Harry Connick Jr. and the G20 - Part 2

Photo from Harry Connick Jr. Official Website

Well, we made it, and, WOW!  What a spectacular show of pure talent and energy.  Harry started off by thanking us all for coming - that he didn't think anyone would come because of everything going on in Toronto.    Well now that I have seen him perform live, I can understand why there is not much that would stop a person from getting to one of his shows.  I adored his N'awlins drawl, and he is VERY funny and entertaining and it is so obvious to see that he loves what he does.  One of the highlights was when Lucien Barbarin, an outstanding trombonist from New Orleans joined Harry and the band for a few tunes.  One of the songs was The St. James Infirmary Blues, and on You Tube I found this clip of Harry and Lucien playing it a couple of years ago.  I highly recommend watching it! 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vQIa-JKFDsA

Once you are on You Tube, check out some of the other Harry Connick videos - there are many to choose from. 

And then there was the bald, tattooed fellow wearing a tank top and a baseball cap with the name of the band "Cannibal Corpses" on it in the front row, who Harry asked if he was at the right show!  I could go on, and on, and on..... but my words just cannot convey the level of entertainment, the absolute sense of enjoyment you could feel from the audience around you, and the talent and intensity and artistry of Harry Connick.  Suffice it to say, I will doing my best to see him in concert again. 

Now, on to the G20 "Nonsense".  The one "up" side to the security restrictions was seeing the Gardiner Expressway more lightly travelled that I have ever seen it.  Of course the Westbound lanes were  barren due to the complete closure from downtown to the 427. 

Yonge-Dundas Square had several dozen police officers on the perimeter, and as we walked down Yonge Street, there were small squads of officers on each street corner.  The picture above is the corner of Yonge and Adelaide.

As we walked back north towards the theatre and were stopped waiting to cross Queen Street, a cruiser approached from the west on Queen and turned south onto Yonge with speed and sirens sounding.  The officers from the corners at Queen and Yonge came together to block access to southbound Yonge street and from the east came a group of "Peaceful Protesters" (according to their chant) on bicycles. 

And they were peaceful protesters - the lack of black face coverings and the bucket hats were a good indication of the intentions of the group.  However there was one daring fellow with a vuvuzela near the end of the group that was definitely putting himself at risk!

 

But continuing our walk up Yonge, the smashed windows were a reminder of the senseless destruction from the previous day.  Below is a picture of the Starbucks that was featured quite prominently on Saturday's news.  I walked about ten paces north, then snapped the next picture looking towards the Canon Theatre where we were going to see Harry.  You can just see the "C" of the top of the sign, almost directly across from the SEARS sign.  The next picture is of one of numerous smashed windows on storefronts along the way. 

As we ate dinner we heard the sounds of the helicopters taking the dignitaries away at the end of the conference - and then the rains came!  We were very close by to the theatre, so it didn't bother us.  But we paid for the easy drive into the city earlier in the day - the rains caused flooding and road closures on the Lakeshore, making an already difficult drive even worse. 

Was it all worth it to see Harry?  Absolutely!  Would I do it again?  Without question! 

Well, I really should be getting back to some knitting, and try to get some "good" pictures taken for Etsy.

Harry Connick Jr. and the G20

Well everyone - please wish me luck!  I am headed to Toronto to see Harry Connick Jr. tonight, and although I had checked prior to purchasing the tickets to make sure that the theater was OUTSIDE of the G20 security zone, last night's TV coverage showed the protesters right outside the Yonge Street entrance to the theater.  So, by all appearances, we might be headed right into the thick of things. 
I already had some great luck today - I was the winner of the Giveaway that Priscilla Mae et al had on her blog - check it out!  (Click on the link to her blog on my page).  I was so excited to find out I was the winner.  Let's hope the luck holds!
I will let you all know tomorrow how we make out. 

