It's Day 2 and I'm feeling the pressure already. In between getting up early to write Day 1's blog, physio and client appointments I had sat down to a delicious bagel for lunch. Jolene said "Haven't you got a concert on now?" I looked at her dumbfounded. Oh crap, I did - The University of Waikato's Conservatorium of Music Students. I finished my mouthful, grabbed my iPad and skated out the door trying to look as graceful as possible while not dropping my new electronic text collecting mechanism.
The violin echoed sweet tales once told, as I plonked down in a booth. The audience was the kind that that appreciates good quality classical and they were rewarded with the musicians promising potential. I admit that my ears are not tuned to the intricacies of classics, but it was a great accompaniment to my typing.
That afternoon last minute work stuff cropped up. I was on the phone and trying not to burn my face with the hair straighteners. I scooted down The Strand with my festival pass entangled in my hair and partly strangling me. I tried to discreetly enter Tim Walker's concert in the Pacific Crystal Palace hoping to look undishevelled, yet I avoided my reflection in the mirror panelling afraid of what might be staring back at me.
Outfit: simple indigo dress
Shoes: patent nude wedges
I was greeted by Greg the director and delicious wafts creeping from the kitchen area summoning my now hungry puku. I had to wait until later. I found a lone booth and became its friend.
I had never heard of Tim Walker, but was pleasantly surprised as his acoustic session was the perfect partner to the sunny Friday afternoon. Folky feel good music that soothes and speaks directly to you. A voice gently lapping at the shore, assuring you that everything will be alright. The kind of music that you would want to curl up in a Lazy Boy, with candles and a good book. Tears lay in wait; they would no doubt perform in a solitary moment. His voice had definitely tapped me on my shoulder. This was yet another album I will need to purchase.
Next on the list of things to see was the dance performance Hullapolloi at Baycourt. I was a bit peckish so I purchased some Pringles. As I sat in the theatre snacking, I hoped the amplified crunching of the chips was only in my mind. The lights dimmed, the show began and I was thirsty. I had to wait. The performance opened my eyes to a new way that people express themselves creatively, the scenes extracted a delightful couple’s guffaw from a husband and wife in the crowd and the entire Lycra body suit costumes revealed the outlines of muscular figures and abs.
Then it was down to the Pacific Crystal Palace again for Antonio Forcione and Adriano Adewale’s Concert. My flatmate Amanda and I met and entered a more packed venue than the previous evening. We found the most perfect spot that was available and Amanda accidently came back from the bar with a bottle of wine and two glasses. I ordered a noodle box with prawns, as I didn’t want to have to be fireman carried out after the show.
As the first song engaged the audience with its beat we both agreed that if our friend Jenni were here, she’d be up dancing centre stage. The musicians took control of their instruments and unleashed melodies that played off each other, like childhood friends in the school yard. At times I was mesmerized, in a trance and carried off into the distance as their instruments conversed with each other. At one stage Amanda said that “The Palace’s red tent was the senorita dancing” as it gracefully billowed from above.
I fell in love with Forcione’s ‘Night Passage’, composed during a sleepless evening in Italy under the stars and was in awe of his type writer impersonation with the guitar. He really is a master at his game.
I sincerely recommend this show for the hypnotic music that I fell for and the entertaining relationship the musicians had with each other and with the audience. I plan to come back again tonight and Forcione has promised that “He’ll wear a different shirt.”
Antonio Forcione and Andriano Adewale’s last concert is on tonight at the Pacific Crystal Palace from 8:30pm. Tickets are well worth it for the experience - only $40.
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