Oh, father of the four winds, fill my sails, across the sea of years..."

Kashmir by Led Zeppelin.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tTaOvzZKRxA
I spent much of the afternoon and early evening at sunfest again. I happened to come upon a friend, his wife and their young child, which was nice and we walked together for awhile. After they left, I found my way to where the music was playing. The first band I heard was called Ragleela (http://www.sunfest.on.ca/artists/20-.php) and they were great, their sound was very Middle Eastern with elements of psychedelia. It was tradition India and Pakistan music that I imagined was the type that had an influence on Led Zeppelin. Therefore the link above to their song Kashmir, a very unique part of India and a beautiful valley. Kashmir has its own colourful history (http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/basicfacts/basics.html).
"Walking in the park just the other day, baby, what do you, what do you think I saw? Crowds of people sitting on the grass with flowers in their hair........"
Misty Mountain Hop by Led Zeppelin.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hy0MLU5asxs
The next band to take the Centre Stage was called Le Vent Du Nord (http://www.sunfest.on.ca/artists/16-.php) and the crowd really enjoyed them. Performing their French, Irish, Native Canadian influenced music, with a very Celtic flavour, they had the crowd dancing jigs, joining hands and dancing around in one big group. It was really impressive to watch the crowd get into their music. When they were singing I had no idea what they were saying, I should really learn to speak French, it is a part of my country's uniqueness. But even if I didn't know what they were saying, the music had a feel to it. The crowd that formed for them was big and might have approached 1,000. The park was busier today than it was yesterday and it was warmer today than it was yesterday. I can feel the burn on my face and the back of my neck. It is sunfest after all and could possibly have been their most successful so far. It is among my favourite things to experience each year.
It is the diversity of this festival that always reminds me of my own diversity. The things that make me unique, the things that make this city unique and the things that make this country diverse. Music can unite us, for a few hours and for a few hours, we are all one.
jr.