Leonard Cohen Concert Live Webcam? "The Darkness" by Roman Gavrilin, Helsinki 9.2.12

October 13, 2012

video screenshot

When I watched Roman Gavrilin's Helsinki Darkness video, I thought it had the feel of a live webcam streaming.

I found it very appealing.

His wide angle camera held steady in a fixed position made me feel like I was sitting there at the concert myself. From his first row perspective, I could see the entire stage at a glance and could note every aspect of the song including the stage business between songs. As much as I admire the pan and zoom of Leonard Cohen close-ups, I really enjoyed the fixed wide angle view for a change of pace.

From my notebook jottings:

• This video is identifiably Helsinki. There were many photogrpahs posted of the concert at Sonera Stadium so I recognized the stage setting. 
• From the position of a first row seat, a camerman partially blocks my view. Yep, "I was sitting there" That's happened to me.

• On my left, backline tech, Chris Bynum carries away Hattie Webb's harp.
• On my right, backline tech, Leif Bodnarchuk brings in a guitar for Mitch Watkins

• A "10th" band member-Mike Scoble, Old Ideas Tour Manager-is already on stage with his harmonica. He stands behind Alex Bublitchi and Javier Mas. This is my first time seeing Scoble in place on stage for a complete song.

video screenshot

• I can see the back-up singers' choreography, hands behind their back while waiting to come in.
• The wind is a little gusty-back curtain is billowing especially on stage right. Charley has to straighten her hair a few times.
• Soft thunder is audible 

I thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of "being there" at the Helsinki concert.  Thank you, Roman.

I asked Roman for a photo of himself to include in this post.  He sent this delightful portrait created by his dearest colleagues N.V. and O.A. who both enjoy Leonard Cohen music. (Caption by Roman)

           I caught the darkness

           It was drinking from your cup 

           I caught the darkness 

           From your little cup

Leonard Cohen - Darkness (Helsinki, September 2, 2012) - Roman Gavilin

---------------------------------

Roman Gavrilin is also known by:  Hermitage Prisoner, Goldin, Abstractor of the Quintessence, and  Currentcohen

Shepherd of Leonard Cohen FRIENDS - Jarkko & Eija Arjatsalo and Son Rauli, Photos: Ilia Muraviov and Roman Gavrilin

September 4, 2012

Jarkko & Eija Arjatsalo

"With heartfelt gratitude from Roman Gavrilin & Ilia Muravlov"

This expressive photo and elegant thank you on the Helsinki concert thread of the Leonard Cohen Forum speaks volumes.  It represents how many of us feel.

As FRIENDS, we have the opportunity and privilege today of enjoying concerts and meet-ups with old and new friends on the 2012 Leonard Cohen Old Ideas World Tour thanks to the vision, steadfastness and hard work of Jarkko, Eija and Rauli.

There is a wonderful photo on the LC Forum of the Arjatsao family at the Sept 2 Helsinki concert taken by Lorca Cohen. Rauli is sitting next to Jarkko You can view it  here

Ilia Muraviov (Minsk, Belarus) and FRIEND Roman Gavrilin (St Petersburg, Russia) traveled to Helsinki for their first Leonard Cohen concert ever. Ilia posted some wonderful photos of their whole concert experience, including a FRIENDS meet-up and side trip. Thank you Ilia and Roman.

"New friends:) Jarko, Ilia, Roman, Alexandra Kondrateva, Maarten Massa" 

Meet-up night before the concert

Side trip day of the concert to see Leonard Cohen's Artworks in Porvoo 

That's Ilia following the footsteps to the Leonard Cohen exhibit.

Roman and Ilia at Sonera Stadium, September 2, 2012

"With Leonard Cohen"

Ilia's caption mad me smile.  So sublime.

