They held the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics last night in Vancouver. As usual, it was a great bit of spectacle. There was only one visible glitch although it occured at the most critically symbolic moment. As the torchbearers, including Wayne Gretzky, waited nervously for the Olympic cauldron to rise from the arena floor one of the four large supports that were supposed to rise balked. Nothing happened. Finally, after an awkward pause, the ceremony went ahead with just the three remaining supports.
Hopefully, this small hiccup in an otherwise wonderful ceremony and the horrible death of a young Georgian luger yesterday will not taint the games. The world could use a few moments of relative unity right now.
I’m showing a poster from the 1912 Stockholm Olympics just as an example of how beautiful some of the Olympic posters once were. Over the years, the artwork for the games have become more and more logo-like, more commercial and less artful. It’s more about creating a brand than expressing the spirit of the games. But that is but a reflection of our times.
Also, last night saw Canadian chanteuse KD Lang perform Hallelujah. Her’s is always a great version of the song and the presentation last night was striking with all in the crowd holding lights and swaying to the rhytm of the song. I first saw KD Lang in the early 80’s when she was still perfroming with the Reclines. I think I saw her first on a Smother Brothers Show that ran for a short time in the summer one year. She was wearing a big cowgirl outfit and flying around the stage, manically out of control. She was like a dervish. Like a force of nature. With that huge voice. It cought my attention.
Here’s a song from her from that time, one of my favorites, Pullin Back the Reins. Enjoy your Saturday…
Redtree Times 