With its programme normally coming from the world of classical music, playing an event like this was different for us – or at least for me; Rob has many years of involvement with the world of classical music. This is a really wonderful facility put together by residents in Welwyn Garden City, using the Quaker Friends Meeting Hall as a venue. Every month, they have Sunday afternoon concerts for the price of audience donations to a named charity.
So, we were invited to play a forty minute set after a very talented cello duet and piano ensemble. Aware that this is a family occasion, Rob selected a programme with rather less death, destruction and ghosts than the normal set would have. This is an audience with a very good critical ear – so, it was very satisfying to get the overwhelmingly positive feedback we were hoping for at the end of the session. As those who know us will testify, our repertoire is about stories and the ironies of the human condition – and, for most, they appeared greatly enthralled by the songs of loves requited and otherwise. Again, it was very nice to have Dan Garcia playing with us, and with being so close to home, to see so many good friends and neighbours coming along to support us in what was a pretty packed hall.
Rob and I later went for drinks and snacks with the organisers and it was nice to hear about all of the various musical adventures – some including a cappella French singing – they were involved in (and a few bottles of very welcome London Pride...fast becoming a favourite tipple).