Hamilton's Mardi Gras This Weekend

Since online traffic is light due to summer vacation, I'm going to lighten my posts so I can concentrate on some essays that will be posted here in the coming few weeks. I may even head out of town for awhile.

I wasn't going to make it a habit to post local events but I will for this one. If anyone happens to be in Hamilton this weekend, it's the 4th Annual Mardi Gras at Bayfront Park (the guys at the Harbourfront Trust have done a fine job of rehabilitating Hamilton's waterfront).

The Mardi Gras parade will start about 11am and end around 4 pm. The parade ends where the Soca music and other sights begin. The parade route goes up James Street North towards Pier 8. This area is called 'Jamesville' or 'Little Portugal', a great place to eat Portuguese food and for those architecture afficionados, buildings with character (and not so much character, but that's why we like the place).

If you choose to check out the parade in Jamesville, have a look at the many art galleries that are popping up (at least 6 making it a destination spot here). Hamilton is being chosen by artists as real estate or rent in Toronto is too high for us to afford. If you are in Jamesville, check out the You Me Gallery (if open - he might be on vacation).

If your into 'Art-as-Investment' (which I strongly recommend) the You Me Gallery has an electic collection of original modern art from local and not-so-local artists. My 'Lumen' series is sold exclusively there. Our artists are a bunch to look out for as Hamilton becomes a place for Hollywood producers to shoot films. The City is currently negotiating use of our downtown in a picture for September 2005. Sorry, don't recall the name!

Have a good weekend!