You're invited to weekend campfire jam
Jul 04, 2008 - 04:30 AM
By William McGuirk
Music as a universal language is a cliche, yes, but there is a truth beneath it.
Music can be used to translate an idea across cultures. Even English speakers don't necessarily understand each other. Rhythm, melody, tone, all work their magic equally. A good beat is a good beat anywhere. Lyrics get lost but the tune finds its way home. Ex-Rheostatic Dave Bidini has a book out called Around The World in Fifty Seven And A Half Gigs, around that very theme.
This weekend, music is been employed as the medium for a message. The message is the existence and preservation of the Second Marsh, just behind the GM HQ -- and we all know where that is now -- on Col. Sam Drive.
In an event tagged the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure, 200 cyclists are travelling from Niagara through to Quebec. It's an eight-day trek and one of the stops is Darlington Provincial Park, where they will rest those gams overnight July 6.
Turning these strangers into ambassadors for the region seemed like a good idea, so the Friends of the Second Marsh (including myself) have organized some entertainment for them . . . some D-Rawk, or D-Folk, rather. We're using indigenous music and geography as an organic and exclusive tourist trap.
The Friends are offering tours of the wetland starting at 3 p.m. In the evening you are invited to bring a picnic and listen to an acoustic campfire jam with a variety of the area's musicians -- Bradley Boy from Orono, Jeff Leech from Whitby, Trish Robb of Bowmanville, Oshawa's Proof Of Ghosts, Thee Side Project from Brooklin and Sunbear from Kendal. Isabella's Chocolate Cafe is a sponsor. We're calling this Fireside. It runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Parking is available at the GM lot and one can walk through to picnic area #3... just stay left at the forks.
William McGuirk is a freelance writer and longtime Oshawa resident. He can be contacted at wmacg@yahoo.com.
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