I have given myself a few days to reflect upon seeing Loreena on stage for the first time before I post my feelings here. I went with my husband and three teenage children to the Chicago concert at the Civic Opera House on May 1st. My husband & I have been listening to Loreena's music ever since Elemental came out 20+ years ago. Unfortunately, the timing wasn't right for one reason or another, and we couldn't go see her on her previous tours. I've always regretted it. Fast forward to a cold winter night several weeks ago... We were watching TV, just flipping through channels, and happened to see the one and only PBS showing of Nights From The Alhambra. I immediately ran to my computer to find tickets to the concert. You see, I never got the QR presale email, so I didn't know about the concerts! With printed tickets in hand, the waiting & increasing excitement began. It took me a few days to realize what the date of the concert was - May 1st - Beltane. Amazing. No words really. We get to see Loreena McKennitt on Beltane. Wow. That realization sparked my creative muse, and I went to work on a special gift for Loreena. I am a fiber artist and I design custom quilts. Here is the quilt that I made for Loreena, in hopes to give it to her in Chicago. I tried to set up a time to give this to Loreena, but it didn't work out...
Concert day finally arrived! When we got to the Civic and saw Loreena's tour buses parked outside, we could hardly contain our excitement. It must have been time for the sound check, because we saw Hugh and Brian outside. (We were in the car driving by - so we didn't meet them.) We parked in a nearby parking garage and went to dinner down the road. By the time we made it back to the Civic, it was a little before 7pm. You could feel the energy in the air as you walked in the front doors. There were people everywhere, and it was crazy busy in front of the merchandise table. We managed to get our DVD after waiting several minutes in the haphazard line. I looked around for people from these boards, but we didn't see anyone! Sorry guys! It was getting close to show time, so we went into the theatre. We had wonderful seats, about 20 rows back, dead center. Before the concert, I was a bit upset that we weren't closer to the stage, but once we got there, we knew right away it was the perfect spot. The sound was AMAZING. I've never been to a concert that was so acoustically perfect. We all love Loreena's music, some of us more than others, but after the concert, we are all in agreement that she is incredible. Her beautiful voice is even better in person - so much so - that she seems 'otherworldly'. The musicians are flawless. The 10 gifted artists on the stage play in perfect unison. It was a truly magical experience. I won't go into much detail of what songs were played - other's have posted that already. I will say that the intimate stories Loreena told of her various journeys around the world really made us feel closer to her and her music. I'm so glad that she takes the time to introduce several songs in the first set with her heartfelt words. I only wish she had done that in the second set as well. The concert was everything I knew it would be, and so much more. I wish we could have stayed after the show to meet Loreena, but it was not to be. I hope she will consider coming back to Chicago soon. She's already sold 5 tickets if she does!
Take care, Michelle
Posts: 24 | Location: Chicago | Registered: April 11, 2007
Michelle, glad to hear you had such a wonderful time. I looked for you in the venue, but I only met one person from either of the forums I am on - I tried. Beautiful quilt - I quite like the idea of auctioning off the proceeds to give to the Cook-Rees fund. I hope Loreena comes back soon as well - there is a lot of love for her in the Chicago area as shown by the crowd.
Hi Michelle! Nice review, I know where you're coming from. And nice quilt, too. Too bad you couldn't give it to Loreena. Hey, maybe you could auction it off and donate the proceeds to the Cook-Rees memorial fund. I bet she'd like that.
Posts: 253 | Location: Michigan | Registered: November 05, 2006
Seeing Loreena live was great, but it wouldn't be the same without all of the others. While it would have been just fine with just Loreena and her harp, it just wouldn't have been the same.
Nice quilt, by the way. I especially like the center piece!
--Artúr
Posts: 166 | Location: East Central Minnesota, USA | Registered: March 18, 2007
Hi Michelle, I'm glad you finally got to see her. Everybody across the country is saying the same thing. The show was, and is awesome, and it is better than sitting at home with your headphones on a far as the sound goes. Pristeen. Some songs sound better than the original recordings. When I met her in Boston I said kudos to the sound people. Thanks again for offering space on your server for the motion style avatar, all set. Guitarpat56
Posts: 115 | Location: East Waterboro, Maine | Registered: January 09, 2007
Beautiful quilt - I quite like the idea of auctioning off the proceeds to give to the Cook-Rees fund. I hope Loreena comes back soon as well - there is a lot of love for her in the Chicago area as shown by the crowd.
