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Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday with The Ice Cream Man!

Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday with The Ice Cream Man!

Posted by Lana Gay on Mar 20, 2009

Today's Guest: The Ice Cream Man

If you go to a lot of concerts you are bound to see the same people. Some you meet and become friends with, and some you create nicknames for "Beardo", "Bandana Girl", "The Gothfather".  Then there are people that you really want to know their back story. 

While waiting in line to get into my first concert in Toronto (Supergrass at the Opera House) I was startled by a guy who wore a leather jacket that lit up with the word "Flyerman" on the back.  From then on in, I saw him at almost every concert I went to. No matter how long the lineup was, whether it be 30 degrees or -30, he would be there with his light up coat.  Years later a documentary was made about his life.

A lot of my friends who've been to concerts and festivals in America have met a gentleman known as "Ice Cream Man". His name is Matt Allen and his goal is to give out a half a million free ice creams.  Since 2004 he's given out 170,000 treats while driving his 1969 Chevrolet Step Van around North America.

So, have you met the ice cream man? Have any questions for him?

Have you met anyone like him at concerts in your city?

Post your comments and questions on the blog or email feedback@cbcradio3.com

Check out the full interview with The Ice Cream Man below:

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  1. tb3
    01

    I thought

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by tb3
    DLR was the ice cream man?
  2. TheRadioHead
    02

    I used to call this guy Pedro

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by TheRadioHead
    Can you guess why?

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/21472147@N03/3370292767/

    Pedro says it's his long lost brother, Pablo.

    I see him taking pictures at every Pyramid show. I finally went and spoke to him last time I was there. Turns out he does promotional pics in exchange for free admission.

    However, his name is not Pablo, or Pedro, it is Mike.
  3. Brian Coulton
    03

    FLYERMAN!!

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by Brian Coulton
    Lana! I frequent the Toronto Irish pub McVeigh's and one night Flyerman happened to be sitting at a table nearby, flashing jacket and all. After raising patron eyebrows, his job was done and he departed at the same time as my friends and I. He headed in the same direction as us and it just so happened he lives but a few block away from me. We struck up conversation and he invited us to up to his loft. Apprehensive, we opted to remain at street level. But assuring he wasn't a creeper, he jetted up to his floor and brought down copies of his documentary for all of us. Flyerman: friend for life.

    - Brian in Toronto
  4. WildWorks
    04

    Never

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by WildWorks
    I never met any ice cream man at concerts.

    Although at Ottawa Bluesfest last year, I kept getting popsicle to stave off heat stroke/exhaustion. ;)

    Damn, you are making me crave Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream, Lana. :)
  5. TheRadioHead
    05

    Sorry, my post has nothing to do with food.

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by TheRadioHead
    But I am sure that Pedro, Pablo, and Mike, eat.
  6. lesnouveauexpos
    06

    FLYERMAN!

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by lesnouveauexpos
    This is hilarious Lana. I used to see Flyerman at just about every show I went to from 1995-2005, but hadn't seen him since; recently I was talking to a friend of mine about Flyerman and we assumed he was dead. Until I saw him at the Horseshoe last Thursday during CMW! I spent a good 15 minutes chatting with him and a further 15 minutes explaining to some kids around me who he is. He's an odd character, one of a kind, and despite his kookyness a really nice guy. He even bought me a beer! Thanks Flyerman!
  7. mizchelsea
    07

    i have met the ice cream man!

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by mizchelsea
    yes yes! i have met the ice cream man outside waiting in a never ending line for a free cat power show in the industrial district in portland oregon. i never made it inside, i gave up, but only after a delicious orange creamsicle from a very cheerful treat provider! i had no idea that he travelled around, i thought he was part of the schtick!
  8. DavMuss
    08

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday with The Ice Cream Man!

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by DavMuss
    When I was at Luke Doucet in TO I saw a girl there who I'd seen drunk and frighteningly angry in a bus stop in Guelph the night before. It was amazing, because she was, again, especially drunk.

    I would like to meet this Ice Cream Man very much. Could you ask him if maybe he'd be interested in an apprentice?
  9. tb3
    09

    Concert People

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by tb3
    More alluring than having names for people, we like to play a game called "There's You!" which we pin people with the most absurdly hilarious looking people.

    Now while the game sounds simple, I will warn you there are rules, judgment calls, juried decisions, as well as 'penalty shots' and 'three pointers'.

    As well as designated call free zones in the city, because dude its like shooting fish in a barrel… its too easy.
  10. TheRadioHead
    10

    I often wonder if people have names for me..

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by TheRadioHead
    There she is again, (blank) woman!

    I have a pretty good idea what that adjective would be...
  11. tb3
    11

    (blank)

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by tb3
    cool?
  12. Justin Beach
    12

    How to Pay for the Free Ice Cream

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by Justin Beach
    If they're having trouble finding sponsors:

    Take donations:

    Set it up on their website so a person can donate $10 - 20 and then print up cards from the person who bought the ice cream to the person who got the ice cream.

    For individuals it could be as simple as "Hi, hope you like the ice cream and maybe the recipients could drop an email to the donor and say who they are and what show they were at when they got the ice cream."

    For small business it could be a little ad like - "check out my custom T-shirts" or "If you're ever in Vancouver eat at my restaurant" or whatever.
    So it's like sponsors but they can chip in $20 or $100 or whatever.

    The ice cream ppl just have to print up the little slips of paper and include one with each iced cream.
  13. Library Voices
    13

    i LOVE ice cream man!

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by Library Voices
    we've got his stickers covering everything.

    see you at sasquatch!
  14. Lana Gay
    14

    Re: how to pay for free ice cream

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by Lana Gay
    Matt was still on the line when I saw your post. Here's his reply:
    "We don't want donations from people, we just want people to get free ice cream. You can buy shirts off the site and the money helps us out, but at least you get something. Businesses can sponsor us however. send them to icecreamman.com!"
  15. TheRadioHead
    15

    @tb3

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by TheRadioHead
    Aren't you great, but no, not that adjective...
  16. kirkofdoom
    16

    Not really concert specific...

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by kirkofdoom
    ...but there used to be one busker who was outside the Commodore every time I went to see a show. And he only knows two songs. Stairway to Heaven and Wish You Were Here. He plays one. Then the other. That is it.

    Then one time he just... wasn't there. We had no idea where he went, but one day my friend sent me a text informing me she found him... but then he was gone from there, too.

    Now it has become a running joke. He never appears in the same place twice, roving all over downtown. We have dubbed him the Ninja Bum for this ability and now whenever we find him, we take a cell phone picture and send it to each other.
  17. sunfish
    17

    If i were a food sharer

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by sunfish
    It would have to be Lollipops. tootsie pops are preferrable, as too are those yummy sugar-free ones, if you're into that kinda treat....
    How bout a tune from The Dudes? I think they're as cool as suckers...
    Cheers!
  18. mcfflyer
    18

    Taking a train across Canada

    Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by mcfflyer
    Lana, as one who has gone from one coast to the other in Canada three times, I suggest that every Canadian take the train from one side to the other, if only to see your own country. Certainly not as cheap as it used to be, but there are deals to be had on VIA. If you get on in Vancouver, make sure the end of your trip is Halifax (changing trains in Toronto and Montreal). Such a great way to see the country and to meet people.

    The trans Canadian trip was the centerpiece of my 2003 honeymoon.

    Lee Hower
    Sacramento, California
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