A LOVE LETTER TO HAMILTON - November 10, 2011
Light of Day FundraiserThis Ain’t Hollywood 345 James Street North
I moved away a couple of months ago. Leaving this City, where I have lived for 23 beautiful years, I am now living in Kingston. And, Kingston, well, it’s a different kind of beat. It’s been a nice change, and a new experience. I was home this past weekend, though, and have reaffirmed one thing - there is nothing that will ever make me feel the way that you do, Hamilton.
Initially, I had planned to come home when I found out that Sam Roberts and Rural Alberta Advantage would be in town. A few weeks after buying tickets, I found out about the Light of Day fundraiser that This Ain’t Hollywood was hosting on November 10th. This show is part of a concert series raising money for research and support for patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. And it is this concert that reminded me of everything that I miss about Hamilton; of everything about Hamilton that I bring with me everywhere I go; and of everything that any other place will fail to live up to.
The special thing about This Ain’t Hollywood is that it’s a microcosm of Hamilton. The people that go there vary in age and style, and everyone comes together to enjoy whatever music is playing. From the Joe Strummer tribute that I went to earlier this year to the first time Kristin and I saw Hollerado and their confetti cannons a couple of years back, This Ain’t Hollywood is the venue where everyone is welcome. I cannot get over how happy I was to be there this weekend. It has become inextricable to my idea of Hamilton.
Walking into This Ain’t Hollywood, Honourary Tour Mate Bre and I claimed our territory close to the stage and got set to watch the show. Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan began and, once they took that stage, they sounded like true Springsteen brethren. They pounded out their set, and it was a pure joy to listen to their music and watch them play. Willie Nile joined the band and, as a legendary American songwriter that I have hitherto been unaware of, it was a great introduction. “Cell Phones Ringing in the Pockets of the Dead” has been in my head for the past week. Ending with a rendition of the Stones’ “Satisfaction,” it was a rockin’ set full of sweat and energy. Again, This Ain’t Hollywood gave me an impressive introduction to new-to-me artists.
After a short break, however, the first of the bands that I had come there to see took the stage. The Peter Elkas Band, with a number of impressive keyboard solos and saxophone interludes, played “Anticipation” and “Cruel Thing to Do” with heart. Encouraged to “yah” and “woo,” you could tell that the crowd loved the climate and the band. Oh, and I must say, that if my future husband is not similar to Peter Elkas in every way, I will be incredibly disappointed.
Once the Band left the stage, Joel Plaskett joined Elkas to play an impassioned set. Starting with “A Million Dollars,” the duo didn’t lose steam for over an hour. Having been at CBC earlier in the day, Plaskett played a “Fashionable People” version that he taped for a kids’ show that morning. Playing the track over his iPod and mimicking the dress-up bits as the song played, well, suffice it to say, I will be waking up at 7am on January 2nd 2012 to watch Plaskett in action on the CBC. It was definitely a highlight, but the rest of the show was just as amazing. I had seen Plaskett earlier this year with the Emergency at The Studio in Hamilton Place. Although that was also a great show, this night in this venue was complete perfection.
Inviting The Band and Joe D’Urso back up to the stage, they hammered out an amazing “Bobby Jean” cover (thankfully someone taped it, so check it out here). Joined by Willie Nile, Vincent Pastore encouraged everyone to play along to Van Morrison’s “Gloria.” And, throughout this last song, I couldn’t help but watch Plaskett. With a jam-packed stage and everyone shouting out G-L-O-R-I-A, he nonchalantly leaned on the wall to the right and strummed his guitar.
Having to leave before local favourites The Dinner Belles took the stage, I’m sure that they played a great show and hope to see them the next time that I’m in town.
Suffice it to say, I had little voice for the entire weekend that I was home. I enjoyed the folk that I was around, dug the tunes, and sang my little heart out. Plaskett has been a musical godsend while I’ve been in Kingston. His music has pushed me forward in my graduate work, and reminded me of what I’ve come here to do. He’s motivated me when I’ve felt lonely, and encouraged me to enjoy my independence. “On the Rail” has become my theme song, and listening to Plaskett explain how it was written made it all the more prevalent to where I am in my own life. It’s about leaving loved ones, about new things, about change, and about getting ready to accomplish something huge.
That, right there, is where I am at. Music is probably the only thing that can really do that for me, and remind me of who I am and where I want to be. And, being in Hamilton at This Ain’t Hollywood watching Plaskett, well, it just brought everything together. It made everything more possible, more tangible, and more real.
Active Tour member or not, it is this Hamilton, the one that I take with me and the one that pushes me forward, that remains in my heart.
Xoxo Carly.
P.S. Be awesome and click here to donate to Light of Day.
