Hey any Torontonians catch Leonard Cohen this past weekend? I would've, but was caught up working on some stuff for Ahadada Books!

Leonard Cohen's romantic partner Anjani Thomas on Saturday gave her first performance of songs they wrote together. When Cohen joined her on the outdoor stage, the street roared with cheers and applause. The free concert, held in Toronto's ritzy Yorkville district, celebrated Cohen's return to the top of the literary charts with his poetry collection Book of Longing. The concert, which also featured performances by Ron Sexsmith and members of the Barenaked Ladies, was one of several to take over the streets of Toronto on an overcast day.

Source

I took the train in to Toronto from Montreal for it!

The street outside was closed off. I missed Ron Sexsmith's set completely, but I caught the Barenaked Ladies for Sisters of Mercy and something else I'm forgetting—some lovely mandolin.

Someone introduced Cohen with the remark that "Book of Longing" was the first-ever collection of poetry to become the #1 Canadian bestselling book. People cheered!

Cohen's first comment was "my apologies to pedestrians and (a little breath here) motorists everywhere" or something like that.

He then recited a poem.

BNL and Ron Sexsmith came out and sang together with Anjani and Leonard on "So Long, Marianne" and "Hey, that's no way to say goodbye".

It was a pretty cool event.

Hey Dan,

I found this nifty video of Leonard Cohen in Toronto on May 13, 2006!

Click here!

It was taken by someone over on the Leonard Cohen forums.

I was upset for having to miss the event, but was even more upset when I saw the video with the huge INDIGO sign looming behind him and the woman by his side. Something about it just wasn't quite right -on so many levels.

Still, I regret not being there. I've always wanted to exchange a poetic glance with Cohen.

Jen