Saturday, May 9, 2009

Mother's Day Weekend and Folk Arts Festival now underway!

It is one of the busiest weekends of the springtime in Niagara, as people go out and enjoy the flowers blooming all around us, and perhaps take in some culture with Mom for her special day. So on this special weekend, a few musings and ideas for things to do with Mom.

Walking to the market in downtown St. Catharines this morning, I saw things getting underway on the front lawn of city hall to launch another Folk Arts Festival in St. Catharines. For over 40 years now, people have been coming together to share cultures and traditions in this annual festival of international cooperation, and I think this year I will finally make time to take in more than just one or two open houses. There is lots to do, of course, and all events are free. You pay for the food and that's about it. I went with my Dad to a couple of open houses shortly after my parents moved here a number of years ago, and I must admit my attendance has been spotty at best since then, so this might be the year to make amends. It's great fun, the food and entertainment is wonderful, and you meet a lot of new friends. What more could you want? Information on all events are readily available through the internet or picking up a brochure at many businesses in St. Catharines.

When I got to the market, it was chock full of people picking up their weekly supplies as well as those getting flowers or other goodies for Mom tomorrow. The riot of colours and selection is what I love about springtime in Niagara! There is literally something for everyone, from cut flowers to potted plants to even artificial floral arrangements if that's what you need. It is a special place to be any Saturday morning, but this Saturday, our Market Square is especially fun to visit.

If you want to take in a performance or two this weekend with Mom, a couple of suggestions for today and tomorrow for you: today you can enjoy the final performance of the season for Primavera Concerts, the ambitious little music festival that holds their concerts at the acoustically perfect St. Barnabas Church on Queenston Street in St. Catharines. The concert at 3 pm this afternoon (Saturday) features Trio Lyra, made up of Erica Goodman on harp, Suzanne Shulman on flute and Mark Childs on viola. Tickets are available by calling 905-684-4416 or likely at the door this afternoon. I love St. Barnabas Church; it reminds me of some of the old churches I would visit in England. Plus, how many churches now keep a resident cat? Barney has lived at St. Barnabas for as long as I can remember, and he is one special cat! I like what Primavera Concerts does, too; they program varied, accessible concerts with accomplished Canadian musicians, all of whom deserve our attention and attendance. I am looking forward to seeing what Primavera Concerts comes up with next year.

The other event this weekend worth noting is Sunday afternoon, and it is the final performance of Bernard Slade's Same Time, Next Year, performed by Lakeside Players at the Port Mansion Dinner Theatre in old Port Dalhousie. Slade's classic tale of two people who meet once a year at a small inn for about a quarter of a century is always a treat; Lakeside Players have grown into a wonderful group of local amateur actors doing great things in an intimate theatre space that might be gone before you know it if the controversial Port Place development proposal finally goes ahead as planned. For tickets, call the Port Mansion Theatre and Restaurant at 905-934-0575.

As for me, I will be picking up flowers in the morning, and driving to Toronto where both Mom and now Dad are buried, and remember the wonderful times our family shared together. Yes, sad in a way, but the memories will always be there, standing the test of time, never fading from our memories...

Enjoy the spring weekend in Niagara and most importantly, don't forget Mom this Sunday!

May 9th, 2009.

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