Keira-anne.com

It’s been more than eight years since I last saw Hanson in concert, which also happens to be the last time they played Vancouver. When I found out they were returning to play an acoustic show at the Commodore Ballroom, I insisted on dragging Becky along with me.

I have this thing with Hanson and a need to turn skeptics into believers.

Being the awesome girl that she is (and knowing how much I appreciate the rock trio of brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma), Becky went above and beyond. Not only did she score us tickets to the show, but also landed an opportunity to meet and interview them, as well as naming me “official” photographer for her writing piece.

Isaac, Taylor and Zac were three of the kindest and most genuine men who obviously have a passion for what they do.

Following our interview (audio will be available in the next day or two, so check back), Becky and I tagged along as Hanson completed a one-mile walk to promote social and humanitarian awareness.

We had time to kill before the show and did so by drinking beer and eating wings. I have beer bloat this morning for the first time ever, so it looks like I’ll be sticking to wine in the future.

While the thought of an acoustic show invokes the ideas of “quiet” and “low key,” Hanson’s show was anything but. The men know how to rock, and they know how to rock it well.

In case you were unaware, Hanson write, record, produce and perform all of their own music and have been doing so for the better part of their lives. Forget the cookie cutter concept.

You know you’re getting old when you’re at a concert, your favourite band is playing and you can’t even stick it out to the end. We left after about an hour of Hanson’s set because neither of us could keep our eyes open any longer. Despite that, the show was fantastic and the day was an experience I won’t soon forget. Our podcast interview with Hanson should be up and airing within the next day or too, so don’t miss that!

My entire set of photos can be viewed here on Flickr.

Photo: Mercury Records

In 1997, there was no escaping “MMMBop,” either on the radio, MuchMusic or from yours truly’s JVC three-disc stereo system. I spent countless hours that summer sitting on the roof outside my bedroom window listening to Hanson’s debut album, “Middle of Nowhere.”

Fast forward 10 years: 2007 saw the release of “The Walk,” an album recorded and released entirely on Hanson’s own label, 3CG Records. Much of the proceeds from the record, and a single entitled “The Great Divide” in particular, were donated to HIV/AIDS research in Africa. Hanson have since been touring the record extensively, and in each city played, the band completes a one-mile barefoot walk with their fans to continue to raise awareness for a cause the brothers are obviously so passionate about.

Photo: kmarski on Flickr

Being that it’s been eight years since I saw them play the Orpheum Theatre, you can imagine my excitement when I learned they’d be playing the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on September 10, 2008. Through the magic of everyone’s favourite Vancouver blogger, Miss604, I will be able to bring all of you, my fabulous readers, up close and personal with the trio from Oklahoma.

Prior to completing the one-mile AIDS walk (for which I am completely willing to forego my pedicured tootsies) with Hanson, Rebecca and myself will be interviewing Hanson, snapping photos and taking in the show that evening. I’ll remind you all closer to the date, but be sure to check back after September 10th for all the juicy tidbits, audio interview and photos from what will most certainly be a day to remember.

What: Hanson (live and acoustic)
When: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Where: Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC (show is 19+)
How: Tickets at Ticketmaster [click here]

For more information on the band, visit their official website.

Still a skeptic? Check out this acoustic clip of the boys (attempting to play) with Tom Green on drums.

The Full Throttle Slopestyle Competition is coming very soon (this weekend, in fact) to Mount Washington. Come out to watch skiiers and boarders strut their best stuff on the slopes. Skiiers, your day is Saturday, while the snowboarders take over shredding duties on Sunday. Whether you’re riding, two-planking or just hanging out to take in the sights, I’m pretty sure it promises to be a fun and exciting weekend.

If I’m a little m.i.a. (?) over the next several days, it’s no doubt for very good reason. The fourth annual Northern Voice conference invades Vancouver, kicking off with a launch dinner tomorrow night at a “secret” location, followed by Moosecamp on Friday and the actual conference on Saturday. Click the moose for more information.

Lastly, but certainly not least, I found myself the quintessential and all-too-necessary little black dress last night. How I never discovered Bebe sooner is completely beyond me. Stay tuned tomorrow for dollface pictures of your humble narrator shimmied into the satin sleeve.

