Did you see the living dead wobbling down the streets of Yellowknife today? These fine specimens braved the sun light and came out for the 2nd Annual Arctic Apocalypse. 25 Zombies walked, crawled, limped and wobbled up Franklin Ave around 3pm Saturday afternoon.
The earliest Zombie Walks can be dated back to 2001. According Wikipedia, Zombie Walks, were billed as The Zombie Parade and the “brain”-child of Bryna Lovig. Just like any other public event, the Zombie Walk has a vibrant history, known to help charities, broken World Records and of course brought up controversy.
One of the “head” Zombies said he was happy with this years turn out and hopes to continue making this any annual event. Here are pictures and video of the walk.
I am a little disappointed in myself for not taking more of the Old Town Ramble and Ride in this year. Then again, another part of me is glad I relaxed at home for more of the weekend.
That being said, I did get down on Saturday to check out some of the happenings of the event. I really enjoy this event, for many reasons. The first is because it is hosted and based around Old Town, and I love Old Town. There is just a unique vibe at that end of town, that I don’t think a person can get enough of. Another reason being the local talent, both in music and art. There are a lot of amazing jewelry makers in this town, and a lot of them are focused on using northern materials.
The Bob Bromley Stage was definitely a hit, while I was down there, David Strauss was playing one of their signature songs, “together forever, for 8 months”, and the crowd was really getting into it. just around the corner the SPCA was doing their Dog Wash which looked busy. Then up the road beside the old Johnson’s building several tents were set up with many artists displaying their art, paintings, carvings, and jewelry. Music also accompanied them.
Through out the rest of Old Town many more “stations” were set up with activities and displays. Face-painting, houseboat tours, photography displays, and horse carriage rides were just some of them.
Did you get down for any part of the Ramble and Ride? What was you favourite thing to do?
Like I mentioned in the full recap post about the 30th Folk on the Rocks, I got a lot of content from the event and wanted to release it as I put it together. Well I’m just now getting around to posting these two videos below. I got a couple of hours worth of video footage from the festival, a lot of little clips of a lot of the artists throughout the weekend. The two videos below each spotlight a different act. The first is Michael Bernard Fitzgerald and the second is Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo.
Michael Bernard Fitzgerald
MBF, as a lot of his fans know him as, is a talented musician of 24. From Calgary, AB, he has toured Canada this summer. Just after he left Yellowknife, he flew to Toronto to perform. He is a loving and genuine guy. I got to talk to MBF before he came up to Yellowknife and while he was here and just from what he said, I could tell he was passionate about what he does and has a knack for taking on a big challenge.
Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor
These fine gentlemen were the headlining acts for Folk on the Rocks, this year and did a bang up job. I have to admit I didn’t actually know who Greg Keelor was when they were announced, but definitely knew who Blue Rodeo was and Jim Cuddy, as he has had a successful solo career. I enjoyed watching these guys because, in my mind, they were authentic, they didn’t go up acting like rock stars. They were just two talented guys, who were there to have fun. You could tell as they played through their set that not only were they playing for the crowd, but for each other as well. Other than a random flying coke bottle at Jim Cuddy, the crowd got really in to the music and even sang along for a lot of them.
Yes, they maybe a little long in length, but worth it I think. If you like these videos spotlighting each artist/band let me know and I will try to get more edited together.
I don’t know if you noticed or not, but while Grant Lawrence was here in Yellowknife, emceeing Folk on the Rocks, he had a Flip Camcorder on him. He went out and around capturing different aspects of the festival and of Yellowknife in general. For those who don’t know who he is, he is a CBC Radio 3 host and you can find his website here.
Take a look at Folk on the Rocks from his perspective.
It started off slow and a little wet, but by 12 noon the place was packed.
The 2010 Northern Skies Yellowknife Air Show took place this weekend, and we were all unsure of the weather, once again. Most people like me arrived at 10am, when the gates opened, so we could get a decent parking space. The weather was overcast, but reasonable. As we all wandered around the grounds, admiring the static booths and food vendors, a storm started our way. Thick dark clouds full of rain came in off the big lake and ended up over the city. I thought for sure it was going to come right over us at the airport. Lightning could be seen striking the ground towards the city. The announcer came over the speakers informing us that if the storm came over head we should head into the DND Hanger. Then, as if it had a change of heart, the wind changed directions ever so slightly and the storm went right around us, and presented a clear blue sky with a scorching sun.
