Special Guest Report by Marsi Neufeld
It all started with a status update last week. Keri changed her status to say “Keri is hopefully seeing David Usher next week”. My immediate question to her was “Marsi too?”. She said yes and I was very excited.
As the week progressed our information about the event did not increase. All we knew was that it was something to do w/ Future Shop and it was in Vancouver. Eventually, we found out it was on Friday and at noon. Then yesterday (the day before the “event”) we found out it was a private corporate event. All of a sudden my access to see David perform was not so secure. Multiple phone and text messages later we decided to wing it and try and talk my way in if need be.
Friday morning we are on the road to Burnaby (not Vancouver) to the Future Shop / Best Buy headquarters to crash their event. Driving down the road, I am the first to spot the tent (which seems like a good sign since we were sure we’d get lost). The second good sign was that we immediately found a parking spot. We got out of the car and walked around the building and stopped short when we saw pirates. Yes, the theme of the BBQ was “Pirates of the Caribbean”. In a weird coincidence I was actually wearing a pirate shirt. So I casually unzipped my jacket figuring it would help us blend in w/ the crowd. I have to say, it felt very surreal, not only was I crashing an event (Keri had been legitimately invited) but everyone was dressed up like pirates (aargh!). After a quick stop in the ladies room for Keri to text Barb it was off to the performance tent.
We walk into the tent and snagged front row seats (right next to two “reserved” seats that I am convinced were meant for us). The tent filled up and the mini-concert started. David immediately recognized Keri, which was a very cool moment. The set was awesome! David is such an excellent performer. I was thrilled to hear “The Music”, “Black Black Heart” and “Push” (the latter bringing back great memories of high school). A dancing Best Buy mascot got a laugh out of David and in a very sweet moment David interacted with a toddler that was there.
After the set, David came off the stage and headed towards Keri. They exchanged pleasantries and she made the very classy move of stepping aside so his other fans could get a photo or autograph.
Because it was the Best Buy / Future Shop annual Canada Day BBQ, they brought someone onstage to lead us in the singing of our national anthem. One of the coolest parts of the day was standing next to David Usher and singing “O Canada”. Anyone who knows me knows how much the anthem means to me (remember the Man U match in Seattle?). And it made for a great memory to be singing it with him (okay, fine, next to him). After the anthem was over I decided that it was our turn for some David time. I got to meet him and have my picture snapped and when I thanked him for letting us crash the event, he responded “anytime”. So obviously I think that means that we’re invited to any future David Usher event. :-) Kidding, sort of.
Steve Zsirai
Keri got to chat with Kevin and Steve (I think, the bass player) as she’s met them before.
Then it was time for David and the band to head back to the airport and Keri and I took off to see “Ocean’s 13”.
All in all it was an excellent day!
“I’m counting the cars on the freeway below”
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