arts northumberland

Viv – Brighton’s own one-name celebrity musician

2006-10-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Independent
What’s with the single name? First there was Cher, Madonna, Enya, and now Viv. Brighton’s very own multi-talented Vivian Thompson has just launched her first solo CD and hopes listeners will find her original compositions inspiring.

Viv is known to most as Vivian Thompson, daughter of Claude and Doreen Thompson, and she has just released her first solo piano CD entitled “Diversion”, featuring all original compositions. The 11-track CD includes nine easy listening pieces done in a classical piano style while two tracks are “jazzy” and include bass and percussion. Music is Viv’s passion and form of self-expression and provides her with inner peace.

“Music is very powerful. It gives the listener the ability to use their imagination, visit a familiar place and remember a memory or feeling,” she said.

With this CD, Viv hopes to share her music and provide you, the listener, with a moment of “diversion” from your everyday life.

Vivian is no stranger to the area. Growing up in Brighton, she has been involved in several music festivals for piano, voice, composition and school bands in both the Northumberland Music Festival and the Rotary Music Festival.

She studied piano with Lenna Snider Baker and theory with Olive Bentley. She has received several Gold Medals and scholarships and was the first recipient of the Silver Tray Competition given to the “Finest Festival Pianist” in the Rotary Music Festival.

While studying composition at Queen’s University, the Quinte Symphony performed one of her orchestral compositions. Then she continued her post-grad studies and Bachelor of Education at the University of Western Ontario. Currently she is an elementary school music teacher with the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.

For the past two years she has been the assistant conductor of the Quinte Living Centre Band. She also enjoys tap dancing and has been seen in many local recitals and community events. She continues to look for opportunities to compose and perform her music.

The CD launch was held on October 14 in Belleville, and now the CD Diversion by Viv can be found at many local retail outlets throughout the Quinte area such as Sam the Record Man, Serendipity Gifts, SideStreet Gallery in Wellington and Lighthouse Books in Brighton.

Welcome the Diversion and discover the latest easy listening CD by Viv.

For more information visit www.vivmusic.ca

15th Annual Christmas at Presqu’ile opens Nov. 4

2006-10-30T05:51:00.000-05:00

by John Chambers, The Independent

One of Eastern Ontario’s signature juried arts and crafts shows gets underway next week Christmas House, wonderful desserts at Stonehedge and the work of artists Doug Comeau, Michael Dumas and Brent Townsend at the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre Gallery.
The event will kick off on Saturday and Sunday November and continue on Wednesday, November 8 before wrapping up on Saturday and Sunday November 11 and 12.
Each room of the Christmas House is beautifully decorated and many of the items that you can find at Christmas at Presqu’ile are one-of-a-kind treats and treasures.
Christmas at Presqu’ile co-chairs Sharyn Bachlet and Joyce Boucher said visitors this year can expect to see a number of the favourite items that make the annual event a popular destination and added there are new items as well.
“If you have been here in previous years there will be a lot of unique items that people will be seeing for the first time,” said Ms. Boucher.
Among the items available this year are the popular walking sticks, wreaths, nativity scenes, jewellery, fancy dolls and fantasy fish.
“There is something for everyone,” said Ms. Bachlet.
The pair said visitors can also expect to see a number of new items from the regular vendors who make Christmas at Presqu’ile one of their annual shows.
Christmas at Presqu’ile is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission to Presqu’ile Provincial Park is free. There is no cost to park or to visit the 15th annual Christmas at Presqu’ile. Just bring your Christmas spirit and your shopping lists and come out to enjoy one of the best arts and crafts shows in the region.
For more information, please call The Friends of Presqu’ile at 613-475-1688 or visit their website at www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca.

Cast of Barefoot in the Park better than Fonda, Redford

2006-10-30T05:34:00.000-05:00

Alwyn Horscroft – The Cobourg Star
- It is sometimes a very good thing to see a play without having read the script or seen the movie beforehand. Several people told me about the movie with Jane Fonda and Robert Redford, and to be quite honest, I suspect that the Northumberland Players cast at the Best Western dinner theatre fitted the play far better than the big stars would have done.
The basic story is that Corrie Bratter and her husband of six days are moving into their rather barren flat, six flights up from the street without an elevator, no heat, and a dripping fanlight. There is also, upstairs, a mountain climbing, accented, reluctantly aging, neighbour by the name of Victor Velasco and Corrie has a widowed mother who wants to see what is going on, how her little girl is coping.
In this production, Corrie, played by Camille Stopps, sets her character before she even says a word. She is obviously a really dizzy, fun loving, possibly infuriating type of girl. Her first piece of unpacking is a wine bottle. She is very much in love with her new husband, and isn't the least bit fazed by the six flights of stairs.
The telephone repair man played by Ron Tollett, carrying his toolbox, arrives exhausted to install the phone. This is a great little character part and Ron does a good job of establishing himself in a short time, complete with a regional accent.
Bruce Stewart plays husband Paul, who also arrives home from work, staggering from the stairs. He hasn't seen the apartment yet, and is a little taken aback, partly by the rent. Paul is an 'up and coming' young lawyer, a bit of a stuffed shirt with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He, too, is very much in love, but with a new case next morning isn't into playing around. As you can imagine, their characters clash in spite of the love, and they get into some pretty fiery arguments. He makes a very credible character.
Corrie's mother, Ethel Banks, played by Moira Cascone, is thoroughly believable. If anything she under-plays the part which makes her even more passable as a mother not wishing to criticize or be thought a fuddy-duddy. A really excellent piece of acting. She too has trouble with the stairs.
Victor, played by Reg Stacey, is determined NOT to have any trouble with the stairs. He is permanently broke and behind with the rent, and therefore uses the Bratters' rooms as a way through to his, since the landlord has long ago locked his door. Victor is another happy-go-lucky character, who, in spite of the age difference, for a time appears more suited to Corrie than is her husband.
This is a well-chosen cast, and although the play can frequently be called a comedy, it also has many true to life moments which require the actors to take the drama seriously and not play for laughs, although the part of Victor does allow for a little more freedom in this respect. I'm not certain how good his accent was, but he convinced me.
Carol Anne Caswell plays a 'delivery person', and she deserves credit for doing a good job in an unrewarding role, but probably more for her work behind the scenes. The others working behind the scenes, too numerous to mention, produced a really efficient performance.
A couple of small notes - if it were possible I would have placed the couch further back, and maybe just slightly angled. One note for the program designer, please don't use that 'Curly MT' font in the program. It can be very difficult to read.
Barefoot in the Park runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until November 5 with a matinee on Saturday, November 4.
ID- 248498

Musical showcases wartime tunes

2006-10-30T05:17:00.000-05:00

By Jeanne Beneteau, Northumberland NewsIt's deja vu for an upcoming stage production that packages romance, comedy and nostalgia with a host of musical classics that dominated the airwaves during World War II.
'The War Show,' penned by renowned Canadian playwright Peter Colley, played to sold-out houses at the Victoria Hall Concert Hall during its initial August, 2000, run, says MusicMakers President Michael Ellis. The musical, then a joint partnership with Northumberland Players, was - and still is - the single biggest money-maker in MusicMakers' 15-year history, says Mr. Ellis. The all-volunteer company, which has donated over $150,000 to various Northumberland County charities to date, has high hopes history will repeat itself when the curtain rises once again on the Second World War saga on Nov. 3 for a four-performance run. Proceeds from the musical are earmarked for YMCA Northumberland, he explains.
The musical chronicles the romantic and dramatic adventures of five 'crazy' guys who join the Canadian Army in 1939 and set sail for the United Kingdom for training, he says.
There's 'Sharky,' the savvy soldier played by Trinity College School Chaplain Don Aitcheson; 'Pops,' the oldtimer and veteran of the Great War, played by Bill Bates; 'Jean-Pierre,' the Quebecer, played by Courteney Ponting; and Doug Frith in the role of 'Dud,' a wet-behind-the-ears recruit who needs all the help he can get from his pals to stay out of the hair of 'Sarge,' played by Mr. Ellis. Female cast members include Gwen Darling, Clare Tickle, Beth Craig and Pat Tatlock, who come and go throughout the production, cast in roles of the widow, the mother, the barroom girl and a selection of other women who figure highly in the lives and loves of the five soldiers.
"They eventually lose one of their number at Dieppe, another in Sicily, the next in Italy and a fourth at D-Day. In the end, only Dusty (young Dusty is portrayed by Jamie Hunt) is left," he says. "Some 40 years later, Legionnaire Dusty (played by Len Hirst) finds himself at the cottage, reminiscing about his war year antics and his four fallen pals."
The musical is hilarious, notes Mr. Ellis, with jokes flying fast and furious; however, there are also poignant moments as, one by one, four of the fun-loving lads make the ultimate sacrifice.
"The play encompasses a full range of emotions... it brings the audience right up and then right back down," he says.
However, it is the lush choral arrangements, featuring 24 of the most popular songs of the war years that truly make 'The War Years' an entertaining and captivating walk down memory lane, he says. Musical offerings include selections such as 'I'll Be Seeing You,' 'White Cliffs of Dover,' 'We'll Meet Again,' 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,' 'Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag,' 'Der Fuehrer's Face,' and 'We're Gonna Hang Out the Washing on the Siegfried Line,' just to mention a few, he adds.
'The War Show' debuted at London's Grand Theatre in 1975, the culmination of a year's research and interviews by the playwright where veterans, factory workers, housewives and war brides relayed stories of their war year experiences. Although Mr. Ellis was just a youngster during the Second World War, he says many individuals who lived through the era often comment, despite the hard times, sadness and tragedies, it was the best times of their lives.
"It was a time of camaraderie, where a feeling that 'we're in this together, damn it, we're going to do it,' prevailed," he says.
Since its inception in 1991, the MusicMakers have presented choral music of all kinds - from Renaissance, swing and classical, to light opera and Broadway - to as many people as possible in Northumberland County, says Mr. Ellis. All concerts are fundraising events, he notes.The War Show,' plays Cobourg's Victoria Hall Concert Hall on Nov. 3 and 4 at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees slated for Nov. 4 and 5. Theatre-style reserved seating tickets are $20 for evening performances, $18 for matinees, with a special matinee group rate of $16.50 each for 20 or more tickets. For tickets or additional information, contact the theatre box office at 905-372-2210 or 1-888-262-6874.

What do you get with a rock star, a classical pianist, an opera singer, 70 community voices, and two Little Match Girls?

2006-10-27T04:46:00.000-04:00

….A multi generational creative experience not to be missed.

The Westben Festival Chorus and Westben Youth Chorus are busy preparing a brand new musical presentation co-written by Brian Finley & Ken Tizzard. George Frederick Handel meets Hans Christian Andersen in Little Match Girl Messiah. This semi staged musical journey brims with imagination, poignancy and glorious music new and old.
Ken Tizzard (solo artist as well as former member of Thornley and Watchmen Bands) has composed beautifully haunting melodies for the Little Match Girl and explosively colourful arrangements of Handel’s masterpiece The Messiah. Co-creator and Director Brian Finley (classical pianist, composer and Artistic Director of Westben) poignant comic scenes turn local children into colourful characters such as matches, knives, forks, stove, kettles, street children and even oven mits! Westben’s adult chorus is preparing the traditional choruses of the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah. Three weeks to go before all the various musical styles and community members of several generation come together. Everyone is invited to a chat with the composers November 7, 5:30pm to 6:30pm to hear about the conception and creation of this production.
Performances are November 18, 19 at 2pm at St. John’s United Church in Campbellford, and November 25 at 2 & 7pm & 26 at 2pm at The Barn. Please call the Westben Box Office for tickets and information at (705) 653-5508, toll free at (877) 883-5777 or visit online: www.westben.on.ca.
Westben congratulates its community sponsor partners: Bradley Bay Consulting, Eclectic Mix, Giant Tiger, Havelock Pharmacy, Paula Meier Associates and Weaver Family Funeral Home

Via Dolorosa First Offering Of First Stages

2006-10-19T17:59:00.000-04:00

Sunday, November 5TH, 2006 @ 3:00 PM

Robert Latimer stars as British playwright David Hare in the author's sad, funny, controversial and deeply engaging one-man show based on his sojourn to the Middle East in 1997 and the decidedly conflicting views of the Israelis and the Palestinians he interviewed. "David's whole strength is that he allows everyone their point of view."

~ Judi Dench. "The play examines irresoluble strife and antagonism; it finds the symmetry, patterns and even the beauty within. It finds, as good plays always will, the echoing poetry within the dangerous chaos that is life." ~ New York Times. "There is one thing I am sure of... my husband would have loved it." ~ Leah Rabin, widow of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

(Note: Strong language)

From terrible times arise wonderful songs: The War Show

2006-10-17T05:47:00.000-04:00

MusicMakers will bring The War Show back to Victoria Hall November 3 to 5, said producer Michael Ellis.
“We did it six years ago with Northumberland Players,” he recalled.“It was written for just eight people, so there’s lots of quick changes and people taking three or four different parts. We didn’t think we could handle that.”
By combining forces, he said, MusicMakers could perform the show’s wonderful old war songs and there would be enough people that they didn’t have to double up on roles.
The show played to sold-out houses, and enabled MusicMakers to donate $10,000 to Habitat For Humanity.They loved the idea of doing it again, and this time the proceeds will go to YMCA Northumberland — which is making space available for some of their rehearsals.
The show is written by Peter Colley — who, Mr. Ellis said, is now in Hollywood.“There are lots and lots of laughs in the show,“ he said. “But it’s also very poignant because of the five soldiers whose adventures you follow — from the time they join up in Canada and go to Camp Borden, then off they go to Halifax and over to England, where they march around for three years.”
Then there’s Dieppe, and they lose one of their people. Then they go to Sicily and lose another one, and then to Italy and they lose another one, and D-Day and they lose another one — so there’s only one at the end.”
The main character narrates his memories, starting when he’s a 19-year-old who has just joined up — to the chagrin of his family who wonder who will look after the pigs.
Listing the players in alphabetical order, Mr. Ellis begins with the soldiers.Trinity College School chaplain Don Aitchison plays Sharky, who is a bit of a crook. Bill Bates plays Pops, who had also been in the First World War. Doug Frith is Duddy, the youngest and most naïve of the lot. Jamie Hunt plays Dusty, a typical young man of the times. And Courteney Ponting plays J.P. the French Canadian (whose name is really Jean Pierre).
The women who add their voices in song are Beth Craig, Gwen Darling (the show’s musical director), Pat Tatlock and Clare Tickle.
And what songs, Mr. Ellis said — 24 great numbers including I’ll Be Seeing You, Lili Marlene, We’ll Meet Again, There’ll Always Be An England, What’ll I Do, Kiss Me Goodnight, Sergeant Major, White Cliffs of Dover and Wish Me Luck.
The group has been asked to put on an extra show for high-school students as part of their history curriculum, which is a good idea, as far as Mr. Aitchison is concerned — he accompanied a group of students to Belgium recently and included a visit to the graves of Canadian soldiers.
As far as regular shows go, however, there are 2 p.m. performances November 4 and 5 and 8 p.m. performances November 3 and 4. Tickets are $20 for evening shows and $18 for matinées, with special group rates available. For more information, call 905-372-2210.

4th Line celebrates 15th anniversary season success

2006-10-12T06:01:00.000-04:00

4th Line Theatre experienced a record-breaking 15th anniversary season with its highest attendance ever. A combined audience total of 12,647 enjoyed the theatre company's 2006 summer productions of Doctor Barnardo's Children and The Art of Silent Killing.
“We must be doing something right,” says Artistic Director Robert Winslow who is thrilled that his rural theatre exceeded its box office goals and continues to draw impressive numbers of patrons from around the globe after 15 years.
“We had a feeling this was going be a good season when 47 per cent of the seats were purchased before the first show opened; we just didn't know how successful the season would be until the final numbers came in,” adds Mr. Winslow. “Our partnerships with regional businesses contributed to the success of the season and consequently created an impact for many local businesses and tourism operators.”
Dr. Barnardo's Children written by Ian McLachlan and Robert Winslow sold out for the second year in a row within the first few weeks of its 2006 run. The world premiere of The Art of Silent Killing written by Shane Peacock came in a close second with 95 per cent of the available seats being sold. Fortunately the weather also co-operated for the most part with only two rain-outs late in the summer.
Overall the theatre company saw a 20 per cent increase in attendance from the year prior. The economic impact of these numbers positively affects local businesses in Millbrook as well as throughout the Kawartha region. Overnight visitors from across Canada, Mexico and Europe attended a performance. 4th Line Theatre continues to play a major role in identifying the Kawarthas as a prime vacation destination in the world. Theatre packages that offered picnics, dinner and accommodation grew in popularity by 300 per cent from last season bringing in revenues for tourism service providers.
4th Line Theatre is also pleased they were able to give back to the community in a number of ways. The theatre company partnered with the St. Joseph's Care Foundation for a performance and was able to increase the foundation's fund-raising revenue by $6,000. They also donated over 120 tickets that contributed to the fund-raising efforts of other regional community groups and charities.
4th Line Theatre, Canada's premiere outdoor theatre company brings history to life on the barnyard stages of the picturesque 5th generation Winslow farm in Millbrook, Ontario. The theatre company is committed to preserving and promoting our Canadian cultural heritage through the development and presentation of regionally based, environmentally staged historical drama

Cobourg’s Historic Doors will open on October 14

2006-10-10T06:27:00.000-04:00

From the Cobourg Star

- Twelve sites are on the list for the 2006 Doors Open in Cobourg on October 14.
Building on the success of the 2005 event, organizers have compiled a list that (along with one Grafton site) highlight the town's culture, heritage and tradition.

Among this year's attractions is the magnificent Barnum House just west of Grafton on County Road 2. Built in 1819 by Eliakim Barnum and considered one of the finest examples of neo-classical architecture in the province, this house has not been open since 2003. Its formal composition includes two symmetrical wings flanking a central temple structure. In 1982, ownership was transferred to the Ontario Heritage Trust, which oversaw extensive restoration in 1991.

Another feature is downtown historical walking tours, which leave from Victoria Hall at 10 a.m. and from the library at 2 p.m. Guides will recount the town's history and architectural heritage from its beginnings in 1798 to the present, and the tour showcases a number of heritage homes, churches and businesses.

Other attractions:
The Barracks, at Durham and Orr streets, is dated before 1820, making it the town's oldest structure. Built on Crown land by the British after the War of 1812, it is believed to have been a multi-purpose military building or a depot supporting the construction of the former Kingston Road. Archeological work continues on this site, and guided tours will be offered every half-hour.

The C. Gordon King Centre, at 200 Ontario Street, is a 10-year-old facility that houses the town's library and archives, with genealogy resources and a history room. Local historian Rob Mikel - author of Ontario House Styles and worker for more than 20 years in the architectural-preservation field - will speak on the town's architectural highlights at 11 a.m. in the Rotary Room.

The Cobourg archives, housed in the C. Gordon King Centre, were established in 1980. Their mandate is to collect, retain and preserve for public access material pertaining to any person, organization, business or institution related to Cobourg and Hamilton and Haldimand townships. Many of the items now housed in the archives - including photographs, newspapers and journals - date back as early as 1850.

The Cobourg Jail, located at 77 Albert Street, is a 100-year-old building that ceased to be a jail in 1998. The building now houses the King George Inn and a restaurant. Many of the new rooms were designed around the original jail cells. View the original solitary-confinement cells, the courtyard with original graffiti and the Cobourg Jail Museum. Guided tours are available.

Dressler House, at 212 King Street West, is a handsome Ontario Cottage built in 1840. In 1869, it was the birthplace of Academy Award-winning actress Marie Dressler. By the time it was gutted by a fire in 1989, it had been a deluxe restaurant for many years. It was the home of the Cobourg and District Chamber of Commerce after its restoration and now houses the local economic-development and tourism offices. Memorabilia include wax figures of Dressler and frequent co-star Wallace Beery as seen in Min and Bill. You can also view a video of Dressler's life.

The Market Building, located at 201 Second Street, was designed by architect Kivas Tully and built in 1850. It retains the original 12-over-8 window panes, pediment pilasters and a traditional roof with wide overhanging eaves. The building now serves as a seniors' centre during the week and home to the renowned Farmers Market (founded in 1856) on Saturday mornings. The market will be open for most of the day.

St. Peter's Anglican Church (240 College Street) is another Kivas Tully creation, built in 1854. Established in 1818, St. Peter's was one of the earliest Anglican parishes in Upper Canada. The present church was constructed around the original 1820 frame church. Later changes included an extension of the chancel in 1877 and a new parish hall in 1888. An addition, including an octagonal chapel, was completed late last year.

