Who's going to the Vancouver show

Hey Martine! I'll be there! Along with Sweet Secret Peace! I guess we're staying somewhere downtown close to the venue. The only places I've been in Vancouver are GM Place and a hockey shop in Surrey! Any ideas?

Genny

Hmmmm, a human-chain to work our way to the front row....sounds like a terrific idea to me! Count me in, and possibly my non-Finnatic husband (what was I thinking?? ) too. Of course, if resists the idea, he can stand at the back

Excellent, excellent. I'm flying in and my cousin who is a Vancouverite is coming with, so I will ask him to recommend somewhere close at hand to the venue and we can gather up for coffee/drinks/snacks whatever you guys want to do.
Once we decide to meet, we have to think of a way that we can identify ourselves (maybe we should get a secret handshake? Just being silly)(maybe we could all wear red dinner jackets?) (no way!)
We'll think of something.

In the meantime, whoever else besides you two intrepid souls respond to this post, feel free to suggest somewhere/something and we'll 'discuss'

Do you know how awesome this concert is going to be? Reading all the nightly reports, you know we're in for one massive treat!

Actually Martine, I was thinking more along the lines of PLAID dinner jackets!! lol
It's funny you should mention that....I was just talking to someone who's going to the Portland show and saying the exact same thing: My favorite means of identification was wandering aimlessly yelling, "FRENZ?!?!" I was actually toying with the idea of getting lettering on the back of a sweatshirt that says, "R U MY FRENZ?" I dunno how much that would cost though....

I agree....this is going to be great show!! I've always wanted to go to the LAST SHOW OF THE TOUR!!
The ONLY thing that could've made this vacation any better is if the Canucks had been playing at home that night! Alas, no.....it was not meant to be. <---------------DRAMATIC!!

I'm pretty sure we'll be up for pre-show hangin. The venue is in a cool downtown setting, so lots of stuff to check out. I need a new hockey jersey!

Well, as I ruminate about missing Neil on TV last night (sorry off topic) I will put my pineapple head on and think of how we can distinguish ourselves to each other. Possibly if we come up with somewhere to touch bases first, we can all wear a carnation in our lapels or something!!

My problem is that I don't think I actually *own* anything with lapels . However, if the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse (Please, oh great weather gods, Stay cool and sunny!! No absurdly crazy monsoons!!), I'll be easy to spot in my garish orange-and-navy Gortex jacket. And if I'm feeling really spiffy, maybe I'll put on my yellow Helly Hansen rain pants to coordinate. Then you'll have no problems picking me out in the crowd...LOL!

Seriously I like the carnation idea, Martine. And the lapel-challenged could wear them in their hair (tucked behind an ear, perhaps?) or some other non-offensive location.

BTW, I work in downtown Vancouver in the Gastown area. I don't get over to Granville street mall much, but I could go and have a look at potential meeting spots near the Commodore? I'm not much of a "hanging in the downtown, being cool" type, so any brilliant ideas for places to meet do not immediately pop into my mind. But I'll do my best!!

I know there are LOTS of other Vancouver folks on the forum who must have some good ideas. Where are you all?!

Later,
Kathleen

Hi Kathleen! lol....you know I don't think I own a SINGLE set of lapels! I'm a t-shirt/sweatshirt kinda girl!! (unless I'm at work, then I'm all business-like. ugh) BUT...I can ALSO be identified by my GoreTex! I have a burgundy and black North Face one, so if it's raining, that's what I'll be wearing! But the carnation thing should work just fine. Or, we could just stand around like limo drivers at the airport with cardboard signs that say FRENZ. hehehehe.

Sounds like a good idea to scout out the area by the venue......the only times I've been there have either been for hockey tournaments that I'm playing in, or to see the Canucks. Usually when we see the Canucks, we have dinner somewhere close to GM Place.....or once we went to North Van. And all the tournaments I've played are in suburbs, so I don't know that area of downtown. Thanks for the offer to check it out......it'll help us all out SO much!!
I'll be watching for updates!

