River Festival Parade

This year's River Festival was as nurturing, as beautiful and as relaxed as last year's, however I must admit I did feel like vomiting for half of it, I was nervous, I couldn't eat, couldn't really concentrate and yes, felt very sick in my stomach. I have always shied away from performing, always feeling quite anxious and never really getting the 'performers high', I have also shied away from exposing too much of my body since having children, well that all changed last Saturday night. 

Flushed with nerves all fifteen dancers* (all of whom are mothers, except Tierra, who is 10), gathered together to get ready, there was lots of laughter, feathers flying, nervous wees and a beautiful sense of togetherness, many of the performers had never, like me, performed before, I was so proud of all of us together, the fifteen of us of all different ages, shapes, sizes and phases of fertility (especially Sammi, who was 8 months pregnant with her third child). I personally felt empowered because this performance was for fun, for us, for the community, it was embracing of everyone and embracing of what individuals felt comfortable with. I know we all feel insecure about something with our bodies but this was about embracing ourselves and being proud and comfortable in our own skin. 

and then we danced. 

After months of drought, there was a sudden shower just before we were about to perform,  we were worried about our headdresses and a dwindling crowd but beautifully it brought the town together as everyone huddled closer, excited about finally getting some rain and anticipating the parade. The rain stopped, the drummers started and people started to gather around, drawn by the beats, the movement, the building of something that was to begin and then (as according to Scott) there was a murmur in the crowd, they looked up and there we were in a line up on a hill, resplendent in our costumes and then we started making our way down some precarious stairs to the drummers and the crowd. 

For me, once we made it down the slippery slope and lined up for the drummers all nerves had disappeared, oh my goodness it was so much fun, the energy was electric. It was so wonderful to dance together as a group, with the group, for the group, I was so used to dancing with this group, that really the crowd didn't really exist, well that, partnered with anonymity that the costume provided equalled a boundary pushing glorious time. 

Needless to say, I now know what a 'performer's high' is and I think I have the sickness, I just can't wait to do it again. Next performance for Samba Soul (the drummers) and dancers is Peats Ridge Festival, hmmm, I am pretty keen, I think I might just do it.
Quite honestly, this time last year when I watched the dancers, I remember clearly thinking how amazing they were but in no way would I be able to do that, but spurred on by Kell Stoner and memories of hearing about how a dear friend used to do burlesque dancing and how in awe I was of that, I decided to through caution/insecurities to the wind and just get amongst it and yes, I loved it.

Here is a little clip from the parade, quality isn't that great, but it gives you an idea.

Oh, I know what you are thinking; where did these gorgeous pictures come from, well the amazingly talented Cassandra Sutton from Loop the Loop photography, kindly gave me her permission to use them. There are also some more River Festival pictures on her beautiful blog. Thank you Cass.
*oh for those readers who have no idea what i look like, i am in the second row of dancers, with the long dark hair.

And just when you thought you had your fill of feathers, bustles, bottoms, breasts and headdresses, here are a couple behind the scenes shot from our last dress rehearsal.

photo by Johanna

amy + nic xxx

Life seems to be accelerating at an even faster pace at the moment, as I turned the calendar over to November I caught my breathe as I realised I had to have a bit of a think about Christmas craft, what gifts am I going to make this year and exactly how am I going to manage it all amongst, life, parenting, partnering, being, markets and Blue Caravan?  Hmmm, not quite sure but I know I am going to try and keep it simple (do those two sentences together make any sense at all, probably not).

In the meantime, we have just emerged from another action packed weekend beginning with another beautiful wedding on Friday finishing with a bit of a hangover on Sunday (yes, the first one in 7years, was very mild and easily dealt with; by eating a huge breakfast) after an amazing River Festival (there are a few pics and clip here) on Saturday (but more about that in the next post, waiting to source more photos and footage).
On Friday Amy and Nic got married and I was lucky enough to have been asked to capture the day, 1300 photos later, I could safely say, it was captured. Both Nic and Amy are very passionate about the environment and all that there is in caring for it (it was only recently that they actually bought a car, until then it was quite a common sight to see Amy, pregnant, on the back of their cargo bike, a totally gorgeous sight), yes, they are totally awesome. So as you would imagine, every bit of their wedding also had the environment in mind; from getting a local brewer to brew the beer, having everyone bring a plate of delicious food, upcycling outfits into stunning wedding outfits, composting food and plates/cutlery, paper bark runners on tables, encouraging car pooling through to having their rings made out of antique silver forks (and a whole lot of other stuff, if you are interested, I am sure Amy and Nic could run through it with you, they covered everything in an aware and gentle way.