Victoria College, located at 100 University Avenue East, was designed by architect Edward Crane and built in 1841 in the Greek Revival style for the Conference of the Methodist Church. Victoria College was one of Canada's earliest degree-granting institutions. In 1892, after playing a vital role in Cobourg's academic and cultural life, the college relocated to Toronto. Today, Victoria University is affiliated with the University of Toronto. The building is now a retirement home.

Victoria Hall, at 55 King Street West, was designed by Kivas Tully and built in 1860. This extravagant public edifice has been the political, legal and cultural centre of civic life since its opening. Of particular note is the massive Corinthian-columned clock tower, visible throughout the town. The interior features an equally grand first-floor court room, and a second-floor grand concert hall with elaborate trompe l'oeil walls.

The water-treatment facility at Lakeshore Boulevard and D'Arcy Street was built in 1971. If you've ever thought about where your water comes from, here's a chance to satisfy your curiosity. The plant is capable of producing eight-million gallons of water a day, and it services approximately 17,000 people. The intake is located at a depth of 11 metres. View the facility and take a guided tour.

Doors Open Cobourg attracted more than 2,200 visits last year to its 15 locations. Admission is free at all participating venues and (except for the downtown tours) sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - plenty of time for visits, tours, meeting friends, lunch, shopping or taking photos.

For more information on Doors Open Cobourg please call tourism co-ordinator Erin Wakely or events co-ordinator Lara Scott at 905-372-5481.
ID- 221034

Dry Stone Wall Association to honour Farley Mowat

2006-10-04T04:51:00.000-04:00

The Northumberland News - On Thanksgiving Weekend, the Dry Stone Wall Association of Canada will erect a piece of public art to honour master Canadian storyteller and celebrated Port Hope resident Farley Mowat.

The structure, a scale model of the boat-roofed houses Mowat wrote about in his best-seller about pre-Viking adventurers who landed in Canada more than 1,000 years ago, is the centrepiece at the third annual Northumberland Dry Stone Wall Festival, Oct. 7-9.

"The project has been a bit of a voyage in itself," says association President John Shaw-Rimmington. "We're excited to see it taking shape at last. This is a long-overdue local tribute to Farley and his many contributions to Canada."

Mr. Shaw-Rimmington's organization, aided by community volunteers and the Dry Stone Wall Association of the United Kingdom, will erect the permanent dry-stone feature on a plot of private land at 20 Catherine St., where the town's first harbourmaster once lived.

The public is invited to drop by the site and watch as dry stone is laid for a foundation and an eight metre (26-foot) boat placed on top of it on Thanksgiving Monday afternoon, at the end of the festival.

Mr. Mowat's book, 'The Farfarers,' told the tale of a seafaring people from the Northern Isles of Great Britain who roamed from Iceland and Greenland to Arctic Canada, northern Quebec, Labrador and Newfoundland hunting walruses for hides and oil.

Forced to endure long winters far away from home in places where there was no wood to build temporary shelters, the wanderers - sometimes called Albans - are believed to have flipped their fragile, double-ender boats on curved dry stone walls, and hunkered down until spring.

This year's dry stone wall festival will take place both at the Catherine St. property owned by Stephen Smith and three blocks away at the Hill and Dale Manor bed-and-breakfast, 47 Pine St. S., where the two previous stone walling festivals have been held.

As for the man whose writings are about to be celebrated in a rather unorthodox way, he's taking it in stride. "I am delighted that at last I have a place to lay my hoary head," Mr. Mowat remarked when asked about the boat-roofed longhouse.

On Oct. 28, Mr. Mowat and his wife Claire are scheduled to join dignitaries at the Catherine St. site for a special presentation and unveiling of a plaque. Mr. Mowat, 85, has written more than 40 books, including 'Never Cry Wolf,' 'The Boat Who Wouldn't Float,' and his latest, 'Bay Of Spirits: A Love Story.'

Three's a crowd - weekend gallery openings

2006-10-02T04:28:00.000-04:00

Scheduling events in Northumberland's burgeoning arts community can be difficult. To wit, this weekend saw three opening receptions - A.K. Collings in Port Hope, The Lawless Gallery in Grafton and the Colborne Art Gallery.
We were only able to make it to Colborne to meet the artist and mingle. Raab gave a brief demonstration of his print making technique.
He often starts by altering the images on the photographic negatives; he scratches them, and cuts and assembles pieces from different frames. He can control the exposure of the image onto the photosensitized metal plate. After the plate is etched in an acid bath, he works on it by etching additional, drawn lines and areas of tonal gradation through the aquatint method. The plate undergoes the repeated scraping and burnishing of bitten lines, and the careful etching-in of new ones.

The opening was well attended by gallery members and visitors.

The Colborne Art Gallery is the home of the Colborne Society of Artists. The Society was founded in the spring of 1977, in response to a unique opportunity.

The Historic Land Registry office was sold by the provincial government to the village of Colborne, for the sum of $8, on condition that it be maintained as a museum or library. Wilhelmina Kennedy proposed that the building become an art gallery, a suggestion that was enthusiastically welcomed by Colborne Reeve George Boycott and the Village Council.

Wilhelmina, a Dutch immigrant then living in neighbouring Cramahe Township, set about organizing a group of local artists into a co-operative to be known as The Colborne Society of Artists, and the group now runs the Colborne Art Gallery.

The artist and current curator Tim Dignam beam for the camera.

reading at the Cobourg Public Library - Paul Quarrington

2006-09-29T05:55:00.000-04:00

October 13th - 7:00 p.m. tickets: $10.00

Paul Quarrington is a novelist, screenwriter and playwright. Quarrington has been nominated three times for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, which he won in 1987 for his hockey novel King Leary. In 1986, Quarrington was included on the Canadian Book Information Centre’s list of ten best writers under the age of forty-five, "45Below." In 1990, Quarrington received the Governor General’s Award for Whale Music. Other novels include Home Game, The Life of Hope, Logan In Overtime and Civilization, about the early days of filmmaking in Hollywoodland, California. His novel about magicians in LasVegas, The Spirit Cabinet, came out in the spring of ‘99.

Non-fiction includes Hometown Heroes: In the Road With Canada’s Olympic Hockey Team and Fishing With My Old Guy. His latest book is The Boy on the Back of the Turtle, which is about a trip (undertaken with his daughter and father) to the Galapagos Islands.

Quarrington’s screenplay for "Perfectly Normal" (co-written with Eugene Lipinski) won a Genie in 1992. Other film productions include the adaptation of his novel Whale Music (written with director Richard J. Lewis) and "Camilla", starring the late Jessica Tandy and Bridget Fonda.

His work for the stage include the plays "The Second", "The Invention of Poetry", "Dying Is Easy", and two musical pieces for young audiences, "So You Think You’re Mozart" and "Heavenfields." A one-act play "Checkout Time" was one of the hits of the 1997 Toronto Fringe Festival.

Quarrington has written for the television programmes "Due South", "John Woo’s Once a Thief" and the hockey drama/comedy "Power Play."

He was a resident at the Canadian Film Centre, 1991-92, and directed the renowned clowns Mump and Smoot in their cinematic debut, "The Princess Who Would Not Smile." He attended the workshop"Interactive Screen," at the Banff Centre for the Arts.

In 1991, Quarrington was Writer-in-Library in the city of Orillia, working with local writers one-on-one. He has also taught at the Humber College School of Creative Writing, both for their Summer Programme andCorrespondence Course.

Quarrington has sat for four terms on the Board of Directors of PEN Canada, and has served a term as Chair of the Writers’ Union of Canada.

showing at the A.K.Collings Gallery, Port Hope - J.C. Heywood

2006-09-29T05:33:00.000-04:00

J.C. Heywood was born in 1941 in Toronto, Ontario. He studied at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto from 1959-63, and at Atelier 17 in Paris, France from 1967-69.
Heywood has exhibited his prints in numerous solo shows across Canada, and participated in many international graphics exhibitions in East Berliln, Taiwan, Norway, Yugoslavia, Poland, China and New Mexico.
J.C. Heywood currently lives in Kingston and teaches printmaking at Queen's University.

showing at the A.K.Collings Gallery, Port Hope -Otis Tamasauskas

2006-09-29T05:14:00.000-04:00

Otis Tamasauskas was born in Terschenreuth Germany in a displaced persons camp in 1947, following his parents' flight from Lithuania after the Russian communist occupation.
Tamasauskas brings together found artifacts, integrating objects such as pelts, clumps of horsehair, and wood panels with his prints in order to explore interior landscapes. "His prints operate on an abstract level as wall art, but closely viewed they reveal themselves as Jungian in construction: the Aberdeen Series is a refinement of the self-referential veil-of-ink motif" (Deirdre Hanna, 1986). Moreover, his integration of found objects into the prints enhances the connection between his art and the real world.
There is also, for him, a relationship between the art he has undertaken and his experience with Lithuanian design. Tamasauskas's interest in Lithuanian folk art began as a child, when he traced Lithuanian symbols in books on Lithuanian folk art and design.
"When I made my first print," he has written, "I knew this was it, it was what I wanted to do, in life. I guess, the idea of being able to use a plate, or block; print it many times, side by side, sequential images provided a vicarious explanation of obsessive patterns that reoccur in Lithuanian folk art, and design, relating to my early visual experiences" (1998). Tamasauskas refuses to remain within the conventional confines of printmaking, choosing instead to experiment with collage as a means of developing rich textural surfaces. Both Trout and Orchid (1980) and Shorebird P.E.I. (1980) combine lithography with collage to create a dynamic printed surface that escapes the often static nature of traditional printmaking. In Ancient Tree - Balancing River Series #12 (1993), Tamasauskas uses sheets of metal and carved wood nailed to board, as well as printing on paper, conveying the tree through material as well as imagery.
His prints undergo numerous phases, each phase infusing the work with a different quality that enhances the overall design, colour and texture. He feels "there is an intimacy with paper which allows an artist to communicate a brief passage or a fleeting idea which is too fragile to convey with a big canvas or masonite or any other structural material" (1981). Tamasauskas was Master Printer and Director of Etching at Open Studio in Toronto and has taught printmaking at McMaster University in Hamilton (1978 to 1980), Scarborough College, University of Toronto (1978 to 1983), and Queen's University in Kingston (1980 to present).

showing at the A.K.Collings Gallery, Port Hope - Gregor Herman

2006-09-29T05:13:00.000-04:00

Gregor Herman's fine blown glass bowls, plates and goblets have a delicate quality that speaks to the history of fine glass, yet his etched images can be playful and at the same time reflect the natural world of plants and animals that inspire him.

ANDREW CHEDDIE SOOKRAH

2006-09-29T05:03:00.000-04:00

Opening at the Lawless Gallery, Grafton - - darkened spaces full of light-the Figure Paintings & Arctic Landscapes of ANDREW CHEDDIE SOOKRAH

Sept 30^th – Nov 12^th, 2006 Artist’s Reception - Sat. Sept 30^th, 6pm

“Sookrah’s paintings are like conversations; passionate, clear and subtle. A member of the Arts & Letters Club and the Society of Canadian Artists, his exploration of landscapes and the human figure are as intimate, spontaneous and informal as they are bold, adventurous and accomplished”

Sookrah is an Elected Member of the Society of Canadian Artists. He was born in Guyana, South America. Art training started at Queen's College, Georgetown and continued when he immigrated to Canada in 1974, he studied part-time at the Ontario College of Art, George Brown College and Ryerson University. Andrew has been painting since 1969 and works in oils, watercolour, and acrylic. As a member of the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto since 1989, he has been active on their Art Committee.

Sookrah’s work has been exhibited in Toronto at the Outdoor Show at City Hall, the Distillery District Art Show and included in group shows at the Arts and Letters Club where he recently completed a successful solo show of his figurative paintings in May/June 2004. In May 2005 Sookrah presented a solo show of landscape and figurative paintings at The Lodge on Amherst Island, which included a demonstration of landscape and portrait painting.

They Want It All!

2006-09-27T06:16:00.001-04:00

An editorial in the Cobourg Star has drawn attention to the problem of scheduling major arts and cultural events in Northumberland.

“We want it all! It's absolutely marvellous that our communities have so much going on in them - so much to enrich the lives of our residents, so much to attract visitors. But why, oh why, do we have to have two or three major events all on one weekend?
This past weekend, Port Hope was jumping with its fifth annual all-Canadian Jazz Festival, an event that seems to have really found its legs after a few dubious years.
At the same time, in nearby Cobourg, the downtown Harvest Festival was in full swing and the Dragon Boat races were also competing for our attention.
Granted, these three events may be said to draw three separate audiences, however, it is not incomprehensible that a family, an individual or a group might have wanted to take in all three.”

Now, Cobourg and Port Hope are close, geographically, but not so close that anyone could conveniently give proper due to all three, or even two, of these events on one little weekend.
There are fifty-two weekends in one year. We are told by tourism consultants that shoulder seasons - that is, fall and spring - are ideal staging targets for festivals and such.
One reason is the weather. In winter and summer, Canadian weather may be too cold or too hot for comfort for outdoor venues. And we do like to be outdoors.
Now, this past weekend was not a good example of fine fall weather, nor was the Labour Day weekend, when the Shelter Valley Festival goers suffered through what looked like the tail end of a tropical storm.
But, we cannot plan the weather, we can only plan around it.
What we can plan are the dates of these wonderful attractions, which nobody wants to miss.
If ever there was a case for some county-wide co-ordination, or at least some common-sense co-operation between Cobourg and Port Hope, this is it.
So much work - virtually all of it done by dedicated volunteers - goes into staging these events.
Couldn't we take five minutes, before the work starts, to plan the dates so that we're not left with some weekends at loose ends, while others are so jam-packed with events that would-be attendees cannot get to them?
We understand that one aim of the Northumberland Arts Coalition is to help coordinate arts events so that they complement - rather than compete - with one another. Great.
Maybe we could get other events, not strictly within the arts sphere, to compare notes, as well.
It would be nice to be able to appreciate all that hard work.

Robert Latimer new artistic director at First Stages Theatre Company

2006-09-24T08:47:00.000-04:00

"I am very pleased to welcome you to my first season as Artistic Director of First Stages Theatre Company. It is an honour and a challenge to take up this position from Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus Diana Reis. This season's programme of playreadings is an eclectic mix of comedy, drama and music that is both heart-warming and funny, sometimes intense, always thought-provoking ... yet ultimately entertaining! New this season will be Sunday matinees for some performances. The 2006/2007 Season opens on Sunday, November 5TH at 3 o'clock with a premiere presentation of David Hare's VIA DOLOROSA. For detailed information on this and other productions, please click Programme on the above menu. Also new this season, we are offering two subscription packages and a revised single ticket price. Come and experience the power of the spoken word. I look forward to seeing you at The Capitol Theatre." ~ Robert Latimer, Artistic Director

First Stages Theatre was founded in 1999 by Canadian actor Diana Reis. Its debut presentation was TALLEY'S FOLLY by Landford Wilson and starred Diana Reis, Karl Pruner and Paul Soles. The performance was at The Capitol Theatre in Port Hope where the company has continued to present a five-play season every year since. In founding First Stages Ms. Reis set down a mission statement as follows: "The aim of First Stages Theatre Company is to present a unique eveing of theatre using its three essential elements: The Actor, The Play and The Audience. The Actors are among some of the most accomplished professionals in Canada today. The Plays include time-honoured classics and challenging new works. First Stages wishes to share its love of the spoken word and to provide stimulating and satisfying entertainment to the Audience."
The manner in which we present plays is best described as "staged concert readings". The actors perform the play, on stage, without the benefit of a rehearsal period or the support of full sets, costumes or props. The presentation is in the style of a concert with the actors reading from the script. The experience has been compared to "watching a radio play... with the emphasis on the text, the spoken word then ignites the imagination !"
The readings are enhanced with an informal talk-back following the performance. The audience is introduced to the actors and are then invited to comment and ask questions about what they have just seen and heard.

2006-09-24T08:41:00.000-04:00

Friends of Music announces 32nd season

2006-09-24T06:36:00.000-04:00

For its 32nd season of bringing live performances of classical music to Northumberland County, Friends of Music (FOM) will open with The Vogler Quartet with Angela Cheng, pianist Sunday, November 12 at the Capitol Arts Centre in a matinee performance at 3:30 p.m.. Ms. Cheng, winner of the Rubenstein competition, has appeared with virtually every Canadian Orchestra. The Vogler Quartet of young players from Berlin is internationally recognized for its powerful interpretation of classic works.

The Hannaford Silver Street Band, Canada's premier professional 21-piece band, will appear Saturday, December 2 at the Port Hope United Church at 8 p.m. They will play an original blend of virtuoso show pieces, classical transcriptions and familiar big band selections with a holiday salute of traditional Christmas carols.

The Elora Festival Singers conducted by Noel Edison, will present a choral program on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at the United Church at 8 p.m., featuring a blend of sacred and secular music. Established in 1980, EFS now acts as the professional core of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, which Noel Edison also conducts.

Trio Mosaique features three of Canada's classical superstars, James Campbell (clarinet), Moshe Hammer (violin), and Richard Raymond (piano). They will perform Friday, March 18, 2007 at the Capitol Arts Centre at 3 p.m.

And for the season's finale, one of Canada's finest chamber orchestras, Sinfonia Toronto, conducted by Nurhan Arman, will bring the audience to their feet Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 3 p.m. at the Capitol Arts Centre.

Acclaimed by critics world-wide, Sinfonia Toronto broadcasts regularly on the CBC from the Glenn Gould Studio.

Following each of the concerts, a reception will be held where the audience may meet and chat with the performers and enjoy refreshments in company with other music lovers, a unique opportunity rarely afforded concert-goers.

A Friends of Music subscription includes tickets to all five concerts.

A new subscription option, "a flexible subscription of three tickets", will accommodate those away for certain concerts, but who still want to make a commitment of a subscription.

Subscriptions are the basis of FOM budgetary planning and it is their hope to increase the subscriber base by offering this additional option.
The subscription series cost remains at the same level of the past three years: $125 - adult; $115 -senior; $260 - family of four; and the new Flex Pass of three tickets for $80. Subscriptions purchased before May 3l receive a $5 discount for single orders and $10 for Family subscriptions.
Subscriptions may also be purchased at the Capitol Arts Centre Box office, 20 Queen Street, Port Hope from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Major credit cards may also be used by telephoning 905-885-1071 or toll free 1-800-434-5092.

Victoria Hall Volunteers presents ViewPoint 2006

2006-09-21T06:40:00.000-04:00

The 2006 series opens with Terence Dickinson on Wednesday October 4 Exploring the Final Frontier - A Personal Tour of the Universe. Terence Dickinson is Canada's foremost astonomer and best-selling author of astronomy books for adults and children. His illustrated talk takes us on a voyage toward the edge of space and time in search of the limits of the cosmos. Appearing regularly on CBC Radio and the Canadian Discovery Channel for many years, he is currently editor of the Canadian magazine Sky News. He has received numerous national and international awards including the Order of Canada, an honorary Ph D. from Trent University and an award for his renowned abaility to explain the universe in easy-to-understand terms fron the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

On Wednesday October 11 Charlotte Gray speaks of Capturing a Life: My Hunt for Alexander Graham Bell. Charlotte Gray is one of Canada's best known and highly respected writers. She has contributed to all of Canada's major magazines and newspapers and frequently appears as a commentator on CBC Radio and Television and TVO Ontario. Charlotte Gray is the author of five award-books including Sisters in the Wilderness, Canada, A Portrait of Letters 1800-2000 and A Museum called Canada. Having beena political commentator in Saturday Night magazine for eight years she then switched to a focus on histry in 1994. She is currently an adjunct research professor in history at Carleton University in Ottawa.

Exhilarating, Soulful, Hurtin' Design - Why Architecture Moves Me is the topic of Lisa Rochon on Wednesday October 18. Lisa Rochon is the architecture columnist/critic for the Globe and Mail. She speaks across Canada about architecture and cities and participates often on design juries. Her book Up North: Where Canada's Architecture meets the Land was launched in October 2005. Ms. Rochon's national column City Space explores the complex favric of Canadian cities and towns - their public spaces, their trophy buildings and contextual architecture. She teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Architecture; Landscape and Design and her graduate seminar on the reconstruction of dvastated cities was introduced following 9-11.

The series closes on Wednesday October 25 with Murray Elston and Bridging the Energy Supply Gap. Murray Elston was a lawyer before being a member of the Ontario Legislature from 1981 to 1994 where he held many positions including Minister of Health and Minister of Financial Institutions. He served as President of Canada's Research-based Pharmaceutical Companies from 1998 until 2004, when he was appointed President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association. The association is a non-profit organization extablished in 1960, representing the nuclear industry in Canada and promotion the development and growth of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes. Mr. Elston is chair of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre and also serves on numerous boards involved with environmental and medical concerns.

