2008_09_14 Wendy McNeil at the Artery

Wendy McNeil is a chameleon on stage. I look at a series of photos, and wonder how they can possibly be all of the same person. Her sound though, is unmistakable. I've spent many recent evenings at the Artery photographing the Poetry Festival, so I've got to know the place a bit (although they wouldn't let me upstairs, but that's another story -- something about a green door I suspect...). Tonight I heard the music of Wendy McNeil.

Wendy is magic. 'A Dreamer’s Guide to Hardcore Living' is the name of the CD. And she lives hard-core. Her next shows are in Calgary at the Ironwood, followed by Toronto, Montreal, Zug - Switzerland, Vaningen Sundsvall - Sweden, many other cities in Sweden, finishing up in October in France and Norway. When does she sleep?

There was actually significant crossover between the audience at the Poetry Festival, and the Wendy McNeil show. Wendy is a poet. In sound and words.

Photos Slideshow

Wendy's MySace

Kundu Dance Workshop

Today I had the pleasure of meeting Prosenjit Guy Kundu, and taking some photos at a dance workshop arranged by Trisha Sarker, at MacEwan. The lesson was 'House Dance', and it looked simple enough, but I'm glad I was not asked to dance. I did manage to get some 'interesting' photos, and you can see them at:

Photos

or as a SLIDESHOW

He's a quiet, unassuming guy, but boy can he dance. Check out th KUNDU DANCE COMPANY(India's hip hop based company) on YouTube

Retirement

Do you know how things pile up and when Saturday comes - you are soooo busy you have no time at all? Since I retired in May, every day is Saturday. I haven't found time to post much. And mid September I'm heading to Australia, and then South America, for a total of 8 months.... Sorry to say there won't be many blog entries till next summer. But I will try to post a few before I leave, and one or two during my travels as well.
tracy
ps. The photo? A musican from France, who recently took up the saxophone, trying to earn enough for supper in the streets of Flores, Guatemala. My recent travels took me to Mexico (Cancun, Chetumal), Belize and Guatemala (Flores and Tikal).

2008 Edmonton Street Performer's Frestival

On Friday night I spent a few hours at the Edmonton Street Performer's Festival and got some amazing pics from some amazing shows. I have posted some selected photos, and will post more as time permits.

Flying Bob shot an egg into the sky, catching it in his hand - then higher for a spectacular 'catch'.

I only saw a bit of the Space Cowboy. I still can't believe anyone can ride a 6 foot unicycle (or was it higher), juggle three knives (different types) BLINDFOLDED. And he didn't drop a single item! He also does some spectacular sword swallowing that will have you feeling a bit strange.

Betty Brawn - the strongest lady alive will amuse and amaze with her strength and banter.

Nice to see Freshly Squeezed at the Street Performers. I have seen and photographed them around town a few times. They are getting stronger and stronger. Check out the spectacular back-flip shot in photos.

I also got some pics of the various wandering minstrels, musicians and strange beasts. We've had a bit of rain the past few days - hopefully that will clear up give us all a sunny show.

Watch for the 10:00 o'clock “Troupe du Jour” variety show, every night.

Photos SLIDESHOW

Street Performer's Website

2008 Calgary Jazz Festival

Patrick Maiani invited me down to photograph the Calgary Jazz Festival - how could I refuse? It was impossible to see everything. In one case I hopped on my bike, cruised over to Knox United for a single shot of Jean Vanesse and Miroslav Vitous, and raced back to Jack Singer. I do have lots of photos, which will be posted gradually as I can get to them. I am falling farther and farther behind in my photo posting since I retired. Seems the more time I have, the busier I get.

I was eager to see Beady Bell, and enjoyed her performance and music. I've heard her on CKUA many times - and it was great to meet her and listen to a live performance.

My hilite of the festival was Pink Martini - a bit more that a jazz band (many would say they are not a jazz band. But any band with a singer who performs in Portugese, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian/Italian, and of course English is a hit in my books. They opened with Bolero, gave us my personal favorite 'Eugene' - and Marcia bought me a CD for our wedding anniversary. However, Pink Martini did not allow any photos - I had to sit still and enjoy the music. There were lots of cameras flashing but my 'no flash' camera was at my feet. Of course I did get the two opening acts - Meaghan Smith, and Rob Young with is Big Beat Band.

