Yellowknife Sings! - A Fan-made Featurette

Northern Divas: Wonderful, gave me shivers. Final number was a touching and inspired songs geared toward Yellowknife.

Pat Braden: What a storyteller, John Mayer could learn something from this guy. His 12-String Chapman Stick is gorgeous, it looks like it would feel like playing a piano, left hand strumming the bass line, right hand tapping out the melody. Just plain cool.

The Gumboots: I've never been to a Gumboot performance but I'm very glad I didn't wander off too early. Their harmonies are spot-on (of course) and, my God, does Mr. Gilday have a beautiful tenor voice, I'm gonna miss him and I feel sorry for those grade eight's coming to Sir John next year that'll miss him. Their final song was the Nova Scotia's provincial anthem (I didn't even know they had one!) "Farewell to Nova Scotia" and it was pure gold. These men really are Modern Minstrels, and I really hope they continue making music for many years to come.

Theresa Pamplin: I know this doesn't have anything to do with her musical performance but did she ever wear a pretty dress! It was a gorgeous, long black number. You know, say what you want about opera music, but I love it. (Oh! Just noticed her shoes!) The practice strength of the breath control an operatic singer must have is a sight to be seen or rather, a sound to be heard. Not to mention all the memorization of intricate music and beautiful but foreign lyrics. What really stuck out for me was the fact she didn't bring out a bottle of water of cup of tea to sip between songs! It just shows her obvious training and pure professionalism that she has. Gosh, she's a tall, brunette operatic angel. She could make it as a model or Miss Canada or something!

Continuing on with Theresa's actual performance, the first of two pieces she sang accompanied with violist (blank) had a very Firefly-b sound to it. It's hauntingly beautiful tones felt like the background music you'd find in a Japanese RPG or playing during the game's opening cinematic. The violinist was kind of cute too.

Rick and the Relics: Well, I got to be honest, I wasn't really expecting much from this band, being billed as Christian-slash-something or other on the artist line-up. But I decided to see what they were all about and stuck around. Mrs. Giovenetto was one of the back-up singers and I felt that usual comfort of knowing someone that's performing.

It was a rather large group, four ladies harmonizing as a back-up quartette, title man Rick on guitar, a familiar looking dude named Garry on bass, and t cute looking young man on bongo/drums. (Rick later explained that his name was John Tse and he is a recent transplant from Toronto. Cute, talented AND an import. Excellent...) Anyway, Rick started off with a few vaguely familiar ditties but the only thing really memorable I noted were his last four songs.

"Northern Lights" has a wonderful...oh what was it...doo-wop/Chordettes feel to it. "Snowflakes" has a decidedly blues-y feel to it, but it manages to keep a go-lucky groove with some surprisingly inspired lyrics (He talks about "frying snowflakes over candles." Ha!) His next song was a sea shanty, which I always adore, and this one did not disappoint. More akin to the slower, longing ilk of wives singing to husbands and sons lost to sea. It was quite stirring and is one of the songs that makes me wonder if I was born on the wrong side of the continent.

His closing song "Ridin' on Rainbows" has the easy gospel rock sound that I had first expected from R & R. A sweet song to end softy by and it didn't even make me think of Skittles once. (Okay, maybe it did once, but only when he introduced the song!)

After a bit of a walkabout I caught the end of Ted Wesley, and actually I liked it. Their pianist made me think of a player piano. Love that!

Dana Sipos: Okay, I had heard lots of good things about her from Kelsey. She plays a mandolin, how minstrel can you get! I'm glad she wasn't hyped up at all; her skill vocally, lyrically and instrumentally is there, no doubt. With her sound. I definitely got a Nelly Furtado "Folklore" and sweetafton23 aka Molly feel, but without a doubt she reaches beyond what my meager comparisons can do justice to.

