Wed. Oct. 28: The Ladies that Like to Folk kick-off show @ Jeffrey’s Café and Wine Bar.

Well, what can I say, things got off to a good start. Amy and Sidney pulled into town and we picked up right were we left off this summer. We ate lasagna at my ‘rents’ house and were joined by one of my mother’s long time friends, Helen. I have since claimed her as one of my fans, but that is an entirely separate story. We talked a bit about her newfound hobby of “ceramics” since she has retired. I thought I was offering some encouragement when I suggested that maybe it wasn’t just a hobby but perhaps a new career direction. Helen laughingly replied, “well, you can hardly call it a career if you don’t make any money off of it.” The three ladies across the table stopped in silence and awkwardly offered comforting smiles to each other. It was the Miss Sidney York who broke the silence with a very convincing, “Since when?” Amen sister, amen.

After the hearty meal, we drove down to Jeffrey’s where we were greeted by the always friendly and hospital staff. The patrons, family member, friends, and fans of the three “Ladies that Like to Folk” flooded in and by 8:30 we had started the show. The show was a success. A special thanks to the incredibly attentive staff, also, a special stop in from AFA’s Al Chapman was a nice surprise. I unfortunately missed him before he snuck out, but greatly appreciate that he came straight from the airport to check out the show! It was nice to see some local Edmonton musicians come out to support us as well. I don’t want to namedrop in fear I might embarrass them, but a musician or two from two of my favorite Edmonton Local Edmonton bands stopped in, you know who you are. Also, to all those new and returning spectators, thank you once again for supporting live music. Thanks for giving our music a chance.

When we returned home, Sidney and Amy were excited to see that they had matching beds that ‘momma bird” so graciously coordinated for their first sleep on tour. And for some, their first sleep as a homeless person, cough, Sidney, cough (you probably shouldn’t get used to it…I’ve got a box you can use for the rest of the tour). I have to admit I had a restless sleep that night. I had yet to pack for the tour, and was stressing about the expiry date on my passport, but I was sure it would all come together the next day…

Thursday, Oct. 29: The Ladies that Like to Folk Live from Lloydminster Alberta…. I mean Saskatchewan….

So after I realized my passport wasn’t going to expire, I managed to throw some clothes in a bag, gather my gig equipment and get ready to head off. I have to give Sidney and Amy props. While I ran around like a mad women gathering my stuff last minute they managed to fit 1 performance amp, three mic stands, 3 suitcases, 3 laptop bags, my school bag, 3 guitars, 1 large merchandise duffle bag, 1 gig bag, a cooler, bedding and Sidney’s tour mascot all in to the tour bus, a.k.a., the Honda Civic. Not to mention, they still left enough room for three healthy women.

The ride to Lloyd was pleasant. We got to catch up with each other and what was happening in each other’s careers. Sidney just recently got a gig at the Olympics, Amy was busy working on her debut album, and I, well, was thinking I was coming down with HINI in the back seat. However, I’m pretty sure it was a false alarm because I felt rejuvenated after we pulled in at the Vermillion truck stop.

Three hours later we were at Sidney’s brother and sister-in-law’s place. We heard they were getting ready to welcome their first child, and we thought the right thing to do would be to give them a little hands-on-experience before the baby actually arrives. I mean what is closer to taking care of a newborn child than Sidney, Amy, and myself? Sidney doesn’t know how to take care of herself, so lesson #1 was to feed us a nutritious meal. Lesson #2: I am literally not able to feed myself, so after dumping lasagna on the floor, and getting wine on the table, they had a good taste of what it will take to clean up after their new infant. And Lesson 3: Amy is a vegetarian, and let’s be honest babies can’t eat steak dinners for a while, so you’ll be preparing more then one dish for quite sometime…(Just kidding…thanks for the hospitality, we had a blast…and the meal was amazing. Once again, sorry for the wee bit of lasagna on the carpet, I am working on my serving skills.)

