Where did February Go?

Oh my goodness - February has gone in a blur - where did it go? Here today, gone tomorrow. I hope you and yours are doing well in these troubled times. 

It looks like I have been busy during February. 

3rd February my husband and I were in the on-water control boat during an afternoon dragon boat regatta for our club, the Forza Dragon Boat Club, in Bunbury. The event was well supported by clubs from Perth, Mandurah and Albany. It is a colourful spectical on the water and land. 

That is Forza in the blue and red in the second photo below here. One of my sons is second from the front in this boat. 

It is always a good opportunity for me to take photos

Last weekend my photography group assisted the Bunbury Triathlon Club by taking photos for their big annual competition. I was located on the bike leg  along the beach. It was a great opportunity to practise panning. I was glad for the cloud cover on the day. 

I've previously blogged about Taking photos at a sports event - but when I photographed the dragon boat regatta and the bike riders at the Triathlon this year I put my camera in Sports mode - it worked well for me. 

Late yesterday afternoon I was again with my photography group taking photos for the South West Multicultural Festival. I always enjoy going along to this, enjoying the cultural displays, dances and food. It is always a great evening. In the past I have danced at this with Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Company. This year our Principal, Nicole, performed solo. She is always a joy to watch. 

Sol y Sombra have been a part of the Bunbury dance scene for over 33 years. 

Below clockwise from top left you can see an elder playing the didgeridoo as part of the Welcome to Country, two Indonesian dancers, a dancer from Brazil (their costumes were amazing, Filipino Folk Singers, Ukranian Cossack Dancers, and an Indian Dancer. 

The Ukranian Cossack Dancers were amazing. The girls were so pretty in their costumes, flowers and ribbons, and my goodness these guys are fit, agile, energetic, and fantastic to watch. They look like they are having a LOT of fun! 

In between all this I have been getting things done in preparation for my next market at the Tree Street Art Safari in March, and also working on my photo book from our nine week Queensland trip last year. It was my plan to get it done over the summer - and I have! I sent it off to the printers this week. 

That's it from me today. I pray for those in war torn countries around the world and hope the leaders can sit down and find a way to peace. 

You might also like: 

Multiculutral Festival 2020

Dragon Boat Festival 2022

Taking photos at a sports event

Sol y Sombra 30th Anniversary

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
   

Mosaic Monday @ Soul & Mind & So On

Saturdays Critters - Viewing Nature With Eileen

Inspire Me Monday

Travel Tuesday

Pictorial Tuesday 

ThroughMy Lens 
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity. 
       and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday 
Welcome to Nature Thursday

Skywatch Friday

Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.

Until then, enjoy your day... it won't be back. 

Celebrating Diwali - the Festival of Light

On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend Diwali - the Festival of Light - presented by the South West Indian Group in Bunbury in Western Australia's south west. I was there as a member of Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Company who had been invited to perform. It was a fabulous evening of entertainment, culture, colour, music, vibrancy and energy, plus delicious food from Spice Journey.  The Bollywood theme was highly featured and enjoyed by the audience.

So today I am sharing some of the photos I took. Please excuse the quality as I was using a zoom lens in low light, I had to increase the ISO so I could hand hold my camera, and we were sitting about half way back in a packed room of guests, but I am sure the photos will give you an idea of the vibrancy of the performances. Unfortunately I don't have any images of our dance! 

(From Wikipedia): Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs and some Buddhists to mark different historical events and stories but they all symbolise the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, hope over despair.

The mythical stories told for Diwali vary regionally and within the traditions of Hinduism. Yet, they all point to joy and the celebration of Diwali with lights to be a reminder of the importance of knowledge, self inquiry, self-improvement, knowing and seeking the good and the right path. It is a metaphor for resisting evil, for dispelling darkness and for compassion to others. Diwali is the celebration of this inner light over spiritual darkness, of knowledge over ignorance and right over wrong. It is a festive restatement of the Hindu belief that the good ultimately triumphs over evil.  

