This year, 2024, it a big one for me. I'm finally branching out on my own as a solo singer and ukulele player. Not having much guidance has been scary and a big reason why I've waited so long to do this but things are happening and it's awesome. 

One of the people I contacted this spring was the Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District. I knew that they were responsible for the annual sidewalk sale on 2nd Avenue and I was hoping to get a small patch of sidewalk at either end of the sale to do some busking. I was super surprised when they offered me a gig doing 90 minute sets on each of the three days. I very enthusiastically said, “Yes!”

Nerves set in very quickly as the date approached. I've performed so many times but this time, it would just be me. I was responsible for the music as well as the logistics. Fear set in - where would I park, how would I lug gear, do I have enough music, and so on. Talking yourself through that noise is definitely an important part of being a musician and definitely, a topic for another post. 

Day one was not great. It was scorching hot outside and my brain was half melted. I set myself up in the wrong direction and lost count of the number of super obvious mistakes I made. But by the second day, I was feeling better. An old friend came out to hear me and I felt a little looser. One of my adult students and her friend came to listen to a few songs too which also made me loosen up. Maybe I just need someone to chitchat with between songs? The was certainly the case on the last day when a random person sat down in the stage space as Gregory Edmonds was finishing up his set and started talking with us. He ended up staying for the bulk of my set and it was fun getting to talk to someone new about my music.

 As so often happens, I don't know why I get so much anxiety before events of any kind but I'm happy with my performances and I really hope they let me come back next year!