The White Way to Koidego Culture Hall

We were wondering if Sonos was going to have to cancel our Uonuma City concert due to snowy roads.  The trip was supposed to be a 1 1/2 hour drive by highway from our hotel in Niigata, but we chose to leave another 1 1/2 hours early and take the back roads to get there.  It worked, and what a scenic drive it was!  There were at least four feet of snow, and it was beautiful (and still coming down).

 The Koidego Culture Hall was gorgeous, even when covered by snow.

Then we were wondering if we were going to get anybody in the audience.  Access to the lobby was blocked by snow; one would have to walk up a narrow path cut through the snow to enter the hall.

The parking lot even had tiny sprinklers installed to help melt snow.

Regardless, our audience did show up (in smaller numbers), and they were extremely engaged in our performance.  For example, the close of "Smirti" was followed by a full minute of absolute silence, which was a tribute to their "rememberance" and connection with the piece's emotions.

Then we were wondering if we going to get home afterwards.  And we almost didn't.

We loaded the bus, barely left the parking lot, and then sat idling for 2 1/2 hours.  The highway was expected to reopen soon, and so our driver decided to wait.  But then a plow-versus-car accident delayed us further.  But Sonos is resilient, and flexible.  We sang, joked, laughed, and ultimately fell asleep on the bus while waiting.

Once our driver decided to take the back roads home, we could see the long long long lines of trucks and cars also waiting for the highway.  The back roads worked, and we returned to the Niigata Grand Hotel around 2:30am, after a 4 1/2 hour drive.