Sunday, 28 August 2011

A family festival

The Ottawa Folk Festival is a family festival in the very best way. I make that specification because the term “family” often describes events geared only towards children but this festival is a place where I could see myself spending time with each member of my family.



Big Brother: My bigger brother is the one who first got me into music other than what played on the radio so we would go see Thurston Moore to relive our angsty teenage years spent listening to Sonic Youth.  Moore is completely different as a solo artist but equally inspirational and still one of my brother’s favourite guitarists.

Little brother: He is 7 so naturally he has a lot of energy. This is not the best for sitting and watching a concert but great for the Kidzone, the mural and hands-on workshops. He would love fiddling around with kazoos, harmonicas and definitely a noseflute.

Mom: She never misses her Zumba exercise dance class. She always tries to get me to go with her because a) it would be healthy for me and b) she knows I can’t dance. For these same reasons I know she would love taking Cajun Dance lessons together at the Falls Stage.

Dad:He is pretty laid back at festivals so there is nothing I would like more than to sit around in the sun with him listening to a few jam sessions while sipping on cold beers.

Sister: She has an affinity for all things cute so, at the festival that translates to eating vendor ice cream, taking part in ukulele workshops and being serenaded by a dreamy musician.

Grandma:The Little Stevies set is what first got me thinking about family as I listened to the band which includes sisters Sybilla and Bethany Stevens. While their stage banter reminded me of my own back-and-forth with my sister what got through to me the most was their song “Grandma.” The song is dedicated to their Grandma who suffered from Alzheimer’s and tells the story of how their grandparents met so that it would never be forgotten. It reminded me of my own grandma and, if it were possible, I would love to have had her there with me.


Juanita

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