Genny

Pre-Show watering holes

The Morrisey
The Granville Room
The Lennox

All of these are within 2 blocks from the Commodore and are on Granville. The Lennox would be the closest.

See you all there.

I had a brilliant idea (well, IMHO) wherever it is we decide to meet up or even if we just meet in line---here is what we do:

We all plan on throwing up song request/paper airplanes do we not?????

Once it's decided where we are meeting, simply have your planes in your hand in ready view. If you are the first one there--put them out on the table, and we will know to approach you as a FREND. And if we miss you, come to the lineup and if you see people holding paper planes, again, feel free to approach that person as a FREND

That said, I do agree that we should try to aim for somewhere pretty close, that way, if doors open at 8--I'd like to get there by 7 and if we meet at say 6 or 5:30 ish, we can all have a bit of a how do you do and bob's your uncle before we take off to line up.

That said, my project this weekend is to find some pretty splashy 8 by 10 paper that will be sure to catch the eye of a certain Kiwi as it 'falls at his feet' once it's launched into the ether.

Comments?

Hey Martine, that is a great idea
......................except if it's raining! lol Unless we're all getting our airplanes laminated they'd totally get ruined in line. I'm liking the flower thing more and more......then we can shower Neil with flowers!

But it never rains in Vancouver!!!! (NOT)

Yes, I guess you're right. I like the idea of the red carnation as well.

Is Portland having an in-store??? I hope he does one in Vancouver, that would be great. I need something to do that afternoon and it may as well be that!!

Yeah, Portland is having an instore.....come on down, Martine! We're all going! lol I keep checking Neil's site to see if any more pop up. I'll letcha know!

You know, the scary thing is ,I'm arriving in Vancouver Saturday morning, so technically, I could just 'pop' down to Portland, I suppose...I don't think it's going to happen though.

I'll spend the time trying to think up words of enlightenment (see chicago thread) for my paper planes.....

I believe we have some people sussing out the restaurants/pubs that have been mentioned in this thread as a likely meeting place prior to the show. So once we get that in order ya'll just have to make sure you show up with a red carnation somewhere on your body !!

I love the idea about throwing the flowers up after, if they last that long---or don't get squished----I think Neil may be getting tired of chocolate (my goodness, is that actually possible??) (not for me)

Well, one of our Vancouver frenz (Kathleen) has gone to the Commodore Ballroom area to suss out what's available for meetin' and another option which I have to admit I'm leaning towards is simply to meet at Starbucks for a bit before heading to the Commodore. As Kathleen has pointed out it's cheaper than meeting in a pub, not all of us may feel comfortable meeting in a pub and less liklihood perhaps of running into unsavouries (ok, ok, you can run into unsavouries anywhere, but you know what i mean..)

There are apparently two Starbucks in the vicinity, one half a block away and the other about one block away.

How do you all feel about this alternative?

Geez, are there any florists in the vicinity? They're going to have a run on carnation boutiniers they never expected..............

Let's hear comments on this and once that's out of the way, we just need to consider what time.

But Martine, then I'll have to drink my tequila out of a paper bag! lol j/k!

OF COURSE..........there are TWO Star*ucks right by ANYwhere you want to go!!! lol.....sorry, I just HATE them! But I'll meet there....at least it'll be more quiet than a pub, so we can chat!

But BoarderGURL , if you're going to see Neil LIVE on stage, you won't need any TEQUILA to enhance your experience GIRLFRIEND--You're probably going to be so high anyway from having seen him TWO nights in a row already!!!!

I was at the supermarket today and they were selling red carnations and I thought of you.

Awww....Martine! How nice!!

That does it.......henceforth, the Red Carnation is now the Official Flower of Neil Finn. I don't know if there already IS an Official Neil Finn flower, but it doesn't matter, because it has now been changed to the Red Carnation!

(for maximum effect, you must read the above sentence in your best Mojo Jojo voice!)

