I honestly purchased the dinner ticket with the intention of grabbing food to go, so I would have something to eat after the concert. So imagine my annoyance when the hostess informed me I would be unable to get anything to go: it felt like I was being forced to stay and mingle. I then was escorted to a table consisting of three other fans I had never met before already seated. Usually I’m all for meeting new people, but Kristie had just sent me a text informing me that the line for the concert was already half way down the block and wondered how much longer I would be. It was official I was stuck in small talk hell.
My dinner companions for the evening were three women - a wheelchair user who wore a Hanson t-shirt and two fans in their mid to late 20’s. We all just sat there staring at each other and I kept my sunglasses on in the hope it would give the waiter the vibe that I was in a hurry. The women in the wheelchair started the conversation off first by sharing with us what Hanson’s music has meant in her life, what a difficult trip it was for her to be able to make because of physical complications, how this was her very first MOE followed by how truly excited and grateful she was to be able to be there. After hearing the excitement in her voice, I took off my sunglasses and decided I needed an attitude change. My mind began to drift back to this moment of clarity I had a few years prior while standing in the BlueBird Theater in Denver, CO. chatting with two women in the crowd before the show. One, who was standing the furthest from me, made small talk asking how long I’ve been a fan , where I was from, how many shows I was going to see this tour ( the usual pit conversation). I told her this was number five of eleven shows I would be attending. Just then the women standing closest to me interrupted my proud show number exclamation story to ask if knew if Hanson would be play Mmmbop? She figured I would know since clearly this wasn’t my first Hanson show. I gave a snarky tone “ Um yeah, they always play it” and rolled my eyes. What she said to me next gave me a giant lump in my throat: “Oh I hope so!!! This is my very first Hanson concert ever.” It turned out that she was 4 months pregnant with her first child and wasn’t sure if she would be able to attend any more Hanson shows any time soon because her husband had been out of work for quite some time. She went on to say how tonight was a surprise birthday gift from her best friend and pointed at the other women I was chatting with.
I curiously asked her why had she waited so long to attend one, and she briefly told me of a couple of life complications that always seem to prevent her from seeing them play live over the years. She then proceeded to worry that they wouldn’t play the song and how broken hearted she’d be they didn’t play it. It was the only song she wanted to hear that night because it meant so much to her personally. This time I assured her with a much kinder tone that I would cross my fingers that tonight would be her lucky night.
I don’t care how long you have been a member of this fandom, when you meet a fan that shares with you, a total stranger, the love for a song you’ve heard tons of times played live, there is a sense of renewal for a 20 year old song and three blonde guys from Tulsa Oklahoma, followed by feeling like a giant ass for the eye roll.
I snapped out of my daydream to my dessert and salad being placed in front of me at the same time. I wondered if this was like a hipster thing where you eat last course to first instead of the traditional order but when the other at the table received their main course first I realized I was way off. Conversation continued. and by the end I had made three new friends. My only complaints are I would love to see them have a get to know each other card set out on each table next year with a few conversation starters to get the ball rolling and have the option to get our food to go. I will do this activity again next year because the food was even better later that night when we got back to the hotel after the after party. And I made three new friends .
Quick look-
Location: Chaz’s Chowhouse
Food style: Southern home cooking
Cost: Average entrée is priced at around $10.00 (American)
Fan Club Dinner Price: $22 (included a fountain drink, main dish ,choice of soup or salad and dessert sampler)
Atmosphere: Casual dining with an upstairs area, lots of seating. Loved the exposed brick and strands of lights used as decor.
Restroom: Needs improvement.
Parking: Street parking (or walking distance from anywhere in the Brady arts district)
What I had: Kaushi burger (sometimes you just really want a burger)
How was it? I give my dining experience 3 out of 5 stars
Why only 3 stars? I didn’t receive my drink and silverware till after the main course was on the table. I had to ask quite a few times. Was also served my salad then dessert before main entrée (they were trying to help us get out of there quicker ). Normally this wouldn’t be a big deal, I was just really in the mood for actually food before dessert this time. Also the dessert sampler I would consider more dessert bites rather than a true dessert sampler or even a mini sampler)
Verdict: When in Tulsa the Kaushi burger from Chaz’s Chowhouse is a must do. I’m still not a huge fan of the song Mmmbop, but what I am a fan of is how connected people can feel to the music .
No comments:
Post a Comment