Jazz, Treme and New Orleans Music

Do any of you watch Treme on HBO?   In a nutshell, it is about music in New Orleans, post Katrina. I think it is a fabulous program - very well written and acted; I am learning so much about the culture and the music and of course I love to watch it to look for places I recognize and just to listen to the music.   Many actual New Orleans musicians are a part of the show making it so authentic and bringing them some well deserved attention and recognition.  Treme has just finished up it's first season, scheduled to be back in November.  I will be looking forward to it and re-watching the first season in the meantime.

 One of the main characters in Treme is Antoine Batiste, who is a trombone player.   Well, back in my younger years (a lifetime ago!)  I was also a trombone player.  I have my own trombone that I don't remember how to play and it didn't see the light of day for many years, but there was never any question that I wouldn't always keep it.    I must have known that someday I would find the perfect place for it. It now has a place of honour on a wall of our NOLA room in our home.  I think it must feel right at home among some of our New Orleans memorabilia!

But, back to the Music!  One of the most enjoyable things about New Orleans  for me is finding live music almost everywhere you walk in the Quarter.  During the day you will find it in front of St. Louis Cathedral, outside of Cafe du Monde, by the French Market, in the middle of Royal Street, on the Moonwalk, at Riverwalk and...... you get the picture!    Below are a couple of pictures of street performers we have come across.  Check out the "horn" handlebars on the motorcycle and the Saints helmet on the ground - what a character! The other group was a wonderful a capella group that were fabulous.  I can't believe that I haven't any photos of the horn players that you often find by the Cathedral and Cafe du Monde - I'll just have to go back for some of those!

There is so much music in New Orleans!  There are all the bars on Bourbon Street that have Rock and Roll Cover Bands, there's the House of Blues, all of the Jazz Clubs like Snug Harbour on Frenchman Street in Faubourg Marigny, the Zydeco music that the souvenier stores play that greet you as you walk past, or in as they would like you to do!   And of course, there is Preservation Hall.  It is probably my favorite thing to do in New Orleans - with the possible exception of eating of course.  I love to go there, especially when the Preservation Hall Jazz Band is playing (pictured below) - a treat that no words can properly describe! 

I know there is much about music in the Crescent City that I have missed, and I hope to correct that some day.  And please believe me when I say that I know only the tip of the music iceberg.  Another good reason to keep going back!

But the reason that this came to be my topic today, is that on Sunday, I am going to  Toronto to see a New Orleanian musical icon - Harry Connick Jr.  and his band - and I am SO excited!  Yes, we are going to battle all the G20 security "nonsense" to make our way there but there is no doubt in my mind that it will be worth it!  I'll report in after the show. 

Til next time..... laissez les bon temps rouler!

A Streetcar Named Desire

I actually watched A Streetcar Named Desire from start to finish for the first time last night.  For those who know of my near obsession with all things New Orleans, you probably find that hard to believe.  But, it's true.  I did thoroughly enjoy it, but of course it really had little to do with the City itself.  The character study and the double entendre of riding on the streetcar of that name.... well it just goes to show the brilliance of Tennessee Williams and how much it deserved the Pulitzer Prize.

But, back to the City itself.  I of course was aware of the very famous scene with Stanley yelling "Stella!, so it was no surprise that there is a very beautiful fine dining restaurant by that name (exclamation mark included)  in the French Quarter.  I noticed it during my first visit which was in 2004, pre-Katrina. I haven't dined there yet, but it is on my list for my next visit to Nawlins.   It gets wonderful reviews and I am really looking forward to dining there.

When I was next there, post Katrina, a lot of the familiar restaurants in the French Quarter were still there.  And, I noticed a new one right at Jackson Square.   The name? .....

Of course!

And don't you just love the wrought iron railing and plants on the gallery in the background?  So New Orleans!

Stanley is owned by the same chef as Stella!, and was opened Post Katrina.  It is a more casual dining atmosphere, and again one that I haven't yet tried, but without any doubt, will!

