At the risk of sounding immodest and boastful: I slayed ’em at Bites Blues Club on my first night. I gave them everything. I cried. I joked. I started the show by walking through the room singing the intro to “Something’s Got Ahold of Me” – a cappella.
Sometimes, I get a feeling, yeah.
I get a feeling I ain’t never, never felt before, no, no, no.
And I just gotta tell y’all
I said Y’all.
At this point the audience screams back:
Y’ALL
I said Y’all!
Y’ALL!
This went back and forth a couple of times.
I’m In!
And I sang standing on the floor with the audience instead of onstage. It just felt right.
Then I dusted off “I’d Rather Go Blind” and sang the hell out of that tune. I got very emotional. I also performed “Amazing Grace” a cappella for a change of pace. I figured that watching an African American singing a spiritual might be a treat for the Latvian audience. I talked about my childhood memories of my grandfather singing “Amazing Grace” from the pulpit and how he had fled a lynch mob from the South and became a prominent preacher. I told them of my mom’s death and how I sang “Amazing Grace” at her funeral. The pain of my mother’s sudden death, the thought of my grandfather fleeing a lynch mob combined with thoughts of the historic oppression of the Latvian people suddenly got to me. It was so poignant. I felt like we were sharing this moment and feeling it together. The emotions boiled over – for all of us.
The room was mine.
The night turned into a Love-fest – a big dancing Love-fest. And of course The LBB was awesome as usual!
I was very lucky that the first few tables were filled with receptive, uninhibited people. They got the entire room loosened up also. I met the couple who sat front and center. He (Phillip) is a Australian and has lived in Riga for 15 years and he’s also a reporter from the Baltic Times. She (Sondra) is from Sweden. We sat and chatted for hours after the show. I loved them! They were so much fun!
They did their best to convince me to join them at a Latvian Bath House for saunas and massages the next day.
I thought about it. I said to myself:
Get outta the comfort zone! Have a real adventure, get naked in a bath house in Latvia!
Tempting – but the whole idea of me walking around naked (or even in a towel) in front of a bunch of staring Latvians… well, I won’t even do that at the Spa at the Trump Hotel! (see post: Spa Culture)
Hell, they stare at me enough with my clothes on!!! Can You imagine?
And I also realized that I might become too relaxed before the next day’s show and I need all my energy to create the same kind of magic that happened tonight. Plus, I already had sightseeing plans with the lovely Svetlana tomorrow…
I have no doubt you rocked their world. Literally. Or at least their corner of the world. Cheers!
Thanks for stopping by Avis! and just thanks in general! : )
I have no doubt you rocked their world. Literally. Or at least their corner of the world. Cheers!
Thanks for stopping by Avis! and just thanks in general! : )
come on! I did it in Japan…go for life! lol
come on! I did it in Japan…go for life! lol
well, if I didn’t have to sing that night I would. Really!!!
well, if I didn’t have to sing that night I would. Really!!!
Lynne, I’m so bummed I didn’t know about these Latvian posts in real time … but glad I got your site’s e-mail and had a chance to check them out now. I’m living vicariously through your experiences … and nearly teared up myself reading about the reception you got from the audiences you encountered.
Authenticity transcends language barriers, ethnicity and race, and national origins. Thank God for music and ambassadors like you that share your gift everywhere you go!
Maureen (aka UrbanTravelGirl)
Maureen!! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving that wonderful comment!!! You made my day!!! It was a wonderful experience and I hope to return some day in the future.
Lynne, I’m so bummed I didn’t know about these Latvian posts in real time … but glad I got your site’s e-mail and had a chance to check them out now. I’m living vicariously through your experiences … and nearly teared up myself reading about the reception you got from the audiences you encountered.
Authenticity transcends language barriers, ethnicity and race, and national origins. Thank God for music and ambassadors like you that share your gift everywhere you go!
Maureen (aka UrbanTravelGirl)
Maureen!! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving that wonderful comment!!! You made my day!!! It was a wonderful experience and I hope to return some day in the future.