Last Wednesday, on my own dime, I went up to Denver and sussed out the possibilities of incorporating Little Man's speaker system with my own. Now I've learned the hard lesson of never trusting any venues equipment but my own. But I wanted to reach more folks in the long lines that form down 30th and behind this crazy venue. Well, I measured plotted it all out and purchased an additional 25 feet of speaker cable for Friday's show. I also pushed back the starting time. Over this past month it became obvious that there were more adults waiting in line after nine than there were children.
Little Man, as I think I've mentioned before, looks down over Denver. Just to the left of this fantastic view is Coors Field, home of our Colorado Rockies. There, every Fourth of July weekend, beginning on Friday night, they have a fabulous fire works show which this particular Friday night began just as I hit a "quiet" storie's punch line. Knowing there was no way to compete with this distraction, I went to my "plan b", which until that moment I didn't even realize I had.
I turned up the i Pod music I incorporate (one of the Irish jigs I use for The Rickity-Tickity-Man's dance) and let the folks enjoy both, what was in front of them and the star-spangeled explosions behind me. This went on for a good fifteen, twenty minutes. When the last of the rocket's red glare faded from the night sky, I returned to the mic. "I hope you enjoyed our extra added attraction at no extra charge." I said. "I was happy to put it together for you lovely people, though it did take me all week to do so. Now this next story..."
This little bit of working with what the storytelling-challenge-gods had thrown at me served me well. No one felt poorly for the upstaging of The American Irish Seanachi by the celebration of America's birthday. Every one had enjoyed the fire works and were now more than happy to give their attention to the storyteller. Who seems to invite adversity at every turn. Proving to me once again that if you play it safe, you'll not be able to play it as it lays.
Hope to see you this Friday at Little Man, and/ or on Saturday, July 9th. at the Colorado Irish Festival. I'll be appearing at the Cultural Events center there at 4:30. Hopefully with the perfect sound system and no fireworks.
'Til next time ... see you on down the road ... may it rise up to meet you. Now go out and kiss somebody.
Peace and Grace, Den