July 16, 2010

There's no Music like Live Music


It's summer festival season here in British Columbia. Here in my neck of the woods is a little, but mighty festival of the arts with a multicultural theme. The other night my eldest son, Ian and I went to see Poema Flamenco, and boy! are we glad we did. My son's facebook status the next morning was "Ian quite likes flamenco dancers". Along with the four piece band, all men, was a very beautiful dancer. She was so fluid, so strong, so expressive, so commanding a performer we couldn't all help but be completely entranced by her. She also had the great attraction of appearing to enjoy herself to the utmost. At one point in the performance when all was quiet, there was an audible admiring sigh from a male member of the audience - followed by many good-hearted giggles. I even ventured to say that the dancer's performance was a good omen for Spain's World Cup victory the following day, which it was. Viva Espana!


On Wednesday of this week, the event which I have spent five months coordinating came off with nary a hitch. The day was sunny, breezy and warm. Over 500 people, most of them children, came to the Festival Children's Day. It took around sixty five volunteers to do everything required to make the day run smoothly. We offered seven different art activities, outdoor shows of music and an indoor show of comedic high wire acrobatics, a real climbing wall with harnesses and ropes and everything for the energetic kids, science based programs and activities, an activity area for the really young ones, a treasure hunt with a map and clues to solve, etc. It was a great day, and after doing this for five years, I felt I really got it right this time. Needless to say, I went home and lay down for two hours afterwards. My husband and children were all a very big help to me in the preparation and execution of this day, and to them I am extremely grateful. A few of us went that evening to see the amazing poet of a guitarist David Lindley. It felt very good to sit with a drink and do nothing but listen to such a great artist after such a big day.


Last night we went to see the band Peatbog Faeries from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. They are a very high energy brand of celtic funk fusion. We danced a bit, but it was extremely hot in the hall and crowded so we didn't last long. We were all still pretty tired from our efforts of the week.


The festival continues through this weekend, with Spanish band El Puchero del Horteleno, which means "the gardener's stew", ('symbolizing their mix of Flamenco and Rumba with Funk, Pop and Rock' according to the program) as headliners tonight. It will be a good way to round out our festival experience, as we leave tomorrow for a nine day road trip to visit our families in Alberta and the interior of this province.


I will not be taking a computer with me on this trip (I don't have a laptop anyway), but I will be taking a notebook and pen as always. I will catch up with everyone in a couple of weeks' time. In the meantime, enjoy summer wherever you are and if you feel inspired, do take some time to enjoy some live music. There really is no better kind!
The photo was lifted from http://www.poemaflamenco.com/.

8 comments:

  1. You garden, cook, coordinate festivals, write, etc...all very well.
    I'm impressed.
    Enjoy your road trip!

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  2. Anita: You are very kind but I am not a very good gardener. I do love gardens, though, and working outside. I also love food, but there are also many, many cooks far more skilled than I, (I'm more of a baker) but I do try :)

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  3. Don't believe it Anita. She is a renaissance woman. Though I have never actually met her, I imagine that she is fascinating, in a quiet way, humble and strong. Her company is sought out, because she is also a good listener, and brews good tea. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

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  4. Live music is all to the good. But there are times it can be something of a penance.
    About twice a month I would visit a 'Trad' pub. Where you really do take your life in your hands.
    And then sometimes you get the sublime.
    More often or not though you would get the pissed gobshite, male of female reciting An Cuirt an Mheán Oíche—The Midnight Court.

    Oh, that neoplanet thing is chomping it's way through memory.

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  5. You are right about when the performers are enjoying themselves. I once walked out on a well-known band...they looked bored and were BORING...

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  6. 'We offered seven different art activities, outdoor shows of music and an indoor show of comedic high wire acrobatics, a real climbing wall with harnesses and ropes and everything for the energetic kids, science based programs and activities, an activity area for the really young ones, a treasure hunt with a map and clues to solve, etc'

    You are to be commended for coordinating such a vibrant community event for children!

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  7. Congratulations on your big event going so well! You've talked about it in a few posts, and it sounds like it was a lot of work, but well worth it. I wish I could have attended; it sounds really cool. All your other activites do as well. Enjoy your break!

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  8. Vince: Yes, there is certainly that side to live music. I've seen some awful stuff too, especially drunken Karaoke. Mind you, one learns to be choosy after enough experience.

    Jen: That's what my brother said about Van Morrison when he saw him last year - boring.

    Paul and Barbara: Thanks! I hope you are enjoying summer so far, all.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!