Arranmore

It is not everytime that you get to hear a band that is totally perfect.  Arranmore had a performance at the Schaumburg Town Square Library and all those present enjoyed the old songs which had an Irish touch to it.  The group takes its name from an island on the northwest coast of Ireland.

All the members of the band were in perfect sync and Brian (the band leader) kept it flowing smoothly.

The ambiance too was perfect, I mean I would rather listen to a band playing in open air like this, than in a closed hall.

It was poetic justice that the swan chose to swim into the frame while filming Kirk Rende on the keyboard (I am not sure if it was a swan or a Canada goose)

Rich Prezioso plays with such ease, I like his "When the last leaves fall" by Small Potatoes. If you listen to the words, it is so meaningful.

The mandolin speaks on its own and I waited for Dave to pick up his mandolin more often (not that he was bad with the guitar)

I specifically liked the song Wild Rover, where the audience were made to participate and they responded equally well with their synchronised clap

I liked the subtle joke made by Brian mentioning Jack performing in front of Mount Rushmore, and Jack accepted the joke with the humble smile of his. (I have added it in the video)

All the songs in the video are clipped to make space to fit in more songs.
  Hope to catch them again sometime in the future on their next performance.

Big Band Boom

What a perfect ambience for a relaxed evening. A live band next to a small lake with a few couples dancing to the classics of the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. 

Had been to the Schaumburg Town Square this Monday and enjoyed the wonderful performance by the Band known as the Big Band Boom.

I heard that they are a 17 piece group and from the way they were playing with ease, I am sure they have been around for a while. 

While scanning the audience, I noticed one gentleman enjoying the music as well as making sketches.  

On closer look I found that he was quickly making sketches of the performers. 

As the show was in progress, there was this small girl who was searching for her father. Announcements were made and soon the father was located. I liked the drum roll that was given as the father and the daughter ran to meet each other (you can see it in the video)

The crooner did a good job while shifting the song tempo with the advancement of every decade (If I am not mistaken, her name is Candace) 

It was good to see couples on the dance floor having a good time.

I always liked the box guitar (compared to the electric guitar) and was happy to see that these guys were using the box guitar

As the evening progressed, the setting sun gave the perfect golden light, which is a photographer’s delight.

Meanwhile the sketch kept progressing. 

On the whole an enjoyable evening. 

Pune Oktoberfest 2016

It is the third week of October and the Oktoberfest is over in Pune.  It is one opportunity where I get to click some good candid pictures, like this one - a special kiss: 

Or the one of this couple who were totally engrossed by the music belted out by the live band.

I tried to click this child enjoying a ride, but the parents spotted me and was quick with an appropriate smile. 

Conducted by the IGCC (Indo German Chamber of Commerce-Pune) it is held every year at the Pune Race Course premises.

Youngsters and the not the so young come for a swig and  to shake a leg: 

Some like to pose with the band while others are real quick in posing when they see that my camera is pointed at them (taking selfies has made them an expert in this field) 

In this video you can see how this guy below (in red tee shirt) got himself into this funny pose.  

Did make a few videos and uploaded them on You Tube, while some are on the FB site of Pune Oktoberfest.

If you are patient enough, you can get some profile pictures with a good dark background.

Space is the main constraint especially when it comes to dancing, and trying to capture some action in that crowd is not easy. 

Apart from the beer, there was a constant flow of some  good German food.

Earlier during the day, there was the horse race with some of the sponsors keen to see their horses win. 

At this enclosure, I saw this bell, probably hanging there from the British era. It may not be in use now, but I like the shine on it. 

Also saw this photographer catching a few winks while taking care of his gear too. 

Got some more footage of the dance and the band in action. Will link those videos here later, once I compile them. 

Oktoberfest in Pune India

I made it a point to attend the Oktoberfest this year. This is the sixth year that it is being held in Pune and I kept missing it for one reason or the other. It was a three day affair, held at the race course and conducted by the Indo-German Chambers of Commerce.

Having a ring side view of the horse race was an added privilege as that was a part of the Oktoberfest. (more on the horse race in the next post) 

In fact horse races in the presence of the Royal family (in 1810) marked the close of the event that was celebrated as a festival for the whole of Bavaria. The decision to repeat the horse races in the subsequent years gave rise to the tradition of the Oktoberfest. A painting of the horse race held in 1813. 

picture source wikipedia

  Coming back to Pune, the German band Die Sulmtaler was in attendance and I must say that they did a good job of keeping the crowd entertained.

Matthias was liberal with his smatter of Hindi “Maja aa raha hai?” 

Many had turned up in the Dirndls. 

Almost all hit the dance floor (or swayed with the music) 

The kids too had a gala time

There were photo opportunities for many

Some liked to be clicked 

but I found that the candid ones were better and had a natural appeal 

The second day being a Saturday, the dance floor was jam packed, so many decided to make do with the table top 

A special mention should be made about the beer and the German food. 

and the sale of the food coupons was brisk

Had the opportunity to witness the "tapping" of the beer keg. (and drank some beer directly from the keg)

The only thing that I found out of place were the plastic glasses.

I mean when you think of beer you always associate it with beer bottles or beer mugs 

Have compiled some videos with more photographs. 

Noticed that these videos were also uploaded at the PuneOktoberfest FB site.