It doesn't get much better than summer in our Beach neighbourhood. Quiet misty mornings bring out the paddlers on stand-up boards and in kayaks. Noisier happy afternoons bring out the day tourists, picknickers, and families with more dogs and babies than on America's Funniest Videos. There's always a few buskers trying to make some coin. But this weekend was the 26th annual Beaches Jazz Festival, the biggest free outdoor music event in the country. A million people show up, and it's all just a block from home!
The crowds are huge but friendly --- roaming Queen Street to hear the 40 or so bands play everything from salsa to swing, from rock to reggae, from Peruvian pan pipes to flaming fiddle. There's even some jazz! 70-year olds sing old war-era melodies while 17-year olds cover Santana! Even the cops get into the mood, taking selfies while wearing Kevlar vests.
Best in show?? Our favourites include the crazed fiddler called "Draw" who jumps and rushes the crowd while his non-stop blue fiddle squawks and screeches. And the rhythmic Samba Squad that makes you dance by banging on drums from kettle to thimble. But the real show-stopper is Puente del Diablo, a fiery Spanish group that includes 3 little kids getting ready to join the band! They get more attention and photos than anybody, and they would sign autographs if they could write yet.
The cops showed up again later, clearing the beach and streets of spontaneous Twitter-fed pop-up parties. By midnight, everything was a blur, such as this photo from our balcony. But a great time was had by all, including our visitors Greg and Rebeckah --- the newlyweds from blog post June 22!
Best in show?? Our favourites include the crazed fiddler called "Draw" who jumps and rushes the crowd while his non-stop blue fiddle squawks and screeches. And the rhythmic Samba Squad that makes you dance by banging on drums from kettle to thimble. But the real show-stopper is Puente del Diablo, a fiery Spanish group that includes 3 little kids getting ready to join the band! They get more attention and photos than anybody, and they would sign autographs if they could write yet.
The cops showed up again later, clearing the beach and streets of spontaneous Twitter-fed pop-up parties. By midnight, everything was a blur, such as this photo from our balcony. But a great time was had by all, including our visitors Greg and Rebeckah --- the newlyweds from blog post June 22!
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