festival – Slow Shutter Speed

Remember when you were a kid armed with sidewalk chalk. What did you draw–hopscotch, pictures or other sidewalk games. Each year the City of Sacramento shuts down all the sidewalks around Fremont Park’s perimeter and divides them into “squares” that become artists’ canvases for the weekend.

Each “square” is sponsored by individuals, schools, non-profit organizations, or businesses. Sponsorship is a $250 donation for individuals or non-profits and $350 for for-profit businesses for a standard-size single “square.” There is also an option to choose a double-sized “square.” These sponsorship donations help to cover the cost of putting on the festival.

Chalk It Up! celebrates creativity, and for three days attracts people from all over the Sacramento area. Each year we go down to experience the fun, go through the vendors in the middle of the park and walk the perimeter.

This year, my photo buddies and I went very early on the second day hoping to find a great parking space and avoid the crowds. We did get a great parking space, but others had the same idea! And, the wind decided to make things difficult. The artists were busy fanning leaves off their pictures and many were mid way through their art pieces. While I did mind the wind, I enjoyed seeing how the concept became art pieces.

Some created chalk outlines and others worked from pictures.

The wind wasn’t the only problem, I put the wrong lens on my camera–55 to 200–instead of 18 to 55. Since my back injury, I carry my camera and one lens. So instead of walking close and bending into the pictures, I walked to the curb! So you’ll see mostly close-ups. Also, the sun was streaming through the trees, creating spots on the pictures. But I think the artistry is great.

These are my final picks out of many. I hope you can appreciate the effort that went into them. Until next year when hopefully there will be no wind and I’ll bring the right lens!

Four days of music, music and more. The more resulted in a pound weight gain! I wait all year for the brats, kettle corn, and ice cream: jazz, dixieland, rag, rock and country. What would you do at a music festival besides listen to wonderful music and eat fun food? Well, we work at the Sacramento Music Festival too.

Should I call listening to talented youth bands work? Probably not, except for the night we closed and our last band set ended at 11 p.m. That was too late for kids and seniors! Our venue is free for the public while most other venues are by paid admission only. So, our attendance varies between 50 and 70 people who come and go during the sets. Some youth bands have a strong following and attendance can go up to 90.

We enjoy working here because it’s a small venue with little clean up and the kids are great. In fact, some are equal to the professional bands we listened to. Many of the local youths are graduates of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society’s, sponsor of the festival, music camp. In fact, local professional musicians are involved with these young musicians and their musical education.

I also used this 4-day festival to practice photography. Each day, I had a particular goal in mind. Many times, you cannot do photography and enjoy the event. But, while I was shooting, I could still hear the music. And, the performers don’t mind having someone take their pictures.

Confession, we did not go in on Monday except to help tear down our venue. Yes, there is such a thing as too much music, music and more! This a 2-part post.