All lectures take place at the Concert Hall at 8 p.m. Series tickets are $35.00. Cash and cheque only, please.

2006-09-14T16:46:00.000-04:00

HIV/AIDS Epidemic Devastates Zimbabwe

Local Art Gallery Supports Grassroots Projects

HIV/AIDS has had unimaginable and devastating consequences for the people of Zimbabwe. The epidemic is so huge it has impacted up to three generations in many families. Zimbabwe has the fifth highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in the world, but the country’s political and economic instability makes donors reluctant to help.

In Zimbabwe:

- Every 20 minutes another child is orphaned as a result of the AIDS epidemic.

- Over one million children have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. The majority of them live fragile, marginalized lives.

- The number of orphans increased 450% from 1988 to 2003 (from 245,000 to 1.14 million).

- Every week, 2,000 - 3,000 adults die from AIDS.

- One in four adults is HIV positive.

- AIDS is now responsible for nine of every ten deaths in the 15 – 49 year old age group.

- Largely due to HIV/AIDS, life expectancy at birth has dropped from 58 years, in the early 1980s, to 37.8 years and is expected to drop further.

- Women are disproportionately affected, accounting for more than half of all HIV inflections.

- An extremely poor country, Zimbabwe has experienced a contraction in gross domestic product of around 30% since 1999.

- Inflation is running at over 1,000%.

An entire generation is disappearing due to HIV/AIDS.

Bailieboro resident and owner of the ZimArt Rice Lake Gallery, Fran Fearnley, has been a regular visitor to Zimbabwe since 1998. The former editor-in-chief of Today’s Parent magazine (1987 – 1997) and trustee of the Peterborough County public school board (1985-1991), Fearnley first saw the devastation being caused by HIV/AIDS when volunteering in South Africa in 1998 – 1999.

For four years Fearnley has been helping to raise funds for The Stephen Lewis Foundation, one of the few donor agencies still supporting initiatives in Zimbabwe. “It all started with a musical fundraiser in Toronto in August 2003, where we raised $15,000.” she explains. This year ZimArt has donated $5,000 to The Stephen Lewis Foundation and raised another $1,650. “The funds will be directed to the Mavambo Trust, a project I visited with ZimArt’s Zimbabwean representative, Biggie Chikodzi, on my recent trip to Zimbabwe. They are doing wonderful work with HIV/AIDS orphans, who have not had a chance to be part of the formal school system, providing basic skill development in small classes, with lots of one-on-one attention.”

ZimArt continues to raise funds for The Stephen Lewis Foundation through soliciting donations and by donating sculptures to foundation events. But, instead of donating a portion of proceeds from sales to The Stephen Lewis Foundation, as she has done in the past, Fearnley is financing grassroots projects which cannot hope to get international funding. “The Canadian Embassy in Harare helped us connect with women-led projects supporting HIV/AIDS orphans and ZimArt has provided micro-financing for two groups so far, one is a group of 20 prostitutes, looking after more than 60 children, and desperate to earn a living without prostituting themselves.” Fearnley explains. Currently in Canada for the Rice Lake exhibition, Mr, Chikodzi, says, “Visiting these projects was a real eye opener for me. I have learned a lot about my own country. And I have seen the positive change that can happen at the grass roots.”

Fearnley continues, “Now we are working with the Buddhist run Ropka Centre in Harare, to fund the development of a seven acre organic garden for Saint Marcellin’s Children’s Village, an orphanage in Harare. When you are on the ground in Zimbabwe a few thousand dollars can go a very long way.”

ZimArt’s annual Shona sculpture exhibition at Rice Lake, now in its seventh year, is one of key opportunities for fundraising. Last year $3,197 was received in donations for The Stephen Lewis Foundation. Admission to Rice Lake VII is free, even for the opening and closing parties (September 9 and September 17, 3.00 – 7.00 pm), when visitors will be entertained by the live music of Nymansango Marimba Ensemble. This is a great opportunity for area residents to contribute to HIV/AIDS projects in Zimbabwe, while enjoying beautiful art from that country, in a stunning rural setting.
“Last year we welcomed over 2,500 visitors to the exhibition,” Fearnley says. “If we have the same number of visitors this year and everyone donates $5 we could raise $12,500. That’s the goal!” It’s a goal echoed by Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, Executive Director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. “I first met Fran in 2003, when the Foundation was a fledgling organisation, operating from my house. It’s very rewarding to have long-term relationships with people who continue to support our efforts.”
In November 2006, in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy in Harare, ZimArt will hold an exhibit in the sculpture gardens at the National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe. An Inuit sculptor will be invited to attend from Canada. ZimArt will be curating the show and will donate 50 sculptures for sale with all proceeds going to grassroots HIV/AIDS projects in Zimbabwe.
More information on ZimArt’s fundraising activities is available at the Fundraising section of the website, www.zimart.ca. Community groups raising funds for The Stephen Lewis Foundation, or any HIV/AIDS projects in Zimbabwe, are also invited to contact ZimArt and request a donated sculpture for auction or sale.
Rice Lake VII takes place September 10 – 17, 2006, with an opening party on September 9, 3.00 – 7.00 p.m. Further details and directions can be found at www.zimart.ca.

DK Ibomeka and all that jazz

2006-09-14T05:37:00.000-04:00

by Richard Young, Cobourg Star
New features intended to expand the fifth annual All-Canadian Jazz Festival out into the community were unveiled by organizers yesterday.
Local food and drink establishments have joined the party this year, festival chair Lou Pamenter announced inside The Palm restaurant.
Jazz in the Park, Blues After Dark promotes nine restaurants and night spots in Port Hope and Cobourg as places to go after the final show is played in memorial park for more live music and festivities. This will expand the spirit of the festival beyond Memorial Park and into clubs, allowing community to further involve itself in the festivities, Ms. Pamenter told a gathering yesterday.
Festival organizers have unleashed new pamphlets advertising when and where the live music is playing outside of festival, which is scheduled September 22, 23 and 24.
The Palm, The Oasis Bar and Grill, Zest Bar and Bistro and Ganaraska Hotel are advertising live music during the weekend. Los Sorbitos, The Wedge Bistro, Beamish House, Winchester Arms and Lantern Inn are also advertising on the program in similar fashion.
Festival music program director John McGuirk was visibly excited when speaking of this year's lineup. He referred to Saturday night headliner Oliver Jones as "one of the most famous musicians in the world" and trumpeted the Paul Read Jazz Orchestra, who make their world premier on Sunday.
Friday's headliners Kelleylee Evans and DK Ibomeka were dubbed "future stars" by Mr. McGuirk.
"These two, I think, are going to be really big international stars before too long," he said, further describing Mr. Ibomeka as "a huge force."
'Huge' seems to best describe Mr. Ibomeka, the 26-year-old vocalist who stands 6 ft. 7 in.
The emerging vocalist was on hand at The Palm to promote the festival and his debut album, Love Stories. The festival will be one of his final Canadian shows before embarking on a tour of Europe later this fall. His debut album mixes jazz, blues and soul stylings.

coming to the Colborne Art gallery – George Raab

2006-09-12T05:33:00.000-04:00

The first thing we feel when looking at one of George Raab's prints is a longing for our own, solitary, encounters with this country's natural wilderness. The softened, hand-applied colours and the aquatint process infuse the scenes with nostalgia -- not sentimentally, but in a way that perhaps persuades us that there is importance in reminders of where we have deeply experienced tranquility.
The photographic base in the prints is recognizable by their compositions (they look as if they were framed through a viewfinder) and by the modulated range of tones that spread with mechanical precision over the rocks, trees, water. The gracious camera lens encompasses everything in its field of vision and allows the artist to begin his images with total complexity. This is a feature that alleviates the need for him to organize the visual elements and render them himself. Raab's views are mostly frontal. The strongest do not include sky or much sky, they bring us close to the ground, and make us want to inspect details.
Photography is integral to Raab's process of making art. There is no flinch in him about that fact. If we are oblivious of how the prints are done, he makes us quickly mindful of the photographer's role in them. His compositions look camera-sought and selected; they make us think we are looking at them through a camera from a canoe, from a river hank, from the edge of a field or woods. We are situated in front of them, not in them. In some, there are shadows cast by trees which are outside the camera frame. The foreground shadows suggest, too, the presence of the photographer. They adumbrate to us the significance of photography in our eventual understanding of what Raab is doing.

The prints reveal Raab's committed sensitivity to the natural environment, but as photographs alone they would be conventional. Some of them bear charming, though naive, titles such as, "A Good Place to Get Stuck", "Rhapsody in Milkweed" (Pictured above) , "Frog City", which are reminiscent of titles used by nature photographers. By posing a seemingly simple premise for his subject matter, he disarms and primes us for an engagement with the high sophistication of his images beyond the photographic.

Raab often starts by altering the images on the photographic negatives; he scratches them, and cuts and assembles pieces from different frames. He can control the exposure of the image onto the photosensitized metal plate. After the plate is etched in an acid bath, he works on it by etching additional, drawn lines and areas of tonal gradation through the aquatint method. The plate undergoes the repeated scraping and burnishing of bitten lines, and the careful etching-in of new ones. Here is where Raab's vision and technical mastery achieve amazing consummation. We get past a kind of viewers' "gaze-lag" and experience another dimension in the work. We see the agitated quality of the printed intaglio line, the enhanced (artificial?) hues ... the certain, anxious pull of "form" from "subject".
The shock of pleasure Raab feels when he is startled by the "picturesque" in the landscape is different from the one he experiences when he peels the dampened paper from the inked plate. The print springs forward as glistening ink on a white surface. His subsequent manipulations of the image by obliterating portions of the etched lines, and through colour augmentation are governed by distinctly other urges than wanting to capture a heightened moment in the wilderness. The incongruity of the initial photographic act with the intuitive and exhaustive studio-working of the image creates mild and satisfying tensions.

The potential for an abstract reading of some of his most intriguing prints is sharply thwarted by the very abstraction they aspire to. Curiously, as in Monet's "Water Lilies", they are abstracted to the point where, rather than detaching themselves from the source objects, they become symbols of them, which even more compellingly evoke in us sensations of the real thing. In its abstracted state, "Water Clump" seems to possess textures more tangibly sodden, and smells more pungent of stagnant water and decaying flora, than could be possible in any realistic rendering. Examples of this phenomenon, in simpler form, are the thickly painted apples in dense, green trees found in children's art. The depiction of the fruit as impossibly huge, red and round, induce in us the smell and feel of an actual autumn orchard.
Raab's most provocative works beckon us towards our familiar interactions with landscape and with art, then confront us with fresh ways to think and feel about them.

Shelter Valley shines on despite showers

2006-09-11T05:28:00.000-04:00

Mandy Martin, The Cobourg Star
High winds and heavy rain pelted Shelter Valley Folk festival late Saturday afternoon. Shortly after 6 p.m., organizers declared Saturday night's main stage show, headlining Canadian musician Sarah Harmer, a no-go. But, as they say in the biz, the show must go on - and on it went, on Sunday morning.
Virtually every act booked for Saturday night rejigged schedules, some driving from as far away as Toronto and Kingston, to return to the stage Sunday. As for the festival ticket-holders and volunteers camped out on the hillside, many stayed through the windswept, rainy night, witnessing several tents blowing by. Some decamped to nearby homes - or billeted with locals who opened their homes to the visitors.
"When it rains, we shine," festival artistic director Aengus Finnan said more than once Saturday and Sunday.
The festival opened Friday with sunshine and an eight-act stage show culminating in Canadian music icon Murray McLauchlan. Mr. McLauchlan wowed the audience and he, in turn, was honoured with standing ovations.
Artisans, wellness practitioners and food concessions in the "village" adjacent to the main stage area welcomed visitors all weekend, the weather failing utterly to dampen enthusiasm.
When Saturday's rain intensified with wind, organizers began to think about contingency plans around 5 p.m. Shortly after 6 p.m., the decision was made to cancel the show for safety reasons and a sudden power outage reinforced the judgment.
"It's been an amazing weekend," festival business and production manager Katharine Partridge said near festival end Sunday afternoon, giving much of the credit to "our amazing volunteers."
"They have had smiles on their faces all weekend, pulling together, being wherever needed. On Saturday morning, we called a 7:30 a.m. meeting at the windmill. We were expecting maybe a dozen or so would turn up, given many hadn't made it to bed till 1:30 a.m. You know, a 180 people showed up!"
Two large tent awnings erected originally for shade served as effective audience rain shelters Sunday. With the main parking area entry and exit slicked with mud, organizers simply opened up the next field over for visitor parking.
Financially, the festival is fine, Ms. Partridge says.
"Because we had planned for bad weather. We said when we started planning this festival last September and October, we've had two beautiful, sunny weekends in a row, so we should be planning for what happens if it rains."
Promotion efforts through links with other folk festivals, on the Internet and a downtown Cobourg storefront are credited with boosting early bird ticket sales. Coupled with careful festival budgeting, the event "is not totally reliant on gate sales."
In fact, despite Sunday's non-stop rain, varying from light mist to outright drizzle, performers, festival attendees and workers were decidedly sunny. There were innovative fashion statements (skirts of green garbage bags, a T-shirt that read "I survived the Shelter Valley Blow of '06" and extreme takes on the concept of layering), muddy sloughs in high traffic areas and fogged glasses, but discomfort was not acknowledged.
"Sarah Harmer changed her plans in Toronto Sunday to come back (to play)," Ms. Partridge notes. "Alan Rhody as well changed a commitment. And Ndidi drove back to Toronto last night and is back today to so a show.
In fact, there weren't any no-shows for the weekend,
"Aengus (Finnan, artistic director) says if we take any one piece of this organization out, it (the festival) can't happen. For example, the parking crew, the food section, every volunteer is as equally important as the performers on the main stage. Someone last year described the festival as a quilt, pieced together and carefully crafted."
There will, of course, be a fourth annual festival.
"We've already had our first new volunteer for next year," Ms. Partridge announces. "(Musician) Ian Tamblyn signed up."

Joy of Music Club Returns

2006-08-31T05:57:00.000-04:00

by Bob Leahy

The sounds of music will be returning to Trent Hills in September as Spirit of the Hills popular For the Joy of Music Club enters its second season.
The club meets on the third Monday of each month, upstairs at the Campbellford Library. It offers a diverse range of musical talks in an intimate setting by experts in their field, directed at music lovers who would like to expand their knowledge of the art form. In other words, music appreciation talks with a twist - the presentations are illustrated by musical excerpts, either live or drawn from recordings.
This year’s presenters include some popular favourites from last year as well as a bevy of new faces. The season kicks off on September 18 at 7 pm with a talk by Ken Laird, who served as the head of the English Department at Campbellford District High School. Laird will be talking about musical pieces that are paired with literature of the same name, at least in title. Refreshments will be served and new members are more than welcome.
Dr. Gary Walters will return to the club on October 16 to offer a similarly themed presentation, this time featuring music and art compositions with the same subject matter. Walters is an artist himself and also an art historian who currently lives in Hastings.
Future guests include Giles Bryant, the well-known organist, choirmaster, tenor, editor and music historian. Bryant was the Executive Director of the Kiwanis Music Festival and has composed several liturgical works. He now lives in Warkworth. Professor Timothy McGee from Hastings will be another presenter later in the year. He has been host of music programs on CBC-FM and CJRT-FM and was the founding director of the Toronto Consort of Music. Also confirmed is Jeanette Sanderson, well known Lemmon Sisters vocalist and Machine Running dancer. Sanderson is an expert on female singing groups from the first half of the last century, such as the Boswell Sisters, and will be talking about these later in the year.
For the Joy of Music Club membership, the entire season of 10 talks, is priced at $15 for Spirit of the Hills members or $20 for non-Spirit of the Hills members.

For more information, call Avner Gilaad at (705) 696-1633. Spirit 2006 Art Exhibition and Sale

Port Hope arts community nurtures creativity

2006-08-30T05:55:00.000-04:00

By Jeanne Beneteau – Northumberland News

After growing up in Mississauga's Lorne Park corporate environment, living in Port Hope with its supportive and robust arts community is a delightful breath of fresh air, says a Port Hope artist.

Martha Robinson has called Port Hope home since 1996 and while residents may not be familiar with her name, visitors to Toronto's annual Royal Agricultural Winter Fair are likely to be familiar with her work. Every year, Ms. Robinson can be found 'cow side' at the fair, where her love of portraiture draws her back to paint water colours of Ayrshires and Simmentals and all manner of sheep and goats. Works produced at the Royal have been the basis for two individual exhibitions, have been included in gallery showings in Toronto and Northumberland (currently at St. John's Books in Grafton) and have been entered in competitive shows in Canada and the United States, she explains.

During her years of study at the Ontario College of Art and Design - she graduated with honours in illustration in 1984 - many of her classmates teased her about her love of animal-based paintings. Yet her zest and expertise at creating animal portraitures served to open a wide variety of freelance opportunities which included work for Ralston Purina and toy companies with diverse assignments ranging from 10X10-feet backdrops, corporate holiday greeting cards and calendars, to textile and children's wallpaper designs. In addition, Ms. Robinson has and continues to teach water colour and general arts programs both privately and through schools and colleges such as Belleville's Loyalist College.

Ms. Robinson's primary media are water colour, gouache and acrylic with forays into pen and ink, linocut, gouache resist, pencil and collage. She recently set up a studio in her Bloomsgrove Avenue home and after years of freelance work, "where the client tells you what to paint," she says she is enjoying the chance to paint what she wants.

"My favourites are landscapes and of course animals, but I now have the opportunity to challenge myself, to change, which can sometimes be daunting when straying from your comfort zone," she says. "New ideas need time to percolate but I'm itching to try something new."

The something 'new' may blossom from a trip to Europe this fall with her 82-year-old father. Together, the pair plan to retrace her father's footsteps as a soldier who took part in the liberation of Italy during the Second World War. First item on the packing list for the trip is her painting paraphernalia.

"My water colours are a must," she says. "Hopefully, I will be able to create a pictorial version of my father's war years experiences."

Ms. Robinson comes by her craft naturally... her father was a creative director for an advertising agency and once a week starting in the fall, she and her father join like-minded artists at Port Hope's Canton municipal for a painting session.

"There's a committed, supportive arts community here in Northumberland County," says Ms. Robinson. "It's great to feel connected."

For samples of Ms. Robinson's work, visit her website at www.martharobinson.ca.

Kids and instructors have a ball at Artworth

2006-08-30T05:42:00.000-04:00

by Brian Schuette, Community Press

Artworth wrapped up the final week of their first art camp for children with an open house for the parents and community on August 18. The kids showed some of their handiwork completed over the previous week, including paintings, woodturning projects and ceramics, and they performed a short skit about a haunted house as well.
David Lyon, one of the organizers and instructors for the event, had the group of 28 students up to his studio the day before. Broken up into groups of seven, they rotated throughout the day to do each activity in turn. David had each of the children chisel out a spinning top on a lathe, which were then ready for painting. Under a shady tree, Jessica Smith had her groups work on watercolour landscapes and pastel drawings, and constructed kites with the children. Mara Brown’s groups learned about movement and performing on stage, playing monsters and scaring people entering their house. Following their play, they all formed a line and took a deep bow, just like the pros. Monica Johnston had her kids make ceramic pieces in clay that they then painted with various glazes to create different colours and textures. The artworks were then heated in a portable kiln, with glazes bubbling and the pieces glowing red hot, and when ready, Monica removed them to a fire pit to complete the process.
David found the whole two-week experience very gratifying, especially as the kids were so enthusiastic about their lessons. "I was blown away by what they’ve been able to achieve with pottery," he said between group sessions. "It was a rewarding experience not only in terms of the art made, but in the response from the community. We took out some ads and by the second one coming out, we were fully booked. There’s definitely a need within the community for this kind of event. We also had tremendous support from sponsors. The Warkworth Service Club gave us some seed money to get started, Kirkland Plumbing provided the Blue Loo for the two weeks, and Specialty Lumber in Colborne supplied the wood for the woodturning."
One thing the organizers of Artworth learned from this first season is that they need to allow more time for some activities. David thinks that rather than have 28 kids come to his studio for a day of turning wood on his lathes, he may limit it to just seven next summer, so they have a more intensive learning experience.

