Super-close encounter with Diana Krall
Diana Krall back of Quiet Nights program
To the song of “The Boy from Ipanema”
“…Tall and (not so) tan and young and handsome
The girl from Na-nai-mo goes walking
And when she passes
Each fan she passes goes – ah
When she walks
She’s like samba
That swings so cool and sways so gentle
That when she passes each fan
She passes goes – ah
Ooh, but I watch her so sadly …”
Why sadly?
Well… I thought it would be nice for Ryon to quickly say hi to his cousin and have a quick pic before she ran off to her other engagements.
Cousin of Diana Krall?
I didn’t buy that either when I first met Ryon awhile back working in Downtown.
And no, she doesn’t know they’re related.
Don’t ask me, ask Ryon on how he’s related to her.
Apparently third cousin, something to do with his mom’s side.
I was so happy to see her live performance in person finally in Vancouver!
Diana is hilarious! I couldn’t believe that she’s a big Canuck’s fan, too.
“…I was ready to paint my toenails with the Canucks logo…”
I was blown away by the VSO orchestra, Anthony Wilson on guitar, Jeff Hamilton on drums, Robert Hurst on bass.
“Are you in a rush?” Ryon asked as we sat in our seats while the rest of the audience was filing out the door.
“No why? Hey, I wanna go buy a program and get her autograph.
OMG, let’s get a picture of you two together to send to your grandma!”
One of the ushers asked us to finally leave, and I asked if she was going to sign CDs after.
We learned that she was going off to a couple of galas right after the performance, so it was going to be unlikely that she’ll sign stuff.
At the merchandise stand, I was a little disappointed that her signed programs were sold out.
Darn…
I thought why not stand outside the stage doors?
There were about 20 people already waiting outside by the stage doors, and we were informed by crew to stay out of the way while they were packing equipment.
Minutes passed, and a crew member told us that she would likely be out in 40 minute- 1 hour.
10 people left.
I asked Ryon, “Are you sure you want to wait?”
20 minutes pass, 5 more people left.
We stood in between the stage entrance and the entrance by Seymour.
I saw a black car rental waiting by the Seymour entrance and I thought, hm I wonder which side she will exit.
This young lady with us was so excited that earlier when Anthony Wilson and Jeff Hamilton signed her CD.
We chatted, and suddenly she said,
“THERE SHE IS!”
I think I need to take lessons in running in heels…
She tore down that half-block to the entrance Diana Krall and Elvis Costello like a maniac.
Ryon and I hustled over, and we waited patiently right beside the young lady.
Aw, Diana was so nice- she signed her CD and took a picture with her.
I stepped up to the plate, then
WHOOSH!
Into the car she went.
!!!
One autograph and one picture…
We were next, and she was gone.
My heart hasn’t sunk since the security guard deleted the majority of my photos during the Michael Buble concert in 2008. (See recovered photos here >)
Sigh…
So close.
gah!
Ice ice bunny
For Alice’s birthday last month, I decided that it would be nice for her to tag along with Simon, Eva and I to see Bugs Bunny on Broadway at the Orpheum.
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra was spectacular as usual and I found the guest conductor really entertaining. Eva and I giggled as the conductor looked like he was jumping while he was conducting with Looney Toons and Bugs Bunny cartoons played on screen as the orchestra performed along.
The conductor talked to the audience a lot, sharing very interesting tidbits about the history of Bugs Bunny and other things related. It’s sad to learn that of course not everything was recorded and archived properly when Bugs Bunny was starting out.
Compare those times to today, where we’ve got everyone posting EVERYTHING imaginable on YouTube and all over the internet…
A lot of the material for this traveling show had to be dug deep out of unproper archives like closets and old storage units. (Which reminds me, I should keep digitally scanned copies of my ticket stubs to all the shows I’ve been to… darn Ticketmaster tickets fade out so fast!!!).
The conductor and his team tried to find the proper credits for the voice of the singing frog as part of “ONE FROGGY EVENING” (1955). Everyone laughed as he asked the audience: “If you are related to the voice of the singing frog, would you please write to us and let us know.”
The first act was closed off with the hilarious performance of “The Rabbit of Seville” (1950). Alice and I are still trying to remember what I was humming along as Bugs Bunny built a fruit and vegetable salad upon Elmer Fudd’s head.
The conductor then opened up the second act with a heart-warming story:
Because of the past few days of uncooperative cold weather, many flights across many airports of North America have been cancelled and of course people were stuck at these airports. Also there are a lot of undelivered bags at the wrong airports because of these weather-related delays.
For the travelling team these bags contained their suites, vital instruments and musical equipment needed for the three performances at the Orpheum on Sunday and Monday.
The conductor was so worried that they might not be able to do the shows in Vancouver until one airline employee took action and went through the pile of a thousand un-delivered luggage at their connecting airport in Seattle. The audience clapped as the conductor said thanks and shared his gratitude with Ms Taka, who helped the team recover their instruments.
The whole night was hilarious, and the performance went by so fast.
I can’t wait for “next” year.
Apparently this year was the last year for “Bugs Bunny on Broadway”.
The next one in the new future, which is currently being put together.
The conductor let us in the the next working title, “bugs bunny in cinema?
I think… something to do with film scoring….
A bite at Red Robins was had and we all set off our way.
With the temperature dropping, the roads became ice rinks overnight…
I was waiting for my bus, but I took another route after waiting for half an hour because apparently the past 3 buses had not shown up yet.
Brr, let’s just hope New Year’s Eve and Day will have safer conditions so we can head out to celebrate.
