Kingston Arts Diary

Kingston 2010 - Not too shabby

2010-12-31T17:29:00.000-08:00

Image: Scylla and Charbydis by Alana Kapell (at The Art Rental & Sales Gallery)

Good memories of the arts in Kingston, 2010 -in no particular order (the Kingstonlife.ca blog will have an order, coming out soon). Well, sort of in order,

The Happiness Project, Charles Spearin and friends, brought in by Apple Crisp
The Happiness Project house and Don Maynard's bathroom
Elton John 0 Yeah.
Gordon Lightfoot...sort of sad
All that dance at the Grand
Kim in The Year of Magical Thinking, Theatre Kingston
Thousand Islands Playhouse - 3 major shows to love (Blood Brothers, Another Home Invasion, Master Harold and The Boys - Also the Chic Gamine Concert
John's show (Trouble on Dibble Street!) at St. Law Shakespeare Fest in Prescott
All the energy from Jim Garrad and friends that went into the Sir John A Back From The Dead Concert Tour (although the title maybe...was too much fun for the room)
Don Maynard's Franken Forest at the Agnes (Particularly the Flock piece)
Modern Fuel everything
Rockne Corrigan as Hamlet in The King's Conscience...and the cabaret style set up at the Baby Grand for it
The Wm. Bremner show at the Agnes E
Writers' Fest growing all the time -but CR Avery and Joyce Carol Oates the faves
Measha Bruggergosman in tiny Syd. St. United Church
The rather strange Jonah piece led by R. Murray Schaefer himself at Sy. St. U Church
She Sings! - and I'm in it...
Cirque du Soleil...it was actually great
Trevor Strong - anything he does
The Kingston Arts Council getting the www.artskingston.ca website up (now you have to fill it, folks)
The endless consultations for City of Kingston Cultural Plan, but it's a good one
The dauntless Brenda and programming for Arts & Letters Club
The Kollaboration Kingston project - particularly Andrea Graham, Jane Thelwell, Trevor Waurechan,and Lenny Epstein, and great guidance by Lindsey Fair
Painting classes with Ben DarrahStrange painting classes with an unnamed teacher
Stuart Ross really rocking the reading scene for a too brief time
Mary's Wedding by Blue Canoe (really!)
The energy of Reel Out Film Fest
The new dedication to edgy smaller theatre at the Grand
THe artists of Kingston (are a pretty cool bunch, overall...)
And a special place of fondness (and for their tolerance of my high blood pressure!) The Arts Tarts

And, of course, getting to know new artists all the time through the old job at the Arts Council and the new one at the Art Rental & Sales Gallery.

Keep it growing, dear K-town

Moves and Visions - Quidam & Rubberband Dance

2010-12-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

This week we got to shame the pounds back into those holiday chocolate boxes by going to see two artistically and physically motivating pieces: RUBBERBANDance Group’s Loan Sharking and and Cirque du Soleil’s first visit to Kingston with Quidam. The sense of human possibilities that even occasional visits to these venues unleashes has to be worth every penny spent on them, and I think annual visits to both the Grand’s Dance Series and the event of your choice at KRock are well worth saving up for.

It was my first Grand dance event of the season, and a long-awaited one. Compared to many dance troupes, RUBBERBANDance Group’s performers seemed particularly young: a limber and nearly gymnastic team of lithe and healthy bodies where gender power was both downplayed and equally distributed. I don’t think anyone except the founder Victor Quijada was over 30. The dancers undulated in unison and threw their bodies utterly relentlessly through sequence after sequence of a fusion of hip-hop/locking inspired and body-contact style moves, performing on top of strong and playfully jarring lighting designs and soundscapes from Stravinsky, Brubeck and Jasper Gahunia, a former award-winning “battle DJ.” The total effect was curiously delightful, and the audience fell in love with them – although the troupe’s Achilles heel is also their signature. Their total reliance on the admittedly brilliant moves and an apparent disinterest in emotional engagement, story, or greatly varying emotional dynamics also kept me from feeling entirely engaged with them. Nonetheless, the movers themselves are inspiring and the sense of exploration from Quijada and his entire team (including the designers) is palpable. I’d definitely come back again to check out the virtuosity of performers like Emmanuelle Le Phan and to see how the energetic young company is proceeding.

On the other hand, I expected Cirque du Soleil to be stunning strange eye candy and little more – but went out of curiosity to see how it would play at the KRock Centre. As ever, the scrap of a storyline inserted (a young girl who is whisked away from her boring family to another Neverland-style dimension) is almost gratuitious, but it was an entry to an utterly wonderful world of strangely beautiful and extraordinary performers and delightful visions and yet seemed like tasting a meal of wonderful strange new fruit. I love being in awe of humanity – both in terms of accomplishment and vision – and Cirque again provided huge doses of each. I also loved that I became so caught up in the sense of dream they create that I nearly had to pinch myself to remember “holy crap –those are all real people up there!” In a continually digitally enhanced world, it’s more important all the time. Quidam, although a smaller scale than their tent shows, was even more charming than the last piece I saw (Corteo) – and the rope acrobats, an “Adam and Eve” pair of gymnasts who balanced neck-on-neck for one-legged stands and other feats, the finale acrobats, and four young Chinese yo-yo jugglers were particularly amazing. I’m going back to thinking that Cirque is a must-see every few years, at least – in spite of a misplaced generalization that they have veered into sheer commercialism. (It also continues to tickle me that Guy LaLiberte came out of the same mime school I did…and he still has a hand in it all. And all those fixed point/undulating locking moves… I’m just sayin’…) Ahem, back to the gym

Surprises in Simple Things

2010-11-30T05:50:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to recant my rant about an earlier production I saw by Blue Canoe, but I'm sure glad that people perservere until they really get it right. Mary's Wedding, which the company produced for a very short run with Fifth Company Lane productions last week was 97% perfect. Sometimes one fears a beautiful script might be ruined by less-than-seasoned direction or casting, but in this case the youth and freshly unaffected but heartfelt performances of the two cast members (Meredith Busteed and Sean Ogle) under the impeccable eye of director Anja Zeljkovic meant for a perfect night at the theatre. Nice use, sparingly, of emblematic choreography, too. Biggest quibble -- you don't get an evening like that without the playwright...and the audiences deserve biographical materials on the writer in the programme. They should never be 'Out of sight, out of mind." Massicotte is a treasure, and this work is now a Canadian classic.

Congratulations, in any case.

Also hugely enjoyed the dark circus put on by the Upper Canada Performing Arts people, mostly on the spur of the moment (and with the help of great performers such as the Swamp Ward Orchestra) last week. Clarke Mackey is right --vernacular culture can really have impact. The Kingston Symphony's flash mob last weekend at Cataraqui Town Centre is another case in point. (And if you still want to donate to Upper Canada's curtain campaign, they may soon have the most versatile and affordable space in town!)

Other simple but sweet events coming up - concerts by the Voices of Joy, She Sings and Kingston Choral Society this weekend, and the Fat Goose Craft Fair Dec. 12 at the Renaissance Ballroom. I would be particularly remiss if I didn't point out that the Gallery Shop at the Agnes has a small but very sweet selection of work by local artists (under $400) and artisans ($8=200). Open every afternoon except Mondays.

You Can't Always Get A Chihuahua

2010-11-13T19:44:00.000-08:00

A few years ago at the Playhouse, our funny bones were really tickled discovering the phrase "you can't always get a chihuahua," substituted somewhere for the Stones' lyric of "You Can't Always Get What You Want.." This week, it started to seem that there wasn't a chihuahua around, as I'd been looking right and left without much success for cultural highs. Measha Brueggergosman left me unfulfilled... I got annoyed as hell at the Arts and Letters Club debate about arts elitism and vernacular culture. Theatre Kingston's new show also brought up a few "issues." Maybe I should just stay home and read from now on? I started to wonder.

But on the seventh day she clapped. Whistled. Smiled. Tonight I found that delight still lurks out there in the world, and truly in the unlikeliest of places. Who would have told me that, when my friend got sick and I couldn't go to see Royal Wood and Hannah Georgas, I'd actually be in for a fabulous time by "settling" for a show of old barbershop singers doing a tribute to the military? I'm an old draft dodger, remember? And someone who's not comfortable (yet) in a room full of old men. At all.

Now, the joy wasn't the Kingston Townsmen themselves, as nice and earnest as they are, nor the sepia-tinted military promo films at the beginning. But the group itself has to get a huge credit for assembling some totally unexpected talents, and ones that I, and a lot of others, would never have seen otherwise. A choir and sax quartet from RMC? Never would have gone. A group of young male barbershoppers, the modern equivalent of Forever Plaids? Probably would have passed. Ernestown Secondary SchoolChoir? "I'll see my own grandkids someday."

Well, this is the instance of "vernacular culture" Clarke Mackey had been talking about at Arts and Letters, and it worked. The RMC Choir and sax quartet were superb --at the top of their game (and also heartfelt and moving in their singing.) "May they never have to go to war, they're so lovely" I thought, stereotypes shattering away. And the young guys,the Rendezvous Quartet "hot damn" is all I can say. (Check out their YouTubes, and rendezvousquartet.com. Invite them back, somebody!)

Here I thought I was just going to go to the concert, listen to my Ipod before the show, be a nice wife and a good sport, and not feel too sorry for myself about not having a date to Royal Wood (next time Royal, save me a seat)...and it was absolutely energizing. Amateurs, doing it all for the love of it, and aiming for the top. Vernacular culture --with standards. Absolutely.

You can't always get a chihuahua... you can't always get a chihuahua (all together now:) You can't always get a chihuahua...but if you try sometime, you might find, you get a burmese!

Sight and Sound art - the next 14 days

2010-10-31T16:47:00.000-07:00

It's a lively week two weeks ahead. Time left to choose, but still busy!

Monday Nov. 1 -Real Resident Reading Series, Grad Club. 7:30; Writers Martha Baillie/Trevor Strong

Tues Nov. 2 7 -9 Reception for The Annual Tone Deaf Festival at Modern Fuel, which runs until Nov.6 Also, 7-10 Poetry Night at the Artel
Thurs. Nov. 4 - 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Free day at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, opening day of the Seasonal Showcase in the Atrium, featuring 60 regional/regionally connected artists (come and visit me.) Street parking free, eves.

Sat. Nov. 6, 2-4 Meet and Greet the artists, Seasonal Showcase
7:30 p.m., Hear in the Dark (just what it says)from Tone Deaf Festival at the Vogt studio, Carruthers Hall on campus

Sun. Nov. 7 - 2 pm Free film, Winds of Heaven, about Emily Carr, with talk by director Michael Ostroff, Etherington Hall
Evening, Sydenham United: Measha Bruggersgosman Queen's Performing Arts.