Shelter Valley Folk Festival This Weekend

2006-08-29T05:57:00.000-04:00

The Shelter Valley Folk Festival has been the long-time dream of many local residents and local songwriter/Artistic Director Aengus Finnan. A volunteer committee formed around a kitchen table in the summer of 2003 and began work on the first festival which was brought to fruition for the inaugural year in September 2004.
Located in the hills of Northumberland County on the rustic farm of Arnie and Tracy Henkel (just an hour east of Toronto), with a spectacular rolling view of Lake Ontario, the festival strives to offers county residents and visitors alike the finest selection of Folk Roots & Blues performers throughout the Labour Day weekend.
In addition to acoustic concerts and workshops on a series of daytime stages and an evening Main Stage, the festival includes an artisans' village (which showcases local potters, painters, photographers and one-of-a-kind crafts), culinary vendors (with international and regional cuisine), wellness practitioners and lifestyles booths (with interactive displays ranging from massage and aromatherapy to wind power and organic gardening) and a family and children's area complete with performers, interactive arts workshops, and a parade.
There is also open field camping for tents and tent trailers. The Family area of the camping field is designated "quiet after 11pm", while the music area has communal fire pits for festival goers who bring along their guitars to join in the "starlight song circles

Shelter Valley’s 100 Mile Diet

2006-08-29T05:41:00.000-04:00

By David Sheffield
What if we committed ourselves to eat only food that was produced within 100 miles of where we live? That’s a question Shelter Valley Folk Festival organizers have been asking themselves. Maria Calderone, co-ordinator for the event’s hospitality area, says "it’s a really conscious way to eat, because you have to get creative."
The so-called 100 Mile Diet started as an experiment by Vancouver residents Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon to live for one year "with the rhythms of the land as our ancestors did." They chose the imperial measurement rather than 100 kilometres just to give themselves a little more breathing room.
The project caught the attention of people all over the world who now are planning single meals, a whole day or a week of meals using locally grown food.
Shelter Valley Folk Festival, coming up this Labour Day weekend, places a high value on supporting its local community, so the idea of sourcing food nearby was a perfect fit. "It starts building a dialogue between the people growing the food and the consumer," says Ms. Calderone. "You are developing relationships that sustain the community."
She, along with assistant Debra Westbrook and crew chiefs Beth Sheffield and Janet Herbert, have arranged all the food and, along with a hospitality crew of 25, will be preparing meals for more than 250 community volunteers over the course of the weekend.
Another 50 festival village participants, as well as musicians and their families, bring to more than 350 the number gathered around outdoor tables at mealtimes. Mindful of the increased number of people she is feeding this year, Ms. Calderone has planted a supplemental garden of fresh herbs and tomatoes.
In the area called The Harvest Table, food vendors will offer a variety of tasty choices to the festival’s weekenders. Exotic cuisine such as jerk chicken and roti will be served by Caribbean Flavah from Whitby. The Shelter Valley grill sandwich and cheese quesadillas will be provided by Cobourg’s Oasis Bar and Grill. Organic salads and vegetarian chili will be dished up by a new vendor, Peterborough’s The Garden Market, and festival-goers will be able to purchase baked potatoes, corn on the cob and apple crisp, all made with ingredients from Northumberland County farms and orchards.
Food typically travels between 2,400 and 4,000 kilometres from farm to table, a figure that’s up 25 per cent since 1980. The varieties of fruits and vegetables that are shipped long distances to a local supermarket are chosen for their ability to withstand industrial harvesting and extended travel. It’s not unusual to find, for example, low-priced California strawberries with flavour like cardboard on supermarket shelves in this area while freshly picked strawberries are available at a family-run farm market nearby.
"When you start looking at it," Ms. Calderone says, "there is an incredible variety of food available within a 100 mile radius of where we live." Drawing such a circle around the Henkel farm near Grafton, the festival site, includes Algonquin Park, the Niagara Peninsula and the cities of Kingston and Rochester. A menu from inside that circle could include garden vegetables, wild blueberries, maple syrup, peaches and plums, a variety of meats, fish, wild rice and bread.
Favouring locally grown food for the Shelter Valley Folk Festival, which falls during harvest time in Ontario, may be a great idea, but Ms. Calderone isn't sure she could give up some of her favourite imported ingredients. "If I were going to live entirely on the 100 Mile Diet, I would need to figure out how to grow olives here," she says.
Farmers and gardeners wishing to help the Shelter Valley Folk Festival feed its volunteers can make donations of locally grown produce by dropping off their bounty at the festival’s Cobourg office, 47 King St. W., on Wednesday, Aug. 30. The office telephone number is 905-377-9556.
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival, a grassroots family weekend of music, art, wellness and fine food, takes place Sept. 1-3. The volunteer-run, not-for-profit event this year features Canadian folk legend Murray McLauchlan and Universal recording artist Sarah Harmer among its acts. Tickets are limited and are available online at www.sheltervalley.com, at the festival office (47 King St W., Cobourg) or at the gate.

Third Thursday offers unique experience for artists and audiences

2006-08-27T05:50:00.000-04:00

by Janet Richards, Community Press
Belleville – What began as a desire to give local artists an opportunity to use the new space at the John M. Parrott Gallery at the Belleville Public Library evolved into the concept of a monthly arts and culture jam.
Beginning in September artists from different disciplines will be sharing space and presenting ideas based on a theme once a month during Third Thursday. The event, hosted by the Belleville Public Library and the Quinte Arts Council (QAC) was developed by a group of artists as a means to use the space "to do anything and everything and to collaborate," says Carol Bauer of the QAC.
After curator Susan Holland discussed using the gallery space with Bauer, the committee was formed and began working on a program they believe will serve artists as well as audiences in Quinte.
"The artists had a desire not to be restricted by someone else's ideas," says Bauer.
To this end themes with broad possibilities for interpretation were developed and artists have been invited to submit proposals based on the themes. The artists for each event meet prior to the presentation to "jam" and share their ideas.
September's theme is Rhythm and will feature potter Doug Roy, writer/performer Darren Cole, musician Percy Adler, the Annahata Drummers, dancers and more. The event will include the rhythms of the pottery wheel, of music, of dance, of life and the Earth.
Each Third Thursday event will have a host acting as a bridge between the artists' work and the audience and members of the public are welcome to drop in at any time during the presentation from 7 to 9 p.m.
"It's not a show, it's a gallery experience," says Bauer.
The structure of the events allows artists from different disciplines to collaborate on the theme and create a unique presentation. For example in September's event, Roy will be throwing pots while accompanied by a jazz guitarist as one section of the presentation. Artists who wish to collaborate with different disciplines for their presentation can contact the QAC for references if they wish.
The deadlines have passed for submissions for the first three Third Thursday events, but area artists are welcome to submit proposals for December through June. The themes (in monthly order) are Enthusiasm, Hot, Thunder, Hazards, Alive, Duration and Elemental. A proposal should include the artist's ideas of what they would present on the theme.
"All we want to do is ensure people come to the table with a fairly clear idea, but it doesn't have to be complete, it is a collaboration," says Bauer.
Submissions are being accepted from any artists in the community, they do not have to be members of the QAC. The whole idea revolves around cultivating creativity, says Bauer. It will serve as a catalyst and a forum for artists and art groups to express themselves. Presenters will also have the opportunity to promote their work or shows with printed material that will be displayed in the gallery.
The events are free for the public to attend and run on the third Thursday of each month from September to June from 7 – 9 p.m. at the John M. Parrott Gallery in the Belleville Public Library. For more information contact Carol at the Quinte Arts Council by e-mail at or at (613) 962-1232 ext. 26. Information is also available online at the QAC web site.

RICE LAKE VII

2006-08-23T05:12:00.000-04:00

Annual Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture Show Returns to
Tree-Lined Field Overlooking Rice Lake
“This will rate as one of the most extraordinary moments of my life – such beautiful art in a fantastic setting, with amazing music.” Visitor, Rice Lake VI
For the seventh September in a row, over 2,000 visitors from Ontario, Quebec, and New York State will come to Rice Lake to stroll in the beautiful country setting admiring stone sculptures created by over 50 Zimbabwean artists. They will watch the artist-in-residence create new pieces using hand tools and enjoy the sounds of African music in the background. It will be an enchanting afternoon.
Sculpture from Zimbabwe, also know as, Shona sculpture, has been described by The New York Times as a ‘wholly indigenous modern art form”. It transforms the space it occupies and according to Newsweek, “…is perhaps the most important new art form to emerge from Africa in the 20th century.”
Rice Lake VII curator, Fran Fearnley, travels to Zimbabwe every year to select and purchase sculptures directly from the artists.
This year’s artist-in-resident, Andamiyo Chihota, started carving at the age of 13. He apprenticed with his cousin, Edronce Rukodzi (an internationally acclaimed sculptor) who introduced him to the Tengenenge Art Colony. By 17, Andamiyo was carving full time. All his sculptures bear his artistic signature – delicately etched eyes. Eyes, Andamiyo explains, express what is inside – as they look out on the world.
In 2002 he was invited to Germany for a solo exhibition and to provide sculpting workshops at Sankt Andreasberg. He has participated in several major group shows including one at the Museum of Fine Arts in San Diego. His work has sold to collectors in Holland, Germany, Belgium UK, USA and Canada.
Rice Lake VII highlights:
Opening: September 9, 2006, 3:00 – 7:00 pm
With live traditional Zimbabwean music of the Nyamamusango Marimba Ensemble.
Show: September 10 – 17, 2006, Noon – 7:00pm
Closing: September 17, 2006 3:00 – 7:00pm
With live traditional Zimbabwean music of the Nyamamusango Marimba Ensemble.
Previews: September 2 – 9, 2006, anytime by appointment. School and other educational
groups welcomed
Rice Lake Gallery is located 20 km north of Port Hope, Ontario; 15 km south of Peterborough, off Highway 28. Watch for signs.
Admission is free. Donations to The Stephen Lewis Foundation, for HIV/AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe, will be gratefully accepted.
Directions and additional information on Rice Lake VII and ZimArt is available at www.zimart.ca.

Warkworth festival features aboriginal writers

2006-08-15T04:06:00.000-04:00

by Bob Leahy
Never ones to rest on their laurels, the folks at Spirit of the Hills have come up with a new twist to their popular Writers in Warkworth series. This year’s word-fest features prominent First Nations’ authors.
True, the basic formula is the same—and that’s good, because it’s a winner. Invite three authors to read excerpts from their works in a gala setting, complete with classy musical interludes. Entertain questions from the audience. Serve something nice to eat. Next day, offer workshops by the same three authors to the budding authors amongst us, or to those who just like to read and understand the process better.
Previous years’ workshops have featured the cream of the Canadian literary scene, with authors like novelist-superstar Nino Ricci pulling a large crowd to the venerable Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts, where this year’s festival is also being held. This year, the authors are an exciting trio indeed. Their names may not so familiar to local audiences but they promise to deliver the usual fireworks that audiences have come to expect from this event.
Distinguished First Nations writer Lee Maracle will be kicking off the gala in fine style reading from her works Will’s Garden and Daughters are Forever. The next day her workshop topic will be on researching story ideas. Alderville’s Ruth Clarke will be reading from a work of particular relevance to local audiences: her book about memories of life on the Alderville Reserve. Her workshop topic is about writing creative non-fiction. And finally, Ojibway author and entertainer Drew Hayden Taylor will likely delight with readings from his book Native Humour, and conduct a workshop the next day on writing humorously.
Entertainment will be provided on the gala night by hot Alderville blues harpist Dave Mowat, whose stellar performance at this same location a few weeks ago brought down the house. Local jazz lady-about-town Arlene Smith, one of the event organizers, comperes the whole affair.
The gala is slated for The Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts on Friday, September 15, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from Kerr’s Books and The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce in Campbellford, Main Street Antique Market in Brighton or Eclectic Mix in Warkworth. Or phone (905) 352 3945 for tickets, and also to reserve your workshop seat.

Justice for Lord Stanley; Whodunit killer caught, punished at Murder in the Moonlight gala

2006-08-15T03:41:00.000-04:00

By Eileen Argyris, Cobourg Star

More than 450 guests found out whodunit Saturday night at the Grand Finale gala of the Lakeshore Road property of Steve Rutledge and Mike Yap was turned into an outdoor adult wonderland for the evening, with drama, music, fashion and even synchronized swimming to entertain, amaze and delight guests, and to raise money for the Capitol Theatre.
"Our goal was to raise $60,000 and, although we don't have all the exact final costs and totals, we feel we will be close, if not over (that amount)," Mr. Rutledge said Sunday.
Volunteerism and donations made the whole thing happen, he said, with 150 to 160 people working behind the scenes and on the night of the affair.
Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Yap were responsible for the inspiration and the perspiration required to mount the gala dinner and entertainment, which featured live and silent auctions, opera singers, a fashion show by Mike Yap, instrumental music by Steve Rutledge's Special Blend orchestra, including members of the La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra, the Concert Band of Cobourg, the Northumberland Orchestra and the Oshawa Durham Symphony Orchestra, all under the direction of Marie Anderson.
And, of course, there was the ongoing entertainment of the whodunit, with guests trying to nail the culprit behind the murder of the fictional, unfortunate Lord Stanley.
Before dinner, guests mingled in the extensive gardens of the Rutledge-Yap home, posing as the estate of Lady Catherine, Lord Stanley's widow. They enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and drinks, contemplated their bids for the silent auction items, admired the beautiful Arabian horses, supposedly from the stables of the beleaguered Lady Catherine.
Dinner was served under the "big top" of an elegant marquee tent, fitted with runways for the fashion show, theatrical lighting and closed-circuit big-screen televisions, so that guests could watch the synchronized swimming demonstration without leaving their tables.
The Port Hope Evening Guide and the Cobourg Daily Star have exclusively carried the 17-part mystery series, Murder in the Moonlight, following Inspector Dave as he pondered the motives and opportunities of an extensive list of sinister suspects. The gala evening was part of the plot; it seems Lady Catherine was left without financial resources after the murder of her husband, and was forced to sell off many of her possessions. Inviting more than 450 of her closest friends over for dinner was her way of getting folks to help her out.
At the event, the dastardly Jeremy, man of all work about the estate, was revealed as Lord Stanley's killer. But, in a surprise turn of events, Jeremy himself was done in, right in the marquee tent during Lady Catherine's elegant soiree.
Guests were left guessing about that for most of the evening until, in the grand finale, all was revealed, and none other than Kenneth Bell, Port Hope's own King of Glitz, was revealed to be the murderer of the murderer. He was taken into custody by one of Port Hope's finest, and led off in cuffs, to the delight of some and the dismay of others, who were betting on another killer.
The weather was perfect for a garden party and the festivities stretched from 5 p.m. until after midnight.

Artists at the Shelter Valley Festival

2006-08-14T05:04:00.000-04:00

By Melanie Browne

In only its third year of life, the Shelter Valley Folk Festival's artists' village is coming of age. Sixteen individuals and one small collective will offer an intriguing mix of painting, sculpture, mixed media works, musical instruments, jewellery and clothing.
In keeping with the grass roots philosophy of the festival, the artists and artisans displaying their work have their feet planted in the ground and, at times, their heads happily in the clouds.
Meet Maia Heissler's fantasy elfin civilization known as the "Forest Friends," or indulge in your own fantasy of living with the birds, bats or butterflies in one of Lucien Gagnon's garden sculptures.
You will not find a scrap of plastic, nor a whiff of mass production, anywhere.
Both Monika Becker and Yusan Ha's jewellery works incorporate such diverse elements as birch bark, sea bamboo and coconut shells. Veronica Derry's evolving textile pieces use vintage textiles along with the trims, papers and woven remnants that make up her unique images and objects.
Even artists' logos will be under wraps, as mechanically produced signs have been banned to ensure a commercial-free weekend.
The "resolutely outmoded" Elizabeth Barlow works with all natural fibres, scraps and recyclables to create cloth dolls winsomely dressed in historical clothing.
Rri Povey creates "happy clothes for happy people" in a cabin in the woods near Algonquin Park, while Alex Ferri brings a mystical sensibility to his woodwork creations.
The more traditional media have not been neglected. Painters, potters and printmakers will be out in force. Kathryn McHolm finds inspiration in her abundantly beautiful backyard habitat, while Francoise Romard's playful hand-built pottery is inspired by both the bounty of the Earth and the mud-pies of childhood. Jamie Ashforth's paintings and Janita Wiersma's prints and sculptures provide travel opportunities of the spiritual variety - exploring themes of transition, renewal, opportunity and possibility.
All artists will be present to share their techniques and ideas in an atmosphere of hands-on involvement, not to mention the more structured workshops in which anyone can experiment with materials and methods.
Hugh Hunter encourages all interested visitors not only to look at, but to pick up and play his hand-made banjos and dulcimers, just as Jim Gledhill invites lots of handling of his agate and mineral-studded wood creations. This year, once again, Max Sexsmith will share his knowledge of Inuit style soapstone carving in an on-site workshop.
Artists' village co-ordinator Barbara Buntin promotes a philosophy of inclusiveness and wholehearted support of artistic endeavour. The artists, once selected by the juried process, are given space, tents and opportunities to conduct their workshops with the support of the festival's multitude of volunteers.
Aida Sine's discovery that "creativity finds no boundaries" in her monoprint-making is an idea that could be applied all around at the festival, as could the artistic underpinning of Deb Shea of "Five Women and Some Art," whose aim is fostering community, co-operation and growth.
This is art off the grid, with a healthy dose of idealism, spiritual awareness and joy in the world. When you come to the Shelter Valley Folk Festival, leave your cellphone at home.
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival is an annual outdoor music event held Labour Day weekend (Sept. 1-3). Folk, roots and blues musicians will perform and conduct workshops on three stages. The festival also features a range of specialty foods, a wellness and sustainable living area with interactive displays, and a children's area with interactive arts workshops. The festival is a volunteer-run, non-profit community event.
Tickets are available on-line at www.sheltervalley.com and at selected venues throughout the area. For additional information, call the festival office, 47 King St. W., Cobourg, at 905-377-9556.

Painter awarded silver medal for botanical art

2006-08-13T05:24:00.000-04:00

by John Campbell, The Independent
After graduating from the Ontario College of Art in advertising, Carol Paton began a career in commercial art, “doing everything from newspaper ads to wallpaper to greeting cards to gift wrap”.
Her work appeared in magazines and textbooks.
Her days were spent “drawing and drawing and drawing,” she recalls. “It was fun.”
It was also good practice for developing her technique and the deadlines taught her discipline.
About 10 years ago Ms. Paton, 58, decided to take her water colours to a new level. She began doing botanical art “really seriously ... because it’s so exacting. I got fascinated by the detail.”
She became a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and began exhibiting in Canada, the United States and England. She was one of two artists showcased at the 1996 Visions from the Gardens show at Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and was the featured artist for the same show in 1998.
A year later two of her works were given prominence in the International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration held in Pittsburgh.
She’s also been an exhibitor at the Canada Blooms Botanical Art show in Toronto since its inception in 2000 and regularly exhibits at the Hummingbird Centre as part of the National Ballet Company’s fund-raising campaign.
All are marvellous accomplishments but her most notable achievement to date occurred in June when she was awarded a silver medal by the Royal Horticultural Society for her paintings of the floral emblems of Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories.
“I was very pleased,” says Ms. Paton who travelled to England with her husband Tony to be on hand for the four-day BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2006 show held at Birmingham.
She was the only Canadian among all the artists from around the world whose work was judged worthy for the event.
Founded in 1804 “to collect information about all plants and to encourage the improvement of horticultural practice,” the Society considers itself “the world’s leading horticultural organization, with extremely active science and educational departments.”
Judging for its shows, conducted by botanical scientists and artists, is “very tough,” Mr. Paton says.
According to the Society, “particular credit is given for botanical accuracy, exact colour reproduction and attention to detail.” The pictures are judged “as a complete exhibit” and higher awards are presented to entries that focus on one plant family or have a particular theme.
It was Mr. Paton’s suggestion that his wife paint Canada’s floral emblems. It turned into a mammoth project that took 18 months to complete.
Ms. Paton said her botanical artist friends had been encouraging her to enter the show for a long time.
“I just wasn’t ready,” she says.
Ms. Paton has been invited to participate in another RBC show next year, one of four it holds annually.
She and her husband moved to Trent Hills seven years ago. They fell in love with the area after visiting Ms. Paton’s brother, Peter Moore, the owner of Gallery Bed-and-Breakfast who’s also a painter.
“It’s amazing the talent here,” she says of the area.
She likes to paint using real plants as subjects when possible but she often uses photographs taken by her husband or those found in the many books she’s acquired for research.
Ms. Paton hasn’t found a place yet to display her silver medal paintings. The collection is valued at around $10,000.
Other examples of her art can be found on sale at Eclectic Mix in Warkworth and she still does creative work on occasion for a company in Burlington. She welcomes commissioned work.
She’s currently “experimenting with acrylics and having a lot of fun with it.”
“I’m always trying something new,” Ms. Paton says.

Next At the Art Gallery of Northumberland – Peter Haller/Volker Henze’s Foundland III

2006-08-10T05:34:00.000-04:00

In the spring of 2004 an exhibition was held at the Galerie M, in Berlin, Germany, showing Haller’s Linescape works on paper jointly with Berlin artist Volker Henze’s abstract colour paintings.