"Post concert meetup in Helsinki.  It's closing time - but too early to leave :-)"

(l-r) Ciaran Dorr, Szilvia Szanto, Henry Tengelsen, Marie Nolan, Jarkko Arjatsalo  
(Photo: Henry Tengelsen)

My caption is: Jarkko and FRIENDS

---------------------------------------------

• Roman Gavrilin is also known by:  Hermitage Prisoner, Goldin, Abstractor of the Quintessence, and  Currentcohen
• Ilia Muraviov is one of the webmasters of the Leonard Cohen site for Russian speakers here and Ilia on the Leonard Cohen Forum
• EDIT: This was Ilia's second LC concert, having attended the Moscow concert in 2010

Helsinki Sonera Stadium Early Photos - Leonard Cohen Concert September 2.12

Sept 2, 2012

"The stage is set" (photo: Mikko Saari )

That looks like Irish Mar/Marie Nolan down front left?

"Leonard Cohen in the breezy evening"  (Photo: Marjo Loponen)

Pro photographers at the front - it's lift-off - "Dance Me To The End Of Love"

(photo J.S. Carenza III - Camp Cohen)

It  looks like a cold evening

--------------------

Top two photos found on Twitter

Bottom photo on Notes from The Road
.

Helsinki Meet-up FRIENDS Visit Leonard Cohen Artworks in Porvoo Before the Concert - Szilvia Szanto's Images

September 2, 2012

Szilvia Szanto standing next to"Muse of the Laboratory" at the Art Factory

Organized by Jarkko Arjatsalo with the help of Sinikka Hijlnen, a group of FRIENDS made a pre-concert trip to the Art Factory in Porvoo to visit the Leonard Cohen concert related exhibit.

Szilivia Szanto (Gallina on the Leonard Cohen Forum) uploaded a wonderful album on Facebook early this morning with photos of the visit.

Here are just a few from all her beautiful photos.  Thank you, Szilvia

Ciarran Dorr, Wendy Marshall & Marie Nolan

Jarkko Arjatsalo

Jarkko & FRIENDS

Eija Arjatsalo (c) & FRIENDS

Szilvia Szanto, Ciaran Dorr & Wendy Marshall

Wenche Bats, Maarten Massa (Mr Wenche Bats) & Sinikka Hiljnen

Jarkko & Henry Tengelsen

Time to return to Helsinki and get ready for the concert

------------------------

My apologies for any name typos. Please let me know.
Helsinki Concert, Sonera Stadium - Sept 2/12

FRIENDs Roman Gavrilin (Russia) & Ilia Muraviov (Belarus) Share Their First Photos of Helsinki Leonard Cohen Concert Venue - Sonera Stadium

September 1, 2012

Sonera Stadium - Helsinki - The Night before

"Roman Gavrilin was at Sonera Stadium"

So sayeth Facebook maps

FRIENDs Roman Gavrilin (St Petersburg) and Ilia Muraviov (Minsk) arrived in Helsinki on Saturday for their first ever Leonard Cohen concert.  The Old Ideas World Tour resumes on Sunday September 2 in Sonera Stadium and they are going.

Ilia and Roman proved they are as passionate about Leonard Cohen concerts as the rest of us.  With sleep deprivation after a very long drive from St Petersburg to Helsinki and after a fantastic meet-up dinner with 52 FRIENDs from 11 countries, they snuck over to the venue for a preview peek. They snapped a few atmoshere shots and uploaded them on Roman's Facebook page. Then and only then they finally took some shuteye.

Here are a few of their photos, and some of the text from Roman's  messages.

from Roman Gavrilin (in Part)

Sorry, no video, it is impossible at the moment. It's 2:30 a.m. here, I haven't slept for almost two days (those who will say I slept in a beer tram will be wrong). No sleep, no alcohol, no herring.  But I met Jarkko, Maarten and many others, that's wonderful. This evening there were people from eight countries among those who sat at the same table as me (out of total eleven nations, counted by Jarkko).

From Suomi with love
R

 ---------------------------------------------

• Roman Gavrilin is also known by:  Hermitage Prisoner, Goldin, Abstractor of the Quintessence, and  Currentcohen
• Ilia Muraviov is one of the webmasters of the Leonard Cohen site for Russian speakers here and Ilia on the Leonard Cohen Forum