arts northumberland annex

Roll over, Beethoven. Moses has arrived

2006-10-21T05:23:00.000-07:00

GAYLE MACDONALD

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

One balmy Friday a few weeks ago, about 40 members of the Classical Club gathered in the tightly packed lobby of a small radio station on Toronto's Queen Street East.

The group, aged early 20s to 75-plus, were assembled to hear a private performance from the acclaimed Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, in town for some sold-out performances that were part of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's Beethoven Festival.

You could hear a pin drop as the 36-year-old Andsnes — dubbed “best fingers” by Vanity Fair in 2005 — settled himself on the bench. As he began to gently stroke the keys of a Steinway, coaxing out a Bach-Busoni chorale prelude, many in the room sighed. Others shut their eyes.

But one jaunty guy in a dark suit just beamed. Moses Znaimer, who had just picked up the keys to the station Classical 96.3 FM (call numbers CFMX) and had organized this intimate recital, was lapping up the ambience. Everything. The music. The culture. The class.

“He sounds like he's making love to the keys,” purrs Znaimer, the media guru who founded CITY-TV three decades ago and later brought rock 'n' roll to television with MuchMusic. “See, he's barely touching the keys. It's almost erotic.”

Anyone who's ever had contact with Znaimer — renowned for his pop-culture savvy and active libido — finds it fitting that he would see his latest business venture in a totally sensual way. “I want to tell you a dirty little secret,” the crafty 64-year-old whispers when Andsnes's performance ends, leaving the room in mute awe.

“Under-30s like classical music. Look around. Not only old people listen to it. Many of the people here today are very young and, may I say, good-looking girls,” Znaimer adds sassily.

For him, classical music has been a lifelong passion. So Classical 96.3 is not a job, but a calling. “It's been proven scientifically that people who love classical music live longer. They live better. They go on to more stable lives, and better paying careers.” Asked where that tidbit came from, Znaimer waves off the question with a flick of a slender wrist. “I can't recall. I read it somewhere.”

The statement is vintage Znaimer. Nobody knows how to milk a tale, and turn it into legend, better than he. This son of Jewish immigrants who was born in Tajikistan and emigrated to Montreal in 1948 is both a huckster and a dreamer — a hard-nosed businessman and a diehard romantic.

And his journey forward with Classical 96.3, which cost him $12-million, means he's determined to work the same magic at this radio station that he did with CITY-TV many years ago, a network everybody thought would fail, but ended up being a television groundbreaker in so many ways.

Znaimer plans to bring CITY-TV's Rambo-style marketing to shake up what has been a sleepy, genteel genre. Seated at the Steinway that Andsnes recently vacated, surrounded by people dressed conservatively in tweed and ties, Znaimer is light years removed from the funkiness of CITY-TV headquarters.

Still, the transformation seems to suit Znaimer. “Listeners to this station are very well-educated, and a very well-heeled group of people,” he asserts. “They are the best-educated and highest-earning people in the Greater Toronto area. This audience is valued, and we want to hang onto them. But I want to bring in fresh blood. There are lots of young people listening to this station; we just want more of them.”

Classical 96.3 FM's core audience is folk aged 50-plus, and it's Znaimer's goal to bring along the under-40 or even under-30 crowd. He's the only private classical-music-radio player in a Greater Toronto radio listening market of roughly 4.5-million. According to the Bureau of Broadcast Measurement, 96.3 has a respectable market share of 5 per cent, among the highest of any North American commercial classical station. And the only other classical radio game in town is the CBC.

Znaimer's station draws between 350,000 and 450,000 listeners who stay tuned in for at least a quarter of an hour during the week. While that's small potatoes compared with the 900,000-plus weekly listeners at CFRB and CHUM, Liz Janik, president of Media Mix Inc., says Znaimer has a perfectly viable business model.

“Jack FM would love to have those numbers,” says Janik. “Classical 96.3 has already proven there's an audience for it. People are listening, and the numbers indicate they tend to listen a long time. It's a format that performs well even with a smaller listening base because the numbers of hours that audiences spend with the station are long. That drives up their share of the tuning.”

The big question, though, is whether Znaimer will be able to popularize classical music and bring it to the youthful masses. Time will tell, muses Janik. But she figures if anyone can, it's probably Znaimer.

Over the years, Znaimer's been called many things: media visionary, television addict, brilliant impresario, crazy as a fox, mercurial, unpredictable, a lady's man and a marijuana advocate.

The one thing he most assuredly is, however, is a master of invention. And this $12-million investment is testament again to a man who never dips a toe in — but jumps in with both his Lucchese boot-clad feet.

Sitting on the stairwell in his second-floor lobby, Znaimer explains his marketing assault strategy, set to go into effect in the new year. First, he's going to hire “a classical core” of young people who will be divided into two so-called “brigades.”

The first team will be made up of roughly a dozen attractive “reporters” of both sexes who will travel around the city reporting on the latest classical events. They'll travel in easily identifiable “zippy” cars (model still to be decided), he adds, painted with Classical 96.3's tag line: “Relax. Refresh. Recharge.”

The second “brigade” will be made up of classical performers — soloists, duets, trios — who he plans to send into “at-risk” neighbourhoods — such as schools in the Jane and Finch area. His aim? To give young adults — who may never have heard of Mozart or Chopin — an alternative to hip hop.

One has to wonder how keen these guinea-pig musicians will feel about his scheme. “Hey, this is coming from the daddy of video rock 'n' roll,” says Znaimer, who early on in his career owned a Toronto recording studio called Thunder Sound that boasted a sauna in the basement where bands used to go to sweat and smoke dope. “So I think I'm the proper guy to say I think there's room in radio to try something else.”

Janik, who points out that Classical 96.3's five-point market share in the GTA is ahead of younger-format stations such as The Edge and Z103.5, says the greatest challenge for Znaimer and his Rambo classical tactical squad will be “finding the sales force that's willing to be original and aggressive in identifying what the key benefits are for this kind of format in this city.”

Znaimer is undaunted. “I'm doing this because I truly love the music. And I believe that some level of showmanship applied to this rather severe realm is going to yield some excitement. There's a delicious irony in a guy who brought Canada video rock 'n' roll taking this turn.”

In a way, Znaimer's move into classical has returned him to his childhood roots. As a pre-teen growing up on Montreal's Rue St-Urbain, Znaimer's parents (dad, a shoe salesman, mom, a waitress) scraped and saved every penny to put him into piano lessons at McGill University's faculty of music.

Alas, he discovered after a few years that he was no virtuoso. “I got to the age of girls, movies, reading books and shooting pool, and knew I wasn't Leif [Ove Andsnes] material.” He eventually graduated with a degree in philosophy and politics from McGill and earned a masters in government from Harvard (and by then, his parents had finally forgiven him for dropping out of the faculty of music).

In the early 1970s, he teamed up with partners to launch CITY-TV, which he eventually sold to CHUM Ltd. He then became programming guru for an rapidly expanding media outlet before resigning in 2003.

Then he went underground, presumably to nurse some wounds.

But in the last year, the man's been everywhere — investing in Cannasat Therapeutics, a publicly traded company pioneering a new class of drugs from marijuana), producing a comedy called Rumours for the CBC — and now his mug can be seen on buses and billboards around the city in ads promoting Classical 96.3. A riff on earlier ads that showed a comely young lass in the bathtub saying, “I'm listening,” Znaimer's ad says, “Are you listening?” And it has superimposed his wicked elfin face onto the girl's suds-covered body.

Classical 96.3's office — a stone's throw from Toronto's Humane Society at Queen and River streets — is a placid, restful spot, distinctly at odds with the mayhem-in-motion that is such a part of the cult of CITY-TV.

But don't for a second suggest to Znaimer that his new digs are stodgy or sedate. The advertising community infuriates him because it insists on viewing classical music as the realm of doddering old fools.

“Where does this idea come from [in the ad world] that when you hit age 50, you somehow die,” Znaimer asks. “I'm Moses Znaimer sitting in a rocking chair, chewing my gums, waiting for my pension cheque to buy my dog food? It's so bizarre and misplaced.”

It makes him madder still that Classical 96.3's core listening audience contains the captains of industry running huge ad houses and laying down the rigid rules that only the young 18-to-35 demographic matters.

“You have to wonder about industry leaders who deny their own experience. You have to be pretty alienated from yourself,” he fumes. “The reality is our core listeners are at the peak of their careers, living larger, living well, on second and third marriages, spending like crazy on travel, on things related to health and well-being, and on whimsy.

“Our main challenge here at Classical 96.3 is to open [advertisers'] eyes to the truth. And get rid of the notion that classical music is for ancients.”

He might have a point. Over at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, 15 to 20 per cent of regular concert sales go to people under the age of 30 — a large jump from under 1 per cent only five years ago.

Well-programmed, Media Mix's Janik believes classical radio has the “capacity of being very strong in the 25-to-65 age group, with the heart [of the audience] being 50 to 60.

“The sound of the station fills a mood service of calm and relaxing, which is important to people today, with busy lifestyles and all,” she adds.

Znaimer bought Classical 96.3 from Trumar Communications, owned by Martin and Truus Rosenthal. He got Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission approval in the summer and now has an application before the federal regulator for a digital classical video channel.

He's hired veteran radio man George Grant (who worked at CITY-TV the first year it opened, has been in radio 42 years, including a stint as general manager of CHFI, and was part-owner of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats) to be CEO of the radio division of MZ Media.

Recently, there have been rumours that former Sony Music Canada president Denise Donlon — who launched MuchMusic for Znaimer and recently organized the star-studded birthday party at the Fairmont Royal York for former U.S. president Bill Clinton during the Toronto International Film Festival last month — is being courted to join the Classical 96.3 team.

Znaimer wouldn't comment, but Donlon was front and centre at the Andsnes concert. And she stayed for the gourmet brie-and-black-angus-beef sandwiches. And while some staffers at the FM station may have, at first, been skeptical about Znaimer and his real motivation for buying 96.3 — his enthusiasm for the genre has now won them over.

As Louise Thomas, the radio station's veteran office manager puts it: “Any change makes people nervous. But Moses's reputation precedes him as taking little, and making big.”

Waterloo library pitched as city's arts hub

2006-08-21T01:40:00.000-07:00

Waterloo's public library system could become the hub for arts and culture in the city, arts advocates told provincial Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco on a visit to the city yesterday. A morning tour of the library's main branch on Albert Street turned into an impromptu round-table discussion on the value of arts in the community.
"The library is an access point to arts and culture," said GloriaVan Eek- Meijers, library manager of information services. If the public wants information on arts activities or events, the library
is the first place to look, she said. The group talked about the need for increased government funding, while promoting their individual initiatives.
"Art is moving out into communities, and libraries are a very important conduit to that," said Judith Miller, a University of Waterloo English professor.
Di Cocco told the group she hopes to see all Ontario communities evolve arts clusters. "For a while, the word 'culture' was not even in the government vocabulary. Today, all over the world, cities are talking about the creative cities concept."
But when Tim Jackson, chair of the library's board of directors, asked about new funding, Di Cocco wouldn't make a commitment. "I don't have a cheque, I don't have a magic wand," she said. "But libraries are due to have an increase."
Jackson said provincial funding has flatlined for about 20 years. "Hopefully, we showed the minister that you can take an institution and tie in the whole community," he said.
Circulation and the use of electronic resources have increased in recent years, he said.
"There's this notion that people aren't going to the libraries any more-- that's not true."
That's part of the reason more funding would enhance services, he added.
In Waterloo, circulation is up 19 per cent in the first quarter of 2006. Remote use of resources, through the library website, is up 40 per cent in the first quarter, totalling 23,329 hits.
Di Cocco said her visit is part of the ministry's goal to rebuild cultural infrastructure and conduct long-term planning.

Living online the new norm for Canadians

2006-08-21T01:25:00.000-07:00

Canadians turn to Web for many tasks: Survey
Aug. 16, 2006. 05:58 AM
HEBA ALY
STAFF REPORTER

Fifty years ago, it was a dream. Today, it is our world.
For the first time ever, Statistics Canada has tracked the Internet use of individual Canadians, and while the results may not be surprising, they pave a very clear path for the future.
• 68 per cent of adult Canadians used the Internet for personal, non-business reasons in 2005.
• In Toronto, that number rose to 75 per cent.
• Almost 2/3 of adult Canadians who used the Internet from home did so every day during a typical month.
• About six in 10 Internet users used it to read news or sports, or to conduct their banking online.
The statistics, released yesterday, confirm a reality that many already understood — Canadians have a growing dependence on the Internet and are doing much more online than emailing and surfing.
More than half of home users said they used the Internet to check weather conditions, make travel arrangements and view news or sports, as well as search for medical or government information, bank electronically and window shop.
"That represents a pretty dramatic change," says Michael Geist, law professor at the University of Ottawa where he holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and e-commerce law.
"People increasingly identify with the Internet as an essential tool to access information and engage in all sorts of activities that only a few years ago they did offline."
Experts agree that industries and businesses will have to shift online to stay successful if they haven't done so already.
"Whether they like it or not, that's where we're going," Geist says, adding "there are some exceptional opportunities here."
While many banks, stores and even governments have already taken advantage of such opportunities, other industries, traditional travel agencies for example, may be left behind.
And they won't be alone.
The shift to a virtual world raises concern over a "digital divide" that continues to exist between people living in urban and rural communities.
Only 58 per cent of residents living in Canada's small towns or rural areas accessed the World Wide Web, compared to a 68 per cent national average and a high of 77 per cent in some metropolitan areas.
The study acknowledges a variety of reasons for this gap.
In general, larger cities have younger populations, more residents with higher levels of income and education, and more allure for Internet service providers — all factors that lead to higher Internet use.
As the Internet becomes more and more important, the poor, the uneducated, seniors and rural residents, "who are already disadvantaged, get left further behind because everybody else has the means to accelerate their own chances," says Liss Jeffrey, director of the McLuhan Global Research Network and adjunct professor of new media and policy at the University of Toronto.
Some predict the problem might take care of itself, as it did with an earlier gender divide.
But "the fact that it's becoming such an important resource to get people connected to their municipal, provincial and federal government suggests that the government has a greater role to play in addressing the digital divide issues," says Arthur Cockfield, associate dean and law professor at Queen's University, where he specializes in cyber-law and privacy issues.
The survey also showed that almost 75 per cent of the 30,000 or so adults contacted were concerned about privacy and security, including Internet credit card use.

From Brighton to big time

2006-07-26T02:31:00.000-07:00

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.”
That was two years ago, and while some called him crazy at the time, it has definitely worked out for the best.
Mr. Wilkes and co-creator, business partner and bestfriend Jeff Spriet pitched the idea for “11 Cameras,” aiming for a spot on CBC’s daytime line-up. The 11 minute demo was received well, but was given a prime time slot instead of its day time intended audience and a go ahead for the pilot to begin filming in March.
The series follows the lives of six groups of people, told entirely from the point of view of webcams. The sitcom is described on its website as “a voyeuristic look at human relationships…told through the language of webcams and computer desktops.” The show touches on themes of love, sex, loneliness, fear, money woes, longing, adultery and jealousy as well.
“The show was inspired by the relationship my wife has with her family via webcam in Korea; and Jeff’s wife’s love of listening to other people’s conversations,” said Mr. Wilkes jokingly. “The show is a classic soap, but we use the language of web cameras.”
The two share the title of creators and executive producers while Mr. Wilkes has directed four as well as the re-shoots for all 22 episodes.
The two have worked as a creative team since the mid ’90’s when they met each other while working at Taxi Advertising and Design. Picked up after Ontario College of Art and Design school by Paul Lavoie, co-founder of Taxi and the man responsible for the creation of Viagra and Telus television ads, Mr. Wilkes learned the ropes.
Mr. Wilkes then left to work on various projects around the world but wound up coming back and pairing up with Mr. Spriet to accomplish bigger projects.
Wanting more than 30 seconds to tell their stories, they created a company called ‘Chokolat’.
In their brief three year history, they have created reality shows that have been optioned by Warner Brothers, Court TV and New Line, created and wrote an animated comedy property for Teletoon, and completed a feature documentary called “Auto Destruct: One Man’s Obsession with William Shatner.” Their ‘big break’ into the business was the direction of a documentary series called “Full Ride” for ESPN.
“Now we have a whole bunch of stuff coming down the line in Canada which is exciting and amazing, but our first big hit was for ESPN,” said Mr. Wilkes. “I think the main reason it was hard to break out in Canada was because there is not as much money here and it’s sort of a risk-averse culture at all the networks. When it comes down to it, Global and CTV are happy to run American stuff but they have to run Canadian stuff so for those they go to people with longstanding relationships.”
While most would think that the production of a 22 episode prime-time show on CBC would be enough on their plate, the two also have two documentaries, a cartoon, two reality shows based on music, a teen drama and a horror and crime drama in the works.
Currently living in downtown Toronto, Mr. Wilkes says it’s not really “living,” with his busy travel schedule. This year alone he has shot two and a half months outside of Canada and a month and a half outside of the United States, on location in Mexico and Europe. Mr. Wilkes also has a new reality show on the go which he will be shooting in Japan in the fall.
Shot in Toronto in what was an old Canadian Tire store, the project featured 60 cast members and 35 sets. The show cost close to $2 million to shoot.
“It literally looked like a gateway to hell when we started out, but then after they built all the sets it looked amazing,” said Mr. Wilkes. “The show takes place anywhere from Iraq to India to all these other places where people are having relationships all over the world.”
ENSS graduates Dan Turcotte and Adam Warner also do the music for the show as well as all the music for Mr. Wilkes other shows and commercials. The three are proud of their local roots and the school they came from.
“We had a good foundation of really great families at home and we had really really good teachers that stood out and made a difference,” said Mr. Wilkes. “For me Jeff Girdlestone and Gerald Banting, those guys indulged our unique view on life.”
Mr. Wilkes still comes to Brighton to visit his parents and was recently home for his brother’s marriage.
The series has been airing since June 28, Wednesday and Thursday on CBC at 7:30 p.m. with a repeat airing at 11:30 p.m. Two new episodes air every week.
“The show is doing really well and has received great reviews,” said Mr. Wilkes. “Our audience is going up about 20 per cent per episode which we’re happy to see.”

Canadian stories captured in the great outdoors

2006-07-18T02:37:00.000-07:00

By Jeanne Beneteau, Northumberland News

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.

Now celebrating its 15th season, the 4th Line Theatre Company presents Canadian plays written by and about Canadians on an outdoor stage made up of an array of century old barns and the countryside of Millbrook's Winslow Farm. Since its inception in 1992, the theatre company has remained true to its commitment to preserve and promote Canadian cultural heritage by offering regionally-based, environmentally-staged historical dramas. For 15 years, the 4th Line has reclaimed little known Canadian heroes, heroines and history and brought the stories to life in the backdrop of the rolling hills, ponds and meadows. Past productions have 14 original plays including: 'The Cavan Blazers,' the story of 19th century religious conflicts among Cavan Township settlers; 'Crow Hill: The Telephone Play,' an examination of the impact of telephone technology on rural communities inspired by the life of Garden Hill's Ona Gardiner, a switchboard operator for 30 years; and 'The Devil and Joseph Scriven,' who penned the hymn 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus' and died in poverty (under rather suspicious circumstances) in a log cabin near Rice Lake.

To coincide with its 15th anniversary season, patrons of Thursday and Saturday evening presentations can take in a display presented by the Hazelbrae Barnardo Home Memorial Group, says 4th Line's artistic director, Robert Winslow. The organization, founded in 1998, is currently raising funds to erect a monument in memory of the 10,000 children who passed through the home.

"Our audiences enjoy these opportunities to learn more about the history and the work we present on our stages," says Robert Winslow, 4th Line's artistic director.

There are many options to enjoy 4th Line's outdoor theatre experience, adds spokeswoman, Sherrie Le Masurier. Scenic stage packages can be customized to suit every taste... patrons can enjoy a pre-ordered country picnic (you're also welcome to bring your own) at the farm before the show or dine afterwards at a local Italian Restaurant. There are also cozy bed and breakfast retreats available, she adds. A photo exhibit from the theatre's 2005 'Doctor Barnardo's Children' production, courtesy of Millbrook photographer, Marlon Hazlewood, is also on display until the end of the month at Stickling's Bakery and Bistro, 191 Charlotte St. in Peterborough.

The 4th Line Theatre is located on the Winslow Farm, 779 Zion Line, off County Road 10 north of Garden Hill. For tickets or rural escape package information, contact the 4th Line Theatre box office Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 705-932-4445, toll-free at 1-800-814-0055 or by e-mail at 4thline@nexicom.net.

Capitol Announces 2006 Fall Season

2006-07-15T07:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Moments to Remember Featuring the Voices of Showtime with Peter Appleyard Saturday, September 30th – Tickets $31.00
This fun-filled trip of nostalgia will take you back to the 40’s & 50’s and the big-band music of Miller, Goodman and Dorsey. Featuring the impeccable intonation, balance and blend of the Voices of Showtime and Canada’s vibraphone legend. Peter Appleyard.

