A Joyful Noise: The Kokopelli Choir Association

I never fail to be moved at a Kokopelli Choir Association concert.

Whether the choristers are singing traditional African songs, gospel, or contemporary compositions, the four Kokopelli choirs deliver a passionate performance. In addition to the namesake Kokopelli choir, Oran, Shumayela, and Kikimasu round out the Edmonton-based youth and young adult choral ensemble.

The choirs hold you spellbound as they integrate movement and occasional use of instruments with their powerful vocal arrangements. At times, the choristers leave the stage and surround the audience in a cocoon of harmony. It is an experience like no other.

Attend Kokopelli’s next concert and experience singing for the pure joy of it.

Go for Gold in Calgary

For those of you watching the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and thinking how cool it would be to try some of the more daring winter sports, I have a tip for you. You can live your Olympic dream at the venues from the 1988 Olympics in Calgary.

Canada Olympic Park, site of the 1988 bobsleigh and luge events, offers the public a chance to experience the course that many Olympic athletes compete and train on.

For an insanely adventurous experience, try the luge. A skilled luge athlete will teach you the finer points of propelling yourself down an icy track and then let you give it a try.

If you prefer someone else to be in the driver’s seat, hop in the bobsleigh. A professional driver will pilot you down the course at speeds of up to 120 km/hr.

Icons of the Prairies

The news that a historic grain elevator in Fleming, Saskatchewan was destroyed by fire this week made me wonder if Alberta has any iconic wooden grain elevators still around.

We do. And here is a list of communities with restored grain elevators that are now museums and/or are open for people to explore:

• Acadia Valley
• Alberta Central Railway Museum (near Wetaskiwin)
• Andrew
• Big Valley
• Heritage Park in Calgary
• Castor
• Heritage Acres Farm Museum (near Pincher Creek)
• Leduc
• Lougheed - Iron Creek Museum
• Mayerthorpe
• Meeting Creek
• Nanton - Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Center
• Paradise Valley (near Wainwright) Climb Through Time Museum
• Radway
• Rowley
• Scandia
• St. Albert
• Stettler
• Spruce Grove
• Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village (near Edmonton)

Read the CBC news story about the Fleming, SK elevator.