Dressed as if she'd fit comfortably during a 60s Woodstock, I can describe her voice as smooth and deep as the surface of the lake when the midnight sun stretches it rays long into the calm night. "Soothing" doesn't even begin to describe her style. Paired with simply ingenious lyrics, her strangely envirgorating music awakens something ancient, classic, and fleeting feral as you listen. Sitting there, I almost felt like I should stop eating processed foods, wearing brand name shoes and start planting crops or something. I was genuinely sad to see her go off-stage but maybe I could get her to sign the CD I will most definitely buy!!

Hindsite: Fun-looking band, promising to be just a little bit louder and they brought it, starting their set with a funky cover of John Fogerty's "The Old Man Down The Road". I love their bass player (Rick Maddeaux), he looks like a wizened ol' master of rock. LOVE IT! Lead singer Laurette Debagorski has a great rock voice to compliment their guitarist Bob Baggs' snazzy rock-out sound. Man, his mini-solo with the wah-wah was so gold I had to close my eyes and absorb it.

As the familiar chords and opening verse of 4 Non Blonde's "What's Up", the very history of this eeriely beautiful early 90s hit reverberated through my skin and bones. I teared up as I and a number of the crowd joined the chorus. Simply spectacular.

Their promise to "slow it down" lasted but a song as they picked up where they left off, rock n' rolling NACC's house with a worthy cover of Def Leppard's anthemic "Panama". Definitely picking up their CD!

Vincent Gauthier: A very versatile guy according to his bill, but who doesn't milk it up on those things, right? Obviously not Mr. Gauthier! Starting his set with his own "In My Dreams", a heartfelt ballad of home sang perched atop a classy barstool. A handsomely average-looking bald man, his voice betrays himself instead as a wiry, mophead playing atop a soapbox, protesting overfishing or something. His guitarwork alone is stirring and he very modestly attributes any lyrical prowess to the number of poets, musicians and lyricists he's had the pleasure to work with. A purely instrumental number was titled after his daughter, which I found very sweet. (What a small world, he's Kirsten Gauthier's dad! Go figure!) His newly reformed band "Big Ethel" plays at the Monkey Tree regularly so I hope I can catch him before the summer is out. His final instrumental number dedicated to the early pioneers of the North and had a very pioneer/Old West sound. It was wonderfully played on a sweet blues-y steel guitar. Great set!

Priscilla's Revenge: Christine's Dad's band, this'll be good. Right off the bat, I'm definitely getting the classic rock vibe I expected but that's not to say I enjoyed it any less. I gotta say though, few things make me more happy then seeing a big man wailing away on a guitar and PR's guitarist totally brought it. A towering man, he handled that damn pretty orange-y wood tint-ish Gibson like a dream, quite obviously becoming my favourite band member to watch. But as enjoyable as it is being lead guitar biased, I must also acknowledge the bass! (Basses are guitars too!) His fingers flew noticeably faster than other bassists I've seen live, really upping the ante in the band's low register, driving his own gorgeous black matte short body bass smoothly like a hot knife through butter.

"Smooth" is a great, albeit common, adjective to describe this trio. Blues-rock permates through each of their songs, staying (not uncomfortably) within their chosen genre. Right after another absolutely KILLER guitar solo during the soulful "Where Did We Go Wrong", I found myself thinking "My God, you could have make-up sex to this song..."

Picking up the tempo considerably, their song "Highway Heaven" very quickly became a reason I will pick up their new album, hopefully out by Christmas. This song belongs on any driving compilation out there, especially (and some what ironically) alongside Steppenwolfe's rock-staple "Born To Be Wild" Ha!

Indio Saravanja: A slight guy, with big eyes and longish hair, he just looks like the kind of guy that would stand on a street corner or subway station platform and, figuratively, "kill you softly with his song", I'm serious. First impressions are a striking vocal and musical similarity to Bob Dylan but Indio is totally and completely understandable! He's versatile too, rendering his second number "Grace of Thee" wonderfully on the stage's grand piano, unceremoniously neglected for the greater part of the night.

"Holding On" had a Death Cab for Cutie or Bright Eyes indie ballad sound to it, but the tinkling sound of his most particular 8-string ukulele-like South American contraption called a turango threw in some Jack Johnson island feel, and I loved it all the same.