Amy and Nic's wedding was also literally oozing with love, love in a real and intimate way, they have been together for 8 years in total, have known each other for 14 years and have a true understanding of their relationship, they know relationships can be hard but promised to hold love in their hearts and for each other. I especially loved Nic, acknowledging how much he loved how Amy pushed him, pushed him to her vision of even more greatness, aspiring to keep growing, wanting to be better, better together. Yes, there were tears, lumps in throats, snotty noses  and red eyes all around, ahhh love.

Dorrigo Bluegrass Festival 2012

We were set, tent in the boot, along with many other camping and sleeping aids, food packed, bags packed, instruments, check, children, well once we picked Poe up from the bus stop, check. Up the mountain we go. Up the mountain to Dorrigo for the Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival. Scott was already up there, he had spent the last two days in Banjo heaven, participating in a Banjo workshop run by Ross Nickerson, an amazing Bluegrass Banjo player from America (Ross, had also been staying with us the past week and had become accustomed to the kids addressing him by his full name; "Good Morning Ross Nickerson, Ross Nickerson, have you met my friend, etc etc). 

Anyway, back to the story, after we pick up Poe from the bus he mentions that he is feeling a bit car sick, although Poe had never previously been car sick, I acknowledged his feelings, got him to strip off to cool down, gave him water and set on our way. Yes, yes, I know you can see what is going to happen, blatantly obvious you think. Well yes, the road to Dorrigo is windy and steep, with many sections where you are unable to pull off anywhere, even if you have a child vomiting in/across/on the back seat. Yikes. I did eventually pull over, and just stared at the mess, after a few deep breathes, I used all our drinking water and some tea tree to clean poor Poe and the car up (not able to do that great a job on my pillow that got vomited on though, damn it). So what to do, travel up, travel down? Hmmm, Poe was keen to go home, have a bath then go up again, but I didn't think that was very wise, so we slowly, slowly made our way up. 

And we got there, with only one small vomit on arrival, but I was ready. We found Scott, we set up, and poor Poe lamented "Oh, how I wish, I could run around with my friends, but I am too sick, oh how I wish I could kiss you, but I am too sick".

Luckily I soon received a call that cheered me up, Nicole and Oscar had arrived, woohoo, I hear you thinking, but wait there is more. They were about to set up their tent (they were in the general camping area, we were in the performers area, due to me basically being unable to think clearly with all that vomiting going on, I headed to the closest and easiest campsite), yes, they were about to set up their tent but they only had a fly and no tent. So we welcome them with open arms into our tent. Lovely. Following on from this we also smuggled Ellie, Gabe and Rani, into the performers section as well, so we could all camp together and we could share the childminding at night, a perfect plan.  

However due to a poorly Poe, night one was kind of a right off, well, right off in the way that I didn't participate in the festival festivities but actually it was great because with Poe being sick, I just fell asleep with the kids and awoke, fresh and sprightly on Saturday morning, as did Poe. 

After a deliciously hearty breakfast of rejected muesli, we made our first festival stop, at the flatfooting workshop with the gorgeous Martha Spencer from the Whitetop Mountaineers, hailing from West Virginia. If you are thinking, flat what??!?! Check out the clip below, but be warned there is already talk about town about forming a local group forming, beware, this may just change your life. Flatfooting is getting poised to take over the world (yes, it is nearly 12.30am as I write this), totally hot and oodles of fun for everyone. I would also like you all to pay attention to those backward legs spins, whoa! 

Below are some highlights of the festival, it was such a delightfully easy and fun time, shared with lovely friends and a lot of folk from all around.

Stomp Kats, my personal favourites. 

Cath and her totally awesome panelvan with Victoria and Ilo.

Mustered Courage doing some jamming

A spectacular beard from Black Train

The Mid North, of course, starring Ilo.

The Whitetop Mountaineers, you should see her play the fiddle and flatfoot at the same time, oh my.

Crowd favourites, The New Worlds from Nashville.

The Mid North accompanied by The New Worlds and yes Ilo. Black, this time on harmonies and hand claps.