Tags
4th Street SW, Alberta, Calgary, Canada, community, Diana Schwenk, Hump Day Chronicles, Lilac Festival, living in the moment, Static Shift, Tourist in my own city, Urban Living
One of the plusses of being an urbanite is the easy access I have to a host of activities that happen in downtown Calgary in the spring and summer.
On Sunday I walked to the Lilac Festival, an event that I attend every year and why not, it’s only 4 blocks away!
Um, I’m not in the market for one of those, but thanks to this sign on the way to the festival, I was totally ‘In The Know’ about its availability.
Ahh… that’s more like it – the smell of those blossoms were intoxicating. I haven’t seen any lilacs yet this season, but this tree sufficed. I am ELATED that spring has found its way to Calgary and we’re almost at the festival!
It was a great day weather-wise for this festival, not too hot, not too cold. (18c degrees or as my American friends would say, 65f). I was able to get my phone out of my front pocket to take pictures when I reached this opening in the crowd.
Just a moment earlier we were all pressed together like sardines in a can and I think somebody touched my bum!
I decided to keep my phone in my hand after this shot.
There is something seductive about Latin music. You can’t help but sway to the rhythm.
So much for my stealth and discretion. I guess I can cross International Spy off my list of ambitions!
The day before, I had made arrangements with my friend Adele, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, to meet on the corner of 4th Street and 23rd Ave at 4:30. Her nephew’s friends, members of the band Static Shift, were scheduled to play.
Adele’s sister, Ellen told me that they recently opened for Collin James – what a privilege that must have been for them.
And what a wickedly cool band.
They sound like Led Zeppelin with a twist of Blues.
Their music took me back to when I was 16 and listening to records very much like the original music Static Shift played on Sunday.
Static Shift closed their set with a hauntingly beautiful tune which they dedicated to their previous drummer who tragically died in a horse-related accident. It was very moving and a great way to close The 2014 Lilac Festival.
One thing that I’m sure of is that these guys are gonna make it big!
You must check out their website here!
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
So what did you do on the weekend?
Professions for PEACE said:
What a fun post Diana! I so enjoy your humour, and ya… I guess you won’t be hired as a spy any time soon. 😉 So glad you had a blast, and thanks for this great info on an up-and-coming band.
xo Cheers, Gina
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dianasschwenk said:
My pleasure Gina, and thank you for reading this post and leaving such a wonderful comment. ❤
Diana
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When in New Places said:
I’m so happy to have the opportunity to vicariously be there through this post, Diana! Thanks for that ~ this was always one of our favorite festivals as well. How nice that you live so close to it, that’s such a beautiful area!
~ Andrea ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m definitely an urbanite through and through. 🙂 Glad I could bring a bit of home to you. ❤
Diana xo
p.s. this past weekend finally saw the emergence of lilacs – better late than never. 😉
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When in New Places said:
Oh man, what I wouldn’t do to smell that loveliness! That’s so wonderful ~ enjoy, Diana! 😀
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dianasschwenk said:
The blossoms do smell lovely Andrea!
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Jean said:
I specifically went to the Festival, to hear the Calgary Fiddlers..teenage talented fiddlers. They were great!
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh I missed that act Jean. Glad you enjoyed them!
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
I am SO glad that spring finally arrived for you 9just days before summer) and that you enjoyed the activities offered by your community.
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dianasschwenk said:
It was awesome Elizabeth, wish you could have enjoyed it as well!
Diana xo
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Sheryl said:
What fun! The festival looks like the perfect way to get out and celebrate spring after the long winter.
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dianasschwenk said:
It is fun and so close to me. I feel sorry for those who come from the burbs and try to find a parking spot!
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Wow, a terrific band, beautiful weather, cold dinks, I’M JEALOUS! 😉
Cheers, Diana. xx
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dianasschwenk said:
haha! No need, I’m the one that should be jealous of your surroundings Jennifer!
Diana xo
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sedge808 said:
loads of fun.
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dianasschwenk said:
That it was Gavin!
Diana xo
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
That’s a lovely photo of your fruit tree in full bloom! It looks like a “Centennial” Crabapple to me (I LOVE them: )
Static Shift “opened for Collin James”! WooHoo!! How cool is that, eh?!!
Thanks for the link to the band’s home page!: ) Don’t want to “lose” my comment, so I’ll go there and have look in a sec but, if there’s also a YouTube vid, it’s not coming up on my phone):
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Right on! There it is… thanks!: )
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Excellent video! LOVE the Guitar Cam!!
