Imaginary Cities, Musical Nooners

Variety of meal choices is one of the great things about living in downtown Vancouver.  Public gatherings are another.  The outdoor TV screens were a great story during the Canucks' Stanley Cup run (right up until that last night).  The same screens are used weekly around the city for Fresh Air Cinema's movies in the park (E.T. coming up Aug. 2nd in Stanley Park!).  The LED screen mounted to the side of the CBC building attracted thousands of hockey fans to cheer on the Canucks this past spring, but they also host a great summer-time addition, the Musical Nooners.
40 lunch hour concerts in 40 days, featuring local and international acts, on an intimate but audible downtown stage.

This week, I've been working at the Vancouver Public Library (directly across the street from CBC).  On Wednesday, I felt a tap on my shoulder.  I looked up from my microfiche machine to see my friend Phil.  Neither one of us knew the other would be there; one of those pleasant surprises that can occasionally happen.  He spoke about the Musical Nooners that day, and we made plans to check out the upcoming Friday's act, Imaginary Cities.

A couple days and rolls of microfilm later, Phil picks me up from my station and we head out in search of lunch that we can bring back to the CBC stage.  Being right downtown, amid the hustle of the business crowd, and the bustle of the tourists, a wave of 'big city' came over me.  There was only one meal that could complete the feeling...

Phil was featured in a previous entry highlighting Tofino camping, so it took zero convincing to get him on the hot dog train.  We set out towards Granville Street, knowing of a couple of corners where we could find a hot dog haberdasher.  On the corner of Georgia and Granville is where we met our meal maker.

For an astounding $3, I snatched up my musical accompanimeat.  I remarked to Phil how quality the dogs were for that price; while the condiment selection was not generous by any means, the stand was stocked well, so there were no air squeeze splatters from the plastic bottles (an important clothing safety feature).  Also, the buns were fresh and toasted, something that might be sacrificed for low cost lunch.

The CBC Stage

Back at the CBC Stage, we found a spot on the grass in front of Imaginary Cities.  I knew I was making (past guest blogger) Kim jealous by both munching on a hot dog and enjoying the band, who hail, like her, from Winnipeg.  Their toe-tapping, body-grooving tempo delighted the Nooner crowd, and it was clear the band was enjoying themselves as well.  The bass player even rocked a retro CBC t-shirt!  While I was unable to catch them at Vancouver Folk Fest, I will definitely stay on the lookout for the next time they are in Vancouver.  I dare you to listen to "Butterfly" and not bob your head.

The combination of awesome tunes and a delicious dog made me glad I didn't have to leave the Nooner any sooner.  As Kim texted, "the cities may have been imaginary, but the hot dog was not!"

Imaginary Cities, playing the CBC Stage (Vancouver)