Filene we were center stage but way back in the Loge section. For the Uprooted Tour, I think we were stage Alan/Murray near the front, but we were in the second row Stage Bob for the last time when they sang with the Saw Doctors. Lovely place to be. This time we were 10 rows back Stage Bob, but it's a heck of a lot closer than we would have been at home. LOL! We lucked into these tix. Thanks, Lynda!
Vic had brought his photo with him again tonight. We bought a new frame this morning and remounted it. He was wondering how he was going to get it up to the band. After the reserved seating area opened, he went over to the security people by the backstage access area and asked them if they would give it to Bob. They all knew who Bob was and told him that it'd be no problem. So finally, GBS got their photo of the Kalmar Nyckel, Delaware's tall ship. As we stood at our seats, Robin, Tom and Emma came up to introduce themselves. It was great to meet yet another wonderful GBS OKPer. *waves at Robin*
As the time to begin approached, I was surprised that the venue wasn't full. The last two times we were here, the venue was at capacity, about 7,000 people. It didn't look like anywhere near that tonight. I hope all the GBS fans who bought tickets knew they were going on first. That'd be a real bummer if they come for the second half to find out that GBS had already played. It was supposed to be a co-headline thing, which meant that both bands would get equal time, about 90 minutes.
Soon after 7:30, the Banks of Newfoundland blared out of the speakers. It was the first time I heard it as intro music. I wish they'd get Bob to sing it live and in person! When they were all out on stage, they very rapidly launched into Love Me Tonight and immediately the row in front of us stood up. They had announced their intentions early about standing up no matter who liked it or didn't. I could see I wasn't going to see much this evening. The people behind us were distressed that they couldn't see while sitting and yelled at the row to sit down several times. They left after the third song, disgusted about not being able to see. I knew how they felt, but understood the need to get up and I did stand for a few songs. I gotta stand for When I'm Up, Lukey, Ordinary Day, Old Black Rum. I don't have to stand for anything else. I got on the soapbox about fans standing when I wrote the Philly Folk Festival Review. I will reiterate my editorial comments:
There has been a lot of discussion in the Online Kitchen Party (OKP) over at the GBS website surrounding the question of “How can people sit during a GBS show?” Well, some people prefer to sit and some are medically unable to stand. I myself would like the opportunity to stand, but know that my feet, knees and back will not allow me to stand the whole show. I stood because I had to for most of my first GBS show and sat thru the next two by choice. Then came the years of standing and bouncing round at the front and now I’m back to sitting. I can still enjoy the show just as well as when standing. It’s all your state of mind. It’s all about the music. Isn't it? |
