TUGs

Signs I like

For the next couple of weeks I am going to concentrate on posting images I have taken of signs I like.  There are many local businesses which have maintained signage that mark their era, and that really appeal to me.  I think perhaps this signage project is linked to my nostalgic love for this place where I have grown up.  It is rapidly losing it's soul to development, which makes me sad.

To start the show I will begin with my bulletin board.  It is lovingly posted above my desk in my very small, closet-like office.  It is a collage of many things I love, along with items found along the trail. 

 

  

  

  

  

Nathalie Parenteau, Nicole Bauberger, Shane Wilson, Veda Hille , Heather Hyatt, Air North, Frostbite Music Festival, Yukon Child Care Association, Calvin & Hobbes, Birds of the Yukon Territory, Dawson City Arts Society, Split Lake - Manitoba, Learning Disabilities Association of Nova Scotia, Partners in Practice... are a few of the namable, meaningful pieces on this live, slowly evolving piece of art. 

Veda Hille

One day over my lunch time, in later winter or early this spring while still in Dawson, I was listening to CBC radio.  Bill Richardson was speaking with a woman who had a very familiar voice, but I could nooot quiiiite place it.  Then he played one of her new songs (Luckyluckluck) that was very catchy and lovely - so much so that I stayed glued to the radio and listened until the end of the session so I could hear who it was. 

Of course, the woman was Veda Hille.  And of course, I was late for work, which is nothing new. ha.

Veda Hille is a singer/song writer who lives in Vancouver.  I know of her because she has been up to the Yukon several times to perform.  One venue that I have seen her at more than once includes Whitehorse's winter Solstice celebration on December 21- a concert multi-media performances at our very beautiful Yukon Arts Centre. 

I also distinctly remember being way up in the balcony in the third row and clearly noticing that she was wearing John Fluvog Shoes.  I am 99.99% certain they were 'Mini's'.  Goodness knows I have studied those shoes enough in store and on the www that I could accurately spot them across a country mile.  If I were to be a wearer of heels, Mini's would be mine. 

Her voice is wonderful and her music is the same.

Although the event took place some time during the past summer, the above picture was from the day I opened the very exciting package that Veda sent to ME!  Yay! I took advantage of paying ahead for some CD's in order to help fund yet another wonderful CD.  In it was a pin that she crafted and included as part of the deal.  A very happy day indeed.

And of course, I began this post some time ago.  But this very morning I popped on my computer only to see Veda looking at me from my CBC homepage!  The CBC has her on front and centre today, which you can see if you click here.  How GREAT the day will be, having started it while listening to Veda's fresh new album, linked through the CBC www. 

AND should I say that today is a beautiful bright and clear day with not a breath of wind at about -20 celcius.  I took the dogs for a brief walk and all I could hear were birds chirping and calling each other.  Purely lovely. 

DCMF 2007

It seems like yesterday that I returned from Dawson.  I took in the Dawson City Music Festival from  the volunteer perspective.  It was absolutely amazing.  It has already been TWO WEEKS since it all happened. I better get posting! 

The one thing about volunteering is that I am dedicated and my attention does not wain.  For example, when it was nearly +35 Celsius... okay, maybe only a HOT +30+ (I'm not sure other than it was HOT), I likely would have been inclined to stay indoors or find a cooler spot. Or perhaps I would have chosen to enjoy a cool beverage in the beer garden to distract my senses.... oh the possibilities.   

Instead, I sucked it up and stuck it out and volunteered while thoroughly enjoying myself.  That is just how I roll - never would I jam unless I physically could not manage it.  Not only did I meet some very fun fellows  (co-volunteers) who just came off the river about four hours before I met them, but WOW - I was privy to some amazing music and shows.  I cannot forget to mention I also got to meet the many festival goers who were purchasing the festival merchandise from 'my' booth.  How can a music festival get any better?!

Here are volunteers setting up the main stage:

Here is our official merchandise booth as we set up: 

Well, it can get better... since my beau and I are no longer, I stayed at a friends house, along with her family and several other people.  Each of us tenants placed our tent in the yard with a strategy of avoiding early morning sun and heat.  The stay was lovely.  The household got up in the morning, sat amongst the flowers on the deck, had coffee, and chatted about the music or whatever else.  Talk about a nice way to start each day. 

The friend with whom we all stayed started these flowers from seed.  I think they're beautiful.  A future post I will save to talk about the incredible growing season in Dawson City.

      

AND the music!  It was incredible!  There is something for everyone at this festival.  Blues, Rock, Rap, Folk, Swing.... Check it out The only con to being in the merch booth, and therefore attached to the main stage, is that every time I heard a new band I had to purchase their CD.  Nuts.  But good.  ha.

Here is a picture of a jam session that includes Dawson City's own Harmonica George.  He plays weekly at the local Westminster Hotel, better known as The Pit.  The bar was one of the only buildings in town that survived the devastating fires back in the late 1800/early1900's.  I'll have to do a little formal research to confirm that, instead of relying on my 'word of mouth memory'.  Either way, no matter the dates, it is all about Priorities, you know!  George is incredibly talented on his own, and shone more than brightly with these other amazing musicians.    

This years DCMF logo was created by a local Dawson City Artist, whose name escapes me at the moment. I have seen his work often over this past year.  I thought the image to be as culturally modern in a worldly way as it is culturally classic in the north.  It makes me wonder if people from elsewhere would as readily recognize the image as  caribou antlers?  Much of the clothing was designed using contrasting colours.  Personally, I found it inviting and effective.

I couldn't resist including this sort of creepy head shot...