Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Monday... ?????

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Wow , what a weekend... From start to finish it was truly one of the most amazing festivals I have ever attended. For as long as I have known the Chaisson family it has been evident that the adults have focused on two things.. First, keep traditional fiddling and dance alive and well on PEI, second..never ever think you are better than anyone..give everyone a chance to shine..

This weekend it happened. The line up of fiddlers was astounding..the greatest of the great..young fiddlers from across the maritime provinces lined up to take the stage. The song writer circles showcase the talented generations of fiddlers, guitar and piano players. From the young 10 year old boy who wowed the crowd on Friday and Saturday evening..the Deagle sisters whose vocal harmonies melted hearts, The lovely Colette Cheverie who has the voice of an angel..The Chaisson's..Peter, Kevin and Kenny..their children , nephews and nieces..Zoe Darrow from the USA..Mike Hall from Cape Breton..new fiddlers and masters..all gathered to share their music.

One of the high points was on Sunday afternoon when the fiddling legend Natalie MacMaster made her way to the stage.. She played a 1/2 hour set of tunes and WOWed us all..It was like a dream to stand there and watch her play..accompanied by Elmer Deagle who beamed with well deserved pride.



At the end of the afternoon concert on Sunday a bunch of us headed off to Charlottetown to see the one and only Gordie Sampson at the Confed Center. This year he arrived with his full band..Damn what a show..I love this guy..he is so sweet and such an amazing artist.. To sit there where I was in exact front row just off center and hear him play all of those songs as he intended them to sound..Rock and Roll..like the best of them..Too much..He just blew the roof off the place..So proud to be able to say I know him..

Got back around 11:30 and headed up to the cottage to talk..have some wine..play some tunes till the wee small hours of the morning..Monday came and went..Linda and Jude and Linda Porter headed off..The rest of us all had a big feed of mussels, halibut and oysters for dinner..visited and stayed up way too late again. Today Margie and Jim headed off in the AM..headed into Souris to meet J J and Julie and the kids for breakfast..The Darrows joined us..and stopped up at the house later to say goodbye..They head back around 4:00 on Wednesday..AM. So another festival weekend is over..time to relax again..read stare at the water..and wait for the next visitors to arrive come August..

Have a good one all of you..Yes it is now about 1:00AM on Wednesday..and I am still up..Stay safe now and whatever you do remember

BREATHE and smile for me..

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