The Nylons Friday, October 27th – Tickets $39.00
Over the last 25 years The Nylons have become a global institution in the world of a cappella music. From their formation in the back of a delicatessen in Toronto in the late 1970s to headlining at Carnegie Hall, The Nylons have a storied history. With over three million albums sold and hits such as "Up The Ladder, To The Roof" and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," the Nylons have received international acclaim, accolades and numerous awards including a Juno.

Unforgettable – Brothers of Song Saturday, November 4th - Tickets $31.00
Featuring the songs of Nat “King” Cole and celebrating other notable performers such as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Johnny Mathis and others, Unforgettable is a joyous, uplifting music review. Starring Rudy Mayes, Selena Gittens and the music and vocals of the Unforgettable All-Stars.

Jeff Healey’s Jazz Wizards Saturday, November 18th – Tickets $39.00
Back by popular demand, Jeff Healey shares his life-long passion for Jazz by performing golden-era hits of the 20’s and 30’s. joined by his combo who make up the aptly-named Jazz Wizards, Healey will captivate and delight you with his enthusiasm as he divides his time between lead vocals , valve trombone, trumpet and of course his signature instrument, the guitar.

Prairie Oyster Saturday, November 25th - Tickets $39.00
Hardcore country ballads, Cajun spice, country shuffles, swing-injected and honky-tonk feels, rockabilly and vintage rock 'n' roll-flavoured pieces, this legendary Canadian country band blends them all together in a seamless manner.

John Mcdermott Holiday Concert Friday, December 15th – Tickets $43.00
Canada’s favourite Irish Tenor brings his rich golden voice and unforced charm to the Capitol Theatre for a holiday concert of classic folksongs, old standards and heart-warming stories. Book early for this one and avoid disappointment.

Barbara Howard’s Seeking Light at the AGN

2006-07-06T01:52:00.000-07:00

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.
In 1960 Howard added wood-engraving to her repertoire of media when she and her husband, the poet Richard Outram, launched the Gauntlet Press. For 30 years Howard produced small engravings in collaboration with Outram's poems, publishing numerous small books and broadsides. Together they printed the work on a small letterpress, then Howard bound the books by hand. These books are prized by collectors and can be found in many public collections such as the National Library of Canada, the Library of Congress, the British Library and the University of Toronto Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library.
During a visit to Vancouver Island's China Beach in the 1980s, Barbara Howard encountered the carcass of a beached whale. Her attention was caught by the plight of the great whales today, and for nearly a decade she devoted herself to learning about them and trying to convey their mystery and grandeur. Some of these paintings are as large as six feet by eighteen feet. Most have never been exhibited.
In the late 1990s until her death in 2002, Barbara Howard returned to her lifelong fascination with light, night skies, the reflective surface of water. In these paintings, the recurrence of circular elements, an abstraction of natural forms and a balancing of darkness and light all suggest the artist's deep feeling for the natural world and a celebration of its unit

Nancy Hermiston returns home to perform at Westben

2006-07-06T01:17:00.000-07:00

by Brian Schuette , Community Press Online

Relaxing on her family’s front porch, Nancy Hermiston looked back on her journey from singing as a young girl in local festivals and school productions in Warkworth and Campbellford, to performing on the world’s concert stages. It all began with a role at Campbellford District High School (CDHS) in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance. Her uncle from Brampton had come to see Hermiston sing and he thought she had talent. He paid for singing lessons with a former student in Toronto who was now herself an opera singer, Gwendolyn Little. Hermiston took the long train ride every second week to the big city for her lessons, and so began a sojourn on a lifelong career path that she feels passionately about to this day.
While studying at the University of Toronto to be a music teacher, she had to sing in order to learn how to conduct choirs. Again someone recognized her talent and suggested she study opera at Banff. She didn’t like opera at the time but wanted to take the trip out west, so she agreed. Six weeks into the course, she realized this was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. Upon her return to Toronto, she finished her education degree then signed up for opera school. Over the years, her talent and training brought her a New York debut at Carnegie Hall, leading coloratura roles with opera companies in Canada, the U.S. and Germany, and performances as a soloist with symphonies across our nation. She has performed as a recitalist in London and in many CBC broadcasts. She has also turned her hand to stage directing in a number of shows over the years. She is currently the head of the Opera and Voice departments at the University of British Columbia, where she has taught for the past 11 years.
Hermiston returned to her family home this 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 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.
In an area known largely for its fondness for old-time country music, what is it about local culture that can produce three opera stars? Hermiston says there’s a tremendous respect and love for all kinds of music here. Add to that the area’s festival tradition, excellent music teachers at CDHS and in Warkworth, and a community active in amateur orchestras and choirs. "Now Brian and Donna have formalized that and given an outlet to people like myself," she added. "I can’t imagine what I might’ve achieved if I’d had that advantage of hearing all the concerts that they produce when I was a kid. I didn’t hear a live symphony or opera until I was 18."
Smiling, she said, "I used to think opera was terrible until I realized what it really was and then I fell in love with it. It had everything. I think that’s why there’s three of us who are having major careers. Dwight Bennett is another one. He’s a wonderfully successful conductor who’s performed all over the world. There’s an innate musicality and respect for music of every kind here, for the arts in general."
Hermiston has some advice for aspiring singers. Get involved in as much music as you can, try out for school musicals, go to shows at Westben and get involved there. Take all the knowledge and exposure to classical music you can get. If you have a passion for performing, then go for it, but realize it’s not an easy life or profession. Above all, don’t get discouraged or let others discourage you.
If you have a passion for the business but don’t want to sing, she says there are many avenues open to you. The administration side of the arts is desperately needed, as are costume and set designers, stage managers, orchestral musicians, agents, and marketing people. "It’s a wonderful life! It’s a very difficult life and it’s not a life you go into to make a lot of money, but it’s a life that is very interesting. You’re never, ever bored. You never stop learning and you never can. You have a lifelong learning profession. You can go in so many directions and you can learn so many skills that have nothing to do with music: performance skills, being out front of the public, marketing skills, self promotion skills. It builds confidence and self esteem."

Creative sculpture is where you find it

2006-07-02T03:17:00.000-07:00

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.
Hickey describes his art as eclectic, working with many media and in a number of styles. A lover of the outdoors, he searches woodlands and riverbeds for many of his objects that he can then transform into new creations. He may salvage old wire fencing, barrel hoops or rusted sheet metal from local farms on his walks as well, looking always for items with unique and interesting textures. He tends to steer away from complexity in most of his works, saying he likes simplicity to be a key element in the pieces.
His stone pieces at the gallery tend toward natural subjects. He welds bits of rusted wire and epoxies them into drilled holes in the rock to make antlers and legs for moose, or cuts old sheet metal from barns to make bodies for his fish. With his torch, he adds texture or cuts patterns into the metal. The pieces have a playfulness that captures your interest from a first glance. Rather than make typical fish, Hickey has created a series that he calls "bone fish," resembling the half eaten carcasses you find alongside a stream during the salmon run.
Other works include sinewy, winding wire pieces, stands of pine trees cut from a lime encrusted water heater, and assembled blocks of overlapping textures of rusted metal, leather, burlap and wood, enhanced with painted colours. These blocks may be laid out in a simple square, or combined Lego fashion to create interesting shapes or functional pieces such as mirror frames.
One interesting aspect of Hickey’s work is his use of lighting on his pieces. A number of them, particularly those with tree elements made out of wire, have holders for candles at their bases. The flickering of the candle light casts shadows on a wall that make the piece seem to move, as a tree swaying in the wind. Other pieces such as his bone fish, cast strong shadows, in effect creating a second piece composed of nothing but light and shade.
His works can be displayed outdoors as easily as in an interior space. The bone fish, being heavier pieces, sway in the wind, giving them a mobility that Hickey says he didn’t anticipate when he created them. That movement from the wind and the play of light fits well with the other found aspects of his sculptures, creating something new and surprising.
Visit the Paul Portelli Gallery at 33 Main St. in Warkworth to see the work of Hickey Hickey, or contact the gallery at (705) 924-3745 or for more information.

WHAT WE HOLD DEAR: Treasured Memories of Alderville First Nation

2006-06-29T18:56:00.000-07:00

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.
Two women figure prominently in WHAT WE HOLD DEAR. Aged but spry Kathleen Franklin, or Gate-gan as she is called, and Katie Chase, her great-granddaughter, narrate the story. The two women are at home alone for a month during the summer when Gate-gan gives a trunk full of what she holds dear: photographs, newspaper clippings, university papers, recipes and memorabilia that she has collected throughout her lifetime, to Katie. As they go through the contents of the trunk their stories and lore become threads that weave a rich textured history of Alderville’s past and recent history. Though Gate-gan and Katie are fictional characters, all that the two women discuss throughout the book is factual.
Members of Alderville First Nation share the by-line on this book in which they have either written chapters or provided information or photographs. In 1953, Mary Jane Muskratte Simpson completed a manuscript, LIFE ON THE LAKE, from which chapters have been excerpted and enhanced with photographs from Peterborough Centennial Museum and Archives of paddleboats, steamers and riverboats that once plied the Kawartha Lakes. Dave Mowat, great-grandson of Fred Simpson, the marathon runner who ran in the 1908 Olympics, wrote an essay celebrating his ancestor’s illustrious career. Research that Melody Crowe and Arlene Beaver conducted in 1981 during a summer project appears throughout the book; from the construction of the monument to recollections elders had about gathering wild rice on Rice Lake and other practices and traditions.

WHAT WE HOLD DEAR contains more than 125 photographs in 128 pages.
Price: $17.95 paper.
Available in July from Sweetgrass Studios.

WOMEN'S ART/CRAFT WORKSHOPS

2006-06-28T03:00:00.000-07:00

Are you a woman who lacks the confidence to be creative - or has had your creative juices repressed , suppressed or discouraged.

This is the workshop for you - given by artist and puppet builder Nina Keogh (aka Dr. Beryl Freud) in a fun, supportive, estrogen-infused environment at her studio on County Road 29. You cannot fail - you are a child again working with user-friendly materials.

In this workshop - there is no such thing as 'bad' art.
Projects offered:
* sculpting
* mosaic
* papier maché
* container and frame decoration
* collage
* fun abstract painting and finger painting
* "Drawing for dummies" (sorry - named after the line of books)also known as Drawing technique made as simple as possible.
* technical drawing (perspective, shading, creating a three dimensional look etc) is also available
I take 3 people minimum - 6 max.
(If you want to get 2 other friends together, you can choose the day - any day)
Otherwise, a workshop would take place on Sundays and be 6-8 hours.
The cost will be between $60 and $80- p.p. (depending on the length of the course day ) which pays for materials, studio equipment and teaching time. You just bring your lunch and work clothes!
If you're interested in any of the above, please contact :
Nina Keogh 905 352 3682 puppet@sympatico.ca

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

2006-06-28T02:26:00.000-07:00

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.

To assure the project’s success, a member of the AlleyWaltz committee will view the progress of your piece before the performance date. These dates will be scheduled within your rehearsals during July and August. The AlleyWaltz will be included in Artsweek marketing and publicity campaigns, and encourages groups to initiate their own unique promotional activities.

Submission Procedure

We are seeking proposals from:
Performance creators from Peterborough at any stage in their career who are able to demonstrate prior artistic endeavours and a clear artistic mandate;
Performing groups and artists from diverse communities whose work is contemporary in nature;
Artists committed to the development of contemporary, inventive and creative performance-based
work.

The proposal package must include:
· A project description: the who, why, what, where. Identify the artists involved and what each brings to the work. Describe the performance and why you want to do it for the Alley Waltz; what are your artistic goals?. What kind of site does it require? Tell us if you have one in mind, though it is not necessary that you do.

· Your contact information. Contact name and phone #, email address, mailing address

· A budget. We may be able to provide extra financial support beyond the honourarium for pieces requiring extra technical support and/or a large cast of performers.

· Technical resources you have and/or may require. Do you require a sound system or will you provide your own? Please describe how your piece will be lit, i.e.: street lights, flashlights, etc. We can provide a basic amount of portable lighting if needed.

· Support materials, as available and relevant to your proposal, including:

o A script or working document, if available.

o Brief bios or profiles of the key creative artists

o A preference of performance site if any

For more information, call Public Energy at 705-745-1788 or email: dancing@publicenergy.ca

Completed applications can be sent to the above email address or delivered to:

Alley Waltz 2006

c/o Public Energy

PO Box 2319

374 1/2 George Street N.

Peterborough, ON K9J-7Y8

DEADLINE IS FRIDAY JULY 14, 5PM

Montreal piano legend Oliver Jones headlines Port Hope jazz festival

2006-06-27T04:35:00.000-07:00

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.
Oliver Jones is the first musician to be slotted into a weekend schedule that is rapidly filling out, McGuirk says. The concert is scheduled for Saturday evening, September 23.
Jones’ musical career now spans six decades. He grew up just a few blocks from Oscar Peterson’s home, and he often sat on the porch of the Peterson home listening to Oscar practice. Oscar Peterson’s sister, Daisy Peterson Sweeney, was his first teacher, and his first night-club appearance happened when he was just nine years old.
In 1964 Jones and his wife moved to Puerto Rico, where he worked as musical director for popular Jamaican singer Kenny Hamilton for 16 years. In 1980, he returned to Montreal to pursue jazz full time.Jones has frequently been asked to open the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. In his most recent appearance there, he played his first public duet with Oscar Peterson.
In 2006, Jones was voted Keyboardist of the Year in the National Jazz Awards, and his album with Ranee Lee was voted Jazz Album of the Year.
Jones is known for his lightning-fast technique, solid articulation, powerful lyricism and rollicking rhythms. For the All-Canadian Jazz Festival show, he will be accompanied by bassist David Young (Bassist of the Year, 2006 National Jazz Awards), and drummer Normand Villeneuve.
In his first season as programmer for the Festival, Wesleyville resident John McGuirk is drawing on decades of involvement with Canada’s musical communities. After attending Bowmanville High School, McGuirk completed a Master of Music degree at University of Toronto. For the next 31 years, he taught music in the public and independent schools at all grade levels.
McGuirk is married to Joan Nichols. They recently returned to live in Wesleyville, where Joan’s family has roots which stretch back over several generations.

Working for the All-Canadian Jazz Festival is a wonderful way to contribute to the local cultural scene while drawing on his lifelong love of music, McGuirk says. He promises more programming announcements as soon as additional bookings are finalized.

Whitby artist takes top award in annual exhibit

2006-06-25T02:58:00.000-07:00

DURHAM REGIONAL NEWS, OSHAWA

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.
"He had a very tough time," Sweet said, adding the jurist knew when artists had had fun creating their works.
She has one work included in the exhibit.
Anne Labelle-Johnson said the exhibit attracts many new artists to OAA each year. The show also exposes local artists to critiques which can help them in the work, she said.
"The exhibit shows a lot of creativity and colour and that artists in Durham are very talented," she said.
She said the 157-member group enjoys being able to hold the juried exhibit at the McLaughlin Gallery.
Sweet said the show takes a full year to plan and realize. The opening on Thursday night featured the awarding of prizes.
Here's a list of the works that won:
Best in show Ã‚Â-- Sirant, Stalinology
Best use of colour -- Michael Peech, Ajax, East Sooke
Best in acrylic Ã‚Â-- Lillian Michiko Blakey, Sunderland, Shigata ka nai (It Can't be Helped)
2nd place acrylic -- Mel Steiner, Oshawa, Sitting Bull with Sitting Duck
Honourable mention acrylic -- John MacGregor, Oshawa, Hidden Meaning

4th Line Theatre announces 2006 New Play Competition Winners

2006-06-22T03:26:00.000-07:00

4th Line Theatre is pleased to announce Alex Poch-Goldin and Charles Hayter as 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.
Mr. Poch-Goldin is an award winning playwright and actor, whose work has been produced on international stages, for CBC TV and Bravo Television. He is also Artistic Director of the Toronto based Planet 88 Theatre Company. His theatre writing includes the recently produced, Dora nominated, Cringeworthy at Theatre Passe Muraille , Dora Award winning This Hotel and Yahrzeit. This Hotel was Toronto's top selling show of 2000. He has worked for Canstage, Tapestry New Opera, Theatre Passe Muraille and the Tarragon Theatre. An acclaimed actor, Alex has worked extensively on film and television with the likes of Ron Howard, Russell Crowe, Glenn Close, Judy Davis and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Charles Hayter is a writer, actor, physician and historian who studied both drama and medicine at Queen's University. Based in Toronto, he currently divides his time between medical practice and theatre. His book An Element of Hope about the history of radium in Canada was published in 2005 by McGill-Queen's Press, and his play Lady-in-Waiting premiered at Harvest: the Montreal International GLBT Theatre Festival in September 2005. Lady-in-Waiting will be seen again this summer at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival and the London Fringe Festival in Ontario.
The winning submissions reflect 4th Line Theatre's mandate and mission: To preserve and promote our Canadian cultural heritage through the development and presentation of regionally based, environmentally staged historical dramas and to develop and present original Canadian works of the highest quality which explore regional themes, history and heritage.
4th Line Theatre, Canada's premiere outdoor theatre company, has made its mark on Canada's theatre industry as a producer, promoter and cultivator of new work with relevant local themes. Located on the fifth-generation Winslow Farm in Millbrook, Ontario, the theatre attracts thousands of theatre-goers every summer to its picturesque outdoor stages.

Colborne exhibit explores the wonder of child's play

2006-06-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

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.
Ms. Crangle studied Fine Arts and Education at York University and taught high school art history before the birth of her first child 12 years ago. Opting to be a stay-at-home mom, she decided to actively pursue her artistic urges and put paint to canvas.
"I figured if I could make a baby, I could surely make a picture," she notes.
One of the pieces in the Colborne exhibit features a scratch board technique, akin to the crayon creations many Grade 2 or 3 students have produced during art period and brought home for mom to proudly post on the fridge.
"Remember when you'd crayon in coloured stripes on a piece of art paper, covered the whole thing in black crayon and then scratched off the black crayon to reveal a colourful design," says Ms. Crangle. "Scratch board is based on the same principle with white canvas painted in black. Then wood cut-outs are dipped in wax and the image is scratched in."
However, the Port Hope artist's version of the grade school art class standard is be no means childish. Rather, it is an intricate weave of black and white, featuring two young girls playing in the woods, all the while heading deeper into the forest. The woods is often seen as a key symbol of something deeper or the unknown, explains Ms. Crangle. Child's play is a learning experience and as a result, a certain loss of innocence occurs with newfound knowledge, she adds.
On the other hand, Ms. Derry, a four-year Colborne Art Galley co-operative member, examines the wonder that is child's play through fibre art. She studied textile arts at Sheridan College and chose to major in weaving but her love of fabric has been a life-long affair. She grew up amidst a family of women who sewed, quilted, knitted and crocheted and as a result, she developed an early interest and appreciation of textiles. Over the years, she has amassed an expansive collection of cloth, scouring antique and flea markets for perfect finds. After dealing with textiles most of her life, it is easy for her to distinguish authentic aged fabric as opposed to new created to look old, she says.
"You develop an eye and a feel for older pieces," she explains. "There is a certain saturation of colour and a tactile quality to older fabric that cannot be recreated."
Ms. Derry's portion of the 'Playing with Childhood,' show is focused on quilts with a theme of childhood collections, says Ms. Derry. As a child, the Cobourg artist, similar to most children, loved to collect things and many of these special things, rocks or buttons as examples, end up tucked away in her pockets.
"Quilts were a part of my childhood and offer a feeling of warmth and security," she says. "My mother used to put me on a quilt on the lawn and that was my play area."
One of pieces in the Colborne exhibit is a small seven-inch square that incorporates an antique bisque porcelain German doll. The head and body of the doll is situated in the centre of the quilt while the arms and legs are placed in each of the four corners.
This creation represents a child exploring the parameters of her space, without overstepping the boundaries encompassed by the quilt, she explains.
In addition, many pieces in the collection deal with numbers, adds Ms. Crangle. There is a sequential exhibit in the show that captures the one-to-10 journey along a hopscotch board on separate canvases, she explains.
"Children naturally group things... how many round, how many blue and numbers figure predominantly in child's play," she says. "In a deeper sense, the numbers on a hopscotch board represent a journey... you throw the stone and starting at one, the beginning, you follow the rules and regulations to circle 10, signifying the end of the journey or even deeper, finding your soul."
Although the two artists explore their artistic selves in different ways, what the duo does share is a common idea of what each considers beautiful. For the last eight or nine years, the women have frequently bounced ideas off one another over stick-to-the-ribs breakfasts.
"There's no better combo... a good breakfast and a napkin for sketching are the perfect ingredients to get the creative juices flowing," concludes Ms. Crangle.
The Colborne Art Gallery is located at 51 King St. E., in Colborne. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.. For additional information, call the gallery at 905-355-1798 or visit the website at www.thecolborneartgallery.ca.

