To say I had a bit of a whirlwind for a social calendar last week, would be like saying a tsunami is a little bit of bad weather.  Wednesday evening was spent surrounded by tweens, and screaming adolescent girls, at a Hedley concert.  I have been a fan of Jacob Hoggart since his Canadian Idol days, and it was the third time I got to see his band play live.  They did not disappoint, and I did a fair share of screeching and belting out his tunes at the top of my lungs.  Great fun really!

Thursday was incredible, when, after winning backstage passes through a call-in contest on 91.7 The Bounce, (little plug for my favourite radio station)  I had the huge opportunity to meet, and have my picture taken, with international recording star, Pitbull!  He was sexier up close ladies, and let’s not forget that he kissed my cheek, not once, but TWICE!  I almost swooned, and barely managed to mumble out something about him being “Awesome”.  After the Meet and Greet, I barely managed to comprehend much of the last two songs we got to see opening act, Flo Rida perform, but the rest of the concert was super hot, super sexy, and super exciting!  I danced until my feet were sore, and my skinny hips ached in the morning, okay, so they ached until Sunday, let’s be honest!

Friday was all about playing catchup for work, as it was a very slow sales week, and I had to work extra hours to get my numbers.  I was beat, sore, my throat was scratchy from two nights of screaming and singing, and after dinner at a local sports bar, I just relaxed and unwound.  Definitely not a highlight of my social exploits, but much needed.  Let’s move on to Saturday, shall we, and a completely different type of venue, and experience.

As most of you already realize, I am a bit of a facebook addict.  Alright, I am a HUGE facebook addict.  As a result, last week, after seeing a wee advertisement about a contest offered by a page I am a fan of, I entered a trivia contest, to win tickets to a play, at The Capital Theatre,  in Fort Edmonton Park.  Imagine my surprise when I got an email, very late on Sunday evening, telling me I had won!  I chose the Saturday afternoon matinee performance of Chapter Two, a play by Neil Simon, and directed by Amanda Bergen.  Now, let me just say here that Fort Edmonton Park is one of my most favourite places in the entire province.  I love stepping back in time and being immersed in history.  I love the buildings, the artifacts, the people in period costumes, cooking, and farming, and doing what they would have done through various stages of Edmonton’s growth.  I will now say, that one of my favourite parts of the Park, is The Capital Theatre.

I have been to many live performances.  I have been to dinner theatre numerous times.  I have seen Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, have seen ballets, symphonies, and operatic performances at huge, historic venues in Europe, but I have never been as moved as I was  by the show I found myself engaged in, right here, in a small, intimate, recreated 1920’s theatre, with four very gifted actors, and their talented director.  I won’t go into a detailed synopsis of  the plot of the story, but will just say that it is touted as a “dramatic comedy”, and it certainly was that.  It is the story of a recent widower, played brilliantly by Mark Stubbings, and a recently divorced actress, played fabulously by Mari Chartier, their rather unusual meeting, and subsequent whirlwind relationship.  I am not embarrassed to say that I was moved to tears, when George spoke of his late wife, and when the two lovers end up in a very heated, emotional and heart-wrenching argument, it was all I could do to hold back from sobbing along with them.  You have to remember, this venue seats 230 something people, was only about half full, and we were front row, center!  I had a hard time not sniffling and snuffing through the end of the play, it was so well performed.  I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the comedic talents of the supporting cast members, Ellen Chorley and Brendan Thompson, who were incredibly funny, as they TRIED to have an affair, while encouraging the blossoming relationship of their best-friend and brother, respectively.

The theatre is as beautiful as any I have ever been in, the play as entertaining, and enthralling as any I have ever seen, and I am left totally and completely in love with my Saturday afternoon, lost in Chapter Two.  Much thanks go to Fort Edmonton Park, The Capital Theatre, and the cast and crew who gave such a stunning performance!  Bravo!!