leonardcohenforum.com

This sounds like it was such a beautiful and memorable event! Everyone's reports are so wonderful to read. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for all the wonderful reports and tweets of what obviously was a memorable eve.

--Sharon

Thank you for all the reports and videos. You are wonderful, and Mr. Cohen, thanks to you - ever closer.
I am greeting all reporters!
Beata

bridger15 wrote:Item one, page one
This thread is specifically for:

GLENN GOULD PRIZE GALA REPORTS

Postby jarkko » Fri May 11, 2012 3:51 am
This new thread is for your reports and photos from the Glenn Gould Gala on May 14!!

By inference this also includes members comments and questions about other members reports and photos.

MODS. How about having a separate thread for media reports and other non-member items?

Thanks,
---Arlene

I have to admit that I honestly don't understand the concern that is occasionally expressed, as Arlene has here, that there is no place on a thread like this for news reports, tweets, whatever else people find on the topic.
I'm writing now as someone who was not in Toronto for this wonderful event, and is relying entirely on reports by other people. To me it doesn't matter whether they are forum members writing of their own great experiences at the event, or sharing amazing videos with us, as Arlene graciously did earlier in the thread, or press reporters, or just people tweeting from the audience.
It all adds up to a sense of amazing celebration and wonderfulness. I am enjoying it all, and think that it would be sad if we began sectioning off the forum in that way.
During the European tour in 2010, when I did not get to go to a single concert, I lived that tour vicariously through the richness of those concert threads, with Joey's pics and comments, forum members' reports the next day, the tweets, the videos, everything.
I really believe that there's a place for it all, and that the contributions of the forum members who are lucky enough to be at special events are in NO WAY diminished by the sharing of a variety of reports in the same thread.
Sue

.

ladydi wrote:Thank you so much, Arlene and Ronaldson, for your wonderful reviews and comments. A very special evening! Arlene, especially thank you for recording Leonard's speech. Elegant, funny, and every word absolutely perfect.

So now...the important question. Were you at Fran's after the concert?

Ah, Diana, you've outed me. I tried to crash the party but was unsuccessful.

Fran's is connected to the hotel I was staying at. There was a sign earlier in the day at the street entrance about them closing early for the party. But there is also an entrance from inside the hotel. I tried entering that door. It was open, but I was greeted on the other side by a very nice security man. Do you have a ticket? No, but...

Alas, none of my persuasive efforts were successful. However, while I was stalling I could scan the crowd. There were no familiar faces. When I mentioned that, the security man said, "Oh, they're gone. They didn't stay very long."

---Arlene

sue7 wrote: I have to admit that I honestly don't understand the concern that is occasionally expressed, as Arlene has here, that there is no place on a thread like this for news reports, tweets, whatever else people find on the topic.
[...]
Sue

Same here, IMHO any first-hand report found on the Internet adds to the picture. I'm grateful to Arlene for her reports, but I'm also grateful to anybody else spending their time combing the Internet for any other reports.
...now I was even afraid to ask how was Basia Bulat's received and which song has she presented this evening...

Arlene - Avalanche by Cowboy Junkies was terribly loud (more technical problems), but I loved the way she sang it. But I admit you had to fight your way past the loudness a bit to find the beauty. I was a little taken aback at John Prine reading the lyrics too. Oh well, the glitches certainly didn't ruin the night, but they might ruin any video taken of the event.

I did see that SUV/limo Arlene, but didn't see who came out of it. I saw LC get into his vehicle after Fran's - a large black SUV, but certainly not a stretch. Seems like we stayed at the same hotel - I was on the fourth floor, right above Frans, with a great view of Massey Hall. We heard the partying go on for some time into the night (without LC ... and us unfortunately)

mirka, Basia Bulat was very well received I believe. Like in Avalanche, I found the music a bit TOO loud, but I think she did an excellent job with "If it be Your Will."

As Paula reported above:

the protege award went to Sistema Toronto, a program that offers free, intensive music education to children from culturally diverse and typically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The children of Sistema had prepared a video for Mr. Cohen which was shown during the gala - the video showed a group of the Sistema children singing Hallelujah to him.

Following the short video, two Sistema students, ages 6 and 11, were introduced and (although not audible), I suppose thanked Mr Cohen for the Protege Award. I remember feeling how considerate of Leonard to bow so low to make a connection with both of the children.
Along with Paula, I had tears in my eyes.
---Arlene

.
Thanks Sochijava, here is another report with a couple of close up photos:
http://www.blogto.com/music/2012/05/gle ... ssey_hall/

My videos of the gala concert.
To discourage potential uploading problems, a friend suggested using whimsical titles that do not describe the contents.
I had a little fun with this. Many of you will guess the contents. But the video robot police hopefully will not

BOL- Alan Rickman speaks - at the top of many members' wish list
a short clip off the screen. Screens were only used for speakers at the lecterns in the second half.
Apparently there were complaints during intermission that the lecterns positioned on both sides of the stage were in the wrong place for many to see the speakers.
https://vimeo.com/42256015

Dreamy Duo - Anjani and Neil Larsen (partial)
I was so impressed with the unique blending of artistry of Anjani and Neil, that I kept he wide lens on all through the video. Together they were indeed a dreamy duo. Anjani looked gorgeous and her singing was outstanding. Observe how Neil constantly watches her to synch with her. The musicality of his keyboard was equal to the musicality of her voice. This was a very special cover.
*withdrawn*

Green Light short clip - Cowboy Junkies with John Prine checking the lyrics
*withdrawn*

Polka Dots - James McMurtry - I loved this cover
*withdrawn*

Farewell Farewell - Adam Cohen (with Mai & Michael) close the gala concert
*withdrawn*

---Arlene

!!!!!! Arlene

I think ... that I love you

Ohhhhh, Arlene... what a night you and all the others had!

Thank you for sharing these great captures !!!
Such a fulfilling night for Leonard this had to have been.
The sense of that comes through in all of these.

Thank you!

Like all of the others who are re-living the events vicariously through the wonderful reports, I wish to thank all of you for sharing with us. In particular, thanks to Arlene for the great video-having you at the events is like having our forum's own dedicated reporter/photographer-you are a treasure.

Joe

Exactly! Well said, Joe!
How great it would be if you could GET some kind of official Forum press pass, Arlene!
You have done and continue to do so much for us in that vein of being there, on the spot, and reporting back with your words and your videos.
How wonderful if your entry to these things could be facilitated [lessening the stress and your many attempts to get there other ways] with a pass.
Your dedication to the cause that we all share has resulted in your unique street-reporter perspectives.
How lovely it would be if you could just go there, walk in, and be there.
As it stands now, you are the one who always shows up whenever you're able, and does whatever maneuvering is necessary to get whatever you can get.
We appreciate that and you so much!
If it could only be made easier for you now...


~ Lizzy