On August 4, my grandmother (who is in her late eighties but still very fit!) and I decided to go and see the sand sculptures in Blankenberge. It was already the fourth time this town at the Belgian coast organized the Sand Sculpture Festival, but we both never managed to go there, until now...
In spite of the current uncertain summer, we were very lucky since it was the sunniest day of the week. After a forty-minute-train-ride and a ten-minute-walk, we reached our goal. We wanted to have a drink first because we were quite thirsty, but we were so overwhelmed by the scenes we already saw, we started to walk across the different scenes immediately.
Before unveiling what there was to see, I should tell you something about the typical form of art, called carving, used at this festival. A sand sculpture, which is a construction of sand and water, is a form of art that was already known by the ancient Egyptians 4000 years B.C. The sand used for the sculptures on this festival came from a Belgian quarry in Mont-Saint-Guibert, a small village near the Ardennes. About 50 million years ago, the North Sea came as far as this area. Later on, the coastline retreated, by which the sand was no longer subjected to the tides and kept its angular grainy structure. Because of this shape, it is possible to make high, stable constructions: "one can make sculptures with cubes, but not with marbles".
Since this year Belgium exists 175 years, it was no surprise Belgium was the theme of the fourth edition of this festival. The themes in the previous years were Egypt, South America, and Italy.
Sculptors, also called carvers, from all over the world, arrived on June 3rd in Blankenberge to execute the enormous task to represent Belgium. Supplied with heaps of information and pictures, they spent at least 10 hours a day in the huge "sand-pit" (more than 37 million kilos of sand was used).
In the Royal Palace, which was indoors, each Belgian king took you with him through the period he reigned over the country. Outside, all Belgian provinces were represented. The scenes were constructed in pursuance of a story, legend, myth, event or joke. Further on, there were thematic angles of incidence, such as "typical Belgium", "Belgians on the road", "Burgundian Belgium", "Belgium and music", and "Belgium and fashion". The Flemish lion and Walloon cock observed the entire scene.
In the "gallery"-part of this website you find some pictures I took that day. At the website of the Sand Sculpture Festival www.sculpta.be you can find pictures of this and previous years, and more information concerning the festival.
Those who plan a trip to Belgium before August 28th this year or next summer, should reserve some time for this festival. You won't regret it!
Back in 2005, Denver's number one "jamband", Polytoxic, wanted to put on a show that could showcase all the great local musicians they had been playing with for the past few years. They decided to re-enact The Band's "The Last Waltz", a concert film by Martin Scorsese from 1978 of The Band's last performance that included all of that era's greatest musicians - Eric Clapton, Dr John, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, etc. The show was held at Dulcinea's in Denver's Capitol Hill area on May 25, 2005, and Polytoxic planned on it being a fun little show that would garner a little bit of interest. It sold out in minutes, surprising band and fans alike, and became the biggest show they had ever thrown. So big, in fact, they decided to do it again in 2005, this time on the night before Thanksgiving at Cervante's Masterpiece Ballroom.
Polytoxic's "The Last Waltz Revisited" immediately went from a "fun little" idea at a small venue to their biggest event of the year. It has become an annual event, playing to capacity crowds. This year marks the 6th anniversary of their "Last Waltz Revisited", and it boasts over 40 guest musicians from across Colorado, a full horn section, and over 30 songs from The Bands extensive catalog, focusing primarily on songs played at The Last Waltz. It has become a tradition for many of those involved in the show, as well as for many of the people that come out and see the show year after year. This year we have Buck Perigo opening the show at 9:00, performing Woody Guthrie’s entire “Alice’s Restaurant”.
Like a Super Nova burning bright in the night sky comes Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. Based out of San Diego, KDTU began its journey in 1998 after bandleader Karl Denson decided to change gears five years after he’d help create The Greyboy Allstars. GBA had proven themselves as the ultimate party band, spreading their “West Coast Boogaloo” style all over the world, making “Jazz” a dance term once again. Karl set out to take this formula to the next level by putting more emphasis on vocals and adding some funk, r&b and hip hop elements. It turned out to be a winning combination which set KDTU on the top of the heap in the touring world from 1999 through 2005. In 2005 Karl decided to get back to his roots and work in a smaller jazzier setting. During 2006 and 2007 Karl led KD3, a trio configuration featuring Sax, Organ and Drums. This led to the 2007 release of KD3’s “Lunar Orbit”, an album which was a great critical success. In 2008, Karl rejoined his former boss Lenny Kravitz and spent the year country hopping through Europe and North America. In 2009 Karl went back into the studio and conjured up what is being hailed as the most soulful KDTU adventure yet, “Brother’s Keeper” which was released Sept 15th, 2009.
Back to life, back to reality. It's always like that after a vacation, but coming home after a week at Burning Man is a wee bit different. I returned to my 9-5 job to wiggle my way through the inevitable question "where did you go on your vacation?". To some it was "a roadtrip with my girlfriends", to others "camping in the desert"
Mickey Hart is best known for his nearly three decades as an integral part of an extraordinary expedition into the soul and spirit of music, disguised as the rock and roll band the Grateful Dead. As half of the percussion tandem known as the Rhythm Devils, Mickey transcended the conventions of rock drumming. The extended polyrhythmic excursions were highlights of Grateful Dead shows, introducing the band's audience to an ever-growing arsenal of percussion instruments from around the world. 
Since forming in the fall of 2000, Particle has enjoyed a transcendental rise on the national music scene. Their trademark 'funktronic' sounds combine elements of electronica, funk, and high powered rock and roll. Particle's momentum has been unprecedented since their introduction to the live music world nearly five years ago. With the recent release of their debut studio record "Launchpad", which was named one of the Top Ten Records of 2004 by the Associated Press, the band is poised to reach new heights. Their most recent accomplishments include tours of Europe and Japan, as well as shows at Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo and Burning Man Music Festivals.