Arts Umbrella presents Peter Barron, Jessica Rowland and Ray McGirl

2006-06-15T03:02:00.000-07:00

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.
Peter Barron exhibits 27 of a series of 100 works of art that use a unique approach in media. Using cotton watercolour paper with both homemade and commercial brushes, Barron has created spontaneity, intuitive movement, darkness and lightness and a sense of tension and conflict all while barely making contact with the paper. Using only clear water and India ink, these works are intended to be left to the decisive thoughts of the viewer. Not wishing to lead his audience in any particular direction, Barron prefers to allow the audience to decide for themselves what his/her own response to the work will be.
Barron is an accomplished artist who has exhibited extensively in the past 30 years including participating in exhibitions at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, Artspace, Peterborough, the OSSTF Gallery, Toronto and the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition.
Jessica Rowland has multifaceted talents in art, dance, video and literature. Her creative style has earned her many exhibitions, both group and solo in her six short years since graduating from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 2000 and since obtaining her BED from Queen’s University in 2005. Rowland has created puppet shows from writing the story, creating the puppets and sets and executing the show. Her puppet show had been performed for five years in a variety of locations. Rowland has been rewarded for her efforts through grants provided by Theatre Trent, Community Development for the Village of Millbrook and Market Hall.
Rowland describes her work as “multidisciplinary … working with a variety of materials and processes, both performance and visually based.” She finds that her work “crosses the boundaries of sculpture, installation, drawing, photography and composition, using an abstracted and lyrical approach to material and process to present…” her multilayered visual constructions.
Ray McGirl’s contribution to the exhibition is a large series of figure drawings complied over an 18-month period. McGirl views figure drawing as “precious.” He doesn’t look for a traditional ideal of beauty, but rather, seeks the character of his models’ bodies and the poses they have taken. Primarily working in charcoal, he is conscious of the emotions attached to artwork and hopes to evoke some in the eye of the viewer.
McGirl also a teacher of art and has enjoyed a career that has spanned over 30 years of drawing and painting in Peterborough. His other works include landscapes, abstracts, and portraits.
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.

Brighton author holds book signing

2006-06-15T02:55:00.000-07:00

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.
Although disaster is not the first thing that comes to mind when people consider Canada either from a national or an international perspective, in a recent interview Mr. Schmidt was quick to issue a reminder of just how illustrious our history has been in that department.
“Incredibly significant things have happened in Canadian History,” he said.
Focusing in on our geographic region, locals will be pleased to see that the famous Brighton train fire of 1994 is covered in the book. Mr. Schmidt emphasized that the most impressive aspect of that particular disaster was the fact that there were no fatalities. He accredits the Canadian approach to disaster management.
“Disaster handling here is excellent,” said Mr. Schmidt. “We have good disaster response compared to other countries.”
Part of what sets us above average in disaster readiness, Mr. Schmidt says, is the fact that responsibility rests within the government itself. He cited the New Orleans tragedy of last summer as an example of the type of disaster that would not have been permitted to escalate as it did had it been in Canada.
Canadian Disasters is available at many bookstores including Lighthouse Books in Brighton. A book signing will take place at Chapters in Belleville on Saturday, June 24 from 1 to 3 p.m.

dreaming of canoes

2006-06-13T01:55:00.000-07:00

Durham News
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.
"They are not canoes in the regular sense," she said from her home near Bond Head along the Lake Ontario shoreline. "They are all pretty bizarre. None of them are seaworthy."
But what the exhibit includes are eight canoe forms that are designed to make you think, make you dream, make you look deeper.
"I'm using the canoe ... to talk about, to show different ideas about Canadian culture, global culture," Thurlow said.
Environmental, native, feminist, spiritual and education issues can be found in the works on exhibit which is about "who we are," the artist said.
A canoe is a vessel, designed to hold something, whether it's people or cargo, as was the case many years ago in Canada's early history.
"In this case, it's holding ideas. Instead of holding people, it's holding ideas about people and issues," Thurlow said.
Her vessels also carry the past, present and future in them. Many have a dream-like quality about them. In her artist's statement, she noted the canoes recall childhood and the wilderness.
Spirt Canoe looks like a feather floating as it hangs suspended from the ceiling, lit from above. It is made of fibreglass and is "light as a feather really," Thurlow said.
It's positioned just out of reach, just as spiritual aspects of life are for some of us.
"It is ethereal, floating," she said.
One work, Tire Vessels, features the canoe-shaped remnants of two blown transport truck tires, with some dowelling and truck headlights, positioned at the side of a highway.
Canoes and rivers were, at one time, the main method of transportation in Canada, Thurlow said.
"I think of transportation and the highways as the latest versions of our river system and canoes," she said.
But trucks leave behind waste and spew pollution into our atmosphere while a canoe is environmentally-friendly, she said.
The exhibit will also be going to the Art Gallery of Peterborough and the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough for a concurrent exhibit, and galleries in Mississauga, Chatham, Sault Ste. Marie and Owen Sound.

The McLaughlin Gallery is located at 72 Queen St., behind the City Hall complex.

Canada from the Wrong Side of the Tracks

2006-06-12T01:28:00.000-07:00

By Jy Chiperzak, The Link

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.

“The whole thing for me, right from coast to coast, is one great big story and I’m the illustrator of the story.” explains Michael. It’s “a life long project… I’m interested in things that are presumably not going to be with us much longer… grain elevators are the perfect example, they’re disappearing at an alarming rate.”

Glover is an artist with a defined purpose to his work, “I’m looking for the soul of the country.” He sees himself documenting the breadth of Canada from “an insider’s point of view”. “I think what I’m doing, more subconsciously than anything else, is I’m painting my experience in that place… my feelings…”

Michael’s landscapes are empty of people; they have gone from the scene leaving a residue and a silence. “It’s really a profound silence,” he explains, “it’s almost like there’s something living and breathing in that silence… the ghosts…” “I’m taking sadness and loss and making beauty of it… like writing a sad love song.” He laughs then, “Maybe what I’m doing is painting one huge country music song!”

For Michael inspiration comes from the unknown, the unfolding of his travels, who he meets and where he ends up. “I think it comes a lot from the word adventure,” he says. Once, when trying to find the ghost town Snowflake Manitoba, somewhere near the North Dakota boundary, he stopped to ask a farmer for directions explaining that he didn’t want to get lost on the old back roads. The farmer gave him directions and a bite of philosophy… “You won’t get lost if you don’t know where you’re going.”

In many ways this is how Michael’s “story” is unfolding. Even with his sense of purpose he allows serendipity and the road to direct him, never knowing where he may end up, who he’ll chance to meet and what he will see.

Over cups of coffee we then talked about the illusive, powerful internal force called creativity. “I think in some ways it’s a protest, says Michael, “I think it’s a protest against all the incredible violence in the world… This need to create is a protest to the need to destroy.” But too, he explains, “I think some people just have it in them to paint as other people need to hammer a nail…” What ever creativity is, in the end most artists agree that the process is a solitary one, the world outside the studio needs to disappear. Creativity for Michael happens deep into the dark of night.

Michael’s father was also a professional artist and when Michael began painting he asked him, “Will I ever be satisfied with my work?” His father’s reply, “No, that would be the worst thing that could ever happen to you… if you get satisfied then you get complacent.”

Satisfaction, complacency for most artists indicates an arresting of their growth as artists, both technically and in their vision and interpretation of the world. Complacency appears to be a death blow to creativity not only in art but in living an invigorating, exciting life too I suspect.

Glover is an artist with purpose so I asked, “Is there a purpose for art?” He was very sure in his response. “I think we need art because if we are going to evolve as a species, which we haven’t seem to have done in a million years… we seem to be able to create marvelous machines but we are not evolving as a species except for the artists and scientists and I think we need art for that reason, to make a better world. It’s getting back to what I was saying about art being a very peaceful thing… it promotes peace rather than violence.”

On May 28th Michael Everett Glover’s work opened in Grafton at the Lawless Gallery of Fine Art. This is the gallery’s inaugural show. The paintings being shown represent a five year retrospective of works from his ‘Canada from the Wrong Side of the Tracks’ series. The Lawless Gallery is the latest incarnation of the original 1835 Lawless & Sons General Store.

Curator Aengus Finnan, in establishing this gallery, is endeavoring to promote national and international “Collection-Quality Original Art”. His interest is to bring to audiences interesting and exciting perspectives of the familiar. Come have a look see. The Lawless Gallery of Fine Art: Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm 10831, Highway 2, Grafton, ON, 905-349-3715

Jane Urquhart at Madoc Public Library

2006-06-10T03:49:00.000-07:00

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.
Jane Urquhart was born in the small northern Ontario mining community of Little Long Lac (near Geraldton) and spent her later childhood and adolescence in Toronto and Colborne.
She has published three books of poetry (I'm Walking in the Garden of His Imaginary Palace, False Shuffles, and The Little Flowers of Madame de Montespan), six novels (The Whirlpool, Changing Heaven, Away, The Underpainter, The Stone Carvers, A Map of Glass) and a collection of short fiction (Storm Glass) as well as numerous articles and reviews.
Jane Urquhart's books have been published in many countries, including Holland, France, Germany, Britain, Scandinavia, Australia, and The United States, and have been translated into several languages. In 1992, her novel The Whirlpool was the first Canadian book to win France's prestigious Prix du Meilleur Livre Etranger (Best Foreign Book Award). Her third novel, Away remained on Globe & Mail's National Bestseller list for 132 weeks (the longest of any Canadian book), and won the 1994 Trillium Award. In 1994 Urquhart also received the Marian Engel Award for an outstanding body of prose written by a Canadian woman. In 1996 she was named to France's Order of Arts and Letters as a Chevalier, and Away was shortlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the world's largest literary prize for a single work of fiction. In 1997 Urquhart was asked to serve on the jury for this award.
Jane Urquhart's first three novels have recently been reprinted in beautiful new trade paperback editions. In the fall of 1997, her fourth novel, The Underpainter, was published to wide critical acclaim, won the 1997 Governor General's Award, and became a fixture on the national bestseller lists.
Her fifth novel, The Stonecarvers was published in 2001 and shortlisted for the Giller prize. Jane’s latest novel is A Map of Glass published in 2005. She will be reading from this novel as well as the novel Away.
This is an amazing opportunity to see one of the best Canadian authors alive and the Centre Hastings Public Library Board is thrilled to able to present her. So mark June 17, 7 p.m. on your calendar. See you at the Library.

World class music in the wide open countryside

2006-06-08T02:05:00.000-07:00

by John Campbell, The Independent
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.
The July 1 birthday bash that formally launches the 2006 season will bring together musicians from the Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo symphonies and the orchestras for the National Ballet and Canadian Opera Company. Appearing with them will be Ms. Bennett and two other sopranos from Trent Hills who have performed with the COC, Nancy Hermiston and Virginia Hatfield, along with Mr. Dubois, mezzo-soprano Kim Dafoe and the Westben Festival Chorus and Orchestra.
Also taking the stage Canada Day will be Campbellford resident Ken Tizzard, former bass player with Canadian rock bands The Watchmen and Thornley who has now embarked on a solo career. He will perform original numbers from his debut CD.
New this season is Jazz – Out of this World, a two-day concert series that opens August 5 with Canadian jazz legend Joe Sealey and his quartet. His Africville Suite CD won a Juno award. Later in the day, Juno-nominated autorickshaw will present a blend of world music from an Indo-Canadian perspective. The series concludes August 6 with the African Guitar Summit, who won the 2005 Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year.
Two other Juno award winners who will be displaying their considerable talents at Westben this summer are: pianist Andre Laplante, an Order of Canada inductee and a silver medallist at Moscow’s International Tchaikovsky Competition who has performed in major concert centres around the world; flamenco-jazz guitarist Robert Michaels, and; Quebec percussionist Anne-Julie Caron, winner of the Prix d’Europe, who has been recognized as “one of the most remarkable talents of her generation,” according to biographical notes provided by Westben.
The three artists will be showcased during Westben’s Music of the Night series, which also features an evening dedicated to Mozart, in which “the man behind the miracle” born 250 years ago will be brought to life by renowned Canadian actors Chick Reid and Tom McManus, through family letters, accompanied by Ms. Bennett and Mr. Finley.
Also on the schedule are pre-concert Sunday morning chats, where theatre-goers can learn more about the music they are about to enjoy.
Westben will be a busy place during the month of June as well, with Sunday afternoon concerts that will showcase the talents of young and emerging artists. The Hillcrest Public School Intermediate Band and Westben Youth Chorus will launch the Voices of Spring series June 11. Musical educator Sue Hammond, of Classical Kids, and the young musicians of Kingston’s Canta Arya, will perform the world premiere of If the Earth Could Sing June 18. It’s an exploration of how two distinct cultures – Canadian and South African – become united through classical and world music.
The Kawartha Youth Orchestra will close out the series July 25.
For more information visit www.westben.on.ca, email westben@westben.on.ca, or phone 705-653-5508 or 1-877-883-5777.

Shelter Valley Art Auction this Friday, Saturday

2006-06-07T02:38:00.000-07:00

The 'Shelter Valley Art Auction, is slated for June 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Grafton Village Inn. A preview of the art and advance bidding on the items is scheduled for June 9, from 2 to 9 p.m. and again June 10 from 10 to 4 p.m.. The event also includes entertainment, a cash bar and finger food. Admission is $5 and includes door prize tickets.

Among the auction items are:

PAINTINGS

Irene Young framed watercolour

Michael Glover, framed, oil "Valley Voices"

Molly Logan 2 framed acrylics

Irene Osborne, small, unframed,"Sunny Fields"

Carol Oliver 1 framed watercolour, 1 unframed

Alf Blything, framed mixed media, "Rock Garden"

Anne Wilson, Shelter Valley Twin Tunnels, watercolour

Anne Plaxton, chalk pastel, "Northumberland Hay Bales", framed

Anne Plaxton, acrylic on canvas, "Wait and See", unframed

Heather Stubbs watercolour framed

Ruth Harding, mixed media, "View of Windrige", framed

John Stubbs, framed, mixed media, "Northwest Passage"

Rosemary Avery, watercolour/acrylic, unframed

Don Ketcheson, unframed watercolour, Southern ON Town

Heather Weyman, fluid acrylic collage, "Patagonia"

Joyce Bryant, watercolour, "Grafton"

Denns Papillon, several paintings

Alison Seale, small, mixed media, "Northumberland"

Kelly McDonell, small acrylic, unframed, "A Stone Unturned"

Glenda Hamilton, a pen drawing of your house

Ruth Van Egmond, "Old English Banties", framed acrylic

Doug Haddow, 3 unframed watercolours

Paula Glaser, small, unframed oil. "Tuscon Hill"

Elizabeth Merei, large unframed acrylic, "Voice of the Valley"

Avril Bull, watercolour, "White Water", matted

Christine Benson, handprinted linocut on Thai paper, framed

Martha Robinson, watercolour, pet portrait certificate

Nina Keough, framed acrylic, "ROCKFACE"

Anne Cortesis, 2 small, unframed acrylics, "Dancers 1 &2"

David Doig, framed oil on mylar "Drive-In"

Lisa Linstead, pen and ink framed, "Tiger"

Susan Statham, oil portrait certificate, and "Apples" framed oil

Ron Bolt, 2 signed posters

PHOTOGRAPHY AND PEN DRAWINGS

Dorothy Richardson, silver gelatin print. "Reverie", framed

Ted Amsden Grandmothers Remembered, framed

Sherwood McLernon, owl photo, framed

George Pichl, 3 photo collages, unframed

John Satterberg, photo "Rocks, Forest", framed

Jen Gibson, Owl, colour photo,

Ruth Clarke, b&w, No Trespassing

David Hunter, pen sketches of Grafton

Barry King, 3 pen drawings of Vernonville

Eugene Rittich, photo framed

CERAMICS

Liz Willoughby, porcelain bowl

Bill Reddick, ceramic service plate, "commissioned for Rideau Hall"

Lillian Forrester, ceramic lamp with stained glass shade

Monica Johnston, ceramic, carved, hand painted vegetable bowl

Phyllis Erwin, smoke fired ceramic vessel

Ethelwyn Rempel, raku, "Northumberland Hills"

Judith Graham, clay vessel

Vikki Forsyth, ceramic tile "Ode to Joy"

Casa Rosa, large Mexican plate

IRON:

George Pichl, iron garden sculpture, "Wind Power"

Anvil Artistry, $25 Gift Certificate

POTPOURRI:

Rick Beaver, silk screened bag

Anne Grotriain, 3 silver rings, modern

Joyce Hindle, a silver & pearl evening watch

Yvonne Barker, beaded Victorian purse necklace

Main Street Antique Market, Brighton, broach

Kenneth Bell, $25 Gift Certificate

Naomi Higgins, tatted snowflakes and stars

Veronica Derry, fibre Teapot Angel

Edward, 66 King St. E., a work of art cake certificate

58 Eclectic Mix, hand painted glass plate

Cheeky Bee, handmade beeswax candles 1 pr. Tapers

Chris Greatrex, pr of stained glass candlesticks

Janet Baillie, hand woven stole

Lee Beech, skeins of hand spun wool

The Palm, $100 gift certificate for dinner

Jules, $50 Framing Gift Certificate

Susan McDonald, baby jacket

Kathryn McHolm, garden design/redesign certificate

The Cutting Garden, Sian Pritchard?$150 of installation/maintenance

Aengus Finnan & Friends, a private concert

"The Friendly Giant", exclusive memorabilia from the Homme family

Laurie Rockman, package of cards

St Lawrence flowers, Bouquet

Quinns Flowers, an arrangement

Pine Ridge Golf Course, game of golf and cart

Salt Creek Golf Course, two 18 hole Green fees

Warkworth Golf Club, 2 discount coupon books

Dalewood Golf Club, 2 18 hole certificates

St. John's Books, $100 Art Supplies Gift Certificate

Breakers Motel, one night gift certificate

MillStone Bread, Cobourg, Gift Certificate

Shiatsu Treatment, in home, Imre Virag, value $120

Drawing-Page from very old book, donated by Anthonys

Elizabeth Barlow, a SHELTER VALLEY doll

Wee Piggies and Paws, $50 gift certificate

Nino Ricci, inscribed, signed book, "TESTAMENT"

Studio PetLuxe, $50 Gift Certificate, Lakeport

4th Line Theatre Announces Casts for 2006 Productions

2006-06-04T03:06:00.000-07:00

The Community Press Online
The casts for 4th Line Theatre’s summer productions have just been named. Opening the 2006 season will be Doctor Barnardo’s Children July 4 to 30 followed by the world premiere of The Art of Silent Killing August 8 to September 3.
“I am thrilled to welcome back many favourite actors who reprise their roles in Doctor Barnardo’s Children as well as a group of talented actors new to the 4th Line stage in Shane Peacock’s The Art of Silent Killing,” says Artistic Director Robert Winslow. “I am also pleased so many of our child actors will once again take the stage in our 2006 production of Doctor Barnardo’s Children and that Justin Hiscox is returning this summer as musical director with musicians Beau Dixon and Mark Hiscox.”
The play seen by over 6,000 people last summer is back by popular demand this season. In 2005, Doctor Barnardo’s Children was hailed by the Lindsay Daily Post as “one of the most powerful and inspiring productions ever by 4th Line Theatre.”
The 2006 cast of Doctor Barnardo’s Children includes 45 actors, with most of the original ensemble returning including Jake Vanderham as Young Walter, Gary Bryant as Old Walter, Griffin Clark as Young Billy, Geoff Hewitson as Old Billy, Phil Oakley as Dr. Thomas Barnardo, Jade O’Keefe as young Lily, Ruth White as old Lily, Alison Jutzi as Elise, Matt Gilbert as Murphy, Nora Hickey as Emily and Kim Pomanti as Rose.
The rest of the company includes Beau Dixon, Eve Wylden, Ian McLachlan, Justin Hiscox, Mark Hiscox, Peter Spasov, Radha McCallister, Robert Getz, Robyn Abbey, and Shannon Ireland.
Written by Robert Winslow and Ian McLachlan and inspired by true stories, Doctor Barnardo’s Children chronicles the courage and the struggles of impoverished British children sent to Canada by Victorian philanthropist Dr. Thomas Barnardo. The play explores the physical and emotional contrasts between the children’s lives on the streets of London and their experiences in Canada.
The children’s acting company features 30 young actors including Anika Spasov, Baylee Ridder, Brodie Clark, Camilo Cueva-Fischer, Caitlin Ireland, Cara Pomanti, Carly Parks, Christina Adams, David Ireland, Emily Spasov, Frances Batten, Gabe Robertson, Greg Beardsmore, Hadley Peacock, Hailee Gallant, Hannah Spasov, Johanna Peacock, Lauren Murphy, Noah Henderson, Rachael Harkes, Sammy Peacock, Sean Towgood, Shauna Blackwood, and Todd McKie.

