Spiral Dance is beyond fabulous

[rowanf]

Spiral_Dance.jpg
Originally uploaded by rowanf.

Saturday Rachael and I headed over to a community event called Spirit Festival in a local park. There was a stage with a variety of local bands and a large tent full of Aboriginal artists. I bought a few handicrafts and I bought a book called Kick the Tin by Doris Kartinyeri about her childhood as one of the Stolen Generation. She said she has written three children's books since and is working on a new book. I don't expect Kick the Tin to be an easy read, but at least I have met Ms. Kartinyeri and know that her current reality is a better one. Rachael & I sat and listened to bands for awhile but there was no shade and we wandered back to the mall to grocery shop.

We needed to shop for a "picnic" because the flyer for the Spiral Dance concert said to "byo picnic tea". Of course it also said Strap on your faerie wings, douse yourself with glitter and come join Spiral Dance to celebrate the Summer Solstice which is why I was most likely the only delegate to the Parliament with wings in my suitcase. This gig was one of the things I was most looking forward to about my Australian trip and it did no disappoint!

Spiral Dance are just amazing on CD but watching them play and the interplay between them is a delight. Adrienne told the audience that we were there and she brought loads of the local Pagan folk by to introduce us. So we were surrounded by friendly people who took us to their hearts. If we had accepted all the drinks we were offered we'd have been smashed indeed. (I was drinking "Aussie cider" which was a fairly nice brand and about the 5th cider I've tried here.) In between chatting, dancing and listening to the amazing band we enjoyed our picnic of cheeses, olives, crackers and lemon sponge dessert.

We had decided to leave a bit early but our taxi didn't show up in any kind of reasonable time so we did stay to the end and some friendly locals drove us back to our hotel. I'm hoping Ang & Darren are coming by in about an hour to help finish up the cider we have in our fridge. No way we can drink it all before our flight in the morning.

This morning we slept in (having gotten to bed about 1am) and then got up and went to the Chinatown street here in Adelaide and had a feast with most of the band and significant others. Nick wasn't there because he had gotten an offer of work which would give him three days paid leave if he worked that Sunday. I told him he'd've been daft to refuse the windfall just to eat with us. Spiral Dance is made up of an amazing group of people. Well, as you might imagine given that they've been making fantastic music together since 1992. They were so warm and friendly to us, going out of their way at every turhn to be nice.

They are playing at the Florida Pagan Gathering at Beltaine (US Beltaine) and I admit that I'm considering hitting on rubibees and other friends to see if I can join their camp at FPG. It would mean I'm going to Texas in early April and then to Florida three weeks later which might be a bit much. But seeing my East Coast friends AND Spiral Dance is awfully tempting!

Comments

[rubibees.livejournal.com]

Well the thing is we dont usually attend the Beltane FPG cause the camp doesnt have a lot of shade and its hot at that time of the year. And you know when _we_ say hot, its gotta be hot. But lots of folks mange, and the cabins are air conditioned (if you are willing to sleep with 5 other folks, which we usually arent). And there is a lake. So given your rave review maybe we should consider it this year...

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

Ah, darn. Well... you, Mic, boys, me, maybe Kurt... makes a cabin's worth. They are also playing somewhere in Wisconsin afterward but I thought I had friends going to FPG.

[rubibees.livejournal.com]

Well I will think it over and mention to Mic et al...Yes a cabin is the only way to go. LOL. But you will see us for Pcon, I just heard my workshop was accepted so we will be there!