calgary folk music festival 2011


Hello beautiful song birds, travelling fiddlers, and mighty mountain men.  Four days of my July have traveled, like the ebb and flow of a river.  I am struck with the entrance of reality. I must return to my daily wanderings.   My belly button must salute the sighs of strangeness, these eyes must welcome the earthly routine, and my head must return to hearing spirits plucked by head phones.   The door of reality could beckon my tear pebbles. I could whine, like the dog without his bone, the woodland without its pine, the mare without her saddle . Instead of howling,  I am collecting.  Collecting the wonderment, the thoughts, and the memory of my four days at the Calgary Folk Festival. 


The days leading to the festival are etched in fairies, and magical purring.  When a music festival is on the horizon, my sphere becomes celestial. The blithesome heart beats, and the dawn of the festival began Thursday. We arrived at the gates, four hours early, just so we could pardon our eye sights with good seating.
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Thursday brought highlights of Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. A country blues band, echoed with a washboard, and the reverend's raspy voice. They called the city skyline to bow to their hand clapping, whiskey slapping, feet jiving-heart thumping- kind of grooves.   As they crowned the stage with the energy of a wild hound,  I became alive.  




Friday was fastened by rain clusters. Although, I begged Mother Nature to treat us kindly, she had plans for untamed skylines. Just as we were gazing upon Banjo king, Morgan O'kane, the crutch of water began to spill. The clouds buttoned dark colors to their cotton, while the rain caused bedlam for my legs. 

I was perched on a sweater with liquid bouncing off of my head. I could have pawned my temperature for a feather bed, but I didn't need to. Morgan O'Kane's band of banjo, dobro, fiddle, and cello kept my feet warm.  After swaying to the music made for mountains,  we found shelter in white hot chocolate.   Friday came to its end with Bonnie "Prince" Billy chiming songs for the tender belly.
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Saturday was the day I spent my Spring dreaming of.  The Felice Brothers, my favorite poetry penning- old country rambling- band of handsome brothers, performed on Saturday.  As they took the stage,  my belly cooked a pot of butterflies.  They played homeland favorites, "take this bread", "it's a wonderful life", and "back in the dance halls".   

Then, Blind Pilot had their solo concert.  Perfect harmonies. Perfect.



After spending the day chasing The Felice Brothers, and Morgan O'Kane, I found myself weeping to the song of Hallelujah caroled by KD Lang. I watched the stars stream yellow light above my head. I closed my eyes. I saw my Mother. I saw my fingers. I thought, "I'm alive, with belly grumbles, and eyes that see these stars,"..
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Sunday was a day dressed in bitter-sweet sugar.   The last day of the Festival is always tickled by sad thoughts. The four days we've spent our year waiting for, are hours to their finish. Every Sunday of the Folk Festival, I listen deeper, I find my stare, I wander farther, I chime louder. I try to grasp the day, like sand, watching it slip through my fingers.    

The final concert of Morgan O'Kane caused my head to draw thoughts of dream lands, and spellbound mountains.  Me, and the cinnamon boy, Carter,  had the honor of connecting with Morgan, and his band.   A band built by fine gentlemen, sweet cello, and pure hearts. Thank you Morgan for warming us into your world.        Sunday ended with Buffy St Marie calling peace songs.
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My favorite part of the Calgary Folk Festival? Each day, there are festival workshops.  A workshop is a place on a small stage where artists mingle, and songbirds strum with one another.  The small stages are the treasure of the Calgary Folk Festival.  It is here where artists tell their story, it is here where they connect, and harvest the heart beats of the audience.  The main stage holds clutter, and too many heads erasing my view.  The small stage reminds us, how these heavenly creatures who play these instruments, are human after all.
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I live for these four days.  Like a rancher lives for his rain, or a dreamer lives for his boat, I live for the matrimony of left hands, and right hands, I live for the stomping of feet, and the charming symphonies.
Thank you Calgary Folk Music Festival, thank you for breathing.
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All that is left is a head full of music, a body full of happy, and a pot full of pictures.   
Forever, I'll remember the glare of Ian Felice, the pure heart of Morgan Okane,  and the mossy hills kissing my feet......... Love for the music..

Hugs x

47 comments:

  1. looks fun!!

    www.therougelipstickdiaries.blogspot.com

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  2. Love all your costumes!! So perfect for the event...that floral/lace/hat combo is my FAVE!! iNDIE chic hun!

    xo-Julie
    Peace. Love. LOL!

    Haute Khuuture Blog

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  3. gorgeous looks and cute pics!!! Love the floral pants!!! :)

    xo Emma

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  4. Love your outfits! They're so fun and breezy. :)

    <3, V

    http://queenvictoriareigns.blogspot.com/

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  5. Wow! Love all of those looks! So perfect for a summer music festival!

    stylebymj.blogspot.com

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  6. I must say that I'm so happy I found your blog, no doubt a new favourite of mine. Truly adore your style! x Nell

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  7. Blind Pilot! I saw them a couple years back when they opened for The Decemberists. Definitely a great band. I'm so jealous you got to go to this festival. Maybe someday I'll make it up there! You look lovely in all of your outfits too. I really love those floral shorts.

