Jesse Rivest's Blog
This blog is old and is now sealed off for historical preservation. As a result, neither new posts nor new comments are possible.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Kaslo is magic, pure magic
The Kootenays - wow! I MUST return. It was difficult to leave.
My first time in the Kootenays (British Columbia, Canada), I awoke fully rested on Tina's sheltered deck, outside viewing Elephant Mountain (Nelson). It was a beautiful and serene change from sleeping next to the C-Train in Calgary. Tina is a beautiful soul whom I truly hope to meet again! Thanks to Tina for great conversation, great food and hosting, and introducing me to wonderful people like Bill and family, and John and Jamie.
I hired a car and drove to Slocan to meet my new and wonderful friend, Melissa. We had a fresh, summery picnic lunch and then drove together to Kaslo through New Denver. What a stunningly natural scene to drive through! We arrived early for my show so we explored for a bit - we were both overwhelmed with smiles.
The Crooked Cafe is permanently etched in my memory as a great venue filled with great people. I tried to end my show after two hours but the audience insisted that I keep playing - I couldn't say no! The staff at the cafe do an excellent job of collecting money throughout the show, as well as ensuring the sound is great! Thanks to Randy B., and especially to Chris for being a great host, in addition to being a true fan and promoter of music.
Here's a photo (credit to Randy B.) of me playing at Crooked Cafe.
Friday night's Michael Franti (and Spearhead) concert, which commenced the Kaslo Jazz (& etc) Festival, was one of the most unreal concert experiences I've had. I guess there were over four thousand people on the beach in Kaslo Bay, facing the floating stage on the water. The stars and moon lit the clear twilight sky, and the majestic, lake-side mountains were awesome silhouettes. Michael Franti's music and performance left everyone in unbreakable happinesss - wide, beaming smiles were everywhere! The man spreads so much infectious love and energy. I cheered louder and longer than I ever had, and many times throughout his performance I had to fill holes in the sand - I was dancing holes into the beach!
Saturday was post-climactic because long-anticipated events had passed. However, Michael Franti's energy still burned inside me, and we drove to Silverton for a swim in Slocan Lake - a gorgeous lake! Driving to Kaslo after parting with Melissa, I reflected on my great fortune - exploring the Kootenays and it's beautiful people, while sharing music, energy, thoughts, and time with Melissa. The natural beauty and energy of Kaslo (and the Jazz Fest) was infectious - soon I was writing a song, and enjoying the outrageous live music parties at Crooked Cafe. Thanks to Grace for the company and the tasty curry!
Back in Nelson, before departing for Kelowna, I ate a delicious wrap at the Preserved Seed Bakery, which is the front of a cooperative organic farming community (Twelve Tribes). I fell in love with a hat at the Craft Connection, a cooperative artist gallery/outlet - the hat is by Nelson's J.Starr. And I was curious to visit Still Eagle, an impressive hemp product outlet.
Some photos to remember Michael Franti in Kaslo, all of which belong to JP "Raven" Gregoire, and/or the Spirit of the Kootenays website. Click on each of them for the full picture!
(sorry the pics have since been removed from the external website)
Related Links:
My first time in the Kootenays (British Columbia, Canada), I awoke fully rested on Tina's sheltered deck, outside viewing Elephant Mountain (Nelson). It was a beautiful and serene change from sleeping next to the C-Train in Calgary. Tina is a beautiful soul whom I truly hope to meet again! Thanks to Tina for great conversation, great food and hosting, and introducing me to wonderful people like Bill and family, and John and Jamie.
I hired a car and drove to Slocan to meet my new and wonderful friend, Melissa. We had a fresh, summery picnic lunch and then drove together to Kaslo through New Denver. What a stunningly natural scene to drive through! We arrived early for my show so we explored for a bit - we were both overwhelmed with smiles.
The Crooked Cafe is permanently etched in my memory as a great venue filled with great people. I tried to end my show after two hours but the audience insisted that I keep playing - I couldn't say no! The staff at the cafe do an excellent job of collecting money throughout the show, as well as ensuring the sound is great! Thanks to Randy B., and especially to Chris for being a great host, in addition to being a true fan and promoter of music.
Here's a photo (credit to Randy B.) of me playing at Crooked Cafe.
Friday night's Michael Franti (and Spearhead) concert, which commenced the Kaslo Jazz (& etc) Festival, was one of the most unreal concert experiences I've had. I guess there were over four thousand people on the beach in Kaslo Bay, facing the floating stage on the water. The stars and moon lit the clear twilight sky, and the majestic, lake-side mountains were awesome silhouettes. Michael Franti's music and performance left everyone in unbreakable happinesss - wide, beaming smiles were everywhere! The man spreads so much infectious love and energy. I cheered louder and longer than I ever had, and many times throughout his performance I had to fill holes in the sand - I was dancing holes into the beach!
Saturday was post-climactic because long-anticipated events had passed. However, Michael Franti's energy still burned inside me, and we drove to Silverton for a swim in Slocan Lake - a gorgeous lake! Driving to Kaslo after parting with Melissa, I reflected on my great fortune - exploring the Kootenays and it's beautiful people, while sharing music, energy, thoughts, and time with Melissa. The natural beauty and energy of Kaslo (and the Jazz Fest) was infectious - soon I was writing a song, and enjoying the outrageous live music parties at Crooked Cafe. Thanks to Grace for the company and the tasty curry!
Back in Nelson, before departing for Kelowna, I ate a delicious wrap at the Preserved Seed Bakery, which is the front of a cooperative organic farming community (Twelve Tribes). I fell in love with a hat at the Craft Connection, a cooperative artist gallery/outlet - the hat is by Nelson's J.Starr. And I was curious to visit Still Eagle, an impressive hemp product outlet.
Some photos to remember Michael Franti in Kaslo, all of which belong to JP "Raven" Gregoire, and/or the Spirit of the Kootenays website. Click on each of them for the full picture!
(sorry the pics have since been removed from the external website)
Related Links:
- Crooked Cafe
- Kaslo Jazz Festival
- Spirit of the Kootenays
- Michael Franti
- J.Starr Wool Clothing
- Still Eagle Hemp
-
At 4:32 AM, August 16, 2006,
said...
-
Everyone Deserves Music.
Sweet Music.
Sounds totally awesome, Jesse!
I have a date with Sarah Harmer in Banff tonight. I'll tell her you say that "you are algow with thoughts of her".
xxB -
At 5:00 AM, August 16, 2006,
Jesse said...
-
Yeah yeah, and tell her that Oleander is poisonous. But she knows that. Just get her to sign something to me on your Tweedies!!!
-
At 6:30 AM, August 16, 2006,
Jesse said...
-
go comments go, abracadabra
-
At 10:55 AM, November 21, 2008,
Anonymous said...
-
speaking of kaslo...try this www.thefishrubber.com
