Agent Will

I tried to post from my phone on Wednesday but something clearly went amiss in the intertubes and it never got put up.  In any case, my post was a status update from the cheap seats of Vanier Park, my new and favourite place to watch the summer spectacular that is the HSBC Celebration of Light fireworks show.

That’s a pretty good name for it (though I’m partial to the old name “Symphony of Fire” which was sponsored by a tobacco firm back in the day in Toronto).  It is a celebration.  A celebration of community, of life, of all that is beautiful in Vancouver and that includes blowing big things up and setting off car alarms with the thunder that accompanies those attractive ammunitions.  As my daughter, who isn’t even two years old, said “I like the boom.”

In years past, when we lived in the West End, we would just walk down to English Bay and grab a spot on the grass near the entrance of the park.  Note to those heading down looking for a spot, this area is one of the most comfortable and least crowded areas.  We would get there around fifteen minutes before the show would start and would have no trouble at all getting a flat piece of turf to park ourselves on.  There were other families around us and none of the less desirable elements that are generally found on the beach area.  Getting home was a breeze as we just walked down Gilford and watched the hordes make their way back home (almost as much fun as the show itself, I mean, the city estimates over 300,000 people show up each night with more on the Saturday shows).

Now that we no longer live in the West End getting down is a little more difficult.  Thankfully we have the best setting for the show with view points stretching from Stanley Park, along Burrard Bridge, and over to the South of Kitsilano and Point Grey.  So now we can just park the car (for free!) at my TRG Realty offices on 4th Ave. and walk down to Kits Beach.

That’s what we did this past Wednesday when Canada put on a show inspired by Godzilla.  Sitting on a fairly flat piece of turf behind the Maritime Museum we had a great view of everything.  Around us were couples, families, and small parties (BBQing some pretty good food from the smell of it).  There was a lot of space and the atmosphere was jovial.  There were no rowdies or, and this surprised me, smokers.  It was a terrific spot to watch the show from.

And how was the show?  Very good.  Not the best I’ve seen but in the top 10.  The best would have to go to the show Sweden put on in 2004, in my opinion.  All the same, watching one of these shows demands you pay attention.  This is not your neighbour setting off a few rockets in the backyard.  No, you need to pay attention to the music and how the fireworks accompany and compliment those selections.  Timing is crucial as is the creativity and use of the stage.  Canada had their timing down beautifully right from the open with the percussion matching the explosions.  And then there was one movement they had that particularly impressed with the fireworks going higher and getting progressively larger as they reached a crescendo of that piece.  As far as using the stage, you have to understand that while these roughly 17,000 flowers of fire (actually, the Japanese call fire works “Hanabi” which translates to that term) are launched from two barges in English Bay you will quickly realize that innovation has led us to no longer constrain ourselves within those confines.  For the past few years they have been launcing these floating firworks which then erupt out of the water some thirty plus yards from the barges.  That is what I mean by using the stage.  The music is your inspiration.  The firworks are your brush.   And all of the bay and the sky are your canvas.

Tonight, Saturday July 26th, the USA goes with a piece inspired by Love (expect to see heart shaped fireworks).  Next Wednesday, July 30th, China goes with a piece inspired by the Olympics.  Next Saturday, August 2nd, is the finale when all three countries will take part with the winner getting showcased.

A whole lot more information is available at at the site including the set list of music, background information on the individual producers, and the ability to vote for which country you think did the best. (link: click here)