Pushpanjali- an offering of flowers

South Indian Tamil Dance- Vijay children's group

Charishnu - a fusion dance of classical Indian dance styles

Zumba Fitness Group with Bollywood music

 Bollywood - Bhangra Rulez

Aboriginal Noongar group performing with didgeridoo

Bollywood girls

Dangerous Delights Fire Dancers

Audience joining in at the end of the show - you can see two of our flamenco dancers on the right hand side

Sol y Sombra performed a flamenco version of Ravel's Bolero at Diwali. This dance was choreographed for our 25th anniversary show in 2015, and was rechoreographed for the Eisteddfod in June where we won our section - the Over 25s Theatrical Dance. We were invited back to dance at the Eisteddfod Gala night, which was a great honour. It was great to be performing this piece again, this time at Diwali.

Soly y Sombra Spanish Dance Company at the Eisteddfod in June 2016

 I hope you have enjoyed this little look at at the Diwali 2016 Festival of Lights. For more information on the South West Indian Group please click here - SW Indian Group

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

 

Mosaic Monday 

Life Thru the Lens 

The Lovin' Life Team over at Lifestyle Fifty
Our World Tuesday

Through My Lens 

Image-in-ing
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
Worth Casing Wednesday
Travel Photo Thursday

The Weekly Postcard

South West Multicultural Festival night under the stars 2016

Last Saturday a huge crowd were treated to the South West Multicultural Festival - a free night of entertainment under the stars at the Bunbury Music Shell.  Many different nationalities came together to celebrate and showcase their cultures through music and dance. 

This event has been a highlight of the region’s calendar since 2005 and again this year we enjoyed a vibrant evening of entertainment which included guest artists from Perth as well as local groups.  A barmy summer night, the weather couldn't have been more perfect.

Events were held during the day included tai-chi, cooking demonstrations, craft displays, fashion parade, sport, talks, and stalls. People were also treated to fabulous tastes through the Food Truck Safari. 

Multiculture

Australia is a multicultural society. Everyone either personally or their ancestors has come from another country originally - even the original inhabitants, the aboriginals, came from another country to Australia. Multiculturalism can bring so much to a community - and if you are open to new ideas and other lifestyles and traditions, you can learn so much from other cultures.

In the last couple of weeks I have been fortunate enough to attend with my daughter-in-law a couple of multicultural events in Bunbury, showcasing the music, dance and songs of various cultures which are a part of our community.

Here are some scenes from the Bunbury Multicultural night - left to right - belly dancing, hula dancing, Spanish flamenco, Indian, Chilli, Brazil (I think), Maori, and the Chinese Lion Dance.  This is the second year i have gone to this wonderful free event. Also on sale was food from many nationalities. The light was a bit of a problem, and some of the movement was very fast, but I was reasonably happy with these pics.

The group below is the Burundi Band and Peace Choir. The group was formed by Jean-Phillippe Irambona to help overcome the pain and trauma of war and the many years spent in refugee camps in Tanzania, through singing, dancing and music. A wonderful cause and so inspirational - and they were wonderful to listen to and hear their story.

 Last week we went to the Viva Bunbury Latin street fiesta.  As well as dance and singing performances, two groups ensured that we danced the night away to Latin music. In the top LH corner you can see the lead singer of group "Bump" - this group really got the crowd into the party mood.
ps - the guy in the bottom LH corner is from last year - I just had to include this shot with the drums.

A couple of weeks ago I started attending a six week introduction to Spanish Flamenco dancing. My daughter-in-law has been Spanish dancing for a few years, and it is something I have wanted to do for a while. The music and dance is so powerful and passionate.

This is my teacher - Nicole -

and some of the colour and movement of Flamenco -

Have a wonderful week - and if you get a chance to see a multicultural performance - go!

I am linking up with Mary at Little Red House and other wonderful contributors at Mosaic Monday - click on the link - Mosaic Monday