The 2024 Ice Dragon Boat Festival concert series continued last night with a very special evening of song from Craig Cardiff.
With my fiancée in tow, I made the trip downtown to The Rainbow, eager to see the always affable and entertaining singer-songwriter Craig Cardiff. The last time I had seen him live was at the Black Sheep Inn in early 2020, but I must admit, I greatly appreciated his frequent livestreams during the peak of the pandemic, when we were all locked away in our homes.
The Rainbow was packed with couples and single folk alike, ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Cardiff, who was accompanied on piano and vocals by Mike Evin.
As expected, it was a set full of heartfelt songs and humorous banter, as well as Cardiff’s unique ability to craft a new song on the spot. Familiar favourites in the set included “To Be Safe, Loved and Home”, “Miss Ohio”, and a cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me”. At one point, Cardiff pointed out a couple at the front of the stage, and playfully let them know that they’d soon be expected to slow dance, and that it would be the best slow dance of their lives, promising that they’d levitate. Soon enough, the dance floor was filled with couples dancing to “Dirty Old Town”, with the chorus “You’re the one, you’re the one, you’re the one … hearts grow into hearts until hearts become one”. It was a beautiful moment celebrating love that left at least a few guests wiping tears from their eyes.
Not long after, Cardiff invited a couple from the back bar up on stage to explore their origin story, through a few choice questions and a bit of back and forth. The young couple, who had met online and had their first date at home, soon had their story humorously woven into a song of their own, with Cardiff pulling clever lyrics out of the ether like a magician as the couple danced on the side of the stage.
The crowd were lucky to get a couple more songs, including the touching “A Little Bit of Everything”, before spilling back out onto the street to make room in The Rainbow for a second Cardiff show for the later crowd. It was a perfect addition to Valentine’s Day for everyone in attendance.
Ice Dragon Boat Festival concerts continue Thursday through Saturday evening.
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