Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Michael Thompson

Music in the Town Park Aurora, Aurora 150th Birthday Celebrations

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 17:19:55 +0000

I must confess again this is my first ‘appearance’ at the Town Park for the Music in the Park, June 30, 2013. There is always time for the first, and that was my first. There is nothing better than celebrating Aurora’s 150th birthday or other special occasions with a music.

For myself fun listening and fun photographing, and yes writing afterwards.

Aurora 150 Organizing Committee, Cllr Michael Thompson, Music In The Park

The Aurora 150 committee looked great in their blue shirts and did great job organizing and taking care of this event. When we, that is my husband and Matthew, arrived at the site, if I am not mistaken we were greeted by almost everyone at the gate.

Matthew sometimes wonders how come everyone knows him. When he will be older and starts reading my blog and the Facebook wall he will definitely find out why.

People In The Park, Music In The Park

Youth, Music In The Park, Town Park, Town of Aurora

Unfortunately we arrived a bit late for the 150 guitars playing performance. But I didn’t miss the following. I ended up photographing most of the bands that day. Primarily the ones organized by Pat Mete from MusicLynk York Region – The Bloody Five, littleSUNDAY and Blackdog Ballroom.

I couldn’t miss that opportunity as the light was perfect for the photo shoot. I was in the practice mode as well as I only did very little photographing of that kind. Light is always a challenge, but I found another one – photographing drummers.

Pat Mete, MusicLynk York Region, Music In The Park, Town Park, Aurora

Finally I also got to meet Pat Mete from MusicLynx York Region on that day, in person this time. We connected via social media first and I did photograph him by accident at one of the Town of Aurora Council meetings.

The Bloody Five, Music In The Park, Town Park, Town of Aurora

littleSunday, Music In The Park, Town Park, Town of Aurora

Blackdog Ballroom, Music In The Park, Town Park, Town of Aurora

Let’s talk about bands that played that day – The Bloody Five (perhaps five means something else and not number of band members), littleSUNDAY and Blackdog Ballroom. Spectacular performances. I am not fixated on the one particular music kind thus I really enjoyed their performances. Photo shooting to the music is always more fun.

If you click on the names you can view my galleries on my Facebook. Please connect if you want to see more.

Music In The Park, Town Park, Town of Aurora

I found also amazing how animated these guys are. Thus another small challenge capturing each band in action. Intriguing, but true, fashion was another element I loved capturing. The verdict, I just might introduce musicians to my portfolio.

Music In The Park, Town Park, Town of Aurora

The weather cooperated. It was hot on the sun, but breezy in the shade. Good crowd for the afternoon show, but I couldn’t believe how the park was filled for the evening shows. I noticed that bands also got lot of support from their family and friends, one way to attract people from out of town.

Music In The Park, Town Park, Town of Aurora

And here Lighthouse band was getting ready for the nine o’clock show. Click here for more photos on Facebook – People in the Park; Music in the Park

Lighthouse Band, Music In The Park, Town Park, Town of Aurora

The Tug of War, The Team Work & The Spirit of Aurora Celebrating 150th Birthday, Mayor’s Levee

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 01:21:00 +0000

No I didn’t forget. I have lot more to showcase, that is more pictures of the Mayor’s Levee from February 3rd, 2013 at the Town Park. Again, I probably took too many pictures, but how can I not. Everyone had great time children and adults, and volunteers.

I didn’t realize until after I processed these photos and how much these pictures show our community spirit, team work and fun. No doubt the attendance was low that day, but that does not mean much, as long those who organized and attended felt good about it. We were frozen to the bones when leaving, but before that everyone had fun.

So the gallery of photos showcases Tug of War that was set up for children. At some point adults took over.

You may ask who won on the end – they all were winners.

On the side note, there is lot of activity going on in our community now. I think year 2013 is not just Sesquicentennial year, but year of change and it will be all about the people in our community and how we will shape our community moving forward. Many may not like it, but accepting change is way to go.