15-16? AMAZING!!
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dianasschwenk said:
Aren’t they? I wonder how old they were when they started!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Deb, not my tree though, I passed it on the way to the festival. Yes I noticed that I can view certain videos on my phone either, but that’s ok, cause they charge you an arm and leg when you do so. 😉
Diana xo
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rachelcarrera said:
What fun! I miss Canada so much!
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dianasschwenk said:
Canada says, come visit Rachel!
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rachelcarrera said:
LOL! I’ll be back soon. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Yay!! Ever been out west?
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rachelcarrera said:
Not yet, but I’m dying to. I’ve only been to various parts of Ontario. 🙂
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Val Boyko said:
Wow – it sounds like Spring really busts out in your neck of the woods!! I love lilacs too 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
I guess it has to in a shorter growing season, right?
Diana xo
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Don said:
You must have had a marvellous day Diana. Wow! When you speak of those guys sounding like Lead Zeppelin it takes me back to great memories. I’m sure they’ll make it if they sound anything like them. I could almost smell those blossoms.
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dianasschwenk said:
I had a lot of fun for sure! Yes, I’ve been perusing their website and they’re not as green as I had originally thought.
Diana xo
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billgncs said:
I saw a big turtle!
You know lilacs are really worth celebrating!
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dianasschwenk said:
haha good for you Bill. :p and yes, whenever it’s warm enough for flowers to bloom it is worth celebrating!
Diana xo
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billgncs said:
I especially like lilacs… they are such a fragrant flower – one that touches our memory of spring with scent more than vision.
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Denise Hisey said:
We celebrated Memorial Day here in the states last weekend. A time to reflect on those who served unselfishly and have gone before us.
Hubby and I made time to get some outdoor projects done and played with our new puppy.
I enjoyed the band track, they are very good! It must be fun for you to see them developing their audience and skills. 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
Happy belated Memorial Day Denise! Nothing like the great outdoors and puppies. 😉
Yes they have some potential, don’t they?
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markbialczak said:
I think it was a Cold Dink who touched your bum, Diana. Or somebody who got too carried away from the Latin music.
It sounds like your friend’s nephew’s band is going big places. Very nice.
I am glad that the flowers are out in force in Calgary, my friend, and that American temperature sounds good to me.
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dianasschwenk said:
haha thanks for your take on the events of the day Mark!
The band was really tight and when Brady pulled out a bow and played Jimmy Page style, I thought my head would explode!
Yes, besides German and French, I also dabble some in American….yanno, since I head out that way a few times a year… 🙂
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
I will keep track of this band. Alert me if they tour my way, if you remember! I like your American vernacular. I will not attempt Canadian, ey, although I head up that way a few times a year, too!
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dianasschwenk said:
haha, you’re such a hoser! Be sure to bring a toque when you come, never know when that polar/Canadian vortex will happen, eh!
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markbialczak said:
You got me so good with just two sentences, my master of Canadian English friend! I would play some shinny on the pond but I can’t skate.
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dianasschwenk said:
Here’s some Canadian perspective from one of my previous post for your education my friend!
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
By the way, I also meant to add, the Cold Dink or Too Warm Latin Dancer who touched your bum, either one, deserved a good smack in the head. That’s a no-no.
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dianasschwenk said:
I think it was accidental Mark. 🙂
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markbialczak said:
OK, then. I feel better.
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Tracy Lee Karner said:
Lilacs! I love lilacs!
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dianasschwenk said:
I love them too Tracy – outside. Although they smell so beautiful, when I cut them to bring them inside, the smell is so strong and concentrated indoors that I get a piercing headache. Love to bring sweet peas in but I don’t have a garden… 😦
Diana xo
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Louise Gallagher said:
What fun! I was there on the periphery earlier in the day. One woman told me it was going to start raining at !2:08. fortunately, she couldn’t tell time nor predict the weather. It was 12:15 when she told me — and it never did rain! 🙂
Hugs
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dianasschwenk said:
oh it rained Louise, for about 20 minutes around 5! I took shelter under the CD tent and continued to watch Static Shift from there. 🙂
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bulldog said:
Certainly didn’t touch your bum… or attend a lovely day like you did… but that music is good…
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dianasschwenk said:
takes you back doesn’t it? and to think they are 15-16 years old!
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