Tues. Nov. 9- Face Off, 7 pm. Confederation Place Hotel, Arts & Letters, the highs and lows of amateur/community arts and professional. Is there elistism? Should there be?

Thurs Nov. 11 - Opening night of Theatre Kingston's The Attic The Pearls and Three Fine Girls, Baby Grand Theatre

Sat. Nov. 13 Choice between Royal Wood and Hannah Georgas (Grad Club) and opening reception for of Reconaissance, an intriguing art show about views of war, Modern Fuel and Scott Wallis in the State of Flux.

Also check out Maker's Hand, the artisan's fair in Picton (Nov 6/7) and the Studio Tour featuring JT Winik, Barb Carr, Lee-Ann Taras, Nov. 13.14

Norman didn't entirely conquer...but glad it came!

2010-10-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

This was a week for edgy Canadian film - starting with the big ticket, much anticipated and somewhat disappointing Norman, by 4-D Art, at the Grand Theatre and winding up with intimate free Canadian art films at the Agnes.

4-D Art’s Norman is a fascinating choice to launch the edgier new Grand Theatre Series, and it’s safe to say you’ve never seen anything so visually powerful on the Grand’s Stage before. Co-created by Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon and performed by dancer Peter Trosztmer about the extraordinary late Canadian (NFB) filmmaker Norman McLaren, Norman featured hypnotic and gigantic film clips from McLaren’s truly avant-garde films that were talked at, talked about, danced to, and danced about…with superimposed interviews (mostly in French, with surtitles) to help provide background on his uniqueness. Particularly brilliant were the dance between Trosztmer and McLaren in Chairy Tale; his playing with the Merles song (in which various bird parts come together and come apart) and a piece called Mosaic, where Trosztmer danced between the already-dancing dots of McLaren’s film. The show was a theatrical “McLaren 101”, a great introduction to the filmmaker – who more than deserves resurrecting and re-examining. My quibble, however, the script was weak (a throwback to the 50’s documentaries McLaren himself would have mocked) and more performers and varied choreography (with no - or far less -dialogue) would have made it a much stronger piece, and one befitting its subject.

At the Agnes Etherington, a devoted little group gathered for the second part of a free series put together by Frances Leeming. The theme of Thursday's (Oct. 28th)was Persistence or Vision, and each of the films certainly demonstrated persistence/endurance of both subject and viewer. My fave was Daniel Cockburn's 2002 Metronome, a brilliant "heart tapping" piece, as well as Our Marilyn, which genuinely immersed you into the world of swimmer Marilyn Bell.
Keep your eye out for more films and talks, www.aeac.ca. Oh, and there were at least 5 available parking spots right across the street...plus the gallery is free on Thursdays. What more do people want? Dunno.

Sitting and The Arts--- A Balancing Act

2010-10-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

October. This year I'm trying to get smarter: "acquire more knowledge while taking advantage of Kingston's primary asset (Queen's)." So far it's meant a fair amount of sitting...and a wee bit of foot jiggling and hand-pinching to stay awake,but there has been an overall decent balance between obtaining some valuable knowledge and the having the odd giggle afterwards.

Oct. 2 we rushed back from the curious experience of Nuit Blanche General Idea film from the Art Docs series at the Agnes E. (It was both hilarious and moving, bringing back the good old days of the 70's and yet the terrible loss of two of the three group members to AIDS. The brilliantly executed and powerful deathbed portrait of one of them in the Agnes' New Canadiana exhibit is a must-see.)

But the pleasure was short-lived. 2 days later I could only take an hour of suffering through the generally ill-prepared and art-naive ramblings at the All Candidates' Focus on the Arts meeting (where only two candidates seem to have done their homework). I greatly appreciated Vicki Schmolka's speaking about what experiencing the arts as a spectator actually does to her, and extrapolating that to how they can then transform a community. It was a huge relief to rush off to the Arts and Letters Club afterwards and be with real artists! Writer-in-Residence Stuart Ross was outrageously hilarious, in a poem rant about a boring play...and Trevor Strong is a truly bright light.

Still, we figured that a Queen's film dep't/Reelout presentation (connected to the much-anticipated 4D- Art Norman that visits the Baby Grand Oct. 27) would have to be better than that. The talk was almost the antithesis of animator McLaren's fluid style, but my favourite takeaway was watching the audience pretend not to notice the flickers of fairly hardcore porn inside part of the animation clips brought in by ReelOut.

It was hilarious watching the Grand Theatre employee contingent trying to act nonplussed about it all... and I immediately fantasized about the (uninformed/innocuous/evil) candidates from the previous evening sitting down for an evening of that sort of thing. Oh, they could probably endure the porn but I'm sure that mixing it into "art" would be far more than most of them could handle.

But one shouldn't tar all politicians with the same brush. I have to hand it to Bill Glover, who came out for all three hours of the very comprehensive Revealing Art seminar by Kamille Parkinson at the closing-soon Wellington Street Gallery. That's walking the walk. Or it makes you want to, afterwards. Happy Sitting...

Art After Dark tonight

2010-09-23T06:21:00.001-07:00

Art After Dark from 7-10 p.m. tonight will be a wonderful way to add the splash of local artists to that of our visiting (writer) artists. Daniel Hughes and Margaret Hughes at Frameworks is near the Grand's photo exhibition and particularly central. Also Studio 22 across from the Market Square.

It's Culture Days, remember. Time to walk the walk and show culture is actually fun.

Art After Dark, WritersFest, Wood and Fuel!

2010-09-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

The moon is glowing full, and so is the week (and month) ahead. After taking a break all summer, time to get serious about artshopping.

Although it's a great week ahead, I've one big complaint: I wish Downtown Kingston had moved its wonderful Art After Dark, because I think it will suffer, not benefit from, the competition of the WritersFest events. I really want to see Bob Blenderman's work at Studio 22, and the Water for Life photographs, taken in Africa, at the Grand Theatre -- but then will have to dash off to the actor Nicky Guardini doing a staged reading of Carolyn Smart's very neat women's monologues, "Hooked." (Just reading that inspired our family to read Carson McCullers this summer...she's truly captured some interior mindscapes.) But if you're not seeing a WritersFest event on THursday, give the Art After Dark a shot. It's free and wonderful.

Merilyn Simonds has created a phenomenal Writersfest, but I'm "only" going to the evening events. In addition to Hooked, we're seeing the opening night Paul Quarrington piece and Joyce Carol Oates and "the poets" (especially Jill Battson) on Friday night's Vox Performa.

Saturday, I think I'll head off to Tamworth to check out a sale at the beautiful Stinson Wood Studios...and Bon Eco Design followed by the opening of Homelands at Modern Fuel (then probably popping over to the WritersFest Saturday Night Speakeasy, which was a lot of fun last year, as poets/writers improvised to Jonathan Stewart and friends.

Next week it quiets down a bit, (so why isn't THAT Art After Dark week?) which is a good time to check out Night at the Firehall Theatre. It wasn't my favourite script of all time, but the depiction of an Inuit community is very powerful, and the young woman in the lead is amazing.

We actually booked a hotel to go and see Nuit Blanche in Toronto Oct. 2 - a good time to also catch the wild ceramicist Shary Boyle at the AGO.

It's also time to get the Grand Theatre "alternate theatre' Package at the Baby Grand, which offers options for all three Theatre Kingston shows (the Attic and the Pearls and Three Fine Girls starts their season in November (Norman 4D, about Norman McLaren kicks off the Grand's Theatre series on Oct. 20.) www.kingstongrand.ca

That's it for spectator sports right now. Omigosh, Micky Rooney is in town today. Life is so strange.

Rainy knight in Kingston

2010-07-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

This summer I've actually been trying to learn to just enjoy things. Sure, I'm a bit overdue, but you have to start somewhere and I'm starting with things like the garden, sitting in the sunshine, biking, you know - NORMAL things. We're still bouncing around trying to sample the arty stuff, but since we can't get out of town much (with my husband's new Shakespeare-influenced play Trouble on Dibble Street opening in Prescott), we pretty well had to keep ourselves busy here. Would it be enough? At first, I didn't think so.

In June, I had three wonderful experiences at the Thousand Islands Playhouse (Blood Brothers and Another Home Invasion - still on - and a Monday Night Series offering, Chic Gamine . Locally, I was a little lukewarm about some of our other ent choices (including the Buskerfest, which just doesn't do it for me).

So I just buried my head in taking a painting class and doing some work UNTIL I scored a ticket for Elton John's K-Rock Centre concert at the last minute! Now, I was never much of a rocker, but how can Sir EJ's music not be inside you -if you're somewhere between 30 and 60? I had to go alone, and I'll admit my first catty thought was "This is one place where I don't have to be sheepish about my overdue haircut or wardrobe" --since looking good isn't much part of what happens at K-Rock concerts. And when it started I thought "maybe I just don't have this aging rock and roll fan gene."

But Sir Elton really, really "saved my life tonight." The show was a bit late starting because all the drenched spectators took longer to get into the building, but once it started, he didn't let up. His fingers rolled over those keys, the songs kept coming and coming, and in spite of looking a bit like a cuddly granny...that voice still comes from the core.

You couldn't get a stronger reminder about the power of really loving what you do, continuing to go for it in a huge way, and the utter payoff of using your talents generously and playfully. The concert experience wasn't just about nostalgia - he lit the house on fire for more than 2 hours without a break. I admit the oldies of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Daniel and Rocket Man all made me cry, but rockin' out with Crocodile Rock , The Bitch is Back, and Bennie and the Jets was actually....FUN. I had FUN!!! With thousands of people!!! With bad hair and so-so clothes!!! Go figure. I don't know where Sir Elton flies to now on his private jet - but he leaves behind a lot of very happy people. Right here in little old Kingston! And they're not all wearing funny boas.

Summer isn't such a bad thing. Rain or shine.

summer is not a silly season

2010-06-20T09:32:00.000-07:00

We're trying to stay abreast of all the good stuff, and falling a bit behind. This past week we did get to Drama and Desire at the AGO where hub ran into a former student, Alex Dault, who gets to "schmact" to pep up the interesting exhibit of art work based on a few centuries of theatre!

Since we had only one day in, had to pass on Luminato - except for the wonderful strangeco designed inflatable sculptures in Queen's Park.

Back home wasn't bad, however, as I had another wander through Don Maynard's Franken Forest at the Agnes Etherington, art and nature combined in the coolest of ways...then popped in to hear CR Avery as part of Skeleton Park Music Festival at the Mansion. Now HE was incredible, doing beat boxing great stuff (don't you hate, don't you hate, don't you hate it when...) as well as simple banjo pickin. Then we thought "hey, try a Blue Canoe show if you can't get out in a real canoe." So we went to Tick, Tick, Boom at the Baby Grand.

