Susanna's Sketchbook

The New York City Easter Bonnet Parade 2011, Dancing Along 5th Avenue

A love for bi-gone eras was apparent at this year's New York City Easter Bonnet Parade as old souls donned their favourite vintage hats (or made their own, as this beautiful young woman did) and appeared on 5th Avenue.

This couple looked like they walked straight out of a vintage photograph:

Later that day, I saw the same woman laughing and dancing amongst a crowd of revelers. She looks so happy, doesn't she?

She and her partner were dancing alongside quite a few others who were also decked out in vintage hats and fancy clothing. Everyone looked like they were having the best time! I have to admit that secretly I wished that I knew a few of those dance moves so I could have joined in on the fun.

A lovely woman wearing a garland of spring flowers told me that she and her fellow dancers were friends and fans of Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, a New York-based group of musicians who play "hot dance" jazz music from the 1920's and early '30's.

I had heard about Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra before and had seen photographs of them performing at a past event on Governors Island. Turns out that they will be hosting that same event again - the 6th Bi-annual Jazz Age Lawn Party - this summer. Hurrah!

According to his website, Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra also perform at several cool bars in New York so if you are planning a trip to that city and want to kick up your well-worn vintage dance shoes, look up their calendar. Maybe I'll see you there!

January 9, 2010: Quiet days, Amelia

Hello. How are you? And what have you been up to this early January weekend? I'm enjoying the quiet of this post holiday month, taking pleasure in the little things at home: waking up next to J and our orange furball, opening the blinds and letting the sunlight pour into the room, the scent of coffee grounds as they are measured into the french press in the kitchen.

I've been downloading new songs onto my zune - Imogen Heap, Sigur Ros, songs from the HBO series True Blood. Songs to create to in my little artroom. Lady Gaga and Rihanna to get me moving at the gym. I came across this gorgeous dance film on youtube today (via www.alittlehamster.com). The dancers are from the Canadian dance troupe, La La La Human Steps. I'm in awe of the dancers physical prowess and precision. And the accompanying music has my heart on edge.

August 5, 2008

I'm sitting here this afternoon, wrapping up my sister's birthday present, while listening to music on CBC Radio (Canada's national radio) and wondering, what makes Canadian music distinctly Canadian?

Maybe it's the sound of certain Canadian voices - Sarah McLachlan, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Loreena McKennitt - that bring to mind memories of Home. Gordon Lightfoot "read our mind" over breakfast (yes, we didn't want to go to school) and Neil Young and his "heart of gold" sang in the passenger seat, while our car heated up on those cold winter mornings. Bryan Adams was popular in our highschool. Later, Shania Twain sang while we waited for a coffee and a donut at Tim Horton's and come to think of it, she often sang at the local Canadian Tire, too.

Or is it a regional sound - the mad celtic fiddling of the Atlantic provinces (Ashley MacIsaac), the French chanteuses of Quebec (Celine Dion)- that has me thinking of certain faces or scenery or moments in my life, when I lived in Canada?

Are there certain singers or songs that remind you of Home? Does your region have a distinct sound?