Tom Power from CBC Two's Deep Roots | Photo: Colin Peddle

When Tom Power from CBC Two’s Deep Roots is on hand, you know you’re in for a show.

Last night at the Majestic was a big tick in my life box — a big ‘yes that was a good day’. Alex Cuba’s style and showmanship was astounding and surprising to say the least. My ears were smiling throughout the entire show and my I’m fairly certain if the Dos Equis Guy had a best friend, it could only be Mr. Cuba.

The show opened with The Dogberries performing their brand of contemporary jazz with a hint of folk. I must admit, they too were very pleasing on the ears and their clean style kept the Cuba awaiting audience very happy.

The Dogberries at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Standing applause... except for that guy. | Photo: Colin Peddle

After the standing applause was applied by the patrons, Alex Cuba decided to do “one more”… this quickly turned into a few more. I think he played for another 15-20 minutes, just during the encore. We all know that “sultry” has been a recurring theme during this years Wreckhouse Festival but it can’t get more sultry then having [attractive] girls from the audience come dance on the stage while you’re playing.

Alex Cuba did just that.

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Click here for the rest of the photos from The Dogberries and Alex Cuba

Bill Brennan with Banda Brazil at The Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

A late start for me, but better late then never. And what a great way to start things off then with Bill Brennan and Banda Brazil at the Majestic. Not quite the capacity crowds reported by Darcy and Melissa at the Fat Cat, but those who did attend were subjects to a fantastic show.

Here’s a secret: I’ve always had a fondness for Brazillian music and I know all of the “words” — sadly I don’t speak Portuguese — to Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66′s song Mas Que Nada. Frankly, I’d argue it’s one of the best songs ever, which is why it pleased me to no end when Bill Brennan and Banda Brazil sang it… and I sang along with them.

Jeff Dyer | Photo: Colin Peddle

Dana Parsons | Photo: Colin Peddle

Bill Brennan and Banda Brazil were so good some (attractive) girls showed up to dance. How nice!

Dancers at Banda Brazil | Photo: Colin Peddle

Kelly-Ann Evans w/ Bill Brennan on Percussion | Photo: Colin Peddle

Next up, I was lucky enough to gain access to the Fat Cat. By this time, it was at capacity and I had to use my best smile to be allow in, if just for a few moments.

Treasa Levasseur at the Fat Cat | Photo: Colin Peddle

Now, the word “amazing” gets tossed around a lot these days, very unjustly in most cases.

Tresa Levasseur is amazing. I’m just going to say that right now. You need to visit her website, buy her CD, give it to your significant other and enjoy it – if you get my drift.

Treasa Levasseur at the Fat Cat | Photo: Colin Peddle

James Robertson on the Electric w/ Treasa Levasseur at the Fat Cat | Photo: Colin Peddle

Downtown St. John’s was humid and warm, with a subtle hint of Bourbon Street. I expect and hope Friday night will be sticky and sweaty with 10 times the people, making the atmosphere all the more New Orleans-esque — I don’t think they could pick a better week to do a Jazz and Blues festival in St. John’s.

The Scene | Photo: Colin Peddle

If you’re not getting down to see anything from the Wreckhouse Festival you’re doing yourself a serious injustice. Some of the greatest talent in blues and jazz are in town this week and even if you’re not one to actually listen to blues and jazz on a regular basis, like myself, seeing it live is a whole other story.

Just got a new roll from the panoramic camera developed. It sooo much fun shooting with this Horizon 202, partially because it’s a 2:1 58x24mm frame but also because it’s film.

Film, in case you’ve forgotten is that cool stuff from the 70′s and every frame is like a mystery… did it come out? did I frame it right? did I cover the lens with my thumb? The wait for feedback is kind of neat, because I tend to forget what it is I’ve shot on a single roll so once it’s developed I’m usually in for a surprise.

All of these photos were shot on Fuji iso200 film on a Horizon 202 panoramic film body. The community’s and coves featured are Brigus, St. John’s, Bauline, Gallows Cove, Stiles Cove and Hollow Cove near Pouch Cove.

If you like them, why not leave a comment and let me know! :)

Brigus Harbour | Click for Larger View in Lightbox

Shooting the Fens near Bauline | Click for Larger View in Lightbox

Gallows Cove Cow, Just Relaxin' | Click for Larger View in Lightbox

Stiles Cove | Click for Larger View in Lightbox

Brigus Boats | Click for Larger View in Lightbox

Hollow Cove | Click for Larger View in Lightbox

After a painful couple of weeks waiting for my D3 to return, it finally has. During that time, I’d picked up a new lens, the Nikon 16mm fisheye. Having that lens, sit on my desk every day, staring at me… no, screaming at me to be used for two weeks was torture. In the meantime, whilst Nikon did some much needed cleaning, lubrication and care on my D3 before the wedding season officially kicks off, I picked up a Canon 5D markII, which is about as good as camera as you can get and it’s been fun to play with a Canon. Here’s a few pictures!

The best thing to happen to every skater in Newfoundland since the invention of the wheeled plank is Turndown BMX shop and it’s indoor park. Robbie Yetman is the big wig there and he’s put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into keeping his little creation fresh and amazing. The challenge here, like any indoor park, is creating good photos but for good or bad, the place has a bit of character which makes for a good picture every now and again. :) Here’s but a small sampling of some of the stuff which has gone down in the past month/s at Turndown.

For the curious: all the flicks were shot with a Nikon D3 using either a nikon fisheye and the 70-200vr. Flashes were fired remotely via pocketwiz’z and the pops themselves were sb800′s.

Yesterday I was able to find some time to shoot some skate pics for a few old friends. In the short hour or so we had, the boys kicked it off real good. Khris Stamp pulled off a silly Backside Nose grind, avoiding certain death by light poll and the 8ft drop at speed. All in all, good day and looking forward to more.

Mick and Aimee are great and I had a fantastic day doing their wedding, despite the spell of rain we had over on Bell Island. Before we did the whole wedding thing though, we did some engagement photos over on the Island. I really wanted to capture “the island” in the photos, who knows how far away from their home they’ll end up in the future.