Okay, great aspirations, but theatre is already SOOOOOOOOOOO complex, I don't know why students think "all we have to do is pull some great people together with an interesting show and rent a space." Doesn't help that our local reviewer is really easily impressed (by some things.) Sorry - main quibble - the lead character is supposed to be an angst filled musical theatre writer (written by and based on the late Jonathan Larson, of RENT fame). The young man playing him was not only 10 years too young, but was not somehow directed to fill his body with the passion that the role absolutely requires. And the staging was really limited, partially by deciding to do it as corridor staging (both sides). Two lovely female stars, however - Alysa King and Brianna Roberts. As a musical, an early musical of Larson's, it is weak and dated --as a sociological document (since he died on the first preview night of RENT) it's rather interesting. Admittedly, I've never been a fan of RENT, but he was certainly a huge force in theatre.

BUT I'm not, I'm not, I'm not going to any more student based shows unless someone in the family is associated with them. People from professional training schools aren't allowed to stage productions until they're finished...for good reason. You get smug, because your pals rave -- Hard work and dedication alone don't guarantee good products. And it's not "all about you!"

Now, off to the Thousand Islands Playhouse, where Blood Brothers (not my favourite show, either, but I live in hope...) apparently has a dynamite cast.

summer arts season

2010-06-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

On one level, arts in Kingston are a bit quiet at the moment (and we missed most of May, since we went away, getting inspired in France) - but the studio tours were lovely (particularly Joanna Winik's home, with all the moody but quizzical unframed works filling her whole house) and Art After Dark gave a second chance to see the really strong abstracts at Wellington Street Art Gallery and the playfully presented show at Modern Fuel. Also love the Don Maynard Franken Forest installation at The Agnes (which I will continue to call it, in my private time) - it's one of those installations which is better to visit on a non-opening night, because you can really feel that you're in a solitary forest, or watching a flock of birds pass by. On the other hand, I'm afraid the Pride Fest parade was FAR more artful than their art exhibition at the Artel. Signage by Scott Wilson was riddled with typos, and I'm SURE there's far higher quality locally gay-created art than those pieces represented. Very disappointed. Am, however, looking forward to Trevor Waurechen's two openings (a loud one and a quiet one) this week at the Artel. His whimsical work sometimes verges on cartoony --but has quite a nice edge.

Theatrically - the Thousand Islands Playhouse is getting going in Gan (don't go over without checking out the English Pub that opened on the main street. Good food. Good atmo) 39 Steps wasn't my cuppa...but hear that the upcoming Blood Brothers (musical) cast is primo. Folks there are saddened (rightfully) with this week's passing of Dennis Horn, the designer who added so much brilliance to their productions over the years. I'm personally most looking forward to the Firehall's Another Home Invasion (by the West Coast's brilliant Joan McLeod) particularly since I can't seem to get to Toronto for stuff these days.

Am choosing the opening of Sir John A Back From The Dead Concert Tour in Kingston June 23rd over the Firehall opening night, just because these guys have gone at the whole thing with such gusto, and a real "mentoring mix" between Jim Garrard and Layne Coleman and the whole young cast and crew they've involved.

(We will, however be popping out of town to 4th Line Theatre and GCTC in Ottawa yet this month, then Montreal's Centaur Theatre for the hilarious sequel to Mom's The Word in July. )Kingston's Wellington Street Theatre also has a bunch of plays on...but the lack of consistency in quality experiences there is off-putting. Rather tempted to see the Blue Canoe piece about Jonathan Larsen, which has just opened.

But the fact that the Skeleton Park Music Fest is about to start this week is fabulous. Gertrudes and Rueben de Groot Weds at Syd. U. Church (free)--Ken Whiteley at Skeleton Park on the weekend, CJ Avery at the Mansion. Whoopeee. And Girls Nite Out at Ben's tonight sounds absolutely fabulous.

Year of Magical Thinking - an honest portrait of a unique mind

2010-04-25T15:11:00.000-07:00

Whenever tragedy suddenly hits anyone - especially multiple tragedies - the first thing you wonder is "how will they ever get through it?" Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking, impeccably performed for Theatre Kingston by Artistic Director Kim Renders, gives us one very famous, admittedly privileged, and talented woman's response to just such a situation. Not only did writer Didion's longtime life and creative partner suddenly die - but it was at a time when their only child was in a coma, with more health challenges ahead.

Far from being a formulatic, chest-thumping grief purge, the detailed script of The Year of Magical Thinking is a compellingly honest look into the very articulate, not always logical or admirable, but utterly authentic coping strategies that Didion employed to cope with her famous husband's death and her daughter's repeated hospitalizations. It was Magical Thinking - something she wasn't terribly proud of, but which sustained her, all the same. And which she shares with us.

What Didion selects to tell us about the night her husband died - and the hope-fraught time thereafter- is probably closer to an actual survivor's experience than anything you'll ever see on television -or that most people will share with you. Grief, like God, is in the details. Wanting to keep the shoes in the closet. The tone of someone's voice. The way you avoid anything that will send you deeper - until you're ready.

This show, and Render's performance are both unique and thought-provoking. While hearing Didion tell how she "did it" - you're also amazed at how Renders does it - all 90 minutes,without ever dipping into cliche or melodrama. They are telling us a story. A story about the mind. A story about life.

It is also useful information. Don't employ magical thinking to convince yourself that it isn't. As Didion says "when it happens to you - and it will" - it will be good to know that the things you think, and the things you feel do not have to be Hallmark card/grief therapy platitudes. Your own interior resources can actually get you through.

Sit, and listen. It's important information.

Lin Bennett

Gordon Lightfoot in concert- pass my cane!

2010-04-12T16:31:00.000-07:00

Carefree Highway, one of the first songs in Gordon Lightfoot’s Kingston K-Rock Centre concert this weekend, talked about picking up pieces of a dream and wondering about how the old folks are. He certainly didn’t have to look too far, if he really wanted to know. The sea of white hairs and shining bald pates (including those of his band) was looking complacent, bored, and maybe quietly hoping for a brief reconnection with their pasts – a past where people called them “beautiful” and said they would “never stray” and the future was still ahead. The cold spotlight of a Sunday night in Kingston was telling everyone something else, however.

Now, Mr. Lightfoot indeed looked pretty good for 72 – somewhere between lanky and frail - carrying his long gray hair well and striding out in cowboy boots with heels (not orthotic runners)! But his raspy voice had definitely seen the “better days” of his Carefree Highway years –and the passion was only there in the lyrics, certainly not resurrected on stage. He didn’t even seem to try.

Okay, maybe he was protecting his voice. Maybe all his health issues over the years meant this was as good as we could expect… and, for someone who had been pronounced dead by gossip earlier in the year, he was certainly damned healthy. Still, “not dead yet” is just not a good enough reason for a concert.

“See him while he’s alive”…might imply a tribute, of sorts, and I wholeheartedly believe it’s important a figure such as Gordon Lightfoot experiences our respect now (rather than watching us from a cloud after he’s gone). Nonetheless, I couldn’t help compare the concert to the one given by Leonard Cohen, who was just a tad older when he played here at K-Rock Centre last year. Even at 3 times the ticket price, that was five times the show.

We all have icons whom we’ll forgive for almost anything. I know there are a lot of others who felt exactly the opposite about the concert: that hearing the lyrics from Lightfoot himself was enough, more than enough, to send them into raptures. That was exactly the same way I felt about the Bob Dylan concert that was publicly reviled by so many a few years ago. And yes, I teared up for Early Morning Rain. And smiled at Rainy Day People. And nodded along with Sundown. And was glad that the K-Rock sound was actually so good this time we could (mostly) understand him quite well.

But mostly, it just made me sad. I’d rather have seen him on TV.

Crispy, Well Cooked, and Very, Very Addictive

2010-03-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

Just a week ago tonight I was in Vancouver, slogging through the Downtown Eastside core in the rain carrying a self-erasing placard behind aboriginally-inspired community dancers, Morris Men and fake cows in a parade called The Procession of Performing Circles that's part of six weeks of Public Art in the Downtown Eastside (www.bright-light.ca) And I came back sulking, since "everything neat happens everywhere else."

Wash my mouth out! As I finally got un-lagged, I was immediately immersed in my art-filled new world of the Art Rental Gallery and Shop at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre (www.aeac.ca) and I got a reminder about the Apple Crisp 2010 Music Festival. Gadzooks! We just made it to a free - FREE - concert from the great Gertrudes at Chalmers Church, and was admonished that whatever we did, we had to stay for The Happiness Project with Toronto's Charles Spearin and his group. Extraordinary. In short, the music came about after Spearin interviewed his neighbours for their stories, prompting them to discuss things that made them happy and he and the group captured the cadences in their voices and built music around the words and tonal patterns. As he said. "they start singing their own thesis" --the experience was more than infectious, it was utterly transformative. Gorgeous. Laugh making. Happy happy happy and unique. Not since I first heard Laurie Andersen live have I had such a buzz. Get the music at http://www.myspace.com/charlesspearin

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE- At 108 Charles Street, 4-7 p.m. until March 20, you can wander through a lovely little house for The Happiness Project Art Exhibit, and see rooms done by artists to suit each of the pieces. Ceramicist Marney McDiarmid and fabric artist Annie Clifford set a table for lovers and friends ...Josh Lyon has three videos to go with the piece about the joy of challenged children... and the uber-cool artist Don Maynard does an amazing bathroom piece (including a painted tub, babies, and bubbles) to go with the story/song of the Trinidadian neighbour. Seriously, nothing in the world should keep you from this. I first decided the high was second only to hearing Leonard Cohen here --but after seeing the art show (and buying the CD) it's now actually pulling out ahead of Leonard. Yes, it is -since it's a feast for literally all the senses (free cookies, too ). And while you're still zinging from the inspiration, go two blocks away to see the newest Swamp Ward Window installation at 448 Bagot Street. As good as it gets, this stuff.

More Apple Crisp stuff every night this week...including False Face at the Mansion, then especially the Friday Night Flux with the Cedar Tavern Singers, co-presented this Friday March 19 at the Baby Grand Theatre (www.modernfuel.org) (www.kingstongrand.ca) Limited seating there - I'd buy early. But, there's something about small city life. When something good hits -- you're right in the middle of it, it's almost like a command performance. Congrats, Apple Crisp people. You keep it up, and we just might stay!