P.S. I am so addicted to Jugo Juice

I am enchanted. For months I have been looking forward to the glimmering hope of attending Michael Bublé’s show in Vancouver tonight, and through the miracle of ticket winning, that hope turned into a dream come true. And that was only the beginning for this girl…

After a long and whimsical set of one fantastic song after another, Michael and his uber-talented band kept the entire audience captivated. The encore came far too soon, but it was one I wouldn’t soon forget. As the crowd attempted to rush the stage, Bublé jumped down to walk amongst the crowd and lo and behold, so close to where Amy and I were seated. He gestured to me, took my hand and brought me up on stage as he serenaded all 13,000 of us with “Come Fly With Me.”

Photo: tamdotcom on Flickr

The rest was a blur, and the next thing I knew we were wrapped up in his 500-thread count Opus Hotel sheets, making love. And as we laid there in afterglow bliss, bundled in plush white hotel robes while we each smoked a cigarette, he began to sing…

“‘Cause you are not alone…I’m always there with you. And we’ll get lost together…’till the light comes pouring through.”

Okay, not really, but a girl can dream, right?

Sometimes you have to use your imagination to distract yourself from irritating circumstances. The evening would have been perfect had it not been for the two drunken couples seated next to Amy and myself. They were quite obviously middle-aged couples from the suburbs, teenagers at home probably not tucked safely into bed, and had been drinking far too much prior to the show. The husband seated next to me didn’t seem to care much for his poor wife as he put his hand on my leg and breathed his ass-bourbon breath into my face.

As Michael began the key notes of “Me and Mrs. Jones,” the man proceeded to tell me that the song was about 50 years old and that he was 51.

“Wow…that’s a lot older than me,” I retorted back, rather stoically. I think he got the message.

Photo: InnerDemon on Flickr

However, all in all, the night was like a fairytale come true. I was absolutely blown away by how much of a true performer Michael is. The interludes between each of his songs were near-stand up routines. The man’s a ham! Everything from sassy innuendo that made my heart go “ga-gung” to Stewie Griffin impersonations. Did I mention charming, sweet, funny, sexy and talented? I was glad to have had no expectations or preconceived notions about what his show would be like because it was such a delightful surprise with the start of each and every song. And of course, being a hometown Vancouver boy, he had to give a little bit of love to the Canucks and get the crowd revved up for the Stanley Cup.

I can’t remember the last time I had such a fantastic time at a live show. If ever you get the chance to see this man perform live, do not pass it up. It’s time well worth spent.

“I think I had a shit-eating grin on my face the entire time!” - Amy

Well Amy, here’s something that’s guaranteed to keep that grin there a little longer.

Need to see and hear a little crooning for yourself? Here’s a clip courtesy of YouTube and Warner Bros. Records.

So much to write, so little time. Let’s get started, shall we?

Just in case you didn’t catch it the first time or heard about it through Becky, here’s your reminder that tonight is the first night of free ridin’ at Mount Seymour for all the lovely ladies. Simply pick up your voucher (as Amy and I already have) at any of the participating locations, strap on your board and shred!

Guys’ Night Out, in support of breast cancer research with the BC Cancer Foundation, is happening Monday nights through to March 24, 2008. Visit Mount Seymour’s website for more details.

——————————————————

A little while back, I made mention about my new-found love for easy listening radio. My station of choice is 104.9 Clear FM, and with that switch to a new radio station, I found myself falling for the music of Michael Bublé. You can imagine my excitement when I found out he was playing at GM Place in January. You can imagine my disappointment when I found out that all the tickets were gone before I’d even heard of the show.

Photo courtesy of Moadh on Flickr

It wasn’t long, however, before Clear FM announced that they’d have a few tickets for the show to give away. Since converting Amy into both a Clear FM listener and a solid Bublé fan, her and I both decided to use our tens of thousands of Clear Rewards points to purchase entries in the contest for tickets.

The winners were announced today.

——————————————————

Looking for something a little saucy to entertain you this weekend? It’s once again time for ‘Taboo: The Naughty But Nice Sex Show‘ at Canada Place in Vancouver. Now that the Christmas trees and twinkling lights are packed away, vendors from all over haul out their stashes of condoms, oils, lubes, toys, harnesses and more obscure things than you can shake a…stick at.

Photo courtesy of Magalie L’Abbé on Flickr

Running from January 10 - 13, 2008 in Convention Halls A, B and C, a one-day ticket will set you back $15.00, while a weekend pass runs for $30.00. My opinion is that it’s worth going once, but it’s pretty much the same fanfare each and every year. (19+ only)

——————————————————

And lastly, while I am on the subject of snowboarding this fine afternoon in downtown Vancouver, it’s time to fill you all in on my little adventure planned for February 1. My vixen-in-crime, the divine Rebecca Bollwitt, is accompanying me to Vancouver Island on the eve before. This is huge for me because I never, ever bring people back to the Island with me. This time I’ll let it slide…

Friday, February 1 is the second annual ‘Kokanee Day For Dudes‘ at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Being that snowboarding at Mt. Washington is my first love, beer my second and men my third, could such an event be any more spectacular? True, the event is geared towards the endowed species, but the eye candy alone will be worth the price of the lift ticket. For $59, men can enjoy a lift ticket, afternoon lesson and Kokanee-sponsored aprés.

