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| Yes, this really is in Bannerman Park. Look at all those smiling faces. |
On Saturday August 29th, 2015 I got to see Bannerman Park
transformed into a riot of joy. In
one corner of the newly restored Victorian park there were happy people
bouncing off each other safely as they were encased in giant plastic balls like
hamsters. There was face painting,
fire twirling, a bouncy castle, a splash pad and a swimming pool going full
tilt. But animating it all were
the driving and alternating floating sounds of dance music. It had the feel-good ambiance of a
Woodstock music festival minus the drugs and alcohol. I danced for nearly three hours in the sunshine and shade
with strangers– from grandparents to kindergarten aged children. What made all this happen?
It was Neon Satori that was "rocking the house"
from 11 in the morning to 10 at night.
I credit the group for supplying feel good vibes that included all ages
and mammals in attendance as well as providing alternative activities like
painting on supplied canvas with brushes.
Others on the sidelines played Frisbee to the music.
After ten, the party moved to a downtown nightclub
called Levels, where I am told the after party lasted until 6 a.m. I can only speak first hand about the
park event where wave after wave of D.J.s took over the turn tables, sound
boards and speakers to create music that could be heard from one end of the
park to another–if the wind was blowing in the right direction. I smiled when I was speaking with staff
from the T.D. Bank who were handing out ice cold water and Italian soda for a
donation that went to Easter Seals when they said, "we wish we were closer
to the music".
One senior citizen commented to me that he had never seen so
many people in downtown St. John's happily together in one place. "Haven't heard a yell or a smack
all day".
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| The park's new splash pad. |
I think the City of St. John's should be congratulated for
organizing an event that brought together all genders and generations in a
relatively cost free event.
Everybody was there from Nan to the new baby and the family puppy. Some brought picnics, others fetched
pizza. You could buy a Beaver Tail
from the new kiosk. Maybe we could
invite Obama next time. (I still
remember how smitten he was with the Beaver Tails in Ottawa.) One young couple had returned from a
local Vietnamese restaurant with duck and noodles, which they generously shared
with me. We joked that you used to
have to go to a big city to get this kind of experience but not anymore. This summer I am staying home and
pretending I am a tourist.
More about Neon Satori: Neon Satori is a non-profit group of
like-minded people whose mission is to give people a fun, educational, exciting
experience that is alternative and different from what is being provided in the
clubs downtown. They focus on holistic health and well-being, alternative and new
music, showcasing local artists and creating an atmosphere where people of all
ages and walks of life can get together and act as a community of friends and
family.
Neon Satori focuses on responsible activities and looking out for each
other. They do not advocate any type of dangerous activity or getting “wasted”.
Responsibility is very important in setting a good example for newcomers to the
events. All acts, performances and
the time of the Neon Satori group is by volunteer. Donations are accepted at
the events in order to cover the overhead costs and to keep the ball rolling on
new and improved events for the community.
I say, "Amen to that!"
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