Adventures in Detroit
May 19, 2006
Hello Adventurers,
I had a small adventure last evening. It is common that I travel the world alone and not uncommon for me to go to Detroit alone. Well, last night I had a reason to drive down Interstate 94 to highway 10 and exit on Jefferson Avenue. I turned left onto Woodward and passed one or two empty buildings. A few blocks later I found The State Theater right next door to the Fox Theater, just as the map had said. I'd never been to the State Theater in Detroit before. On this night, May 18, the kiosk read, "MCMF Presents The Detroit Music Awards".
What was I doing there? The limo outside was not mine, but tickets were waiting for me at the door at the "presenter's table" along with 2 drink tickets. A nice woman at the presenter's table found the envelope with my name on it. I proceeded to shuffle inside with several others wearing high high-heel shoes, sparkling earrings, gold lamé tops and a few three piece suits.
There were ushers pointing the way to our seats. The theater was crowded with a stage and a room full of bar tables with a bar in the back and two balconies above. Very cool, I thought. The usher pointed to my seat at a tall table among others in the back with a sign on top that said, " Nominees Only Please". I sat down as if I knew what I was doing.
It was dark where my seat was, just above the wide main floor area that was bustling with music lovers and more tables. I scanned the busy room to see who my comrades were. I was at my table alone with the other nominees drinking, chatting, all dressed up, socializing around me. Where were they from? What had they done to get here? I didn't want to interfere or take a quick poll or bother anyone. I never did find out who they were or what they had done.
I sat alone squinting mightily trying to read the program. Did I have any chance of winning? By this time, the show had started, but I didn't know the drill. There was no one on the stage when I came. It must have been a break. Then Joe Weaver and Mr. B. took the stage and played piano with serious energy. Spotlights, speakers, rock concert stuff, I could handle this, I thought.
Another band played while I sipped my wine. Soon a presenter stepped into the spotlight at the podium on the stage and announced the nominees for the "Outstanding Blues/R&B Recording". Then it was the "Outstanding Classical Composer", and then another band, RJ's Rhythm Rockers, took the stage.
I scanned the program again to find where I might fit in. Ah ha! There it was: WWJ Great Sounds Awards. That's it. That's what the e-mail said -- one more performance, three awards, another performance, and then the third of the next three awards -- that would be me.
Someone in Ann Arbor told me they were just looking for people to come fill the seats and that that was why I was invited. Another said, bring earplugs -- hip hop music all night. Why did I eagerly drive all this way? Being on the board of the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival for six years and perhaps bubbling to the surface as the most dedicated member, my term as president had only just begun.
It wasn't too loud. I didn't need ear plugs. I could handle this, I thought. It was just like the Grammies or the Oscars or any other awards: "The nominees are..." and "The award goes to...". The only difference was that this was Detroit and these were the Detroit Music Awards. How did this happen? How was it that I was there? Like in other areas of my life and career - a few short years ago I would have never imagined.
As the evening progressed, I observed the announcers as they announced the awards: "Outstanding Live Sound Technician", "Outstanding Traditional Jazz Artist/Group", " Outstanding Local Record Label", "Outstanding Video/Major Budget". The winners traveled slowly with everyone searching the room, craning their necks to find them. Had they come? This was their award and where were they? Were they here? The winners didn't seem to get to the stage fast enough. Then finally, there they were. They appeared and were on the stage shaking hands, saying a few words like "thank you" and "I want to thank...".
Kind of - sort of - a big deal. Wow. What was I doing there, and why was I at one of the "Nominees Only Please" tables?
Oh! Then soon it was my turn -- it was time to announce the award that I was there for -- that is, if I won - well, not me, my group. Would we win? Why didn't anyone else want to come? A school night, a late night, a night in Detroit, oh well. I was fine.
This was the award for which I was waiting. I heard the magic words. The announcer said, "The Favorite Outdoor Music Festival Award goes to ... The Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival".
Holy smokes, that would be me. How did it come to this? How did I get here? How did this happen? What if I tripped on my way up there? I headed toward the stage, flagging the speaker with my arm as he scanned the room to find me. I heard the crowd cheer. I did my best to speed walk (since the other nominees had taken their time).
I heard the announcer say, "There she is. She's hustling."
Hustling, somehow I arrived without tripping or falling. The next minute or two or three or four (how long was it?) was a total and complete blur. I remember shaking the announcer's hand and heading toward the microphone, leaning in so as to be heard, and I said: "Thank you. I hope you all come to Ann Arbor on September 16 for the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival, September 16th, that's this year. We'll have lots of fundraiser parties this summer. Check our website, a2bluesjazz.org. I have lots of flyers here to give you (which I proceeded to hold up)."
I smiled, took the award and was on my way. What had I said? Did it make any sense? I hope I smiled. It was a blur. I think I might have looked like a deer in headlights because when I got back to my table I had a minute to relax, and the first thing I did was blink. It was dark in my corner of the theater so I was able to blend into obscurity relatively quickly, thank goodness. Although the white box the award came in glowed on the seat next to me.
For that award, no other nominees were read. Whom did we beat? There are other outdoor music festivals in the area, not to mention the Detroit International Jazz Festival in Detroit! Plus, this was an award that was given to us by the vote of the people, online and calling into the radio station rather than industry people voting on the best one. The people, the individuals like you and me, like this Festival!
At the end of the evening on my way out, I told the usher that - we won. He was thrilled and gave me a big hearty handshake. "Congratulations!" he said. "Way to go. All right!"
Alone in my car on the highway, I passed an NBC channel 4 news van and wondered if they were at the event. I strategically positioned myself in front of them so they might see the "www.ofglobalinterest.com" sign on my back bumper. They followed me for a few miles before I sped off. They were going about 60 in a 70 mph zone.
It was about midnight when I stopped at Krogers, conveniently open 24 hours. I bought strawberries for breakfast and a few other things since I had guests here at the Trekkers' Lodge. After setting the table, it was 1am before I was asleep.
All in a day's work, I thought as I turned off the light.
Today, I am still not sure how this has happened, but it has. The "Nominees Only Please" sign now graces my bed and breakfast table along with the "WWJ Great Sounds Award". :) Breakfast this morning at the B&B (where just about anything can happen) was served with a smile.
Sincerely,
Heather O'Neal
The Eighth Street Trekkers' Lodge B&B
Of Global Interest Adventure Travel
Ann Arbor, Michigan
(734) 369-3107
ofglobal@aol.com
www.ofglobalinterest.com
Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival
www.a2bluesjazz.org
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