August 27, 2010 
Toronto, ON

Home Sweetland Home. So happy to be back in the hood! No festivals this weekend. It's my mom's birthday so my folks are coming to town. Taking them to Julie's Cuban Restaurant tonight, my favourite little hidden romantic dinner spot. Peppery corn fritters with sour cream and spicy Sangria! Just sayin'. Will need to go for a run after dinner avec poodle ... to be sure.

I've so been enjoying the glory of my Toronto Corktown neighbourhood lately. Many strange alleyways and mysterious paths to plunder. I also happen to live across the street from Toronto's oldest surviving church. Which is so cool. Unless it's Sunday morning after a night of too much wine ... Ding dang dong. There are weddings every weekend right outside my window! I secretly like it. Watched the wedding party exit the church today with the cheering and the bubbles and the chartreuse bridesmaid dresses and the '57 Chevy "Just Married" escape car. All from my lofty perch. I was too far away to catch the bouquet, alas. But better luck next time ...

Somewhere above the Don River ...

More photos from my Tdot hood here!

August 22, 2010
Owen Sound, ON

Hola from the shores of beautiful Georgian Bay. Came up for the weekend to see my sweet gypsy road sister Darlene rock it at Summerfolk! It's been yet another wet weekend in festival-land but this time I came armed with red wellies and a polka-dot umbrella. Nothing can stop me now!  Had an adventurous eve hier soir at the Saturday night festival after-party ... Many thanks to Chuck & Albert for the lovely company, and of course - the step dancing lessons. Watch out world. Mama's got a new trick.

Backstage at Summerfolk ... more summer festival photos here!

August 15, 2010
Ear Falls, ON

I just crawled into a warm snuggly booth at the Hotel 105 Restaurant in Ear Falls. Came in from the elements to seek shelter and fill up on some local freshwater fish and chips! It’s been raining for two days straight and I have few a thing left not thoroughly sodden, or at least quite damp.  It was a wonderful wet weekend at Trout Forest Music Festival! The people were spectacular and Northern Ontario as magnificent as always. Played some amazing workshops with the delicious likes of Oh Susanna, Annabelle Chvostek and new friend/ damn fine songwriter Ben Spencer … Had a particular blast this afternoon singing with my dear pals from Digging Roots! Damn they rock. Soooo looking forward to our hotel room jam tonight. But now it’s time to find myself a hotel room of my own, where I will systematically and creatively hang up every piece of camping equipment graciously lent to me, and pray it dries by morning. Tomorrow I drive. Tuesday I fly. Home sweet Toronto, see you soon!

P.S. Photographic and video evidence of said adventures coming soon … Plus a brand new video for rootsmusic.ca! Stay tuned. x

At Troutfest ... More summer festival shots here

August 13, 2010 
Thunder Bay, ON

Good morning from the North Shore ... or the North Coast, as I've been calling it. I don't know why but I always end up having the best damn time in Thunder Bay.  Much credit goes to my beautiful host Jen Metcalfe and her magical oasis of a home. Played a Yarden concert here on Wednesday night, which turned into a house concert, by the grace of buckets o' water falling from the sky.  The lovely Annabelle Chvostek showed up just in time and we got in a great jam and spontaneous rehearsal for this weekend's Trout Forest Music Festival up in Ear Falls! Yesterday morning was all about Finnish Pancakes in our pancake holes at The Hoito. Obviously. Today I pack up, pedicure, buy beer and bid adieu to my internet connection for a while. Heading for the woods, where the music will be fine, the men handsome and the mosquitos kind (here's hoping.) Will report on Monday with tall tales, and photographic evidence.

Till then,

x

K

August 7, 2010
London, ON

Bonsoir from the depths of my late-night chambers ... It's Saturday and I'm at home watching tv. It's Errol Flynn night on TCM. I should probably get a life of something, but whatever. There's plenty of time for that. I'm back in L-town briefly for last night's family Friday night sushi, and to return the poodle I borrowed. She had lots of fun in Toronto. I head back to the city soon for rehearsals and suitcase packin'. Boarding a plane to Thunder Bay Wednesday for a mysterious Yarden party ... From there I head up to Ear Falls for Trout Forest Music Festival! There's sure to be trees and rocks and rocks and lakes, and probably beer in a can. And I'm seriously contemplating going fishing for the first time. Who's coming with?

x

K

August 4, 2010 
Toronto, ON

Mes Amis,

A million apologies for not being more in touch ... I will so make it up to you. Retroactive tales of Sweetland are coming soon! These tales involve, a giant tank, a mysterious barn, a massive guitar, a pleasure cruise, a sailor suit, a cherry pie and of course, a video camera.

In the meantime, feast your unsuspecting eyeballs upon my first video blog assignment for Roots Music Canada: Kristin Sweetland does Home County Folk Festival!

I've also posted some new shots from my Adventures in Sweetland eternal self-portrait series ... here.

See you soon,

x

K

 

Adventures in Sweetland ... more photos ici