from the "Qatar Hero" dept.

I've been lax in putting up video and photos of Mr. P.'s retirement bash Monday night at the Biltmore in Vancouver.

It was a night of cool people, great tunes and fabulous snacks!

Special guests included Chad van Gaalen, The Wet Secrets and the Compadres! Plus a cast of thousands!



Music in the video:
Blame It on the Moon:
Performed by the Compadres
Written by Mr. P

Images: Yours Truly

UPDATE: The night even made the local press. From the Georgia Strait (note last line):

Radio vet Don Pennington feted
By Adrian Mack

Vancouver was treated to a surprise performance by freak-folkie Chad VanGaalen on March 31.

The critically lauded Calgarian, whose 2006 album Skelliconnection made the final 10 in last year’s Polaris Music Prize competition, made a rare appearance at the Biltmore Cabaret, performing alongside Juno nominees the Compadres and—making their Vancouver debut—Edmonton’s the Wet Secrets.

The event began as a private surprise party for retiring CBC Radio 3 producer Don Pennington, but, as emcee and CBC Radio 3 host Grant Lawrence explained to the Straight, “It’s such a special occasion, we figured we should open it up to the fans.” A notice posted on the Radio 3 Web site last Friday drew about 200 people to the event, which was also recorded for future broadcast.

Pennington has produced live music for the CBC for 33 years. “He’s worked with everyone from Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald to Black Mountain and Broken Social Scene,” Lawrence said. “People love him. We secretly called these bands, and they said ‘Don Pennington, absolutely.’ ”

He added, “Chad agrees to almost nothing. He doesn’t even like leaving Calgary.”

When asked at the show about the impact of his retirement on the CBC, Pennington joked, “Well, they’re fucked now.”


Cheers!