Solstice + more baking

[sabotabby]

Last night, the_axel and I went to the Kensington Market Festival of Lights. Inexplicably, he'd never been before, and I hadn't been in about eight or nine years, so it was Necessary. It's a Solstice celebration and one of those weird, beloved Toronto traditions where you sort of wonder how this became a thing in the first place.

I was going to bring my camera, but at the last minute I was le tired, so all I have are crappy cell pictures. Still, you can see a little of what goes on there and why I adore it so:


As you walk through the streets, there are small groups of people doing fun things, like this clown kazoo orchestra regaling the crowds with Christmas carols.


Then comes the First Nations drumming, which I didn't get a picture of but trust me, it sounded amazing.

Then the sun comes and lights torches. There is also some fire-eating.


Then the parade itself begins, with giant puppets made by Red Pepper Spectacle Arts. Lots of birds and giant faces and several folks dress like the local wildlife. Here's a glorious pigeon:


I don't object to drumming; I object to bad drumming. This is good drumming.



There are shadow plays all down the street.


It typically ends in a Green Man sacrifice and a dance party, but we didn't make it that far this year, so I can only hope that it happened. As the sun did rise today eventually, whatever they did worked.


Today was my last teaching day of the year. Then I rushed home to finish up the Christmas baking to distribute to neighbours, co-workers, and friends tomorrow and this weekend.




I am too good and too pure for this sinful world.

I think I've posted the recipes for all but the cinnamon roll cookies. Here it is, if you're interested. (I just swapped Earth Balance for butter.) I don't recommend it, though; it's tricky, easy to over-knead, and it makes far fewer and takes much longer than the recipe claims. I may try a different version but honestly, if I'm going to do something that fiddly, I might as well make actual cinnamon rolls.

Comments

[resonant.livejournal.com]

Nice!

[sabotabby]

I was pretty proud of my efforts.

[smhwpf.livejournal.com]

That Festival of Lights looks awesome, why do more places not have this for Solstice?!

[sabotabby]

They very well might; this isn't a thing that's well-publicized here, though it draws a huge crowd every year and has been going on for 27.

But in general I've noticed an alarming reduction in giant puppets from the 2000s. Used to be that you'd go to a big demo and there'd be giant puppets. They seem to have disappeared but drumming circles haven't?

[rdi.livejournal.com]

I remember those puppets - there was usually a green man and supporting characters. I have some photos of them from sundry demos at City Hall ca 2003-2004.

[sabotabby]

They are amazing puppets. I didn't see the trash panda one; I hope it didn't fall apart.

[ironed_orchid]

Puppet maker burn out?

[sabotabby]

I think a lot of them may have left town because it's expensive to be an artist here.

But that's not an excuse for me. I should be making puppets.

[eyelid.livejournal.com]

We have a very similar parade/celebration here for May Day! (I think the solstice is too cold most of the time in our neck of the woods for reveling)

[sabotabby]

Oh, it's too cold here too, but we do it anyway.

[ironed_orchid]

That looks like an awesome parade/festival.

[sabotabby]

It is! I love it.