mark tonin

Thanks for the link to the pics Karin, your pervert! Peace, Mark

I felt that the discussion today didn't go nearly as far as it could/should have. Nicely done AD ... you articulated yourself well. Other festivals I've been too: Winnipeg Folk Festival - as the caller said, they seem to have it worked out. Blankets and short chairs only, with a dancing area. Definitely more of a folky festival though. Hillside - lots of blankets and sitting in the main stage area, but no lack of dancing and grooving around the tent stages. Chairs and sitting/standing has never seemed to be an issue when I've attended. Owen Sound Summerfolk - the lawn chairs drove me crazy. People set them up in the main stage area, and then leave them there all day as reserved seats. For some acts, there are more empty chairs than chairs with people in them. Gratefulfest - what's a reserved seat? Hopefully the lawn chair debate won't taint the festival too much, as Ottawa's Bluesfest really does have an incredible lineup of music. Peace, Mark

Just to clarify, I didn't groove on Zero's version of Franklin's Tower, but thoroughly enjoy the version that I heard earlier that day. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think Donna Jean was singing for both versions. Or maybe I was confused while listening to the music playing! Peace, Mark

I agree that I heard one too many versions of Franklin's Tower at the festival. Having said that, I remember really enjoying the slow, groovy version with Donna Jean singing. You know that you've had a great festival experience when the biggest complaint is hearing too many versions of Franklin's Tower over the course of the festival! Kanada Kev, thanks for the pics and videos, and that sound train was very cool! Peace, Mark

I caught the tail end of today's Ontario Today program on CBC Radio One, which airs weekdays from noon until 2 p.m. What really interested me was tomorrow's program (Wednesday), which will include a call in show about the "lawn chair debate" and people standing versus sitting at music festivals. Hopefully some people can call to give the pro-standing/dancing view. Velvet, I'm looking your way! Peace, Mark

We missed you in a big way KK! I had heard that you were actually there, so when I finally realized that you weren't I was very disappointed. I look forward to the next time we get to tear it up on the dance sand together! I remember seeing you dancing and grooving in a glowstick costume at Camp Wonderland, but was in no condition to match your moves at that point. Ditto on those two thoughts! I wish I had stopped by, but to be honest, there was just so much fun to be had that it was impossible to take it all in. Still glowing from the magic ... Peace, Mark

Gratefulfest ‘07 reminded me of so many things that I am grateful for. I cannot remember ever having a better time at a music festival than I did at Gratefulfest ‘07. What a brilliant combination of amazing music, natural landscape, and wonderful people. I’ve wanted to make it to this venue for the last few years, and am very glad that I finally made it happen. This festival captures the spirit of the Grateful Dead experience in many ways. Musically, Dark Star Orchestra got me to that magical musical place that made my emotions bubble like a pot of spicy chili left on the stove to simmer for a long time. Tears of joy, tears of sadness, smiles and laughs, psychedelic madness … I shiver as I sit here writing this. The Morning Dew mentioned by edger made me melt. I got to hear Brokedown Palace twice, once when it was played late night by the Zen Tricksters and friends, and once when it was played as the final song on the final night by DSO. Both times I was with Joni (mousepad) and memories of our beloved friend Marcel spilled from our hearts through our eyes. I’ve wanted to see Greyboy Allstars and Zero ever since tigger introduced me to both bands by giving me copies of live shows 5 or 6 years ago. Both bands did not disappoint … I had a blast dancing on the beach for the whole festival, and especially for those two bands. I wish that Kimock let it rip even more during the Zero set, but his guitar playing was still impressive and the rest of the band was great. Two bands I’d never heard of before that impressed the heck out of me were Cornmeal, a newgrass band that played an acoustic and an electric set, and The New Mastersounds, a funky, jazzy instrumental band from the UK. My favourite musician from the whole weekend was Rob Barraco. If I had a dollar for every time I looked up at the stage to see him smiling while “tinkling the ivories†I’d be a rich man. That guy is golden. In case anyone wonders … Donna Jean can sing! I enjoyed many other bands and musicians as well, and missed some that I’m sure were also great, but found that I needed/wanted to take a break from the stages from time to time to go for a swim (what a refreshing swimming hole!), wander around the vending areas and sample the tasty food and drink, and hang out at our campsite in the woods to visit with friends and play music. The music brings us together, and what an amazing collection of people came together for this festival! Joni (mousepad), I am so lucky to have you as a close friend. Thanks to both you and Robin for arriving early to the festival in order to secure such an amazing campsite. Talk about hospitality … I arrived at the festival and the tent that I sent down with Joni and Robin was already set up! Edger my friend, it was wonderful to be able to spend a bunch of quality time with you at the festival. Your insight, maturity and thoughtfulness amaze me. You are a beautiful person, inside and out, and your beauty lights up the people around you. Blair and Mud, what can I say? I love spending time with the two of you and it was so nice to be able to do it at this festival. When I think of the two of you I think of love and kindness and positive energy. Blair, thanks for sharing your song with me … that was special. As was the surfing dive onto the sand near the end of Zero’s set! Mud, it was very sweet hearing you sing and play. Blair and Mud, thanks for inviting Boss and Aubre to this festival, as it was a huge treat having them camped with us. I have heard lots positive things about the two of them over the last few years, and now I understand why … they are wonderful people to be around. Boss, thanks for the campfire music … wow! Karin and James, both of you rock! I loved hearing both of you sing and play, and thanks for the endless supply of bratwurst sausage! Chris, I don’t think that you visit this message board, but if you do, thanks for driving, for the conversation, for the friendship. Jelena, it was nice having you along for the convoy down to the festival and at the campsite. Captainsunshine, thanks for sharing that wonderfully infectious positive dancing energy … I had a blast dancing with you! I’m running out of steam here but also need to say thanks to Tigger, Becky, Baj, Rich, Steve from Cleveland, Chandler, Jen & Swifty & family, Kanada Kev & family, Sarahbelle and Hippyrastachild for the conversation, laughs, dances, and/or feel good vibes that were shared. I hope that I didn’t forget anybody! I didn't take any pics, so I'm begging the rest of you to share pictures ... please ... pretty please! What a frickin’ blast!!! Peace, Mark

