Blues To Be There

Two blocks off of Main and Hastings, in one of Vancouver's seedier sections, lies Pat's Pub. Known for its intimate live shows, Pat's is one of the few small venues left in the city for live blues music. The grungy atmosphere inside gives it an authenticity that fits perfectly with the musical genre. The Blues is a grimy business and Pat's profile mirrors the low-down boogie.

We met at 6:30 last Thursday to take in the Steve Kozak Trio at Pat's. The trio, had been expanded to a quartet, all gentleman in the 40+ range. At first glance, they looked more like a folk band, but their music was far from Dylanesque. Moving from one classic blues standard to the next, they proved that the blues was more of a feeling than a photograph.

Our group was the largest at the venue with ten and our numbers grew as the night moved along. We were joined by two new members, which is always fun. I chatted up the girl on my right for most of the night, as we took in the live show. We talked about everything from cycling, to the Canucks, to environmental practices.

Since we arrived at a fairly early hour, we all ordered food, which is little bit of a different experience at Pat's. For one thing, tabs are unheard of. You pay upfront when your food or drink arrives - always in cash. The Blues, apparently, is not a fan of credit.

I ordered the barbecue burger, a messy affair, but when have the Blues ever been clean.

A few of the locals left their seats and moved to the dance floor, but our group was comfortable in our seats.

One individual that caught my eye was a middle aged Asian lady, who walked in around 8:30. She went directly to one of the tables in front of the stage, dropped her coat off and stepped on to the dance floor. With her eyes closed, a man's tie hanging on her chest and the blues in her heart she slipped into a trance, dancing slowly to the music. It was captivating.

Watching her groove, I couldn't help but get my own shoulders moving. I looked around our table to notice I wasn't the only one falling under her spell. The music, the atmosphere, and this little dancer had replaced our workweek worries with an authentic blues experience.

Writing this review, I tried to find a schedule of the events at Pat's. No luck. This got me thinking about the E&A experience. I would have never known about this gig if I hadn't seen it on the Events and Adventures calendar. In fact, I think the only way you would have known was if you were a regular at Pat's. Don't ask me how Ambrea, the events coordinator, found it, but props. It shows the range of options offered by the social club - Marry Poppins on one night, blues on the next.

It pays to have a third party organize your social calendar. Especially when they offer up a grimy dose of Southern blues. Have mercy.