Singer-songwriter Michael Gabriel had just performed a concert in Taos, New Mexico, with plans to tour across the United States, when COVID-19 hit.
“We had to scratch all our plans,” Gabriel said. “I played my first one in Taos - and then everything was cancelled.”
Instead of gypsying across the U.S., he ended up in a small New Mexico town about two hours north of the Mexican border - and there he has stayed, writing songs and playing his “man in a van by a river” music on Facebook.
There’s a bit of a sense of fate about the whole thing. The name of the town is ‘Truth or Consequences.’
“I don’t know how I ended up here,” Gabriel said, laughing. “If you don’t face yourself in this town, you’ll never face yourself.”
And like many other residents of the small town, he’s not sure how long he’ll be staying.
“Because of COVID it’s become an extended visit,” he said.
Gabriel has upgraded his Internet connection and is hunkering down, at least for the short term, since there’s no point in heading elsewhere. Everything has been impacted by COVID-19 and pandemic closures, especially performance venues.
So, when the opportunity came up to perform an online concert to mark Innisfil’s Bicentennial, Gabriel jumped at the chance. The concert, being held in partnership with the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library, Innisfil Arts, Culture and Heritage Council (IACHC), and the Town of Innisfil “is just up my alley,” he said. “This is just a manifestation of what I’ve been doing.”
In fact, Gabriel has “quite a history with Innisfil.”
He has worked with the ideaLAB and IACHC on several occasions, coming to town to perform in person as part of the annual Innisfil concert series. And Gabriel already has quite a local following, an audience that enjoys his acoustic guitar playing, strong vocals and complex lyrics.
“I’m just honoured to be part of this Bicentennial celebration,” Gabriel said. “It’s a way for people to keep art in their lives – so important at this time.”
The free hour-long concert will take place on the Innisfil ideaLAB’s Facebook page starting at 8 p.m. on May 29.
Gabriel has invited Innisfil residents to register for the free concert; click here for more information.
“Enjoy a glass of your favourite wine or beer or fancy coffee drink as you listen to some original songs,” he suggested. “It’s free!”
