I've been home from my tour in Britain just long enough that the dog has stopped growling whenever I walk into the house, and now I'm heading back out on the road to Ontari-ari-o. This is a short trip - just a couple of shows with some time added on for visiting and, of course, shopping.
My first show is The Truth About Daughters, Friday night in St. Thomas - a stone's throw from London. London is where my oldest sister, Denise, lives. I'll get to visit with her Thursday night before heading out for an appointment on Friday morning and then to the show on Friday night, which, if you're in the area, is at Central United Church at 7:30. For tickets, call (519) 633 - 2686.
Then it's up early Saturday for a drive all the way across the province and a show Saturday night in Athens. That's right, travelling by car from London to Athens in one day. I rock the international travel scene.
The show in Athens is The Truth About Love and/or Marriage, and it's at the Joshua Bates Centre on Saturday night at 8 PM. The home page for the Joshua Bates Centre gives you ticket information, plus these helpful directions:
The JBC is located on the second floor of Athens Town Hall, at 1 Main St. West, corner of Elgin and Main St. It is located at the only flashing traffic light in town.
It's my second time performing in Athens. Like you, I was intrigued by the name of the town - I mean, it's not exactly a cosmopolitan city or anything. In fact, it's a lovely, quiet, rural Ontario town that you would think would be called something like, oh, Farmersville.
And you would be right. It was called Farmersville, up until a few decades ago when the citizenry decided their town needed to shed its bucolic image and get with the times. You can only imagine the cheers that must have gone up at the local high school when the new uniforms came in.
After the shows, I'll be heading into Toronto for a quick visit with as many friends (and stores) as I can fit in before catching a Tuesday flight back home.
I love Toronto. It's one of those cities that, I think, would be exhausting to live in but is exhilarating to visit - tons of night life (my friend Ellen MacPhee has already hooked us up with some concert tickets), great restaurants and did I mention the shopping? Yeah, there's that. Including a gigantic IKEA store which I'm locked on for Sunday around brunch.
As always, I'll have my laptop and wi-fi. I'm hoping to stay connected. Otherwise, the reviews tend to go "Nice show. Shame about the twitch."
I wish I could make it to one of your shows. One of these days.
Posted by: Squirl | March 23, 2006 at 02:27 PM
I didn't know your sister lived in London. Next time I go there, we should all hook up!
Posted by: Laura | March 24, 2006 at 08:56 AM
Ah the Big Smoke, nothing more cool than strolling Queen Street on a sunny afternoon
Posted by: Jim Fogg | March 24, 2006 at 09:44 AM
I loooove Toronto. So much so that, last time I was there, I drank too many margaritas at the Reservoir Lounge and missed my train the next morning. But what a happy accident that leaves me in TO for anudder day. Have fun!
Posted by: Bucky Four-Eyes | March 24, 2006 at 01:49 PM
Why aren't you playing a show in Toronto?
Posted by: whfropera | March 26, 2006 at 08:55 AM
I think you need a blonde assistant to tell you that you look great. PICK ME! PICK ME!
I wanna go to all the neat places too!!
Posted by: Kristine | March 26, 2006 at 03:05 PM
wtf: I've done a lot of shows in Toronto and environs over the years, and since my shows are scripted and not off the cuff, I'd have to write a whole new show. Which - meh. Not sure I have that much more to say in this form. People are free to speculate on how much I ever did have to say.
Kristine: I don't need anyone to tell me I look great - that's why mirrors were invented, duh.
Posted by: Nils | March 27, 2006 at 09:57 AM
You need to do a tour of the U.S., mainly the south, more specifically, Mississippi.
:D
Posted by: Amanda B. | March 27, 2006 at 12:46 PM
Yeah, from your mouth to the Department of Homeland Security's ears. Artists like me are considered some sort of high risk - I might just take a job from some actor who wants to perform a show written by me. Touring in the US is ridiculously difficult - the visa process is corrupt and expensive, designed to employ lawyers and adhere to idiotically stringent and inflexible rules. So, as much as I'd love to tour in the US, it's sadly unlikely. But, on the bright side, your economy is so much safer without me there.
Posted by: Nils | March 27, 2006 at 07:23 PM
Twitch? What twitch?
Posted by: wordgirl | March 28, 2006 at 01:52 AM
HI Nils! What an exciting life you lead...After hearing about the visa problems, it looks like I'll just have to head up to Canada to see you!
(How I'd love to do that.)
Posted by: marybishop | March 31, 2006 at 10:04 AM
I'll make sure we leave a light on at the border, Mary ... :)
Posted by: Nils | March 31, 2006 at 11:42 AM
Hello. I'm here to let you know that Effie has nominated you for BEST OF BLOGGERS, Sexiest Male Blogger. You may want to let you're readers know to come and cast a vote for you, as the voting as began. Good Luck!
Posted by: Best of Blogger | March 31, 2006 at 12:58 PM
Liar. It's a spam site. Don't click on it.
I mean, really - Sexiest Blogger? Please.
Posted by: Nils | March 31, 2006 at 05:45 PM