'Music by the Beach.'
(This is my contribution to #beautifulsunday by @ace108 and #sublimesunday by @c0ff33a)
On the first weekend of every month, the township of Scarborough, Qld, Australia hosts a Music Festival. I don't need to put the date in my diary to remind me to attend because if I am home, I can hear them testing the microphones half an hour before the free concert starts.
'Scarborough Originals' is the name of Festival and it is held on the foreshore of Scarborough Beach Park. It is a crowd funded event and although it is free to attend, donations are welcome. Raffle tickets are sold throughout the performances, food stalls are available as is, face painting for people of all ages.
I thought I'd begin this blog with a digital image and end with one also because, as my steemit friends who follow me will know.......I just can't resist 'Doing Digital!'
The volume is amping up. Car parks are getting full. I give them a little more time to tune up, then I slip, slop and slap (Aussies will be familiar with this term) the suncreen lotion, don my sunhat and glasses, pack my camera and off I go. Two minutes later I merge into the crowd gathering on the grass and under trees, sun umbrellas and gazebos, and then the fun starts.
I walk down the ramp towards the beach and as you can see, the sun is shining and it is a perfect day for a Music Festival.
The shady spots are becoming hard to find, but as this is event lasts for a few hours many people come early, have a swim, play soccer on the beach, cricket on the lawn or make use of one of the many barbeque facilities scattered around the park.
The 'Boat Shed' is a just across the road from the waterfront and this couple obviously believe that fish n chips is the ideal lunch to have at the beach whilst listening to the music and watching the activity happening all around them. I can personally vouch for the quality of their meals although I haven't been there for ages. Perhaps it's time to rectify that situation......but NOT while there is a Music Festival in full swing and my camera is fitting snugly in my hand, with a full battery, her lens cap off and ready to do her job.
It was a very hot day but the closer you got to the beach, the better the breeze was, as this group will probably tell you.
A musician checks his drums prior to his performance which is coming up soon. Throughout the afternoon their gigs are shared by about four groups, so the crowd enjoy an eclectic variety of music.
What do you think of this beautiful drum? She sparkles like the teal sea in Moreton Bay just behind her. The ocean provides a superbly inviting backdrop to this event.
Meet Jason and Jason. No.......this isn't a test to see if you are concentrating. And the beautiful girl's Christian name isn't Jason......like her brother, but being siblings, of course they share the same surname. Hence the name, Jason and Jason.
Jason Daniels, (singer/songwriter) and acustic pop artist from the Sunshine Coast, teamed up with his sister and together they created beautiful harmony and personally, I loved them. Their wide repertoire included catchy ballards, melodic folksong and country pop.
This drum set belongs to next artists.
This is Rick. I didn't catch his surname amongst the noise of the crowd but he also did a darn good job of entertaining all of us who had the pleaure of attending the festival.
There seemed to be a constant line up at the face painting tent. The fresh, young faces of dozens of little girls became the smooth, blemish free canvases for the artist who made their day with creative and colourful designs.
This little girl is too frightened to move in case the lady messes up her make up.
Here is a glimpse of the finished work of art. I think the smile on this girls face portrays exactly how she feels about her new look.
And whist I'm on the subject of creativity; I couldn't resist taking a shot at the long, blonde locks of this young woman.
Did I mention that the music was cool? This brave gentleman was the only one up and dancing for a while until he bribed his partner to join him on the grass covered dance floor to groove with him. Is that a can of 'dutch courage' in his hand?
His companion looked a little reluctant at first but very soon the pair of them put the couch (or cooch, in this instance) potatoes to shame by zoning out to all but themselves, and the music. I liked their style!
Just behind me, a young couple were enjoying a game of chess. I'm usually reserved by nature but when I really, really want to capture a photo, another 'me' walks up to my subjects and asks for permission to take a few shots. Generally, I receive a favourable response whch may have something to do with my trusting blue eyes and funky grey hair.
So, the deal was, I could take a few candid snaps and then enjoy their performance a little later in the day. That's what I call a 'Win, Win' situation. I win on both counts. (lol)
I asked who was winning and this image will provide the answer.
They happily posed for this photo and I really love it. So chilled and relaxed........ and very cute too. I couldn't wait to hear them sing. But I waited and waited, And it was getting hotter and hotter, and sadly I had to return home. Oh well.........there is always next month, when this live, music event will return for yet another, entertaining and enjoyable few hours.
So Rick, (the muso without a surname) and I, will say, 'Good-bye' for now. We hope to bring you another mix of talent at the same time, same place, four weeks from now. Cheers.
THANK YOU FOR VIEWING. HAVE A GREAT DAY.
