Lunasa!

[pbray]

Just got back from seeing Lunasa perform at the Night Eagle Cafe in Binghamton. It was a fantastic show and we had great seats right by the stage. And when I say right by the stage, I mean that I could have handed Kevin Crawford a bottle of water without leaving my seat.

The Night Eagle is a small venue--the firecode says it can hold 200 people, but they had tables and chairs set up for about 160. Having ordered tickets as soon as they went on sale, we'd scored table number 4, at the front left corner of the stage. I could read the playlists, and marvel over the skills of the musicians as I watched their fingers fly.

I still can't figure out how Ken at the Night Eagle is able to convince so many world class musicians to come to Binghamton, and perform in such an intimate setting. The ticket prices aren't outrageous, and the money the cafe makes by selling coffee, tea and desserts can't be enough to cover his rent, and yet somehow, he gets one great group after another.

The doors opened at 7:30, and as we came in the band was sitting in the back, finishing up pizzas and salads that had been brought in for them. When it was time to perform they simply stood up and made their way through seating area to reach the small stage. Typical Night Eagle style--it doesn't feel like a concert, it feels like hanging out and watching friends perform.

We had a great time, and at the end I was able to say thanks to Kevin Crawford for a lovely show. I'm still beaming.

Comments

[fireun.livejournal.com]

that sounds awesome!
glad you had fun!

[mcurry.livejournal.com]

Sitting that close to Kevin Crawford can be risky, unless you're prepared to have him randomly hand you a few grand worth of flutes and whistles to hold for a bit, which is what happened to the people sitting next to us when arcaedia, matociquala and I saw Lúnasa last week (http://www.of2minds.org/otm/2008/03/04/lunasa-at-the-iron-horse/).

Glad you had such a grand time!

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I was a tad worried that his enthusiastic foot stomping would collapse the stage thus landing Kevin, instruments and all in our laps. Fortunately the stage appears to have been reinforced since the last time I was there.

[jennifer-dunne.livejournal.com]

And what Tricia missed at the break because she was back at the refreshment counter was Kevin leaning on our table, and asking us how we were enjoying the show so far. :-)

I was fond of the fact that he stepped off stage, away from the mikes, and stood next to our table as he cheerfully sang along to the bass line, his eyes closed in the pure bliss that can only come from singing, "Bum bum bum bum BUM bum bu-dum BUM"