Phoenix, Arizona - Scottish Highland Games

The Scottish Highland Games are held by the Caledonian Society of Arizona.  This year 2018 the event was held at Steele Indian School Park for two days in the beginning of March.  There were many food booths, entertainment, and "heavy athletics" with both women and men divisions.  The general idea is to throw the furthest, the highest, and carry the furthest.  Interesting event with a lot to see and eat.  And a note on parking for next year.  I drove around the park but there were no spaces.  Then I saw a sign that a free shuttle was running from Park Central and decided to go there.  You can also take the Metro Light Rail because it stops near the entrance to Steele Indian School Park.  $20 entrance fee for adults and then discounts for children, seniors and military.

This is a grouping of the practice for the women's events on throwing various items.

Kilt study.

This event involved carrying this huge pole the furthest.

 This is a swing it around then let it fly event.  Furthest wins, not the highest.

 Time to break out the Scottish attire for the weekend.

 Another "swing it and throw it" event with the participants queued waiting for their turn.

 This event was a hay barrel toss.  You make it over the bar, you go to the next round.

 Higher and higher the bar went.  Crazy!

It was a beautiful day and a fun event.  This was my first "Scottish Highland Games" and to those who were asking throughout the day via text messaging, no, I did not find Jamie.  (Outlander fan question).

Tempe, Arizona - Holi Festival of Colors

Holi is a Hindu spring festival celebrated in India and Nepal.  It is also known as the "Festival of Colors".  The festival signifies victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a way to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.

In recent years the festival has spread to Europe and North America (and Tempe!) as a spring celebration of love, frolic and colors.  [Source: wikipedia]

I was introduced to this festival by co-workers.  I was a little concerned about the powder and water with my camera, but Naran assured me that I would have a safe spot away from the elements with a good view of all of the action.  He was right!  It was fun to photograph and next year I would like to participate...right in the middle of it all. The big camera will need to stay at home and I will bring a water resistant point and shoot.  Look for artistic work from my efforts here as the colors and motions were beautiful.

Answers to questions that you may have.
1. It washes off and does not stain.  Given that, I still would bring cloths that could stand up to the colors.
2.  Ah, yes, you have to drive home afterwards. Clean clothes? blankets for the car?
3. My motivator is in one of the last photos. She had a scarf on her head and covered her hair. That is exactly what I need to do!


Global fun.  Boy chases girl. Girl chases boy.  You purchase bags of colored powder and toss them in the air, or at a specific person.

 A bubble machine added to the fun.

 The little boy in the blue shirt must be trying to figure out what is going on!

 Well into the spirit of the fun.  These three were having a blast.

 This girl is my motivation for participating next year.

 

Phoenix, Arizona - Matsuri - Oh The Costumes!

I expected to see traditional clothing, especially with those involved in shows.  I was not ready for the costuming outside of traditional. I have not kept up with what has been happening with the Japanese arts and the youth. or just youth.

I saw several people in animal costumes, hood and all (and it was in the high 70s so this wasn't to keep them warm).

 I finally stopped a young girl in a costume and asked her why people were in different types of costumes.  I guess that I implied that she was in a costume.  (She is pictured below in the blue and pink dress, walking away). She told me that this was how she dressed on the weekends and that she wasn't wearing a costume, but that she had selected this particular little dress because the fabric had an Asian-type print.  She went on to tell me that some may be in costume. I asked her about the animal costumes.  "Oh, those are 'fuzzies' (or did she call them Furries) and they just dress like that because they like to.  (My later novice research identifies this as Sweet Lolita.)

 Well, this is a bit weird for me.  And it was hot. So they are walking around in furry costumes at a festival and without getting paid.

 This guy took his head off so that the little girl would see that there was a person underneath.  Then mom wanted her to go stand by him so that she could take the picture. The little girl was not buying that, so mom gave the camera to someone else and they both walked over and stood by him.  (When MY son said NO...he meant it and there was no convincing him that it was a good idea.)

 This was cute and "in festival topic" but I thought that maybe she made up the hat design from a placement.

 I was scanning the crowd with camera in hand on full zoom and found these two.  Father and son on the weekend. And I thought that attending Saturday afternoon sports games was the way to bond. I guess that you go with what works best.

 This guy looked like he might be a performer. I got caught snapping his photo.  Maybe he isn't a performer...very cute and so serious.  Muscular forearms. Perhaps he is a taiko drummer?

 I don't know what this is all about but I cannot be a critic.  Long red wig, what fun.  A short skirt with a lacy top layer. Would if I could.  And the boots are a bit much but would add height and no one would mess with you. (Later note: My novice research identified this as "Gothic Lolita".)

 I wondered if these two were together. She is all in her lacy summer finest.  If the guy in the black shirt and jeans is with her, he has to be thinking something right about now. (My novice research later identified this as "Sweet Lolita".)

 Ah, another placemat hat.  I decided to search google for an explanation and can only find that this is a traditional rice straw hat.

 I wonder if she is a Steeler Fan?  (Is this Gothic Lolita?)

 This girl was very happy that I took her photo.

 I am not sure if this is Japanese or not but it was very cute on her.  Long trailing skirt in the back and short mini in the front.  I was not able to get the picture as they both looked at me funny.  (Well, don't dress to attract attention if you don't want the photo journalists snapping pics!) (I guess that this is Sweet Lolita, although I do expect more pastels.  If you can identify, please add in the comments without beating me up because I am a novice at identifying this.)

 The colored wigs are a quick change-up that you keep in your backpack so that you can go in to weekend mode in an instant.

 What a mixture of things.  Pink wig on the left, dinosaur horns on a girl dressed in a flannel shirt, and she is with her straw hat and pink umbrella friend.  I don't know the characters that these costumes represent but find them very interesting.  Excuse my ignorance.

 My last one, caught as they were walking away.  (I guess this is Gothic Lolita?)

I was dressed in blue slacks with a slightly glittery bronze top and a brown sweater.  I did put on some glitzy eyeshadow, but it was likely worn off by this time.  It was easy for me to blend in.  ;)

Phoenix, Arizona - Matsuri - A Doll Collection

I really don't know what to say about this except that it created quite a stir with the young people.  My guess from the "oh, look, these is mine" and "I don't have that one" that this is a collection of some sort.  I took the group photos and a few close-ups.  If you know what these are, please comment.

Phoenix, Arizona - Matsuri - Sushi Maker and Taiko Drums

Why doesn't "make your own sushi" appeal to me?  I really have no desire although I really like sushi at a restaurant.  Now that I have seen this little "sushi kit", perhaps I will change my mind.

 The man showed that this kit comes with two sizes of sushi forms

 You take out the size that you want (there are probably rules to this) and get your seaweed sheet.  Where does one buy a seaweed sheet?  Do they come in packs of 12? Probably not, since US is the only place left on earth that does not deal with things in groups of 10.  I did get a little distracted by the black and gold bowl with the red inside glaze.  VERY NICE!

 Everything lines up and you are good to go!  I am still not convinced that this is something that I want to do.  I seem to recall that my sister took a class in this.  It had to be her. Who else?

 I was then distracted (again) by the sound of the taiko drums and went to find the stage.  I love these performances, love the red.  Red clothes and drums.  It just doesn't get any better than this.

 I like the drama and the synchronization.

  Ohhh, and red lanterns.  Very cool.  I like all of this and my mind was drifting off on all of the possibilities of developing a new skill.

Of course, I was thrilled when I saw the sign advertising "Taiko Drums Classes Are here."  I will consider this!  I am sure that the neighbors will enjoy my practice sessions.