You're right though....I WILL already be intoxicated! No additional tequila required!! All I need is Neil! You guys, I'm starting to get nervous!! AUGH!!!!!!

Well, 'Gurl' enjoy the feeling of anticipation because it'll be over soon enough.

(oh my goodness, that's a downer)

I can certainly relate though, I'm practically spinning and we still have 9 days to go.

Hiya folks!

I thought I'd better post something, since Martine has been doing all the work (and such a good job!) posting the meeting details and all, up until now .

Just to confirm (and to get this thread up to the top of the list ), I believe that we've decided to meet at the Starbucks at Granville and Robson (on Granville, directly next to giant, brightly lit London Drugs). Time: 6 pm-ish. Dress: red carnations. Does anyone have any corrections/rebuttals to make?

For the out-of-towners: the 5-day weather forecast looks pretty good and much like it has been the last while - cool with sunny periods. Let's hope it sticks around, 'cos it's not fun to get soaked in a monsoon, then be damp and steaming in a crowded room for several hours.

Has anyone been in the Commodore before? I haven't a clue what the layout is like. Is the new dance floor as bouncy as the old one purports to be?

Cheers,
Kathleen

Geez Kathleen, you're the one that's been running around checking everything out, BIG KUDOS to you!!

If you go to hob.com and then find the Commodore Ballroom link, there are photos and all sorts of info on the Commodore. I think it holds around 900 people--and there are no in and out priveleges so all you smokers better be ready.

The only thing I'm worried about is the doors open at 8, (my ticket says doors open at 8 anyway--does that mean the show starts @ 8:30? 9:00 and maybe you all feel that lining up around 7 is sufficient, so I plan on being at that coffee joint between 5:30 and 6:00 (or earlier!!!! what the heck!!!)

Hey Kathleen and Martine......you guys are SO on the ball!! Sounds like a plan to me! I'm with you Martine.....the earlier the better! Alot of people have been accidently catching sound check, and it wouldn't hurt my feelings to see one myself! Maybe 5-ish? Catherine (Sweet Secret Peace) and I are driving up right after the Seattle show, so we'll be in Vancouver for the whole day: anyone up for tourist/exploring type activities? It'll be like a pre-pre-meeting! Any ideas? I know that North Vancouver has a really cool open-air type of market thingy, but I haven't been to any other non-hockey related sites!

Usually, when the doors open at 8:00 the show starts at 9:00.....that's been the trend so far this tour, too. My problem is....I'm too impatient because I KNOW that the only thing standing between me and Neil is the DORK on stage that's opening for him!! Well, that's how I felt LAST year anyways! lol

Gen

THE DORK ON STAGE!!!! You're nuts!!! I love it!!!

I'm up for touring around and I've also been thinking of accidently catching the sound check.

Perhaps boardergurl, you could pm myself & Kathleen and let us know your ETA and your hotel, ---sticking with the original plan of meeting at Starbucks between 5 & 6 for all interested frenz to meet, but us out of towners may want to take in a little sight seeing first.

Kathleen!!! maybe you could be our tour guide!! If you'r not otherwise occupied Monday--maybe you're at work?

I think you may be referring to the Granville market--on the island there, the name of which escapes me right now--I'm sure we can pick up some red carnations!!

Actually, you both are correct! There's a market in North Van (Lonsdale Quay) and there's the one on Granville Island. Both have their benefits: you can toodle over to North Van on the Sea Bus, which is kind of fun; and Granville Island is just plain big, with lots of stuff to do. Frankly, I prefer Granville Island just for sheer amount of stimulus for shopping, eating, and general poking around. But, hey, there'll be a bounty of red carnations at either place!!

quote:

Kathleen!!! maybe you could be our tour guide!! If you're not otherwise occupied Monday--maybe you're at work?

Aw, shucks, I'd be honoured!!! Problem is, I have a board meeting at 11 am and it could go on for some time - my organization is in serious financial straits and it could get a bit messy once everyone throws in their two cents . I can probably ditch the place in early afternoon (2 pm-ish) if you guys want to meet up? I'm volunteering my "work" time anyway, so it's not like they can dock my pay or anything .