Henze is one of the foremost abstract visual artists of the former East Germany and currently professsor of fine art at the University of Dortmund. The concept, called Foundland, referred not only to the discovery of common artistic grounds between the two artists but it also exemplified the still existing East/West conflict in Germany.

The interaction with Haller’s minimal/geometrical black & white works and Henze’s freely laid-out abstract colour paintings created the required contrast that is linked with the East/West dilemma: the clear abstract and the chaotic, the organized and the unruly!

Positive reviews of this exhibition reached Switzerland, followed by an invitation to exhibit the Haller/Henze concept Foundland at the distinguished public Galerie Zimmermannhaus in Brugg, Switzerland.

The opening was June 3, 2005.

The AGN will be hosting this exhibition in the fall of 2006.

showing at the Human Bean, Cobourg - Jim Dumka

2006-08-08T04:27:00.000-04:00

Northumberland artist, Jim Dumka studied fine art and graphic design at Ontario College of Art and George Brown College while living in Toronto in the 80's.
Moving back to his home town of Vancouver, he applied his studies and launched Font & Palette Graphic Design in 1992.
In 1999 Jim moved his business to Rice Lake.Jim's most notable local projects include a logo for the newly formed Municipality of Trent Hills and various projects with the Campbellford Memorial Hospital.
The return to Ontario also heralded a return to his interest in fine art. Jim picked up his brushes, began painting, and joined Spirit of the Hills, Northumberland Artist's Association. His paintings often grace the exhibitions of the Trent Hills based organization. These shows include the Hillside Medical Centre in Campbellford as well as the Hospital, the Trent Hills Municipal Offices and the yearly Spirit Of The Hills Red Barn Show.Jim has been regularly accepted to the annual Spirit of the Hills Juried Art Show, held during the Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival. A solo exhibit at the Campbellford Seymour Public Library and a recent exhibition at the Paul Portelli Gallery in Warkworth have capped off Jim's artistic accomplishments to date.

Jim has dabbled with acrylics and watercolour, but now is exclusively working in oil. His paintings include a variety of styles, self described as impressionist realism to abstract expressionism. "I'm very excited about this show at the Human Bean. I'm featuring more of my abstracts. I feel a coffee house is a good place to hang art that provokes contemplation, rather than something too immediate and recognizable."

All Canadian Port Hope Jazz Festival opens with ‘Two New Voices’

2006-08-08T04:09:00.000-04:00

The Independent
The All-Canadian Port Hope Jazz Festival has a track record of signing rising stars just as they burst into international prominence, and this year’s festival-opening “Two New Voices” concert carries on that tradition.
Kellylee Evans and DK Ibomeka both released new CDs this spring, and the rave reviews for the CDs have been followed by enthusiastic cheers at major summer jazz festivals.
Kellylee Evans currently hails from Ottawa, and she made a big splash last month at the Ottawa Jazz Festival. CBC’s Ontario Morning cited her performance as one of the “Five Must See Concerts” for the summer. She appeared on CTV’s national program Good Morning Canada recently, and only a month after her Port Hope concert, she is booked for the Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC.
That’s a heady schedule for someone who just “got serious” about jazz in 2002. She says a near-death experience from an allergic reaction spurred her to focus on what was truly important in her life – music. In addition to singing, she read widely on creativity and songwriting, work that paid off with her current album, which features 11 of her own songs.
As Joyce Corbett wrote in The Live Music Report review of the CD’s launch party, “what is so remarkable about Kellylee’s songs is their beautifully-written, intelligent lyrics.” Corbett also praised “the smooth, strong voice of which she seems to have complete control. Kellylee Evans moves effortlessly from note to note, savouring the vibrations of those she chooses to hold onto.”
Clearly, the judges at the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition in New York agreed – they awarded Evans second place after listening to 160 talented competitors.
The second of the Two New Voices, DK Ibomeka, has had an equally meteoric rise. The son of Nigerian immigrants to Canada, at six foot seven Ibomeka is a towering figure with enormous stage presence.
While studying chemistry and psychology at McMaster University a few years ago, he discovered Ella Fitzgerald, whose voice, he says, “called to me in a way that no other voice has”.
He soon signed up for the vocal studies program at Humber College, and took advantage of as many open mike stages as he could find. It didn’t take long for his natural talent to be noticed.
Geoff Chapman of the Toronto Star wrote: “I first heard him on a typically storm-battered night at (Toronto’s) Distillery Jazz Festival, but he was more than equal to the challenge, swinging and scatting hard – and caressing ballads. It’s no wonder he’s been compared to Joe Williams of Count Basie band fame.”
“His voice is big, his range is big, and he is big ... but it’s not his stature that you’ll remember after a performance, but the way he can project a song,” Chapman says.
DK Ibomeka was featured in the Summer Serenades series at Dundas Square in Toronto last month and will perform in a Nathan Phillips Square concert in August. He also performed at Trafalgar Square in London with Peter Appleyard on Canada Day.
The Two New Voices concert in Port Hope will be opened by the Trinity College School Jazz Ensemble.
Tickets for the concert, on Friday September 22 at 7:30 pm, are $30, and are available through the Festival website, www.allcanadianjazz.ca.

about the music at the Shelter Valley Folk Festival

2006-08-05T05:10:00.000-04:00

By Cam Christie
There is a "surprise" factor in every folk music festival. The audience arrives not knowing many of the performers, which makes for a "spontaneous and engaging experience," says Shelter Valley Folk Festival artistic director Aengus Finnan.
In all, 20 acts will take to the stage at the Henkel farm during the Labour Day weekend, Sept. 1-3.
Murray McLauchlan, an iconic singer-songwriter familiar to at least two generations of listeners, is the headliner. Other seasoned folk musicians on the roster include: Ian Tamblyn, the music industry "maverick" from Chelsea, Quebec, whom Finnan credits as Canada's first "independent" recording folk artist; Ken Whitely, a "gospel guru," music producer and bluesman from Toronto; and Holmes Hooke, artistic director of Hugh's Room, Toronto, an Irish-Canadian storyteller who entertained at the Mariposa Festival in Cobourg back in the '90s. Hooke also is this year's main stage emcee.
The majority of performers, though, are from the contemporary scene. The "surprise" here is folk rocker Sarah Harmer. The Kingston-based singer-songwriter and Juno award winner climbed on board the festival this month out of the blue. Most of the performers had been picked months before,

Making the selection wasn't easy; this year the festival received about 600 applicants.
Finnan made many of his picks at one particular music industry gathering, the Folk Alliance, which convened in February this year in Austin, Texas.
It's there that he first heard the velvet voice and wispy compositions of Lori Cullen.
"I instantly understood that the spirit of who she was would work for our audience," he says.
"People come to the festival trusting in a amazing experience," and in Cullen Finnan's confident she'll deliver.
Among the other new music selections: Digging Roots, a First Nations duo with a sound evoking Ian and Sylvia, but with a modern edge; Dala, two "smart and sassy" female urban songwriters and multi-instrumentalists; the Undesirables, a male duo whose performance chisels away at the notion of audience-artist separation; and the Funky Mamas, a wild troupe of musical moms from the Guelph area whose specialty is entertaining children.
"I set up each act individually and relative to the audience - actual people I know," Finnan says.
Shelter Valley received a Canada Council grant this year, which will add musicians' symposiums to the program. At these events, the audience will hear musicians converse about their lives, the tools of their trade and influences on their music.
Other performers likely to contribute at these gatherings: Nathan Rogers, son of the legendary Stan Rogers; Genticorum, a Juno-nominated trio from Quebec, steeped in the French-Canadian folk tradition; Ndidi Onukwulu & Madagascar Slim, a young Nigerian-Canadian female singer backed by the virtuoso male electric blues guitarist; and April Verch, an Ottawa Valley step dancer and champion fiddler.
The festival's largest ensemble, Septado Varieades, is being saved for the closing act on Sunday at noon. Finnan met this band members last year near their home in Santiago, Cuba.
Shelter Valley 2006 will ring off with the audience doing the merengue to a salsa rhythm, but that's no surprise - that's where this festival is headed.
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival is an annual outdoor music event held on Labour Day weekend (Sept.1-3). The festival also features an artists' village, a range of specialty foods, a wellness and sustainable living area with interactive displays, and a children's area with interactive arts workshops. The festival is a volunteer-run, non-profit community event.
Tickets are available on-line at www.sheltervalley.com and at selected venues throughout the area. For additional information, call the festival office, 47 King St. W., Cobourg, at 905-377-9556.

On the Northumberland Hills Studio Tour - Cori Lee Marvin

2006-08-02T05:06:00.000-04:00

Cory is an artist and illlustrator living in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada. With watercolour as her medium of choice she creates vibrant, detailed paintings featuring a wide variety of themes, ranging from whimsical animal illustration to beautiful, zen-like still life. Her watercolour technique is quite unique with crisp, clean images and deep, saturated colours that give her paintings amazing clarity and depth.

Although she had always had a talent for painting and drawing, Cori's work began in earnest when, in 1999 she decided to move to the family farm, Marvindale, to build her portfolio and her business. Inspired by her surroundings, many of Cori's images began to reflect the textures, history and objects of early Canadian farm-settings.

Each year Cori shows and sells her work at over 35 different art events across Ontario and her published illustrations can be found in a number of Canadian children's books. In addition to many on-going private commissions, she is currently working on the paintings for a child's picture-book.

appearing at the Shelter Valley Folk Festival - Madagascar Slim

2006-08-02T04:51:00.000-04:00

Randriamananjara Radofa Besata Jean Longin was born in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. At the age of nine, his brother got a guitar. By imitating his brother and playing his guitar when he was not home, Mr. Longin picked up the Madagascar dance style called salegy.

An introduction to Jimi Hendrix on the radio changed his life and Madagascar Slim, as he prefers to be known professionally, was born. An immersion in blues as well as the popular music of his own country created a bicultural artist.

When he arrived in Canada in 1979, Slim studied accounting, but he was more interested in music. In 1980, he was a founding member of the French-Canadian folk music ensemble La Ridaine - yet another cultural expression. For the most part, however, Slim plays blues and, increasingly, the music of Madagascar.

A trip home through a study grant a few years ago allowed him to study the valiha, the bamboo zither of the Malgache. By combining his love of the blues and his roots in Madagascar, Slim has fashioned his very own approach to world music - infectious, passionate and full of complex rhythms that surprise and delight.

over 40 artists on studio tour

2006-07-31T06:48:00.000-04:00

The Northumberland Hills Studio Tour will take place on September 9th & 10^th.
Over 40 artists - potters, furniture makers, painters, jewellers, stained glass,and fabric artists - will open their private and hidden studios on the second weekend of September from 10.00.a.m. to 5.00.p,m..

Many local merchants have brochures with a map or visit www.northumberlandstudiotour.com

Showing at the Colborne Art Gallery - Sue Hawley

2006-07-31T06:02:00.000-04:00

Sue Hawley is self-described as an artist, happy wife, Canadian, rural property owner, environmentalist and optimist with a burgeoning awareness of global responsibility.

Working in 2 dimensional mixed media relief, Sue finds her abstract images from deep within herself. Most pieces are started on a wood support and from there are built up texturally with acrylic paints, cloth, paper, wire, plaster and the list goes on as she experiments.

‘Impressions of Metal’ represent a personal abstract vision of metal that began in 1993 when she spent time in Bosnia . A catalogue of mental image relating to war began and of specific interest to her was the effect of great force on metal. This metaphor of war became an avenue to explore images and issues that she has never been able to resolve. In the past 10 years ‘Impressions of Metal’ have evolved to a current theme of ‘Life Changes’.

This year has been full of life changes for Sue, the biggest being retirement from the Canadian Military after 21 years of service. Being such a milestone, she has been spending time reviewing her life and her most recent work incorporates this. Sue is looking for metaphors to represent new beginnings and emerging ideas for a better world.

Gabrielle Prata and Robert Longo return to Westben

2006-07-31T05:20:00.000-04:00

Mezzo soprano Gabrielle Prata is known for a host of roles ranging from operatic to musical theatre. She made her New York debut as Rosina in National Grand Opera’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, which she also sang for Opera Hamilton, Markham Opera and Pacific Opera, Victoria. Favourite operatic roles include Suzuki in Madama Butterfly (Canadian Opera Company), Carmen (Carmen) Opera North, Adalgisa in Norma (Gold Coast Opera, Florida), Cenerentola (La Cenerentola) Bermuda Festival and Ramiro (La Finta Giardiniera) Colorado Music Festival. She has also performed leading roles with Anchorage Opera, the Guelph Spring Festival, the Oregon Bach Festival, Boheme Opera, NJ, Opera of the Hamptons, Calgary Opera, Edmonton Opera, Nevada Opera, Aldeburgh Festival and extensively with the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble.

Known for her versatility, Gabrielle’s concert repertoire ranges from Handel’s Messiah, to pops concerts. She has performed with many leading symphonies, among them the Toronto Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Ravinia Festival, Detroit Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony, the Meadowbrook Festival, Spokane Symphony, Shaw Festival, Winnipeg Symphony, and the Saskatoon Symphony. Gabrielle was also the winner of many competitions and awards and has been broadcast internationally on radio and television. Seen most recently as Dalila in Samson et Dalila with Opera in Concert, and Lalume in Kismet with Toronto Operetta Theatre, Gabrielle's upcoming engagements include performances in Toronto, Nebraska and with the Elora Festival.
“Canadian mezzo Gabrielle Prata has all the right stuff – lyricism, thrilling coloratura, perfectly placed bel canto voice and a fiery demeanor.”

Baritone Robert Longo as the title character in Toronto Operetta Theatre’s The Chocolate Soldier was named “the perfect leading man” by Paula Citron in Opera Canada Magazine. Bob recently made his film debut as the singing Wiseman in the TV Feature Comfort and Joy. In the 1000 Island’s Playhouse Production of The Secret Garden, Bob played the role of Dr. Craven. He was featured as Captain Tarnitz in the Papermill Playhouse production of The Student Prince, and was Lancelot in the Alabama Shakespeare Festival production of Camelot. On the U.S. National tour of Les Miserables, Bob played the role of Javert to critical acclaim and played the Beast in the Toronto production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Other Toronto credits include Anatoly in Chess in Concert and Smudge and Frankie in Forever Plaid. Bob made his Broadway debut in the revival of Shenandoah with John Cullum and was featured at the Broadway Cares benefit performance of Chess. While living in New York City, he enjoyed creating and developing many new works, including Judy’s Scary Little Christmas directed by Leonard Foglia (Master Class), a new musical rendition of Moll Flanders and The Prince and the Pauper by Neil Berg. Operatic credits include roles with Opera Atelier, Anchorage Opera, Minnesota Opera, and the Santa Fe Opera Company. His varied concert career includes Gershwin’s Girl Crazy for New York City’s American Opera Projects, A tribute to Andrew Lloyd Weber for Rockwell Productions, Pennsylvania and the premier of Glen Buhr’s Comic Opera, FLUX with members of the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony. Bob is a favorite at Ontario’s Westben Festival where he has sung “H.M.S. Westben,” an evening of Gilbert and Sullivan and “Disney at Westben.”

New comedy thriller coming to Warkworth stage

2006-07-30T06:41:00.000-04:00

by Brian Schuette, Community Press
Seven Hills Theatre is producing a new play in Warkworth this fall, a comedy thriller called The Artificial Jungle. Set in a pet store in mid-town Manhattan, director Jim Dove says, "It’s a really funny show about mayhem, chaos and lust."
This marks the first production from Seven Hills in almost a decade. Jim decided to revive the company after finding "the right cast" for a play he’s had his eye on for years. That cast will include some former members from past productions, including Jim himself, as well as Sandra Webb and Hop McKewan. New faces to Seven Hills will be Jennifer Gibson, Dorothy Peg, Bev Roy and Ron Chasmer.
Jim said he decided to start up the project after meeting Bev, feeling she’d be perfect for the role of Roxanne Nurdiger. They’d worked together in last year’s dance production of Feet in Warkworth and Jim said to himself, "There’s my Roxie! I’ve got the core of my show now." Describing Bev as a cross between Lucille Ball and Lady MacBeth, he says she’s larger than life. "I’m blown away by the fact that Bev’s never been on stage before, because she should have been." Playing the role of a hapless policeman, Ron Chasmer landed his comedic role because he’s "just a really funny man, with over the top exaggeration."
Jim says the audience will have a great time and be entertained by The Artificial Jungle. "It’s a comedy but there’s drama, even thriller aspects in it, and there’s always comic relief just around the corner."
The play will run at the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts from October 19 to 21. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the VON, Warkworth’s hospice project, and improvements to the hall.
"The audience at Mr. Ludlam's omnibus reply to Double Indemnity and The Postman Always Rings Twice and Little Shop of Horrors . . . is likely to die laughing." N.Y. Times.
"Barely 20 seconds into the play the audience is already chortling. . . . Lust, murder, maternal devotion . . . it has everything." N.Y. Daily News.
"Wildly hilarious." N.Y. Post. "A triumph of sheer sustained burlesque. . . mined with some of the loudest detonating belly laughs ever heard in New York." Village Voice.

Capitol 'Sound of Music' combines youthful exuberance with seasoned professionals

2006-07-29T05:50:00.000-04:00

By Jeanne Beneteau, Community Press
Safely and securely cradled in the patient, experienced arms of a seasoned cast and crew, a dozen Northumberland children aged seven through 16 are busy learning the ins and outs of a professional theatrical production.
But by the time the curtain opens Aug. 10 for the premier of 'Sound of Music,' these energetic, talented and delightful young amateurs are sure to "blow the socks off this town," says Jennifer Kasper, the musical's stage manager and one of the many seasoned pros charged with guiding the youngsters along the path to their professional theatre debut.
From Aug. 10 to 27, the Port Hope Festival Theatre, now in its ninth year, wraps up the 2006 season with Rogers and Hammerstein's beloved family classic recounting the timeless story of the Von Trapp family and their escape from Austria on the eve of the Second World War. It's a daunting task, says Ms. Kasper, but thanks to musical director, Susan Tanner, choreographer, Kiri-Lyn Muir and director Uwe Meyer, the young fledgling performers are quickly earning their acting wings.
The 12 young actors have been divided into two six-person squads - the 'Blue Cast' (Bernadette Beebe as 'Gretl'; Ellen Torrie as 'Marta'; Theresa Beebe as 'Briggitta'; Francis Sirois as 'Kurt'; Shannon Stroobach as 'Louisa'; and Remi Mireault as 'Friedrich') and the 'Red Cast' (Emma Sandziuk as 'Gretl'; Eve Garrison as 'Marta'; Heather Abrams as 'Briggitta'; Thomas Sandziuk as 'Kurt'; Abigail Peristy as 'Louisa'; and Shane Root as 'Friedrich'). On alternating afternoons and/or evenings, one or the other of the colour-coded crews will take on the roles as the six youngest of the seven Von Trapp children... the role of the eldest sibling, 16-year-old 'Liesl' is portrayed by actor Ellen Furey. These youngsters made the cut from nearly 60 hopefuls who tried out for the roles.
"These children all sang well at auditions (with experience levels ranging from church and school choirs to local amateur children's choruses), some had stage acting experience with local theatre groups but beyond that, these 12 stood out," says Ms. Tanner. "They showed lots of personality, were eager and excited and ultimately had the 'look' required for the roles."
Evidently, these young people were the perfect fit given that less than a week into rehearsals, they already have a good handle on three-quarters of the musical numbers, notes the music director. And under Ms. Muir's skillful direction, the show's choreography is also coming together nicely, adds Ms. Kasper.
"Kiri-Lyn is treating the youngsters like professionals, and they are learning to rehearse and perform like pros, which for most of them, will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience," she adds. "Some of the kids had some dance background but most never danced a step in their lives... however, by the time opening night rolls around, you won't know it."
Brother/sister team 'Red Cast' members, Thomas Sandziuk, 'Kurt Von Trapp', 11 and Emma Sandziuk, who just turned seven and plays 'Gretl,' the youngest of the Von Trapp siblings, say they were both keen to take a shot at a part in the 'Sound of Music.' The children, who live in Camborne and attend Camborne Public School, say singing in their church choir prepared them well for their auditions.
"I'm completely used to singing and not shy in front of crowds," explains Emma. "When my mom told us we'd made it, I started jumping up and down. I've never been in a long play before, only short ones and I love to sing."
Thomas, who has had some previous experience in local amateur theatre with parts in 'Encore' and the 'Wizard of Oz,' adds dancing on stage, making new friends and having a chance to see what professional theatre is really great.
Both young thespians admit rehearsals are a lot of hard work but are quick to note they are having lots of fun at the same time. When questioned whether the experience has kindled a desire to pursue an acting career, Emma piped up with the a resounding yes. Thomas on the other hand, has reserved judgment but says acting is high on his list of possibilities which also includes an artist, an author, an NHL hockey player or perhaps a career with the RCMP.
Toronto-based actor, Leah Oster, cast in the role of governess 'Maria,' says it's "so far, so good" after the first week of rehearsal with the children. Ms. Oster, a graduate of the University of Windsor musical theatre program, has a host of stage experience to her credit including roles in 'Anne of Green Gables - The Musical' and 'Dracula - A Chamber Musical' (PEIs Charlottetown Festival); 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' and 'Peter Pan' (Shaw Festival); and the role of Sarah Schorr in Joanna McClelland Glass's 'Trying' at Regina's live theatre-in-the-round, Globe Theatre.
Ms. Oster says she is thoroughly enjoying working with the kids, with behind-the-scenes crew and adds the beautiful community of Port Hope is a wonderful spot to be in the summer.
"This show has so much life and the part of 'Maria' is a great female role, one difficult to turn down," she says. "And having experienced Charlottetown, which is beautiful in the summer, I can tell you Port Hope is no slouch and ranks right up there with beautiful communities."
'Sound of Music' opens Aug. 10 with selected evening and matinee performances running through Aug. 27. Tickets are $25 for evening performances, $22 for matinees and $19.50 for 65 and over on 'senior' Sundays. To order tickets or for additional information, visit the box office at 20 Queen St., Port Hope; call 905-885-1071 or toll free at 1-800-434-5092; e-mail the theatre at boxoffice@capitoltheatre.com or visit the web site at www.phft.ca.

arts education gets an important boost

2006-07-29T05:21:00.000-04:00

Minister Di Cocco Unveils New Arts Education Resource Manual and DVD
Ontario Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco announced a new resource manual to help local school teachers and community arts leaders promote arts education to young Ontarians.
The Community Arts and Heritage Education Project produced the DVD and manual of best practices with $9,300 in funding from the Cultural Strategic Investment Fund and $9,500 from the Ontario Arts Council.
“Arts instruction is important in the education of young people,” said Di Cocco. “Exposure to the arts benefits children, helping them achieve higher academic goals and develop strong problem-solving skills.”
The Community Arts and Heritage Education Project is a unique, community-based arts and heritage education organization, in partnership with local community arts and heritage organizations. The manual and DVD will be available shortly, and will also be available for downloading on the organization’s website, www.cahep.ca, in the coming months.
“Arts education is a catalyst for creative thinking and lifelong learning,” said Minister of Education Sandra Pupatello. “We are pleased to support projects that enhance the quality of arts education programming and increase public awareness of the value of arts education.”
Minister Di Cocco was attending the Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s major exhibition of works by renowned Aboriginal artist Norval Morrisseau, which is made possible through the cooperation of the National Gallery of Canada.