Early in the show, Ken Fowler and his aerial partner put on a show in their Harmon Rockets over head. Just as one of our very own was going to show off his talent, he reported some mechanical issues with his plane, while in the air, there was no emergency, but did present a rather long delay. At this point the local band, Big Ethel, took to the stage to try to keep the audience entertained.
Finally after weather and plane delays the much-anticipated Snowbirds took to the air to show off their well-practiced maneuvers. They showed off many different formations, some with all nine planes together and others with just a few. Needless to say, they had the audience glued to the skies trying to guess which direction they were going to come from next.
To finish off the day, Ronald MacDonald preformed a magic show for the kids. Although slightly corny for us Adults, he presented a good message to the kids.
Thus concludes the 2010 Air Show in Yellowknife. It was slow to get started, but was a sunny success in the end. It seemed like everyone who came out had a good time, the vendors certainly did, with 30 minute long lines. Did you go to watch or do you prefer the at home on the deck method of watching the show? To get a full feel of the air show watch the video below.
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Unless you have been sleeping for the past few days or you work underground, the planes are gearing up for the Yellowknife Air Show. The Snowbirds arrived in town on Thursday after a show in Dawson Creek, Ab.
I had heard one of First Airs big planes was scheduled to land sometime around noon today. So I setup a ladder and got on the roof of my house to see if I could capture it coming into town. Unfortunately I did not see First Air’s plane, but I did get treated to a little pre show from the Snowbirds.
Here is a short video of what they might have in store for us at the show. If you do not like the music, mute it.
This is a Guest Post from Jason Simpson. Jason has a photo blog at ArcticImages.ca. If you’d like to Guest Post on YkOnline.ca go to our Contribute Page or send in your post to info@ykonline.ca.
This was my first time attending this type of show in Yellowknife and I have to say it was a wonderful experience. The stage is set up over the lake with a platform connecting it to the museum’s stairway and the back drop overlooks Yellowknife skyline which definitely adds to the show giving it a surreal feeling.
During the presentation there were three different acts allowing it to appeal to all different age groups (kids’ folk tale, drama and comedy). I would say the order of the different genres was great since the latter two plays were geared more for adults and allowed the families with young children to leave if they chose too.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff: was an excellent children’s play and had charming parts with the kids really embracing their characters.
Wake Me Up When September Ends: I really appreciated this story for it had a lot of raw feelings and great acting.
A New Sunrise: This one was my favorite of the night because it really got everyone laughing, The portrayal of the two old ladies was perfect and really made the show a hit.
Finally, I would recommend this event to all Yellowknifers or people even just passing through to check it out because you won’t be disappointed. Oh, and one more thing, please make a donation so we can have many more years of matinees and evenings of Theatre on the Lake.
Along with the music at Folk on the Rocks, there was food. Glorious food. It seems these days food goes well with any event, so why should this one be any different.
Of course you know about Ecology North’s Rent-a-Plate operation that took place once again at the festival. Approximately 200 plastics plates circulated over the weekend.
Once you got your plate there were several different food vendors you had to choose from. There were many different types of food to choose from, as well. From you basic cheeseburger to Thai food, pizza to hot dogs, chicken wraps to Armenian food. There were smoothies, coffee and lemon-aid to drink as well the Fry Guy and Ice Cream truck were there.
For those who wanted to try an authentic northern dish, there was fresh White Fish with a corn cob.
Needless to say there was tons of food and everyone must have been fed well, budget depending. Speaking to some vendors, they told me that they were seeing lines like they hadn’t seen in 5 years. Partly I think, the cloudy weather drove people to eat more.
Did you try any of the food out at Folk on the Rocks, what was your favourite dish? Mine would have been the Beef on a Bun in support of the Arthritis Society.
So there is this folk fest that happens in Yellowknife, every July, on the shore of a lake. Maybe you have heard of it? You know, it is nothing special just a bunch of crazy people hanging out and shooting the breeze, while listening to some music.
Are you kidding me! Of course you have heard of Folk on the Rocks. A matter of fact, you are probably sick of reading about me go on about it. Well I am sorry to disappoint you, because we have a lot of content on Folk on the Rocks 2010 to pump out over the next week. Photos, video and more. By more I mean me writing about the food, spirit and, well, the music too.
