Behind the Story: The Outside Track Community Building Project
Think about a time when we could all sit side by next to each other, and listen to live music. Do you remember that? The energy, the delight, the wild foot tapping and eventual clapping that we all shared when we went to a live performance? I miss it so much.
When I remember this story, I re-live the excitement that this incredible band brought to Belfountain, and I can’t help but be proud of all the effort that went into putting the grins on peoples faces.
You must be wondering how an environmental consultant somehow morphed into a music promoter! A bit of background might help. As you will learn, I’m a musician. Not a particularly good one, but I am pretty adept at picking up an instrument and figuring it out. I took piano lessons for years and I loved playing…practising, not so much. As the years went by, I picked up a guitar, a mandolin, a flute and finally, a fiddle. I became immersed in folk and Celtic music, went to folk festivals and music events, and ended up meeting all sorts of REAL musicians.
Which is why I got an e mail from Mairi Rankin asking if I knew anyone who might be able to host a show. The Outside Track, one of the bands she was in, had a night off while on tour in southern Ontario one year. It occurred to me that the café next door to me would serve as a unique, small and homey venue…just what Mairi was looking for. So I asked the owner, and before I knew it, I was planning a music night.
Rest assured, I had absolutely NO IDEA what I was doing!!! This required someone with an organized approach to event planning, and that definitely wasn’t me! I just plunged headlong into something I knew nothing about, and miraculously, it worked.
I sent out e mails to all my friends announcing about the event, and asked them to forward the e mail to their friends. I had room for about 50 people and a week before the show, I had people on a waiting list! I never thought to ask Mairi about sound equipment….thankfully, the band brought their own. And where would they stay? There are no hotels in Belfountain! The 5 person band all needed a place to stay that night, and wonderfully, the owner of the café offered up her place. 2 problems solved, countless more to go.
It was amazing how this all came together. Friends volunteered to stand at the door and take money. Food and wine arrived out of no where. It was a success, despite my complete ignorance about what it all entailed.
So as you read the story, imagine yourself in a wee little café with sparkle lights twinkling, friends and laughter surrounding you and music, song and dance that lifts your heart.
Read on!