The jazz on Stephen Avenue was fun. I took my bike and cruised around during the breaks - even managed to get over to Sled Island for a listen (very, very loud).

On our wedding anniversary, we took time out for dinner in a Greek restaraunt - and then caught Cheryl Fisher at the Cantos Music Foundation. She keeps getting better and better. Look for a new CD in the fall.

On Saturday, CKUA's Don Berner hosted a live show at Ironwood - I took my mom for brunch, music and photos.

On the last day, we had a collision of Dixie and wedding. Eric Ellison's dixieland trio was cruising the avenue, when a wedding limo arrived for a downtown photo shoot. Of course I have lots of photos of bridesmaids doing the chicken dance etc.

Here are the photos, more will be posted as I can get to them.

2008 Edmonton Jazz Festival

The Edmonton Jazz Festival kicked off on Friday - unfortunately I was out of town, but I did catch a couple of shows on Saturday night. Four Corners Quartet brought the music of St Albert to Edmonton. Jonny McCormack, who leads the thursday Jams (Jonny Mac Attack) at the Castle Rock in St Albert brought the Four Corners Quartet to Hulberts. Khi Matthu on bass, Ian Morris on drums and Steve Frise on guitar. The place was packed with an appreciative crowd as the quartet gave two encores. I'm not sure what the upstairs neighbors thought - Hulbert's usually shuts the music down at 10:00 to give them some rest. Maybe they were downstairs enjoying the fantastic music. Hulbert's has Jazz this coming Thursday - Nathan Ouelette Trio, Friday - Brett Miles Quartet and Saturday - Geo K's fantastic guitar in the World Explorations Jazz Trio.

Jeffrey's Cafe has has the Jazz Diva series this week. I caught a few notes from Lorna Lampman late Saturday. You can catch Rhonda Withnell on Tuesday (I've already booked my table), Rollanda Lee on Thursday, Shelley Jones on Friday and Helena Magerowski on Saturday. Fans of vocal jazz will get their fill this week before the summer jazz drought hits.

Four Corners Quartet photos Slideshow
Lorna Lampman photos

The Edmonton Jazz Festival Society is putting on a stellar series of shows this week, check them out at Edmonton Jazz Festival website, or pick up a program at one of the locations around the city.

Nextfest 2008 Opening Night

Last night I took in the opening ceremonies of Nextfest 2008, as well as a couple of Nextfest shows. There was beer (not free) and pizza (free) for all, courtesy of sponsors Pizza 73 and Sleemans. The Roxy was packed with artists and supporters of the arts community.

ihuman was rapping up the stage as we waited for the ceremonies to start. Then Freshly Squeezed hip-hopped like never before. I have seen them a few times, and they are getting better and better.

The opening ceremonies introduced us to sponsors, and some of the artists participating in the festival. There were thankfully no long speeches -- the Enbridge representative summed it up "you didn't come here to listen to me". Then on with the shows!

I watched Scratch improvise a multi-person, multi-plot story, often 'changing places' like tag team wrestlers. Pure magic -- you have to see it to believe it. They had some 'equipment problems', which they deftly wove into the performance. It was like a good murder mystery, where you can see the end coming, but you cannot guess how them might get there -- and neither can they!

Then I watched Linda Turnbull perform Masked Memory, part of the Choreographer's Playground. This piece has been evolving for some time, and a smaller, earlier version was performed at the Mile Zero Salon series event Lost and Found . At Nextfest, Linda was able to work with a full suite of staging, lighting, and sound technicians to create a more rich performance. Masked Memory has evolved into a stark performance, that has a lot of emotional punch at the end.

Lastly, the James Murdoch band took us into the night with music in the Roxy lobby. I do like to leave musical performances before they end - so I left humming the tunes of James Murdoch band. Quite an evening.

Nextfest continues thru to June 15th, with something for everyone. You can check out a single show, or two - many shows are free. Or for a measly $40, you can pick up the pass and see as many shows as you like. I've got mine. Maybe I'll see you there.