Zimbabwean Sculptors To Host Stone Sculpture Workshop

2006-07-28T05:10:00.000-04:00

Adamiyo Chihota, artist-in-resident at Rice Lake VI, and Chaka Chikodzi, a Zimbabwean sculptor now living in Canada, will conduct a stone carving workshop this August at the Rice Lake Gallery.
For five days, participants, from beginners to experienced carvers, will learn to carve Zimbabwean style. Only hand tools will be used and participants will learn how to use traditional techniques for shaping, finishing and polishing the stone. The workshop will take place outside, under tents if it rains, just as the sculptors work in Zimbabwe. The groups will be small and participants will be mentored individually.
The gallery has a range of Zimbabwean stone, in a variety of sizes and hardness, so participants will be able to select stone to work on based on their skill level.
Andamiyo Chihota, started carving at the age of 13. He attributes his father, Luke Chihota, with sparking and nurturing his talent. After he completed school Andamiyo began an apprenticeship with his cousin, Edronce Rukodzi, (an internationally acclaimed sculptor) who introduced him to the Tengenenge Art Colony. By 17, Andamiyo was carving full time. All his sculptures bear his artistic signature – delicately decorated eyes. Eyes, Andamiyo explains, express what is inside – as they look out on the world.
In 2002 Andamiyo was invited to Germany for a solo exhibition at Sankt Andreasberg. He has participated in major group shows including one at the Museum of Fine Arts in San Diego, California and his work has been sold to collectors in Holland, Germany, Belgium UK, USA and Canada.
Andamiyo current lives in Zimbabwe’s capitol Harare, working with his brother in an urban outdoor studio.
The workshops will take place;
Date: August 14 – 18, 2006 and August 21 – 25, 2006
Where: Rice Lake Gallery
Fee: $300
For workshop registration contact Fran Fearnley at 705.939.6144.
Rice Lake VII, featuring Zimbabwean stone sculpture from over 50 artists will open September 9, 2006 3:00 – 7:00pm and run until September 17th Noon – 7:00pm. Previews appointments are available from September 2 – 9, 2006.

Conversations In Cloth - workshops by renowned textile artists

2006-07-27T21:54:00.000-04:00

Weekend Workshop at Textile Artists’ Studios in Hastings
Saturday August 26, Sunday August 27, 2006, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$200.00 / Maximum 6 participants per workshop (includes materials and lunch both days)

The Stitch: Dorothy Caldwell
This workshop will be explore the creative possibilities of the stitch and how it relates to the participant’s own work. As a basis for the work, we will look at the tradition of Kantha quilting in India. This will be done through slide lectures, and videos, which will examine the rich history of Kantha and the present day revival of this work. As well, actual examples will be available to look at. From this foundation, each participant will choose a Kantha piece to study and use as a reference for developing a design from their own lives. Kantha embroidered quilts utilize the running stitch to form figurative, decorative and narrative imagery. Participants will be amazed at what can be done with a simple running stitch. Techniques for making stitched borders will also be demonstrated. Through a series of exercises, other expressive aspects of the stitch will be examined leading participants towards building a personal vocabulary of mark making.
Dorothy Caldwell is a graduate of Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia who has lived and worked in Canada since the 1970’s. Dorothy maintains an active international exhibition and teaching schedule from her home in Hastings, Ontario. Her work is informed by a sense of place, marks, reuse and handwork. ‘Conversations in Cloth’ is the first workshop she has conducted in her own studio. She has carried out research in Japan and India on dyeing and stitching traditions and is the recipient of grants and awards including the prestigious Bronfman Award given to one Canadian craftsperson each year. She has an extensive teaching portfolio in Canada, the United States and recently in Australia. Her work is included in many permanent collections including the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the American Museum of Art and Design. Recent articles have appeared in American Craft (Jan. 06), Surface Design (winter 05), and Textile Fibre Forum (#73), and Textiel Plus (05).

The Story: Skye Morrison
This workshop is a creative exercise in storytelling strategies for putting together a body of work. We will explore the participants’ life stories and how ‘The Story’ can be used to create a series of works. Students will need to bring examples of their work (in any medium) as the basis of the exercise. Using basic design techniques of colour symbolism, pattern, narrative and collage, students will create a series of ‘sketches’ in dyed paper and cloth. After organizing these sketches into a progressive grouping we will examine narrative textiles from Canada, India, China, Japan and Indonesia to capture how a story can be told. From personal experience we will move to writing a story. Each student will write a story with Skye, using her extensive library to find inspirational visual, musical and written examples. Participants will see their ideas transformed into words, sounds and symbols. The result will be useful for everything from artists’ statements to a thematic description of a body of work.
Dr. Skye Morrison is a Canadian Folklorist and Textile Designer with international experience in traditional crafts. She holds a PhD in Folklore from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters Degree in Design and Environmental, Analysis from Cornell University. For thirty years Skye has been involved with kites around the world and as host of the award winning TVOntario series “Kite Crazy.” In 1999 one of her kites became a stamp for Canada Post. Skye taught for twenty-two years at Sheridan School of Crafts and Design taking early retirement, or “re-invention” to pursue research projects including two documentary films, teaching basic design to traditional artisans in India, developing profiles for the students and design professionals and freelance technical writing. Her ongoing work in India includes forming a sujuni group in Bihar “Sujuni Mahila Jeevan: Stitching Women’s Lives” and a khatwa group of Santal (Adivasi) women in Jharkhand “SIRALI: Thread has a life of its own” and in Canada with Inuit textile artists from Baker Lake in Nunavut.
Skye’s intention is to discover extraordinary stories in everyday life. ‘Conversations in Cloth’ is her first workshop to take place in her Hastings, Ontario home and studio.

The Stitch: Dorothy Caldwell
This workshop explores the stitch through sampling, visuals and examples of Indian narrative textiles.
caldwell-woods@sympatico.ca
(705) 696-2092

The Story: Skye Morrison
This workshop engages storytelling for creating a body of work combining life stories and basic design.
skye.morrison@sympatico.ca
(705) 696-1382

Shelter Valley Songwriter’s Showcase

2006-07-27T05:29:00.000-04:00

Ladies and gentlemen of Northumberland...dust off your guitars... Shelter Valley is still looking for a few good local songwriters!
A run-away hit last year, drawing songwriters from near and far, the Shelter Valley Folk Festival is once again holding a Local Songwriters' Showcase from 7-9pm on Friday August 4th, on an outdoor stage beside Victoria Hall, in downtown Cobourg.
While original submissions for the SVFF Songwriters Showcase have been arriving since January anyone still interested in applying is reminded to submit two original songs on tape or CD to the Festival by mail to Box 29 Grafton ON, K0K 2G0, in person at the Festival’s downtown Cobourg office at 47 King St W (beside the CIBC), or as an MP3 emailed to info@sheltervalley.com. Additional information is available year round on the application page of www.sheltervalley.com.
Unlike Canadian Idol the Shelter Valley Songwriter’s Showcase is based on original compositions and judging is based on the songwriting rather than "performance", states Festival Director Aengus Finnan.
Based on the songwriting (not the production quality of the recording) ten songwriters will be selected to perform their two original songs on an outdoor stage beside Cobourg’s Victoria Hall on August 4th. From there three songwriters will be selected to appear on the mainstage of the Labour Day Weekend Festival.
The judging process for the showcase involves the decision of the Festival Director, a music industry guest, one of last year’s showcase winners Alyson McNamara, as well as input from the audience who are all given a survey sheet to help select their favourite songwriter.
The audience and judges criteria for selecting the three final songwriters focuses on the lyrics, musical composition, and sincerity of sound rather than the stage performance or production values.
Audience surveys are available only to those who arrive in advance of the 7pm performance and will not be available for walk-up audience during the event. Completed surveys will only be accepted at the end of the event.
Notes and survey will be discussed by the judges following the Showcase and 3 performers will selected and announced online at www.sheltervalley.com the next morning (August 5th).
“There are incredible songwriters of all ages in our community, and this is a chance for everyone to share their work. You don’t have to be a seasoned veteran of the music scene to be good... in fact some of the best songwriters work on the factory floors and farms of this country.” concludes Finnan.

prize-winning marimbist at Westben

2006-07-27T05:08:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, August 1st, 7:00 p.m.
Canadian percussionist Anne-Julie Caron is recognized by the greatest masters of her field as one of the most remarkable talents of her generation John Beck says: "Anne-Julie Caron is an extremely talented percussionist. Her flawless, musical and professional performances were a joy to hear ... She will set a standard for others to follow. " Nancy Zeltsman writes: ". . .I greatly admire her performance poise, attention to musical details, musical sensitivity, excellent preparation and very good technical skills."
She has already won many prizes, such as the Académie musicale de Villecroze prize in 2005, the Prix d’Europe in 2004, the 1st Louis Charbonneau Prize at the Orchestre Symphonique de Trois-Rivières Competition in 2003 and the Wildrid-Pelletier Scholarship in 2002.

Life imitates art in Noises Off production

2006-07-27T04:51:00.000-04:00

The old expression “break a leg,” wishing actors good luck before they go on stage, took on a whole new meaning for Belleville Arts Factory company during a dress rehearsal for Noises Off.
Craig Chamberlain who was playing the part of Garry really did break a leg.
read more HERE

from Brighton to big time

2006-07-26T05:28:00.000-04:00

Former ENSS student is the youngest creator/executive producer/director of a drama in CBC history
by Adam Huras The Independent
Now a long way from the halls of East Northumberland Secondary School, he is the youngest creator/ executive producer/director of a drama in CBC history.
James Wilkes, the former Brightonian and ENSS grad, is now 32 years old and riding the success of his 22 episode prime-time series entitled “11 Cameras”.
“I came from the commercial world and I first did really well as an advertising creative and then creative director,” said Mr. Wilkes. “I then became a commercial director but I wanted to tell longer stories so I took an insane pay cut to go and start to make longer things.”

read more HERE

Machine Running producers stage benefit show

2006-07-26T05:13:00.000-04:00

by Bob Leahy
Local audiences will be able to get a preview of Machine Running soon. The innovative multi-media dance show that takes over where FEET left off is currently under wraps and in rehearsal. But Warkworth audiences have two chances at sneak previews of what its production company, Soulcarnival, is up to before the much anticipated show opens it’s tour in Campbellford in September.
Artistic Director Barbara Stocking notes that Machine Running is the brainchild of local musician Dale Clark, whose score and design it features. Original choreography is by Mara Brown. This trio collaborated on last year’s Spirit of the Hills’ hit show FEET, which played to five sold out shows and much popular and critical acclaim
The new production has already received a grant of $22,000 from the Ontario Ministry of Culture’s Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, as well as several large private donations. It is currently undertaking a sponsorship program designed to raise the remainder of the funds required to finance this lavish show. As well, a benefit show is scheduled for August 19 at the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts. This gala evening will introduce the dancers of Warkworth-based Soulcarnival to the public, in performance with a live band, with costumes and exhibits from the Machine Running show on display, video excerpts from the rehearsal process, break dancers and more, as well as dessert and coffee. “It’s going to be quite a spectacle in itself,” says Stocking. “Local audiences were of course very taken by FEET, but Soulcarnival plans to top that one, starting with Machine Running.”
Soulcarnival will also be front and centre at the Warkworth Long Lunch, which takes place on Main Street, Warkworth, on August 20. Weather permitting, an exciting outdoor appearance in the form of a street parade is planned. Stocking is bringing in fire-eaters, stilt walkers, break dancers and more to try and create the stir that audiences have come to expect from her, and to create interest in Machine Running.
Ambitious in every way, Machine Running combines elements of dance, movement, theatre, music and sound in a way designed to break down the traditional barriers between audience and performers. Drawing on the strange, spectacular and unexpected, Stocking notes that it’s a show that is accessible to audiences of all backgrounds. Its innovative mandate includes performances in high schools in Campbellford and Bowmanville and will involve students not only as performers, working side by side along with experienced dancers and technicians, but also working as backstage crew.
Tickets for the benefit show Machine Running: Oil the Machine are available at Eclectic Mix in Warkworth or at the Campbellford Chamber of Commerce, or by phone at 1-888-622-4460. The ticket price includes entry not only to the benefit show but to any performance of Machine Running when it opens in Campbellford and Bowmanville in September

Camp offers musical feast for adults

2006-07-25T06:52:00.000-04:00

By Jeanne Beneteau – Northumberland News
Summer camp isn't just for kids anymore.
Grown-ups looking to hone their music skills can embrace the summer camp experience at Lakefield College, a private school in Kawartha Lakes located about 15 km northeast of Peterborough. For three weeks starting July 30, the college campus, situated on a scenic, mostly wooded 155 acre site overlooking Lake Katchewanooka, hosts week-long adult music camps offered by The Ontario Music Centre (OMC), says OMC spokeswoman, Barbara Adams. The centre is under the umbrella of the Canadian Amateur Musicians/Musiciens Amateur de Canada (CAMMAC), a non-profit organization run by volunteers with a goal to create opportunities for musicians of all levels to make music together in a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere.
The beginnings of CAMMAC go back to 1953, on the shores of Otter Lake in the Laurentians near Huberdeau, Que., Ms. Adams says. The founders, George and Carl Little and their wives, Madeleine and Frances, established a camp in the midst of nature where all who loved music could participate under the direction of professional musicians. Since that time, the music camp has been held in various Quebec and Ontario locations - since 2004, the camp has been held on the Lakefield College campus.
Cobourg resident Kay MacLeod says she heard great things about the camp for years through fellow Amadeus Choir members who came back with wonderful tales from their annual musical vacations each August. Two years ago, motivated by its new, close-to-home location, Ms. MacLeod and a friend decided to give the camp a try.
Ms. MacLeod, a member of the local Oriana Singers, says she enjoys the opportunity to sing different styles of music while at camp. The OMC has professionally-trained musicians/teachers who lead such diverse groups such as jazz or Celtic choirs. But she points out it's not necessary to be a singer to get the most out of camp since the program is designed as a real learning experience for all amateur musicians.
"My mother taught me to play piano years ago and I've also picked up the recorder," says Ms. MacLeod. "At the camp, there are many opportunities to improve my skills with these instruments."
Each week of camp has a different theme: week one, July 30 to Aug. 6 has its focus on jazz; week two, Aug. 6 to 13 puts classical music at the forefront; and week three, Aug. 13 to 20, also family week, embraces the 'world' music theme with a wide range of eclectic course options for both instrumentalists and singers such as African drumming, dance and choir; steel pan; school of rock Guitar; Klezmer band; fiddling; and Latin percussion.
Weeks one and two are geared to adults; however teens are welcome with adult accompaniment. Week three features a special children's program (geared to age and musical skill), perfect for the four-and-a-half to 12-year-old, notes Ms. Adams.
Anyone looking for a new musical experience will appreciate the camp's broad range of education, fun and experience opportunities, concludes Ms. MacLeod.
For additional information on the Ontario Music Centre summer camp, visit www.cammac.ca or call toll-free at 1-866-273-7697 for particulars and a detailed brochure.

Sarah Harmer asks to join SVFF's 2006 roster!

2006-07-25T05:53:00.000-04:00

The festival is thrilled to announce that internationally acclaimed Canadian songwriter Sarah Harmer will join Murray McLauchlan and an incredible roster of artists for this year's festival.
You know her songs from commercial radio but Sarah is a passionate advocate for grassroots community, environmental conservation, and renewable energy. See www.sarahharmer.com for more information about this fantastic artist.
And be sure to remind your family and friends that the Shelter Valley Folk Festival is an outdoor family event held Labour Day Weekend (Sept 1-3) that celebrates the Arts, Wellness, Sustainable Living, local Harvest Foods, and the finest in Folk, Roots, and Blues Music. Advance Weekend and Day Pass Tickets are available at the Festival office (47 King St W., Cobourg), online at www.sheltervalley.com, by phone (905) 377-9556, and at select area outlets.
Visit www.sheltervalley.com for more information!

New comedy thriller coming to Warkworth stage

2006-07-22T06:46:00.000-04:00

Dove said he decided to start up the project after meeting Bev Roy, feeling she’d be perfect for the role of Roxanne Nurdiger. They’d worked together in last year’s dance production of Feet in Warkworth and Dove said to himself, "There’s my Roxie! I’ve got the core of my show now." Describing Bev as a cross between Lucille Ball and Lady MacBeth, he says she’s larger than life. "I’m blown away by the fact that Bev’s never been on stage before, because she should have been." Playing the role of a hapless policeman, Ron Chasmer landed his comedic role because he’s "just a really funny man, with over the top exaggeration."
Dove says the audience will have a great time and be entertained by The Artificial Jungle. "It’s a comedy but there’s drama, even thriller aspects in it, and there’s always comic relief just around the corner."
"The audience at Mr. Ludlam's omnibus reply to Double Indemnity and The Postman Always Rings Twice and Little Shop of Horrors . . . is likely to die laughing." N.Y. Times.
"Barely 20 seconds into the play the audience is already chortling. . . . Lust, murder, maternal devotion . . . it has everything." N.Y. Daily News.
"Wildly hilarious." N.Y. Post.
"A triumph of sheer sustained burlesque. . . mined with some of the loudest detonating belly laughs ever heard in New York." Village Voice.
The play will run at the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts from October 19 to 21. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the VON, Warkworth’s hospice project, and improvements to the hall.

Manchester Boys Choir at Trinity College, Port Hope

2006-07-21T04:06:00.000-04:00

The Manchester Boys Choir was formed in 1981 and has since earned itself an international reputation.
Everywhere it appears, whether in the UK or overseas, the choir draws favourable comments from audiences and critics alike on its professionalism in performance and the sheer beauty of its sound.
A recent tour to Finland and an appearance in the Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, was described as ‘a dazzling, virtuoso performance, which left an unforgettable impression’ and ‘one of the finest boy’s choirs in the world’.
Within a typical season, the Choir is involved in community concerts, a series in Manchester’s International Concert venue ‘The Bridgewater Hall’ where the choir enjoys an official residency since the Hall’s opening in September 1996, charity concerts, film work, TV, radio recording, plus regular concert performances abroad.
The Choir performs frequently with major orchestras under internationally renowned conductors. It also provides soloists for European Opera and for Opera North, with whom the choir enjoys a close association. In 2000, soloists enjoyed a busy and rewarding three weeks in Italy working with Teatro la Fenice (Venice ) in Britten’s opera Billy Budd.
Recent engagements include include Britten’s Saint Nicolas with The Sixteen (Harry Christophers), Carmina Burana with the Manchester Concert Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Chorus, Debussy’s Pelleas et Melisande for Opera North, and Britten’s War Requiem with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Martyn Brabbins). Summer 2001 also saw a hugely successful visit to Russia as guests of the Rachmaninov Music School.

