this time at the Royal China (Ipoh) Tropicana Grand Ballroom, which is new and next to Bangunan Umno which in turn is next to Impiana Casuarina Hotel, along Jalan Gopeng, Ipoh.
The groom's mother is my wife's former classmate in Sekolah Sultan Yussuf, Batu Gajah while his father's sister is my former classmate in TAR College, K.L. - one of 4 out-of-town students who I used to chauffeur on my way to Cheras (borrowed premises then).
We were half an hour late, which is normally acceptable (the dinner started an hour later), but our table No.58 was full and given No.67 instead. But the problem was the location, at the tail end of an L-shape of the hall. Thus, we could not see what was on stage - the MC, the dance, a long-winded politician giving speech (did not miss this one) and an old-timer Hawaiian band (this I particularly missed) because one of the guitarists, Jimmy, is a friend.
I wasn't even aware there was a band performing because of the poor sound system (a surprise, considering its recent opening and its purported stature) or was it because of the uninspiring vocalist? Anyway, I spotted a few seniors wearing almost similar patterned short-sleeved shirts outside the hall and I saw Jimmy among them. Then it clicked. Later when I heard music being played, I walked a few tables away to see who were in action and sure enough, Jimmy was there.
I am glad for him that he managed to rope in enough musicians (not sure how many are original members) to re-form the Hawaiian band because I was told before, that they were great in the '60s.
For a number of years, poor Jimmy (a bachelor) had been looking for a job at cocktail lounges without success because he is not a singer. If only he could sing well, then he can be a good entertainer with his guitar playing skills (more towards jazz and he has difficulty playing with the usual pop guitarists). There are many good vocalists relying on their keyboards working as one-man band (cheaper to the host) and with options to add a guitarist, bassist or a pretty lady vocalist. At one time, he was even seen playing for this music equipment boss at the Sunday flea market in Ipoh, which was where I overcame my stage fright by playing drums on the pavement outside the shop, in front of all and sundry walking by!
Anyway, this Thursday, I have to attend another wedding dinner in KL! The invitation card is with a brother and the invitation was by my cousin (on behalf of the host, his nephew) over a telephone conversation! How could I refuse a former Headmaster of a Chinese school next to my former school, MBSS, Sentul? Then on Saturday, there is another dinner - my mother-in-law's 90th birthday in Ipoh, and this one, cannot refuse even though I am expected to be glared at!
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