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We took our food to the park area
at the corner of Albert and Abbott and had a picnic. There's a
fountain and an interesting sculpture in the park. The sculpture is
called Familiar Faces by Louise McCagg. As a fellow (whose mother's
face appears on the artwork) explained to me, the faces are of area
individuals who were strong supporters of the arts. Good food, good
weather, and
pleasant surroundings - amen.
After eating, on our way back to
the City Hall stage to see Asani with a 3:45 p.m. starting time, we passed by the traditional games
area. The program describes it thus, "Traditional games are played
throughout the world, by individuals and groups of all ages . . .
Games play a critical role in fostering and maintaining ethnic and
group identity, acquiring physical and intellectual skills, learning
cultural knowledge, and developing and negotiating social
relationships . . . a variety of 'unplugged' traditional games are
featured; none require a computer chip or an Internet connection!"
Gee, imagine that.
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The first group we went to
see, after eating, was Asani (First Nation & Metis vocals) from
Edmonton, Alberta in Canada, another favorite. The women in
this trio are "steeped in their musical, cultural and linguistic
traditions." Wherever you've seen quotation marks it
usually denotes
an excerpt from the festival's program. Each group or artist is
described there. Unfortunately, I do not have the space (or
the typing skills) to include the extensive information provided.
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There was about half an hour break
between the performances by Asani at the City Hall stage and Joe Thompson
at the Legacy stage. Since we were in the same area, I took the
opportunity to visit the Crafts & Guilds tent as well as another glance at
the Folk Arts Marketplace.
I mentioned in page one that the
Carolina Chocolate Drops had been under the tutelage of Joe Thompson.
They appeared with him at the legacy stage. There was an insightful
discussion about cross-cultural traditions . . . as well as some wonderful
music.
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When they are
not doing their own performances, the other artists get to be
"tourists" too, as is evidenced by this member of the trio Asani
taking a picture of Joe Thompson and the Carolina Chocolate
Drops.
That's a serious photographer look! |
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Following our time with Joe
Thompson, we left the festival for a couple of hours to attend a birthday
party for a personal friend who is also an octogenarian. Upon returning,
we headed for the Dance stage and tent, where the Dirk Powell Band was
playing (and the MC was giving Square Dance instruction and doing the
calling). Then we wandered over to Valley Court, got some Spiral Potatoes,
a Bloomin' Onion, and two lemonades (photo was taken earlier in the day)
to take out onto the grassy field with our fold up chairs. And, yes,
I know I was falling off the heart healthy wagon with this one, but it's
been kind of a tradition as we settled in for the last performance of the
day . . . by Dominique Dupuis (Acadian Fiddle).
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Since we got to Valley Court a little early, we caught a few moments of Henry
Butler (New Orleans Blues) as well.
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To take a look at Sunday's activities
click on PAGE THREE
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