Winslow directs the play with fight direction by Edward Belanger, Angela Thomas and Kim Dooley designing the costumes and original set design by Chris Clifford.
The Art of Silent Killing written by Shane Peacock (4th Line Theatre’s The Great Farini, The Devil and Joseph Scriven) is a romantic thriller based on two young Canadians who train to become secret agents at a mysterious World War II military compound called Camp X in Whitby, Ontario. The fascinating story travels back and forth between present and past, following the exploits of a young couple who by secretly refusing to give up their feelings for each other, put themselves in extreme danger in Nazi-occupied France.
Kim Blackwell (director of last year’s hit show David French’s That Summer) returns to direct a stellar cast of 16 actors for the world premiere that features Peterborough native Tim Rowat as Old John; Amanda Smith (Shaw Festival/Can Stage) as Old Violet; Alison Jutzi (4th Line Theatre’s Dr. Barnardo’s Children) as Young Violet; Jordan Kanner as Young John; Robert Winslow as William Fairbairn; Kris Viens (‘Made In Canada’ CBC TV) as Ian Fleming; and Tim Walker as Skilbeck.
Also appearing are Adam Driscoll, Anne Coughlan, Fraser Stevens, Justin Hiscox, Mark Hiscox, Ray Henderson, Shelby Marco and Wanda McDougal.
Returning this summer to work with Blackwell on The Art of Silent Killing is set and costume designer Karen Rehner and fight director Edward Belanger (4th Line Theatre’s Cavan Blazers 2004).
Award-winning 4th Line Theatre brings history to life on the outdoor stages of the picturesque Winslow Farm. 4th Line Theatre is committed to preserving and promoting our Canadian cultural heritage through the development and presentation of regionally based, environmentally staged historical dramas. The 4th Line Theatre 2006 season is generously sponsored by Nexicom.
For subscription and ticket information contact Old Millbrook School, 1 Dufferin Street, Millbrook; (705) 932-4445 or 1-800-814-0055; .
Gift certificates and tickets may also be purchased at The Village Bulk Food Store in Millbrook at 12 King Street East and Peterborough Centennial Museum and Archives at 300 Hunter Street East in Peterborough.

Lawless family name comes full circle

2006-06-04T02:51:00.000-07:00

By Jeanne Beneteau, Northumberland News
After a 30-year hiatus, the Lawless family name reigns prominent once again on the main street of one of Northumberland County's most historic and scenic villages.
May 28 marked the official grand opening of 'The Lawless Gallery of Fine Art,' on Cty. Rd. 2 in Grafton.
Nearly 75 residents gathered as the gallery's curator, local singer/songwriter Aengus Finnan cut the red ribbon to honour the occasion. The bright, airy and spacious open-concept design of the circa-1835 Lawless and Sons General Store has undergone numerous reincarnations since it was closed in 1965, says Mr. Finnan. From a tea shop, to an antique store to a restaurant... with such close ties to the community for over 170 years, it seems only fitting the Lawless family name should be chosen to grace the front entrance of the county's latest addition to its rich artistic culture, he says.
Although better recognized for his musical talents, the lifelong Northumberland resident studied visual arts at British Columbia's Lester B. Pearson College where he experimented with a range of mediums including silk screen, sketching and acrylics.
"Music is the only thing I didn't study," he notes. "Why I ended up translating my artist expression into music I don't know but opening the gallery may be enough impetus for me to get at it again. Certainly the gallery itself, with space to set up a studio, lends itself to the possibility."
Mr. Finnan grew up in Grafton and recalls visiting the post office, then located at the rear of the building, to mail tapes taken of the family to relatives back in Ireland. When he was looking for a place to set down roots and to serve as a home base office for the annual Shelter Valley Folk Festival, the village was the logical choice, he adds.
"Then came the decision... what to put on the walls? Thus grew the idea of an art gallery," he explains. "I really wanted to give back something to the community I grew up in."
The historic building's inaugural exhibit features 'Canada From the Wrong Side of the Tracks - Episode X,' a collection of oil paintings by Michael Everett Glover, which capture coast-to-coast images of days gone by. The collection includes deserted steel mills, abandoned grain elevators, rusting farm machinery and sinking freighters that serve as symbols to both man's ingenuity and futility. The exhibit runs through Sept. 17.
Also on-hand for the opening were numerous members of the Lawless clan, including Bernadette Gatien (Lawless) who has spent her entire life in the village.
"It's so wonderful to see the name displayed once again," says Ms. Gatien. "It feels like we have come full circle."
Mr. Finnan says the gallery aims to promote national and international 'collection-quality original art,' one artist at a time and features unique works suitable for both home and corporate collections. The fall/winter showing will showcase an artist he met during his musical travels to Whitehorse and spring will feature an artist from Russia.
"I want to engage audiences with art that explores and expresses new and exciting perspectives of the familiar," he concludes.
'The Lawless Gallery of Fine Art' is located at 10831 Cty. Rd. 2 in Grafton. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, call 905-349-3715 or visit the art gallery web site at www.thelawlessgallery.ca.

dedication to the craft shows in photo display

2006-06-03T02:10:00.000-07:00

by Mark Hoult, Community Press Online
When Irene Newington was a child she watched intently as her grandfather, a keen amateur photographer, took pictures of the family, the family cottage and any other subject that caught his creative fancy.
“My grandfather took pictures all the time; he constantly had a camera in his hand,” says Irene, who observed, asked questions and used “trial and error” to begin honing her own photographic skills.
Later she took courses at Loyalist College to enhance and refine the skills she now uses to take a wide range of photographs, from macro-lens closeups of flowers to shots of buildings, animals, landscapes and one of her specialties, monster truck and demolition derby shows.
Now some of Irene’s photographs are on display at the Campbellford-Seymour Public Library. The two-month show, which started in mid-May, features flower photographs with titles such as Mellow Yellow, I See Blue, The Colour Purple and Deep Purple. There are also landscape photographs, fireworks photographs taken in Hastings, and photographs taken at the Campbellford Fair demolition derby. Lowndes’ Custom Framing and Benjamin Graphics in Campbellford framed all of the photographs on display, Irene says, stressing that good framing is important because it “adds to the photography and brings out the artistry.”
And Irene has no doubt that photography is an art form. “It’s an art because you are capturing something that you see on a canvas, and if you don’t have the skill, then you lose it.”
Learning the nuts and bolts of camera work is essential for anyone who wants to take pictures, but becoming a good photographer involves both practice and perseverance, Irene says. And of course you must have a good eye and “a love for it, a passion.” Above all, don’t give up, don’t give in to disappointment and keep moving forward, she advises budding photographers.
Irene has years of experience taking and selling photographs of weddings, demolition derbies and other events, but the Campbellford Library exhibit is her first show, and she admits to some apprehension. “It’s a weird, nervous kind of feeling to have your stuff on display,” says Irene, who is available Tuesday evenings at the library to meet viewers of her work.
All of the photographs on display were taken with film. Irene works with both film and digital formats, her current cameras of choice an EOS Canon Rebel film camera and a Canon Power Shot S2 IS digital camera. As a developer in a photo lab she sees work by serious photographers in both film and digital formats. Film is her own choice for serious, creative work of the kind she has on display at the library. To shoot Mellow Yellow, she got down on the ground and shot about three rolls of film using a macro lens, playing with the F-stops all the while. “Film allows you to keep your photography skills honed,” Irene observes. “Digital is very quick, very easy, very user friendly, whereas film can be very frustrating if you don’t know what you are doing. I love film because you can play with the F-stops and change your shutter speeds.” Irene has years of experience taking and selling photographs of weddings, demolition derbies and other events, but the Campbellford Library exhibit is her first show, and she admits to some apprehension. “It’s a weird, nervous kind of feeling to have your stuff on display,” says Irene, who is available Tuesday evenings at the library to meet viewers of her work.
All of the photographs on display were taken with film. Irene works with both film and digital formats, her current cameras of choice an EOS Canon Rebel film camera and a Canon Power Shot S2 IS digital camera. As a developer in a photo lab she sees work by serious photographers in both film and digital formats. Film is her own choice for serious, creative work of the kind she has on display at the library. To shoot Mellow Yellow, she got down on the ground and shot about three rolls of film using a macro lens, playing with the F-stops all the while. “Film allows you to keep your photography skills honed,” Irene observes. “Digital is very quick, very easy, very user friendly, whereas film can be very frustrating if you don’t know what you are doing. I love film because you can play with the F-stops and change your shutter speeds.”
Of course there are manual settings on good digital cameras, which are dropping in price all the time. But photographers are more likely to point and shoot with digital cameras, relying on sophisticated computer software to change and manipulate photographs. “But when you shoot with film, that is what you get; film is not as forgiving as digital,” says Irene, who doesn’t think film will vanish as quickly as many people believe. In fact she believes there will always be a place for it, especially among creative photographers.
When Irene goes out for a serious photo session she will take between 10 and 15 rolls of film. Armed with a generous supply of film and patience and an acute eye for the striking detail, Irene shot the pictures on display at the library, including Water Dam, shot in Simcoe Ontario, and Shoreline Pine, taken on the Crowe River. Irene used a fast shutter speed to capture the movement of water over the dam. And around the dam are trees with “interesting and jagged shapes” which caught her eye and give the shot a unique quality. The Shoreline Pine also has a sort of painting-like quality, evoking the barren wildness of a Group of Seven painting.
To view Irene Newington’s striking photography come out to the Campbellford-Seymour Public Library. She will be in the library on the evening of Tuesday, June 5.

Westben’s seventh season is here

2006-06-01T01:45:00.000-07:00

by Brian Schuette , Community Press Online
The exciting new season for Westben concerts will soon be starting up, and this year will see the festival stretching out into new areas of entertainment. Beginning with a series of Sunday afternoon concerts throughout the month of June, Westben will showcase the talents of many of the fine young musicians in our area, featuring the Campbellford District High School Jazz Ensemble, the Westben Youth Chorus with the Hillcrest Public School Band, the Campbellford Suzuki violinists with the Canta Arya String Ensemble from Kingston, and the Kawartha Youth Symphony. Sue Hammond, creator of Beethoven Lives Upstairs, will host an interactive show called If the Earth Could Sing, aimed at creating an interactive musical experience for children. Westben will be providing some free tickets to schools for these shows.
Beginning on Canada Day, the festival’s main series of performances kicks off with a gala Symphonic Birthday Bash. Marking Campbellford’s centennial and Mozart’s 250th birthday, the event will feature sopranos Nancy Hermiston, Donna Bennett, and Virginia Hatfield, mezzo Kim Dafoe, bassist Ken Tizzard, pianist Brian Finley, and the Westben Festival Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Dwight Bennett. A champagne birthday party follows on the meadow afterward! A repeat performance will be held the following day, with free admission for children. The orchestra will feature members of the Toronto and Kitchener/Waterloo Symphony Orchestras, the National Ballet, and the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra.
On the following weekends throughout July, classical music lovers will be treated first to Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore, performed by the UBC Opera Ensemble and directed by Nancy Hermiston. A series of wind octets by Beethoven and Mozart and quartets for piano and winds will follow on July 15 and 16, featuring Juno Award winner André LaPlante on piano. The fourth weekend will see Mark Dubois and the Emperor String Quartet performing music from the royal courts of Europe from the time of Mozart and Marie Antoinette. The series wraps up its last week with Broadway tunes from Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring singers Donna Bennett, Gabrielle Prata, Keith Klassen, and Robert Longo with Brian Finley accompanying on piano. They’ll be performing favourites from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Evita, Song and Dance, Sunset Boulevard, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love.
Part of the Symphonic Birthday Bash will mark a new venture for the festival. Rock bassist Ken Tizzard will be performing with the symphony, taking Westben into a collaborative work of some of his original music. As a former member of The Watchmen and Thornley, Tizzard is looking forward to this new direction in his career. He intends to take his music on the road, playing with orchestras around the world. "The entire Westben experience has been different than anything I’ve done. It’s been very enlightening, very broadening," he said at Westben’s season preview last week.
Another of the new directions for Westben this year will allow audiences to chat with performers before the concerts. Come and talk about the Pinafore with Nancy Hermiston, the wind music of Mozart and Beethoven with John Burge, and about Marie Antoinette with Jeff ten Kortenaar.
On July 2, Brian Finley will host a one-hour family-friendly classical concert "for ears of all ages." It’s a great introduction to the music of Mozart and features specially priced family rates for the performance.
The festival will be holding a jazz festival on the first weekend in August, with the spotlight on world music. The Joe Sealy Quartet will present their Juno Award winning Africville Suite plus an afternoon of jazz standards. Autorickshaw blends South Asian tradition with a tinge of fiery Indian influenced jazz, and Out of Africa features Juno Award winning members of the African Guitar Summit.
The popular Music of the Night series will be returning this year with what is sure to be a memorable performance by André LaPlante in an evening with one of Canada's pre-eminent classical pianists. Musical Letters of the Night will bring Mozart family letters to life in context of some of his most beautiful music. Donna Bennett and Brian Finley will perform, accompanied by story telling from the letters by actors Chick Reid and Tom McCamus. At last week’s preview, Finley said of Mozart, "His life was strenuous, full of family tensions, yet his music was so unspeakably beautiful. When you put his music in the context of what was happening in his life, it’s absolutely stunning!" Guitar of the Night will feature the energetic performance of flamenco guitarist Robert Michaels and his trio. Regarded by many as Canada’s most accomplished Latin Jazz guitarist, he has won two Junos, achieved platinum and gold status with record sales, and his legions of fans are drawn back time and time again to every show. Finishing out the series, Anne-Julie Caron will perform Marimba of the Night. She is a budding musician in her early twenties, and Brian Finley says her music is "absolutely dazzling, but to watch it is even more fun." She plays a huge instrument, dancing around the stage as she plays it, and her repertoire includes classical pieces as well as some originals of her own and some pieces specifically written for her.
For information on tickets or performances, contact Westben toll free at 1-877-883-5777 or visit their web site at .

artists hitch a ride on 'Save the Valley' bandwagon

2006-06-01T01:30:00.000-07:00

By Jeanne Beneteau , Northumberland News
May 26, 2006
When renowned singer/songwriter Aengus Finnan approached him for a helping hand to halt a proposed gravel pit in the Shelter Valley area, a Port Hope artist says he stepped up to the plate without question.
"The Valley Voices (VV) people are sincere and firmly believe in the cause," says Michael Glover. "Shelter Valley is a pristine area and to see it become the site of gravel-making would be a shame. Their fight is certainly worthwhile and I was happy to help."
Mr. Glover's oil-on-canvas work titled, 'Valley Voices,' graces the CD cover of a recording put together by Mr. Finnan and a selection of guest folk singers to raise funds for the volunteer group, 'VV Residents Association.' The association was founded in 2003 to protect the peaceful, environmentally-rich area northeast of Cobourg from an application for a 140-acre gravel pit which would take out an entire Northumberland County hillside.
To help further the cause, the citizens' group hosts the 'Shelter Valley Art Auction,' slated for June 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Grafton Village Inn. A preview of the art and advance bidding on the items is scheduled for June 9, from 2 to 9 p.m. and again June 10 from 10 to 4 p.m.. The event also includes entertainment, a cash bar and finger food. Admission is $5 and includes door prize tickets.
Mr. Glover's original 'Valley Voices,' oil painting is one of the many selections up for bid at the fundraising auction.
"The work is an impressionist view of the feelings Shelter Valley evokes... the peace, the serenity and the warm, cozy feeling of house lights shining off in the distance," he explains.
The 55-year-old painter is a Toronto transplant who has lived in the Northumberland area for 10 years but has called Port Hope his home base for the last seven. Over the past five years, Mr. Glover has crisscrossed Canada to gather images for a retrospective collection of paintings depicting ways of life and days gone by on the Canadian landscape. The collection captures rapidly-disappearing images, stretching from Victoria to Red Bay, Labrador and all points in between. Many of these paintings are in private collections or galleries; however, some can be viewed at Grafton's Lawless Gallery, located on Cty. Rd. 2 across from the Grafton Village Inn.
On the prairies, it's rusting farm equipment in overgrown fields, abandoned grain elevators and tumbleweed that is slowly but surely reclaiming the deserted ghost towns that dot the flat Saskatchewan landscape, he explains. On the east coast, it's the image of a sunken freighter in a harbour, soon to be swallowed up and lost forever to the cold, unforgiving ocean depths.
Northern Ontario paints a different style of the disappearing act, a kind of reclamation as forests gradually take back the land where thriving paper mills once stood, Mr. Glover adds.
During his summer cross-country road trips, the artist takes numerous photos, shoots videos and does hundreds of on-the-spot sketches when a suitable subject catches his eye. Then he spends the winter months bringing the soon-to-be lost images to life on the canvas, Mr. Glover concludes.
The upcoming auction showcases works from the "who's who," list of renowned Northumberland County-based artists, says the event's committee chairwoman, Carol Hanley. Over 30 artists including Alf Blything, Don Ketcheson, Ruth Van Egmond, Christine Benson, Anne Cortesis, David Doig, Nina Keough and Kathryn McHolm have donated art work in support of the organization's goal to preserve the Northumberland County landscape.
All proceeds from the 'Shelter Valley Art Auction' will be used to hire environmental and legal experts to present the citizen group's case at an upcoming Ontario Municipal Board hearing, says Ms. Hanley. VV has mounted an appeal of the recent Alnwick/Haldimand council re-zoning decision that will permit an application for a gravel pit licence at the site to proceed.
For additional information on the auction or the 'Help Stop the Pit' campaign, contact Ms. Hanley at 905-344-5947 or visit www.valleyvoices.ca.

Quinte Arts Council hands out annual Arts Recognition Awards

2006-05-31T02:32:00.000-07:00

This year marks the 13th year that the Quinte Arts Council (QAC) has turned to the community to seek nominations for its annual Arts Appreciation Awards. The awards are handed out to recognize individuals and organizations that drive the arts in our community.About 90 people gathered in the Ritchie Room at Capers Brasserie May 18 for a cocktail reception and the presentation of this year's Arts Appreciation Awards amid the current Expressions 2006 art exhibition.
QAC Board Chair Larraine Milligan hosted the awards presentation and thanked all of the recipients for their outstanding support of the arts in the Quinte area.
Moira Nikander-Forrester received an award for her contribution to the success of the Belleville Theatre Guild. Currently a director on the Board of the Guild, Moira is an accomplished actor, director, producer, stage manager, and musical director. Moira attended the awards presentation in full costume and make-up for the Guild's current production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd in which she plays Mrs. Lovett. She received her award before heading off for that evening's performance.
Moira's words about being an artist rang true for many in attendance.“We have to do it because we are the soul feeders,” said Moira. “We feed the souls and if we don't keep doing it we'll dry up.”
Currently technical director of the Empire Theatre and Centre for the Performing Arts Wayne McFaul was recognized for the role that he continues to play in the music and entertainment business. A saxophone player, recording artist, recording engineer and producer, live sound technician, sponsor and supplier of technical and sound equipment, Wayne's career as a musician spans 40 years.
According to the QAC, "What sets Wayne apart is that he brings his love for music and expertise to assist emerging artists, professionals and local arts organizations and charities in our community."On accepting his award, Wayne attested to his love of the industry saying, "I seriously don't think I've worked a day in my life." Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, The Quinte Film Alternative received an award as an arts organization that has provided quality programming as well as its role in raising funds for a variety of causes, such as film studies at Centennial Secondary School, and providing organizational assistance and support to Queen Victoria School's ReelKids film series.
Sharon Campbell has built the arts program at Loyalist College from a pottery program into one of the most successful part-time fine arts programs in the province. Working with local artists and art associations she has set up an art-on-location summer school at The Resort at Lake on the Mountain, the Lodge at Amherst Island, the Ameliasburgh Museum and on campus at Loyalist College bringing more than 450 people together from across the country to engage in classes with local artists.Sharon presents courses in visual arts, culinary arts, music and photography and has been involved in the annual Art Auction for the Loyalist College Foundation to raise money for student bursaries.
Visual artist, Chantale Brisson, received the award in recognition of her talent and the role that she plays in the French language community of the Quinte West area. Chantale designed and fully completed "trompe l'oeil" murals in the libraries and entrance foyers of the three French language schools: Marc-Garneau, Ecole Cité Jeunesse and L'Envol. She shares her artistic talents by providing art lessons in oil painting to various age groups as well as special sessions for seniors and Alzheimer’s victims. She also provides a therapeutic medium for suffers of depression and other disorders.
The Leona Riggs Charitable Foundation was also recognized by the QAC with an Arts Leadership Award, which is given to a company, organization, or foundation that has provided the largest single source of funding to support Quinte Arts Council programs in any given year.
Mark Armstrong of Bloomfield Glassworks designed this year's awards, which were sponsored by Wilkinson and Co. Chartered Accountants. The Expressions 2006 exhibit is sponsored by Scotiabank.

