E C M A-mazing!!!*

I've been meaning to tell you about last weekend!  'Twas a whirlwind, which actually started early, and ended late.  2011 marked Charlottetown's turn to host the ECMA events.  Now in addition to having some of the friendliest people on the planet, the East Coast has a lot of friggin TALENTED people, too!  It's no secret on my happy place that I have an adoration for Matt Andersen, NB's East Coast prince.  So, when we knew it was our own city's turn to host, let's just say Chris and I were SUPER pumped to be able to take in as many ECMA events as we could, especially those where Matt played a part.

Wednesday night, we took in the Export Stage event at the Delta.  It was a showcase event, where many 'biz' folks were in attendance - people like booking agents, etc, scouting out the talent. I guess in years previous, this event was reserved only for the business folk, not the general public.  The general public raised enough of a chatter that this year, they sold 100 tickets to the general population.  With thanks to BarbaraB, I was able to land 2 of the 100 tickets, and that was part of Chris' Valentines Day gift this year.  There were 4 bands slotted for the show, including, The Olympic Symphonium, The Once, Matt, and The Trews. It was an awesomely entertaining show.  And, in true Prince Edward Island fashion, there was even a potato bar!

Friday, we went to the Stanhope Beach Resort, where Matt played a spectacular show to open a new season at the resort.  He took along the Hupman Brothers to play with him, and Scott Prudence of the Dungaree Brothers also stepped up to the mic for a few songs.  It was a packed house, and probably one of my most favourite of all of Matt's shows (though, I'm pretty sure I say that after every show, don't I?).  It was stellar.  We scuffled ourselves up to the front by the stage, and I couldn't help but laugh as Matt laughed at me and my reaction (hands clasped together and a wee little giggle like a kid on Christmas morning) to hearing the beginning of Magnolia.  I like to think that he chose to play that one for me.  So, yeah, Matt, thanks eh? ;)

The Stanhope affair was actually an evening special at the resort - exclusive, in fact - where the purchase of the tickets to the event included your entrance to the show, a room for the night, and continental breakfast the next morning.  After Matt left, Mike Biggar came up to entertain the crowd.  Matt had to get back to C-town as he had another gig scheduled for later in the evening at the Mack.  I hear it was fabulous.  I have to admit to having a little bit of remorse for not actually getting tickets to that as well...but, it just didn't seem logical to trek all the way back to town, and then back again to sleep in the hotel, so we opted to drink beer instead and stay put.  SUCH a fun night.

Saturday, after a quick cat nap we then headed back into town where we popped by the Old Triangle.  Irish Mythen was playing there at 2pm.  We had already purchased tickets to go to the Globe for the very same time, but, Irish is a friend of ours (and spectacularly entertaining, talented, and down-right awesome in her own right), so we really wanted to try to catch her set.  Turns out we should've skipped out on the cat nap and headed there as soon as we had traveled back to town from Stanhope.  The place was PACKED - there wasn't even standing room to see her play.  We listened to a few songs, undoubtedly getting in the way of other people's views, then made a quick stop to the Urban Eatery for a quick sammie for lunch, and then hoofed it down to the Globe. 


Our poor planning time-wise for the Triangle was unmatched by the poor planning for the Globe, too.  By the time we'd made it in there was standing room only - by the bathrooms.  We then moved upstairs to the balcony area (pretty sure the top of Chris' head was grazing the ceiling).  I could see very little, and my poor tootsies were burning after standing in my boots for 5 hours, but all the pain was worth it when the big guy hit the stage!  Matt was the 'finale' of the show, and he wowed the crowd with a few blues numbers, and even a few popular singalong numbers like Hand Jive, and ended the show, as they opened the big door so the crowd gathering outside could also sing along to Round and Round, Wagonwheel (a rarity nowadays for him), and Ain't No Sunshine.  Incredible!  Kudos also go out to PEI's Got Blues band, Mike Biggar, and Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards, who rocked the crowd before Matt came out.


Sunday night the Gala was being held at the Confed Centre.  We opted to watch it from home, as Bell Aliant was streaming it live online.  Chris hooked up the 'ol Mac, and it was almost as good as being there.  A huge congratulations to all the nominees and award winners, as well as the organizers for pulling off a fabulous week!  Cannot wait til it's 'our' turn to host this event all over again!!!

*All photos in this post courtesy of, and used with permission, by Chris Wilkinson, spinphoto.ca.  If you see any you like, feel free to purchase a print or two, or, contact him if you have an event that needs coverage!