Caught another CPO concert tonight, which I guess isn’t technically something new, in the sense that I did the same thing last Friday. However, it was a new concert (which was amazing) and I did check out a new pub (also amazing).
The Bear and Kilt is a cozy pub tucked downstairs on Stephen’s Ave between 1st St SW and Centre St. I think it’s supposed to be a Britishy pub, so I thought it was funny that they were playing ice dancing on one of the TV’s…as opposed to cricket or football (the non-American kind). Also, I don’t think I’ve ever watched ice dancing in a pub before. The pub got good reviews on UrbanSpoon, and I can see why. I LOVED it. The service could be a bit faster, but the staff are really nice, the pub fare is delicious – definitely a lot fancier and better tasting than your standard pub grub, and the beer…well, get excited because a domestic pint was $5.25. I know I’m excited. I’ve finally found a pub in Calgary where beer is less than seven or eight dollars. AMAZING.
The concert tonight was Tchaikovsky’s World. I read over the program before the concert and the only song I really recognized was Swan Lake. And then they started playing Tchaikovsky and I realized I knew all the songs they were playing. That’s really got to be saying something about Tchaikovsky and all the great composers – their songs are still being played, loved, and subconsciously learned. The conductor tonight was fantastic. He introduced each song, gave us some context, some history, and some stories which really added to the experience. He also added some mystery as we couldn’t place his accent at all.
I don’t what it is about live music but it makes me feel really, really happy. I’m so glad I discovered the Philharmonic Orchestra as I think it’s a better way to spend $15 than going to the movies. Brilliant way to wind up the work week.