A Quick Rant

2010-02-25T05:24:00.000-08:00

It's early in the morning to rant (but I've been up awhile) - still, I swear there's an Emperor's New Clothes thing going on in the design world, and I'd like to put a stop to it. Now, I actually studied this just a few years ago, so it isn't the rant of an elderly woman (or just my age speaking) "Reverse" type, I.E. white on coloured background is overused, incorrectly used, and is driving me utterly mad.

I swear it's another way for people to disrespect words (we've all given up a bit on grammar). More than 3 lines of type done in white (or worse, colour on colour) make the reader just haze over - or really strain. Can we afford to alienate people, or be so inconsiderate? Huge amounts of money are spent by not-for-profit groups to make flyers and brochures and ads they think (or their designers think) are really cool, but they might as well be written in gobbledygook.

If the words are so unimportant to read ----don't bother printing them. And stand up to your designers, people. Start noticing now much you read after the first line or two, when it's written in white (and 10 pt. type.) Gotta go to work now.

ArtsTarting Rules! ( Sometimes you just need a laugh!)

2010-02-21T14:36:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when you have a job (or two) that's all about supporting culture and artists you just have to go out, have a laugh, and assume everyone can take care of themselves for awhile (yes, just like parenting). Had a great couple of evenings this week, one hanging out with the ArtsTarts ( a little group of folks who promote the arts in our fair area) and the other at Women Fully Clothed. The ArtsTarts all talked our faces off but wore our earplugs and cones of silence and can't be quoted about anything. The good thing about drinking in a situation like that is that you won't remember much of what you - or anyone -said the next day. The bad thing is...someone might not have had as much to drink. Ah well, once in a blue moon, it's o.k.

Two nights later I went to Women Fully Clothed at the Grand, and I swear every woman in town over 50 (perhaps minus those who work at the university) was there. It was my first time seeing the comedy sketch troupe of brazen broads that includes Kathryn Greenwood from Whose Line Is It Anyway, the audacious Robin Duke from Saturday Night Live and SCTV, Jayne Eastwood from everything and Teresa Pavlinek from The Jane Show.

A couple of sketches really captured the essence of female conversation (do they go everywhere with microrecorders?) including a skit about the gang having what they think is a real conversation, but is mainly soundbites of media catch words that no-one ever gets time to really flesh out fully but psychically understand anyway! Best song of the night "Some People are Better Than You" - which was a Sesame Street style "feel better" song that explained how some people are just born superior, and they can't help it (so stop trying to catch up)! My favourite line of the evening went along with it: "you know those perfect women ...they're not out there with you...they're home having sex with their husbands!" Also LOVED a quintuple-take shudder/hex from Robin Duke about her (ex) husband and his predilection for Viagra! The troupe probably could have taken ten minutes from act two and had only one act full of great material, but well, you know women and bathrooms.

Grand evenings

2010-02-12T08:10:00.000-08:00

I still remember the first time I visited the Grand Theatre, just before we moved here 10 years ago. The show (Guys and Dolls, from the Playhouse) was great - but I immediately asked "Why in the world does a nice city like this have a high school auditorium for its major theatre?" Thank goodness, that's changed, and I'm now a big fan. Okay, there are physical things to be worked out, but the programming is certainly not among them.

Last night I saw Angele Dubeau and her group of "femme string players" La Pieta there. First impression was "they're all so young!" And most of them were. Not so much the audience, however... (which is too bad, in a university town). The programme was about myth and legend and really featured a wide range of style, from Haendel and Bartok to Philip Glass, an old Russian film theme that had touches of giggles and ragtime, and a newer piece called Gypsy Heart. They even finished off with the wisdom of "giving them something to go out humming" ( Offenbach's "Can Can" from Orphee aux Enfers.)

In general, I started out a little nervous, because the group was fairly sedate and not much to watch (the configuation on stage was not conducive to watching anyone but Ms. Dubeau and the cellist) - but the aural effect was extraordinarily smooth and full. Other pieces became livelier and you genuninely felt Dubeau's Romanian training in "giving a voice and body" to the instrument. At times the "voices" of the instruments were challenging, at others almost hysterical and Dubeau's own solid connection with the instrument even made it a very physical experience.

Although it might be nice to have some sort of more interesting backdrop for smaller groups such as these --to offset the large stage and sedate first impression -- the choice was a solid one. Now if only the 30 "coughers" in the crowd had unwrapped their losenges early... I have a feeling that Saturday's Coleman Lemieux dance troupe will be more my "usual style" - and also might just dive in for much-needed comedy next Friday night with some very funny "broads in Women Fully Clothed." Good seats left for both. www.kingstongrand.ca

King's Conscience Redux

2010-02-11T14:11:00.000-08:00

The long awaited Theatre Kingston/Salon Theatre King's Conscience (the "hip hop Hamlet) really turns the Baby Grand space into THE room to be in for Kingston. I'd love them to keep it that way and keep doing cabaret style theatre there. Maybe the bar could help subsidize the costs people keep complaining about. Rockne Corrigan is the coolest young modern Hamlet, and probably taking a teen to this is the best thing folks could do.

Anna Sudac is also fairly delicious as a smart guitar playing Molly/Ophelia, but I preferred to focus on the raps and the story between them, which was a mite hard to follow (it veers off from Hamlet fairly significantly but when it stays with the old Bard's words and messes with them, that was my favourite part) That being said, particularly in the first part, Charlotte Corbeil Coleman (a big young force to watch for, and director Layne's daughter) and Rockne wrote some pretty funny stuff. Really. They should have quotes from it all over the place.

So....before the end of the month, go for the "total experience" at the Baby Grand and treat yourself to a drink and smart young folks mixed with a classic in the neatest space in town. It might just be my Alternative Valentine pick... (since the major Valentine pick for me is Coleman Lemieux dance in the big theatre next door.) You could be really groovy and do both on the 13th.... since there's a late-night show.

V Day Week....and the antidotes

2010-02-10T13:17:00.000-08:00

I think I'll go with Val Week choices that you don't need to be "coupled" for or that won't have your stomach upset with too much "sweetness." BYOS (sweets)...Thanks to Trevor Waurechen for the image at right(you can get it at Art from our Hearts!)

Thurs Feb 11- Start the HeartArt attacks early with all female string ensemble of Angele Dubeau, LA PIETA, at the Grand. Elan...Excitement...Style. Or there may be a few tickets left for the hot Cuban band fronted by LEONI TORRES at Confed. Place. Tix -the usual outlets.

Fri. Feb 12 - Confed place again, cheaper (starting at 6) is GLENNA GREEN and friends, followed by SHARRIE WILLIAMS and band at 8:30 ($25 for that.) I think I'd go to the late show of THE KING'S CONSCIENCE at the Baby Grand (I've already seen it and the space couldn't be better) Girls can lust after Rockne Corrigan's new version of Hamlet, and the guys seem pretty sweet on Anna Sudac's Molly/Ophelia. Or...the reverse. Tix for this and Pieta : 613 530-2050 >

Sat. 13 is the big night, it seems. But these choices require no romantic inclination whatsoever, so you can also go with "just" a friend. LOW BUDGET Try UNION GALLERYduring the day 11-4:30 for some art inspiration about calmness, and maybe slip over to the Wilson Room for the OKWA show (always good art) then to NGB Studios' really cool and edgy ART FROM OUR HEARTS from 5-10 p.m. (food and munchies and excellent gifty things from 16 highly recommended artisans ) MEDIUM $ - COLEMAN LEMIEUX(where we'll be) DANCE company at the Grand Theatre. Very physical! $$$, but for a good cause: CEZANNE'S CLOSET the fundraiser for Union Gallery, 613 533-3171. $150 guarantees admission and munchies for two, an intriguing and suspenseful evening of figuring out your art taste (and that of your partner) and you're guaranteed a piece of art to take home. What you get depends somewhat on luck...but not if you're really clever and rank your faves. Duke it out with your friend for art custody. Call Union Gallery or just show up. Tix are a little pricier this year so you'll have less competition for your favourite work.

Sunday Feb. 14 itself (If you haven't had enough yet) At 2:30 you can catch IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE at Upper Canada Academy, 260 Brock - lovely music including harpsichord, oboes, pianos, trumpets for $20... and munchies too. In the evening (remember, we get a holiday on Monday for "Family Day" so you can stay up) folks are encouraged to dress up for SLOW DANCE at Modern Fuel Gallery, 8 pm on. DJ's and "designated dancers" will make it a fun event. And I must give a plug to the CHOCOLATE COOKIES found at Pan Chanco this week. MMMM.

Sounds and Spaces

2010-02-05T05:14:00.000-08:00

There is so much talk around Kingston right now about "getting space" - transforming spaces, getting the right space. As if someone can just give us culture.

But...a big part of the going out experience for me is the combination of space, event and people. New Ideas/Old buildings (isn't that the Jane Jacobs line?) Mixing the familiar with the unknown.

I do prefer intimate spaces, in general. Which means you only get the small acts or semi-known acts the presenters can afford, or individual seat ticket prices have to be too high. Or subsidized...That's another story. This week I saw the great Swamp Ward Orchestra with Vagabond Opera(a sort of twisted cabaret troupe) at the Mansion Living Room, which now has tables not sofas, to fit in more people. Great room, in general, from my view, acoutics seem good. Not many people there on a Monday night. Oh well. Your loss, Kingston.

An "artignite event" was Basia Bulat and the Luyas from Montreal at Sydenham U. Church on Tuesday. Basia is sort of a combo between Tracy Chapman, Michelle Shocked and Dolly Parton - but Canadian, and has great power, plays a mean autoharp (I think it was) and guitar. But she should get more back ups. I felt like a really old woman listening to the Luyas...who seem to be more a dance group that's trying to dredge up the new music cacaphony sound from the 70's... But why sing with lyrics if we can't understand a word???Just because the singer enjoys them isn't good enough. Some folks say it's the S. U. church...not good for a group with drum kit, but there's a fad with young singers who mushmouth words. Articulation is a customer service thing. Ask around for help if you don't know how. Consonants.

Finally - not much time here to go with --but the long awaited Theatre Kingston/Salon Theatre King's Conscience (the "hip hop Hamlet) really turns the Baby Grand space into THE room to be in for Kingston. I'd love them to keep it that way and keep doing cabaret style theatre there.

Igniting February -It's working so far

2010-02-02T09:50:00.000-08:00

It's working so far! We started last weekend with the Gala for the Reelout Film Fest, which seemed very well attended - and had superb company, food and music -- and then I caught one (sadly only one) of the films, Hannah Free. I did overhear, though, that a couple of others were absolutely dynamite, particularly the one by John Greyson - which he attended. "And Then Came Lola" is a sexy-looking re-look at Run Lola Run, this Thursday, and the festival is on through next weekend. www.reelout.com

Monday night, I got a "sneak preview" of the great cast of King's Conscience, as they were all also at the extraordinary performances by Swamp Ward Orchestra and Vagabond Opera at the Mansion. Now, if you like great spaces and mind-meddling talent, both the Mansion and this Theatre Kingston/Salon Theatre production of King's Conscience (a hip hop Hamlet) at the Baby Grand should really be seen. Really.

