DATE:  Feb. 17, 2008

TRANZAC CLUB

ADDRESS:  292 Brunswick Ave.,
(south off Bloor between Bathurst and Spadina)

in the beautiful city of Toronto Canada

TIME:  7:30


Murphy’s Law:  With ten entrants in this “mawkish” song contest, that has gone on for at least 10 years, under the auspices of the Flying Cloud Folk Club, I performed my song “Summer in the City”.  It was a ditty I wrote out of frustration with the renovations surrounding me a few years back.  My philosophy has always been “Make Lemonade” (another of my songs!), and instead of allowing myself to go quite mad with the barrage of noise, dirt and disorder surrounding me daily,  I wrote my song.  Since I was told this “Sentimental Song Contest” was supposed to be with a wry and mawkish undercurrent, I figured I’d perform this “cathart” tune – without the help of my ChoirGirlz, as both were busy that night.  I didn’t care if I won the prize — I am a beer and wine girl, NOT scotch (which was to be the prize, along with a box of Kleenex — very symbolic).  Being a “Sentimental Songs Virgin” — I knew not what to expect, and just wanted to be there to enjoy the songs that other people brought to the table.  I sang my song.  I heard some really fun ones — David Newland played his uke, and sang about crying in the rain.  I heard a song about unrequited love between a lobster and a crab, and about yearning for Charlotte (which I figured would win). Stewart sang an old song about a dog “Old Shep” — I remember Elvis singing this years ago.   When the winner was announced, I was totally aghast that my song “Summer in the City” was the winner of the night.  I think when you go into something not even THINKING of winning, and not really knowing what you’re doing — the chances of winning are quite high.  (Like the time I first joined the Musician’s Curling League in the ’80’s, and we all shot a rock for the chance to win a turkey — because I had NO experience or technique in curling, and not a hope in H*%^llof winning — I shot one of the closest rocks in the competition, and walked home with a turkey for our Christmas dinner that year.   The next year – when I knew a bit more about what I was doing — NOT EVEN CLOSE. )  I guess you win when you’re relaxed and have no expectations.  Now I have this GOOD bottle of scotch.  Hmmm.