Arts Festival 2011: Final Event

Spent a good chunk o' Monday striking the On Cue exhibit at the library then taking the various pieces back to their respective homes so I really wasn't planning on attending the final performance which was the Naden Band.  They're the Canadian Navy's west coast band so I was expecting marching band/military type stuff.  As I ran through the theatre I caught some very nice sounds while they rehearsed and warmed up so it seemed a shame to miss the closing event.  I cleaned myself up a bit, dressed in theatre black just in case I was pressed into service at the Front of House (and I was).
As I listened to the incredible music they were producing it occurred to me that I've never been in the presence of a real, professional live band before.  A Big Band, not a drony little marching band.
It. Was. Epic.
They played music from popular movies, jazz and swing, with a jaw dropping full length version of Sing, Sing, Sing featuring...well... what I can only describe as some ultra masculine drumming.
I'm glad that I went and I'm glad that it's over!
http://youtu.be/iInxEWAy8A4  ( here's a link to them on Youtube)

Dance Impressions; Installed at Last!

Just a tad behind original schedule, I finally installed all the artwork that the students produced for exhibit today.  Hurray!!  My fave - on the bottom left - would be 'The Sun Is Dancing', created by a grade 3 with Downs Syndrome, however I was impressed with all the kids and their fairly effortless grasp of the concept. 
I love this particular project.  *sigh*

Arts Festival 2011 (aka: WeekFromHell)

The students here were participating in the workshops I instructed a while back for Dance Impressions which always proves to be a very delightful activity hence definitely not part of TheWeekFromHell.  It's the resulting exhibit that I'm slowly piecing together at the mall that has become part of an overwhelming and gruelling amount of work.

On Cue for 30 Years is exhibiting at the library all this week meaning we have to find people to sit there in shifts or be there the entire week our (two) selves.  Took 5 people 6 hours to set this up last Saturday.  The other exhibit  requires that all the artwork be mounted by Thursday at 4 when there is cake and coffee happening.   I attended the Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir last night and it became a challenge to keep my eyes open.  Not because they were lacking in any way; it's a testament to their enthusiasm and skill that they kept me awake the entire concert!

Finally, I have been working on That Backdrop.  500 square feet in 15 hours.  Lots of other crap involved with it though.  I'll have to pack it up tomorrow, haul away the paint I no longer need, put aside the paint I do need for next week when it's installed and I will perform touch ups geared towards the lighting available. 
Oh.  Must disguise the paint I got on the wall of this newly renovated classroom...
shhhh...

Eerie Blue Fungus!

I wanted to create some lighting that looked like glowing blue fungus for the mural I'm painting; turned out quite well imho.
This consists of a battery operated laser light, a blue vase from the Dollar Store,  plastic milk jug handles, hot glue and old man's beard on the base.  Changed my mind and glued torn up drop sheet polyvinyl to the base.  Better light and more eerie.
You can call me the Macgyver of squeaky cheap craft!

Jumping Into a New Mural

Look at how much copyrighted material I can knock off in 3 hours!! (I don't think it's recognizable just yet)  Took 120 square feet almost to completion this afternoon...I hope.  Guess time will tell; it always does.  The beginning phase can be deceptive when one can tackle hundreds of square feet in little time.  It's the fine tuning and polish that really streeeeetch out a project.  *fingers crossed*

And More Bear, Yet Again!

In nearly the same spot by the Kitimat river as our recent bear sightings just south of the orange bridge, today we saw 2 young grizzley sibs. I've used zoom and crop on the photo but still...both the husband and I had our fingers hovering over the window control.  People are starting to stop right on the highway and if you're on the southbound side, it's on a curve so if one of those ubiquetous logging trucks come barrelling along, the resulting collision is going to be spectacular.
I think I've had enough bear for now.

*Gasp* *Clutches Heart*

Remember this purdy thing??

Well today, when I visited the scene shop I witnessed the evidence of its demise.

*sigh* Kinda thought it might be saved but...guess not.  Bummer.