The Newtown Library Gig.

I had a busy day yesterday. Well, a lot of people have busy days so don't waste too much time feeling sorry for me. The main focus of my day was always going to be playing at the Newtown library. I have practised long and hard for gigs like this, so I should have been ready. Unfortunately, my preparation had been slightly thrown off course by a late night on the previous day. But, hey, people come to hear you play; not to hear you make excuses!

I arrived in Newtown at about 6pm and had a quick chardonnay (okay, two) with my wife and daughter. The chardonnay was a bit of a mistake for two reasons:
1) I hadn't eaten much and felt a little light headed afterwards.
2) I was due to play in the library quite soon.

I arrived at the library and got my bass out. They have a nice little 'performance space' in the library, with seating for about thirty people. To my surprise, about twenty five people turned up. Daniel, the bassist from the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra, had come along and it was nice to catch up with him.
I played for fifty minutes. I wasn't totally relaxed, but I gave it everything I had. I started with a little intro in D minor and worked my way into Bill Bailey in G. I pulled out all the stops and remember feeling quite emotionally drained about fifteen minutes from the end. Overall I probably played okay, though I remember all the rough bits! The good thing about performing solos on the double bass is that you always have novelty value on your side and most people haven't listened to enough double bass music to be too critical. Afterwards people said nice things about my playing; well, they couldn't really say that they hated it!
One nice thing I heard was that one lady had cried through my rendition of Maria, Mari (I'm assuming it was tears of joy). A local artist was present and presented me with a sketch he had done during the performance. What a nice touch!

As usual, it was great to briefly catch up with my daughter. She presented Shelley with a Mothers' Day gift that included a portrait she had done. My mother was an artist, my great grandfather was an artist and my brother-in-law makes pottery plates that are definitely works of art. It is wonderful to see my daughter continuing this tradition with her superb work. Steph's painting is on the left and my mother's picture is on the right.