-"

8

Rockin’ down the rabbit hole

Clearing Music Festival celebrates music and friendship in the bushes

By Sharon Miki

tanding in woods in the middle

of nowhere—amidst the cheer of

people reunited, the giggles of girls dancing in bikinis, and the iridescent glow of bubbles floating through the chlorine-blue sky while a rotating line-up of musicians kill it on a rough and ready stage—you can’t help but feel like you’ve entered a different and better world.

The Clearing Music Festival took place on July 23 in a clandestine clearing in the South Surrey woods, bringing together nearly 400 friends, strangers and music-lovers of all ages for a unique, intimate festival experience.

Originally conceptualized by a group of guys exploring a wooded area on a family property—literally clearing a space of wood and bush to create a performance-ready area in the forest—the

Clearing Music Festival became an annual gathering for local musicians and friends in the know from 2000 to 2005. After a six-year hiatus, organizers decided to resurrect the tradition this year bringing together several bands for a private, day- long extravaganza.

The 2011 festival featured the funk, rock and country stylings of Dangerwolf, Tastycles, Jordan Carrier, Mary’s Gunns, Murray Band, the River Bottom Boys, Silent spring, Shatterproof 604, Soundstem and DJ McMillion. The line- up was largely an homage to the original performers in the early 2000’s events— many of the bands this year included members from Clearing bands of the past.

In addition to the music, the Clearing cooked up some interesting culinary choices for festival-goers.

While traditional favourites like burgers and hotdogs kept people full, unusual

treats like bear-meat smokies and bear pepperoni were also popular menu-items.

For those willing to suffer adventure for their lunch, one the Clearing’s fan- favourite features was the infamous “Cheese Hole,” in which the hungry are forced to crawl through a maze in the bushes. Their reward? A mini-clearing where grilled cheese sandwiches and other treats are served.

Festival founders—now no longer boys whacking through the bushes, but men with families in tow—have high

hopes for the event in the future. While all agree that the exclusivity of the private event is part of its charm, plans are already in the works for improving the venue, :

The Clearing Festival might not be the biggest event you’ll attend, but the atmosphere of friendship and whimsy is most definitely worth searching through the woods for. If you can’t find a ticket for next year, just follow the music. It’ll be rocking.

Shake your body like a belly dancer Build up your confidence at CONFIDANCE

By Julia Siedlanowska

| ocated on 107-1320 Kingsway Avenue in Port Coquitlam, CONFIDANCE studio offers dance lessons ranging from Ballroom to Hip Hop, but due to popular demand, their man niche has become belly dancing. Over the last decade, belly dance has gained popularity in the West, and evolved into new forms like American Tribal Style and Tribal Fusion (a fusion of belly dance with innovations from different styles like hip-hop, break-dance, cabaret, and burlesque that make it more accessible to Westerners). However, main instructor and founder of CONFIDANCE Francesca Anastasi Hardman teaches mostly the more traditional styles. This summer, the studio features a series of workshops in their “Bootcamp,” focusing on elements like dynamic dance combinations, elegant arms and hands, and my personal favourite, an introduction to props. Last week’s lesson featured an introduction to using zills (finger cymbals), veils, canes, and more. Due to a large interest after the workshop, Hardman plans a choreography class on Sundays in the fall including veils and possibly even Isis wings! (I hear Brittney Spears used wings in her last concert... I’m not sure if that is enticing or repulsive, but it just goes to show the growing interest in the art form).

Having started dancing at a young age, Hardman is an exceptional instructor. She breaks down the moves so that even your grandmother could learn to belly dance (though I’m not sure you’d like to see it happen). With the true belief that everyone can dance, Hardman brings

6

in an atmosphere of inspiration, and the studio truly lives up to it’s name. Bringing in instructors from the local belly dance scene and around the world, the studio has hosted workshops by male dancer Nath Keo, and even stars from the Bellydance Superstars.

The clientele comes in all shapes, sizes, ethic and age groups. So if you’ ve ever been curious to put on your Bojangles, shimmy your bootie into a drop in class. If it peaks your interest, the fall will feature classes for all skill levels, with the goal towards performing in the (optional) year end show. Whether you perform or not, belly dancing is a wonderful way to get fit- you don’t just shake that belly and bum, you flex it!

For more information on dance lessons (belly dance, or other) visit www. confidance.com

Spirit of the Fraser

‘Fraser River and the Gulf Islands’ takes over the Amelia Douglas Gallery By Angela Espinoza 1lam—5pm. Even after the Cultural Crawl has ended, “Fraser River and the Gulf Islands” will remain in the gallery until September 9, welcoming us into the new school year with a cultural experience. There will also be a closing reception from 4:30pm—7:30pm on September 8, and Campbell will again be in attendance at 10am on September 9 for one last talk on his remarkable exhibit.

hroughout the month of August,

artists throughout all of British

Columbia will have a chance to show off their work. The annual BC Cultural Crawl began on August 1 and will continue until the 31, highlighting over seventy communities across our lovely province. From the 13-14, it will be New Westminster in the spotlight, allowing locales to visit art galleries, attend concerts, and, amongst other events, view historical sites. The main goal of the Cultural Crawl is to give BC residents a better understanding of our artistic heritage, and to inspire us with the beauty that surrounds us.

One of the stops of the Cultural Crawl will be specifically at Douglas College. During the New West portion of the event, local artist Jack Campbell (80) will have an exhibit displayed in the Amelia Douglas Gallery (located on the fourth floor). Campbell, whose works (according to his personal website) focus primarily on using watercolours and acrylics to form a stain glass effect, has expressed a deep connection with the Fraser River; the exhibit in particular is entitled “Fraser River and the Gulf Islands”. Part of what goes into Campbell’s unique style is his manipulation of shapes and colours. For example, jagged, triangular lines of yellow, green and blue form a beautiful river scene in his piece, “Spirit of the Fraser”.

During the event, Campbell will be in attendance at the gallery between