The Grand Tour

by Angela Sanford

Flashback - I'm 8 years old and it's Saturday night in East Noel. Mom is in the bath, primping herself for the local dance. The Saturday Night Classics are on FX 101.9 and our kitchen is filled with the warmth of the woodstove and the choruses of familiar songs. A Foxtrot comes on and Dad takes my hand and leads me around the kitchen instilling in me the steps, followed by a Polka, and then it's time for him to leave and pick up the babysitter.     

   I didn't realize it then, but I have heard many times over the years, that Dad was a great dancer. We never shared a similar moment in beyond my childhood.

   When Dan and I had our boys they, too, grew up with the classics belting through our house in a double dose -  Saturday morning on Cat Country and Saturday night on the same station as my childhood. Whenever they were willing, the dance lesson took place in our house as well.  However, there was a slight role reversal and I became the instructor and they the students.

   For a number of years boxing consumed our Saturday nights, until 2020 and COVID regulations. At that time, Saturday nights reminiscent of younger years returned - with an extended drive to be able to get out of the house.  This tried-and-true segment has been a staple for us for three generations now.

   As a young adult, I imagined myself in Nashville enjoying these are artists on the stage of the Grand Old Opry. While I'd still go if the opportunity arose, these artists are no longer performing on stage and I'm not sure that I wouldn't be disappointed were I there in person.    

    Last weekend, however, there was almost no disappointment in the classics I was listening to on Saturday night.

   For Christmas, I gifted Dan tickets for the two of us to attend “The Grand Tour” in Truro; we became members of their largest audience to date. As we entered the event, we recognized several couples, families, and friend groups from the Hants North area. But, once in line and chatting with those around us, it was clear that the number of people we knew was a large portion of the attendees, and from our seats we could easily have “reached out” to familiar faces in every direction.

  A friend, Kathy, who was also attending, even turned to me and said, “Ange, they could have had this show in Kennetcook and it would be all the same people.” It was a correct statement, that's for sure!

  The performance was amazing, the musical sets imitating the top country artists of the 50s–- 80s. Yes, I was singing (much to the chagrin of those around me, I’m certain) but I tried to keep my voice “inside”  - inside my head as best I could that is but it did launch from my throat once or twice when my all time favorite tunes were played.

  Despite enjoying the company of my concert partner, the first thing I said to Dan we exited was, “Well, that's a show I'm going to again and next time I'm taking Mum.”  He enjoyed it as much as I did but he’s a little less social than I am.

   Now, I did say that there was ALMOST no disappointment in the show.   I have nary a complaint about the performance, nor the venue, the crowd, or the energy of the evening; they were all amazing.  The only complaint I have is that, somewhere between the music and the moment, I wished for a dance floor.