I saw a bagpiper playing beside Cornwall Ave. by the Kitsilano Showboat on Tuesday evening. 

I walked back to discover there were Scottish dancers from the Stave Falls Scottish Dancers from Mission BC.  Imagine my surprise to find a dancer with both Japanese and Scottish heritage.

It was fun to watch the dancing.  There was a sword dance, country dances, and even some vaudeville numbers.  It's always amusing to watch the little  ones dancing and trying to keep in time.  The older dancers are much more competent and doing well for a non-competitive dance group, so you know they genuinely are dancing for the love of the activity.

After the show I talked with Barry Leinbach, executive for the Kitsilano Showboat Society.  Barry was MCing the event as he is taking over from his mother Bea Leinbach who has helmed the Kitsilano Showboat for decades.  Beatrice Leinbach has volunteered her time to this venerable Vancouver summer cultural institution for over 60 years, and has recived the Order of BC and the Order of Canada.

I used to watch the shows at the Kitsilano Showboat when I was a young child in the '60's, when my parents would bring our family down to Kitsilano Beach.  It was always amazing watching the performers on stage, wiht the ocean and mountains in the background.

The Showboat season only started on Monday.  Thank goodness the weather has been good.

On Tuesday, The Vancouver Firefighters Band performed with firefighter/opera singer Andy Greenwood.  But sadly I was unable to attend.  Andy has been a friend of my girlfriend's parents for the last few years.  It's amazing what you can find when you walk around in your neighborhood.

Check for upcoming FREE shows starting at 7pm
There are lots of ethnic cultural groups performing and even some surprises!
www.kitsilanoshowboat.com