The entrance to the Vancouver Club
Today I’m back at the Vancouver Club to perform for a wedding reception. I’ll be playing in the Georgian Room where I have performed in the past for other weddings. So I know exactly what to bring for a sound system for this event.
The parkade elevator entrance
I am to arrive at 3pm to set up today. I’ve been instructed to have everything ready to go at 3:45pm. Then I can go relax elsewhere until the downbeat at 4:30 pm. (the downbeat is my official start time)
My performance today is from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
So, here’s the best part about playing guitar at the Vancouver Club on a Saturday, parking is only $7.
My solo guitar set up in the Georgian Room
Now here’s the worst part, the elevator in the parking garage is only available until 5:30 pm and my gig ends at 6:30 pm. What’s worse is that I had to park on the 4th level.
My solo guitar set up in the Georgian Room
The good news is that it’s all down hill to get to my truck on level four and I truly welcome the exercise!
I began by setting up my sound system for the reception in the Georgian room. Once I was set up I had time to listen in to the Lebanese band from Michigan that is here to perform this evening in the Georgian Ballroom.
The Georgian Ballroom for the wedding dinner and dance
Also here to perform for the wedding ceremony will be a local string trio. So the event will begin with the string trio playing as guests arrive and then again for the ceremony at 4 pm.
The room adjoining mine where the wedding will take place
At 4:30 pm-ish the wedding will end and that’s were I’ll come in performing solo guitar for the reception from 4:30 until 6:15 pm-ish. I’ll keep it very soft and in the background as instructed by the wedding coordinator.
Once I’m finish I have been invited to a bite to eat upstairs.
Btw, another nice thing about playing these events is meeting other musicians. Today I met Fin, a guitarist that plays friend of mine in a group called Van Django. (Well worth a listen) Fin was playing in the string trio and although we knew each other we never officially met.
The behind the scene view of the gear storage room
So now it’s 4:15 and I’m hanging out in the stairway next to the room listening for the wedding ceremony to begin. Then I’ll sneak into the back of the room to be seated and ready to begin playing when cued be the wedding coordinator.
My view of the wedding
I quietly entered the room were I was to play at 4:25pm, the wedding began and once it was finished that was my cue to begin. I performed from 4:45ish until everyone left for the dinner down the hall in the main ballroom. (about 6:30pm)
When I was done my performance space became the kids room and I quickly packed up to leave.
Leaving the Vancouver Club rear loading bay
Once I arrived at the parking garage I found that I could take the elevator from inside to the lower level where my truck was parked. So much for that wonderful exercise I was anticipating!
From there I loaded the truck and off I went.
Next up I’ll be playing an event for the Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute.
Stay tuned…
