Sunday 25 August 2013

Folklorama 2013 - Celtic Ireland Pavilion

Continuing on with my Winnipeg pictures - after the Ukrainian pavilion, we went to the Spirit of Ireland pavilion. This one was hosted by an Irish dancing school - all of the students perform at Folklorama as part of their course. The production standards were quite high, and very pleasing to the eye.

And the dancing was supreme.
Spirit of Ireland Pavilion

Celtic Ireland Pavilion

Celtic Ireland Pavilion

Friday 23 August 2013

Moon

Moon by angelamermaid
Moon, a photo by angelamermaid on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
When I was younger, I asked my parents for a telescope. I envisioned a really cool telescope that I could closely examine the moon with, maybe spot a few planets. They got me a foldable telescope that you might see on a sailing ship.

So in 2013, it boggles my mind a bit that I can see the moon like this, with the telephoto lens on my camera.

Monday 19 August 2013

Ukrainian pavillion - Folklorama 2013

Sir Paul McCartney was the reason I decided to go to Winnipeg. But he was far from being the only entertainer. Every year, Winnipeg hosts Folklorama. Different pavillions are staged throughout the city for two weeks, highlighting some of the different cultures of the residents. Basically, there's food, entertainment and information. I happened to arrive right in the middle. My brother and sister-in-law go every year, and it was really fun and rewarding.

The first one we went to was the "Spirit of Ukraine". Since we're half-Ukrainian. The food and entertainment was awesome.

Ukrainian pavillion

Ukrainian pavillion

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Paul McCartney Concert

When it came to purchase a seat, I decided to go with ergonomics. I chose a seat directly facing the stage, on the other side of the stadium. I figured there would be huge video screens and I was right. So it didn't matter that Paul was actually two inches tall. The video and audio were superb.

By the way, I had no idea that the concert would be in an outdoors stadium until a couple of days before. I'm not from Winnipeg, I flew in for the concert. Paul McCartney

 I chose not to bring my Jedi camera with me - I figured that with a removable lens, I wouldn't be allowed to use it. Good call - as my backpack was being searched by security, a woman who did bring a camera with a removable lens was told to take it back to her car (which wasn't with her) or leave it with security. She was arguing that point when I was allowed to enter.

 So I brought my Lumix - and I must say, it outperformed my expectations. I switched between the automatic setting or the "night scenery" mode.

As we entered the stadium, there were cover versions of Paul's work playing. At 8, when the show was scheduled to start, the video screens lit up with many photos of Paul's life, from a child all the way to present day. Without much ado, Sir Paul McCartney came out and started to play. There was no opening act, he didn't need one. This picture is of one of the giant video screens, and teeny tiny Paul. Paul McCartney

I stretched the limits of how much the Lumix can zoom in. Here's Paul. Through scaffolding, because of my seat. Paul McCartney

A shot of a video screen. He removed his jacket about three songs in and said that it would be the only wardrobe change of the night. A kind of cheeky way of saying he didn't need costume changes to put on a good show.
  Paul McCartney

 Paul spoke a bit about John Lennon and sang "Here Today" in tribute. I couldn't get a good photo of the digital waterfall behind him. This shot is zoomed in on actual Paul. Paul McCartney

And another shot from a video screen. Paul McCartney

 There were two giant video screens. Paul McCartney concert

This ukulele belonged to George Harrison, who gave it to Paul. He used it to start playing "Something In The Way She Moves", and then rocked out the rest of the song, as pictures of George appeared in tribute. Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney

The graphics and video clips were very good and enjoyable to watch. This is "Back in the USSR". Paul McCartney

Sitting at one of two pianos. (Video screen shot). Paul McCartney concert

As the tempo changed during "Live and Let Die", flames shot up on stage. As I readied my camera to photograph the flames. fireworks shot up. Well played. Sir Paul McCartney

This piano was for the more whimsical numbers. (video screen shot) Paul McCartney concert

 I went to the concert for many reasons - I love his music, I love Paul, I'd never seen a Beatle in concert, this may be my last opportunity to see Paul McCartney - and because I wanted to sing "Hey Jude" in the audience, like the audience does in the "Good Evening New York" CD. It happened and it was wonderful. I and a stadium full of happy people sang together with Paul and for Paul. I smiled the whole way through. Paul McCartney

For the first encore, Paul brought out a Canadian flag, and one of his bandmates carried the British flag. Paul McCartney

As part of the second encore, during "Mull of Kintyre", the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band marched onstage and accompanied Paul. Paul McCartney

Another shot of a video screen.

Paul McCartney

I believe this was the last song, "The End". Paul McCartney

Red and white fireworks exploded in the sky, as a nod to Canada. Paul McCartney

 And then red and white confetti. Paul McCartney

A few people have asked if Paul was showing his age (71). I would say "no". He moved around the stage comfortably, standing and playing guitar for long periods of time, and also playing on two different pianos. He rocked it with his bandmates, and put on every appearance of enjoying himself.

Early in the show, he took a minute to "take it all in", staring all around the crowded stadium. He was chatty, funny, and very friendly. I am so glad that I took this opportunity to see Paul in concert. I went in with hopes of hearing certain songs. He sang them all - except "Silly Love Songs". But that's okay, because what he did sing, he sang well. :-)

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney by angelamermaid
Paul McCartney, a photo by angelamermaid on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
When I first heard the rendition of "Hey Jude" on the "Good Evening New York" album, I got goosebumps as he got the audience to sing for him. I thought, "how incredible it would be to sing "Hey Jude" to Paul McCartney. Tonight, I know what that feels like. It was a joyful thing.