Ironically Hip

I got a chance recently to visit with my sister in the Kingston area, on the way back from some training in Ottawa. She had originally planned to take me to new brew pub Stone City Ales, which was hosting a small live music event....but which to her chagrin quickly sold out.

She resorted to googling other live music events in Kingston, and lo and behold, The Trews were playing at the nearby and legendary Ale House!

You can imagine my surprise when I arrived, and was informed that we were heading off to see one of my favourite bands live, at a great venue. What could be better than that?

A few years (and daughters) removed from the local bar scene, and not knowing exactly where the Ale House was, we followed Princess Street into downtown K-town. As we drew close, my sister said "I wonder if it's the old AJ's Hangar?". As we walked in the door, sure enough it was, complete with an actual airplane suspended from the celing over the stage. Guess the new owners decided it was easier to work around it.

I reminded my sister that she took me to see a Tragically Hip cover band at AJ's Hangar back in 1992, when I came down from university to visit her for Thanksgiving.

The opening band, locals Greg Ball & Friends, were quite good. Things got a little more interesting when Paul Langlois of the Tragically Hip suddenly appeared and joined them on stage.

Right about then as I was looking around, I noticed Hip lead guitarist Bobby Baker standing not far from us, just a face in the crowd.....though a face with a bit of space and a rather burly man by his left side. As I pointed him out to my sister, she said "isn't that the bass player beside him?", and indeed it was. Gord Sinclair was standing to his right.

A few songs later, Bobby Baker was standing right beside my sister, who declared in confidential tones, "Rob Baker smells good".

Well of course, the three of them all ended up on stage with The Trews for a few songs. Also in attendance (strictly as fans) were up and coming local band Glorious Sons, whose new song I had heard on the radio just a few days earlier on the drive to Ottawa.

All three bands took the stage and rocked the place with an open jam to end a very memorable night.

"In the Morning" with Gord Sinclair and Emily Fennell

Joined on stage by a Tragically TrHiplicate

Open jam with The Hip and Glorious Sons to end the night

True Patriot Love, there was never more

Set List

Red Wings at The Joe

I finally managed to catch an NHL game at the legendary Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit. As one of the oldest remaining barns in the league, it is slated to be replaced in the next year or two with a new facility and urban renewal plan for the downtown area. The Windsor Tunnel Bus made the short jaunt across (er, under) the river relatively painless....except perhaps for the drunken entertainment on the way back!

We had hoped for a good game, with the Red Wings hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning for a Saturday afternoon tilt, both quality teams in the thick of the playoff hunt. For a game with meaningful consequences, sadly the Tampa squad came out flat and the Wings won handily with a 4-0 decision. Great news for the home crowd at least.

Lopsided score notwithstanding, it was great fun to get out to a game with family - Keith, Grayson, Megan and John. Much to our delight, John and I even got "carded" for beer....TWICE.....as apparently we looked close enough to "under 30" to the arena staff.

We rounded out the evening by meeting up with Jane and Julie back in Canada, for a memorable dinner at SnackBarBQ in downtown Windsor, followed by some intense games of Zombicide.

Great day for a game!

Warmups from the (relatively) cheap seats

Hockeytown!

They definitely hit the net more in the warmup than they did in the game....

Puck battle in the corner

Stamkos on the draw with his team trailing

Frantic action in the Lightning end

The Red Wings storied franchise history

Wings Win!

Windsor awaits across the Detroit River

La Dolce Vita

Met good friends Linda and Corey at one of our favourite dining options, Mama Maria's Italian Ristorante in downtown Chatham. Not that we really need any excuse to eat there, but it was nice to see them too! Neither food nor company disappointed.

As you can see, the decor is quite something....and the food is even better. Can't wait until warmer weather when the back patio along the Thames River opens up too!

Valpolicella with bruschetta sampler

Mike likes the aglio olio penne with chicken and vegetables

Jane loves the spaghetti and meatballs!