Something brough to mind a memory of playing at a beer fest in China, all the way back in 2021. Although the country was no longer open to traveling abroad, due to COVID, those of us inside China could still occasionally visit other Chinese cities.
Bravo Brewery Beer fest in Guangzhou
Bravo Brewery put together a beer fest in the middle of the city of Guangzhou, where they are based.
As the festival was at the top of a mall in the middle of the city, it was decided that I would play the bagpipes a couple times on stage, but also to do some marching to the stage. Not just a little bit of pipe marching, but to march from the bottom floor of the mall to the top to grab as much attention as possible.
Feeling out the bagpipes
One of the more interesting little events that happened at the beer fest was that I got to meet a blind fan of my pipe playing. Although he could not see me play, he seemed really keen on listening to me play my bagpipes. I am not usually quick to offer people a chance to hold my pipes, I figured he would enjoy feeling the weight of the instrument, and to feel the “combing” – also sometimes called the ribbing by a few folk.
– I guided his hand to to feel the blowstick, the part I blow air into; the chanter, where I put my fingers to play; and the drones, the big pipes on my shoulders.
He and his helper were able to speak English very well, so it was easy to communicate with them. It was fun to offer someone a new experience, too.
In the end, a good beer fest with plenty of good tunes and a good many beers had.
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