Anyway, I'm up for meeting pre-Starbucks for a jaunt and checking out a potential soundcheck (Dork or no dork). FYI, I sent Nettwerk Vancouver a bunch of questions about soundcheck access, merchandise availability, and whether cameras are allowed (it doesn't say they're NOT allowed on my ticket!). They've been pretty good about finding out information for me before, so I hope to hear something before the week is out. I'll be sure to post anything if I hear from them.

So, boardergurl, if you want to pm myself & Martine and let us know whereabouts you and Catherine are staying, we can suss out the logistics!

Do a dance for the sun gods!!
Kathleen

Marvy! Yes boardergurl, please do let us know before you leave at the end of the week where you guys'll be checking in.

I have my daze all mixed up, when I was saying to Kathleen, maybe you can be our tour guide--it suddenly struck me, yea but Monday is a work day...

Off topic here, sorry, everyone on the tour is sick????? I've heard nothing, I'm coming to Vancouver one way or the other, no fears

Boardergurl and Kathleen!!!

Are you still with me!! Boardergurl---let us know re your hotel if you want Kathleen & I to meet you guys earlier on Monday---once you take off on your whirlwind holiday--tomorrow (?) you're out of touch until 5:00 Monday afternoon.

Sorry to be a bug.

To re-iterate (sp?)All interested parties meet at Starbucks (beside London Drugs)(within a block of the Commodore) on Granville between 5:00 & 6:00pm wearing a red carnation so you are identifiable as a/to FRENZ.

Otherwise, we'll see you in line!

quote:

Originally posted by Martine:
[qb]I will put my pineapple head on and think of how we can distinguish ourselves to each other. [/qb]

By jove, I think you've got it! We'll simply put on our pineapple heads!! (Mine is rainproof, and actually big enough to shield myself and two or three others from an average-sized Vancouver shower...)

Can't wait to see everybody there!!!!! (whoo hoo)

quote:

Originally posted by Martine:
[qb]...running into unsavouries [/qb]

Uh-oh! I'm afraid I myself may be an unsavory! *biting nails*

quote:

Originally posted by boarderGurl:
[qb](for maximum effect, you must read the above sentence in your best Mojo Jojo voice!) [/qb]

Practicing this as we speak... lol

Wait.......unsavouries can't go???

Sorry guys, it WOULD'VE been fun......

HEHEHEHEHHEHEHE.....JUST KIDDING!! lol

Just wanted to drop a line...I'm still here, and will PM you guys later tonight! SEE YOU ALL SOON!!


bG

IF we end up at the Granville Market, whilst picking up some red carnations, I'll check out the availability of Pineapples too. However, if we hollow them out and parade up and down Granville with them on---the unsavouries may come out of the woodwork for sure. (or maybe not, they'll be too scared)

quote:

Originally posted by treegrrl:
[qb]Do a dance for the sun gods!!
Kathleen [/qb]

^Practicing this now...^

Okay, while we're shopping for produce, maybe we could pick up some old-ass tomatoes and lettuce in case "the opening Dork" really sux. (No, I'm kidding. Not only would that be highly unsavory, that'd be really mean!)

Sorry to spam this thread-- just having a ball catching up after my frenz-related hiatus...

(did I mention, whoo hoo?)

Just have to make sure the carnation is an Edible Flower (groan) and if we get hungry in the lineup, we can make salad.

I'm afraid I'll have to put you and BoarderGurl under Frenz arrest if I catch you lobbing tomatoes at the opening act.

You don't want to spend the night in a Canadian hoosgow. Believe me.... she said ominously...

Lisa's back on the tour! YAY!

quote:

Originally posted by Sweet Secret Peace:
[qb]Okay, while we're shopping for produce, maybe we could pick up some old-ass tomatoes and lettuce in case "the opening Dork" really sux. (No, I'm kidding. Not only would that be highly unsavory, that'd be really mean!)[/qb]

You'd better be nice to Rhett, or KatieKilldare will come after you. (he is a doll, and WAYYY better than Ed was)

You all have a good time, I am just living vicariously thru you all now...

quote:

You all have a good time, I am just living vicariously thru you all now...

