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Ah, jazzfest.
On June 23rd, 2016 I made my regular pilgrimage down to Confederation Park for another evening of another instalment of the Ottawa Jazz Festival. Of course I headed straight to “my” beer tent, overpaid for a plastic cup of flat lager and parked myself under The Tree, doubtlessly surrounded by at least a small posse of friends and fellow conspirators.
I’m not sure how it happened that The Tree became the unspoken and invariable meeting spot for everyone I know that frequents the jazzfest, but it did. I suppose the fact that it’s the only obvious landmark left over from a pre-cellphone era when planning ahead was the norm comes into play. But for good or ill, The Tree is where I can always find like-minded individuals to loudly talk with throughout the show.
While it’s proximity to the nearest beer tent (“my” beer tent) is admirable as is the sound in the immediate area – given it’s placement next to the soundboard – the fact that the sound tent and the VIP tent converge at The Tree limits the sightlines somewhat, both to the stage and the bigscreen alike. So it’s not like The Tree is the best place to watch the show from or anything (hence the “for good or ill” statement above). In fact, the few times I’ve happened to take in a set from a different spot in the park has always made me question The Tree, but I still keep going back. And so do all of my friends.
I’m sure there would have been quite a few on hand this night for Alvin “Youngblood” Hart and no doubt The Tree filled up* by the time blues legends Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite hit the stage for their headlining set. With every new arrival plastic cups would get ‘clunked’ and hugs and/or handshakes would accompany whispers of welcome and what-did-I-miss. Depending on the show these whispers would often grow to loud over-the-band conversations that would eventually drive the uninitiated to quieter climes and leave we hardy Tree people alone to build and solidify our friendships.
Which I suppose suggests the possibility that my friends don’t choose to congregate under The Tree. Rather, my friends may simply be defined as those that congregate there.
Either way, they’re a pretty good crowd. A bit talky and they might drink a bit too much, but a good crowd overall.
*Not literally, though The Tree is certainly big enough to hold a bunch of people were they to choose to climb it. I’ve often thought that a little treehouse/viewing platform could be built up there and sold as a special ticket on show nights.
Todd Man Out 