Crafts Association Disbands

2006-07-18T06:14:00.000-04:00

The Northumberland Arts and Crafts Association has decided to disband the organization after 28 years. It was not an easy decision.
The purpose of the group was to provide a quality craft show for its members and others in the area, but their main goal was to raise money for cultural pursuits in Trent Hills. They have provided over $100,000 to that end over the course of their existence. This was mainly due to the income from the larger summer show in the Campbellford Arena every August.
Last year they were told that the electric wiring at the Arena was out of date and their electrician refused to deal with it for further shows. An estimate of cost for updating the wiring arrived at about $7,000.00. They approached the Trent Hills Municipality and offered to pay half the cost. Council turned them down citing budgetary reasons. Also, Trent Hills does not allow private organizations to contribute to such projects, as they might have a vested interest.
The fact that they were losing their main source of income plus dwindling membership and waning attendance at their shows have forced the decision to disband.
“We have served the community well over the past quarter century and are now moving on,” says Anne Linton, Chair.

Canadian stories captured in the great outdoors

2006-07-18T05:46:00.000-04:00

Millbrook's 4th Line Theatre provides a unique opportunity to watch quintessentially Canadian stories unfold in the backdrop of the historic Winslow Farm.
This summer, 4th Line Theatre offers two historical plays: the return of last year's 'Doctor Barnardo's Children,' a smash hit that drew over 6,000 patrons; and the world premiere of local writer Shane Peacock's 'X: The Art of Silent Killing.'
'Doctor Barnardo's Children' chronicles the struggles of impoverished British children sent to Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Dr. Thomas Barnardo, a Victorian philanthropist and visionary. The play runs through July 30, Tuesday through Saturday at 6 p.m. with a special Sunday performance on July 30.
'X: The Art of Silent Killing' opens Aug. 10 and plays Tuesday through Saturday at 6 p.m. with an added performance slated for Sunday, Sept. 3. This production is a dark, romantic story of a Canadian man and woman who train to become secret agents at a mysterious Second World War military compound in Whitby called Camp X and then embark on a fateful mission behind enemy lines.

read more HERE

opening the Shelter Valley Folkfestival Office

2006-07-18T05:37:00.000-04:00

Northumberland MPP Lou Rinaldi (l) and Cobourg Mayor Peter Delanty (c) helped Shelter Valley Folk Festival office manager Katie McKeown cut the ribbon during the official opening of the festival office located at 47 King Street West in Cobourg.

showing at the Human Bean, Cobourg - Kaye Kelly

2006-07-16T06:15:00.000-04:00

Kaye Kelly is an accomplished artist who has dedicated her education and life to drawing and painting the things that make her happiest. Her use of vivid colour and rich texture are both, she says, ‘part of my tropical background’.
Kaye’s work has been exhibited at many juried shows including: Unionville Village Festival, Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, Distillery District Outdoor Arts Exhibit, Queen West Art Crawl just to name some. Kaye has been expressing her love of nature through art since she was a young girl and continue to captivate those fortunate enough to see her works. Enjoy a sampling of Kay’s pieces during the Month of July @ The Human Bean.
For Kaye's resume, download here.

Spending on live performing arts highest in Ontario

2006-07-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

According to STATSCAN, of the $273 that households spent on entertainment services, over two-thirds was spent attending movies ($106 per household) and live performing arts ($85). The remainder went to paying to see live sporting events and visiting heritage institutions, on which households spent an average of $46 and $36, respectively.
The average Canadian household spent $85 to attend live performing arts events in 2003. Spending varied by region. Ontario households spent the most ($105) while households in the four Maritime provinces spent the least. Although they comprise 7.5% of Canada's population, Maritimers accounted for only 4.4% of all household expenditures on performing arts.
The availability of performing arts performances may impact spending. The number of performing arts companies varied widely across the country. Quebec and Ontario had 242 and 216 companies respectively, compared to 36 in all the Atlantic provinces combined. Among the Western provinces, most companies were located in British Columbia (63) and Manitoba (53).
Large disparities in spending on live performing arts also exist by income group. For example, the highest income quintile made up nearly half of the consumer market even though it comprised only one-fifth of Canada's households. Although spending on live performing arts rose most rapidly from 1998 to 2003 for low income households, these households still spent only $20 attending such events, on average, in 2003. In contrast, highest income households spent an average of $204.
Unlike with the other entertainment services covered by this article, couples with children did not lead the way in average household spending on performing arts events. Instead, couples without children spent the most ($102 per household) on such outings. Perhaps this occurs because many of the events in this category are held by theatre, opera and dance companies, whose performances may be of relatively less interest to younger audiences. This age factor may also explain why performing arts events received the lion's share of the entertainment services spending budget of households headed by people aged 65 and over.
The average household spent 29% more on performing arts in 2003 than it did in 1998. This helped to boost the performing arts industry's operating profit margin from 3.5% to 7.1% from 2000 to 2003¹².

Capitol Announces 2006 Fall Season

2006-07-15T10:31:00.000-04:00

The Capitol Arts Centre is pleased to announce our 2006 Fall Series. as usual we've got a tremendous variety of entertainment happening on our stage this fall.
Returning we'll have Peter Appleyard & the Voices of Showtime, the Nylons, Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards and John McDermott in a Christmas Show.
Also for the first time at the Capitol we'll be presenting "Unforgettable - Brothers of Song" featuring the songs of Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong and Ray Charles among others and Prairie Oyster, a Canadian country legend.
read more HERE

Curtain Call Club presents Pizza Man

2006-07-14T05:15:00.000-04:00

There's a new theatre group in town with the motto ‘DAZZLING audiences with spectacular performances’. The troupe is led by Len Hirst who has been a 'Cast member', 'Director’ or 'Set designer & Artist' (sometimes all three) in many productions.
Their inaugural dinner theatre presentation is Pizza Man at Northumberland Heights Restaurant on July 21, 22, 28 & 29 and luncheon matinee performances on July 23 & 30.
Imagine two single women sharing an apartment and both have men trouble. Julie seeks comfort from the bottle and Alice seeks comfort from food. Both seek revenge... enter the Pizza Man.
Director Len Hirst describes Pizza Man as a comedy with a twist of pepperoni!!
Featuring Claudia Vandermeulen, Judy Down and Ron Jewer, tickets are $37.50 for the evening performance (dinner at 6 p.m. and performance at 8 p.m.) and $32.50 for the matinee shows (lunch at noon and performance at 2 p.m.)

For further information on this new theatre group, please visit their website at www.curtaincallclub.com.

For tickets contact the Box Office at 905 372-2210 or 1-888-262-6874.

appearing at the Shelter Valley Folk Festival - Ndidi

2006-07-13T05:33:00.000-04:00

Ndidi Onukwulu has one of those voices that you can't forget. Whether she's out on the down-low with a melancholy moan, or chasing hellhounds with a strident tone, it's a voice that can stop you in your tracks. More than one knowledgeable listener has heard echoes of Billy Holiday's hue around the edges of her bluesy, seductive purr.

Onukwulu's full-time guitarist and sometime co-writer Madagascar Slim -- a three-time Juno Award winner in his own right -- says her voice is outstanding. "I really got excited the first time I heard it," says Slim. "She really does have something special." Put the voice together with her graceful, casual stage presence, and it's easy to see how she lures people into her lair of song.
Ndidi Onukwulu is first and foremost a blues singer. From the jazzy bounce of "Hornblower" to the hard-rockin' punch of "Hey There," from the spooky lament of "Wicked Lady" to the traditional voice-and-drum gospel wail of "This May Be The Last Time," she's steeped in the blues, and talented enough to make you feel it.

Typically, songs like "Water" and "Wicked Lady," drenched in vengeance and infidelity, mine a vein of dark, haunted blues with a deep edge. "I guess it's an aspect of my personality," says Onukwulu. "I have a dark side, and I look at things sometimes from a skewed perspective, which I'm able to tap into. I don't like to shy way from deep emotions. I don't really have any secrets. I don't hide."
Although Onukwulu is rightfully proud of her Nigerian heritage, its influence on her music is minimal. It helps to drive the funky rhythms of her blues, and her feeling for the oppression of some African peoples links to the spirit of the blues. "Blues is the music of the people, of the earth, of the oppressed," she says. Onukwulu readily acknowledges her early love of such blues greats as Big Mama Thornton and John Lee Hooker. Live onstage, she honours her heroes with tasty covers, like Jimmy Reed's "Big Boss Man" and Little Walter's superb "Mellow Down Easy."

Opening at the Capitol - Who’s Under Where

2006-07-12T06:04:00.000-04:00

A Farce by Doug Hughes & Marcia Kash
July 20th – Aug. 5th

Jane and Sybil are on the verge of making the deal of their lives. They plan to convince the world famous Italian designer, Bruno Fruferelli, to buy their Passion Fashion Wear line of lingerie. They have arranged to give him a private fashion show in a fancy hotel suite - the models are booked, the champagne is on ice and the sexy samples are on display. Jane and Sybil have anticipated every contingency - except the unexpected arrival of their jealous husbands, who inevitably jump to the wrong conclusions and set out to sabotage their wives' activities. Combine suspicious spouses, stolen underwear and mistaken identities with five million dollars, a scantily-clad male model and a lecherous hotel security guard and you have the recipe for this giddy farce.
Since its première in 1992, "Who's Under Where?" has had nearly 100 productions worldwide, and continues to delight audiences to this day. It has been translated and produced in French, Spanish, Turkish and Greek.
Playwrights Marcia Kash and Doug Hughes are Canadians who premiered their first production, Who’s Under Where? at the Muskoka Summer Festival in 1992.
Marcia Kash has nine shows to her credit, including the highly successful Who's Under Where. Other plays include Discovering Elvis, A Party to Murder, Too Many Cooks, The British Invasion. Kash is presently adapting her CBC radio play Thicker Than Water for the stage. In addition, she and collaborator Doug Hughes are working on a new musical entitled The Passion of Sherlock Holmes.
Doug Hughes began writing in 1991 when he teamed up with Marcia Kash to pen "Who's Under Where?" As well as collaborating with Kash on "A Party to Murder" and "Too Many Cooks", Hughes has also written two screenplays - "Hearing Trouble" and "Star Struck." He makes his home in Toronto.

Gallery 21 shows Mary McEwan

2006-07-11T05:53:00.000-04:00

Mary McEwan, President of Spirit of the Hills, will be guest artist at Gallery Twenty One, from August 22^nd to October 7^th . Official reception on August 27^thfrom 2-4 p.m.
Mary McEwan accomplishes her art in preferred mediums of water colour, pastel, aqua-media and acrylics. She has received instructions from several professionals in Canada, the United States and France. She is presently studying oils.
Having been accepted in many juried shows, several galleries have displayed Mary’s work and her paintings are distributed internationally, throughout Australia, Britain, France, United States as well as Canada.

Her work is mostly whimsical and usually humorous with bright colored landscapes, and humans or animals with attitude.
She is a member of the Eastern Ontario Art Association, Quinte Arts Council, Northumberland Art Gallery and she is presently President and Treasurer of Northumberland Hills Art Association, Spirit of the Hills.
Rounding out her artistic talents is her love for dance. She recently appeared in the original musical of FEET and teaches Ballroom and Latin dance.
Mary lives at Presqu’ile Point, Brighton where she raises purebred Golden Retrievers, MCEWANSGOLD.

Gallery 21 Opening

2006-07-11T05:16:00.000-04:00

Gallery One-Twenty-One in Belleville is pleased to invite the public to a reception on Sunday, July 23, from 2-4 p.m. featuring works by Sherry Pringle, feature artist and paintings by guest artist Eileen Menzel. This exhibit will be shown from July 18 until August 19. The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be served.
Sherry Pringle, for many years now, has managed to combine her love of travel with her passion for painting. She started her art studies in watercolour but has expanded her horizons to include acrylics, oil, mixed media and sculpture. Vigour and versatility mark Sherry's work. She lives on the Napanee River and has had numerous solo and group shows in that region as well as Toronto and Ottawa.
Sherry is an enthusiastic student and loves to study art abroad with teachers whose work she admires. She is excited about her upcoming trip to Peru and we look forward to seeing her new show.
Eileen Menzel taught Visual Art for 30 years, 25 of which were for the Toronto District School Board. Now that she is retired, she paints full time. She has memberships to numerous art galleries in the Etobicoke and Mississauga area and juries and adjudicates many shows. At the same time, she studies art theory, art history, takes life drawing classes and exhibits in many venues. Her work has won many awards and she has sold and exhibited in private and public galleries too numerous to mention.
Gallery 121 is proud to present this distinguished and dedicated artist.
As always the Gallery members also display their work.
Gallery 121 is a non-profit co-operative art gallery founded in 1991 by Quinte area visual artists to provide exhibition space for its members. The Gallery is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 48 Bridge St. E. in Belleville, right next to Dinkel's Restaurant. Admission is always free and although most work is for sale, everyone is welcome to come in and enjoy the art.

Shelter Valley Folk Festival opens office

2006-07-10T03:19:00.000-04:00

The Shelter Valley Folk Festival continues its preparation for an exciting 3^rd year as a nationally acclaimed signature cultural event. In preparation for a busy summer the Festival will be holding the grand opening of its Summer Office on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. The office is located at 47 King St. W., Cobourg (adjacent to CIBC).
Please join us for your morning Fare Trade coffee and locally baked goods.
The opening will provide an opportunity for media, dignitaries, tourism specialists and guests to field questions about the line-up of entertainment and events for the 2006 festival as well as to meet Katie McKeown, who is employed for the summer as the Festival’s HRSDC supported Office Manager.
Ms. McKeown has returned home to Cobourg from 3^rd year studies at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick and will be overseeing the Festival’s downtown office operations.
Access to HRSDC funding to hire a summer student came as part of the Festival’s significant growth this year through incorporation as an Ontario not-for-profit Charity. This growth and registration built on the CFDC-supported implementation of a three-year business plan.

“We are proud once again to provide a vibrant downtown location for the Festival, and to continue to enhance the presence of the Arts in our community as a registered Not-for-Profit organization. We are particularly thrilled to be providing summer employment in the Cultural Sector for a local student and welcome Katie to our team. This helps significantly build on the generous and invaluable contributions of the almost three-hundred volunteers who put this signature event together each year,” states Aengus Finnan, Artistic Director.
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival is a grassroots family event that celebrates juried art, wellness, sustainable living, harvest foods and the finest of Folk, Roots, and Blues music on the Henkel farm in the heart of Northumberland County each Labour Day Weekend.
For more information visit www.sheltervalley.com or call 905-377-9556

Barbara Howard’s Seeking Light at the AGN

2006-07-06T04:47:00.000-04:00

Throughout her five decades as a professional artist, Barbara Howard was committed to making images that could transmit her profound experiences of the natural world. In the 1950s she lived in London, following her graduation from the Ontario College of Art, immersing herself in European art and the English landscape. Returning to Canada, she travelled to Vancouver Island to experience the power and mystery of the Pacific Ocean at Long Beach. Her drawings and paintings during the 1960s and 70s reveal a fascination for certain aspects of landscape: views across water, fields and forests by moonlight, shorelines, colour and light.
Based in Toronto for most of her life, Howard found subject matter nearby at Lake Simcoe, Stoney Lake, the Albion Hills and the Toronto Islands. However, she was never concerned with portraying the specifics of a particular place: rather, she observed natural phenomena with the greatest attention in order to express a more universal experience.
read more HERE

Memory Junction Railway Museum offers commemorative stamp

2006-07-06T04:35:00.000-04:00

by John Chambers, The Independent
To help mark the 10th anniversary of the Memory Junction Museum, in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Grand Trunk Railway, Ralph and Eugenia Bangay are releasing a limited edition postage stamp featuring the museum’s fully restored 1929 caboose.
Available only at the Memory Junction Museum, after July 1, the new stamp is designed to commemorate and celebrate a rich railroading history.
A year after the Grand Trunk Railway, the first railway running between Toronto and Montreal, opened on November 4, 1856, the Brighton train station along with 32 Station others were constructed.
Today only nine of those original 32 remain standing, and Brighton’s 1857 station was the only one built by a local brick manufacturer.

Nancy Hermiston returns home to perform at Westben

2006-07-06T04:11:00.000-04:00

Hermiston returned to her family home last week to perform in Westben’s Canada Day Birthday Bash and their production of HMS Pinafore on July 8 and 9. Besides having the fun of performing Gilbert and Sullivan again on a Campbellford stage, it provides something of a reunion with one of her own students, Westben’s Donna Bennett.

"When I was going to university," she said, "Donna was this young kid in the festivals. When I came home, I’d teach her during my undergraduate and opera school years at university."
Later on the two would reconnect in Germany when Donna moved to Munich, not far from Nuremberg where Hermiston worked for the state opera company. "She was a very gifted student, and it was obvious she had a great deal of talent. When she and Brian Finley were married, he used to play for me sometimes."
She is proud of the part she played in mentoring Donna during her early years as a student, and thinks Donna probably feels that same way about her own protégé, Virginia Hatfield, who now enjoys a successful career with the Canadian Opera Company.

read more HERE

Creative sculpture is where you find it

2006-07-02T06:14:00.000-04:00

by Brian Schuette Community Press Online
The sculptures of Lakefield artist, David Hickey, are currently on exhibit at the Paul Portelli Gallery. Natural elements and found materials play pivotal roles in his pieces, often combining stone with weathered metals and wood, punctuated by textures of leather or burlap. Hickey says these objects often dictate the direction in which his creativity will move, but his work isn’t confined to their original uses or nature. Old bits of metal don’t translate into works that are nostalgic or reflect the area’s history in some way. He transforms them into "something uniquely different and contemporary," with a touch of humour showing through many pieces.

read more HERE

Writers In Warkworth

2006-07-02T05:48:00.000-04:00

Writers in Warkworth returns September 15 and 16, 2006 to the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts. It will be a literary feast for aspiring pen-smiths and anyone interested in the words, wisdom and writing processes of some of our most beloved First Nation authors.
The authors this year are; Lee Maracle “Will’s Garden” and “Daughters are Forever”, Ruth Clarke “What We Hold Dear: Treasured Memories of Alderville First Nation” and Drew Hayden Taylor “Me Funny”.
This weekend event begins Friday at 7:30 pm with A Gala Evening featuring selected readings by our esteemed guest authors followed by short question and answer sessions. Emceeing the evening will be Spirit member and popular Jazz singer, Arlene Smith. Pianist Shelagh Purcell will open the evening with futher musical interludes provided by blues harmonica player Dave Mowat and guitarist Ben Sures.
Each author will conduct a 2 hour Writing Workshop on Saturday. The workshops are designed to be both intimate and informative and are spaced apart so you can attend one, two or all three sessions.
Read more HERE

WHAT WE HOLD DEAR: Treasured Memories of Alderville First Nation

2006-06-29T21:54:00.000-04:00

Available in July from Sweetgrass Studios: WHAT WE HOLD DEAR: Treasured Memories of Alderville First Nation, by Ruth Clarke and members of the community.
It is Ruth’s fifth book and her second volume of Alderville’s history; the first, Before the Silence: Fifty Years in the History of Alderville First Nation 1825:1875, was published in 1999 and depicted life for the Mississauga Ojibway during those fifty years, including their migration from Grape Island in the Bay of Quinte to their settlement in Alderville.
In photos and narrative, WHAT WE HOLD DEAR resumes the story in the late 1800s and continues to present-day life in Alderville. It continues in the style of BEFORE THE SILENCE, written from the point of view of fictional characters.

