A very nice show in Wolfville, back at the Al Whittle Theatre. Beforehand, I had convinced myself that perhaps three people had bought tickets. It turned out to be thirty. Thirty is ten times better than three, although the room holds ninety and arithmetic remains available to anyone determined to ruin an evening. The sound guy was a theatre person, and the man running the concession was a recent history graduate. Before the show, we discussed Frantz Fanon and discovered we did not place him in history the same way. The concession man said he generally believes all protesters are correct. I don’t generally believe all protest are correct. Protesters are people, and people remain capable of nobility, courage, delusion, fashion, cruelty and double parking. We disagreed pleasantly, which itself now qualifies as an experimental political act.

As the audience entered, I sold two T-shirts and a book before playing a note. A beautiful omen. It suggests confidence in the artist or concern that the merchandise may become unavailable once the music begins. The show was good. The audience laughed longer than audiences usually do, and in exactly the places where I hope they will. The room felt warm, alert and generous. I loved the people. I forgot to mention we would be in Fredericton the following night. I should have said: if you know anyone there, please tell them to come. Ideally thirty people. Ninety would also be accepted.