CONCERT REPORT: Charlottetown, PE (May 18)

[Claw at your heart]

Leonard Cohen plays Sunday, May 18 at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

See location of PEI in relation to Halifax here: http://maps.google.ca/maps?client=firef ... iwloc=addr
It is notable that PEI is joined to the mainland by the 12.9 km Confederation Bridge,completed in May 1997. Otherwise, the band gear probably wouldn't have made it across the strait on the small ferries.

The Mainstage Theatre of the Centre of the Arts has 1102 seats on two levels. It is a wide theatre with no centre aisle. The aisles on the main level are located at the end of the rows.

See the introduction to Leonard here: http://www.confederationcentre.com/en/h ... cohen.aspx

[mirka]

The Confederation Centre of the Arts is a short walk from the B&B I'm staying at, I took a stroll about an hour ago. The tour buses were already there, the crew was unloading their equipment. IMHO it's an amazing effort to pack/unpack that much equipment, and make it work every time !

I'm attaching a map of the Maritimes leg of the tour, without Saguenay, which is really in the middle of nowhere - it's a 7hrs drive north from the City of Quebec.
I wonder why Saguenay has been chosen as the tour stop, has it possibly any personal meaning for LC ?

[MEB]

The Confederation Centre of the Arts is a short walk from the B&B I'm staying at, I took a stroll about an hour ago. The tour buses were already there, the crew was unloading their equipment. IMHO it's an amazing effort to pack/unpack that much equipment, and make it work every time !

This is also the first gig of the tour where they have to load in and load out on the same day. The crew are really going to need that day off tomorrow.

[treyia]

I saw the tour buses, too.
Has anyone seen him yet?
I'm sooo excited for the show!

[mnkyface]

I love your song Nikkie! Small world- I saw you on Facebook- on that thread about LC, and, er, babies, I think it was. lol Have fun at the show! I'm jealous of all seeing him on this first part of the tour!

[treyia]

Thanks
And yeah, haha I know the thread you mean.

I just went down there and spoke with a sweet lady from one of the shops across from the Confed, who met him today, shook his hand, and got an autograph, she was soo excited.
I walked around down there for a bit and saw a number of his staff-folk, but no hints of the man himself.
I think I'll pop by a bit early anyhow.
I left my CD with the song on it with some people with access to him..
You never know, hopefully he gets it

[mirka]

Now after seeing the second concert in 3 days I think I understand the appeal of becoming Leonard Cohen groupie .
Fortunately my husband keeps calling me, and reminding about the real world back there in California....

The audience at the first part of today's concert seemed to be much more reserved then Friday's audience in Halifax. I felt almost disapointed, and then after a break LC showed his great command of people's emotions: he added two lovely tongue–in–cheek mini-stories about two great poets he met, which got him immediately back in touch with the audience. In fact he got tuned in so well that I hoped I would get answer to my big question: what would LC sing if the public wouldn't allow him to end the show with "I tried to leave you" ?
I didn't get the answer this time, hope the mystery will be solved though.

Another thing I discovered is that LC likes roses (?).
Anyway those I send him -- they were brought to the stage and remained there for the show. I felt almost at home every time I looked at them (I spend with them last 2 days ), and even more so when LC thanked me by name at the encore, it was very gracious of him.

I noticed there was a burning candle standing in front of the drums. It was too late to ask crew members about it -- as soon as the band disappeared they vigorously started to disassemble everything in sight. I appreciate if anybody finds the answer to this question at later shows, and let us know. (I thought it could be a Sabbath candle, but May 18 was Sunday).

I'm flying back home to California tomorrow, the shows were worth the trip . Will see LC in concert again June 15 in Dublin, to find out how in the world can he perform for xx thousand people, outdoors ???

[wreathmaker54]

Just got home 20 min. ago from the Leonard Concert in Charlottetown, just plain awesome. The energy that man has, incredible, he packed the house, he walked on stage at 8pm and finished at 10:45 pm, with a 15 min. break. Had almost front seats and could almost touch him. This was a lifetime goal of mine to see him, p.s. I was to the Halifax show on Friday, just as good. Marie.

[mirka]

I left my CD with the song on it with some people with access to him..
You never know, hopefully he gets it

I like your song very much, Nikkie !! any luck with your CD ?

[chrispycrunch007]

Here are some pics from the Charlottetown concert uploaded to picasa.....awesome concert!! Thanks Leonard!!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/crispycrunch007/LeonardCohenInCharlottetownMay182008

[st theresa]

wow Chris
Wonderful pics-thanks for sharing them. For those of us who will not get so close, I will be able to see his face, with the memory of these great pics you have posted, as he sings.

[NewZealander]

Yes Nikkie, what a really lovely song ..When I went into your myspace to listen to it, this wee thing popped up and asked that I demand to bring you to Dunedin, New Zealand to perform.....So I did...and I figure that Leonard could not refuse a proposal as sweet as that one...when you come, you'd better bring him here as well as part of the 2009 leg of his world tour eh

Seriously, Im really enjoying these tour threads...and its not at all going to put me off standing in anticipation in Lisbon to hear and see anything he decides on the day...

[mnkyface]

Here are some pics from the Charlottetown concert uploaded to picasa.....awesome concert!! Thanks Leonard!!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/crispycrunch007/LeonardCohenInCharlottetownMay182008

Those pics are wonderful. Thank you soooooo much.

even more so when LC thanked me by name at the encore, it was very gracious of him.

Mirka, I love how you just slip this in casually...lol...HE THANKED YOU BY NAME AT THE ENCORE??? *dead*

[zintman61]

...very cool!

[dick]

Thanks for the great reports and pics... Mirka and Chris.

Did you have any special permissions for camera Chris?
Understand how wonderful that thrill was for you Mirka. Congrats.

Dick