First,The Mansion is actually inspiring me to stay up late - on weeknights -- the stuff there is so good. Swamp Ward Orchestra is more brilliant all the time and some smart person should put them in a film- sexy, clever, lotsa francais. I loved a song about a Russian nightspot and Laura Murray's new accordion work. And Vagabond Opera was extraordinary. People actually came from Ottawa to see them! A couple of real operatic voices, and an approach to performance that blew everyone away.

King's C - on 3rd to 20th - the Baby Grand Theatre is going to be transformed in amazing ways, apparently ..including bringing your drinks into the theatre. And having late-night weekend shows. Rockne Corrigan and Anna Sudac are rumoured to be blowing the roof off anyone's idea of what Hamlet could be.

TONIGHT Basia Bulat at Sydenham St. United Church. Next week - Too much to choose from, but hot off the press, a Cuban band is going to be playing at Confederation Place Hotel on Thurs. Feb. 11 (Next week seems to be Valentine's Week. I'll have to do a whole list of things later this week.) Tix at Brian's or Tara. Proceeds go to the Cuba for Haiti fund.

arts bar?

2010-01-22T17:41:00.001-08:00

There are a number (a small number) of coffee shops that are cool enough here to spend some time in and have a decent beverage and snack. There are at least 10 (I think) restaurants that are not objectionable to the visual and oral senses...

So why isn't there a small watering hole that is not tacky or middle of the road or just full of students or "hometown beer drinking guys?" I can think of only one, and it's basically just dark and woody and sort of void of visual interest. Does that have to be enough?

How can we advocate for that? Get a grant in the guise of "a place for ideas to ferment?" Where do you go after a show????

Dammit, Janet... The cornucopia erupts!

2010-01-16T09:14:00.000-08:00

Jumpin' Jehosophat! Look what happens when you start getting interested in what's going on. For those of us who wanta feel like this is a big city, one could always try and do it all.

Heads up #1 --- The Reelout Film Fest, which is just too hip and a megadose of diversity vitamin, starts Jan. 28 with Ferron coming to town in conjunction with her film. Ferron! Shades of Ye Olde Vancouver days... Same night, however (oh, be still my heart) the City of Kingston Cultural Plan talks #2 happen at Memorial hall from 6- 8:30. You can always catch those the next morning from 9-11:30 though.
Anyway, the Gala should be more fun (at the apparently gorgeous Renaissance) on Friday the 29th. 2 of the 3 films I mainly want to see are on Sunday the 31 - Greyson's Fig Trees (1 pm) and Hannah Free (7)

Heads Up #2 On Saturday the 6th Reelout has the Singalong Wizard at 1 and the amazing Paris is Burning at 6 - and there are two art receptions that day. The OKWA show reception is 2-4 at the Wilson room (See the poster at the top). So, if I really want, I can sing along and then go OKW-ing. But I might have to miss Ad Hoc (Jocelyn Purdie and Neil Bullock) at Modern Fuel at 7. Must look at those Youtube previews to decide again. Just one of those things! Reelout tix and memberships are at Novel Idea or call 613 549-7335. Films are only $9/10 (depending on whether you have a nice cheap membership) passes $90 for non members. Or am I the only person who thinks so far ahead?

Weekend arts choices

2010-01-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

Coming off of Christmas, I'm sure everyone can relate to a tale about relatives who can't stand each other - but are closer than anyone else in the world. Last night we saw Domino Theatre's production of an early Daniel MacIvor play last night, Marion Bridge, and were "impressed enough."

It's a sort of charming little piece that the smart and usually edgy MacIvor wrote about three East Coast sisters who are holed up together waiting for their mother (offstage) to pass. Not much gloom and doom in there at all - one of those "relief when it happens" situations, and it's the relationships between the very different sisters that are the key to the story.

Everyone will have their favourite sister (or actress) - mine was the agonized failed actress with a tendency to drink too much (now, don't go saying anything, folks!) played by Linda Murray. Nicole Rea works very hard at a difficult character (and adds another realm of humour to the show) and Andrea Leyton plays the long-suffering Theresa. You gotta love her when she finally lets go...and can't quite believe it herself. Strong direction by Mike Catlin. Although this isn't the sort of play I'd say "gotta see it, gotta see it" it's the sort that's certainly safe enough to take more mid-road theatre fans to see without fearing you've "succumbed to the dumb." Writing and acting students can get a good lesson from this, as well.

We could be going to the Queen's student opera Hansel and Gretel tonight, or (quite the other end of the spectrum) do the time warp (again?????) with Queen's Musical Theatre's Rocky Horror Show on campus. Instead, we'll save ourselves for the arty AEAC Symposia at the Ellis Auditorium tomorrow aft (www.aeac.ca) ...and the opening of a very neat show, which I sneak previewed at Sandra Whitton Gallery. Cross Pollination introduces at least one fantastic painter (Maggie Sutherland), and pairs five visual artists with five poets, all of whom inspire each other to paint or write. Whitton Gallery is above Serendipity, next to Lonestar.

In terms of theatrics, I'm gearing up for The King's Conscience from Theatre Kingston and Salon Theatre only two weeks from now, Feb 3-20. That same week brings a phenomenal singer, Basia Bulat, to Sydenham United Church and The Vagabond Opera (Feb. 1) to the Mansion.Gotta start thinking about all those things now, because February is full, full, full. I'd make sure to hit King's Conscience early...so you can fit in that other "later month stuff." (And I REFUSE to talk about Valentine's Day weekend stuff yet. It's only designed for us to work off that Christmas "did I do enough" guilt!)

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to...

2010-01-12T14:15:00.000-08:00

Talk talk talk! The art of verbal exchange is still alive, thank God. Cynics can dismiss meetings and talk sessions, but "you never step into the same river twice" if you're listening, not just talking. And as much as I like internetting...nothing beats hearing/meeting real people discussing real things! Four particularly verbal January events have very different flavours.

Starting Jan. 13, the Kingston Arts Council (www.artskingston.com) is having a series of information sessions about a vibrant new website that will launch this spring, and aims to centralize (and energize) communications about all the arts in the region- with free listings for ALL. 7-9 pm sessions are Jan. 13 at Sydenham United Church, Jan 18 at Upper Canada Academy of Performing Arts (260 Brock St), Jan 19 at the Grad Club and Jan 25 at Upper Canada Academy. And they're designed for people to speak freely (as well as providing anonymous feedback) about the Arts Council. Info: 613 546-2787.

The City of Kingston is having more public workshops on Cultural Policy January 28 from 6-8:30 pm and Jan. 29th from 9-11:30 a.m at Memorial Hall. The high level facilitators who came to the first sessions in October were very open, and the city's cultural team is "in it for the long haul." You needn't have attended the first session to participate. For more info contact Colin at 613 546-4291 ext. 1357www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/culture/masterplan.asp

A little more talk? There is a major Symposium happening at the Agnes the 15-17, SORTING DAEMONS- ART, SURVEILLANCE REGIMES, AND SOCIAL CONTROL. (Sends shivers up your spine, doesn't it, you X-Files fans...) Ellis Hall, 58 University Avenue. Schedule:http://www.aeac.ca/exhibitions/upcoming/daemons.html

The 12th, The Arts and Letters Club presented Steven Heighton and Susan Olding talking about writing in different genres to a completely full house...Hearing people who write for a living talk is particularly heartwarming --in a world where words still mean something. Astute to hear that the work that brings the least amount of money (poetry) is that in which they feel the most freedom to express! The Arts and Letters Club is the second Tuesday of every month. Info: 613 544-5040. P.S. Olding still may have some spaces in her advanced creative writing class at St. Lawrence.

Tomorrow I'll talk about stuff to SEEEEEE, starting with Domino's MARION BRIDGE (tix, www.kingstongrand.ca), by the wonderful Daniel McIvor and carrying on to the extraordinary REELOUT FILM FESTIVAL (www.reelout.com)at the end of the month.

BY THE WAY.. While visiting Toronto's Gardiner Ceramic Museum for Viola Frey's gigantic sculpture show, I was impressed hearing that Kingston's dynamic ceramic artist Marney McDiarmid's works sell out as soon as they get them. And yet where can we buy them, in our home town? I'll tell you, next time I know.

See art, buy art, save art!

2009-12-17T08:48:00.000-08:00

Galleries are hurting. That means artists will be hurting. That means we'll all be hurting, because...less will be produced. Less will enliven our lives. Shop or visit galleries now, even if only to clear your mind of the commercial dreck we're all drenched in!

There's a week left before "the day." I keep trying to buy local for the holidays, but I can't do this alone.I can't stress how lovely and affordable the show and sale at Sandra Whitton Gallery is (253 Ontario Street, above Serendipity). Even if you just want to look. I love the fibre work by artists such as Tina Barnes and Denise Sokolosky (hangable or wearable), prints by Rebecca Cowan and Adrienne Herron, paintings by Alex Jack and Su Sheedy and drawings by Laurie Sponagle. This was organized by the Chameleon Nation folks, who also have artists' work at Kingston Glass Studio on Queen Street. Pop into Robert Macklin Gallery while you're down here. Great work...tell your art collector friends.

Afterglow: Lindsey Fair organized some very talented artisans at the Gift Giving Show in the interesting spaces at Fort Henry, and an entirely new range of people at the Holiday Hop at NGB. The Fat Goose Craft fair, presented in association with Apple Crisp, was a bold new venture - and very friendly. Thanks to all of them for doing this. Our town is richer for it.

Fat Geese...Arts of Giving...Blind Boys of Alabama. Treats are in the air.

2009-11-24T17:18:00.000-08:00

Hub and I decided last weekend that we should co-author (with a good psychologist) a book called The Christmas Problem, since we're at the mucky crossroads of 3rd marriages/different religious backgrounds/long distance families/blended families...and it only seems to get easier if we get looser about it. We have the "have to" lists and the "optionals" and try to make sure there are at least a few mandatory optionals for spice. We'll see at least one of the kids...go out of town at least once...hear one or two concerts...spoil the grandkids, but only the ones who are old enough to remember...Entertain once. Ask what the grown kids want, but give what we like.

