Mosaic 2006

We went to the annual Mosaic festival, it was our first visit, but I would like to go again, as I enjoyed it very much. It is also a free event, which is held at Central Memorial. The weather was lovely, warm but not too hot. There were craft and food stalls, Buskers (Hula Hooper's), a Harp player, etc.

"It was Mosaic's biggest year yet with approximately 4000 people coming by Central Memorial Park to check out all the exciting things Mosaic offers." - Victoria Crossing Mosaic

The best were the artists of many nationalities, doing Flamenco, Haitian, Italian and even Bollywood dances, it reminded me of eisteddfods, very professional with beautiful national costumes.

"The Mosaic Community Cultural Festival is a free, public event, where Calgary celebrates its rich cultural diversity. June 3 from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm in Central Memorial Park, which is Calgary's oldest public event space."

 

"Froot Loop" Shelly Ewanek Member Calgary Clown Alley & Clowns of America International. Photos: Hubby Nikon D70 ©

 

"Froot Loop" Shelly Ewanek Member Calgary Clown Alley & Clowns of America International. Photos: Hubby Nikon D70 ©

Vi An Diep My Space Website

 

Vi An Diep My Space Website

Vi An Diep My Space Website

 

   

Fruit Loop, a lady clown tied a balloon for me, like a flower, which was a first for me.

Members of Pindu Bhangra, a Punjab Folk Dance Group Left to Right - Davinder Nijjar & Avneet Sidhu 3.6.06 Photo: Tok Nikon D 70©

 

Members of Pindu Bhangra, a Punjab Folk Dance Group Davinder Nijjar, Avneet Sidhu Jaskaran Mattu Photos: Tok ©

"Bhangra is the favourite dance of the Punjabi villager. It is a dance of stamina in sheer force and tempo. This ancient dance is associated with the ripening of the harvest. The origin of this is associated with fertility rites."

Haitian Nikon Tok ©

 

Haitian Nikon Tok ©

 

Haitian Nikon Tok ©

   

Resolution Run

Mr.T. ran about 8 kilometers, in about 50 minutes, New Years Eve, at 6 pm in minus 26 degrees plus wind-chill, making it feel like Minus 30 degrees. They Ran from Eau Claire shopping Mall, I stayed indoors mostly but went out to take a view photos. Despite the cold there were runners in Christmas Hats, wearing antlers, hats with lights, etc. Some of the woman even ran in Lycra tights. Mr. T. said he was dressed a bit hot. Some of the men arrived at the end with frozen beards, mustaches, eyebrows and clothes.

More photos

Afterwards we had a quick Chili and then home for a shower and off to our South African friend's house for their party, which was very nice as usual. We were chatting so much we almost missed midnight. We all missed our friends who moved to Dubai

Mr. T. had off between Xmas & New Year, but because it has been so cold and cloudy, he worked mainly in the basement, turning it into a work-shop.

Halloween

The evening we had dinner with friends in Cochrane, we went early and took some photos of Halloween decorated houses. Canyon Rose, where we have been before was also decorated and the waiters also wore costumes.

More Halloween photos.

Trick or treat

The day of Halloween was still lovely Chinook weather, with no snow on the ground. We went to Market mall, where hundreds of kids go Trick or Treating, from one store to the next, in the warmth and safety of the mall. There were clowns and some adults also wore costumes. I enjoyed it very much; we took many pics of happy kids (some tired)

Market Mall has recently been renovated and is now the mall with the most shops in Calgary, (over 200) although the Chinook Mall is the largest in area. There is a large play area, where you can register your kids; I think it is to prevent people from taking the wrong child out.

More Halloween photos

Halloween party

We were invited to a Halloween party on short notice, (Costume optional). I had considered wearing a costume but chickened out, which I regret. I woke up the morning with a terrible sinus headache, so my day was yucky. We have had lovely Chinook weather and some people get sinus headaches from the Chinooks. People dress in costumes Halloween week, in the shops, to school even to the office. I saw a lady in a bee costume standing in line at Costco. Just a few people wore costumes at the party, I almost complimented one lady in a Tina Turner type wig, on her lovely wig, but I thought it might be her own hair and kept quiet. It turned out that it was a wig. One guy was dressed as Shrek, a computer programmer, talking all serious with he’s green face and hair

Potluck

I was invited to a neighbor's “Ladies only Potluck”, apparently she does it every year. It was the first time I had been to her house, which is lovely. It is decorated with two Christmas trees one, upstairs and one downstairs where the party was held. There were about 15 of us, all were very nice. Hopelessly too much lovely food, so I ate too much as usual. One lady brought a Karaoke machine, which I am not mad about, but it was a good ice breaker. We made turns to sing, although it was my first time, I didn’t do to badly. It is difficult as it isn’t the original artist; I always sing too fast and can’t hear a thing. It even give a score. Mostly it was Christmas songs and oldies.

Some of us danced again, we did the Macarena, Line dancing (Achey Brackey), Lambada, etc. I mimed a robot, which was quite popular and did the Jazz splits again. There were different nationalities, ‘n nice lady from Germany, Filipinos, etc. One nice lady looks a lot like Barbara Walters. The conversation was also good.

Outhouse Race

After our son and he's girlfriend left, it was goodbye to my dear friend who is going to Dubai, we spent a last day of shopping together. We went to Cochrane for some last minute business and there was an Outhouse race on. The best looking team, were old ladies from a retirement home, with tights hanging on their ankles, they had words written on their bloomers. The driver sits on a throne with pants pulled down. There was lots of toilet humor. We also went to our favorite store for a last time and posed with Halloween wigs and hats.

Marda Gras

Ons was weer by die Jaarlikse Marda Gras Fees in Mardas loop, 'n voorstad van Calgary. Dit is die twede keer wat ons gaan, die eerste keer was toe ons net in Calgary aangekom het in 1998, so dit het baie verbeter. Dit is 'n meer-en-deels 'n straat-mark, hulle maak 'n paar paaie toe en dan is daar stalletjies in die straat. Hulle het ook 'n hele blok gehad vir "Beach Volley ball". Hulle het tonne sand ingery en die mense het op die sand gespeel. Ek het fotos van narre geneem, een was soos 'n "Tramp" aangetrek, hy is 'n ou man, hy het saam met my geposeer. Daar was weer baie mense met honde, die oulikste was 'n Rotweiler reun wat Mardas Gras beads gedra het.

Marda Gras

Mardigras

We went to the annual Mardigras at Mardas loop, we have been there once before, and it has grown bigger. It is mostly a street market, they close of the street and there are stalls in the street. They also filled one block with sand for a beach Volley competition. There were also some lovely clowns. (Shiners) One an old man, was dressed as a Tramp and posed with me. We saw many dogs; the cutest was a Rotweiler wearing Mardigras beads.

"Marda Loop is one of Calgary's trendiest shopping districts, and each year Marda Gras is an opportunity to discover the neighborhood's charms. The street festival features over 250 artisan tables, 10 amusement rides, food, entertainment on two stages, a unique car show and a beach volleyball pitch. There is also a climbing wall, free hot dogs and, of course, popular beer gardens. A Kid's Corner offers a variety of children's activities including face painting."

Sun-fest

Main-street Sun-fest - Inglewood
"Inglewood comes alive June 26 with the second annual Main-street Sun-fest. The day starts off with a 5 Km run/walk and 10 Km run, which works it's way through Inglewood highlighting some of Inglewood's most notable attractions such as the bird sanctuary, the Zoo and Fort Calgary."