Today, coincidentally, I came across Bill Hogg’s blog post about ‘Essential Elements When Framing Organizational Change‘. It is a post worth reading. Nothing really is new to me as I worked for corporate world before where changes happened all the time, and if you didn’t accept you didn’t fit. Resisting change is not very healthy, that much I can tell you

Well this concept does not apply just for organization – it applies for communities as well. Bringing more innovative ideas to the table is the key. Community involvement is another. The barriers must go down, otherwise, new ideas will flourish and those who resist change will not survive.

Colorful Aurora Farmers Market, When The Music Plays

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:55:11 +0000

The Taoist Tai Chi presentation in the park on Saturday at the Aurora Farmers Market was another hint that I should be going back soon to my Tai-Chi classes. I guess I got intercepted by flow of the positive energy thus got motivated – and I will be calling my teacher sometimes this week.

The weatherman called for thirty percent chance of rain that day – but not for that morning.

Taoist Tai Chi Lady

The market is a truly almost prefect place to visit. All we need a homemade lolly-pop stand and then it will be prefect. Kidding aside, we have great community here in Aurora and our weekly market caters everything (lolly pop or no lolly pop), even if it is just meeting your friends.

Just a year ago, I can tell you that we came to the market and spent an average 15-20 minutes – playing with Matthew at the playground and then heading for the popcorn. Because of this blog I met lot of people here in Aurora, just the same way we met lot of neighbours in the past four years on our street because of Matthew.

Matt Maddocks chatting with Diane Buchanan

It was a good day on the farmers market. Chatted a bit with Chris Watts who writes Temporary Sanity blog, then met with Matt and Deb. Briefly was introduced to Diane Buchanan from the Auroran, and on the way home I got to meet John Abel. I recognized few faces in the crowd as well – Councillor John Gallo and Councillor Michael Thompson.

Some of you already know about my little community blog project I started few months ago – the community FOCUS livinginaurora.com. Well so far so good and as anticipated. The content is growing, traffic is picking up and this is because of a few good contributors who regularly write about Aurora, and there will be more.

Note, everyone is welcome to write, anything Aurora related or if you Auroran you can write about Aurora and everything else. This site is great opportunity to be heard in the community.

If you have not met Matt Maddocks on the Aurora Farmers Market at the Town Park, you can meet him at the community FOCUS site. Matt writes regular column Point of Privilege on our community site where he touches on town’s political issues. He has also great appreciation for town’s culture and history.

Aurora Farmers Market, Town Park

Music in the park is a must. In my previous post I already wrote how hard it is to leave Aurora Farmers Market when the music plays. And speaking of music Councillor John Abel who also regularly writes can tell you all about amazing talent we have here in Aurora. You can read all about it in his latest post Music Scene in Aurora – Local Talent Showcase.

Town Park Musician

I never fail to take photos of the front door of the former Wells Street Public School even if it is blocked by the Aurora Farmers Market crowds. The school is going to be converted to lofts, one of a kind lofts here in Aurora. In the past I have written few posts about the school as I was allowed to go inside and photograph the building before conversion. I have one more post on the go this month to show you children’s art from the Wells Street school.

However, I am not the only one writing about the new lofts in town. On our community FOCUS blog site, Andrew Fogliato writes regularly on our Lifestyle focus page about real state market in the Town of Aurora. Andrew knows Aurora very well because he grew up here.

I know that some of my readers are not Aurorans, so if you are looking for an exciting place to live, a place like Aurora, Andrew will be the right person to meet and discuss your real state needs.

Former Wells Street Public School

What can I say. It was a very eventful day on Saturday.

A Young Bystander

Leaving Aurora Farmer’s Market

Click on the first image to view complete gallery of the photos shown below – vegetable accents, creative treats, millions of soaps, tasty popcorn-s, run away popcorn boy and more. Few more weeks and Aurora Farmers Market will be closing for the season. Enjoy.