ok.....now that the crazy first days of school are over it's time for my review of Orlagh's PBS special taping:
Obviously for all who attended, seeing Orlagh was THE best part of our time together, but I have to say it was great seeing all my Forum friends again (Rich, Kelli, Zee, Chris, Joe, Kathy, Mike , Tom, just everybody!!!) and meeting some great new ones Maggie and Dave, Charlie and Norma,, Marie France, Sandi, Maggie's friend Cathy, Stan And Brenda, ..so many I can't begin to name you all...so to everyone Thanks for being there, so glad we all got to meet!!!
The dinner was great and introductions were made all around..and yes, I AM AN ORLAGHOLIC
We all enjoyed some great food and companionship and Maggie you are just a HOOT!!!!
You know I always love hearing about your unqiue perspective on Ireland, and it was great to finally meet you and Dave.
On to the SHOW!!!!!!
So at the Polk center they had 2 lines , one for PBS pledgers and one for those with ticket vouchers. Now I had pledged for 2 tickets for Rich and Chris and had a voucher for my ticket, so I swapped with Rich and got in the pledged line. As it worked out Rich and Chris sat with Kell and Zee right in the front row. SO when they let people in, there were empty seats in front right next to Chris, so I sat next to Chris and had a great view of everything.
So after the preliminaries with Denny and the director out comes Orlagh to ROUSING applause in a stunning Gold dress and looking incredibly beautiful as always. It was easy to see the surprise on her face as she realized how many familiar faces there were.
The music was wonderful and it was apparent to all, just how much Orlagh loves performing and doing something special for her audience. She is JUST AMAZING!!!!!!
For me the highlight was when they stopped taping and Orlagh came to the front to say hello to us and eventually she came over and looked around and said "Where's my friend Bruce?" and spotting me through the lights, knelt down in front of me (I was sooo afraid she'd trip on her dress or the lights) and bent down and gave me a hug and a kiss...
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could hardly speak..... except to say how great it was to see her again!
Yeah..me speechless again...ONLY Orlagh can do that!!!!!!
Orlagh, I cannot even begin to tell you how much that meant to me.
The entire show was just amazing and Orlagh, Maev, Dave everyone did a great job.
A HUGE Thanks here to Denny Young and his staff for everything they do for Orlagh. I know from experience that a huge amount of time and effort goes into a project such as this, and you know by talking with them they all Love Orlagh just as we do..what a GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also a HUGE Thanks to PBS and NPT for their support of musicians, especially Orlagh, but all the music PBS brings to the public...it's a wonderful thing!!!!!!!!!
Anyway..we all headed back to the Hotel after the show...trying to absorb what we'd just been a part of and I realized the Still Smiling Club just grew by LEAPS AND BOUNDS! Woooooooo Hooooo!
After waiting quite some time Orlagh arrived and stopped to talk with folks, though she must have been incredibly tired, as always she loves talking with supporters and this was no exception.
I preferred to just watch and see folks who hadn't met her before have the wonderful experience to get to talk with her face to face for the first time. You never forget that. Ever.
Next morning some of us folks met for breakfast and listened to Maggie's stories and have some great conversation.
Later in the morning Orlagh was talking with Sandi and some friends and when she finished came over to me to say Hello..I got another Huge Orlagh hug (I love those..
)and we talked for a bit about some of her plans for the future before she had to leave.
DON'T ASK CAUSE I AIN"T TELLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do know this....
Orlagh, I can never ever begin to repay your kindness to me except to support you in any way I can, and I will do that long as I'm able.
You are a unique and very special Lady and Musician, the likes of which I've never encountered... EVER..and I know all who have had the honor of meeting you will agree.
Thank you so much for inviting us to your taping, and asking us to be a part of something very special.
I heard it said many many times, and I have to say it here..we are all so proud of you and what you have accomplished thus far on your own...and we know things will only grow from here.
You are such a beautiful Soul, you deserve everything!!!!!
Personally I can't wait to see the Still Smiling Club membership in the millions..but that won't be long now, I think!!!
Here's wishing all your dreams come true!
Bruce