Westben’s seventh season is here

2006-05-31T02:25:00.000-07:00

The exciting new season for Westben concerts will soon be starting up, and this year will see the festival stretching out into new areas of entertainment.
Beginning with a series of Sunday afternoon concerts throughout the month of June, Westben will showcase the talents of many of the fine young musicians in our area, featuring the Campbellford District High School Jazz Ensemble, the Westben Youth Chorus with the Hillcrest Public School Band, the Campbellford Suzuki violinists with the Canta Arya String Ensemble from Kingston, and the Kawartha Youth Symphony. Sue Hammond, creator of Beethoven Lives Upstairs, will host an interactive show called If the Earth Could Sing, aimed at creating an interactive musical experience for children. Westben will be providing some free tickets to schools for these shows.
Beginning on Canada Day, the festival’s main series of performances kicks off with a gala Symphonic Birthday Bash. Marking Campbellford’s centennial and Mozart’s 250th birthday, the event will feature sopranos Nancy Hermiston, Donna Bennett, and Virginia Hatfield, mezzo Kim Dafoe, bassist Ken Tizzard, pianist Brian Finley, and the Westben Festival Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Dwight Bennett. A champagne birthday party follows on the meadow afterward! A repeat performance will be held the following day, with free admission for children. The orchestra will feature members of the Toronto and Kitchener/Waterloo Symphony Orchestras, the National Ballet, and the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra.
On the following weekends throughout July, classical music lovers will be treated first to Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore, performed by the UBC Opera Ensemble and directed by Nancy Hermiston. A series of wind octets by Beethoven and Mozart and quartets for piano and winds will follow on July 15 and 16, featuring Juno Award winner André LaPlante on piano. The fourth weekend will see Mark Dubois and the Emperor String Quartet performing music from the royal courts of Europe from the time of Mozart and Marie Antoinette. The series wraps up its last week with Broadway tunes from Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring singers Donna Bennett, Gabrielle Prata, Keith Klassen, and Robert Longo with Brian Finley accompanying on piano. They’ll be performing favourites from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Evita, Song and Dance, Sunset Boulevard, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love.
Part of the Symphonic Birthday Bash will mark a new venture for the festival. Rock bassist Ken Tizzard will be performing with the symphony, taking Westben into a collaborative work of some of his original music. As a former member of The Watchmen and Thornley, Tizzard is looking forward to this new direction in his career. He intends to take his music on the road, playing with orchestras around the world. "The entire Westben experience has been different than anything I’ve done. It’s been very enlightening, very broadening," he said at Westben’s season preview last week.
Another of the new directions for Westben this year will allow audiences to chat with performers before the concerts. Come and talk about the Pinafore with Nancy Hermiston, the wind music of Mozart and Beethoven with John Burge, and about Marie Antoinette with Jeff ten Kortenaar.
On July 2, Brian Finley will host a one-hour family-friendly classical concert "for ears of all ages." It’s a great introduction to the music of Mozart and features specially priced family rates for the performance.
The festival will be holding a jazz festival on the first weekend in August, with the spotlight on world music. The Joe Sealy Quartet will present their Juno Award winning Africville Suite plus an afternoon of jazz standards. Autorickshaw blends South Asian tradition with a tinge of fiery Indian influenced jazz, and Out of Africa features Juno Award winning members of the African Guitar Summit.
The popular Music of the Night series will be returning this year with what is sure to be a memorable performance by André LaPlante in an evening with one of Canada's pre-eminent classical pianists. Musical Letters of the Night will bring Mozart family letters to life in context of some of his most beautiful music. Donna Bennett and Brian Finley will perform, accompanied by story telling from the letters by actors Chick Reid and Tom McCamus. At last week’s preview, Finley said of Mozart, "His life was strenuous, full of family tensions, yet his music was so unspeakably beautiful. When you put his music in the context of what was happening in his life, it’s absolutely stunning!" Guitar of the Night will feature the energetic performance of flamenco guitarist Robert Michaels and his trio. Regarded by many as Canada’s most accomplished Latin Jazz guitarist, he has won two Junos, achieved platinum and gold status with record sales, and his legions of fans are drawn back time and time again to every show. Finishing out the series, Anne-Julie Caron will perform Marimba of the Night. She is a budding musician in her early twenties, and Brian Finley says her music is "absolutely dazzling, but to watch it is even more fun." She plays a huge instrument, dancing around the stage as she plays it, and her repertoire includes classical pieces as well as some originals of her own and some pieces specifically written for her.
For information on tickets or performances, contact Westben toll free at 1-877-883-5777 or visit their web site at .

life combines to form a poet

2006-05-25T02:26:00.000-07:00

by Adam Huras, For The Independent
The combination of a wealth of life experience that spans several continents, mixed with growth and maturity of age and a continuous love for poetry, has brought local Brighton resident, David Hackett to compile over 250 of his Haiku poems for public presentation.
Entitled “To the Hills from the Plains,” to mirror the landscape of his surrounds growing up as a boy in the North-west frontier of India, Mr. Hackett will debut his collection of poetry in a book signing Saturday, May 27, 12 to 2 p.m. at Lighthouse Books on Main Street in Brighton.
“Seasons in general inspired me to write this poetry,” said Mr. Hackett in an interview with The Independent.
The book is divided into six segments combining a range of subjects that Mr. Hackett has written on while living in Brighton over the last two decades. Strictly a book of Haiku, Mr. Hackett chose this particular art form for its sense of discipline and regimental five-seven-five syllable format that parallels parts of his life.
“I have always been interested in poetry,” said Mr. Hackett. “I don’t remember when I came upon Haiku per se, but I feel its discipline is fitted to my life’s journey.”
Mr. Hackett’s early years were spent in India before he returned to England at the age of six for his education, where he graduated after four years at Charterhouse School and entered Dartmouth Naval College in 1941. He served in the Royal Navy for six years, both above and below sea, and then resigned his commission after the war. He became a chartered accountant and joined the art materials firm of Reeves and Sons in the year he was married.
With a family of four children, he and his wife immigrated to Ontario in 1958 and the last of five children arrived in 1965.
Managing the Canadian subsidiary of Reeves for ten years, Mr. Hackett then joined the Department of Customs and Excise in 1974. He retired from the office of the Auditor General of Canada in 1987 and settled in Brighton, Ontario, the hometown of one of his children.
Mr. Hackett’s interest in calligraphy also shows throughout his poetry’s publication with Chinese characters representing each segment of the compilation as scripted by him.
Haiku combines a relationship with nature often referencing the four seasons, which is evident in Mr. Hackett’s work.
This publication doesn’t end Mr. Hackett’s love for writing Haiku. He still continues to write on current issues and other timely occurrences that strike him with a need for verse. Happy with his first ever publication of poetry including its dynamic categorization and layout, Mr.Hackett isn’t ruling out a second edition.
“Should there be a second volume I will have to think of a different format,” he said jokingly.
The publication is truly a local affair as former editor of The Independent, Bart Kreps was in charge of both design and layout of the book, with Conolly Publishing Ltd. printing the volume of poetry.
Published in The Independent May 24, 2006

Artist group rejected as Committee of Council

2006-05-19T02:22:00.000-07:00

by Brian Schuette, Community Press Online 05.18.06

In a report last week, a group of Warkworth area artists sought to become a Committee of Council in order to save paying a $500 insurance bill. They felt that by becoming such a committee, they would fall under the municipality’s insurance umbrella, thus saving their group that expense. The group is known as Artworth, and this summer they will be running a two-week arts camp for children in Warkworth’s old town hall. In addition to student tuitions, they have also approached a number of service organizations, individuals and businesses for funding.
Their spokesman, David Lyon, appeared before council this week to ask for the committee status and to answer any questions about the group. He advised councillors that Artworth is seeking non-profit or charitable status "which will allow us to apply for grants and donations from foundations and trusts within and outside the Trent Hills area." He said the group has "already established funding from the Warkworth Community Service Club and is pursuing other options." Lyon added that this application for the municipality to designate the group as a committee would likely be a one-time request and wasn’t expected to be repeated next year.
He also mentioned that the camp’s 50 openings over the two weeks had been sold out. At $175 each, that comes to $8,750 raised in tuitions alone. He told council the group is modelling itself on a similar arts camp for adults that attracts "hundreds and hundreds of people to that camp every year."
Dean Peters, who brought the idea to council originally last week, asked Lyon if he saw any activities that may have any "significant or unusual risks," ones council should know about as pertained to insurance liabilities. Lyon didn’t see any, saying that for four days each week, students would be learning drama, painting, mask making, and dancing at the town hall. The fifth day, however, would see students learning wood turning and pottery firing at his studio. The children would be working with fast moving machinery and wood, sharp turning chisels and gouges, and high temperature furnaces, but these weren’t mentioned as posing any significant risks. Lyon said the group was working toward a teacher/student ratio of one to three, including the artists that will be teaching and on-hand assistants, so he believed the children would be well supervised.
Camille Edwards and Bill Thompson both said they applauded the group’s aims, but couldn’t support their application to become a Committee of Council. Other children’s organizations looking for donations have been turned down in the past, and Thompson said he didn’t believe the arts camp was something council should be involved in.
Mayor Macmillan suggested the group might approach the WBA which runs the town hall facility, to see if their insurance might cover them. He also felt this application would open the door for other special interest groups to seek similar committee status for themselves. He noted as well that it is illegal for the municipality to be part of the charitable status process. Lyon countered that Artworth doesn’t expect to achieve such status before next year and that was one of the reasons he said this committee would just exist for one year. Dean Peters commented at this point that any committee status would end once the group achieved its charitable status, thus eliminating any conflict, and he moved that council accept the group as a new committee. His fellow councillors failed to support the motion and Artworth was not approved as a Committee of Council.

about Storm Warning at the Capitol and playwright Norm Foster

2006-05-15T03:16:00.000-07:00

Norm Foster is the most produced playwright in the country-- 85 productions for 2004 in Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand, information found on his web site--excels at writing contemporary stories about real people with everyday problems. Stories about simple loneliness, friendship, and life changes make him popular with many audiences in the English speaking world. Strangely enough, the theatrical establishment likes to ignore Norm Foster. You'll hardly ever find reviews of his work in the Toronto Globe and Mail or the National Post. His work is not studied in universities. Because he doesn't write 'socially useful' or 'politically correct' work, he draws a blank when it comes to the publicly subsidized English Speaking theatre in Canada.
So why is Norm Foster so popular? Why does he strike such a chord with average-Joe-and-Josephine audiences who actually pay real money to enjoy his more than thirty plays? The answer is direct and simple. Norm Foster is the best dramatist in the country. He's the equal of America's Neil Simon and Britain's Alan Ayckbourn. If the theatrical establishment is too ignorant to realize this fact, then it's their loss.
Meanwhile, Foster's talent gets celebrated by theatres that are consistently off the mainstream such as Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre (FAST). Outgoing FAST Artistic Direct Addy Doucette has produced many Norm Foster plays, even premiering a couple with the author in attendance. Until a few years ago, Foster lived relatively close by in Fredericton, New Brunswick where he worked as as morning wake-up DJ on a local commercial station. A couple of years ago he retired back to Ontario because he could, for the first time, make a living off of his playwriting royalties. Foster's ability to write plays that appeal to contemporary audiences seems to get more and more skilled.
Storm Warning, which premiered last summer in Ontario, is a case in point. Perfectly scaled--two performers, a simple interior/exterior set--the play is beautifully written, with terrific lines and a will they/won't they sexual tension that builds neatly up to the play's climax. The story is elegantly simple. A sassy, independent woman lands in a remote East Coast lakeside resort for a late season weekend to finish some big band arrangements. It's 1953, and her kind of flighty female strength would seem to be a decade or two ahead of its time. Foster compensates by making her work--and life--entirely plausible. It's one of the author's great talents to meld his character's life and work together, so that they never seem like shallow 'types' or 'ideals'; they almost always seem like real people.
The only other occupant is the caretaker, Jack, who is a melancholy and stoic war vet with a looming set.

coming to Warkworth - Suburban Motel

2006-05-14T01:52:00.000-07:00

An unusual collaboration between Spirit of The Hills and Northumberland Players bears fruit June 10, when Suburban Motel will be presented jointly at the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts.

Northumberland Players are well known to area audiences for presenting plays and musicals primarily in Port Hope and Cobourg. Last year’s presentation of The Rocky Horror Show drew rave reviews and this year’s musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas played to enthusiastic sold out audiences. With a nod to our area’s growing reputation for quality productions and audiences to match, their summer season of drama now includes a stop in Warkworth. Northumberland Players director Jane Crane negotiated the deal with Meirion Jones and Sandy Mackie of Spirit’s Performing Arts Committee.The version of Suburban Motel that Warkworth residents will be seeing is actually two one-act plays, set in the same motel room.
The first, Problem Child, directed by Terri Bicknell-Potts tells the story of Denise and RJ, a young couple down on their luck, trying to get their daughter back from foster care. Although they believe they have turned their lives around, a disdainful social worker is not so ready to believe they are fit parents. This play, incidentally, won the prestigious Chalmers Award and the Dora Mavor Moore Award.
The second half of the bill, Criminal Genius, is directed by Jan Crane herself . When small town crooks Rolly and Stevie take on a job for the mob, things go wrong and they hole up in - yes, you guessed it - a seedy motel room, operated by an almost always drunk manager. When their boss, Shirl-the-Pearl, joins them, things go from bad to worse for this sorry band of losers. A word of caution to audiences: there is some coarse language, in keeping with the subject matter.
The writer of Suburban Motel is the celebrated Toronto playwright and Canadian theatre icon George F. Walker. He has written for such TV shows as “Newsroom” and “Made in Canada” and currently writes for the award-winning CBC series “This is Wonderland.This don’t-miss show runs June 10 at the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts. Show time is 7.30 pm.
Tickets now on sale for $15 at Eclectic Mix, Warkworth; Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce, Campbellford; Main St. Antique Market, Brighton
or by phoning 905-352-3945.

Machine Running is gearing up for production

2006-05-11T03:28:00.000-07:00

From the Community Press Online

The village of Warkworth, recently officially recognized as a centre for the arts, may be small in size, albeit full of rustic charm. But it is proving once again that it is a major force to be reckoned with in terms of its home-grown productions.
Some of the creators of last year’s hugely successful dance show FEET are at it again. Dale Clark, Barbara Stocking and Mara Brown are working on a show larger and more spectacular than ever - and they are looking for dancers!
Called Machine Running, the new production is a touring multimedia dance-theatre piece that is scheduled to start performances in September of this year. A total of 60 shows will be offered to the general public in locations throughout southeast central Ontario, with a further 24 performances for students only. The show will take advantage of the space and accessibility offered by high school auditoriums. While Machine Running utilizes a permanent cast of 12, it is unique in that this number will be augmented by performers and stage crew recruited from each high school participating in the tour. Performances run from September through to October in Campbellford, Bowmanville, Oshawa and Peterborough.

Barbara Stocking, Artistic Director, describes the show thus: “It has many layers of sound and captivating visuals, an engaging story, projections of stunning and thought-provoking images, and an invigorating musical store. Add to that lighting as art and environment, exceptional choreography, highly skilled dancers and enough fairy dust and glitter to evoke awe and you have a show which we think will truly thrill its audiences.” And Stocking knows her stuff; she wrote, directed and choreographed much of FEET.
Adds Stocking: “Machine Running is not a typical stage show. It is designed along the lines of theatre in the round The stage is 48 feet wide and 60 feet long, creating an oval-shaped performance area within each school gymnasium. The latest digital technology will be utilized to create “surround sound” and projections within the staging. Audience members will be escorted to watch the show in the centre of the stage while the performance takes place on all sides around them.” Stocking used similar unconventional staging techniques in FEET at the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts in October 2005, a production sponsored by Spirit of the Hills to much popular acclaim and sold out audiences.
Her collaborators on the new show are also well known to local audiences. The music score and design is by Warkworth’s Dale Clark, who also wrote and performed the score for FEET. Clark is a multitalented award winning designer who has created marketing campaigns for many well-known corporations, but is equally active in the recording and visual arts field. He is joined here by local musician and choreographer Mara Brown, lead singer with The Maras, and known equally for her burgeoning dance career.
Stocking and Brown are currently auditioning dancers to perform in the show. They are looking for enthusiasm, agility and a strong sense of rhythm. The style is interpretative contemporary dance. Age doesn't matter, they say, but stamina does, as rehearsals will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. one day a week, starting in June, and the performance schedule is demanding. Expenses will be paid and there is the opportunity to be paid a percentage of box office revenues.
The next audition for dancers will be held in Campbellford on June 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. Call Stocking at (705) 924-3443 to book your appointment or for further details. And prepare to dance into the local history books.

Warkworth – Art group seeking committee of council status

2006-05-11T03:06:00.000-07:00

by Brian Schuette, Community Press Online
Dean Peters proposed setting up a new committee of council at this week’s council meeting. Artworth, an organization made up of artists and artisans living and working in the Warkworth area, is developing a summer art camp for children this year, and they wish to become this new committee. Artworth teaches arts such as music, drama, pottery, painting, and woodturning. The group is expected to send a delegation with David Lyon as its spokesman to next week’s council meeting in order to present information about their objectives and the people involved.
Municipal clerk Marg Montgomery said that a number of conditions have to be met in order for the group to become a committee. It requires a resolution from council to approve their creation, the committee has to be in council’s interest and one it can support. Any finances that the group collects must be turned over to the municipality as a measure of preventing fraud. At least one member of council has to sit on the committee, and more than that if it’s not a normal one. Last, the bylaw for committees would have to be amended for insurance purposes.
Dean Peters said the group currently has about 50 children signed up for courses, and says it is not looking for any money from the municipality. Bill Thompson asked the obvious question, wondering what the group stands to gain by becoming a committee of council. The simple answer, according to Councillor Peters was that the group would be protected under the municipality’s insurance policy, as are all other such committees. He felt the group’s status would also gain an "incremental amount of credibility."
In an interview the following day, David Lyon said the group had initially considered asking the municipality for funding for the artists and for supplies. He said, however, that the group had been quoted $500 for their insurance and he spoke to Councillor Peters about possible ways of getting financial support from Trent Hills. They decided that the best route to take would be to try to get committee status, as that would save the group paying out the money. In a second interview that same day with Peters, he said there have been precedents in the past for such committees, notably ones for the Santa Claus parade and the Maple Syrup Festival.
The issue of handing over any money raised to the municipality, however, may be a stumbling block, as is also possible with the group’s short summer season. Peters said in our interview that although the group doesn’t intend to cost Trent Hills any money, municipal staff would be required to do accounting on the committee’s finances. They would be working on staff time. He also wondered if it would be worth setting all this up if the group operates for only three months out of the year.

African Impressions

2006-05-10T03:34:00.000-07:00

Appearing at the Peterborough Arts Umbrella Gallery
May 2 – 18
Exhibition Reception Monday May 15th, 2006 from 5:00 – 7:00
Followed by Film Screening of Refugee All Stars @ 7:00 p.m. at Cinema 379
A visit from the Freetong Players of Sierra Leone, a group of performers who came to Canada to educate people on the issues surrounding the Sierra Leone diamonds and the civil war and it’s UN peacekeeping mission, sparked an interest in the hearts of a group of local high school students. In March of 2005, ten students and three teachers from two Peterborough Secondary Schools traveled to Sierra Leone to explore youth perspectives on HIV/AIDS and democracy building.
Upon returning to Peterborough, group of students and teachers have taken their experience “on the road” to other Kawartha area high schools. The trip had inspired students from PCVS who set up an African drumming group who continue to create and perform.
In the fall of 2005, the they began creating art that illustrates the issues facing African peoples, most particular those of Sierra Leone. The exhibition at the PAU gallery includes paintings, mixed media and photography from this work.
As part of the exhibition, a just released documentary entitled “Refugee All Stars” will be screened at Cinema 379 on Monday May 15th @ 7 pm. This film follows a spirited band of exiled Sierra Leonean musicians living in a refugee camp in Guinea who make music to entertain fellow refugees and salve the wounds of war. With its lively mix of music and politics, this powerful debut film is a testament to the human spirit.
The exhibition begins on May 2 with reception, attended by the artists, on May 15 from 7 – 9 p.m. This will be followed by a screening of Rufugee All Stars, at Cinema 379, 379 George Street North.
The gallery is located at 378 Aylmer Street, north, and there is free parking available.
For more information about the exhibition call micky renders 743-5230 by e-mail at mrenders@cogoeco.ca or Cameron Douglas email at Cameron@wuomi.ca
For the PAU, please contact Allena R. Litherland at 705-749-3220 or allena@pauart.ca

Cheers and jeers for Dirty Work

2006-05-01T03:15:00.000-07:00

by John Chambers, The Independent

The Brighton Barn Theatre’s latest production, “Dirty Work at the Crossroads” opened to an enthusiastic audience last Thursday night and featured a number of new faces to compliment local favourites that make up the theatre scene.
Two surprises with Dirty Work is the addition of Ian C. Feltham who masterfully plays villain Munro Murgatroyd, and John Hodgson who plays Adam Oakhart, the love of Nellie Lovelace played by Tammy Indeway. For Mr. Hodgson and Mr. Feltham it is their first time on the Brighton stage, and if local theatre enthusiasts are lucky it won’t be their last.
Dirty Work begins in a little country garden and weaves along a hysterical path for the next two-and-a-half hours. Audience members become as much a part of the cast with timely cheers and jeers, boos and hisses.
Dirty Work is the story of money for nothing, or is it love gone awry? This show features a complex mix of superb cast members, wickedly funny dialogue and no shortage of twists and turns along the way.
Popular local actor Tim Brodie lives up to his usual hysterically innocent charms as Mookie Maguggins and his scene stealing “Let loose the bulls” line is well worth the price of admission and then some.
While the Brighton Barn won’t be hosting a summer production this year they have hit a home run with Dirty Work.
Producer Roy Rittwage and Director Gwen Darling have put together a tremendous cast while the stage design is spectacular and offers the audience a few surprises along the way.
Linda Sacchett, as the intoxicating and flirty Fleurette, and her daughter Meagan as the spoiled and love-lost Leonie offer Barn Theatre audiences something to cheer about as well, welcoming new faces and talents to the local stage.
Ann Goulding (The Widow Lovelace), Kathy Lacasse (Ida Rhinegold), Myra Thompson (Mrs. Upson Asterbilt) and Isabelle Duchaine (Little Nell) round out this wonderful cast.
The show continues April 27, 28 and 29 as well as May 4, 5 and 6 all beginning at 8 p.m. There will also be one 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 30.

