Hi all! I am still reeling a bit from the events of last weekend- wonderful, surreal, magical- a night I will never forget!
Firstly, let me talk about the "unveiling" of Joni's "star". I had second thoughts about attending this event- having just met Joni a few weeks ago with Kakki, I was concerned about her perhaps recognizing me and thinking I might be a stalker! But, of course, I went, and glad I did! There were barricades around and behind the seating area for family, friends, and dignitaries- but we were still pretty close. Ashara, Sal and I were there 3/4's of an hour beforehand, so we were right up against the barricade- great view. The details of the ceremony have been posted already by others. There were probably not more than 200 people there- thought there might have been more. And we were all there! Jimmy, Coyote Rick, Janine, Lisa, Yael, Jim Johanson- so great that you were there Jim! Quite a meeting of family it was. Lots of hugs! Joni and Margaret Atwood arrive after the family and friends were seated. Larry Klein, Kilauren, her two children, her biological father, director Norman Jewison and David Cronenberg, the mayor of Toronto, Ed Mirvish who owns the Royal Alexander Theatre where this was held- and a HUGE patron of the arts in Toronto for decades....... many more- most I didn't recognize, Jimmy and Rick pointed out that a couple of singers from the musical tribute a few nights before were there. Joni looked fabulous! A floor-length dress in plaids of blue, green, brown, with a jacket overtop and a black beret! Too cool! She spoke so eloquently, as has been reported. Her comments about people stepping over her star and stopping for a moment of pause, were lovely. Don't let your dog shit there, and don't spit on it! LOL! She is too brilliantly funny. Think about someone you love. How sweet! Later in the day, Ashara, Sal, Jim and I taxied to the venue. It took some time to find the right place! And poor Jim realised he had left his ticket in his hotel room! ACK! He returned a while later, so cool, calm and collected! The venue was wonderful. A beautiful renovation of a huge building that had been vacant for years. Tastefully done. We were shown around the venue, and given instructions on the do's and dont's in terms of photography, etc. The doors were opened and in we went to the cocktail reception. Martini's provided by Absolute, no charge. Finger food on trays walking around. I was at one point, out in the courtyard having a smoke with my friend Barbara, and all of a sudden Joni is walking towards us with her entourage. We had to move out of the way to let her pass. I must say the security was extremely well handled. Ushered in, ushered out, no pics during dinner- I'm sure the same level as was provided for all other honorees at this tribute. JOni made a short appearance at the cocktail reception and then was ushered out the back door. Shortly thereafter, I run into the Russian! Mr. Klein. I ask for a couple of pics, which he obliged. He is tall! Man! I would think at least 6'3" as I had to tilt the lens upwards. He seemed out of sorts, and I asked if he was looking for Joni. Of course he was, and I directed him towards the door she left thru. My personal hunch- he and Joni will get back together! Dinner was fabulous, as so nicely posted by Ashara. The actual theatre venue was extraordinarily unique. A long narrow room- maybe 300 feet long. A thin but lengthy stage in the middle that went from one wall to about 4 feet from the other. Seats on the floor either side, and then rising seats behind. The stage was beautiful. A piano, and a long length of Chinese golden bells and such. Two German designed chairs in white mesh were at the other end of the stage, with a small table between, and on it a Boise player and 2 speakers. All that proceeded Joni's appearance has been well posted by Mags and Ashara. This Rebecca Jenkins has an incredible voice. She is an actor by trade, but what a singer! Her version of Blue had Joni standing and giving her a solo standing ovation! And then she sang a version of Two Grey Rooms that had many of us in tears. Brent Carver, as well, an actor- Shakespearean- sang a number of Joni's tunes. Joni arrived on-stage and looking and feeling radiant! I truly believe this event affected her. As has been posted, this was VERY much a family reconvening for her! Well, Denise Donlan from Sony Records, played the interviewer role. But we all know, all one needs to do is just ask Joni that one correct question, and she will talk! Denise is the wife of Murray McGlaughlin, a Canadian folksinger of the Bruce Cockburn era. She was good, but I felt a bit too rehearsed contrasted with Joni's openess and free form conversation. Talk about repetism! Many of the things she and Kakki and I talked about a few weeks ago were chatted about- break-up w/Donald, the events of Sept 11th and how she was affected, painting...... The audience was enraptured, self included! Then she gets up and goes to the piano!!! I thought I had died and gone to the other world! Very Paprika Plains-ish- no singing, just wonderful improvisation. Following, she played the demos from the upcoming album by the London Symphony and sang along. What an absolute incredible treat! She said she was practicing! And, indeed, it felt, from my first row seat, as if we were in someones living room and Joni serenading us! Absolutely remarkable! There has been much comment on this list of Joni's failing voice- BSN was not a thrilling album for some of us. Let me tell you, her voice is in incredible shape! Truly wonderful. I cannot tell you in words, how wonderful it was to hear Circle Game, Cherokee Louise and all the rest, in their new form. This upcoming release can only be incredible- please trust me on this! She is at the top of her game! Perhaps the crowning glory of the evening was having Mr. Kratzman arrive onstage. Big hugs between the two of them. He is a gentleman, articulate, loving and kind and far younger looking that I thought was possible! Joni was in tears, as was most of the audience. It was a loving tribute from him, to her! The next afternoon, Saturday, Ashara, Sal, Mags, Brian, Jim, Steve and I were walking along Queen ST. West- Toronto's funkiest area. A guy comes up to us and says, Hey, I recognise you, you were at the Tribute last night! He is a young lawyer from Conn. Found out about the tribute from jonimitchell.com! Decided he had to come! It was brilliant! He was so in awe of the night before, and that he had just met a group of like-minded people! He had a personal moment w/Joni @ the tribute and shared with us. Needless to say, we encouraged him to join the JMDL- he was thrilled to meet our webmaster Jim! I was happy to see that we had made another convert! He was a wild young guy, full of energy. Lots of hugs between us all- someone we just met, but felt at home with. That's how this list is wonderful. Best Stephen in Vancouver NP: Simon and Garfunkle- live @ Hollywood Bowl, 1968- thanks Kakki!!