The show in Lloyd was amazing! Besides the fact, that in my rush to pack I forgot a guitar strap. However, Kaley Bird is not one to let that stop her. I have since been using a shoelace in its place. Thanks to the massive amounts of Sidney’s Family that came out to represent (Sidney made a comment that it looked like a family Christmas
dinner), as well, a special shout out to Rob and Charlotte!! I would say the show went seamlessly…. except that I stole Carmen’s (the lovely lady who booked us) purse on the way out. In my defense, it was completely accidental. It was lumped in with the rest of our stuff and I thought it was Amy’s. Carmen came running out when she realized I had taken it, and retrieved the purse. She understood that it was an accident and said there was no harm done. I wasn’t sure how understanding she would be when I later found that I had accidently grabbed her sweater as well. (Carmen’s belongings have since been returned and she has reassured me that she won’t hold it against me…. thanks Carmen!)

Friday, Oct. 30: Gig Numero 3, Ladies that Like to Folk @ The Lady of the Lake, Brandon, MB.

I started the drive from Lloyd that morning, and was ready to hit the road with a coffee and a bagel. It’s a nine-hour drive to Brandon from Lloyd, so we decided to split the driving evenly. Amy took the 2nd shift of driving and did great considering she has never driven stick before this tour! She only stalled 3 times! I would also like to give an honorable mention to the lovely Sidney York, who I swear has the most efficient bladder of all time. We stopped three times in the 9-hour drive, all three times because Amy or myself needed to use a restroom. I don’t know how it’s possible, but if the music thing doesn’t work out she could definitely be a trucker.

The show at the Lady of the Lake was a blast, as it always is. Highlights included our surprise guest and good friend of mine Scott Cook who played an incredible set between our “Ladies that Like to Folk” antics. Amy showcased her beat boxing skills, while Sidney and I shocked and awed the crowd when we unleashed our rapping skills. We are seriously thinking of switching genres to hip-hop. Maybe we’d make more money if we hopped around on stage in booty shorts while we sang. Jk. The evening was topped off by a surprise dance routine of a local dance troop. They came in dressed like Zombies and did a choreographed dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. Very fitting as it was the day before Halloween.

Thanks again to everyone @ Lady of the Lake for their excellent hospitality and amazing food!

Saturday, Oct. 31: Off to Winnipeg.

We got off to a little rocky start as our alarm didn’t go off in the morning and we were a little late on route to Winnipeg. Although it’s only about a 2 and a half hour drive from Brandon, we needed to be at The Mondragon by 11:30 am because we were doing an afternoon show. Something had to be sacrificed, so without adequate time to get ready, we each put on a hat, got dressed and headed to Winnipeg. After taking turns doing make-up in the car, we got to the Mondragon on time! Alex McGowan did an awesome job opening for us! We really enjoyed his tunes. And if you are in Winnipeg on Nov. 12, he is having a free show to celebrate the release of his new album. You should check it out, there’s no excuse why you shouldn’t…It’s Free!!

The show went really well. Some highlights included the bearded lady who was serving everyone, meeting the paper bag princess, and the man who came in to offer us spatulas to scrape our audience off the walls once we were finished playing. I think he was referencing something similar to when metal heads shred and “melt” people’s faces off…so perhaps this was in relation to folk performers. However, I have never heard of this before and I was mostly just confused.

Overall the show was a success!! After we finished playing our show to the very attentive crowd, filled with some new and some familiar faces, the Mondragon was kind enough to serve us an awesome meal from their entirely vegan menu. I had the twister wrap and their soup of the day (amazing) and Amy and Sidney both had the dragon bowl, I know their thoughts were the same.

We then headed back to Sidney’s friend Shelley’s place. Shelley as well as her two roommates also came to the show. Thanks Shelley, Tiffany and Jocelyn!! You’re the best. It was nice to unwind and just relax when we got back, however that didn’t last long as I had to work on some schoolwork (Arts and Cultural Management courses I am completing by correspondence). However later that night, Sidney got some exciting news, her brother and sister-in-law (whom we stayed with in Lloyd. A few days prior) were in the hospital and getting ready to give birth to their first daughter! Congratulations!