Many a voyage has carried me far from home and I have seen numerous interesting sights. The whispers of adventure secretly seduce me at my every turn. They continually pull at my heartstrings drawing me on. But in truth, adventure and excitement never lurk far from the streets of Nelson. Summer is a special time here. Festivals and celebrations abound and bring out the masses. This past Friday was no exception, in fact, it was double the pleasure with the launch of Art Walk and one of numerous Market Street Fests in full swing.
Every summer Nelson's Art Walk invites locals and visitors alike to take a stroll downtown and view the very best work of local artists and craftspeople. Local businesses host the artists and shops and boutiques become instant galleries. They put on splendid receptions, wine, cheese and other appies. Everyone mulls about, snacking while chatting with the best artistic talent in the area.
Meandering back out onto the main street, I am confronted with the city's undeniable bohemian undercurrent. It's impossible not to be drawn in. The crowds, the music, the food, the entertainment...it's all there. I happened upon a troop of belly dancers with the emphasis on belly, at least for the woman who was eight months pregnant. I half expected her water to break during the course of the performance.
And then the motley of a band...an odder collection of musicians thrown together one just couldn't find, I'm quite sure. There was the yahoo cowboy, hat and all, the two who looked like they had just stepped out of Barvaria, the one with the punkish style hair, another who was a frat boy I'm sure. How they found each other must be a story within itself. But boy could they play music. It made us all want to dance right along. For your viewing pleasure, the following video snippets will almost transport you there. Now close your eyes and click the heels of those ruby slippers together. There truly is no place like home, at least not if your home is Nelson.
Every summer Nelson's Art Walk invites locals and visitors alike to take a stroll downtown and view the very best work of local artists and craftspeople. Local businesses host the artists and shops and boutiques become instant galleries. They put on splendid receptions, wine, cheese and other appies. Everyone mulls about, snacking while chatting with the best artistic talent in the area.
Meandering back out onto the main street, I am confronted with the city's undeniable bohemian undercurrent. It's impossible not to be drawn in. The crowds, the music, the food, the entertainment...it's all there. I happened upon a troop of belly dancers with the emphasis on belly, at least for the woman who was eight months pregnant. I half expected her water to break during the course of the performance.
And then the motley of a band...an odder collection of musicians thrown together one just couldn't find, I'm quite sure. There was the yahoo cowboy, hat and all, the two who looked like they had just stepped out of Barvaria, the one with the punkish style hair, another who was a frat boy I'm sure. How they found each other must be a story within itself. But boy could they play music. It made us all want to dance right along. For your viewing pleasure, the following video snippets will almost transport you there. Now close your eyes and click the heels of those ruby slippers together. There truly is no place like home, at least not if your home is Nelson.
17 comments:
All of it's beautiful.... but, wow, that pregnant woman was a bit much! LOL
Chani, It's true, it was a little wild to watch. Like I said, I wouldn't have been surprised if her water would have broken.
carla... that belly dancer was awesome!
Pandave, I truly believe she was living life in the moment and to the fullest. That's going to be one happy baby. All the dancers were good. The music and dancing was just about enough to make me join them.
What fun! Perhaps the pregnant woman was hoping to induce labor? Thanks for the tour.
Tara, That thought definitely crossed my mind (inducing labour). And yes, it was a whole lot of fun.
Loved this post! It makes me really want to go back to Nelson, even though my brother who was living there is now touring the world.
RE: your comment on my blog, we stayed in a house not to far away from that one on Stanley Street and I often thought of knocking on the door and asking to come in for a tour! Somehow I doubt they would have fancied that!
Emma, Nelson can be a fun place, especially in the summer. About that house, yes, I've thought about knocking on that door as well. If it ever goes on the market, I will make sure I call a real estate agent to make sure I get the tour.
WOW! I have never seen a pregnant belly dancer! Was that a henna tattoo?
Man, you Canadians party!
JBelle, Yep, I believe that was a henna tattoo...or something of the like. All the dancers had their bellies decorated. Nothing like a bit of joie de vivre.
We have a lot of festivals here and I don't often get to them. The belly dancing is very interesting and as I was watching, it struck me I could do that as I am not very svelte per se, but I am thinking that isn't a prerequisite to getting the exercise I am sure those people get. It actually looks like fun.
Dawn, This group certainly did make the belly dancing look like fun. And yes, I'm sure they all get some great exercise with that activity.
I need to steal the pregant bellydancer
you know I do
Tracey, You're welcome to her, she's lots of fun. Are you going to post her???
you make me wish it was my home.
Pamela, I truly am lucky that it's my home. I can't think of a better place to be from, but I'm sure many people feel that way about their home.
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