Posted on Mar 18, 2011 at 09:50 AM
Ok, I (Jennb) admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect at the River’s Edge Restaurant at the Dunnville Golf & Country Club. NF has camped just outside of Dunnville for several years running, and I kind of picture a fairly quiet, sleepy little town as it is in the summer.
The afternoon got off to an unexpectedly lovely start as Jen S’s friend, and a nodding acquaintance of many years, from various shows we’ve all been at, Steph Campbell, offered to host us for a couple of hours at Cricket Lane Equestrian. Steph and Jordan were terrific hosts, (Steph spoiled us!) and a tour of the farm, a chance to see the beautiful work they’ve done converting an old industrial chicken farm into a gorgeous indoor jousting arena and a chance to meet their beautiful horses in person was a fun way to spend an afternoon, even if Shannon did get nibbled a little. Watching Steph play ‘Got your nose!’ with one of these giant babies was highly entertaining! We now know what we’ll be doing for Shannon’s birthday this year! Grown-up pony party!
We got to the venue, minus Christine, who was to join us later with Kevin, our photographer for the evening, to find a completely sold out house, and a dining room jammed to the rafters with people. Lacie and the staff at River’s Edge were very gracious, had a Nero’s Fiddle lounge area set up for us (very much appreciated) so we had a comfortable place to warm up, but still no Christine!
Kev and Christine, it seems, were relying on Google Maps to get them there, and JennB forgot to mention that Google is a little fuzzy on the exact location and names of many roads in the area, and that there are, in fact, TWO Haldimand Roads, one on either side of the Grand River. A ‘Who’s on First’ comedy ensued as Jenn tried to talk Kevin in for a landing, with perfect driving directions to travel on Haldimand Road, parallel to the river, with the river on the left. Would have worked perfectly, except they were on the wrong side of the river. Kev and Christine now know a lot more of the Niagara Peninsula than they did two days ago, but eventually found us.
The show itself was more fun than I’ve had at a show in a while. As much as we love our Faire audiences, it’s sometimes nice to switch out of our comfort zone, and play to a crowd that hasn’t already ‘been there, done that’. I was worried that a Country Club crowd would run us out of town on a rail. Not at all! We were un-mic’d, which while it makes it tough to project out over a room full of bodies, gives us the freedom to leave the stage and actually play with the audience. The audience responded by being rowdy and fun, stomping, clapping and singing along! Many CDs were sold, and in the end we were kissed goodnight by many more audience members than we’re used to! Overall, an incredibly friendly crowd, and we’d love to get back down that way again.
Delivering Steph home at the end of the evening, Jenn was sharply reminded that she was back home on the Peninsula when a half dozen deer darted out of the woods on the shoulder, right in front of van traveling at 85km/h giving her the opportunity to test the brakes on the new mini-van on our maiden voyage together. No deer were killed, and the van was not totaled, however there is new white hair this morning.
For a nightcap, JenS hit a bunny on the way home, thus ensuring no Easter eggs in her house this year.
Thanks again, Dunnville!
Stay tuned! Two weeks to Brampton show with the Chinguacousy Swing Orchestra