Dan Mangan at Schuba's

First off, let me say that the beer tonight was delicious. And, in the interest of re-hydrating before bed, I am taking the time to blog a bit.

CG drove us home from Schuba's tonight, and on the drive, we three reflected on how we live in a big city but perhaps do not take good enough advantage of that. I admit: Conrad and I are old marrieds. We have a cozy life of dinner at home and a bottle of wine. It suits us.

But by gosh was it fun to get out tonight.

Dan Mangan was playing at Schuba's. Never been to that bar/venue before, and now I'm keen to go back. An intimate space for music, and - a happy addition to the evening - Conrad and I had an enjoyable dinner out on the sidewalk. Grilled pork chops, a bottle of modest Chardonnay at half price. Nice weather as a backdrop. Oh, and isn't that Dan Mangan sitting over there (pale blue t-shirt, on the left)?

Sorry, I'm such a fanboy, I know. Look, I like his music. A lot. Giuseppe introduced me to him last year (almost a year ago!) in conversation over a good lunch together in Vancouver. That is why Giuseppe is so totally A-list for the wedding. I've listened to >Nice Nice Very Nice so very much since, and I've tried to indoctrinate friends, too. During the Olympics, we dragged Brian and Conrad to a show at the Yaletown Roundhouse, and though the act that preceded him was, well, dreadful, it was so worthwhile.

And now tonight, there he was, a small room, not many people, and a good set. He opened with Sold,
closed with Robots, and encored with So Much for Everyone. Perfection would have meant playing Pine for Cedars, but I'll cut him slack since he wasn't the headliner. Still, how great was it? He was funny. He was cute. He and his band came down to do the last two songs acoustically in the middle of the room. The four of us chatted with him before the show, and then I stole a few words with him after the show as I picked up something for TK (TK, pretend you didn't read that) at the merchandise table.

And CG said he sounded Canadian.

:-)

So I sit here, having enjoyed beers during the show, high on the concert, looking toward Hawaii on Saturday, and I have to think how terrific my life is at this very moment. Now then, when can we see Dan Mangan again, and how do I convince the rest of you to go out and try his music?

A fine night, and the capper? He complimented me on me Camp Mangan t-shirt.


Peter, a giddy and girly fanboy this evening. Yep, no two ways about it...

15 things (and one bonus)

15 things that made for such an amazing, wonderful, memorable, delightful Olympics week in Vancouver. And an honourable mention.

1. My sister. Hostess to many MKs over the course of the weekend (and an MK herself, oddly). Shopping companion. Dining mate. Hockey connoisseur. I don't think I show her enough appreciation.

2. Other family - a nice lunch of dim sum with my brother Carlos. I'm sorry Mark couldn't make it. I'm sorry we didn't get up the coast. I apologize a lot for something that was a good time, I know. Sorry.

3. Chris. Read his blog already! Also, he'll kill me, but I will set him up with anyone who meets my exacting standards for awesome enough to be his match.

4. Brian and Giuseppe. We love these guys no end, and we're glad we get Chicago and Vancouver time with them. Bonus points to Brian for his past Olympics experiences to share with us. Bonus points to Giuseppe for introducing me to Dan Mangan's stuff and then for being so adorkably tongue tied around the man.

5. Dan Mangan.
OK, I wasn't wild about the woman who was on before him (OK, I was so unenthralled as to sit reading the Globe and Mail - a TORONTO newspaper, for crying out loud! - on my iPhone while I prayed for her to be done her set), but the man put on an awesome show. Among many wonderful moments, I loved that he halted "Pine for Cedars" to tell us how, when he was touring Australia, he had to explain the lyric about winning a home in a hospital lottery. So BC. Love him.

6. This sweater on me. I never said I wasn't shallow.

7. This scarf on me. In fact, I'm very very shallow.

8. Coffee at Safari. If I can't have a flat white, then this will do nicely, though I realize I forgot to go to the place Janet recommended. In May, when we return.

9. Seeing Canada's first gold medal on home soil - EVER! - draped around Alexandre Bilodeau's neck, and having tears running down my cheeks during O Canada.

10. Getting to dress in Swedish drag and be a Svenska fan for one hockey game.

11. The First Nations presence around the Games (photo from the Coast Salish carvers in a house at the Art Gallery). Wonderful, special. I've commented already. Conrad and I ended up buying a print from the Edzerza Gallery to keep in our Vancouver home. I'm stunned that Alano Edzerza designed the really cool Netherlands uniforms. Wow.

12. Curling. Never really played it, still love it. How can you not love a sport that opens sessions with a round of bagpipes?




13. The houses and pavilions. Best by far was Canada's Northern House, but I think I actually liked Maison du Quebec most for its entertainment and proximity, its' blue glow at night.

14. Vancouver in the spring sunshine. Yes, it was spring. Yes, I am still bitter about being back in wintry Chicago.

15. Sharing in it all with this man. My Valentine the night of the photo, but so much more, and every single day. Thanks SB!


Honourable mention (no photo): meeting Mark and Maureen, even fleetingly. Marie may be the one hosting people, but I felt more than a little pleased at having been able to lend our condo for one night to the brother and sister-in-law of a good friend. I hope they enjoyed their Olympics experience and greatly!

Dan Mangan rocks

No, really, he does. And strums. And sings. And jokes.

(This was cute: how many flies does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Two, but how do they get in there in the first place?)

We just spent 4+ hours at the Yaletown Roundhouse. I have a cold bearing down on me. We're tired and trying not to be cranky. So, a quick post, a hasty good night, and a focus on the positive: Dan Mangan was great.

Do yourself a favour and check his stuff out.

Night!