Tags
AARCS, Alberta, Billy Schmidt, Calgary, Diana Schwenk, Hump Day Chronicles, laughter, life, living in the moment, Music in the Park, puppies, sun tan, Swing Connection, Tomkins Park, Tourist in my own city
On Saturday I was sitting on my balcony when I heard the sweet sound of jazz fill the air. Yay – music in the park!
I went inside, grabbed my purse and headed one block north to Tomkins Park.
Sinatra’s spirit emanated from the singer, whom I guessed to be in his 70’s, as he sang classics like That’s Amore, Fly me to the Moon, Chicago and New York, New York.
I pulled a chair into the sunlight to listen. I closed my eyes and I could swear it was Old Blue Eyes himself up there in the gazebo belting out the tunes.
When the band took a break I moved to a sunny bench and pulled out my notebook to scribble down blog ideas and add items to my to-do list.
Band members were talking to a woman, who was doing embroidery, and her daughter. Friends of the band, I wondered?
A homeless First Nations man I often see, walked over and compared his arm to my tanned leg saying, “Almost.”
“Yes,” I laughed, “Two more minutes in the sun ought to do it!’
Still laughing as he walked away, I wrote down our conversation in my notebook.
There were so many people in the park with dogs. Normally I’m not a fan of dogs being dragged to the city to suffer the heat of the hot pavement. But on this day I noticed how they seemed to connect people to each other.
A man and woman let their dogs play together. Another man, in spite of his dog’s desire to join the fun, just dragged his dog by.
A woman with the cutest puppy ever in her arm walked over and the three dog owners were happily chatting.
I guess if dogs can get people talking to each other, I may have to rethink my whole stance on dogs in the city!
Tucking my notebook into my purse, I walked over to talk to the lady with the puppy.
Her name is Arlene and she introduced me to Skittles, her foster pup from the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society.
“You really should go to the website and check it out – they have kittens too,” she says as she hands me a card. “All the puppies have candy names right now.”
“No doubt,” I replied, “cause they’re so sweet!”
I thanked Arlene and said goodbye just as the band started their next set with Chicago.
I walked over to the woman doing embroidery and sitting with her daughter close to the Gazebo.
I explained about being a blogger and that I wanted to write about Music in the Park, an event that is put on every summer by 17 Ave. Retail and Entertainment District.
“Are you friends with the band?”
She says yes and tells me the story of how her husband, who also plays in several bands, introduced her to the music of the singer. She points to the young woman playing saxophone and says, “That’s my oldest daughter.”
I asked her the name of the singer and band and she told me his name is Billy Schmidt and the band is called Swing Connection. The band has been together for 4-5 years, but Billy has been doing this for a long time.
Her youngest daughter is taking Swing dancing lessons. We talked about how much fun it is to watch and how Swing dancing works for a number of music genres.
“We like to do really weird dance moves,” said the younger daughter about her entire family. She has the most incredible huge smile pasted on her face.
The family also does a lot of what they call car-dancing.
They told me a story about how once the oldest daughter was dancing in the car and her mother turned to look at her. She could see past her daughter into another car of guys who were getting a real kick out of it. When her daughter caught on that she was being watched, she was mortified.
“The guys in the other car mimicked her movements and gave her the thumbs up,” she recounted chuckling.
“Mom,” says the youngest daughter; handing her mom the cell phone.
“Oh, I have to top up the parking meter,” says the mom, excusing herself.
I thank them for their time and we part ways.
Much gratitude and appreciation to the 17th Ave Retail and Entertainment District for making summer even more fun in my neighbourhood!
Below, a video of Billy Schmidt I found online. Incidentally, that’s the eldest daughter of the woman I spoke with playing the saxophone.
Enjoy!
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Do you have a rescue animal, or would you consider one if you decided to get a pet?
What’s your favourite music genre?
The Presents of Presence said:
I adore music ~ all kinds ~ except I’m not really a fan of rap and opera only in small doses. But I love to dance and swing music!
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dianasschwenk said:
Me too!
Diana xo
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bronxboy55 said:
Just last night, my wife and I watched a documentary on the design of big cities. Creating spaces that allow people to gather away from cars and traffic was a common element. It sounds as though Calgary has figured that out.
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dianasschwenk said:
I wouldn’t say they’ve figured it out yet…They are working on it but not like Central park or High Line Park in NY anyway….
Diana xo
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Kristi said:
Cute puppy. Unfortunately, we can’t have any animals because of my hubby’s allergy. I’ve also noticed that dogs help people to talk…..also babies…..I’ve never spoken to so many strangers as when my kids were babies.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes Kristi, I remember that from when Michaela was little!
