Chapter 106
At the beginning of June the lovely Bragg Creek Trails Association had their annual fundraiser Tunes For Trails. Our esteemed vounteer coordinator Mike had an idea… and managed to bring it to fruition.
We had the inaugural and unprecedented TrailStock Celebratory Volunteer Appreciation Concert in the parking lot at the trailhead in West Bragg Creek on June 8. Fantuzzi in town meant there was bound to be some cracking good music and high energy vibes. Can you imagine trying to host a friendly heart-centred family-friendly groove in that giant parking lot?
To say the run-up to the thing was stressful is a slight understatement. Having leaped through various burning hoops to get permits & agreement for all involved, Mike & I went on an exciting treasure-hunt adventure to rustle up helpers, a stage, a tent, sound support and a brilliant local band to back up Fantuzzi for all our enjoyment. The weather forecast for the day fluctuated from dim to dismal and worse so it was a little nerve-wracking. The day before the event, we planned to put things up, have a look-through and iron out last- minute issues…but the weather was cold, wet, drizzle, sleet and ugly through and through – oh dear!
Finally our big day arrived, we made it to the Trailhead just as a large black cloud settled in above us. I was worried about enough cover to protect all the expensive equipment and we hustled to tie down tarps and bags to make sure all was safe. As soon as we’d done that, the cloud moved on and we had a gloriously sunny afternoon. Our sound guy was doing his thing, setting up giant speakers, monitors and miles of snakey cables to string everything together. The band wandered in as bands do, always at the last minute, just enough to make people like me chew fingers to the bone.
As we got everything in order and started to play a little music to check things out, bikers and hikers meandered past, stopping to imbibe some of the sound- check tunes. A group of friends who had been alerted by another pal in BC had driven out from Calgary & were happily making sketches, chilling out and enjoying the ambience.
Once the Provincial Bike race had finished their awards & announcements, we turned it on full power (energy not volume!) for the remainder of our time. Fantuzzi’s new Alberta Flexible Band laid down some cracking backing vibes for Fantuzzi to do his thing, creating uniquely pertinent lyrics and weaving in elements of Joni’s famed Woodstock song to one of his own. Ironic that she didn’t make it to the original festival – Fantuzzi was there of course! At one point the man flew off the stage to dance with the audience, especially the kids & toddlers who really engage his attention, he loves to play with the young folk – ‘cos they are closer to him in age(!)
The following days we met people who had been at the concert & they were all pumped up with the positive energy and joyful vibes that were rippling out across the foothills that weekend. One lady remarked Fantuzzi “made the parking lot feel cosy, which is quite an achievement” and another friend who really enjoyed it thought it “should be an annual event”.
We hope that bringing music, high energy vibes, and a communal love and appreciation for the land will turn into a yearly celebration of all the good and wonderful things there are to enjoy in our wilderness right on our doorstep. This is a glorious place to live.
Blissings my friends, catch you on the trails.
Oh, and if you are interested in getting in on acts of brilliance and helping out: volunteer@braggcreektrails.org
With gratitude and love,
Kat Dancer
bodymudra@gmail.com
www.kat-dancer.com
415 525 2630