Westben’s Symphonic Birthday Bash

2006-06-29T05:55:00.000-04:00

by Brian Schuette Community Press Online
Westben is holding their Symphonic Birthday Bash gala concerts this Saturday and Sunday, and their Mozart and Muffins musical get-together with pianist Brian Finley on Sunday morning. The latter is an intimate, family friendly hour of musings and musical illustrations of the life and magic of Amadeus.
The Birthday Bash is one of the festival’s major concerts of the season and is based on four birthdays: Campbellford’s centennial, Canada’s 139th, Westben’s 7th, and Mozart’s 250th. Brian Finley, Westben’s Artistic and Managing Director, said earlier this week that he thought it would be great fun to invite people who have a connection with this area and who have gone on to international success as artists, to come back home to Campbellford to help us celebrate. These people include Nancy Hermiston from Warkworth, as well as Virginia Hatfield, Dwight Bennett and Ken Tizzard from Campbellford. Famed tenor Michael Burgess and Kim Dafoe, mezzo-soprano, will also be performing.
Concertgoers will be treated to an evening primarily of Mozart, his arias, duets and trios from operas, and some choral music sung by the Westben Festival Chorus. Nancy Hermiston will take us back to some of the musical history in the area as well, singing a tribute to Gilbert and Sullivan. When she and Donna Bennett grew up in this area, attending Campbellford District High School and studying music under Francis de Carroll, he introduced music theatre and opera to the school. According to Brian, he was mentor to Nancy, who in turn mentored Donna, who in turn mentored Virginia.
Brian Finley will take us back to Westben’s opening season, performing excerpts from his Requiem for a Millennium which he played at the time. The full orchestra will also join Ken Tizzard in two of his own pieces, a possible indication of future directions for the Festival. There will be a birthday party after the concerts on the lawn, with cake for everyone as well as champagne on Saturday night.
Mozart and Muffins is based on last year’s Beethoven Lives at Westben concert. It’s a chance to introduce the music of Mozart to people in an intimate and interactive setting, with the focus on young listeners. Finley will play Mozart’s piano music, beginning with his life as a child prodigy, and how he could play blindfolded or from underneath the piano. The children in the audience will be invited to participate in blindfolding Brian on stage to see if he can play as well as Mozart was able to when he couldn’t see the keyboard!
Finley summed up his thoughts on this concert by saying simply, "I think it’s a miracle! The coming together of all this talent, with such beautiful music, and in such a beautiful place is a miracle. Just this combination happens so rarely and I just want to share it with anybody who wants to come.”

A L L E Y W A L T Z 2 0 0 6

2006-06-28T05:23:00.000-04:00

CALL FOR PERFORMANCE PROPOSALS
The AlleyWaltz is currently seeking proposals from Peterborough-area artists and companies for The AlleyWaltz, to be held during Artsweek Peterborough September 28-30^th 2006. The Alley Waltz is designed to inspire invention and innovation among theatre, dance, and performance artists; to develop and introduce diverse audiences to artists working outside of traditional spaces; and to foster the exploration of new ideas in performance creation.
In 2005 The Alley Waltz joined in the first annual Artsweek celebrations and presented five new pieces. For 2006 we are again looking for five new works to be performed over a three day period during Artsweek as follows: one show on Thursday Sept 28, two shows each on Friday Sept 29 and Saturday Sept. 30^th. Each piece should be about 10 minutes in length, give or take a few, and will be performed at dusk.
Projects selected to participate in the AlleyWaltz will receive an honourarium of $500, basic technical support and dramaturgical support if needed. Each performance will be situated at a location negotiated between your project director and the Alley Waltz committee along a walking route in downtown Peterborough that winds its way off the main streets: through alleys, parks, parking lots and driveways. Please note - most alleyways and unique spaces are private property and may require the permission of the owners. Audience members are led by a guide in a group along the route, viewing each work in succession.

read more HERE

Montreal piano legend Oliver Jones headlines Port Hope jazz festival

2006-06-27T07:33:00.000-04:00

Montreal-based pianist Oliver Jones will bring his trio to the Saturday night concert tent at this year’s All-Canadian Jazz Festival Port Hope in September.
This year’s festival will also feature increased involvement by youth, from Northumberland County and from across Canada, festival programmer John McGuirk says.
Now in its fifth season, the All-Canadian Jazz Festival has earned a solid reputation among fans and musicians alike, McGuirk says. After he took over as programmer this spring, he was pleased to hear from many veteran musicians who were eager to perform in the friendly, small-town setting of Port Hope’s Memorial Park.
read more HERE

changed dates for Dumka exhibition

2006-06-27T07:26:00.000-04:00

Spirit of the Hills, the Northumberland Hills Arts Association, presents an exhibition of photographs by Mary Lou Dumka at the Campbellford/Seymour Public Library from August 31 through to November 1st.
An opening reception will be held between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on September 5th at the library. The general public is invited to attend and meet the artist.

Whitby artist takes top award in annual exhibit

2006-06-25T06:02:00.000-04:00

When you visit the Oshawa Art Association's 38th annual juried exhibition, expect to see into the souls of the selected artists.That's what jurist Peter Kolisnyk was looking for in the works he selected for the exhibit, which opened June 22 and runs through July 9 at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa.
The artist, teacher and member of the Royal Canadian Academy took three hours to sort through the 150 entries submitted by OAA members and artists living in Durham Region, said exhibit chairwoman Marissa Sweet.
Kolisnyk knew right away when he saw the best of show work, Stalinology, by Whitby's Bohdan Sirant, Sweet said.
"He wanted to get into this person's head," she said. "The juror wants to see the artist's mind. He wants to know really what you're trying to convey."
Kolisnyk has works in public collections throughout the world, including the McLaughlin Gallery and Station Gallery in Whitby.
The best of show and several other awards were handed out at Thursday's opening reception. This year, OAA got 150 entries for the competition, said Sweet. Out of those, Kolisnyk winnowed the selections down to 50 for exhibit.
read more HERE

KPR displays native art

2006-06-25T05:31:00.000-04:00

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Trustees have assembled Aboriginal artwork from the First Nations communities of Alderville, Hiawatha and Curve Lake to be displayed in the Board's Education Centre.
As a ‘core value’, the KPRD seeks to embed ‘equity, diversity and inclusiveness’ in all of its policies,practices and programs.
At a recent meeting, the Board welcomed Chief Jim Marsden from Alderville First Nation, Chief Greg Cowie of Hiawatha, Chief Keith Knott of Curve Lake and local artists to unveil artwork from each community.

Hot entertainment coming to Hastings

2006-06-22T06:38:00.000-04:00

Now in its fourth year, the Legends tribute show will be invading Hastings Arena on Saturday, July 15, with some of the hottest acts in music history! Hear the music legends of yesterday and today from some of the best local tribute acts, live on stage at Invasion 2006. Come and dance the night away to hits from Elvis, Rod Stewart, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Alicia Keys, Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, and many, many more! Favourite performers from past shows will return to the stage along with many new artists from our area.
The event is a community fund raiser for the Hastings Revitalization Committee, a group of residents and business people whose goal is to beautify the village, and the Norwood Legion Branch 300.
The show runs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Hastings Arena on Bridge Street North, and this all-ages event will be fully licensed by the AGCO. Tickets are on sale at the Norwood Legion, Valu-Mart, Mr. G’s Backyard, and the Campbellford Wine Shop.
Call Hank St. Onge at 696-2068 or Laura Delciancio at 696-3990 for more information, or check for updates HERE

4th Line Theatre announces 2006 New Play Competition Winners

2006-06-22T06:22:00.000-04:00

Alex Poch-Goldin and Charles Hayter are the winners of its New Play Competition.
"We are pleased such talented playwrights are receiving seed funding via our New Play Development Program," says Artistic Director Robert Winslow.
"Our goal is to succeed not only as a producer of plays, but as a grower of new works," adds Mr. Winslow. "Our plays are our crops. The competition gives us the seeds to plant for later harvest."
A “seeding” is the entry level for playwrights to participate in the 4th Line Theatre New Play Development process. The competition was open to any playwright who has had a full-length work for the stage professionally produced.
The Right Road To Pontypool to be written by Alex Poch-Goldin, is based on the Toronto Jewish community's summer resort experience in Pontypool during the first half of the 20th century.
Hot Town written by Charles Hayter revolves around the lives of the people who introduced the manufacturing of radium in Port Hope during the years of the Great Depression.
read more HERE

Sounds of Summer at Journey Throught The Arts

2006-06-18T06:51:00.000-04:00

The Sounds of Summer exhibition presents 13 artists and artisans from Northumberland County and features guests artists painter Jaqueline Staikos in June, illustrator Martha Robinson for July and painter Angeline Poirier for August.
Jacqueline Staikos, a Trenton resident, has had a life-long interest in art. For the past five years she has focused primarily on oil painting because of the rich, vibrant colours available.
Painting in the abstract has been challenging and exciting and has helped Jacqueline discover more abut herself as she "feels" her way through her paintings. As calming and soothing as meditation, Jacqueline finds her artistic pursuits a welcome reprieve from the demands of raising a family.
Her work has been shown in galleries, art shows and juried shows in Trenton, Brighton, Belleville and Cobourg. Jacqueline's studio is situated in her home in Trenton.

Mary Lou Dumka exhibits

2006-06-18T06:14:00.000-04:00

Spirit of the Hills, the Northumberland Hills Arts Association, presents an exhibition of photographs by Mary Lou Dumka at the Campbellford/Seymour Public Library from July 3 through to August 30. An opening reception will be held between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4 at the library. The general public is invited to attend and meet the artist.

Auditions for next season's production in Oshawa

2006-06-17T10:51:00.000-04:00

Auditions are being held this month and next for plays in the 2006-2007 season of Oshawa Little Theatre.
The Drawer Boy will be presented Sept. 14 through 30, with rehearsals taking place over the summer. Auditions will be held June 26 and 27 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Oshawa Little Theatre on Russett Avenue.
The musical Oliver will be presented Nov. 9 to Dec. 2 and requires a number of young people. Auditions will be held in late June and early July.
The Drawer Boy, written by Michael Healey, is set on a farm in Ontario in 1972, where two high school friends have been farming together since after they served in the Second World War. A young actor, a somewhat naive city boy, doing research for a play about farming and farm life, comes to interview them. The play explores loss and hope with humour and pathos. The Drawer Boy was voted one of the top 10 plays in North America in 2001

Colborne exhibit explores the wonder of child's play

2006-06-17T10:26:00.000-04:00

Jeanne Beneteau, Northumberland News

Childhood evokes memories of play, whether the pure fun form or delving deeper with play as a growth experience or an exploration of the path not yet taken, says a Port Hope artist.
In 'Playing with Childhood,' Fiona Crangle and her fellow artist and long-time friend, Veronica Derry, of Cobourg present an exhibit that celebrates and explores the multi-faceted layers of child's play on canvas, with textiles, in sculpture, with paper mache and a variety of other medium. The exhibit starts June 17, with an opening reception slated for 2 to 4 p.m. at the Colborne Art Gallery. The show runs through July 30.

read more HERE

Paul Portelli receives presidential commission

2006-06-17T09:30:00.000-04:00

By Brian Schuette, Community Press Online
Warkworth sculptor and gallery owner Paul Portelli has just finished four very special commissions. The main piece was made for the President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor. Three others were created for a Dr. Safo, who is the leader of 120 churches throughout Africa, and two other dignitaries associated with the doctor. The works are being delivered by Warkworth residents Roger Leroux and Danielle Gagnon on behalf of UNESCO and the Foundation for Our Children’s Children, and will be presented to the president at a public ceremony in July.
Leroux said he commissioned the four pieces from Portelli because he admires his sculptures, and in previous presentations in France and Belgium, "people were in awe of his work." He added that he wanted to present President Kufuor with a piece that was representative of a Canadian-African artwork. "To me, it looks like a young African with Canadian maple leaves," he explained earlier this week. The piece for Dr. Safo consists of a trillium and a maple leaf, while the other two depict faces, one looking right and the other left. They represent two of the doctor’s most highly regarded associates.
Leroux and Gagnon are travelling to Africa as part of a joint venture with a Kenyan company and the government of Ghana. They are attempting to introduce economic development programs for advanced technologies to bring foreign income into the region. Leroux says this will allow water-poor countries in Africa to buy water and food for sustenance.

Arts Umbrella presents Peter Barron, Jessica Rowland and Ray McGirl

2006-06-15T05:58:00.000-04:00

Peterborough Arts Umbrella is pleased to present artists Peter Barron, Jessica Rowland and Ray McGirl in the gallery located at 378 Aylmer Street North, Peterborough.
The exhibition will run till June 30, 2006. There will be an opening reception, Friday, June 16, 2006, from 7 – 9 p.m.
Regular gallery hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
read more HERE

Brighton author holds book signing

2006-06-15T05:51:00.000-04:00

by Aidan Conolly, The Independent

A Brighton resident has made a name for himself in the realm of Canadian historical writing. His book, titled Canadian Disasters, has recently been reprinted by Scholastic Books. The first edition of the book was released in 1985.
Rene Schmidt is an elementary school teacher at Stockdale Public School. He began writing about disasters as a mechanism to perk the interest of a few reluctant students. Teaching remedial reading, he found that many students, especially boys, simply were not intrigued by a great deal of the available reading curriculum. Mr. Schmidt found that when those students were offered material featuring exciting themes such as historical disasters, some of their reluctance abated.

read more HERE

at the Colborne Art Gallery

2006-06-14T07:12:00.000-04:00

Fiona Crangle and Veronica Derry "playing with chilhood " and an exhibition of works by gallery artists.
June 17 - July 30, 2006
opening reception Saturday, June 17, 2006 from 2pm - 4pm

about Veronica Derry ...
"Growing up in Roseneath amidst a family of women who sewed, quilted, knitted and did crochet, I developed an early interest and appreciation of textiles. After high school, after a year in a factory, then more happily, four years as a florist, I was prepared for further education.
"I chose Sheridan School of Crafts and Design for its textile studio. In my second year I chose to major in weaving. The weaving process really appealed to me. It was also the year Sandra Brownlee-Ramsdale filled in as the weaving instructor. The studio was infused with her contagious energy and it was with her guidance my love for tapestry and inlay took root.
"In 1985, for three months, I had the fascinating experience of working with a team on a series of large environmental weavings for "The Settlement Area" of the Ontario Pavilion for Expo '86. The centre pavilion was constructed by artists, craftspeople, carpenters, theatre costumes, set designers, electricians etc. under the direction of a team of designers. It was then dismantled and reassembled in Vancouver.
"I settled into working at Flamboyant, in Cobourg, part time, then full time (I now manage it), and over the years it has supported me and my weaving.
"Cotton rugs and runners were my focus for a number of years. Occasionally the need to create something more individual, more challenging, would result in a series of tapestries, small fibre assemblages, and most recently, soft sculpture.
"Tapestry weaving is a slow process. Depending on the complexity of the design, an hour can pass by and the piece will have progressed one inch. But it captivates me. To translate an inner vision into a finished piece by taking yarns and creating not only an image, but the very structure of the cloth, is very satisfying.

art workshop for women - beginners only!

2006-06-14T06:41:00.000-04:00

This first workshop is for you women who think you can't draw or maybe think you don't have artistic ability - but want to be able to express yourself creatively. You do NOT have to have any artistic experience at all. There will be no art lecture, no 'judging' – just inspirational and supportive words . We'll have a few laughs along the way. This will be a very casual environment.
You need to have the desire to explore your inner child and enjoy the company of other women while you create with different materials – and leave with something you're damned proud of! (and probably a handy hand-out or two).
By doing some enjoyable exercises with various materials, you will discover you have the ability to be that creative person you so want to liberate!
I will take 6 women max and 3 minimum per class in my studio.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 25/06 (further workshops will be scheduled)
TIME: 4 hours from 11 until 3 pm with 1/2 hour lunch break @ 12:45-1:15
Bring your lunch and we'll all eat together and discuss the process.
WORKSHOPS can include but are not limited to mosaics, collage, abstracts, sculpting with air dry clay, decorated boxes
You will find out on June 25 what you have available to you.
FEE: The class, which includes materials is $50 p.p.
Contact: Nina Keogh puppet@sympatico.ca or 905 352 3682

dreaming of canoes

2006-06-13T04:51:00.000-04:00

Visit the Robert McLaughlin Gallery and you're apt to find yourself adrift in the imagination of a local artist.
Canoe Dreamings, on at the gallery until June 18, features works by Newcastle artist Sally Thurlow. The title says it all -- canoes and dreaming.
But these canoes are not what you might expect. They are not actual canoes, but representations of canoes and all they mean to Canadians and to Thurlow.

read more HERE

Canada from the Wrong Side of the Tracks - Michael Everett Glover

2006-06-12T04:22:00.000-04:00

On exhibit in the Lawless Gallery - Grafton

On a painting trip out west he once sold a sketch to a blind man mentions artist Michael Everett Glover in a recent conversation. “The most interesting thing about that,” says Michael, “was on the return trip I dropped in to visit him and watched him unload a tractor trailer with a fork lift… he was stone blind…”

Michael has recorded many such stories on his continuing travels across Canada. As an artist, painting is his primary medium but the series which has evolved over the past 5 years, “Canada from the Wrong Side of the Tracks”, is actually a multi media documentation of his travels. He has recorded his adventures on video and audio tape and plans to write a book about the people and places he’s experienced.
read more HERE

Jane Urquhart at Madoc Public Library

2006-06-10T06:42:00.000-04:00

Author Jane Urquhart will be visiting the Madoc Public Library on Saturday, June 17, at 7 p.m. to read from her novels, thanks to a Trillium grant received by the Centre Hastings Public Library Board. Her books will also be available for sale and to be autographed.
read more HERE

Voices of Spring at The Barn!

2006-06-10T06:18:00.000-04:00

Spring is in the air; or should that be “Spring is in the Aire”?
Either way, this June sees the Westben Barn blooming with the voices of spring; four Sunday afternoon concerts will be devoted to an amazing array of youthful talents from in and around our local community.
On Sunday, June 11, at 2 p.m., it’s a double bill featuring over 100 young musicians! The Hillcrest Public School Intermediate Band joins the Westben Youth Chorus for Dreams Come True. Nancy Elmhirst leads the 70-member Hillcrest ensemble in a presentation of music featured on the band’s recent CD recording including the contagious Colonel Bogey March and the evocative Ancient Moon. Then the 38-member Westben Youth Chorus under director Donna Bennett sings songs of dreams coming true, including a special tribute to the music of Disney.
On Sunday, June 18, at 2 p.m., Westben presents a special Father’s Day Concert entitled If the Earth Could Sing. Sue Hammond of Classical Kids (and creator of Beethoven Lives Upstairs) joins Karen-Michele Kimmet and the young musicians of Kingston’s Canta Arya for a world premiere performance exploring the meeting of two distinct cultures—Canadian and South African—united through classical and world music. Evocatively presented through an incredible blend of projected images, African drumming, singing and classical chamber music, the afternoon will be another unforgettable production of one of Canada’s foremost musical educators. Don’t miss Campbellford’s own Suzuki Violinists under director Deborah Henderson who will be offering a musical greeting twenty minutes before concert time.
Finally, on Sunday, June 25, at 2 p.m., join us for the Kawartha Youth Orchestra under the Peterborough Symphony’s Artistic Director, Michael Newnham. These excellent young musicians from across several counties present a dazzling orchestral program ranging from Frescobaldi’s Toccata to Grieg’s Peer Gynt, Brahms’ Academic Overture, Wagner’s Overture to Lohengrin, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite and other favourites by Bach, Mozart, Bizet and Verdi.
Proceeds from each concert will go to support each ensemble.

colborne art gallery presents "Voices"

2006-06-09T08:36:00.000-04:00

Saturday, June 10th, 4pm and 8pm
"Voices" inspirational art accompanied by voices of the LaJeunesse Chamber Choir
LaJeunesse conductor Marian Anderson promises a fine performance of popular music. Featured soloists are Brendan Macdonald and Alyson MacNamara. Others in the 20-member ensemble will offer duets and trios in the varied repertoire.
Obtain $15.00 tickets from : Colborne Art Gallery
51 King Street East, Colborne
905-355-1798

World class music in the wide open countryside

2006-06-08T05:07:00.000-04:00

The Westben Arts Festival Theatre’s seventh season offers a breath-taking mix of international stars and Juno Award winners, a new concert series devoted to jazz, and a “symphonic birthday bash” celebrating the births of Westben, the town of Campbellford, Canada and Mozart.
Also on the schedule are: Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore by the University of British Columbia’s Opera Ensemble (making their third appearance at The Barn); music from the royal courts of Europe during Mozart’s time, as performed by tenor Mark DuBois, a Westben regular, and the Emperor String Quartet, and; Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber, with Westben’s founding members soprano Donna Bennett and pianist Brian Finley being joined by mezzo Gabrielle Prata, tenor Keith Klassen and baritone Robert Longo for renditions of memorable songs culled from the star composer’s Broadway hits such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Phantom of the Opera.
“This whole concept of putting concerts on in nature (inside a custom-built theatre that seats 400 people) is still so invigorating and inspiring for us here,” Mr. Finley told reporters May 18 at a sneak preview of the upcoming season. Westben’s tag line for the season plays on that concept; “Music is in our nature “ refers to both the outer world and the inner self.
read more HERE