Latest dinner theatre comedy debuts four fresh faces

2006-04-25T03:15:00.000-07:00

By Jeanne Beneteau, Northumberland News

Northumberland Players' (NP) theatre offering welcomes some "new blood" to the line-up, says the production's director.
'Picasso at the Lapin Agile,' an original work by world-renowned funny man, Steve Martin, opens April 21 at Cobourg's Best Western Inn and Convention Centre, says director Heather Jopling. Ms. Jopling says the play is not Martin's typical "wild and crazy guy" type production; rather, it's a sophisticated, smart comedy a la the comedian's 'Roxanne.' But true to Martin's signature style, the play is "hilariously funny" and she adds those with a sense of history will enjoy it even more. The play is set in a circa-1904 Paris bar, where young Einstein, 25, meets up with Picasso, 23, for liquid libation and conversation. The talk centres around sex, women and art and sex, women and science and lots more sex - Picasso had the well-earned reputation of sleeping with anything that moved, noted Ms. Jopling. The story also includes an appearance by a 1950s singer, "a time-travelling King... you'll get it when you see it," she adds.

Four members of the 10-person cast are actors who will be new faces to regular NP followers, says Ms. Jopling. 'Picasso at the Lapin Agile' marks the debut appearances for Steve Foote in the lead as 'Picasso,' Susan Amos, 22, playing 'Suzanne,' Brian Oakes as 'Sagot' and Ian Griffiths in the role of 'Charles Dabernow Schmendiman'.

Mr. Foote, who moved with his family to Port Hope about a year ago, is no stranger to the spotlight. The 44-year-old actor has over 20 years of experience under his belt and has appeared on stages from Toronto to Oshawa and Port Perry. After he moved to the area, he wanted to become part of its rich artistic community and the Northumberland Players casting call for 'Picasso' offered the perfect opportunity to get his feet wet.

"I'm having a good time. It's a good bunch of people," he says. "Although I've had somewhat similar roles in the past, I've never had the opportunity to play such a playboy... so very different from myself."

He explains 'Picasso' is a real womanizer. He's also a genius "and he knows it" and is quite self-assured and cocky.

"I'm still searching my way through his character," he notes.

Ms. Jopling explains it is vital to get new blood in the acting line-up to ensure a vibrant, viable theatrical organization. From a directing perspective, she says it's also enjoyable and invigorating to work with new actors with new styles.

"I'm learning as I go," she adds.

Joining the NP family is much more than showing up for practices and being on time for the opening act, Ms. Jopling explains. After the final applause on closing night comes the grunt work, when the cast shows up with power drills and crow bars to help dismantle the set.

"I tell new people you're here for the whole nine yards, beginning, middle and end," she says. "And there's nothing like communal drilling after the end of a run to really bring actors together."

'Picasso at the Lapin Agile,' runs April 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29 and 30 and May 5, 6 and 7, with a matinee slated for May 6. Tickets for evening performances are $40 which includes dinner, show, taxes and gratuities: the matinee ticket price is $20 which includes hors-d'oeuvres and the show. For tickets and dinner/show times, call the Best Western Cobourg Inn and Convention Centre, 905-372-2105 or toll-free at 1-866-262-6874.

Improv, wit and elegance

2006-04-25T02:57:00.000-07:00

Peter Doig has a Canadian's sense of natural beauty, but that's just part of the heady mix in his works on paper at Toronto's Art Gallery of Ontario, writes SARAH MILROY

For the past decade or so, the painter Peter Doig has been one of Canada's proudest exports to the art world. Of course, there's a bit of fudging in such a statement. We claim him as our own even though Doig was born in Scotland, received his art training in London (where he lived for 23 years), and now lives in Port of Spain, Trinidad, where he paints and runs his alternative cinema, STUDIOFILMCLUB, between bouts of international globetrotting.

Still, looking at his paintings, you can see that Doig's formative childhood and teen years in Ontario and Quebec have left their mark. Currently at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, Peter Doig: Works on Paper reveals his attachment to the natural environment and culture he found here, specifically to the legacy of Canadian figures like the Group of Seven, James Wilson Morrice and David Milne, whose work embodies a kindred sense of the mystical beauty of the natural world and man's place within it.

Fortuitously, Milne's work is now showing concurrently at the gallery, which allows for convenient comparison. There are some striking similarities between Milne and Doig (exquisite, painterly technique, an interest in reflection as a metaphor for perception, a dramatic use of blank space in compositions, and the ability to evoke a kind of dilated, transcendental consciousness in their art).

But it's a mistake to overstate the bond. Doig is a thoroughly contemporary painter, and his works are as much about photography and film, from which he freely borrows, as they are about nature.

They clearly show the artist's fascination with the image culture in which he finds himself. He lifts images from their contexts (magazines, film stills, personal snapshots, etc.) and then subjects them to replication, as if wringing from them all of their possible subjective resonance. At the heart of the project, then, is the mystery of how some pictures just grab hold of us and won't let go.

There's another similarity: Like Milne, Doig is often at his best on paper, where the pigment can be laid down with maximum spontaneity and transparency. Particularly in recent years, Doig's paint-handling on canvas has become denser and more opaque, a response, perhaps, to the intensity of Trinidadian light and tropical colour. (Two strident examples are to be found in the current Whitney Biennial.) Clearly, he is embracing the tropical palette of his new Caribbean home, revelling in its folk culture in a Gauguin-in-Tahiti sort of way; one wonders if his newfound love of orange is a subconscious homage. But in some of these canvases, the delicacy of his earlier work seems to have slipped away.

Everything he needs to hold on to about the past, though, is be found in this works-on-paper show, in which all of his love of improvisation, wit, elegance of touch and painterly erudition are so clearly revealed.

The show has many high points. Paintings like House of Pictures, with its mysterious red-haired figure (fiery against a black frock, coat and hat) suggest the demimondaine charms of the European fin-de-siècle.

Another painting, titled Metropolitan (2003), features a top-hatted clochard lifted from Daumier, his trouser legs and feet reduced to a deliciously sooty smudge, and his tropical green environs segmented into rectangular facets that recall the planar explorations of Matisse, or, later, Diebenkorn. Doig manages this heavy flow of influences with debonair ease.

Flowing, in fact, is something that Doig is particularly good at, and the paintings weirdly fall flat whenever he attempts a more conventional, rectilinear composition. In this show, his Study for Heart of Old San Juan (which depicts a basketball court) best exemplifies Doig's less successful efforts in this regard. Fixed perspective is the antithesis of what he understands; instead, he excels at a kind of hallucinatory morphology suggesting trance-like vision. Figures dissolve into the landscape, as in his oil-on-paper work Cobourg 3+1, in which a ghostly group of four stands on a shore, waiting and watching. A veil of snowflakes falls between us and these figures. Like some of his best paintings from the early 1990s, such as Blotter (1993), there is an almost palpable hush of wonder. Distinctions between figure and ground break down.

The human figure dissolves altogether in one of the show's most spectacular but modest little paintings on paper, Yara (2002), named for a beach in Trinidad. Gazing at this trippy concoction of lime green, ivory, mustard yellow and fresh, raspberry pink, you acquire only the vaguest sense of a landscape, conveyed simply by a tipped horizontal line that appears to be melting, near the painting's midsection, and a thatch of brown twig-like strokes at the bottom.

Doig's handling of materials here is exquisite. We feel everything he has to say through these intoxicating colours and textures; understanding is anchored in pure sensation. Not for Doig the delimiting geometries of rational thought. He sets his sights higher, and we follow him up his stairway to heaven.

Peter Doig: Works on Paper runs until June 18 at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto (416-979-6660).

documentary filmed in Brighton, Warkworth

2006-04-23T03:07:00.000-07:00

From the Community Press

Peterborough and Northumberland Counties are the “stars” of a new TV documentary. Lang Pioneer Village doubled as a slum in Victorian Toronto, Warkworth Heritage Centre was transformed into a 1911 newsroom, and Proctor House in Brighton acted as a rich man's mansion.
The one-hour documentary, Fighting Words, is a biography about newspaper tycoon and social crusader Joseph Atkinson. The biography, filmed on a $225,000 budget, was produced, directed and written by veteran writer/film maker Paul Dalby, a Warkworth resident.
“It was critical to the success of Fighting Words that we were able to recreate scenes of old Toronto and Joseph Atkinson's life, for which we had no archival film or photographs,” explained Dalby.
“But we simply could not afford to film these re-enactments in Toronto where production costs are very high indeed,” he said. “The folks at Lang Pioneer Village, Warkworth and Brighton came to our rescue. They were outstanding.”
Dalby's production team, headed up by props and costumes manager Wendy Lang, were able to faithfully re-create Toronto of the early 1900s.
A log cabin at Lang was camouflaged with piles of broken windows, wooden boxes and lines of laundry to became a slum house.
Proctor House Museum in Brighton served as the first home of Joseph Atkinson and his wife Elmina.
But the biggest makeover was done at the Heritage Centre in Warkworth. An empty room became a bustling newspaper newsroom, complete with old typewriters and candlestick telephones loaned by antiques dealers in both Warkworth and Brighton.
“We only had the room for one day so we had to bring in all the props the night before and work through the night to dress the set, then take it all away again after we had finished filming,” said Dalby. “But it was well worth it, the newsroom looked like the real thing.”
Adult and child actors for all the re-enactment scenes were also drawn from the area.
The documentary, financed by the Atkinson Charitable Foundation, charts the extraordinary life of Joseph Atkinson, who made the Toronto Star into the country's biggest newspaper.
But Atkinson, who started his career on the Port Hope newspaper, also devoted his entire life and fortune to fighting social injustice. He campaigned for an end to child labour and exploitation of the poor, and pressed for a 40-hour work week, unemployment compensation and public healthcare.

next week's quinte arts events

2006-04-15T03:08:00.000-07:00

Apr. 17 Cinefest Picton will show Whole New Thing on Apr. 17 at the Regent Theatre.

Apr. 18 Hastings County Historical Society presents: 1918 Flu Pandemic! Walkerton Water! Lunatic Asylums! And a 1921 film, Her Own Fault, with Sharon White of Toronto on Apr. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Quinte Living Centre, Front St., Belleville. Everyone is welcome.

Apr. 19 The Belleville Library Brown Bag Lunches are a lunchtime speaker series on Wednesdays at noon. Admission is always free and tea and coffee are available. On Apr. 19, in conjunction with Earth Day, Professor David Cape will speak about renewable energy and the environment. The program starts at noon with a musical prelude by Esmond Skidmore. Everyone is welcome and admission is free. Tea and coffee are available. Info: 613-968-6731.

Apr. 19 to 22 Stirling Festival Theatre presents Charlie Farquharson and Dem Udders, Apr. 19 to 22. Info: 613-395-2100, www.stirlingfestivaltheatre.com.

Apr. 20 The Quinte Acoustic & Fingerstyle Guitar Association presents a house concert at 394 Ashley St., Foxboro with Joel Fafard on Apr. 20 at 8 p.m. (open stage at 7). Admission is 'pass the hat' donation. Info: b1ford@sympatico.ca or call 613-962-0658.

Apr. 20 Oeno Gallery is holding monthly Salons on Thursdays, 7 to 9 p.m. Join with artists, collectors and enthusiasts for a lively discussion of the work, led by skilled animateurs along with the artist whose work is featured. The first one will be held Apr. 20 with artist Susan Collett. Attendance is free but limited to 20 persons. Info: 613-394-2216, www.oenogallery.com.

Apr. 21 and 22 Artevino Fine Art and Wine Auction will be held Apr. 21 and 22 in the Ritchie Room (at Capers Brasserie), 272 Front St., Belleville. Friday will feature a wine-tasting with the County wineries and samplings of California wines, exceptional hors d'oeuvres, great entertainment and a multi-media auction featuring exclusive 2- and 3-dimensional art pieces and wine from private collections. Saturday offers a 6-course dinner with California sparking wines and winners of the new Artevino County Wine Competition, a live auction with Boyd Sullivan and live entertainment. Tickets and info: 613-962-1232, www.quinteartscouncil.org.

Apr. 21 and 22 The Regent Theatre in Picton presents Brigadoon (musical performed by Centennial School for the Arts, Belleville) on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. and April 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets: 613-476-8416.

Apr. 21 The Trenton Art Club Spring Show and Sale at the Old Town Hall, 55 King St., Trenton will be held Apr. 21, noon to 9 p.m. and Apr. 22 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Everyone welcome.

Apr. 22 Command Performance will perform Pills to Purge Melancholy Apr. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Church, 335 Main St. E., Picton. Moira Forrester, Director, Tom Dietzel, accompanist and Joanne Tait, soprano. Tickets: call Barb Harris at 613-471-1753 or ad the door ($10, $5 students).

Apr. 22 Loyalist College presents a Winsor and Newton Art Supplies Demonstration (Oh Perylene, Won't You Be True) on Apr. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. Everything you need to know about artists' materials and pigment. Doug Purdon, AOCA, SCA, is a renowned working artist and professional instructor. Since 1996, he has also been the Educational Advisor for Canada for Winsor and Newton Art Supplies, visiting colleges and universities, teaching the correct use of artists' materials and how to get the most out of each medium. During this demonstration and presentation, topics that will be covered are: History of pigments and colours, What are vehicles, mediums and pigments? What makes a great pigment? The Three Tribes of Pigments, Transparency versus opacity, Tinting strength, Health and safety. Learn about and sample the latest products from Winsor and Newton. There is no fee for this presentation and demonstration. However, please contact Loyalist at (613)969-1913, ext 2467, to reserve your place for the day. Spaces are limited.

Apr. 22 Celebrate Earth Day 2006 with Garden Scents and Sensibilities Workshop (presented by the Friends of Glanmore) Apr. 22, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Belleville Recreation Centre, 16 Pinnacle St. Pre-registration deadline Apr. 17 (613-962-2329 or 962-1777): $40 includes resource material, coffee breaks and lunch.

Apr. 22 The Acoustic Edge presents The Trevor Finlay Band Apr. 22 at the Belleville Club (corner Pinnacle and Bridge St. E.) with Jenica Hammett opening the show. Tickets and info: Nancy, 613-967-3607, www.acousticedge.org.

Apr. 22 to June 5 Covent Garden Fine Art Gallery re-opens on April 22nd with a newly renovated space showcasing their New and Recent Works Group Show. Opening reception with the artists Saturday April 22 from 1-5 pm. Show runs until June 5, Friday to Monday, 10-5pm. Visit www.coventgarden.ca/newworks.htm for further details. Covent Garden artists include Allin, Ashton, Barber, Breau, Campbell, Chiperzak, Chown, Gormley, Harfst, Haley, Hall, Hawley, Labelle, Chik-Lau, Mackay, McNaughton, Moffat, Munroe and Statham. Guest artists: Mark Armstrong, Don Liardi, Jean Ling, Lisa Lipsett, Helen McNaughton, Ewa Stryjnik

Central Hastings ArtFest News

2006-04-15T02:36:00.000-07:00

by Celia Ware , Stirling Community Press
04.13.06
Representatives of Central Hastings ArtFest 2006 spoke to members of the Centre Hastings Art Council in Madoc on Wednesday evening. Michael Rutland, of Rivendell Herb Farm, and Kelly Foxton, Director of ArtFest, described plans for the event, or series of events, which will take place this July and August.
The Central Hastings ArtFest 2006 is so named because it will be made up of not one, but various arts and cultural events throughout the central Hastings area—visual arts, performing arts, crafts, workshops, children's programs and retreats. Mr. Rutland took pains to explain that ArtFest will be the banner under which a number of events will be promoted and marketed together. These events will include the Stirling Festival of the Arts (July 14, 15 and 16), a healing arts and wellness show at the Kiwanis Centre in Madoc, competitions and entertainment at the Madoc Skatepark, theatre at Moira Community Hall, entertainment at O'Hara Mill, workshops, retreats and more at Rivendell Herb Farm, visual and literary arts at the Madoc Library and Cultural Centre and parallel events at Wild Blue Yonder and the Madoc Public School. It will include displays and entertainment in downtown Madoc as well as a possible Jazz and Blues Festival near Stirling. An opening reception and dinner is planned at the Two Loons Restaurant, with an art auction and entertainment. At present, not all dates and details are available and a range of other activities is also expected to be included.
Rutland and Foxton presented a copy of the ArtFest Mission Statement at the meeting. It explains the goals of the group: "to develop an ongoing Summer Arts Festival that will attract festival and cultural tourists to Central Hastings." The idea is to use art and cultural activities to increase tourism and benefit the local economy of Comfort Country. If visitors have a rewarding experience in our community they will return to the area throughout the year. ArtFest plans to bring together existing groups, events and businesses to reach a broader audience and will offer expertise in marketing, promotion and management to develop new programs or activities. It will also incorporate and implement the business plan adopted by the Municipality of Centre Hastings: "The Centre Hastings Art Festival – A Celebration of the Arts in Rural Canada." ArtFest will also secure funding to achieve these goals.
ArtFest has the support of the Municipality of Centre Hastings and is a project of the Centre Hastings Arts and Cultural Task Force Committee. A sub-committee of 17 members has been put together. The municipality is supporting the project with seed money ($8,000) which will be repaid by ArtFest. The committee has also applied for grants based on two years experience with local art events, Art in the Park and Festival at Rivendell. Any profits will be put back into the community, as they were last year when Festival at Rivendell donated $2,000. The group is encouraged by recent statistics showing that Centre Hastings ranks fourth of six other communities in Ontario with a concentration of artists that is at least double the national average (0.8 per cent). This is a higher concentration than in Stratford or in Prince Edward County.
Organizers are planning ArtFest events that will be family oriented and make the most of local resources. So whether a family comes to the area for a just a day or for a weekend there will be several events that appeal to all family members. Parents can take in workshops while children visit the skatepark or get involved in various youth programs such as acting or dance. There will be entertainment in the evening and the opportunity to visit local restaurants and Bed and Breakfasts. Rutland says organizers plan to hold retreats and workshops with a broad scope that will take in all aspects of their art. For example, a weaving workshop might begin at a sheep farm, a joinery workshop at a sawmill. By networking and bringing artists, groups and businesses together he says we can make Central Hastings THE destination for a summer arts festival.
ArtFest is opening a festival headquarters at 17 Durham Street South in Madoc (Graphic Impressions). The Centre Hastings web site will carry updates on festival developments. For more information visit the headquarters, e-mail or phone (613) 473-3881 or 1-866-354-3393. If you are organizing an event that could be part of ArtFest, or if you would like to participate yourself—those interested in securing outdoor exhibit space, workshop facilitators, artists donating to the art auction, musicians, etc.,—please contact the organizers as soon as possible as advertising material will be going out soon. The dates of Central Hastings ArtFest are presently July 14 to August 7, 2006.
Centre Hastings Art Council meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 p.m. at the Madoc Library (lower level) and will be forming a new executive at the next meeting on May 3. The group, which acts as a support network for local artists, plans to incorporate and to apply for not-for-profit status. For more information phone (613) 473-1592.

