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Special Events

posted March 18, 2006

There won't be a Little Folk Festival in 2006 but we're told there may be one in 2007. Here's hoping...

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posted June 9, 2005

The Little Folk Festival 2005

Sunday June 5, 2005 11 A.M. TO 6 PM.

Organized by park friend Laura Repo. She named it "The Little Folk Festival" for its size - one stage only - and in honour of the little people who inhabit the park. It featured musical performers who are also parents, most of whom consider the park a second home.

These kinds of festivals depend on good weather, but nobody thought that June 5 would be a hot day of 29 degrees. There was a last-minute scramble to open the wading pool before its time. Recreation supervisor Tino DeCastro made no effort to stop this irregularity, just encouraged us to make sure that we had experienced staff there (we did). Park supervisor Brian Green got us some barriers and additional platforms for the sound stage. He also sent in some staff to get the park all cleaned up - no litter anywhere.

Mary Lou of Beretta's Organic Meats (from our farmers' market, www.berettaorganics.com) brought a special shipment of hot dogs, and the park staff quickly put together a summer food cart.

These were the performers:

1. laid back edgy pop from Georgie Donais and a band of family members (Georgie is also in charge of the cob building project)
2. singer-songwriter Arlene Bishop
3. Blair Packham's "refreshingly unpopular pop"
4. Max Metrault's Rancho Misterio - conjunto dance band music from Texas & Northern Mexico
5. Zari, a trio who specialize in music from the Georgian Republic
6. the dark melodies and poetic lyrics of Mia Sheard
7. Leah Salomaa's traditional music for kids
8. Ravi Naimpally's tabla-led Tasa
9. the country-folk of Laura Repo and The Blue Healers

Afterwards there was a community dinner, cooked in the wood-burning oven. The music continued unplugged with traditional Irish music played by Karen Light and friends - Karen is a mother and grandmother in the neighbourhood and Laura Repo's aunt.

The Little Folk Festival got support from:

• Long and McQuade [www.long-mcquade.com]], who lent a very large amount of excellent sound equipment, leading to a large amount of excellent sound;
• Front Door Organics [www.frontdoororganics.com]], who said they'd donate $250 of their beautiful fresh produce but ended up giving us over $400-worth (every scrap got eaten);
• Goo Factory (Paul Safarian's graphic design company - he has made so many vivid posters as gifts for the park)
• Kwik Kopy [college.kwikkopy.ca]] Printing, which printed Paul's posters for free.

The musicians played for free but donations were welcome - and freely given. The quality of the music was completely astonishing, and people have not stopped talking about the festival. More than one person said it was the best day of their summer (before summer had even officially begun).

LAURA REPO IS A BIG, BIG LOCAL HERO!

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