Article by Alyson Samson

Long may your big jib draw.

Summer was about to anchor itself to the dock, and for a while there, it seemed like we wouldn’t get to catch that one last wave before stepping back on the dry land of real life. That was before the announcement of Harbourage.

harbourage

[hahr-ber-ij]

(nautical) a place of refuge (as for a ship)

The plan came about faster than most people can tie a bowline knot. In six weeks, with Lorne Loder at the helm, he went from exploring ideas for a skateboarding event, to transforming the waterfront into a contemporary concert venue.

Saturday August 30th, sway to the ripple of the waves as Matt Mays, Elliott Brood, and our own Repartee and Thin Love (Mick Davis of The Novaks’ new band), as well as headliners, Hey Rosetta! take the stage.

I spoke with the captain of the concert himself, Lorne Loder, and he tells me that the concert came together “organically.” He says, everyone including the City of St. John’s, Fortis, and SSEAC “were all very helpful in facilitating the whole process.”

Capacity is about 6500 bodies. “We’re really pleased about ticket sales,” Loder says, and so are the bands’ management, with so much positive response through the public as well as social media.

The 1st class ticket holders in the VIP area will avail of great amenities such as premium view of the stage, separate entrance, separate ‘facilities,’ premium bar service, as well as different food offerings, tables and chairs to take a rest, and re-entry privileges. They’ve baited me with some super secret surprise in the VIP that has my curiosity hooked.

Not only are they putting off an amazing concert, they have a mission to make it sustainable. You can bring your own water bottle to avoid situations like past concerts in the province. There will be water stations to fill and refill them as many times as you like, so you can keep hydrated in (what we hope) will be a sunny summer day.

I predict a red sky and tsunami tides of positive vibes for the first (and hopefully annual) Harbourage concert. Batten down the hatches.

(I’m sorry for all the nautical references.)*

For more info check out: http://harbourage.ca and https://www.facebook.com/harbourage2014

*But not that sorry.