These clips captured performing artist ‘Cool Breeze’ (AKA: Connie Bunyer) of Olympia @ Farmers Market on 9–14-18 a little after noon during her set onstage.
Connie had charming stage demeanor, a pretty face, a nice stage getup, a strong voice that hit the notes in the standards she chose to perform accompanied by her ukulele and accordion. She had good rhythm, but was a little weak on the fingering…plus she admittedly knew no Cajun tunes for the squeeze box.
The audience was sparse but loved and tipped her generously. It’s always tough for a solo artist to hold the audience’s attention. Her best styles mimicked a french chanteuse and Latina. AND…she has sea tales!
You can call for bookings @ (360)591-8407.
Music Samples: conniebunyer.blogspot.com
cbunyer@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/conniebunyer
Oympia, WA (9-11-18) -Yvonne McDonald, 56, was found unconscious on Division Street Northwest on Aug. 7, 2018. Her murder remains unsolved and Olympia residents have begun to protest the slow pace of the investigation into the crime, suggesting the murder of a black woman is receiving a lower priority than the hunt for the area’s serial cat killer.
The NO ON ‘MISSING MIDDLE’ neighborhood advocates hostile to massive zoning changes showed up at Tuesday’s City Council meeting in force, as did supporters of Yvonne’s grieving family. Their heartfelt pleas telling the Council of the emotional trauma her family continued to endure over her unsolved murder brought many listeners to tears.
The hearing room was maxed out, as was the lobby and even the large outdoor entry portico to city hall. Cee Davis, a current candidate running for 22nd District State Representative arrived too late to hear the testimony which had provoked so many tears. His inadvertent but inherent flippancy caused a stir and confrontation wherein threats were made against his person. He is running as a fiscal conservative, advocate for private property rights, and Constitutionalist focused on the issues rather than identity politics.
The Missing Middle opponents appeared to lose ground as the Council racked up a plethora of votes clearing the way for ultimate passage of the extensive zoning changes which would allow for profound fundamental changes to long established neighborhoods by permitting increased urbanization and housing density as a ‘solution’ to lack of affordable housing within the city limits.
The Council’s attention was not drawn to the failing public bathroom policy within the municipality, nor with much effect to the need of shelter or a lawful place for the homeless to sleep–many of whom showed up to participate in the street protest outside alongf with a faction of @narchists. Enforcement of the municipal ordinances criminalizing homelessness within the city appeared to be on hold while its attorneys sorted out the limits imposed by a recent 9th Circuit decision ruling holding such ordinances in the face of viable alternatives (NOT to include faith based exclusionary ones!) were UNCONSTITUTIONAL, and therefore barred.
A number of old faces were seen at the rally, along with many new and fresh ones, including Peter Bohmer, Arthur West, Kirsten, Food-Not-Bombs organizers, Noah (an articulate young man), Phoenix, Joshua, and the ever-changing assortment of young feckless @narchists. Moses, unfortunately, wasn’t in attendance. A number of Antifa disciples, however, were in their ever vigilant hunt for Nazis, even the closeted or imaginary ones. A soliloquy was offered to one such, a diminutive teen girl inquiring why she had overheard the word Jews and Nazis in the same sentence, then seen reporting back to her companions. The example of the ACLU successfully defending the legal right of the American Nazi Party to receive a parade permit in Skokie, Ill. (where many jewish Holocaust survivors had settled after WWII) on 1st Amendment grounds was cited as a notable instance of defending someone’s right to express their views, no matter how repugnant, was NOT tantamount to agreeing with them. The girl seemed faintly satisfied or perhaps faintly disappointed. It surely wasn’t nearly as exciting an exchange or likely to produce street credits as beating up an alleged/suspected Nazi. In America, gratuitous Nazi witch hunts serve as substitutes for post soccer match European hooliganism and mosh pits.
Pete Bohmer, TESC prof
Arthur West
A rally protesting Olympia’s criminalization of the homeless and the locking up of the downtown public Artesian park.
Shelton, WA (9-5-18)–Waking to the deep thumping of helicopter rotors and the acrid smell of wood smoke served as notice there was a forest fire underway in the upper reaches of the parched Skokomish Valley today. A passing Simpson Timber employee declared they had the blaze ‘under control’. Judging from the smoke, it must have been under 50 acres–annoying but nowhere near the calamity of larger nearby fires in the Olympic National Forest that had burned for weeks with little relief in sight.
The aircraft was seen taking on water from the headwaters of Swift creek. There was no information online at this time giving more details.
It was the last of the lazy hazy crazy days of summer in Olympia for 2018.
Smooth Chicken, a Motown, R&B, Blues, Funk & Rock band led off on a pleasantly sunny Saturday presented on a clean lush green lawn with many beautiful dancing children and manicured dogs.
(www.thesmoothchickenband.com)
Next on deck was the Budd Bay Shanty Sing of Olympia, WA.
They meet the first Sunday of the month, 7 to 9 pm’; in the winter, the venue is at Mercato Ristorante, 111 Market St. NE. In the summer they gather to sing at the Boston Harbor Marina.
Rounding out the evening was Pumphouse, a classic rock band with Julia Wilson as their young beautiful lead singer who had a stellar steel belted voice.
Terry Brodsky was on drums, Steve Marzepa on keyboard, Ed Hess on bass guitar, Bill Seibold on guitar, and Wayne Vertheen on guitar/vocals. The group is out of Olympia and Lacey.
