Newfoundland Ticket and Accomodations May 26

bbridges · Post by **bbridges** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:02 pm

A Leonard Cohen Story

Leonard burst into my world in January when I watched a tribute documentary made by a very soulful group of young Canadian musicians. I enjoyed the music, remembered the stateside “hits” he had during my youth in the 70”s but what really resonated with me was “Tower of Song” and “Anthem. I was married to a musician for 32 years. I saw the grind side of the business and the tacky interpersonal dynamics between the “fans” and the musicians. His imagery of chains to the writing table and “they don’t let women kill you in the tower of song” made me smile. I loved to hear on a visit to Cohen’s home, he was unrecognizable when he stood in his underpants feeding a baby bird with a toothpick. Some time later he emerged from the bedroom in his Armani suit…THEN he looked like Leonard Cohen! I hope Armani is clothing him for free. Has anyone ever worn it better?
 

I ordered up several CD’s and books of poetry from my local library, housed in the renovated Grain Belt Brewery building my Northeast branch of the Minneapolis public library.

 

I particularly enjoyed the old man voice. I particularly enjoyed the poetry from the monestary. I particularly enjoyed his musings on why he sought the solitude and reflection time. I write this reflection from my home in Maine. Sandy Point is a town of 50 people on the coast of Maine. The post office is in my neighbor’s barn. You get the idea. Solitude resonates with me. I get it. I want to see Mr. Leonard Cohen in live performance.

 

So, big time, long time 3 month fan that I was, when the word arrived that Cohen would be touring for the first time in 15 years, I wanted to see him. I felt the same way about Eric Clapton (although I have been a 40 year fan of his) but never wanted to see him enough to sleep on the sidewalk or other craziness to procure a ticket. Now is done touring and I will probably never hear him in person.

 

Several things converged. I am on sabbatical and have a bit of flex time in my schedule. One of my sabbatical projects is developing an Acadian Dispersal curriculum unit and website and I need to go to Margaree Forks, Nova Scotia to complete the research.

 

I tried to get a ticket at the Sony Center in Toronto. Within 2 hours only 10 tickets over $800 each were available.
 

I thought- Newfoundland…how many will be willing to go there?/!! The folks reported no pre-sale except for premium seat license holders. So…I became a “season ticket holder” at the Sacred Heart Auditorium in Newfoundland.
 

The next day… I rose early and and lined up two land lines and two cell phones and started dialing 15 minutes early. It went to message, to message, to message, to message, to message, and then to busy, busy, busy, busy, busy, busy. I finally connected after 10 minutes. At that, I still came up in row 4.
 

I have one ticket to sell. It is next to me, of course. I would like to sell this ticket to see Cohen to someone who is interesting and dynamic and will really enjoy seeing the performance….probably your last opportunity! I am sorry that I only have one. If you have a companion, perhaps you could find another ticket and I would be willing to trade for an equal seating position.
 

I need recoup my expenses so I am willing to include a stay at my summer home on the way up to Nova Scotia - if you are driving. I will not be there because I will be in Minnesota graduating my college students and starting my summer classes. Click here for info on the cottage: http://www.bridgescreate.com/house/index.html You could take The Cat ferry from Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia and then the North Sydney N.S to Port aux Basques in Newfoundland. It will be great…no tourists but already warm! I would need $600.00 for the 4th row seat and up to 3 nights at the cottage. Please post me at drb@bridgescreate.com