Canadian Masterworks Exhibition coming to Townsend Gallery

2006-04-12T01:05:00.000-07:00

by Brian Schuette, Community Press
The Townsend Gallery will be hosting a remarkable showcase of original miniature fine art from April 29 to May 28. The exhibition is called Canadian Masterworks and will present the work of 16 of Canada's most renowned nature and wildlife artists. The gallery is having a special Invitation Only preview on the Friday evening of April 28, with many of the artists making an appearance. The first 100 people attending the preview will receive a complimentary Brent Townsend limited edition print. Anyone interested in attending the preview show should contact the gallery by April 19 for an invitation.
With its wide variety of realist artists represented, Canadian Masterworks is a rare opportunity for seasoned collectors to acquire new and important works and for beginning collectors to see the exceptional art being produced in Canada in this genre. Masterworks is a word that has been well chosen to describe the artworks in this show, as will become evident when you visit the gallery.
Five sculptors have joined the exhibition, and regulars to the gallery will recognize the work of Paul Brunelle and Alexander Dumas. Their pieces have been a regular feature at Townsend's and will indicate to past visitors the level of exceptional quality they can expect to see at this show. Neil Clifford, Kevin Hockley and Richard Loffler will each be presenting some outstanding bronzes of animals and figurative art as well.
A wide variety of media is represented in the pictures on display. In addition to the usual painting media, pastel drawings, stone lithographs and intaglio prints will also be shown. The subject material will include wildlife and nature, but you'll see portraits and figurative work as well in these pieces.
A who's who of Canadian realist painters makes up the roster for this show, including Chris Bacon, Dave Beckett, Tony Bianco, Claudio D'Angelo, Michael Dumas, Dwayne Harty, Glen Loates, Paul Murray, Arnold Nogy, George Raab, and of course, Brent Townsend. The group was chosen largely because they are long time friends of the Townsends. Robert Bateman was invited but had a previous commitment, so he couldn't attend. He did say, however, that he will try to make it for next year's show. George McLean was also asked but he too is busy with other shows, but he says not to count him out. He might make it after all.
Past visitors to the gallery will be familiar with the paintings and drawings of Michael Dumas and Brent Townsend, but the big draw for this show has to be Glen Loates. His books have been best sellers for many years, he's exhibited at such prestigious venues as the McMichael Canadian Collection and the Royal Ontario Museum, he's been the subject of numerous magazine articles, and his work has been featured on Canadian coins and stamps. As the Canadian Cancer Society is in the midst of their annual fund-raising drive currently, it's worth noting that Glen began his professional career at age 11 when he sketched the yellow daffodil used by the Society as its symbol for more than 40 years.
For more information about the show and the special preview evening contact the Townsend Gallery at 1-866-454-4242, 120 Grand Road, Campbellford. You can also read about the artists and see examples of their work on the gallery's web site, www.brenttownsend.ca.

Westben receives provincial tourism award

2006-04-08T01:39:00.000-07:00

by Brian Schuette , Stirling Community Press
Westben recently took second place in a competition held by the Tourism Federation of Ontario (TFO). As a finalist for the Ontario Tourism Excellence Awards in the Event/Business of the Year category, the festival was placed in the company of such well-known provincial tourist meccas as the Ontario Science Centre. The award recognizes a business or event that effectively promoted and enhanced tourism in Ontario over the past year. Westben owners, Brian Finley and Donna Bennett, were justifiably excited about the win and the recognition they got from companies and organizations within the tourism industry from all across the country.
At the conference, they made a number of valuable contacts with hotel chains, resorts, other cultural venues, government agencies, tourism operators, and tourism organizers such as Attractions Ontario. They also participated in talks on foreign and out-of-province markets.
The TFO recognized Westben as a tourism generator for Ontario after looking over ample evidence that tourists come to Trent Hills just for their concerts. While in the area, many of the 10,000 annual visitors to the festival spend time and money at local businesses in Campbellford, Hastings and Warkworth, such as restaurants, the chocolate factory, and bed and breakfasts. Donna said that they were told that tourism and cultural events are now seen as a prime way to revive economic development in a municipality. To find out just what impact it is having on local business, Westben has sent out a survey to 5,000 people on their mailing list, asking them where they eat and stay for instance while attending the festival. The government has formulas that will compile the data and will be able to estimate just how much business Westben does generate for our community and for Ontario.
Northumberland County recently brought a travel writer to tour local businesses, communities and events that could be promoted to tourists. As a writer for Toronto Life and Via Rail, she told the county that if they had to promote only one thing in Northumberland, they should promote Westben.
Donna says they plan to work more with the whole community to bring even more tourists to this part of the province. "Northumberland is competing with every other county and we have to be special and offer first class service," she explained. "I'm looking at more partnerships within the community and looking at our organization to make sure our service is tops." She and Brian both have set their eyes on international tourists as well and they are looking at upgrading their on-site facilities down the road. Installing permanent washrooms, perhaps having permanent structures on the grounds where local artisans can show their work during the festival, and giving visitors wider access to the actual farm setting are all things under consideration. Partners within our community include many of the businesses on Warkworth's Main Street, the municipality's economic development and tourism staff, Westben's legion of volunteers, and even some of the dining and accommodations businesses in and around the area.
International tourists expect to see international calibre performances. With this in mind, Westben will be striving to make sure their shows meet this standard. The acts don't have to come from outside the country, but they must perform at a world-class level. This should make for some exciting concerts in upcoming seasons, and bring even more tourist dollars into the community. At the conference, Brian and Donna learned that the number of American tourists coming to Ontario is down by roughly a million visitors. While they continue to be our biggest market, Ontario is now promoting itself to China and Britain. Westben will also pursue these markets.
Brian said that Westben is starting to develop relations with places like the Banff Centre and to develop new work with them. There is a possibility of performing their production of Rapunzel there, and of bringing some of their best performers here for concerts. While the idea of working with such well-known organizations is exciting, and bringing Westben up to world-class standards is a bold vision and goal, the two say they don't want to get too far removed from Westben's roots. "We're a community organization," Donna said, "and I never want to lose that or become too slick. Westben should be 'best in class,' whether it's a community musical, a master class …"
"… or a professional concert," Brian interjected, picking up the conversation. "The whole tourism thing is developing what we have here already. It's not supplementing it with something else. The Barn is not a place you build to exclude the rest of the world and recreate a new one. It's where you enhance the world you're in. That's what is attracting the whole tourism attention to Westben. It's highlighting the area as opposed to excluding it." Donna echoed his views by saying, "We didn't open Westben just to make money. We moved here with a certain number of talents and the area had its talents. We put them together and it felt natural."

Belden Atlas - old and new

2006-04-08T00:48:00.000-07:00

Atlas illustrates a glorious past
The Northumberland News, Apr 7, 2006
By Peggy Foster

NORTHUMBERLAND - The 'Illustrated Historical Atlas of the Counties of Northumberland and Durham', originally published in 1878, is about to come off the press featuring 26 new pages of illustrations and five new pages of text.

Publisher Peter Wilson, of Fifth Line Press, near Stirling, has been reprinting the atlas for a dozen years after purchasing the rights and the negatives of the original hardcover book published by Belden Bros.

The large format Belden atlas was patronized, meaning those represented in the atlas purchased the pages to show their homes, businesses, farms and families as part of the historical record. Early patrons included elected officials, landmark buildings, important institutions, proud farmers and prominent people, says Mr. Wilson. Copper plate engravings of their properties, portraits of the owners, their prized farm animals or pets were also included, all preserved for future generations.

In the early days, Mr. Wilson said, an illustrator accompanied a surveyor who surveyed the land and drew maps, which were used to show prospective land buyers in Europe what areas were available. The illustrator's job was to draw the landscape to show investors the physical attributes of the property. As well as the illustrations, township maps showing each landholding and the owner's name are historic records, which have been treasured by families for more than 100 years.

When Mr. Wilson decided to update the local atlas, he began knocking on doors across Northumberland County and as far west as Bowmanville in the former Durham County, asking people if they would like their homes or businesses to be included. Besides a pen and ink drawing of the home, farm or business building, each patron is asked to write a brief personal family history as the original contributors did for the first edition.

"I'm encouraging people to write a brief history of their family or make a political comment on the times or offer a favourite recipe," Mr. Wilson said. "It's an arm's length collection of history."

The illustrations in the original book show great detail of the properties and various types of period farm machinery.

"People were very proud of their homes and had a great sense of history," Mr. Wilson said.

To match the high quality illustrations of the original atlas, Mr. Wilson has hired six area illustrators to complete pen and ink drawings of the new locations being featured on the 26 additional pages.

Port Hope resident Christine Brooks, a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design Fine Art program and a graphic artist at Northumberland News, will complete four drawings for the atlas, including Fairmount, the home of Pat and Tom Lawson, which has been in Mrs. Lawson's family for six generations.

"I do my drawings from photographs," Ms. Brooks said. "It takes two solid days of work to make the sketch, then I use ink once I have all the details."

Ms. Brooks specializes in equine art and has her own web page at www.brooksartistry.com. Her dream is to receive enough commission requests to make her art a full-time occupation.

Cobourg resident Glenda Hamilton, another of the atlas illustrators, says she always wanted to be an artist when she grew up. She will contribute between 20 and 30 illustrations for the updated atlas.

"I took art in high school in Scarborough where I grew up and have taken night courses but I'm mostly self-taught," Ms. Hamilton said. "Portraits are my thing."

Ms. Hamilton and her family have lived in Cobourg for almost 15 years. Now that her children are grown she has more time to devote to her art. Samples of her work can be viewed at her website: www3.sympatico.ca/glenny.

The other illustrators contributing their work to the atlas are Michelle Yeas, of Wooler; Astrid Hood, of Warkworth; Brenda Hudson, of Stirling; and Susan Moshynski of Ameliasburg Township.

Among the new material in the atlas will be the Ward 2 home of William Leonard Hunt, "The Great Farini", owned by Blair and Deanne McFadden on the 4th Line.

The original Boughen family farm on Dale Road, owned by John and Meredith Boughen, will be added to the atlas, as will the Octagon, 16 Martha St., Port Hope, owned by Paul and Ruth Wilson.

The Hillcrest, 175 Dorset St. W. and the home of Charles Tidy at 95 Augusta St. will be in the atlas. Hill and Dale Manor Bed and Breakfast, 47 Pine St. S., owned by David and Jeanne Henderson will be added.

In Cobourg, the St. Charles family home at 394 College St. and Victoria College will be added along with the James Gordon Insurance office building at 35 King St. E. and the Gordon family home at 332 College Street.

Dr. Michael Green's home, originally a one-storey brick school near the beach in Cobourg will also grace a page of the atlas as will The Victoria Inn at Gore's Landing on the shores of Rice Lake.

Colborne properties will be featured on nearly five pages of the atlas, Mr. Wilson said, with Hoselton family portraits of company founder Gord Hoselton and his daughters Jan and Carol, plus a drawing of the Hoselton Studio, Marion Carter's home on Church Street and Downey's Pharmacy shown when it was originally three storeys.

Illustrations of a working tobacco farm owned by John and Barbara Clarkson, of Centreton, from 1966 to 1988 will be a permanent record of a bygone industry, which employed thousands of people in its heyday. Part of the scene will be six tobacco kilns where the ripened leaves were hung on sticks, then cured, before being graded, baled and sent to market.

Westben Music Theatre in Campbellford and the Empire Cheese factory, along with Church Key Brewery at Petherick's Corners will be featured.

Mr. Wilson says the revised atlas will be on sale around the end of May, costing about $100. The books will be available at The Avid Reader, in Cobourg, and Furby House Books in Port Hope.

For this edition of the atlas, Mr. Wilson said he concentrated on areas in Northumberland County, since much of the previous book covered the former Darlington Township and Durham County.

One of the families to be included, from Bowmanville, is the Strike family, four generations of lawyers. The law firm's office and portraits of the lawyers will be added.

There are 30 different atlases across Canada, all of which Mr. Wilson hopes to update with new pages in the next five years.

"I love doing this and finding out so much of the history of the area," he said.

capitol's new fundraiser

2006-04-07T01:18:00.000-07:00

Capitol's new fundraiser sure to be a killer

Karen Lloyd
Local News - Thursday, April 06, 2006 @ 09:00

Everyone's a suspect.
A major fundraising event taking place across Northumberland County this summer is so unique, grand and absolutely crazy, it will be impossible to ignore.
Not only is organizer Steve Rutledge calling it the event of the year, he says it's one that will "shock" the community.

With a goal to raise at least $60,000 to boost operational revenues for the Capitol Theatre, Mr. Rutledge and his partner Michael Yap, both residents of Port Hope for four years, are in the process of producing a Murder Mystery, a performance that will cast unsuspecting shoppers, local businesses, and of course, Lady Catherine and Lord Stanley an eccentric couple who find themselves entrenched in a murder investigation, after the Lord's life was threatened during a party in January.

Beginning this Friday, and each Friday for the following 16 weeks, the story of Lady Catherine and Lord Stanley will be published exclusively in the Evening Guide. As the story unfolds, new characters (and suspects) will be introduced. Each "episode" as well as several small events throughout the county will also provide the community with some clues they could potentially use to find the person who eventually murders Lord Stanley.

The best act is yet to come, however, as the performance reaches a climax in August when Lady Catherine hosts a spectacular party on Mr. Rutledge's and Mr. Yap's Lakeshore Road property there she hopes to find Lord Stanley's killer.

"We had all these different programs that we wanted to include in this year's event," Mr. Rutledge said, explaining why he decided to engage the community in a murder mystery. "I was trying to tie them all together so it didn't end us as some cheap variety night."

But from the sound of what's being planned so far a fashion show, a full-course sit-down meal under an 8,000 square-foot tent and four large screen T.V.'s, live and silent auctions and entertainment there's nothing cheap about it.

Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Yap, an award winning Haute Couture fashion designer from Singapore, started planning the event basically after last year's successful Capitolize on Croquet fund raiser, an event organized by Herma Ender that was held on their property.

"We just enjoyed it so much," he said. "And we enjoyed the community spirit."

He added, "We're also absolutely crazy and we're getting crazier by the day."

The murder mystery is something they can't help but think about day and night. If he's not organizing the actors, Mr. Rutledge is on the phone looking for financial support. So far his major sponsors include Scotiabank, Pocock Construction, Mortin Graphic Design, Mode Elle model and talent agency, and Northumberland Publishers.

Mr. Yap is busy designing props, and as the fashion show's choreographer, he's busy training the models.

Explaining why the two would go to such lengths to support the Capitol Theatre, Mr. Rutledge says he and his partner just want to be able to give something back to the community. Not only do they love theatre, he added, "We've never been in a place where you can do something that's so appreciated by the community."

Leading up to the main course, will be two juicy appetizers that will not only show people what to expect in August, but also introduce them to the Lord and Lady. The first is a fashion show set to take place the evening of May 24, as Mr. Rutledge explains, Lady Catherine has just returned from a shopping spree in China. Her little soiree will include some Asian treats and teas, as well as a unique live performance. For more information and tickets to this event, visit Hinchcliff and Lee Oriental Antiques, Campbell Company or Meet Me at 66 King Street. A second event will be held in June.

Although challenging and very time consuming, Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Yap are both thoroughly enjoying the entire planning process for what they're calling Murder in the Moonlight.

"This is something that's never been done before in Northumberland County," he said. "It's huge."

So will this be an annual event?

"Please don't ask me that," he laughed. "I would love it to be if I could just retire first."

However, Mr. Rutledge added, his wheels are already turning for the summer of 2007.

Mendelssohn's Elijah

2006-04-03T03:24:00.000-07:00

Elijah - Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)

Mendelssohn was born into a wealthy and cultured Berlin family. His grandfather, Moses Mendelssohn, was a renowned philosopher and his father, Abraham, was a highly successful banker. After Felix became famous Abraham would sometimes joke, 'I used to be known as the son of my father; now I am known as the father of my son!'

Felix was a precociously gifted child, so much so that the finest musicians of the day hailed him as a second Mozart. This comparison was by no means without foundation; by the time he had reached his mid-teens Mendelssohn had composed a large number of mature works, including twelve string symphonies and his first symphony for full orchestra, written when he was only fifteen. He was sixteen when he wrote the String Octet, and the wonderful overture A Midsummer Night's Dream followed a year later. Mendelssohn's extraordinary gifts were not confined to composition; he went on to become a brilliant pianist and organist, a fine string player and an inspirational conductor. He was also a very good artist and was widely read.

Yet another dimension to Mendelssohn's glittering career was his far-reaching influence as an organiser and administrator. As a result of his tireless efforts with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Leipzig Conservatory, which he founded in 1843, he raised performance standards to new heights and created many opportunities for contemporary composers and performers. He made a major contribution to the revival of interest in Bach's music, which at that time was virtually unknown to the general public. In 1829, when he was still only twenty, he conducted the first public performance of the St. Matthew Passion since Bach's death, an event which, probably more than any other, provided the impetus for the 19th century rediscovery of Bach. He was also a great admirer of the music of Handel and Haydn, whose oratorios he conducted in Leipzig. Mendelssohn visited England many times, where he was received with adulation, feted by the press, and became a great favourite of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

No sooner had Mendelssohn's first oratorio, St. Paul, received its premiere at the Lower Rhine Festival in 1836, than he began thinking about a suitable subject for a new oratorio. The idea of one based on the life of the Old Testament prophet, Elijah, particularly appealed to him. In 1836 he wrote to his friend and librettist Carl Klingemann, 'If you would only give all the care and thought you bestowed upon St. Paul to an Elijah or a St. Peter or even an Og of Bashan!' Unfortunately no suitable libretto was forthcoming, not even an Og of Bashan, and with the ever-pressing demands of his other work he regretfully put the idea to one side. It was to be another ten years before it came to fruition.

The subject of Elijah remained dear to his heart, however, so in 1838 he enlisted the help of his old friend, Pastor Julius Schubring, in drafting a libretto. Mendelssohn had very definite ideas about this. He wrote to Schubring, '…the dramatic element should predominate. The personages should act and speak as if they were living beings.' Schubring disagreed. He clearly felt that the oratorio should be in the nature of a sermon in music, stressing the moral and uplifting aspects of the Old Testament texts, and that any degree of dramatic realism was inappropriate in a sacred work. As a result of these disagreements the project was once more dropped.

Then in 1845 the Birmingham Festival committee wrote to Mendelssohn, asking him if he would write a new oratorio for the following year's Festival. Mendelssohn had attended previous Festivals in 1837, when he had conducted St. Paul, and in 1840, when the Hymn of Praise had been performed. On both occasions he had enjoyed great success. He wrote back accepting the new commission, adding, 'Since some time I have begun an oratorio and hope I shall be able to bring it out for the first time at your Festival; but it is still a mere beginning and I cannot yet give you any promise as to my finishing it in time.' He returned to Elijah with renewed enthusiasm, mostly compiling the libretto himself this time, though he still required Schubring's assistance in selecting suitable texts. He worked feverishly on the score to ensure that it was completed according to schedule.

The first performance, conducted by Mendelssohn himself, took place on the 26th August 1846 before an audience of two thousand who had packed into Birmingham Town Hall for the eagerly-awaited event. It was an unprecedented success. No less than four choruses and four arias were encored, and the applause evidently bordered on the hysterical. Mendelssohn recounted the experience in a letter to his brother. 'No work of mine went so admirably the first time of execution, or was received with such enthusiasm by both the musicians and the audience,' he wrote. The Times' music correspondent was even more effusive. 'The last note of Elijah was drowned in a long-continued unanimous volley of plaudits, vociferous, and deafening,' he reported. 'Mendelssohn…… descended from his position on the conductor's rostrum; but he was compelled to appear again, amidst renewed cheers and huzzas. Never was there a more complete triumph; never a more thorough and speedy recognition of a great work of art.' It was without doubt the crowning glory of Mendelssohn's spectacularly successful career, but tragically it was to prove his last major triumph. A lifetime of overwork now brought rapidly failing health, and when his beloved sister Fanny unexpectedly died, he never recovered from the shock. He died on 4th November1847.

Ever since Handel's Messiah had first captivated audiences in 1743, the oratorio form had occupied a pre-eminent position in the concert halls of England. After its resounding first performance, Elijah immediately established itself as second only to Messiah in the public's affections. It received countless performances in the years just after its composition and this enormous popularity continued scarcely unabated throughout the nineteenth century and beyond. Some measure of this may be judged by the fact that it was performed at the Three Choirs Festival every year from 1847 to 1930.

During the austere post-war period there was a considerable reaction against Mendelssohn's music. To what extent this was an after-effect of the rampant German anti-Semitism of the 1930s and 40s is difficult to determine, but the generally held view, particularly in some sections of the musical establishment, was that his life had been too easy and too comfortable, and that as a consequence his music, with its classical elegance and understated emotion, was superficial and distinctly inferior. In addition, the oratorio as a musical experience was by now less popular with audiences. Because of these changes in the musical climate, and also because of its previous over-exposure, Elijah almost disappeared from the repertoire of a great many choral societies. Thankfully, in recent years there has been a more balanced attitude to Mendelssohn, avoiding both the excessive adulation which surrounded him during his lifetime and the equally absurd denigration of more recent times.

Structurally the work is clearly influenced by the choral masterpieces of Bach and Handel, but its highly dramatic style, at times bordering on the operatic, constitutes a significant step forward from its Baroque predecessors. Elijah has many other outstanding qualities: the imaginative orchestration, the spontaneity and energy of the counterpoint, the variety which Mendelssohn brings to the recitatives to ensure that they always maintain the dramatic impetus, and the sheer beauty of many of the arias and choruses. Above all, there is no mistaking the work's considerable dramatic impact, epitomised by the vivid characterisation of Elijah himself.

Her Majesty review

2006-04-03T03:10:00.000-07:00

A preteen girl's obsessive quest to cross paths with young Queen Elizabeth during latter's 1953 New Zealand tour provides the charming focus for "Her Majesty," L.A.-based director-scenarist Mark Gordon's polished feature debut. Glossy family pic doesn't pull off its more dramatic components as well as the comic ones. Still, heroine's pluck, the mildly exotic Kiwi setting, and overall likability could give this girl's-own-adventure leg-up entree to the same underserved international aud that made recent "The Princess Diaries" a hit.