And for anyone wondering, there really is a Desire Street in New Orleans, but there is no longer a Streetcar on it.  The old green streetcars are one of my favorite things in New Orleans.  The one pictured below is on St. Charles.  The interior picture shows the old wooden seats.  There is a driver's station at both ends of the trolley car.  When the car gets to the end of the route, the driver walks down the car, pulling the back of the seats towards him so that the back of the seat is now on the opposite side of the bench.  He (or she) then goes down to the driver's station at the other end of the car and makes the return trip down the track. 

And in 2008, we found many of versions of this Trolley Car artwork throughout the city.  Some of the more recognizable versions are Tabasco, The New Orleans Saints including a model of the Superdome, and a Streetcar filled with some of New Orleans most famous chefs including Paul Prudhomme and Emeril.  So creative!

And in keeping with the New Orleans theme, and the original reason for my Blog - knitting - here is a picture of a baby outfit I made that I call "Mardi Gras Lite".  I added "Lite" because the colours I used are paler versions of the purple gold and green and are the traditional Mardi Gras colours.  The hat, although difficult to tell is a knitted version of a Jester's hat with three points at the top.  This set is 100% cotton and can be found in my Etsy Shop.

Happy First Day of Summer everyone and thanks for stopping by!

Summer Knitting

Picture taking is the very hardest part of working on-line!  I took some pictures of a couple of new items that I have made for summer Funky Babies, but I don't feel they are good enough to post on my Etsy Shop.  I have included them here, just to prove that they actually exist! 

I do enjoy working with the bright colour combinations.  The blue, green and yellow is a halter dress in a 12-18 month only size.    I remember finding a couple of halter dresses for my youngest daughter when she was about this age and adored the look.  I was disappointed when she grew out of them.  That was my inspiration for changing the pattern that I used for the coral, blue and yellow top with the ties at the shoulders into a halter design.   It also has some lacing at the back to adjust the snugness.   Both of them come with matching brimmed hats to help keep the sun off those precious funky baby faces. 

After a few days of beautiful weather, the mugginess has returned.  Probably time to close the windows and get the AC going.  Such is life in Niagara in the summer!

Well, I need to try to decide what to make next.....

Have a great weekend everyone!

Spring Flowers

I decided to write this blog to help to promote my kntting, but after some grey, rainy days it was so nice to see the sun that I just couldn't resist going outside to soak up some of the warmth.   I decided to take some pictures of my garden before the clouds roll in again - at least according to the weatherman.

As I was looking at the day lilies and hollyhocks and delphinium buds and how they are all leaning to the left, searching for that same sun that we have all been craving, a garden toad leaped up into the crevice of the figurine below my gazing ball.  I am not sure who startled who more, but I managed to snap a picture of his backside still "hiding" from me!

I should be taking pictures of the new summer baby tops that I have recently knitted , but the gardens just seemed to be calling to me!  All of the rain has not been very inspirational for moods, but it has definitely created a lushness to the garden that can't help but inspire a smile. 

In my front garden, my clematis has gone mad!  I guess it enjoys the rain as well and there are hundreds of blooms on both sides of the plant this year with many more buds just waiting to burst open at a moment's notice.

Anyone who knows me, knows that New Orleans is my favorite city.  As I write this, my heart goes out to the people of the entire Gulf Coast dealing with that horrific oil spill.  I just don't understand why with all of today's technology, and all of the billions earned by the oil companies and spent to learn more drilling technology, that they can't fix this. 

Recently, the New Orleans Saints Superbowl Champions football team visited the Gulf Coast to see the effects of the oil spill on the plant and animal life of the coast.  They announced a raffle to raise money to help those affected by the oil spill.  They are raffling off one Superbowl Ring for $2.00 per ticket.  Tickets can be bought on line for $2.00 each with a minimum purchase of 5 tickets.  If anyone is interested in helping out in this small way, please visit the website at http://www.saintsgulfcoastrenewal.com/  I'm in!  I want that ring!

More later - maybe even about knitting next time!