Flowering Pride by Greg Frankson a.k.a. Ritallin
At the 2009 Ottawa Festivals Launch of the Festival Season, we were absolutely thrilled to have Ritallin performing spoken word – but he even did us one better and wrote an amazing poetic tribute to the many great festivals, special events and fairs taking place in Ottawa.
Thanks so much Greg, your performance was a very fitting opening to the launch of the 2009 festival season and we look forward to seeing you at Westfest this year!
© Matthew Claydon | Official Launch Photographer
Flowering Pride by Greg Frankson a.k.a. Ritallin
a carnival atmosphere’s taking over the streets
people playing in the plazas as they dance to the beats
poets reading off they words to the masses inside
others dancing and planting as O-town flowers with pride
it’s the power of the festivals to liven the nights
add joy to our days and end our weeks in full flight
bang the drum and blow the trumpet calling once and for all
for our variety of festivals from winter to fall
from the blooming of the tulips down along the Rideau
to racing weekend fun for the world class and the slow
vive les franco-ontariens and the fringe, then the west
takes centre stage to show the city why the ‘Boro’s the best
dragon boats, dance, jazz, Canada Day, Sound and Light
blues, HOPE, chamber music and orchestras are a sight
playing music in the park then the Turks and the Greeks
then SuperEx, reggae and folk are what the people seek
Richmond, Carp and Metcalfe get us primed for the fall
in rhapsody we animate one world as a vision for all
there are more throughout the year – all are steeped in success
because the festivals of Ottawa – they’re drawing the best
within the city and the country, and our borders beyond
to cultivate a culture linking arts and people in a bond
promulgated on the premise arts are central to life
and their expression is the spark that is destined to strike
a most melodious chord in our hearts, minds and souls
so lift joyous voices for what the future holds
cuz a carnival atmosphere’s taking over the streets
people playing in the plazas as they dance to the beats
poets reading off they words to the masses inside
others dancing and planting as O-town flowers with pride
it’s the power of the festivals to liven the nights
add joy to our days and end our weeks in full flight
bang the drum and blow the trumpet calling once and for all
for our variety of festivals from winter to fall
since 1994 all across the region in every season
O-town flowers with pride
together as a crew what the festivals do makes this statement true -
O-town flowers with pride
not for profit in cash but we all profit when bashes let us see with our eyes
how O-town flowers with pride
events for art, culture, entertainment and sport are happy now to report
that O-town flowers with pride
Ottawa Festivals speaking with one voice offers plenty of choice
as O-town flowers with pride
tourists flock to our town to see what’s going down at jewels in our crown
so O-town flowers with pride
with the sparkle and glow from each event and show our reputation grows
O-town flowers with pride
so sing it out loud – make a bold, strong sound and let the message resound
that O-town flowers with pride
cuz a carnival atmosphere’s taking over the streets
people playing in the plazas as they dance to the beats
poets reading off they words to the masses inside
others dancing and planting as O-town flowers with pride
it’s the power of the festivals to liven the nights
add joy to our days and end our weeks in full flight
bang the drum and blow the trumpet calling once and for all
for our variety of festivals from winter to fall.
© A. Gregory Frankson, 2009. All rights reserved.
