Saturday night I attended the Corb Lund show at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom. One of the best (and only remaining) mid-size venues in the city. The music was fantastic. Corb Lund (and his band the Hurtin’ Albertans) are a tight ‘alt country’ act that brings a genuine thinking person’s perspective to the dusty boot-stompin’ genre.
Too bad the same can’t be said for the venue. All drinks were only available in disposable plastic cups. Which, unsurprisingly, became a complete garbage fest. The Commodore was once known for its class as a local night spot. It now appears the economics of disposability have finally caught up with this venerable institution.
What made us wonder was the fact that behind each bar were stacks of clean glass, just waiting for frosty beverages. Our server implied that the band had requested plastic cups be used, as, in her words, ‘things get thrown’ at Corb Lund shows. Sounds like more of a security problem than a glassware threat. What’s more surprising is that such a decree might come from Lund, who sings many songs about the beauty of the land, the plight of the family farmer and even the vagaries of gnetically-modified canola seed.
And throughout the evening, no such projectile behaviour was in evidence. I’ll try to find out more, but in the meantime, will be voicing my displeasure to both the performers and the Commodore.
Anyone have similar experiences? Let me know.
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