Music Report

It has been a busy summer. Lately our focus has been music. Two weekends ago we jumped on the motorcycle and rolled down to Regina for the folk festival. There we heard Ani Difranco, Utah Philips and Steve Earle - all very good acts (especially the last 2 I thought). We also heard the performance poetry group T.O.F.U. and bands Bedouin Soundclash and Niyaz. T.O.F.U. is amazing. Words accompanied by music that are entertaining, yet politically and socially conscious. Niyaz was my surprise for the weekend. They are an Iranian/Persian band from the U.S. I didn't expect to like them too much but really did. They combine traditional music with rock/folk and do it very well. Their singer has a beautiful voice. (and isn't so bad to look at) . All in all it was a fine weekend. Meadow and Summer rode to Regina with our friend Heather and her granddaughter Faith. We were all very comfortable in the home of our friend Wendy, who had taken off for Shanghai but had left us the keys to the house. Four adults and 2 kids is a fine combination. We all got some down time and the kids got lots of attention. Garry and I had a very relaxed ride home. We toured past Indian Head (an information seeking stop at the PFRA), along the north shore of the Qu'Appelle lakes and spent a comfy night at a motel in Wadena before returning home.
Just this past weekend, we stayed home but took time off to go to the Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival. It was up at the Ness Creek site about 30 minutes from here. This was the first and it looks like it will become an annual event. The atmosphere was so relaxed and friendly. The music was great (again). The band Upstream, which includes three local people, once again impressed me with their tight harmonies - beautiful a capella sound. The visiting bands Restless Lester and the Rawling Brothers were also extremely talented. I was a bit disappointed when I got the Rawling Brothers cd home. It was more country than what they had played at the festival. I guess they have done a lot of touring, including the states and have played everything from bluegrass to rock.
Garry and I will leave tomorrow, taking the motorcycle and head to Edmonton and points west. We have no destination, simply know we have to be back by the 3rd of September. We have friends in Fort St. James we will stop to say hello to and other than that we are out for fun and relaxation.
Hope everyone else is having an entertaining summer.