Arbutus Night of Music

Duncan's band takes the stage

Last night was the "Night of Music" for Arbutus Middle School.  The school had booked the University Theatre, so there was room for all to come and watch.   Good thing, really (booking an auditorium), since there were no less than 10 bands/choirs on the program....and many folks in the auditorium.

When Steve saw that Duncan's grade 6 concert band was 9th on the program, he gave a sigh of resignment, and settled in for (what he thought would be) a long night: one is working with certain  assumptions when going to middle school music concerts.  However, I gotta say, it was a great concert! They take their music program seriously, they chose excellent (and sometimes eclectically wierd, like "Rosin Eating Zombies from Outer Space") pieces, and the kids kicked butt! 

Duncan's grade 6 concert band (all the kids in their first year of music) weresteve near the end of the program, featured right between the Vocal Jazz group (who did amazing versions of Autumn Leaves and Mack the Knife) and the Grade 8 Concert Band (who had us all heading back to our cars humming "Putting on the Ritz").

The Grade 6 band had 3 selections to play, and Duncan has been practicing their three pieces for months.  I can sing you every single note in the Eflat Saxophone part of the song "Argonauts", but i didn't recognize when they started playing.  Duncan was right:  it sounded totally different when all the parts were put together! Indeed, Steve turned to me and said, "What?!  I don't know this piece.  Did he even practice it at all?!"  hahaha.  The wonderful Rich McCue (whose daughter Emily is also in Grade 6) uploaded their rendition of Star Wars.  I am pretty sure you can't see Duncan here, but you can listen! (if you are friends of Rich... and if you aren't friends yet, send him a request!)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151567524731830

Taking a walk on Easter weekend

at the midway on the walk.

In what is an unusual alignment of the planets, the forecast for the holiday weekend was "clear skies". this is one of those weekends where I am reminded of the advantages of living on this island paradise... absolutely gorgeous weather, and spring all around us. I took a poncho in case it got chilly.  Nope.  I think indeed that sunscreen might have been a better choice! 

Geary Oak, not quite ready for the new leaves

cherry blossoms against the sky

We were actually on a misson of sorts (some banking stuff to be done), but decided to walk instead of driving.  Or, as Duncan and his friend Ben might argue, it was another deathmarch of doom.  Still, the trees, and sky, the gentle breeze, the smell of the blossoms... couldn't have been better.

Also fun was chancing across a piece of civil protest along the way. A group of cyclists engaged in a protest against Chevron, and 'fraking', had surrounded the local gas station, were blocking all entrances with their bikes, had taped signs to the gas pumps (outlining their concerns with fraking in the province), and had wrapped police tape around the outside of the pumps.



Anti-fraking protest at the Chevron

There were 3 or 4 police cars there too, with police officers talking to the protesters on their own megaphones, saying things like "come on guys, don't make me give you a ticket".  I thought that at least was decent interaction, having just seen the CBC clip the other day of a police officer punching a cyclist in the head.  So... it could have been worse!  :-)   In any event, the protesters were peaceful, and headed off on their bikes to stage the same (sort) protest at the next Chevron up the road.



The camelias in bloom outside our front door

We, jobs done and protests observed, headed off to the local Noodle Box for a bit of lunch, and wandered our way back home down side streets, enjoying the sun sky.  Next on the agenda?  A 7pm showing of Les Mis at the university movie theatre.  Perfect holiday so far!





Playing down at Arbutus Cove

Throwing the ball at Arbutus Cove

Months back from Sabbatical, it occured to me it was time to start the blog again,... having returned from one 'island paradise' (england) to another (Vancouver Island).  I do miss walking Kiwi in the park right behind our house at Woodside Lane, but i have to say that the walk down to Arbutus cover is not without its pleasures.

I was going through the photos from august, and came across these ones.  I love this park bench at the top of the cove just down from our house, with the massive Arbutus Tree on the edge.  For those of you who don't know this tree, it is deciduous, and also 'evergreen': that is, it has leaves rather than needles, but its leaves both grow and fall off throughout the year. Its trunk also grows on something of an angle rather than straight. This is a perfect place to sit: you can enjoy an amazing view, while sending Kiwi running on a quest to retrieve the ball.



Kiwi contemplating a swim

If you stand up and walk to the right, you can follow some stairs down the rock face to the cove below. There is more or less beach to walk on, depending on the level of the tide, and it is a great place to hang out. Kiwi comes home soaked, having enjoyed a great swim.  What could be better?!