(no subject)

[blue_lotus13]

It's a long weekend here in Canada, yet I decided to do a bit of work today, which was quite all right. Yesterday I went out to watch a bunch of alpaca get sheared, then went to the bar to attend a show for Joe Bird. Joe Bird was a local sound-tech, musician and actor who was loved by many. Fringe goers throughout Canada may remember him from his comedy troupe; Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie. Joe died in his apartment of a heart attack on April 1st. This weekend was his birthday, and the local bar where he worked held an event featuring about 10 bands. It went on for over 12 hours. The bar was packed with friends, well wishers, fans and assorted people like me who didn't actually know Joe, but who wanted to support their local musician friends.

The bar was overly packed and slightly crazy. I stayed for a while, then sneaked across the street to eat with some friends.
*****
Edmonton has really lost two fine citizens of its artistic scene. There's the aforementioned Joe Bird and local artswriter Gilbert Bouchard. Gilbert went missing at the end of April. His body was found in the river on May 16. Both circumstances are very sad and depressing, but the community support and cohesiveness of my new city really astounds and heartens me.

Comments

[vestra.livejournal.com]

I heart Joe Bird. I was so sad to hear about his death. I was a huge Dead Trolls fan back in my Fringe-heavy days. One year I was an official reviewer for the Fringe newspaper, and I signed my review for their show,

by vestra "Joe Bird Will You Marry Me? vestlastname

Then, a few weeks later, a woman came by the store I worked, and said "I think you proposed to my boyfriend!" Apparently, he thought it was funny.

So, that's my Joe Bird story. I didn't actually know him, but I thought he was funny and awesome. And hot.

[blue-lotus.livejournal.com]

I didn't know him either, but I thought you would enjoy hearing about his show. He also had a lot of friends that looked like Jesus. They were all at the show. :)

[starfishchick]

Oh, is that who that was? I've heard the story, but don't think I had put two and two together!

That's sweet. (And now sad!)