"Command" Performance

We were happy to be asked to sing at a Government House lunch in Victoria for International Women's Day, March 8. We were thrilled to discover that not only the Lieutenant-Governor of BC, Iona Campagnolo, but also the Governor-General of Canada, Michaelle Jean would be present.

We left Vancouver in the sleet in a 10 passenger van, borrowed specifically for this occasion, and driven by our fearless and intrepid Granny Darlene (only later did she tell us she had never driven anything that big before!). Because it was very windy, there was some concern that the ferry might be cancelled, but luck was with us (in fact, the ferry coming in the other direction was cancelled - but that didn't affect us). We were served a lovely buffet lunch before entering the Main Dining Room hearily fortified and belting out:

Hey look us over, Women proud and strong
Time to hear our voices, Time to hear our song....

Our songs were heartily applauded and to our amazement and great pleasure, we received a standing ovation by the crowd of about 150 (mainly) women present.

As we descended from the stage, we had the opportunity to meet both the Lieutenant-Governor and the Governor-General, both of whom are very intelligent and charismatic women.

Then we piled back into the van, and drove to Swarz Bay (where the sun was bright and warm - especially for us?) and boarded the 5pm sailing back to Vancouver.

A full day, both in terms of what we did and how we felt.

But life doesn't slow down for us Grannies, and on the ferry coming home, some of us worked on songs for our next gig in just two days time.

Stephen Lewis Foundation

Friday evening, March 10, we made a brief appearance at St. Andrew's Wesley Church in Vancouver at a concert in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. All the proceeds from this event which featured excellent musicians from the Vancouver area, were for the benefit of SWAPOL (Swaziland Positive Living) to help people living with HIV/AIDS.

We had intended to walk on stage by either humming or belting out "Hey Look Us Over"
but as soon as we were introduced, the audience roared its recognition of us and continued cheering until we were all on stage.

Our first two songs were well received (of course!) but then we sang out the chorus of our last song (to the tune of Battle Hymn) -
"Cut the military spending,
Cut the military spending,
Cut the military spending,
And increase foreign aid."


The roar of support from the audience was deafening and they joined in the final chorus with gusto and enthusiasm.

It was an emotional evening for many of us - and in support of a most worthy cause.