|
|
Nash leaves me with Diesel and his dog clan, while he and Alex head off to Dunnville in the first blizzard of the coming winter. Many followers of my diary have probably noticed my obsession with weather. Here in Southern Ontario, inclement weather is a factor in daily life, and travelling from one town to another can be a harrowing experience. It also means a long drive at night through some very spooky back roads. It could be worse, we could be dodging floods in Manitoba or fleeing forest fires in British Columbia. Dunnville is that special type of small town in rural Ontario where artistic folks seem to congregate, and the community is kept alive by keeping the main street full of unique and independently-owned shops and restaurants. Reader's is a bookstore in the front with a large café in the rear. It is in this back space where they have the live performances. This is a performance space that offers the finest in Blues and Folk music but they've never had an act like Nash the Slash. As Nash and Alex prepare the visual and audio presentation in the corner, the tables are scattered with casual diners, mostly folks who won't be present for tonight's show. There is interesting banter amongst the diners as to just what is going on tonight at Reader's. When the last diners have had their fill of the superb food, the staff busily re-arrange the dining-room into bench seating and chairs and all of a sudden the place looks like a town-hall meeting. There is seating for 60 people and that's enough to make the space full but comfortable. Nash loves to play in these small cabaret environments. The audience is right in front of the performance, and they become so enthralled with the movie and music that they barely notice Nash sawing away in the corner. Nash comes down the staircase from the second-floor dressing room right onto the stage area. With colourful slide projectors illuminating the stage, it is a dramatic entrance. Nash introduces Un Chien Andalou and begins the evening's performance. Un Chien is both shocking and surreal, and its short 16 minute duration makes the perfect opening act for the feature film Nosferatu. The audience is spell-bound. There is not a sound to be heard. From the stage, Nash can clearly see the faces of the audience, and their eyes are wide with rapture. At the end of the evening, Nash greets the audience and signs autographs for the many fans, young and old. There are numerous older fans buying the new CD of American Bandages, as well as young girls with their parents who are totally taken with the drama of the film. One girl about 14 years old says it was the best movie she's ever seen. Take that Harry Potter! The McCormick family is well represented with Mom, Dad and four out of eight kids in attendance. Victoria and Athena are particularly thrilled with the presentation, and Nash is pleased that their parents have exposed these young ears to a different kind of music. As Nash and Dick talk about other silent movies, reference is made to a Horror anthology book hidden away in the bookstore. When the book is found, Nash buys it for his collection. The blizzard is still raging as Nash and Alex start the two hour drive home. It has been a very enjoyable evening and many new fans will be added to the data base. Thanks to Mark and all the gang at Reader's for making this a memorable evening for all and Nash will return soon with another presentation. You humans may hate winter, but I can't wait to get outside and do 'snowplows' with my nose. Digger |