This year, I've no time to make things...and I also want to support local artisans whenever I can. BUT...geez, like eating local, it gets pricey. I go to a show, stop to talk to someone I know (or would like to know), and I suddenly feel obliged to buy a handmade this and a handcrafted that. Before I know it, Toys R Us starts almost looking good (financially, anyway.) The Fat Goose Craft fair was very homemade and simple, with the younger organic crowd well represented (and appreciated). I love Vincent Perez's cards...Annie Clifford's little books...most of all Dorothy Young's handwoven scarfs and outrageous dolls.

Still, I hope that less is more - one of a lovely handcrafted something might have to do for two people. Or make up for a birthday skimped on... This being said, there are several gift shows coming up with quality local artisans. The Potters Guild Show starts tomorrow at the Tett, Made 4 You has good stuff for the younger set (and some of these people will also be at NGB studios the weekend of Dec. 13), Sandra Whitton's show (stuff under $250) is absolutely gorgeous and the Gift Giving Show at Fort Henry on the first weekend in December will also be a reason to tie my hands behind my back. I'll tell you how stuff compares after I spend some time (my first time) at the One of A Kind SHow in Toronto this weekend. And Oh Boy Oh Boy Santa's bringing the Blind Boys of Alabama next week, Dec. 1 to the Grand! Ecstasy!

Caution- Free Range Children Event. Warning of the future?

2009-11-22T09:27:00.001-08:00

Okay, I'm not young. Sure. Some things start to get up my craw a little more than others now...others I'm astonishingly accepting of (certainly more than when I was young.) I was a sort of hippie back "in the day", I had my share of "let it be" years... I understand the dilemmas of parents, and how they want communities to be age-inclusive. I even went to a great dance last night where kids danced right along with the adults ...and did handstands at intermission. That was fabulous.

But listen up folks, if you bring kids to an indoor concert for adults (as was the case at the Kyra and Tully concert at Sydenham United Church last night), and let them run around where not only the performers but the audience can also see and hear them, I think you're massively irresponsible and downright rude. And you're infringing upon my space as much as if I came to a kids concert and swore my head off or smoked cigarettes.

Also, if a concert is not billed as a fundraiser, I don't care how marvellous the cause is, I don't want a sermon beforehand. At intermission, perhaps, when one has the choice to sit or listen.

I'm thankful for all these creative young folks in Kingston. Really quite enjoyed the Fat Goose Craft Fair yesterday where mostly younger funky people displayed their wares...and half of the vendors seemed to be wearing snugglies... And I know a lot of them are in the music scene. I'm choosing to do as much as possible local shopping and entertainment-going to be "local arts supportive" this season. But if something is going to be a "Free Range" event for kiddies (and a fundraiser platform, I think there should be notification on the tickets or ads or pr.

I'm glad I got to see Kyra and Tully (who seem like very nice people with great taste in session musicians), but mostly enjoyed Bruce Cockburn - who showed everyone how passion, performing and lyric-writing skill can indeed all be combined for incredible results. And I'll look up the Water Keepers movement. But if I ever again wander into a sit-down adult concert with running kids present... I don't think I'll stay. I'd rather babysit the kids somewhere else- with a CD in the background.

Goblin Market -only here for 10 days. Get off the not so comfy couch...

2009-11-16T17:38:00.000-08:00

This week: Very much looking forward to Theatre Kingston's Goblin Market for only 10 days, previews starting Weds and Thurs....It's a sexy musical story about two sisters who relive their childhood experiences in an imaginary world, where they are tempted by seductive goblins. Since Queen's drama dep't head, Tim Fort, directs it...(and he's really a musical expert, with perfect taste in musicals) it has to be good. It stars Queen's grad/Shaw Festival talent Robin Evan Willis and localite Maryanne Wainman (Beauty and the Beast). Particularly looking forward to the music by Danielle Lennon, Sarah McCourt and Michael Man. Tix: Grand Theatre Box office. (PS you can apparently scoot off to see Danielle play with Swamp Ward Orchestra at the Mansion Saturday night after the show, too...)

I got a sneak peek preview of the Art of Giving show at Sandra Whitton Gallery today. It's really, really good. Most stuff under $250. Hard buying art for someone else, unless you drop hints bigtime. Opening TBA. I preferred it to the one Chameleon Nation is also doing at Kingston Glass Studioon Queen Street (oh, the glass and big pottery bowls are wonderful!), but that one definitely has more gifty things like jewellery and baubles. And you can always drop into Black Dog Pottery next door...I love his "bleeding stoneware." Someone's getting something for the you-know-what holidays! I'm really pushing buying local again this year, as much as I can. Socks from Carolyn Barnett are nice too. And the Humane Society Calendars have that AWWW factor going for them...

Art last Weekend: The Storytellings show at Modern Fuel by Peter Kingstone is fascinating...loved sitting around in half-comfy couches (felt like I needed a red nose) watching male sex trade workers on videos talking about their grans. Objection: They weren't terribly articulate portrayals of the "grans", way too much "she's wonderful, I dunno, she's just, uh, fabulous" ...and somehow creating a stereotype of one type of person (grandmas) to modify those of another gets up my (aged) nose. Referring to his 55 year old gran, one "kid" used the term "little old lady." Good grief! And you won't find a tacky piece of ceramics on my tv (Well, I collect them, but that's something else...)! Worth seeing, though. I liked the Ed Pien influenced drawings in the Cut and Paste show at Union Gallery a lot.

Did I mention if you're going to Ottawa, don't miss the Hoffos exhibition at the National Gallery. Everyone is absolutely blown away by it. And apparently you can eavesdrop on the hologram projections. It's on until Valentine's Day. No Excuse...

Art openings this weekend in Kingston, and other bits

2009-11-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

I'm so nervous about winter coming on, that I've got to keep moving to take my mind off it. Anyone want to join me, hopping around on Saturday evening, Nov. 14? You can go to receptions at both Union Gallery (6-8 pm.) and Modern Fuel (starting at 7 pm.) Now, I love free munchies and good art – which is probably why I had to start a diet after last weekend’s food-packed (and buyer- thin) Modern Fuel auction, so I have no shame about going to two openings this Saturday night…just to graze, meet and watch! Since The Hub is off to Greater Perth (!) and I'm Dog-a-Mama, I have to pick events that will at least give me some human contact, as opposed to being spectator sports only.

This weekend’s openings at both galleries coincidentally highlights Canadian artists born in Zambia, Hong Kong, and Guyana as well as Canada. Union Gallery’s show, runs from November 10-November 28, and features the work of Donald Chan and Carlyn Bezic who “ create bizarre bodies, many-limbed monsters, and unsettling scenes.” In the other room, Vancouver’s Tondela Myles’ Mechanisms for Selection “explores portraiture themes based around identity, gender and sexuality as a way to speak about awkwardness, secrecy and instabilities found in the human condition.” I can relate to that.

I'll then zip down to the waterfront and across King Street to Modern Fuel between 7-9 pm for the opening of two video installations, Storytellings by Lucy Chan and Peter Kingstone, which runs from November 12– December 12. Also a look at a different perception of sexuality, Kingstone’s 100 Stories about My Grandmother is a four-channel video installation that weaves together documentary portraits of male sex workers telling stories about their grandmothers Chan's video installation Yearning to See was created during a residency in Banff where she, according to Modern Fuel, " drew portraits of people that she met while asking them if there was a personal cultural lesson they might share. "
Union Gallery is at the corner of Union and University, in the corner of the Stauffer Library. Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre is located at 21A Queen St, Kingston

Now NEXT Friday night (Nov. 20 already!), Theatre Kingston's GOBLIN MARKET (on for only a week) opens....and on Saturday night I'll be at both the Kyra and Tully launch at Sydenham United Church and the Delhi 2 Dublin Dance (tix at Tara, etc) for Livewire. Buying tix today!

RECENTLY IMPRESSED : Really enjoyed the speakers/slides at the Solo Studio-Watch Series' Round Table Salon (well, it wasn't much of a salon, but cozy all the same). A great set up to find out about the people behind the art: the purposely self-effacing conceptual art of Michael Davidge; the political meets cultural drawings of Doreen Inglis; the whimsical but meaningful drawings and paintings of Chantal Rousseau, Lisa Visser and Erika Olson, and the gorgeous work of relative newcomer painter (who knew?) Su Sheedy. Kudos to Jan Allen for making this discussion happen. More like these, everywhere, please.

ALSO - who knew how much I'd love the Kinsmen's amateur Wizard of Oz. I frequently find the varying skill levels' reaching for the sky sort of embarrassing in amateur theatre, but this brought out nothing but the best in everyone (and there was a lot of big skill, as well as emerging skill). It's only on through Nov. 21 at the Grand, though.

Out of town: The exhibits by Hoffos and Daphne Odjig at the National Gallery were fabulous. Loved Hoffos's peeping tom holograms. At the Canadian Opera Company, Robert Lepage's extraordinary staging of The Nightingale was wonderful all around, (and the cheap Kingston Opera Guild return bus trip to Toronto was good too) but the uber-magical moment was when the dying Emperor's semi-waterborne deathbed transformed into a gigantic skeleton. The U.S. has Sondheim. We have Lepage.

NOT SO IMPRESSED: The discussion at the library about some Journal readers' complaints about the lack of inclusivity in the music scene was so politically sensitive that it accomplished nothing, after taking 40 minutes to set up "the discussion." More will follow from this, though. That's the good thing. And the students' acting, set, movement and Judith Fisher's concept were perfect for the Queen's Drama major Twelfth Night...except the kids were just too cool (or laid back) to understand that "Yes, Virginia, Shakespeare can be a fast moving farce."

Goblins, Swamps, Gertudes and Good Tastes

2009-10-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

The only thing bad about all the good stuff in November is that it’s so close to December…. Here’s a peek at the things that really leap out at me for the weeks ahead. (For a two month list, see kingstonlife.ca beginning Nov. 1)

Sunday, I’m off to Toronto for a whirlwind trip to Robert LePage’s water-set and puppetized staging of the opera The Nightingale, at Canadian Opera Company. How neat to be able to get tickets and a cheap return bus ticket through Kingston Opera Guild. (Next it’s Carmen and Otello in February.)

Hot tip from Al Rankin, if you want best seats for Gordon Lightfoot, just announced for April, on Nov.2 go to http://www.k-rockcentre.com and use the password GORDIE.

A far cry from that, Nov 2, Monday, there’s what may be a maddening discussion of privilege/diversity and the music scene in Kingston from 6:30-8:30 at the Kingston Library. Delahaye Room. The same week, Queen’s drama will open Judy Fisher’s Cole Porterized Shakespeare, Twelfth Night – which sounds quite elegant. It runs Nov 5-8, 11-14. 613 533-2104.

