Here is a short video that Paul put together from his footage of the fireworks over Ashridge’s Bay.
Holidaying at home
We are enjoying a glorious, sunny Victoria Day weekend here in Toronto.
Probably the one thing we haven’t done since we arrived is to just ‘chill’ around our home. After too long doing too many wonderful things, we decided we needed a rest cure. What I can’t quite get over is really being able to feel as if we are on holiday whilst staying at home!
Yesterday’s long, lazy brunch at Quigleys on Queen Street gave way to an afternoon on the Balmy Beach, which more than lived up to its name!
A cool breeze comes up off the water as the never-crowded shore plays host to beachcombers, a guitarist on the rocks, canoeists, games of volleyball. . . In the background there is a gentle but ceaseless flow of promenaders along Boardwalk. Further back again, in the shade of trees now summer-green, cyclists and roller-bladers make speedier progress along the Martin Goodman trail.
This morning we breakfasted on our balcony, looking out at the trees and gardens of the street behind our house. Paul is now ensconced in the hammock. Later we will head for the beach again, taking an evening pic-nic with us. Tonight the skies over Ashbridge’s Bay will explode with multi-coloured stars in Celebration of Canada’s historical and current ties with Britain.
The Danforth in Art
‘What is this place?’ This was the question posed by Art of the Danforth during the last week of April.
Organized by an independent group of locally based individuals, this new community art walk between Greenwood and Woodbine is rooted in a belief in the power of art to cut across divisions and draw people together.
East Danforth’s population includes an above average percentage of artists and Art of the Danforth certainly showcased some amazing talent. But it also provided a potent reminder that creativity and art belong to all of us.
(Excerpt from an article I have just written for Local Magazine)
We have both been very involved in Art of the Danforth as volunteers since November – it’s been fabulous to be part of something like this that really is conducive to neighbourhood regeneration through the arts. And we’ve met so many amazing people!
Here are my photos from the event that I uploaded to Flickr – you can see more on the Art of the Danforth Group Flickr page or read about specific artists and installations on the Art of the Danforth website.
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Even the birds sing in a different vernacular . . .
Something quite magical about Toronto is that it is cut through with ravines, carved when the glaciers melted. It is amazing to wander or cycle along a creek, steep banks to either side, almost without awareness of human habitation; just cool greenness.
Cycling home through Taylor Creek last week, I reached a marshy, open section of the ravine, cattails rimed with the gold of evening. I was stopped in my tracks by the choral konk-a-ree calls and scarlet flashes of the Red-winged Blackbirds. Definitely a foreign language!
Photograph of Red-winged Blackbird by Alan And Elaine Wilson
Art of the Danforth
With the art walk looming at the end of the month, we seem to have fingers in lots of lovely pies! Looking at the Art of the Danforth site, I’m increasingly excited at being involved in what I think is going to be a wonderful coming together of creativity and community.
We have both contributed a set of photos for the photo mosaic. This was a great excuse to change the lens through which we were viewing our surroundings, focusing most on colour (we were asked for sets of predominantly red, blue, green and yellow shots). We spent an absorbing sunny morning drifting down the Danforth, welcoming the warmth after an earlier chilly sunset session the night before. Paul hasn’t got around to this yet, but I have uploaded some of my shots to Flickr. Tonight we are going to help sort and trim the mounds of photos submitted in preparation for assembling the mosaic.
On Sunday I’m going to take notes from the history group to go alongside some wonderful old photos – what a great way to become rooted in our new surroundings! We are so lucky to be part of this.
UPDATE (April 27):
The speeches from the formal launch of the first Art of the Danforth on Saturday April 24, 2010 – all the indications are that the event really is creating a sense of energy and enthusiasm along the strip! (I’ll post a proper report after the event).
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Part 1
Part 2