Need another reason to go? How about gorgeous powder and a base just shy of 400cm? Check this out, but try not to drool too much.

Rebecca: “Do you think he’s short?”

Keira-Anne: “Does it really matter when he’s horizontal?””

A few days ago, Becky asked if I’d be interested in seeing tonight’s Bon Jovi concert at GM Place, seeing as her hubby wouldn’t dream of doing so. I shrugged my shoulders and said sure, knowing that pretty much any live concert is a good time.

Hedley (non-linkage intentional) opened the night, so being that Becky and I were patrons of the Siemens Club (tee hee), we sat and had a glass plastic cup of merlot while those four boys played their set. After a quick bottle of water, we were in our seats in plenty of time to see Jon Bon Jovi and his amigos take the stage. Tonight was the final Canadian date on their Lost Highway tour, so the bar was set rather high from the very beginning. “We played for almost three hours last night and we’ll be doing it again tonight. So if you’ve gotta work tomorrow or your mama’s meeting you on the corner for a ride tonight, you’d better send out those text messages now.”

Mr. B. J. announced that they’d play through the entire new album in its entirety, and then shuffle through 20 years’ worth of singles. I have to be honest for a moment: the new record is very much generic rock which can and will be very easily copied by countless cover bands at your friendly Fraser Valley bar. I spent much of this portion of the set thinking back to when “Seth” served “Carrie” a huge serving of pump-n-dump on Sex and the City.

The music ended, the lights went low and very faintly the first notes of “Livin’ On A Prayer” filled GM Place. Let me tell you one thing for very sure - you have not lived until you’ve belted that song at the top of your lungs with 13,000 other screaming fans. And from there, the band played a stream of the songs that have made them popular enough to still sell-out arenas two nights in a row. In Canada.

I expected to see a sea of acid wash denim, teased and crimped hair, leather vests, mullets and all the other horrific fashion staples of the decade that made Bon Jovi a staple of the big hair music scene. There was none of that - just a lot of people out to have a good time. Truth be told, the band doesn’t even need to make new music anymore. They could’ve simply batted back and forth between “Livin’ On A Prayer” and “Shot Through the Heart” over and over and over again for two hours and everyone still would’ve had a great time.

At least know I know what who I want for Christmas…

Sure he’s 45, but I’d still tap that. Yes, even with the Superman tattoo.

Post Edit: Becky posted a little video clip she shot tonight on her blog, so check it out.it

Tonight was a night of humongous importance. As I mentioned a few days ago, Matt played the third date on his “Nothing to Hide” tour in support of Hospital Music. Arriving, I was very nervous for many reasons, but mostly because I know how much Matt has worked through and endured and risen above to get to the point of walking on stage this evening. The songs on Hospital Music are not simply songs when I hear them, but bits and parts of the last year of my life. Some songs make me smile hugely, others I sometimes can’t hear. But then all tell a story - Matt’s story - and I was so excited for him in that he was able share that with everyone.

Pre-show photo courtesy of matthewgood on Flickr

The show itself was absolutely wonderful. Strong vocals, stellar guitar playing and song choices that were carefully selected. Matt was joined on stage by Rod during “I’m a Window,” and it was certainly something to be seen (or should I say heard?). He has much to be proud of.

The people there were great, and the Centre was packed with supportive fans. I saw a few familiar faces as well as met some new ones. Debbie and Joanne were beyond sweet and it was a pleasure to meet them both! Unfortunately, my buddy Duane was ailing in bed - I missed seeing you out there!

The show was not the only highlight of the evening for me. It was also the first time my new slash old friend Chelsea and I ever really hung out one-on-one. Her and I worked together at summer camp for the first time nearly ten years ago, and have hung out in group settings, quite literally, once or twice over the past decade. This year, for whatever reason, her and I made a connection online and so far, so fun. What we both realized is that as teens, your friendships are largely based on common circumstances. As adults, your friendships are based on shared values and similar personalities. For whatever reason, it seems like 2007 was our year to click and I am totally grateful for it.

That’s it, kids - have a great night!