September in the Rain

 7th September 2013 Bicton Park Gardens

Bicton Park isn't what you might necessarily expect from a park.  As well as the usual gardens and botanical features, there is also an eclectic collection of family-centred entertainments, including playgrounds and a narrow guage railway. And a church.  Where they can have weddings. 

The church at Bicton Park

So it came to pass, that the DMs were booked to provide background music while the newlyweds and guests mingled after the ceremony for drinks and photographs before their meal.

Cherub laments booking of yet another **** jazz band

As befitted the occasion, we all wore our best bib and tucker (which according to Wkipedia are actually women's clothes?) but we were outshone as usual by the sartorial wardrobe of our drummer.

Drummer exhibits dapperness, while eating chocolate, with a normal band member for comparison

While we prepared for all this, the sun was shining and, although rain was forecast, it was decided that some of the band ought to play outside "so that the wedding party could see the band".  This led to a hasty rehearsal of semaphore, and some less polite sign language, as the rhythm section in the marquee endeavoured to hear what the front line were doing outside the marquee.  Or even see where they were.

Lonely bass player asks bar staff where everyone went

Sadly - although perhaps it was for the best - as the wedding procession processed toward the marquee, the heavens opened. Cue frantic dash of front line back into the tent...

Lemme in, it's ****** down!

Frantic re-arrangements as band leader attempts to start first tune....

Professionals that we are, the music started on time and the slightly bedraggled guests entered, moving neatly in time with Manha de Carnaval.

And at precisely three o-clock, as the meal began, we finished our last number.

We stopped for a few sandwiches kindly provided for us and began the damp process of collecting our cars and packing up and moving the kit.  A damp process which even affected your scribe's camera....

Picture of damp band members reveals Felicity's angelic aura

Next gig, back at the Bedford on October the 6th!