Hey Fisty, Do you know if grocery stores will be open if we want to buy some food/fruit/snacks before we head in to the festival? Looking forward to having a blast! Peace, Mark

Yes, which is more to the theme of this thread. Peace, Mark

I agree with and accept what you are saying phishtaper. What I can't get my head around is racism to such an extreme that it leads to torture, murder, and genocide. Peace, Mark

I'm in for this idea! ! Peace, Mark

Racism to the extreme just blows me away. Unbelieveable. Then again, we live in a world where genocide still exists. I shake my head in disbelief. Peace, Mark

Kanada Kev, this is good, as I was afraid that you'd have a very good idea about when and where we've met, and that I'd have no idea. I'm glad we're both in the same boat! Looking forward to Gratefulfest in a big way, and hoping to meet you so that the next time I do have some idea instead of no idea! Peace, Mark

Huge get well wishes and vibes to Mark Karan. I just checked Kimock's web site and it looks like he is still scheduled to play with Zero at Gratefulfest, as that date is sandwiched in between two Ratdog dates. That makes me very happy, as I love Kimock's playing and am stoked to hear him at Gratefulfest. Peace, Mark

The thought of partying with some crazy American chicks has me feeling a bit craaazzzyyy! CS, I'm not really sure what to expect with our dance off, but if it means that I get to dance up a storm with you, I'm sure it's going to be loads of fun! Kananda Kev, I'm sure that we must have connected before, but for some reason I am totally drawing a blank. Have we met before? My apologies in advance if that should be obvious! In any event, I look forward to meeting you (again). I'm hoping that we all end up camped with or near each other, but if not, I am certain that we will spend some time swimming, dancing, and partying together! Peace, Mark

Once again Velvet you make me laugh! I have a hard time sleeping in, no matter how late I've been up. But I do love a good afternoon nap when I can squeeze one in. Peace, Mark

Yep, this lucky bugger is headin' to Gratefulfest! Peace, Mark

Wishin' I was at this one, as I'm sure it's going to be amazing. Looking forward to reading some comments/reviews about the show. Peace, Mark

I'm very excited to be heading to Gratefulfest this year. OK, that was definitely an understatement. Wow, it's hard to believe that it's next week! Peace, Mark

Hey Mark, Nice to see you posting on this board! I remember you mentioning something to me about this idea last year when we were talking. It sounds like a great time. I wish I could make it, but the long weekend is already booked. Peace, Mark

Managed to do some detective work and track down a ticket (from a teacher-friend who volunteers at the Perimeter Institute) for the Waterloo show. Thanks for the heads up on this! Peace, Mark

What an incedibly brilliant day! I felt honoured to be invited to both the ceremony and the reception. The steam whistle train ride to and from Wakefield, and the ceremony in Wakefield, were amazing. Mike and Sharon both looked extremely happy ... the pictures speak to that. Velvet did a superb job as the officiant ... the perfect combination of humour and seriousness ... lots of laughs, lots of goose-bumps and tears. The ceremony was a blast! Great food, great people, and I finally got to see/hear Kevin Breit & Sisters Euclid live and understand what all of the hype is about. Wow! The sound quality was also excellent, and although Kevin Breit said something like "by now you've probably guessed that we're not a wedding band," I thought that they were a great wedding band and did lots of things to acknowledge Sharon & Mike. Plus I was extremely impressed with the fact that they played a few songs for the kids at the wedding, who were tearing it up on the dance floor. What a great weekend! It was so nice to re-establish connections with some skanks who I haven't seen in a long time, and to meet some new ones. Huge hugs and lots of love to the bride and groom, Mark

Here's part of an email that I got from Lucas Stagg about the show: 'THE STARS HERE' CD RELEASE PARTY THURSDAY, JUNE 14TH - THE STARLIGHT - 47 KING N., UPTOWN WATERLOO 10:00 PM - THE LUCAS STAGG BAND - "HEY! THAT'S ME" Jesse Aultman - Stratocaster / Marcy Dwyer - Angels / Scott Wicken - Bass / Andy Miller - Drums 11:00 PM - THE STARS HERE PRESENT 'FITZCARRALDO' - Their smokin' new Rock N' Roll CD! Hope you can get Friday off! ---------- Peace, Mark

:) Karin and James, nice to read that you will be there! Peace, Mark