Jesse Rivest's Blog
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Monday, June 26, 2006
Fire twirling in Calgary?
I was surprised to discover a fire twirling event tonight at Oolong Tea House in Kensington, Calgary, Alberta! It was a backyard party to celebrate the establishment's second anniversary.
Tonight was an interesting evening, really - one of those it's funny how things work out evenings. I was feeling a little overwhelmed with some business so I stopped to make dinner. As I was cleaning up I got a call from Tara's cousin, Amber. We agreed to meet in Riley Park across the street.
The days are long in the northern latitudes, shortly after summer solstice, so we had a good hour of sitting in the grass before we got up to explore the park. I knew there was a drumming circle at the opposite end; as we approached we heard a large yet loose rhythm, and saw many people twirling practice (unlit) poi, staffs and hoolahoops. We checked it out for a bit before deciding to go to Oolong for a tea.
When we entered Oolong it was empty, and the tables and chairs were gone! The lady behind the counter told us to go out back, and wow - that's where all the tables and chairs went. There were musicians jamming and people scattered everywhere... it was a party! We recognized people from the park as they appeared shortly after us. Oolong was putting out varieties of free tea to drink, and there was a birthday cake! As dusk became twilight, everyone formed a circle and the fire show began.
Amber and I sat around the circle and watched several sets of twirling, from double poi, to snakes, to staffs, and... hoolahoops! I've never seen flaming hoolahoops! With drumming, cymbals and bells, Kensington neighbors were sure to hear the tribal energy, but they should have been there to see it! As I watched, I very fondly reminisced of Aaron and Fi, Cormac and Kelly, Jess, and so many great twirlers that I met in Australia. This twirling event wasn't quite as awesome as some I reminisced of, but it was so cool, nonetheless!
I'm sorry I don't have pics... anyone agree that I need to get a digi cam?
If Amber had not called me, I wouldn't have ventured to the drumming circle area of the park, nor gone to Oolong for a tea. Amber and I agreed that both of our days were completely turned around (for the better) after we met up! Yay :) What a cool and unexpected evening!
Related Links:
Oolong Tea House
-- Back to http://www.jesserivest.com/
Tonight was an interesting evening, really - one of those it's funny how things work out evenings. I was feeling a little overwhelmed with some business so I stopped to make dinner. As I was cleaning up I got a call from Tara's cousin, Amber. We agreed to meet in Riley Park across the street.
The days are long in the northern latitudes, shortly after summer solstice, so we had a good hour of sitting in the grass before we got up to explore the park. I knew there was a drumming circle at the opposite end; as we approached we heard a large yet loose rhythm, and saw many people twirling practice (unlit) poi, staffs and hoolahoops. We checked it out for a bit before deciding to go to Oolong for a tea.
When we entered Oolong it was empty, and the tables and chairs were gone! The lady behind the counter told us to go out back, and wow - that's where all the tables and chairs went. There were musicians jamming and people scattered everywhere... it was a party! We recognized people from the park as they appeared shortly after us. Oolong was putting out varieties of free tea to drink, and there was a birthday cake! As dusk became twilight, everyone formed a circle and the fire show began.
Amber and I sat around the circle and watched several sets of twirling, from double poi, to snakes, to staffs, and... hoolahoops! I've never seen flaming hoolahoops! With drumming, cymbals and bells, Kensington neighbors were sure to hear the tribal energy, but they should have been there to see it! As I watched, I very fondly reminisced of Aaron and Fi, Cormac and Kelly, Jess, and so many great twirlers that I met in Australia. This twirling event wasn't quite as awesome as some I reminisced of, but it was so cool, nonetheless!
I'm sorry I don't have pics... anyone agree that I need to get a digi cam?
If Amber had not called me, I wouldn't have ventured to the drumming circle area of the park, nor gone to Oolong for a tea. Amber and I agreed that both of our days were completely turned around (for the better) after we met up! Yay :) What a cool and unexpected evening!
Related Links:
Oolong Tea House
-- Back to http://www.jesserivest.com/
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At 2:23 PM, July 18, 2006,
Henry said...
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Here are some pics from the party. I am planning on adding a gallery to the tea house website (http://www.oolonghouse.com) just have not gotten to it yet...
http://housemajor.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=23789 -
At 6:26 PM, July 18, 2006,
Jesse said...
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Thanks Henry! Those pics are excellent!
Hey everyone, Henry from Oolong Tea House has provided a link to some great fire-twirling photos!
Click here
