My brother flew out from Reno the last weekend of June, and we went to the Salt Lake Arts Festival. It was the first time I've been in all the years I've lived here, and I'm sorry I waited so long. We had fun walking around looking at all the vendors, and trying out the food offerings. All of my photos are his, taken with his fancy new Fuji.
Michelle doesn't look too happy here- but I think she had a good time!
I loved the scrap metal sculptures from one vendor--
The glass garden was another high point.
The festival includes performance art, and one that we saw was unlike anything I've ever seen before. It was an Australian group called Strange Fruit, two women and two men dressed in nineteenth century (sort of) clothing. Their entire performance was done standing on very tall, flexible poles. There really are no words to describe it, but it was entrancing and highly entertaining!
They interacted with each other, interacted with the audience, and told a bit of a story to a variety of music. The entire time, they were swinging back and forth on those poles. Judging from some of the contortions I saw, they all have incredible core strength!
The setting was also an amazing backdrop to their performance. That blue sky and the lines of the library building just added to the ambience. By the time it was over, I had a crick in my neck from looking up, but it was worth it.
The highlight of the evening, however, was a performance by Angelique Kidjo, and African singer that I have followed for twenty years. I love her music, and she gave an amazing performance!
She came out in full African dress, with a turban, but within a few songs had lost the turban--
She had a wonderful band from all over the world. Most looked to be her age (fifties), but her percussionist was a young man originally from Senegal.
It was a lively and interactive performance in a small venue, the best kind. Before her final song, she invited the audience to come on stage with her, and it was filled! She sang one my my favorite songs, 'Tumba', while those on stage danced around her. It was just incredible!
It was an amazing end to a fantastic day!
2 comments:
Just the kind of day I'd like to have! Love the statuary!
What a Greta day at the festival! I just googled and listened to some of Kidjo's music. I like her music, reminds me of a couple groups I used to listen to in Brazil.
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