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  8. such a fun post of pictures--i love your hippie chic style! Just followed you on Bloglovin'!

    x jen
    http://photojenicblog.blogspot.com/

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  9. As you could see on Twitter, I could not wait for the post! I love folk festivals!

    That looks amazing! I'm glad the sun was shining, makes it more festive!

    Love your outfits too :)

    http://sweetharvestmoon.blogspot.com

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  10. Anonymous28.7.11

    Such a cheerful atmosphere in these photographs, these will remind you of some brilliant memories I'm sure in the future.

    You look great in each, I'm lusting for those floral shorts though!!!

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  11. i love live outdoor music! it looks like you had a sweet time. i enjoyed looking at your photos. i really liked your outfits!

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  12. Oh how I wish I lived closer to Calgary or had the means to travel to this lovely festival! It looks like you had just a magical few days. Folk music is a part of me like my arms are a part of me, and this lineup is a dream. Looks like I'll have to start collecting pennies for next year.

    Ali - spinnersendvintage.blogspot.com

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  13. Anonymous28.7.11

    I love how you described the event! Very poetic and pretty. Makes me wish I was there. You look gorgeous everyday!!!

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  14. Such a serene setting, it's hard to believe it's so close to downtown. Love all the floral you've been rocking... and of course your lumberjack friend. Oh the prairies!

    x The Pretty Secrets

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  15. Anonymous28.7.11

    Oh my gosh! This folk fest sounds magical. You are the prettiest girl there I'm sure. Hugs to you 2. xo

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  16. well you must be the queen of musical festivals, love especially the first one with the big 70´s hat and the maxi pants!!

    LOVES

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  17. You're looking adorable, as always. Those floral pants are especially charming.
    Looks like such a great time!

    Sincerely,
    Sabrina

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  18. "Sunday was a day dressed in bitter-sweet sugar." I love that line. Your writing is truly wonderful.

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  19. I adore your festival style!

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  20. you have some of the best festival outfits I have seen in a long time. That must have been a grand adventure.

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  21. Wow, I just love your blog! I'm especially jealous of you seeing The Felice Brothers live, awesome!

    X Fran

    www.alittlevintagestory.blogspot.com

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  22. amy, thank you for your sweet comment! looks like you had a ton of fun at the music fest :) i love your flower crown! <3

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  23. I think I'm your biggest fan! I printed a picture (not a creep :P) of you and put it on my inspiration board. i could print every picture! your so inspiring

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  24. I think I'm your biggest fan! I printed a picture (not a creep :P) of you and put it on my inspiration board. i could print every picture! your so inspiring

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  25. So luck to come across your excellent blog. Your blog brings me a great deal of fun.. Good luck with the site.

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  26. Looks like you had a great time! The pictures are amazing:)!

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  27. love music fests! wish I went to Winnipeg's :(

    xx Raez

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  28. Wow, it looks like you had tons of fun and I am glad! I wish I could have went to an amazing festival!

    Give my blog some love, and check it out when you have time :)

    http://dirttydiana.blogspot.com/

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  29. Gorgeous! Love your shoes, vest, and full-length floral pants! What kind of camera did you use for the first few shots?

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  30. Beautiful pictures!!!

    love ur style, just so romantic.

    xoxo

    Sara L.

    www.wineandrosesfashion.blogspot.com

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  31. Anonymous29.7.11

    fantastic photos :)

    kisses,
    Klaudia B.

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  32. I would kill to have your hair :P and I think also you hava a lovely style!

    http://chicneverland.blogspot.com/

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  33. Loove your outfits - the hats, the palazzo pants - what an amazing weekend - thanks for a top comment - hope to see you again, i will be back x

    http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/

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  34. wow looks like you had a lovely time :) i love the way you write and your hat is amazing :P thanks for your lovely comment on my blog :)xxx

    http://ronanronanronan.blogspot.com/

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  35. you are very pretty dear :)

    visit and follow me back

    allysachais.blogspot.com

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  36. I love those lace-up booties in the second photo!
    xoxoxo

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  39. wow, i can't say how much i love that outfit! Your hair is also so beautiful.
    xoxo
    sina

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  40. Oh! I love that ring of flowers around your head and the layered outer piece. It's a great combi!

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  41. your style fits you perfectly, not many people could get away with floral pants

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  42. Hi Amy!!! Looks like the greatest time! Outdoors listening to amazing music. And I love that these photos are film!

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  43. your looks are amazing!!!

    i follow uuuu!!!!

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  44. oh, these pictures are AMAZING! and you're so insanely beautiful, you look like a living sixties kitten, I completely love it! ♥

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