When too much is What's been on your calendar

Before I begin, a quick plug. I went to the story telling night by Generation Women Australia. Once a month they have an evening with women and non binary people telling stories on a topic. There is a speaker from each age range - 20's, 30's. 40's, 50's. 60's and 70's. It was fabulous. The topic I went to was The M words - Menstration, Motherhood and Menopause. It was fascinating to see what each speaker did with it. Menstration was clearly the popular choice, the woman in her 70's also spoke about it. If you get a chance, it's a great night and I will definitely be going again. They are held in both Sydney and Melbourne and you can stream some online.

As you know, I have a pathological fear of missing out. I regualarly go to two bands in a night so as not to miss out. The double up, I call it. We're flying to Melbourne to see Blind Boys of Alabama because we couldn't swing the double up with Tom Jones, and I didn't want to miss out on seeing them.

However, I was hit with a clash that I couldn't wrangle. I was booked for PJ Morton and a local band also had a gig. No worries, the set times aligned so I would go to Final Girls in Marrickville then pick up my husband and shoot off to town. However, a week before Grace Petrie, who I adore, who I flew to see in Melbourne rather than miss out, announced she would do a free pop up gig up the road from my house no less....but on the same night I was already double booked. 

(Pic from Vanguard 2023 gig)

I was devastated. Even I knew I couldn't swing a triple gig night. I hoped she would start at 8, I would ditch the local band and make it a UK & US night. But no. She was 9pm and he was 9.30. I made the decision to skip her show on the hopes I can catch her in May or Sept/Oct. My friends went and have filmed some clips for me. 

I walked to the Red Rattler and swung by the pub where Grace Petrie's gig was. My friends were already there staking out a good spot. It was eating at me to be missing such a guaranteed fun night with friends and a fabulous performer.

I made my way to Final Girls, always a joy to see (a little 3 piece punk band). They were playing a launch party for Booker Magazine. On the way home in the taxi could see Grace setting up on stage. I still got a buzz of excitement albeit tinged with disappointment.

My husband and I have very different taste in music and the reason I'd stuck with PJ Morton over my beloved Petrie was because (a) we'd spent $200 on tickets and I wouldn't be able to sell them and (b) we could do it together as a date night (c) at Bluesfest, the best part is discovering new music and being swept up in the performance - and as we weren't going this year, this was our one chance for that. (To be honest, that's one of my favourite things about music).

When you go to a performer you don't know, it's always strange to discover the audience is much younger or very different to what you expected. I was worried a little I'd made the wrong choice and my husband would hate it....however, he blew the house down and was sensational.

I am away for a week in Sept/Oct so am praying that's not the date that Grace picks for her Sydney gig. However, if I have to, I will travel!! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

If you are at Bluesfest (lucky ducks) check out PJ Morton - his clip above is slow but live he goes off! Awesome stuff. And if you are in Canberra, head to the Canberra Folk Festival. Grace is on 3 days, I think. She is sensational live. You can't watch her and not feel better about the world, if  only for people like her being in it.  

That's what I've been up to, what about you?

Linking with #WBOYC #MondayMusicMovesMe #TrafficJamReboot