We arrived at the hall over an hour before the show was scheduled to begin, and saw long tables
laid out in the hall. All the best tables had already been reserved, so we were sitting way back by the
sound board, and we thought sure that we wouldn't be allowed to stand up front and dance. There
were even two "opening acts". A couple of groups of young girls performed Irish stepdance, and
they were very good. A pipe and drum band also performed, I think it was the Albany Police Dept.
Pipe Band.
Then, we had the pleasure of meeting Aunt Jackie, Sandy P., and Mike Hayes! They had not posted
that they'd be going to this show (sorry guys if I've blown your cover!), but when they walked in, I
immediately recognized Jackie from photos that I'd seen of her - good thing, because she had never
seen any pictures of us. Mike H. had reserved a table up front which still had room, so we joined them.
Mike R. and I had both brought our cameras, and we thought we'd have to stand off to the sides to
take our pictures. Fortunately things worked out quite differently....
As soon as the guys took the stage, bunches of GBS fans began to come to the front of hall to
dance. By the time the guys played Billy Peddle, a group of people were do-si-do'ing and really
dancing up a storm. The set list was: Ordinary Day, Donkey Riding, Billy Peddle, Goin' Up, How
Did We Get..., Little Beggarman, Tunes, Paddy, Consequence Free, EOTW, General Taylor,
Lukey, Old Black Rum, Ferryland Sealer (Caitlin's favorite!), Fast As I Can, Fallin' In, Jolly
Butcher, When I'm Up, Mari-Mac, Excursion Round the Bay, Aunty Mary, I'm A Rover, and
Jakey's Gin. The entire show was one huge dance party, I'd never gotten to dance quite as much at a
GBS show, and it sure was fun!
During Jolly Butcher, the cutest thing happened. A couple of the stepdancers, who had performed
earlier and who couldn't have been more than nine years old, got up and did some stepdance! They
danced a couple of times to enthusiastic cheers from the audience, and they were really very good.
When the song was over, Alan shook their hands.
The other notable happening was that Alan's Aunt Maude was there. She lives in the area, so she
came down to see the show. Alan pointed her out and told everyone to buy her a beer. :) --Fran E