No prob, suenotsusan .....we'll have a little EXTRA fun just for you!

very good

I am doing dry weather mantras for you (ohm shanti no rain shanti shanti warm shanti sun come out shanti ohm).

(Decloaking)
Hi forum Frenz, just wanted to point out a potential "waiting on the wrong corner" situation regarding Starbucks and London Drugs locations. Here's some info for locals and out of towners that I hope helps and doesn't confuse.

(Attn Treegrrl) I'm not sure if there is a Starbucks next to London Drugs, but what I do know is that London drugs is at Granville and Georgia st which is another blk north of Robson st.

The Commodore is at 868 Granville St between Smithe st and Robson St.
There is a Starbucks @ Smithe and Granville (1/2 blk south of Commodore) and another Starbucks 1 block west of Granville next to Chapters books at Howe and Robson (for those Vancouverites familiar to downtown)

There's a great, cheap Japanese restaurant on the same block as the Commodore called Kitto.

Also a great independent Book store "The Granville Book Co" on the same block (its actually right under the stage 2 floors above!) you can sometimes hear bass octaves of the show or sound check here. but please be respectful and go there for the books....

Actually, if you stand out on Granville St you can sometimes hear the soundcheck leaking through the 2nd flr windows- but no promises.

Parking: For those people not used to parking downtown. It is generally safe, but whatever you do: Do not leave anything visible in your vehicle. the area is prone to smash and grab thieves.
The parking meters are in effect until 8pm
I usually park in a "patrolled" multilevel lot located on Seymour st 1/2 blk north of Robson. it's $4 Cdn after 6pm
Seymour St is 1 blk east of Granville st.

The Commodore dance floor was replaced in 1995 and unfortunately doesn't bounce as much as the old one but is definitely safer than the old one had become. Still a great place to see a show.
For smokers, the Commodore normally has a roped off area outside the front door where you can stand and puff.

Not sure on camera policy, that's normally set by the band and is normally only found out on day of the show.
There is a coat check available

It's great to see people excited about the show.

Commodore web site
http://www.hob.com/venues/concerts/commodore/

Sorry for the longish post but I hope I've been helpful.
All views and opinions strictly my own.

TB
(cloaking)

Teabag,

Thanks for the excellent info, this is very kind--you have answered any questions I may have had about the venue...Kathleen advises me thru pm that she has been unable to get on the forum for whatever reason and asks me to convey to all that it hasn't been for lack of trying---

Teabag ,I have conveyed your message to her and hopefully by Friday night we will either come up with another meeting place close by so all interested Frenz can have a chat and a coffee before we head over for the lineup.

Again, Frenz who want to be said hello to/approached, be sure to have your official Neil Finn flowers in full view---get those paper airplanes ready and stay tuned!

Finally, I've managed to post after logging in a dozen times, fiddling with Explorer and re-booting too many times to be decent.

quote:

(Attn Treegrrl) I'm not sure if there is a Starbucks next to London Drugs,...

Sorry, Teabag, hate to say you're wrong , but there IS a Starbucks directly next to London Drugs, in addition to the two you mentioned. I double-checked the Starbucks website (to ensure that I wasn't crazy, quite possible), and it's there - Granville & Georgia (720 Granville st. for the address junkies). I *knew* that I couldn't have been made soooo delusional by the caffeine that I saw a mirage

But, hey, thanks for all of the tips on listening in for the soundcheck, and useful info on cameras and coats (likely necessary since they're calling for rain). Are we cool, or will there be a great street-fight in front of the Commodore on Monday night?? I'm small, but I'm quick!

So, out-of-towner Frenz, are we still on for meeting at the London Drugs' Starbucks with red carnations aglow?

Cheers,
Kathleen