Star-struck in the wake of the new monarch's coronation and wedding, 12-year-old North Islander Elizabeth Wakefield (Sally Andrews) can think of little beyond her famous namesake's approaching visit to NZ. The queen's precise itinerary hasn't been announced yet -- and Elizabeth seizes that apparent opportunity to send letter after letter abroad, begging QEII grace her own west coast hamlet.

This fixation is shared to a point by best friend Annabel (Anna Sheridan), viewed with modest parental concern (Mark Clare, Alison Routledge), and ridiculed by elder brother Stuart (Craig Elliott). But then latter is a general pain in the arse and prone toward juvenile-delinquent misbehaviors.

News comes that the queen will indeed be stopping by humble Middleton. This instigates furious politicking among locals. Lizzie's dad hopes his cheese factory, burg's primary industry, will make the cut. But he's outmaneuvered by ultra-snob matron Mrs. Hobson (scenery-chewing Liddy Holloway), prez of the local gardening ladies' Rhododendron Trust -- and the mayor's secret mistress.

Mrs. H. will let nothing hinder her anticipated social triumph. One perceived obstacle is Hira Mata (Vicky Haughton), an elderly Maori woman whose grandfather was betrayed and killed by Brit colonialists a hundred years earlier. She harbors bitter resentment toward middle-class Anglo populace that variously regards her as minor nuisance and/or scary "witch." Having witnessed Stuart throwing a brick through Hira's window, Lizzie befriends the at-first-hostile "savage." Lizzie is criticized but refuses to abandon her adult friend. Meanwhile Stuart goes from bad to worse: Encouraged by unscrupulous Mrs. Hobson, he takes drastic steps ensuring both sis and Hira won't sully the queen's imminent visit. Rather corny finale has Elizabeth II herself setting all things aright in a surprise display of contrived political correctness.

Gordon's nifty scenario juggles various aspects -- ordinary brink-of-adolescence growing pains, multicultural-tolerance lessons, suspense gambits -- with entertaining skill. His direction is less assured, especially in handling an uneven cast.

Newcomer Andrews has a gawky charm that lends zip to Lizzie's enthusiasms (like a crush on Cameron Smith's dreamy young drill team coach). But she's out of depth limning protag's precociously strong moral backbone.

Likewise, inexperienced Elliott comes off far too young and bratty-callow to support Stuart's increasingly malevolent actions. Haughton's very theatrical turn as Hira seems better suited to a children's fairy-tale stage production than this generally naturalistic one. Other perfs are capable.

Despite its faltering touch with the story's darker, more melodramatic threads, "Her Majesty" nonetheless proves winning overall thanks to a predominant emphasis on nostalgia, whimsy (heroine's royal audience fantasies include one full-on production number) and droll-to-broad humor.

Period atmosphere is deftly realized, with 1950s bourgeoise styles gently ribbed in Lesley Burkes-Harding's costumes and Kim Sinclair's production design. Stephen M. Katz's color lensing is a treat, editor Virginia Katz's pacing sprightly.

Camera (color), Stephen M. Katz; editor, Virginia Katz; music, William Ross; production designer, Kim Sinclair; art director, Adriana Tuscia; set decorator, Nick Bassett; costume designer, Leslie Burkes-Harding; sound (Dolby Digital), Jeremy Hoenack; assistant director, Wayne Rose; casting, Terri De'Ath, Rachel Bullock. Reviewed at Mill Valley Film Festival, Oct. 6, 2001. Running time: 105 MIN.

Artist Doig works from memory

2006-04-01T03:32:00.000-08:00

Mellow setting for AGO exhibit
Inability to be defined appealing
Mar. 30, 2006. 01:00 AM
PETER GODDARD
VISUAL ARTS COLUMNIST

Visitors to "Peter Doig: Works on Paper" at the Art Gallery of Ontario's Show Gallery will notice the somewhat mellow, private club-like setting afforded the some 45 pieces from the Scotland-born, Canada-raised artist now living in Trinidad.

It's intentional. "We were quite conscious when we were lighting it not to make the light too bright," he explained recently. "You see shadows on the surface of the paintings. It draws you in to look at them. And there is a lot of information here (in the works), a lot more information than if you are showing 10 large paintings."

More than altruism is involved. As high profile as the 46-year-old artist has been recently, Doig has yet to attract a single theory or concept that nails down exactly what he's all about. Individual interpretation, however untutored, is still possible, he thinks.

So not pinning Doig down has evolved as the best way of defining his appeal. The current exhibition is another way. It feels all-over-the-place in some ways and quietly-the-same in others, like an unplugged version of a greatest hits collection.

Start with Margaret Atwood when it comes to interpretation. The Toronto author provides an introduction to the modest, cant-free catalogue for the show that originated with The Gallery at Windsor, in Vero Beach, Fla. Atwood "writes about the experience of looking at Doig's work," notes exhibition curator Kadee Robbins, "and reflects on the source of his images."

As it turns out, the source is "the land of images," writes Atwood, "which is in this world and not in this world, which is in your mind and not in your mind."

This idea is hardly likely to enter the canon of critical thinking.

Yet it does connect with the way Doig's slacker images — such as the stoically scary, wooden, shamanistic figures in Three Bears (1999) made from watercolour, ink and sugar — remind us of the way we remember images. They appear not as they were but as the way we want them to appear.

Memory factors into just about everything Doig does. All the central images in the paintings or drawings — the bearded rocker guy in a canoe in 100 Years Ago (2001), say — come from photos, each one in its own right a world of memory.

Then there's the painter's penchant for dealing with raw material — a landscape or an individual — only after he's been separated from it for some time.

The majority of the images in "Works on Paper" came from a time when Doig was established in London or after his 2002 move to Port of Spain, Trinidad with his wife and family. Yet the show feels just as Canadian — all the landscapes — as "David Milne Watercolours: `Painting Toward the Light'" being offered in an adjacent gallery to May 21. (The AGO attempts to connect the two artists in a perfunctory way at the entrance to the Doig show.)

So you don't need Doig to title a painting Canoe Lake (1999), with an apparently lifeless body in the craft, to think of Tom Thomson, the iconic Canadian painter who died in July 1917 in Algonquin Park's Canoe Lake.

Many of the works themselves are memories in the making as the artist wrestled with various themes and colour variations leading to later versions on canvas.

In Doig's case, the memory image frequently comes from film. The very real transparency of the film image is translated by the painter into his own unreal "transparent figures filled with mystery and promise," in a description from Karen Wright, the editor of Modern Painters, the highly readable British visual arts magazine, in its current cover story on Doig.

Memory is part of perception and is subject to as much intelligent scrutiny as any other aspect of perception in Doig's practice.

Girl in Tree (2001) is based on a photo of one of his daughters, taken by another (he has four, the eldest is 14).

"But I wanted to make it unsentimental," the artist explained as we talked recently. "It was a strange photo.

"She was standing in a bush with a white dress on. I exaggerated it (making) it more ghost like. It's a difficult thing to use your child as a model."

what's on in quinte

2006-04-01T03:12:00.000-08:00

Quinte Arts Council, 36 Bridge Street East, Belleville, Ontario
Office: 613-962-1232

Mar. 25 to Apr. 2 Paper Images Gallery, Elizabeth St., Picton, presents the Maple Photography Show Mar. 25 to Apr. 2. It is a part of the Multi Sensory Maple Experience on Elizabeth St. There will be an urban sugar shack with bonfire, chainsaw and ice carving demonstrations, a story telling circle, musical entertainment, maple flavoured foods and much more. Opening Reception and Maple Event Mar. 25, 11 to 3 p.m. Info: 613-476-1099, www.peggydewitt.com.

Mar. 29 to Apr. 30 The Art Gallery of Bancroft at the Old Station presents Earth Inspiration and Fire, works by Gail West, the English Potter, Mar. 29 to Apr. 30. Opening reception, Mar. 31, 7:30 p.m.

Until May 25 Celebrate Spring, a show and sale of seasonal works by the Stirling Fine Artists, continues at West Wings Café/Gallery in Stirling until May 25.

Mar. 31 The Quinte Acoustic and Fingerstyle Guitar Association presents guitarist/singer/songwriter Alan Rhody at the Belleville Club at 7:30 p.m. on Mar. 31. Tickets: $10.

Mar. 31 Acclaimed jazz pianist, Laila Biali, will perform in The Ritchie Room at Capers Brasserie and Wine Bar, 270 Front St., Belleville, Mar. 31 at 7 p.m. $75 ticket includes a 4-course dinner catered by Capers, taxes and service charges. Call 613-968-7979.

Mar. 31 MusiQuinte presents an informal and informative pre-concert talk for European Mosaic, Quinte Symphony's third MasterWorks concert of the 2005-06 season. Join Quinte Symphony's Principal Cellist, Linda Minty as she explains the music behind Sibelius' Violin Concerto and his Finlandia as well as Beethoven's Symphony no. 8, noon at The Penguin (upstairs), 399 Front St., Belleville. $5 payable at the door. Light lunch menu available. Cash bar. No reservations required. Info: Linda at 613-967-3942.

Apr. 1 Stirling Festival Theatre presents All Fool's Night with Catfish Willie, Tequila Ken, Rick Bauer, Tweed Twangers, Tilly Buggers, Frere Brothers and Goathill Gertie on Apr. 1. Info: 613-395-2100, www.stirlingfestivaltheatre.com.

Deadline Apr. 18 The Quinte Arts Council's Poets Among Us Poetry Contest is accepting submissions – up to two pages of poetry. This contest is open to anyone except the judges and their decision is final. Deadline is Apr. 18, 4:30 p.m. – send poems to the QAC at 36 Bridge St., E. Belleville, ON K8N 5A2 along with $10 entry fee. Cash prizes. Send electronically if able so winners can be published. Winners announced at Poetry Reading at the Belleville Library on June 8, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Songwriters welcome to perform. Info: 613-962-1232, carol@quineartscouncil.org, www.quinteartscouncil.org.

Apr. 1 The Belleville Public Library Art gallery and the Quinte Writers Guild celebrate the arrival of springtime with the 2nd in their Readings by Writers series on April 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. for readings of new works by local authors and poets. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

April 2 to 30 See works on paper, copper and ceramic sculpture by Susan Collett during the month of April at Oeno Gallery, 316 Old Orchard Rd., Carrying Place. Opening reception on Apr. 2 (artist present); join the artist in a lively discussion at the Salon on Apr. 20. Info: www.oenogallery.com, 613-394-2216.

Apr. 1 Covent Garden Fine Art Gallery in Wellington launches their new Art School Apr. 1. The school will run from April to November each year with classes taught by local artists in mediums such as oils, acrylic, watercolour, drawing, woodcarving and much more. Visit www.coventgarden.ca/artschool.htm to learn more. Contact Covent Garden to receive their monthly e-newsletter noting art classes and upcoming shows. Info: 613-399-2981.

Apr. 1 Award-Winning Songwriter Alan Rhody will conduct a Songwriting Workshop on Apr. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 394 Ashley St., Foxboro. The workshop will cover the creative process, song structure and examples of different types, info on demos, pitching songs and publishers, stream-of-consciousness exercises and song critiques. Alan asks that each workshop participant bring paper and pen and one original song on cassette or CD, with printed lyric for critique, if they choose to. He try to review all songs brought in, depending on time and number of songs. To reserve a spot, call Louise Ford at 613-962-0658.

Apr. 2 Quinte Symphony presents European Mosaic at the Empire Theatre, 2:30 p.m. Apr. 2. Violin virtuoso, Tak Kwan, performs the boldly rhythmic Sibelius Violin Concerto. Also on the programme is Sibelius' Finlandia and Beethoven's Symphony no. 8. Tickets: 613-969-0099. Info: www.quintesymphony.com.

Apr. 3 Cinefest Picton at the Regent Theatre presents The Squid and the Whale on Apr. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Info: www.theregenttheatre.org/cinefest.html

Apr. 5 The Central Hastings Artfest 2006 will be held July 28 to August 7 throughout Central Hastings and will feature fine art and craft, entertainment, demonstrations, children's programs, workshops and retreats. Artists of all disciplines are invited to participate. For information, contact Kelly Foxton at 613-473-3881 or Michael Rutland at 613-395-0088. Visit www.centrehastings.com. They will be holding an Information Session on April 5 at 6 p.m. at the Madoc Library and Cultural Centre. Interested artists are welcome to attend.

Apr. 5 The Apr. 5 Brown Bag Lunch at the Belleville Public Library Art Gallery will feature a talk on World Health Day with Mark Burgess, Director, Corporate Communications Quinte Health Care. The program starts at noon with a musical prelude by Esmond Skidmore. Everyone is welcome and admission is free. Tea and coffee are available. Info: 613-968-6731.

Apr. 5 The Kingston Symphony will perform Bach's St. John Passion with soloists and the Kingston Choral Society on Apr. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral. Tickets: 613- 530-2050, www.grandtheatre-kingston.com.

Apr. 5 and May 3 Conversations About Art With Otto Rogers is a series of conversations with artist Otto Roger on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. Themes are Principles and Elements; Apr. 5 - Art as Metaphor: Method and Materials; and May 3 - Art as Perception: Soul and Rational Thought. Admission is free; you may register by contacting Cathy Deuber at 613-476 - 9611.

Apr. 7 The Town and Country Camera Club will meet at their new location, the first Wednesday of each month, at Loyalist College, Pioneer Building, Room P17A. On April 7 Cyril Sharpe will discuss the Transition from 35mm to Digital Photography. For more information call Harriet, 613-293-4449 or Tony 294-5393.

Apr. 7 and 8 Centennial Secondary School in Belleville presents Brigadoon Apr. 7 and 8. Tickets: at the school office or at the door.

Apr. 8 The Canadian Federation of University Women Belleville and District present Rights at Risk Post 9/11 on Apr. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Empire Theatre. Dr. Monia Mazigh, wife of Maher Arar, tells of the harrowing struggle to free her husband from torture in Syria. Proceeds to Amnesty International and the Arar-Mazigh Family. Tickets: $5 from CFUW members. Info: 613-967-2754.

quinte arts events

2006-03-30T03:07:00.000-08:00

March 24 Stirling Festival Theatre presents Jessica Holmes (member of Royal Canadian Air Farce) and Guests on Mar. 24. Info: 613-395-2100, www.stirlingfestivaltheatre.com.

March 24 The Quinte Acoustic and Fingerstyle Guitar Association presents guitarist/songwriter Brooke Miller on Mar. 24 8 p.m. at the Belleville Club. Info: 613-962-0658 or email b1ford@sympatico.ca.

Mar. 24 Four-time winner of the Maple Blues Awards, The Maureen Brown Band, will perform Mar. 24 at the Bohemian, Belleville. Admission: $10.

Mar. 24 The Kingston Symphony and Kingston Gospel Temple will perform Hit the Road Jack: The Music of Ray Charles on Mar. 24 at 8 p.m. at the Kingston Gospel Temple. Featuring Dee Daniels and her 4 octaves of gospel, blues and jazz inspired vocals. Tickets: Grand Theatre, 613-530-2050 or www.grandtheatre-kingston.com.

Mar. 25 and 26 Maple in the County will be held Mar. 25 and 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout Prince Edward County. Events include The Waring House Fiddle Feast and the Sugar Bush Fiddle and Dance Concert at the Regent Theatre. Info: 613-393-2796, 1-866-845-6644, www.thecounty.ca/maple.

Mar. 25 The Trenton Craft Guild is presenting their Spring Arts and Crafts Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 57 Stella Crescent in Trenton. A juried craft show with a large variety of handcrafted items. Admission is $1.

Mar. 25 and 26 Covent Garden Fine Art Gallery presents Small Wonders Group Show on March 25 and 26 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Trenton Town Hall, 55 King Street, Trenton. Opening reception with the artists Mar. 25 from 11-5. Visit http://www.coventgarden.ca/smallwonders.htm for further details.

Mar. 25 to Apr. 2 Paper Images Gallery, Elizabeth St., Picton, presents the Maple Photography Show Mar. 25 to Apr. 2. It is a part of the Multi Sensory Maple Experience on Elizabeth St. There will be an urban sugar shack with bonfire, chainsaw and ice carving demonstrations, a story telling circle, musical entertainment, maple flavoured foods and much more. Opening Reception and Maple Event Mar. 25, 11 to 3 p.m. Info: 613-476-1099, www.peggydewitt.com.

Mar. 26 The Regent Theatre in Picton presents Sugarbush Fiddle and Dance Concert featuring The Wakami Wailers, Zeke Mazurek, Jamie Snider, Ann Lederman and Conrad Kipping, step dancing duo The Maracle Sisters, Tom Leighton and a special appearance by The Found Brothers on Mar. 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets at the Regent box office.

Mar. 26 Make a Joyful Noise, the first annual Choir Invitational Event, will be held at Bridge Street Church, Belleville on Mar. 26 at 2:30 p.m. Four Choirs will be participating. The audience will have the opportunity to participate. Free-will offering.

Mar. 28 to Apr. 29 Gallery One-Twenty-One, 48 Bridge St. E., Belleville, will show works by Barbara Whelan and guest artist Paula Zoubek, Mar. 28 to Apr. 29. Opening reception: Apr. 2, 2 to 4 p.m.

Mar. 29 The Quinte Film Alternative shows films every second Wed. at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Empire Theatre in Belleville. On Mar. 29 see Mrs. Henderson Presents. Info: www.quintefilmalternative.ca, 613-391-4310. Tickets: 613-969-0099.

March 29 Stirling Festival Theatre presents The Ontario Central Reservist Band of the Salvation Army, Mar. 29 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Info and tickets: 613-395-2100, www.stirlingfestivaltheatre.com.

Mar. 29 to Apr. 30 The Art Gallery of Bancroft at the Old Station presents Earth Inspiration and Fire, works by Gail West, the English Potter, Mar. 29 to Apr. 30. Opening reception, Mar. 31, 7:30 p.m.

Until May 25 Celebrate Spring, a show and sale of seasonal works by the Stirling Fine Artists, continues at West Wings Café/Gallery in Stirling until May 25.

Call to artists. The Central Hastings Artfest 2006 will be held July 28 to August 7 throughout Central Hastings and will feature fine art and craft, entertainment, demonstrations, children's programs, workshops and retreats. Artists of all disciplines are invited to participate. For information, contact Kelly Foxton at 613-473-3881 or Michael Rutland at 613-395-0088.

Mar. 30 Habitat for Humanity Ham Supper will be held Mar. 30 at St. Thomas Anglican Church, Belleville, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. sittings. Tickets: St. Thomas Church and Quinte Arts Council.

Mar. 31 The Quinte Acoustic and Fingerstyle Guitar Association presents guitarist/singer/songwriter Alan Rhody at the Belleville Club at 7:30 p.m. on Mar. 31. Tickets: $15. Rhody will lead a Songwriting Workshop at the Ford residence in Foxboro (the craft of songwriting and promoting) on Apr. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $30. To register for the workshop, call 613-962-0658 or email b1ford@sympatico.ca.

Mar. 31 Acclaimed jazz pianist, Laila Biali, will perform in The Ritchie Room at Capers Brasserie and Wine Bar, 270 Front St., Belleville, Mar. 31 at 7 p.m. $75 ticket includes a 4-course dinner catered by Capers, taxes and service charges. Call 613-968-7979.

Mar. 31 MusiQuinte presents an informal and informative pre-concert talk for European Mosaic, Quinte Symphony's third MasterWorks concert of the 2005-06 season. Join Quinte Symphony's Principal Cellist, Linda Minty as she explains the music behind Sibelius' Violin Concerto and his Finlandia as well as Beethoven's Symphony no. 8, noon at The Penguin (upstairs), 399 Front St., Belleville. $5 payable at the door. Light lunch menu available. Cash bar. No reservations required. Info: Linda at 613-967-3942.

Apr. 1 Stirling Festival Theatre presents All Fool's Night (Catfish Willie, Tequila Ken, Rick Bauer, Tweed Twangers, Tilly Buggers, Frere Brothers and Goathill Gertie) on Apr. 1. Tickets and info: 613-395-2100, www.stirlingfestivaltheatre.com.

Apr. 1 The Belleville Public Library Art gallery and the Quinte Writers Guild celebrate the arrival of springtime with the 2nd in their Readings by Writers series on April 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. for readings of new works by local authors and poets. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

April See works on paper, copper and ceramic sculpture by Susan Collett during the month of April at Oeno Gallery, 316 Old Orchard Rd., Carrying Place. Opening reception on Apr. 2 (artist present); join the artist in a lively discussion at the Salon on Apr. 20. Info: www.oenogallery.com, 613-394-2216.

Apr. 1 Covent Garden Fine Art Gallery in Wellington launches their new Art School Apr. 1. The school will run from April to November each year with classes taught by local artists in mediums such as oils, acrylic, watercolour, drawing, woodcarving and much more. Visit www.coventgarden.ca/artschool.htm to learn more. Info: 613-399-2981

For more events, click on our Calendar page.