Art-wise next week, we’ll dash back from an afternoon matinee of Elephant Wake at the NAC for the Modern Fuel Good Tastes/No Frills Fundraiser, simple munchies and silent auction on Sat. Nov. 7, 7-9. Mind you, we were happy to get a mindblowing Rebecca Soudant piece last year – this year you could have a Robert Linsley, Aly Ogassian, Ben Darrah or Dave Gordon painting!. These MF guys work hard to keep Kingston edgy, and part of the proceeds can go to the artists. (You can’t say that everywhere.) Preview the works now at www.modernfuel.org. On Sunday Nov. 8, there is also the Solo Series Roundtable in at 2 p.m. at the Agnes. One of the speakers is Su Sheedy, who also has a show in Toronto –at the Muse Gallery on Yonge Street from Nov. 18- Dec. 10. Also on Nov. 8, the too-cool band The Gertrudes play a family-friendly afternoon set at The Mansion. 2 pm.

You might want to look ahead to the following weekend, Nov. 14 and 15 for Julie Davidson-Smith’s all weekend long Encaustic Painting Workshop and the opening of Sandra Whitton’s/Chameleon Nation Art of Giving show.

But the REALLY busy and dynamite weekend is Nov 20- 22 (here before you know it) which kicks off Fri Nov 20.with the opening of the sexy Theatre Kingston musical Goblin Market (starring local musical genius Danielle Lennon with the very popular Shaw Festival actress Robin Willis). The hard, hard choice (or total feast) is a triple threat of musical treats Nov. 21. I don’t know if it’s humanly possible to catch all 3, but there’s a Jenn Grant/ Kyra and Tully CD release at Sydenham United Church at 7 pm ---and the dance from Live Wire, the Delhi to Dublin Celtic Punjabi band –AND the delicious Swamp Ward Orchestra playing at the Mansion the same night. But I do want to try. Tix for the first two are at “the usual places.”

La Vida Grande

2009-10-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

I realized last night that I should probably get a prize for "the person who's been to the most events at the Grand this week." It just turned out that way. I was particularly interested in the difference in crowd types at the three events, as well as the quality of entertainment itself. In reverse order" Brian McCurdy (Kingston Cultural Director/Grand Theatre boss...) said last night at Afro Cuban All Stars "Now, I think that's about as 'get down' as Kingston gets!!" (Even he was wearing jeans!) I've seen people going crazy with applause there for events like Ailey 2 Dance last year, but here people were actually standing and dancing in the aisles, in front of their seats...in front of the stage. And I was SOOOOOO glad for those past (and mostly forgotten) Latin dance classes with Ebon Gage and Josef Riha!

They say you look around and try and figure out if you "fit with the crowd" as a way of deciding if you're going enjoy what you see---no matter what is on stage.For those of us with multiple personalities (or multiple partners) I suppose we have a few more options, but I felt pretty at home with both the All Stars crowd and the largely cool and smart ( but slightly more sedate/older) bunch at Garth Fagan Dance (where you actually got to chat with the gorgeous dancers in the house afterwards). Feeling at home with The Kingston Symphony is a little more of a stretch for me, since so many of those people seem to have been going for years, have friends on stage, etc- and are probably more familiar with classical music in general. I was lucky at La Diva et le Maestro, since she sang every song I was trained to sing when I was young...but there is also something incredibly soothing about music that has "endured." And now that I'm getting old enough to talk to anyone around me...I never really feel like a stranger!

This brings me to the Alvin Lucier talk at the Agnes Etherington Arts Centre this morning, which was a tad more "arts esoteric" in feel. (As Matt Rogalsky joked, "it feels sort of like a church service, at 11 on a Sunday." )In many ways the audience for this Tone Deaf Festivalevent seemed like a "usual suspects list" for 'avantarts'....but I loved listening to this legendary 78 year-old pioneer of electronic music (who is a visiting artist at Queen's this year) and his 1969 piece I Am Sitting in a Room. For this classic, Lucier had recorded himself talking, then recorded the recording being played back in the same room, then recorded that recording being played back in the same room, etc... for up to 16 versions (and more.) Now, if I were to hear someone describe that...I'd say possibly say "that's sort of indulgent" isn't it? But it wasn't. It fascinated, mesmerized, and opened the mind to a world of possibilities. It was also a tangible and quite musical transformation.

I don't have the formal education in arts to toss about critical theory to describe it - but for me, it's what I like about the arts in general: sharing/investigating the processes and magic of a human mind - one that has been shaped by specific education and unique influences - and yet has a life of its own. Lucier was trained as a classical musician, but was inspired to 'push the envelope' by people such as John Cage. It was noteworthy to me that he eschewed the idea of "high falutin'" stuff more than once - although that's exactly what many people might call this sort of event, without actually hearing it.

Skill is one thing, but nothing can beat the "questing mind."

See the Kingston Prize finalists and winners!

2009-10-23T15:25:00.001-07:00

Have a look at these great paintings.

http://www.kingstonprize.ca/2009-GALLERY/gallery_2009.htm

A weekend awaits

2009-10-23T15:01:00.000-07:00

THIS WEEKEND
It's too late for me to vote for the People's Choice at the Kingston Prize show at the Grand (open from noon -4 tomorrow) but my fave won anyway - Marina Dieul for Le Defi. It isn't too late to see the Prize (exhibition closes tomorrow) or bid on one of the works at the Art on The Street (185 Princess St.)

Friday, 23. For me it's The Diva and The Maestro at the Grand from the Symphony at 8 but I wish I could clone myself to see Really Live Electronics Concert at the Artel ($5/$10) with Nicolas Collins and Ben Manley that’s part of the Tone Deaf Festival at 9. There's so much going on that one of us is going to Thousand Clowns at Domino and the other to Diva!

Saturday 24 More Tone Deaf about Alvin Lucier –Two portrait concerts (4 & 7 pm) at Sydenham United Church..... OR The Afro Cuban All Stars at the Grand (since I probably am not getting that Cuba trip this year?)How much rationalization can a gal do (while remembering to book a haircut)? Booked the tix and the Cuba concert, so we HAVE to go to Tone Deaf on Sunday...

Sunday 25– Cam Shaefer has his SongLab at 2-5 pm at RCHA, featuring Danielle Lennon (who also we be starring in Theatre Kingston's new show) and Brian Flynn. Then there's a whole day of free Alvin Lucier stuff at the Agnes. Talks by the man himself at 11 a.m., one by Nicolas Collins at 2, and a panel discussion with lots of people at 3:30. www.tone-deaf.org

Look ahead:
Oct. 28 Weds- Every other Weds, Julie Davidson Smith has Creative 4 Play arty nights for women at her studio – 6-8:30. $35, materials supplied.613 531-8901. And she’s doing a whole encaustic weekend Nov. 21 and 22 (speaking of looking ahead )!

Oct. 30, Friday. Live Wire is doing a showcase of roots and blues at the Octave with Ontario and Quebec artists including Ariana Gillis, Jerry Walsh, Laura Bird and Crowfoot. Tickets at Brian’s, Tara and Renaissance.

Oct. 20-30 What's a gal to do?

2009-10-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

I guess this new arts blog is giving me the opportunity to join the ranks of “last minute decision people” after all. It’s just becoming an issue of: do I blog/research about it, or get out and do it? I’m missing a lunch hour walk for this one (then I have to pay a trainer, or miss something else to do the gym -and on it goes!) At least I’ll remember what’s up...

Last week, I really enjoyed the Town and Country Studio tour on the weekend (and particularly great conversations with artists like Barb Carr, Michele LaRose, Hennie Marsh, Jane Thelwell, and Carolyn Barnett.) Bonus, I got to drop into Lindsey Fair’s and Julie Davidson Smith’s studios, and also meet the visionary Kingston artist Don Maynard (who had an incredible public art sculpture in Kitchener recently, and has also been engaged to do a formidable public art piece for the Ottawa Archives.) BUT I had to miss Aurora Dokken’s apparently great combo of German Beer Tasting (and discussion) with baroque musique, at Baroquetoberfest. My non-drinking hubby enjoyed it all for me. NEXT time!

A plus, though – last Friday I just had time to run home for a ‘tini then back to the office area/Sandra Whitton Gallery for a poetry reading run by Susan Olding (whose provocative memoir Pathologies I’m reading). Words set amongst colourful art of Sharon Thompson and Sandy’s gold creations– sensory heaven.

This week: On tonight to the first Grand Presents dance event Garth Fagan Dance. Too cool that they’re running master classes. Too bad that I may have to miss the incredible guitarist who will be playing at the Mansion with Rueben de Groot /Ridley Bent starting at 8:30 though. Isn’t Kingston changing?

Weds. 21– Reena Kukreja’s India/Canada produced film about rural women who move to the city for work. From 7-9 at the Chernoff , rm 117 on campus sounds tough but insightful – and the Art on the Street show (benefit for the Street Health Centre) has an opening reception from 6-8 (185 Princess.)

Generous artists’ who have donated work for the silent auction that ends Oct. 25 include Su Sheedy, Jane Derby, Sharon Thompson and Margaret Hughes. Hey, maybe you can combine your trip (2-9 Oct 22 and 23, 11-9 on the 24, 11-2 on the 25th with a visit to catch the Portrait show in the Grand Lobbies (12- 5:30, closes Saturday), if you haven’t already. Gotta go back and vote for my People’s Choice fave.

Thurs 22– Part of the Art on the Street – the Tribe of Irritable Poets (best name ever!) 7-9.

Also at 7 pm, ArtDocs Agnes Etherington The View from My Room is Great, Visual Artists of the Kingston Area - billed as "a series of half-hour videos produced by the Kingston Artists’ Association Inc., forerunner of the Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre. An intriguing picture of Kingston’s visual art scene in the mid-1980s." Since this was before my time (here) I'm intrigued!

Then you can go and get witchy.

2009-10-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

This week:
The various Wingfields open tonight at the Thousand Islands Playhouse-in case there are any of them you haven't seen, he might be "playing your song!" (And- hot tip -the new local pub in Gan is THE theatre bar to go to, in future.)

Portraits, Portraits -in addition to seeing the Kingston Prize winners (12-5:30 p.m. daily, at the Grand) remember that Dr. Stephanie Dickey speaks about the relevance of portraits at Memorial Hall at 7:30 on Weds Oct. 14, with a reception across the street at Robert Macklin Gallery, who is holding a tongue in cheek Salon des Refusees. Many of the artists of that show (including the talented Judith Sherreff, Daniel Hughes, Katherine McNenly, and Cleah Bunting) will be there.If you just want to go to the Refusees show and the reception, it’s 6 to “whenever…”

The following evening (Oct. 15) at 7 p.m. you can get another opinion at October’s Arts And Letters Club’s Whither Portraiture at the RCHA Club, where Gary Michael Dault entertains the topicality of portraiture in our modern world. After having just seen Steichen's photographic portraits, I'm curious to see where his art/not art stance might fall.

