Hey glawzy
I wrote this on the way home, sorry if i've repeated anything you said.
Have had THE best day out with the girls in the glorious Melbourne sunshine and amongst the colour and gaiety of Australia Day celebrations, capped off beautifully by Damien and Eric at the Bowl.
We met up around 10am then had brunch on the banks of the Yarra. After which we wandered over to the gardens and took up a possie near the entrance to the venue in the shade. It wasn't hot, but the sun was burny. Whilst taking turns to keep an eye on the gate, we wandered around watching the activities. Chinese bands and martial arts displays, vintage cars, flyball ( a fun, fast dog sport), Indian dancers and singers, comics and musicians helped the atmosphere to be lively and friendly. After the 21 gun salute from Government House, (loud! Must have frightened the dogs!)
we waited another hour before being allowed in to find a seat.
The Ceilidh
( kayli - Celtic music and dance party) began with a demonstration of Welsh folk dancing and then the audience were invited to get up and learn. We "suggested" *cough*
to the dancers that Krissy might like to participate. We were in the first and second rows and she
had no choice when taken by the hand by one of the guys! It was so
much fun watching her on the dance floor! ;D What a trooper! In the meantime D stuck his head out of the stage door and we waved and blew kisses between us. It was lovely to see him with a huge smile on his face when he spotted us. Aww!
After the dancing,the next act were an Aboriginal/Scottish man and his wife called Kenja. They played traditional Scottish tunes with the fiddle and the didgeridoo and the clapping sticks. An awesome and haunting combo! I love the sound of the didge and it really worked. What a perfect blend on this day, combining the sounds of our indigenous people and Celtic immigrants!
Oh and the Roulettes aerobatic team flew over several times during this act. As the singer said " What a spectacle!" ;D and as the MC said afterward, "how considerate of them to make
their entrance on a perfect E #!" Baha!
They were followed by Claymore, a fab Scottish flavoured rock band! We were clapping and dancing to their Loch Lomond and their finale of ACDC's Long Way To The Top had
the place really rockin! Very cool!
Rock on, boys!
Then, after the stirring sounds of combined pipe bands, followed by the flying feet and colorful clothing of Irish and Scottish dancers, the moment we'd been waiting for arrived. D was on!
He looked relaxed and healthy in a blue denim shirt and his dark
grey jeans. (liked the check shirt you had on backstage, too D.)
SET LIST Fisherman's Blues - we woo hoo hood! with the best of em!
Rocky Rd To Dublin - Wow, the full song! ( I think!) the "Irish rap" was awesome! Brilliant, D!
Fields Of Athenry- I love this song so much and Damien sang it hauntingly.
Drop The Feathers - D had a fiddler and a drummer with him. This lively jig sounded great!
Wicked Game - with real Irish feel. Different version than we've heard before. Loved it, especially when D danced. The CalvesOfPower had a workout !
The Parting Glass - I was so happy D sang this lovely goodnight song! I'd really wanted to hear it since he did it in cabaret. His deeper register came to the fore here. Wow, just wow!
The harmonies with Eric and the lovely lady fiddler (sorry, we don't know her
name) blew me away. My highlight of the set.
With Or Without You - fab to hear some U2 from D today! A singing contest with the crowd had D very impressed. Well, you've got me, he said.I don't think I can go any higherHaha!
Some lovely voices in the audience too!
Fall At Your Feet- D said since it was Australia Day he'd do this. Umm, D, we claimed them but The Crowdies are really a Kiwi band.Lol!
But today, who cares? This was
multiculturalism at it's best! Just loved it!
Hallelujah - D finished with his now traditional closer and the usual hush fell over the large
audience as they listened respectfully to his wonderful voice, occasionally joining in to quietly sing the chorus.
After the gig, we briefly spoke to Eric, who was in fine form today. He said they had to rush off to get back to the airport, which of course we understood. We had figured on it.
After the gig finished we adjourned to a pub for a reviving drink or two then called it a day.
Just what the doctor ordered. ;D
Love you, ladies.
ENJOY!!!!! 
However, we found a nice shady spot next to the entrance and just sat,, waiting to pounce to the front of the queue should anybody else approach!! 
we waited another hour before being allowed in to find a seat.
It was a perfect day out. Sigh. ;D
