I began yesterday with a hike up the Grind and did alright. I wasn’t terribly energetic so I took it easy, falling in behind an accountant-looking dude who was doing a reasonable pace. It was a bit of a muppet show on a Saturday morning so I’m glad I hit it early.
On the way home I stopped by Red Cat Records on Main to pick up some tickets to see Sunny Day Real Estate who’ve gotten back together after splitting up in 2000. One of the first shows I saw when I moved to Vancouver was Sunny Day and I was hoping to see them once more. Unfortunately they broke up and I thought that I wouldn’t have the opportunity ever again.
After Red Cat I met up with Chris and Rachel to wander through Gastown and check out the jazz festival. It’s been great to live by Gastown since they close the whole area to car traffic yet I’m just a half a block outside the road closure.
Today was a little more mellow. I was feeling a little rough this morning so I slept in and then spent the rest of the morning doing some reading, laundry and around the house stuff. I’ve got a lot more to do to get this condo whipped into shape. One thing at a time is what I keep telling myself. So then I brought my old BBQ over to Shannon’s and we grilled up some tasty foods (and had some amazing cheesecake) before I had to bolt to meet up with Chris at the Roundhouse for the Mats Gustafsson Canada vs. Sweden show.
Canada vs. Sweden is an event that took a dozen avant garde jazz players, formed them into two “teams” and then they had an improvised performance. Mats Gustafsson, the renowned free jazz saxaphone player, headed the Swedish team while François Houle led the Canadians. I’m not sure how to describe the show other than to say it was a chaotic yet amazing cacaphony of squealing horns, thrashing drums, and guitar noise. Definitely not a traditional show that I think most people would enjoy; however, I thought it was amazing! Mats is doing another show on Friday in the Ironworks Studio right next door to my building so I’m going to scoop tickets to that.