It was the last of the lazy hazy crazy days of summer in Olympia for 2018. Mukana Marimba plays lively melodies and intricate rhythms in the tradition of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, Africa. The music is played on a set of seven wooden marimbas (xylophones) of various sizes, from small higher pitched sopranos that carry the melodies, to a huge booming bass that keeps the rhythm. The beautiful melodies and complex rhythms of the music are captivating – this music makes people smile and want to tap their toes or dance. The unusual instruments and the high energy of the players makes Mukana fun to watch as well as to hear. Mukana hails from Olympia, Washington, and has enjoyed playing music and performing together since 1998.
The summer Bon Odori festival has been celebrated in Japan for at least 13 centuries. Originally a Buddhist celebration, Bon is also celebrated in more or less secular form in many American communities, chiefly on the west coast and in Hawaii.
Our Bon Odori celebration is in its 33rd and, perhaps, last year. Originally, BON refers to the Buddhist observance of O-BON, a time when the souls of our ancestors visit their living descendants. They are greeted with song and dance — ODORI is the dance celebration, traditional folk dances joined in by the living and their departed ancestors in joy and celebration.
The dance steps depict human activities, like mining, or fishing, and the beauty of beloved landscapes. The dances are composed of simple, repetitive motions, easily learned — all are invited to participate in the celebration.
A generation in Olympia has grown up with this tradition helping them track the passage of time and connecting with those who came before.
This year we honor those who came before us in the community, including the Sato family, the Uminos, Liddells, Owadas, Matsumotos, and many more. Gassho.
Schedule
5:00 pm SALES & FOOD BOOTHS OPEN
PRE-DANCE COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATIONS introduced by M.C. Aaron Owado
5:30 – 5:50 pm Aikido of Olympia
6:00 – 6:15 pm Karate: Pacific NW Ryuhou Kan Dojo
6:15 – 6:55 pm Okinawa Kenjin Kai Taiko
7:00 pm FORMAL GREETINGS Reiko Callner, Olympia JACL
7:05 pm DANCING BEGINS – ALL JOIN IN
Mikokoro Ondo — prayer dance
Tanko Bushi — coal miner’s dance
Hanano Bon Odori — flower dance with fans
Oyama Ondo — hand dance
Sakura Ondo — Sakura Ondo — cherry blossom dance
Shiawase Samba — samba style dance
7:45 pm BREAK — NORTHWEST TAIKO concert
Soran Bush — fisherman’s dance
Hiroshima Ondo — dance from Hiroshima
Gosho Ondo — Meiji era dance
Yashiro Ondo — sister city dance
Samisen Slide — line dance with tanegui
Hanabi Ondo — fireworks song with lit rings
9:00 pm Luminary Peace Procession and song
Domo Arigato!!!
Dancers from Tacoma, White River, and Seattle
Procession of the Species Art Studio
Lincoln Options
Pacific Stage
Our many wonderful volunteers
Whether we can continue this event in the future really depends on whether we can muster enough financial and volunteer support. To help, please go to our Facebook page, “JACL Olympia” i.e. facebook.com/JACLOlympia/ or donate at gofundme.com/xqwvh9-olympia-bon-odori-fundraiser
The summer Bon Odori festival has been celebrated in Japan for at least 13 centuries. Originally a Buddhist celebration, Bon is also celebrated in more or less secular form in many American communities, chiefly on the west coast and in Hawaii.
Our Bon Odori celebration is in its 33rd and, perhaps, last year. Originally, BON refers to the Buddhist observance of O-BON, a time when the souls of our ancestors visit their living descendants. They are greeted with song and dance — ODORI is the dance celebration, traditional folk dances joined in by the living and their departed ancestors in joy and celebration.
The dance steps depict human activities, like mining, or fishing, and the beauty of beloved landscapes. The dances are composed of simple, repetitive motions, easily learned — all are invited to participate in the celebration.
A generation in Olympia has grown up with this tradition helping them track the passage of time and connecting with those who came before.
This year we honor those who came before us in the community, including the Sato family, the Uminos, Liddells, Owadas, Matsumotos, and many more. Gassho.
Schedule
5:00 pm SALES & FOOD BOOTHS OPEN
PRE-DANCE COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATIONS introduced by M.C. Aaron Owado
5:30 – 5:50 pm Aikido of Olympia
6:00 – 6:15 pm Karate: Pacific NW Ryuhou Kan Dojo
6:15 – 6:55 pm Okinawa Kenjin Kai Taiko
7:00 pm FORMAL GREETINGS Reiko Callner, Olympia JACL
7:05 pm DANCING BEGINS – ALL JOIN IN
Mikokoro Ondo — prayer dance
Tanko Bushi — coal miner’s dance
Hanano Bon Odori — flower dance with fans
Oyama Ondo — hand dance
Sakura Ondo — Sakura Ondo — cherry blossom dance
Shiawase Samba — samba style dance
7:45 pm BREAK — NORTHWEST TAIKO concert
Soran Bush — fisherman’s dance
Hiroshima Ondo — dance from Hiroshima
Gosho Ondo — Meiji era dance
Yashiro Ondo — sister city dance
Samisen Slide — line dance with tanegui
Hanabi Ondo — fireworks song with lit rings
9:00 pm Luminary Peace Procession and song
Domo Arigato!!!
Dancers from Tacoma, White River, and Seattle
Procession of the Species Art Studio
Lincoln Options
Pacific Stage
Our many wonderful volunteers
Whether we can continue this event in the future really depends on whether we can muster enough financial and volunteer support. To help, please go to our Facebook page, “JACL Olympia” i.e. facebook.com/JACLOlympia/ or donate at gofundme.com/xqwvh9-olympia-bon-odori-fundraiser