The weather was up in the air for the weekend and we were all anticipating the worst, but that never happened. It was cloudy for a good portion of the weekend, yes, but we only ended up with short spats of rain. I saw people huddling together in rain jackets under umbrellas as they sing along to acts like Buffy Saint-Marie and Leela Gilday. I did hear some complaints, but the number of people having a good time out weighed them.
This was my first year covering the whole event, last year I did a quick post, nothing near what I have this year. I thought about how I wanted to approach the festival this year and I always seemed to come back to how it makes me feel.
While watching a lot of the sets and crowd from the right of the stage, I feel free and energized. It is an odd feeling to explain, yes. So let me try and paint you a picture, figuratively. Several times throughout the weekend while watching a performance, the energy of the music would just climb, up, and up. It would be overwhelming and what would happen is I would end up with a huge smile on my face, unintentionally, as I tried and capture that moment.
Although there were many things to make this event worthwhile, there were two that I think really did it, the people and the musicians.
The musicians, obviously being who everyone is coming to see, always seem to have just as much fun or more than the crowd they are playing for. The one thing that makes a festival like Folk on the Rocks better than a CD or seeing the artist live, is the collaboration. When are you ever going to see our own Digawolf and Greg Keelor jamming together with Pat Braden and friends, where I ask. Or Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, a banjo playing room mate, and the drummer from BAM (Caleb Harrison) just all of a sudden halfway through a set get together and jam. No where, that’s where. This is where they shine as artists in my opinion, when without any practice or warning, they just breakout in song together and make amazing sounding music. One of the final day collaborations of the event, when The Dudes invited at least half the other performers up on stage during their set to show their appreciation for the weekend and each other, even had the crowd involved singing along. I am on the edge of saying that these collaborations make events like this priceless and memorable.
Although a music festival like this one is traditionally all about the music and it definitely sets the mood, I think it is only part of the experience. One of those other parts is the people. Hands down this is Yellowknife’s biggest party. Everyone I met or saw throughout the two long days out there, seemed relaxed and mellow. Not mellow like they are dragging their feet, but more like they have forgotten all about real life and just wanted to have fun. Isn’t that what it is suppose to be all about? People would gather with those they hadn’t seen in ages and rock like they’d never been apart. Personal space was no longer an option for many as they came to the stage area to jump up and down along with the bands. It’s the spirit of the event which makes even the grumpiest looking people, like myself, smile. Yellowknife has awesome people, you are truly amazing!
The days were long, musicians played hard and the crowd partied harder, actually I’m fairly certain the musicians also partied just as hard. So the the question is, how did you enjoy the 30th annual Folk on the Rocks? My time was amazing, and something I wanted to note was how few bugs I noticed. Am I just a seasoned northerner and didn’t notice them or were there really just that few? Have anything to add, by all means. Now lets relive it.
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Another Rock the Folks was a success or you could say they did Rock the Folks. I even have proof, see the picture of the guy reading his book, he put ear plugs in half way through.
As the crowd started to gather Hello Paisley took to the stage and did was they do best. You might remember them from Music in the Park 2009, they took first place. The night consisted of several great local acts, but there were two from out-of-town. Atisa and Scott Walker, who ironically both played solo with their acoustic guitars. Atisa, who is from Vancouver, shared a couple of original songs as well as a couple Tegan and Sara songs, stating that they are her influence. Scott, who is from Barrie, Ont, played a cover of a Jack Johnson song, and did well at it too.
It was then taken up a notch when the Beat Officers, Flaherty’s Wake and Whiskey Jack performed. Each with their own style. Beat officer very punk/rock/I’m not really sure. Flaherty’s Wake was very Celtic/ East Coast/Irish with they fiddling. Then Whiskey Jack with their cover of Rock Banks like ZZ Top.
Then there was Billy Bangarang, how do I write about them. They got skills, I’ll say that. Although rap at a Folk Fest, I’m not really sure about that one. Tina Roy was also there and did her thing, as per usual. She has a cool, jazzy style which makes it really easy to listen to her play.
To finish off the night was the quickly rising in popularity, David Strauss. The 3 member band still hadn’t gotten another keyboard, but I think I’m finally coming around to them and their cocky ways. I mean they have been together forever, for 8 months. The band also took home first place, but unfortunately won’t be performing on Saturday. The runners-up, The Beat Officers, will get the honor of performing in front of a crowd in the Beer Garden at 1pm.
I think everyone had a good evening, and the turn out seemed decent. Although I have to comment on the crowd. There was no dancing this year. Last year people were on table givin’r, this year nuttin’. What gives?
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