Folk and Football

A beautiful October weekend seemed the perfect occasion for a mix of music and sports. On Saturday night, we saw venerable folk legend Gordon Lightfoot at the Windsor casino, still wowing the crowd at 76 years old. The voice may no longer have the power, but the sound is still there, and more importantly, the stories. As Jane put it, it was like watching history.....especially when he opted to play his lengthy opus, the Canadian Railroad Trilogy.

The next morning, I set out for Detroit with two co-workers, for our annual Bears-Lions game at Ford Field. As fate would have it, the tunnel bus had to drop us off at a different stop, due to the running of the Detroit marathon - right in front of the Old Mariners' Church, the very place the memorial was held after the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

The football game was exciting at least, though my team lost yet again. One of these years we'll head to Chicago so we can enjoy home advantage. After a see-saw battle, the Lions went ahead with a long touchdown in the final minute. Miraculously, the Bears charged back down the field and kicked a field goal to tie the game as time expired. Alas, the Lions ended up winning 37-34 with a field goal late in overtime, but it took almost the entire overtime for either team to score. Unfortunately, my camera mysteriously died well before then.

After a sunny walk back to the church, we boarded the tunnel bus and returned to Canada. 

We'll get 'em next year!

 

Gordon Lightfoot at Caesars Windsor

A musty old hall in Detroit

Tailgating in Lions country

The view from Section 325

The Lions prepare the Defend the Den

Da Bears defend Matthew Stafford's plans

TV Timeout - very different when you're on the other end of things!

Bears QB Jay Cutler takes aim

Cutler spies WR Alshon Jeffrey breaking free!

Giving Thanks

An absolutely stunning fall weekend provided the perfect backdrop for a Thanksgiving feast, our second in three days. Colourful leaves, earthy fragrances and a delicate chill to the air....that's right, it's Turkey Time again!

We also managed to enjoy a therapeutic bonfire before the tryptophan (and perhaps the wine) finally sent us off to bed.....

Stuff it!

A steaming stovetop

Now we're talking turkey!

Pie Graphs never lie - this pie is 85% eaten

The finished product - one delicious Thanksgiving Dinner!

A cheery bonfire prompting spontaneous poetry

Twig and branch and bark ignite

Dancing flames hold wood alight

Turns Ash to ash and char to coal

To pierce the dark and chill of night

Fire without stokes flame within

And kindled spirits rise again

Ember forged in orgy of orange

A bright beginning from a fiery end

The strength to meet tomorrow's gaze

Found in crackling logs and this blank page

Embers burning low

Of Monsters And Men

One of our favourite bands made a rare appearance in our area, namely Icelandic folk group Of Monsters And Men. Even when they do play within a few hour radius, it's generally a large three-day Fest of sorts. To my delight, not only were they appearing at a relatively local venue (Detroit), but at an old and large architectural marvel (Detroit Masonic Temple) that would surely make for a memorable show.

Accompanied by Dora and her friend Mike, we made the short tunnel jaunt under the Detroit River and made our way to Harry's for a quick dinner before the show. Apparently the manager hadn't factored in the OMAM show and understaffed the place.....drinks were slow, food was slower, and we got the last burgers in the place, which thankfully were wicked, and more than good enough to make up for the wait.

Ironically, the somewhat sketchy area around Harry's and up to the Masonic Temple is where the new Detroit Arena and surrounding urban revitalization is taking place - a massive development dubbed District Detroit - which will definitely make this a happening (and safer) place by 2017.

On to the show! The Masonic Temple did not disappoint, a grand old building with character and atmosphere, the likes of which are sadly diminishing. We had great seats in the upper mezzanine, far above the packed main floor, where standing room only looked pretty tight.

Words don't really describe the band. OMAM brought the magic - a total of NINE band members playing multiple instruments, at times soulful, at times tribal, and at all times full of folky goodness. Easily one of the best concerts I have seen - sure, the great venue helps, but they put on a fabulous show and if you're a music fan then this is a band for you.

They played all the popular and upbeat hits off the first album, "My Head is an Animal", while seamlessly blending in the more mellow offerings from the new record "Beneath the Skin" without losing momentum. Nanna even offered a particularly moving solo rendition of "Organs".

Great show, capped off by making it safely back to Canada without getting capped.

Pre-Show Burgers at Harry's

Detroit Masonic Temple

Of Monsters and Sam Adams

Iceland's Finest

The Masonic Theatre

OMAM!

Standing Room Only!

Now to get out alive....

Come with me, to the Renaissance Faire!

Friends from afar and a gorgeous autumn weekend seemed like a great excuse to attend the Michigan Renaissance Faire, with the mythical village of Hollygrove located an hour north of Detroit, just outside the town of Holly.

With Jane busy for the weekend, Keith, Grayson and I made the relatively painless crossing at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and sped north along I-75, rather than taking the much more scenic but time consuming Sombra car ferry and rural route.

The Faire was rather busy, including a lengthy line (over a mile!) just to turn into the parking lot, but otherwise did not disappoint. Meat and mead, music and memories.....Huzzah!

Hurry now, we're almost there....

Turkey drumstick washed down with a nice Oktoberfest beer

Keith kicking Grayson's axe

Live entertainment abounds

The Queen did not seem interested in sitting on THIS throne....

A Main Thorough-Faire

Meat and Mead!

Back in Canada!