Yellowknife (Aug 20/03) - The Back Bay Community Association held a family street dance at Primrose Lane, Saturday night.

Lights and flags were strung up between trees and fences lining the lane. At least 50 people gathered.

Jamie Bastedo, event co-organizer, was quick to point out the food tables featuring fruit, vegetable and cheese trays, potluck desserts, corn on the cob and freezes.

The freezes seemed especially popular with the kids hanging around.

Then I spotted Michel Langlois who was sitting with his younger brother Daniel. Knowing him from high school where he was a year ahead of me, I chatted with him for a few minutes. He's leaving for Edmonton next week for his last year at university.

Next, I headed back towards the food tables when I saw Marie-Claude Lebeau helping Ella Kokelj finish a piece of watermelon while her daughter Juliette-Keith Lebeau also enjoys the fruit.

Marie-Claude told me that the "Keith" in her daughter's name was her husband's surname. I was fascinated to learn about this cool custom I hadn't heard about before.

After enjoying some cucumber with ranch dip, I wandered over to look at the wheelbarrow full of stalk left over from corn of cob.

Mike Bell and Karen Hamre were sitting in their lawn chairs, having a chat and let me take their picture. Karen's daughter was more camera shy and hid behind her chair.

They told me that they didn't live in Back Bay. "We like Backbayers," Mike said. "We get invitations."

A cool song started playing so I headed over to the PA sound system that Chris Rodgers was manning. He had CDs and old records as well. I recognized a couple of songs from the Shrek soundtrack.

Terry Woolf and co-organizer Vicki Tompkins were hanging out with Chris . Terry told me that Vicki sold him the shirt he was wearing from For Men Only.

Some interesting folk/African music started playing and I headed over to where Adriana Zibolenova and baby Jasmin Hans were dancing to the music. Adriana looked over her shoulder to make sure the photo was okay with Jasmin's mom and fortunately, it was.

Meanwhile, Jamie was going around asking people if they could and would play some live music. Pretty soon people were setting up on the stage.

Nimisha Bastedo and Kieran Daly were first up and kicked off the live music portion of the night with an original composition they created during fiddle camp.

They were soon joined by Jamie, fiddlers Chic Callas and Bob Bromley as well as guitarist Guy Langlois for a round of excellent folk music.

Unfortunately, my camera card ran out and I was unable to take any more photos. Still, I hung around listening to music for a bit longer and enjoyed a chocolate sweet.

I was almost sad to leave behind the happy residents munching on corn on the cob, listening to music, or chatting with their neighbours.

If all Back Bay community events are as fun and entertaining as this one was, I hope I get to attend another next year.