His final song was written in and for Yellowknife brought that now-unfamiliar clutch to my heart. I realized later it was real pride in being able to say I'm from Yellowknife. Calling any place home is often taken lightly but as a fairly frequent mover, I try and hold a certain standard to each place I bestow the title of "home" to. Yellowknife has a certain draw that anyone who is lucky enough to get stranded (in all senses of the word) in this oft-understated one highway town. It's all about what you make of your situation. Life's a pen, you just have to start writing.

All and all, the night has been a pure musical delight and I hope it becomes a tradition that I can come home to every summer.

Where I've been the last few days

Well, seeing as the move of my parents to their new place is in the endgame and I'm helping, on top of dealing of some personal issues, I just haven't had the time to put out any post whatsoever on my blog. I apologize profusely to any of regular readers that have been looking for something new. I swear I have a blog post all ready and rearing to be typed and posted immediately and I promise it will come up as soon as humanly possible by me.

Until then, I humbly request your patience and thank you all in advance for simply stopping by. I will return soon.

~Vickie

Dad Day and Summer Solstice, busy day for all

Point form today? Okay, here goes...

• Woke up early, after only four and a half hours of sleep. Still itchy from being eaten by mosquitoes during Midnight concert last night. SO GOOD! I hope it becomes tradition.
• Started writing an email to Alyissa.
• Got distracted by Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Dailybooth and having a little cry while I had the living room to myself.
• Finished email two hours later and sent it off, knowing I forgot some things but feeling better.
• Moved out more of my room to my parent's car. It's crunch time to pack up the house, movers are here Thursday.
• Found "Rogues and Vagabonds" book to show Kelsey. I think the premise is about three different characters and the majestically strict headistress & master that stewart them at a most prestigious theatre art school. I knew she'd like the sound of it and she did.
• Must download "I Know You Want It" by Pitbull, it's got some sexy sound.
• Had a good greasy dinner at Mike Mark's and learnt what Egg Foo Young is and that Kelsey is a sheep. (Chinese Astrology only!)
• Walked to City Hall to lay out on the grass under the bright blue sky and the sun, discussing Venn Diagram Minds/Musical Nostalgia, funds to city infrastructure versus SFA, punny halloween costumes, tanning, Yoga, me without glasses, and doing this all again.
• Patrick attempting to "dibs out" of cleaning the little puppy's bum clog and me letting him have it (and him probably not understanding that he made me mad.)
• Squealing a little bit as the Jonas Brothers performed at this year's MMVAs.
• Finally home, writing this blog, hoping I get a reply from Alyissa.

Hi Tammi and anyone else that reads this often!

~Vickie

Movies, Moving and a Job Interview, finally!

So I finished watching "The Cook, The Thief, The Wife and her Lover" and holy shit, was it EVER messed up. IMDB it and I completely recommend it. Beautiful cinematography and some funny jokes, but don't watch it alone or while under the influence of drugs that make you paranoid. I warned you!

Plus I finally to watch "Goal!" Just as wonderful as I expected. 'Nuff said.

Now it's onto the latest reincarnation of Rambo. Was never into it and this movie is just gory. Like sickeningly gory. There's cool movie violence and then there's Rambo and it's utter massacre. I guess it gets some kind of points for touching on some very real issues in global peace. Maybe one point.

I have a job interview tomorrow! Wish me luck!

~Vickie

Another year, another Stanley Cup Final; 'Grats Pens!

Oh, tingles galore! The clock ticking to zero in the third, the replay of Fleury's leaping save in the dying seconds, watching each player look like the happiest bunch of 8-year-old boys in the world as they leap and cheer o top of each other... This is one of the purest displays of emotion in professional sports. This is what dreams are made of and come true upon.

And as the announcer listed owners, coaching staff and other notables, he finished to say that Crosby will be the youngest Captain to ever hoist the Cup. I'm telling you, I teared up then and almost cried. The accumulation of hopes, dreams and satisfaction reverberated from Crosby and those players to penetrate any hockey fan's soul.

