The Hotel, Burbank, CA
8:25pm – my inside office
Today and tomorrow we are in the rehearsal studio. This involves a 10am lobby call and an Uber caravan. Not totally dignified, but more or less functional. Dev and I, however Ubered in the opposite direction, heading down to the Shrine Auditorium to settle some final details with Ocean’s tour management team. During the ride, a call with the hotel, as we needed to transition from Ocean’s tab to our own beginning tomorrow. An inexplicably more complicated transaction than one would think. Arrived at Shrine and headed back to the offices. Saw the last of the stage set being loaded into road cases and stacked for an afternoon load out. Our contact, while always professionally cheerful and amiable, looked decidedly bummed and generally bedraggled. The Production Manager was on the phone trying to explain to someone why the gig had been canceled. I sensed this was a conversation he was having often. Concluded our business, although there remain several practical (code: money) matters to be completed before we can say this is all over.
Next on our agenda was another Uber ride, this one down to Venice to meet Erin and visit a potential venue for an Orchestra of Crafty Guitarists gig on Saturday night. The Full Circle. When I saw the name of the venue, I was pretty much sold right there. Met the owner and a number of his people. Totally the right place. Walked through all of the necessary questions.
At about 3:30 we headed north, this time with Erin chauffeuring, to meet with the team at the rehearsal studio, confident that we had found the right place. Arrived at the studio at 4:30. The team was on break. For the next period, Erin took the lead with some AT exercises while Hernan, Steve, Dev, and I, put our heads together on the gig. All agreed, it’s a “go”. Began making confirmation phone calls.
I was feeling a little toasted at this stage, and elected to sit outside the circle for the final rehearsal session from 6pm to a little after 7. The team sounded great, right from the beginning. No shortage of things to attend to, but a group I would love to hear, and even more love to be a part of. Oh yeah, I am. Took advantage of this rare opportunity to get inside the circle for several pieces, and it was wonderful.
Quick meeting to announce the gig as well as a few practicalities, and then back to the hotel. Dinner is desperately needed.
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| Checking out Full Circle. |
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