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Arts & Culture
This is the arts and culture section where we delve into things that are not necessarily basketball related, but are important for us at Shake True Hoops to recognize as part of a complete life experience.
Hillside Festival
– Alex Ricci, August 20, 2008
The Hillside Festival recently took place on Guelph Lake Island and many members of the Shake True Hoops family were in attendance. This brings to mind the idea that it is very important to balance an athletic lifestyle with a love for arts and culture in order to live a more fulfilling life.
The Hillside Festival is into its 25th year and like Shake True Hoops, would not be possible without the aid and enthusiasm of the local community. The festival turned out to be a huge success, featuring great new bands and even some old legends, one being the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir. My favourite acts included Islands, Broken Social Scene and The Acorn, three incredible Canadian talents.
Unusual workshops and a visit from real Tibetan Buddhist Monks made the weekend a memorable one. Friends of the Shake True Hoops program actively participated in the festival, some by volunteering, others by helping to organize various parts of the festival, and some simply by attending and enjoying the atmosphere the festival offered. “Big” John Leacock, an old friend of Shaker, is a member of the Hillside board that organizes everything to do with Hillside.
I did my part in the festival by volunteering on the Waste Management committee, which is given the task of collecting and properly disposing of garbage and recyclables from festival goers. Hillside is a fine example of how community effort can be used to create something special for everyone to reap the benefit of.