Things I saw that should have been DVDs (because the audiences were so small, and the music and performance were so great)

Once upon a time, in the last century, there was a Folk Alliance Conference in Tucson, Arizona. This was the early days of Folkannoyance conferences, and the whole showcase thing was still shaking down. A batch of promoters & performers of Celtic flavored music put together a showcase with an invite-only audiece of known bookers of that musical genre. A thrill of that night that never made it as a road show was the duo of Johnny Cunningham and John Whelan having at it with great glee. It was Whelan's first FA and he was absolutely everywhere that week, like an energizer bunny with an accordian instead of a drum. Few of us had seen him in action with a crowd, yanking people up on the dance floor while playing, exuding energy

Slightly later in the last century, another Folk Alliance conference, this time in Toronto. Joan Sherman had gotten several acts to put on a show together in high hilarity. I think it was called "One, Two, Three, everything but the plot.." and featured Les Barker, Lou & Peter Berryman and Artisan. It was omylordi'mgoingtopeemypants funny. I think they actually got booked only one place, somewhere in Michigan, and didn't have a chance to see anything but the showcase of it in Toronto.