Diana xo
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rachelcarrera said:
That’s just so cool that you talk to people and get them to talk to you by bringing up your blog! I wish I could do that… It’s truly a talent to be versed in conversation. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Maybe I lack boundaries Rachel…? 😀
Diana xo
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rachelcarrera said:
LOL! No, I think it’s great! I envy that quality. With my Aspergers brain, I feel awkward just making chitchat with people I know, much less strangers. Good for you! ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
I do enjoy it Rachel, so it does work for me 🙂
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rachelcarrera said:
😀
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elizabeth2560 said:
He does sounds very much like Sinatra himself.
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dianasschwenk said:
More so in person Elizabeth. The video has poor sound quality.
Diana xo
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Bonnie said:
Love the outdoor summer music and how you made the most of connecting with people! Some of the best conversations I’ve had have come from being open to those moments. And, the only animals I’ve had (and will ever have) are rescues. 🙂 enjoy the rest of summer!!
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dianasschwenk said:
Ahh a kindred spirit! Love that your pets have been/will always be, rescues. ❤ Enjoy the rest of your summer too Bonnie!
Diana xo
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dan4kent said:
Diana – absolute. Wonderful. What ever it was that moved you outside took you in. Frank, Mel and Tony would mightily approve. Enjoyed thr rolling style that brought me along. Good stuff. Dan
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks so much Dan – your comment gave me a wide smile!
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
I grew up with Jazz as my Dad was a drummer in a Jazz band part-time and an accountant by day! Looks like a great time to just enjoy summer.
Karen
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dianasschwenk said:
A creative accountant – your dad sounds like a pretty hip guy!
Yes it was wonderful addition to my favourite season! 😀
Diana xo
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utesmile said:
I love dancing to it, that would have been fun. Sounds really great😊
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dianasschwenk said:
That’s right! You take dancing lessons, don’t you? Thanks for stopping by Ute. ❤
Diana xo
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utesmile said:
Yes I do… tap dance, it’s great, love dancing!
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dianasschwenk said:
It’s probably one of the reasons you’re always smiling Ute!
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utesmile said:
🙂
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Minuscule Moments said:
Diana I love your random interviews in the streets where you live. Fly me to the moon is one of my faves and especially some jazz in the park. Thanks for my sunny musical day.
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dianasschwenk said:
I can’t help myself haha! I love Fly me to the Moon too by so many artists including Canada’s very own Diana Krall. ❤
Diana xo
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Ann Koplow said:
Thank you for this healing rescue of a post, Diana. My favorite musical genre is ….jazz!
xo
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dianasschwenk said:
Jazz suits you Ann!
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
What a day, Diana! I love the way you expanded your circle to include more and more people. Your discoveries about puppies and the musicians made the day ever brighter, for me, too. Thank you.
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dianasschwenk said:
Mark, I used to a lot of community engagement and media events where I worked. It seems to have become something I always do now, even when I don’t write about it. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that I talk to at least 3 strangers a day! 😀
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
Me, too, Diana. It’s the way I’m wired.
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh we should work an event together! 😀
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markbialczak said:
Indeed, Diana. Everybody there would be talking to each other by the end of the day!
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bulldog said:
Oh man I could listen to that all night long dancing at least half of the time… this is right up my street today…
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dianasschwenk said:
I didn’t know you liked dancing! Glad you enjoyed the vid bulldog!
Diana xo
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jensine said:
nice and he is one cool dude
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dianasschwenk said:
I know, right?! Thanks for stopping by Jensine. ❤
Diana xo
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Don said:
Diana, it sounds like, and dare I say, looks like one of those peaceful and communal scenes Manet would paint. Good to know you carry a notebook around. People often think I’m a little crazy when I whip out mine. Don’t feel so alone now. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Don! I found one of those little ones, you know, that fits into my little purse. ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
I love that song, Diana; he’s really good, and so is the sax. There’s something about swing jazz that puts me in a great mood. I don’t have a fave music genre because I’m eclectic that way. 😉
We rescued our kitties from the SPCA. It’s the way to go, in my opinion.
Jennifer xo
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dianasschwenk said:
I have an eclectic music collection too Jennifer!
I love that you rescued your cats and that they have such a wonderful life with you. ❤
Diana xo
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cyclingrandma said:
How lovely to turn a lovely summer evening event into a story. You never know what you’ll learn just by asking people! Sweet post!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Lisa – it was fun, I enjoyed it very much!
Diana xo
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