So that's that. Beyond the NHL awards next week, drafts and training camps in the distant fall future, all that's left to do is shave off that scruff (sometimes sexy) playoff beard, break out the golf clubs and go spend some time with family and friends, preferably warm and green. Maybe take that trip to Paris that you've always wanted. Heck, you can afford it now, Mr. Major League Hockey Player!

Funny thoughts during the game:

1. "Holy crap, does Marc Andre Fleury sound and look SO French, or what?!"
2. "Malkin's kind of cute...goofy looking, but cute."
3. "It sure sucks to be Hossa right now. Seriously."
4. "Man, every time I watch the replay of Fleury's last save, I almost pee myself."

To finish, I promised I'd include Tammi in here somewhere so but unfortunately my phone when and deleted the messages I have from her. I assure you that most of her texts that night were something like this:

Oooooooh myyyyy gooooooood, PITTSBURG!!!

Right, Tammi?

~Vickie

Nothing like jumping on a bandwagon travelling at the speed of awesome...

Let the Tweets begin! Vickie Marquez is up on Twitter.com (username: vickiemarquez) and I promise to be as concise as possible.

Jeez, it's beginning already...Look how short this blog post is!

~Vickie

Dedicated to Tram: As Time Goes By

This post, my avid readers, is dedicated to my friend Tram Nguyen. (Yes Tram, after all this time I can still spell your name without any hesitation!) She's heading back to the big city today and even as we parted ways, I could tell she's having some trouble with the prospect to returning to the heartless, faceless metropolis. I'm writing here to tell her (and subsequently you all who have ventured to my site for a read) why she's going to be okay and give some insight to what she can do to get out of this rut.

Tram, you're going to be just fine. I cannot repeat it enough. You've gone further and accomplished far more than you think you have and you should be very, very proud. You live in one of the most beautiful (and might I add, extremely earth-friendly) capitals of the world and I want you to be sure you're experiencing all of it's glory. On the flip side, make sure Calgary is experiencing YOU. That's right, YOU, glorious, beautiful you! Getting out into the city and being involved in the community, it's cliche but it's resoundingly true. Even if it's something small like taking a stroll in a park and picking up a couple pieces of trash, it COUNTS. And you're the kind of person that feels great when the things you accomplish count. Feel great! You deserve it!

And I know you're really feeling like you haven't connected with anyone down there. I'm here to tell you that it's perfectly FINE. We're nearly 21 years old! We have successfully survived the social Everest that was High School and have emerged better, brighter and more beautiful the other side! Having accomplished being teenagers in society's institutionalized playpen, we have earned the freedom to enjoy and experience life WITHOUT having to report to teachers, parents or even friends. Let me clarify that last bit: We aren't bound to our playpen friends anymore. In school, we experience a psychological need to hold on to our friends because (as Garth has always taught us) we feel that our friends reflect who we are, that our identity cannot possibly be anything else if we didn't have them. While this has a lot of truth to it, the immature us takes this a step too far, hence that sense of loss, confusion and misdirection that young people feel the first few years out of high school. Thusly, what often takes an older, wiser member of society (or a lucky and insightful friend ala Me) to point out is this: Give yourself a chance to live, and to live on your own. Test the waters. Taste the wine. Insert appropriate cliche here, whatever you want, bottom line is: This is YOUR time!

To finish I'll recite what is quickly becoming one of my favourite quotes:

"It takes a lot of courage to let go of the familiar and seemingly secure to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting; For in movement there is life, and in change there is power." -Alan Cohen

Tram, no matter where you go, be it up here in Yellowknife or down in Calgary, as time goes by, change will come. Welcome it, embrace it. Letting go of the "familiar and seemingly secure" is inevitable, but that certainly doesn't mean you are to forget all of it. Move. Live. And remember, you'll always have friends to pull you down if you fly too close to the sun.

~Vickie