Day 34: Montréal, QC
Nau mai,
Yesterday we played a show in Montréal, Québec.
Montréal was in the running to take out the weather of the tour award after the performance yesterday. It was sunny, crisp, and still, with warmth to be found if one wanted, and with a satisfyingly fresh taste to the air. Lavonda was parked in a back alley that was not particularly glamorous, but as soon as I turned a couple of corners and found the main street I found this neighbourhood extremely likeable. I walked northeast for about ten minutes along Rue Notre Dame and arrived at an excellent café, the sort of place you know will serve a good cup because of the effort they have put into having a complicated name (mmmm mr + mrs m magasin). The coffee was excellent and the barista along with a couple of other customers in the shop showered me with enough restaurant and cocktail bar recommendations to get me through several more Montréal visits.
My search for food took me across the Lachine Canal and don’t worry, I stopped for a time to appreciate this stretch of water and its handsome surroundings. It was Saturday morning and there were plenty of walkers and joggers and dogs with very nice winterwear enjoying the fresh weather and the pleasant canal paths. Clarke Café was one of the many restaurants I had been recommended and I found it just a couple of blocks from the canal in another very classy neighbourhood that was pulsating in the throes of the Saturday brunch rush. I ordered myself a Sandwich Légumes Grillés - aubergine, zucchini, sundries tomato, pickles, cheese, tomato, and lettuce, on a fresh bread roll.
The Théâtre Beanfield spent most of its life with the name Théâtre Corona. It was not the horticultural history of this district that gave the theatre its current name, but rather a sponsorship deal with an internet service provider that delivers fibre-optic internet to residential and business customers with both fair pricing and fast internet speeds. At this point I know the question on everyone’s lips: was the venue Wi-Fi good? I think it had quite a good password, and the speeds were adequate for email and messaging. I didn’t utilise the network for streaming or large file transfers, so I apologise that I can’t provide any feedback in these areas.
The building dates back to 1912 and this is apparent when you enter the backstage and see the exposed brick foundations and experience the dressing rooms. A room that claims to be 3.35m x 3.35m quickly loses its roominess when it is fitted with a couple of couches, a desk, a wardrobe, and a bathroom. I think most of us spent as much time aboard the bus as we could yesterday.
The shower was a powerful device, dangerous for the unskilled user. Leaping from the showerhead was a beam of water so fierce that it threatened to break the skin. This powerful central jet was surrounded by weaker jets of water that were difficult to utilise due to their proximity to the main jet.
This theatre began its life as a house for screening silent films and a bit of light comedy and there was once an orchestra pit in front of the stage. The original character of the space is still intact with all the plaster mouldings, opera balconies, and even the original brick façade out the front of the building. For such an old room it lent itself beautifully to a rock show, with a stage that felt surprisingly tight and punchy. The kick drum and the bass guitar were able to live harmoniously for a change and the playing conditions were as close to optimal as we have achieved in a long time.
It was the fifth show night in a row and we were all exhausted but nevertheless had a great Montréal show. We packed up quickly so we could leave on time and get to the border crossing without staying up too late. Thankfully the border was quiet and the guards were in a good mood. We sped through the passport checks and they were even keen to throw in some light comedy material, with a joke about Phoebe Rings bass player Ben Locke having the same name as ‘Lost’ character John Locke. I’m not sure I I caught the punchline but I liked the enthusiasm in the delivery.