Thursday night Domino Theatre opens the classic comedy A THOUSAND CLOWNS at the Baby Grand, and there's another studio tour this weekend featuring so many of our best artists (www.townandcountrystudiotour.com) So many talents, so little time.

If you think there's just not enough arts stuff of interest, check out www.limestonecity.com Once you find the events listings, there isn't a bad assortment of music groups to choose from. I'm elsewhere that night, but the "midnight blues jam" at RCHA on Saturday features the "MoJo Shooters and and open jam for vocalists and musicians.

And, just so you don't let them slip away...Garth Fagan Dance at the Grand next Tuesday, Oct. 20 should be dynamite (all their dance presentations so far have been.)

Toronto Toronto

2009-10-12T16:49:00.000-07:00

God I love going to Toronto. Seeing even one play and one art gallery show is like getting wrapped up in a big, wonderfully colourful shawl - it's something that can keep me warm for days or even weeks. And then there's the Theatre of Being A Mother to a 29 Year Old Daughter.... something that also stays with me for days. Hmm. The art of motherhood is also an evolving art form. I think we're still knitting that one... and I still drop more stitches than I care to admit.

After a dash through Kensington Market with said daughter (such a tonic!) we went to the A.G.O. to see the Steichen photography and the Calder exhibit. NOW I remember how we all wanted to be when we were young: lithe and seductive like those timeless photos of Garbo and Dietrich... But since we weren't, the Calder exhibit was a lot more fun. His circus - and the film of his executing it - were total testaments to that extraordinary combination of skill and whimsy. Feet tired, I curled up in the bookstore with the book about the 50th Anniversary of the Cape Dorset prints, since they've just opened at Cornerstone (on Ontario Street) in Kingston. Will look at them completely differently now.

In the evening, we took off for CanStage's production of Tom Stoppard's Rock and Roll. This was the creme de la creme of Thinking Person's Theatre...and taught me (embarrassingly) so much about history (and rock and roll, too.) Fiona Reid is wonderful...Stunning set.

Kingston is calm and lovely and "there's just enough of everything" --but it's also closecloseclose to Toronto, and that's a good thing.

Feel Like A Teenager Again - Go to an arts event!

2009-10-09T06:20:00.000-07:00

The best line of the week happened at our arts marketing lunch, where we hooted about the "audience benefits" of being anyone 50 or younger in the crowds of most "major" arts events. "You'll feel like a teenager again!" was the motto - since you may well be up to 20 years younger than some people there. And hey, ageism begone.. there's a ton of laughter under some of that white hair. Well, especially when you ruffle it a bit.

I'm not exactly a big crowd fan - but I think it's getting better. Still, the donor dress-up nights like those of Weds and Thurs were really quite charming - with or without the free food and wine! If you're one of the innerly shy such as I am, repeat after us, selves: "You wouldn't worry at all about how you come off, if you knew how little others were actually ever thinking about you.

Weds. night it was Member Appreciation night at the Agnes. Fabo style, a huge turnout and lovely, donated wines and food due to the hard work of a stellar committee (although the overwhelming turnout made it bad news for moderate latecomers such as ourselves, who ended up at fast food afterwards.) The shows are great at the Agnes right now and there has been a decision that the new "gift shop" focus is on the art rental programme and the strong catalogue collection. (Okay, I still want a wider range of cards to buy...especially from locals... but I suppose a real painting for as little as $30 something a month is very cool. What if every business in town were showing the work of a local artist? For that little a month, hey - they should have a tax break or something. Or get listed on somebody's website. Or everybody's. Should we start a movement?)

Thursday night, sadly had to miss the Abject Nature talk, because I was suddenly invited to the Kingston Prize in the Grand lobbies. Now, for all the fretting and backstage drama, all sets of parties should be terribly proud. It's a gorgeous setting, the lighting was fine enough ...(okay, too bad they have to shroud a couple of portraits for the kiddie show that's on) and the portraits are really tremendous. I keep taking portraiture classes, because I love the challenge of capturing people ---and see nothing at all wrong with portraiture being considered art, particularly considering the ENORMOUS skill and patience that portraiture requires. There's certainly a range of styles and approaches, ranging from the small work of Roselina Hung, a couple of fascinatingly- referenced works, including Jennifer Campbell's After the Flood (she should sell it to Margaret Atwood...) and the highly dramatic Familial Ties by Tammy Salzi. The monochromatic winner, Personal Surveillance by Andrew Valko, surprised me - not for quality, but because I "assumed" it would have been done by someone as young as the subject. Very interesting. GO see!

For a wee change of pace, we hit The Mansion, to listen to a few groups, including local faves Reuben DeGroot and our young friend Corbin Murdoch. I like it there. Although there I find I'm self conscious about my age...and flat shoes. "It's always something." BUt the Mansion makes me remember all the good things about being young -and keeps reinforcing respect for the young who have smarts, energy, and artistic talents. They're pretty tolerant of oldsters too. (It's upstairs where the good stuff happens, and has comfy chairs.) PS limestonecity.com gives a pretty good listing of bands playing in town...

Finally, congrats to Hennie Marsh, who got both Honourable Mention and 1st prize in Acrylics for her works in Cornwall's Focus Art juried show. Check it outL www.art-muse.blogspot.com

Hot off the press, think ahead for Tone Deaf 8, the always adventurous Festival Of Adventurous Sound Performance, from Oct. 23-31. It's happening betwixt Modern Fuel, The Artel, Sydenham United Church and at The Agnes. www.tone-deaf.org

Best Bets for this week and next...

2009-10-06T14:59:00.000-07:00

I’m going to have a go at a few more ideas for this week and next, before heading off to Toronto.

First of all, “an avid reader” had said he wanted to know mainly what’s worth getting a sitter for. Maybe I’ll flag those things. Mind you, those young enough to need sitters might not share my values, but…

This week I’d say the Sitter Challenge brings up two things: A) Forms of Devotion (a very sensual little piece, with good (but not enough) text by Diane Schoemperlen, and it’s less than 90 minutes long. FOD is at the Baby Grand, from Theatre Kingston, so that means viewing the 30 some paintings of the Kingston Portrait Prize is thrown in for free, (If you’re getting a sitter you’ll have time for a nice glass of red wine after the show, too. Drink it in the car after you deliver the sitter, if you’re too tight to go out.) B) Josef Riha’s one hour dance class at Upper Canada Academy yada yada. See way below. Friday from 7-8.

If you just want to stay home and submit art, Kingston Canadian Film Festival is now accepting feature film and short film submissions for inclusion in its 10th annual event. Early bird deadline is October 9, 2009. Info: www.kingcanfilmfest.com

Words: On Thursday, writer Ingrid deKok reads from 1-2:30 at Watson Hall Room 517, (Bader Lane.) I’ve been to a couple of these readings at Carolyn Smart’s class, and she has topnotch taste. Ingrid de Kok has published four volumes of poetry, most recently "Seasonal Fires: new and selected poems" (2006 ) Next week Oct. 15, (same time, same place) Oct. 15, John Barton reads his ninth collection of poetry, Hymn, (published this fall by Brick Books.) His previous books include Great Men, Designs from the Interior, Sweet Ellipsis, and Hypothesis.

After Thursday, I’m going to catch the Kingston Prize – (with a $10,000 first prize!) at least twice. The show is at the Grand noon to 5:30 until Oct. 24. I love reading the bios too, to see all the work these people have put into their careers. Music: I think after seeing the portraits on Friday night we’ll treat ourselves to the start of a holiday weekend with Cam Shaffer’s “Blazz” (blues and jazz) 5-7 at RCHA Club. Makes me thirsty just thinking about it… THEN:

I JUST might be able to talk the hub into going to the really fun (and very simple) ballroom dance classes Friday night (starting this week) from the ever dapper Josef Riha, at the Upper Canada Academy of Performing Arts. We did it last year and there’s a group of pretty funky smart artsy types who make it a real giggle. .7:00 to 8:00 pm Beginners welcome (they’re serious!) For more information please call (613) 5429988 Upper Canada Academy of Performing Arts 260 Brock St

Be Thankful! (Hey, you don’t need a sitter for this, take them along) -Coming this weekend: I won’t be around to visit the Westport region’s Fall Colours Studio Tour scattered around 11 different locations from October 10 to 12 (though I’d LOVE to see Isidora Spielman’s studio.) We’re heading off to Toronto to see something at the Gardiner Ceramic Museum and probably Tom Stoppard’s Rock and Roll at CanStage. More on those later!

Next week: It’s still striking me as extremely bizarre that there are TWO talks about the current relevance of portraiture going on, a day apart. Doesn’t anyone get “a picture is worth a thousand….” Dr. Stephanie Dickey speaks at Memorial Hall at 7:30 on Oct 14, with a reception across the street at Robert Macklin Gallery, who is holding a tongue in cheek Salon des Refusees. If you just want to go to his show and the reception, it’s 6 to “whenever…” The following evening (Oct. 15) at 7 p.m. you can get another opinion at October’s Arts And Letters Club’s Whither Portraiture at the RCHA Club, where Gary Michael Dault entertains the topicality of portraiture in our modern world.

And you’d probably better book ahead for Empty Bowls now, that’s happening Oct. 18 at the University Club on Stewart Street as a fundraiser for Martha’s Table.. I have to… Here you can choose a handcrafted pottery bowl, one of 400 graciously donated by a number of hardworking and selfless potters…and you fill it with soups specially made by Kingston's finest restaurants. Three seatings at 11:30 am, 12:15 pm and 1:00 pm, coffee and deserts afterwards. Tickets $25.00 Tickets and information at Tara Foods, Renaissance Music, Springer Market Square (on appropriate occasions) and Martha’s Table 629 Princess St. or email marthastable@bellnet.ca

September Arts Diary - the artsathon

2009-10-04T15:55:00.000-07:00

Lin's September Kingston Arts Diary.
Or: After 3 weeks of Hot Arts Kick offs and Trying to Memorize Hundreds of Names, Can I Leave Town for a Few Days, Please?

INTRO. Although I have had the pleasure and opportunity to write what began as a monthly arts blog for Kingston Life (kingstonlife.ca) once it was turned into a semi-monthly piece, I realized I couldn’t even scratch the surface. Of course, the Whig won’t pay for any more arts writers and has been laying people off right and left, so what is an art snoop to do but actually start a real blog? Note: this won’t be perfect , since it’s a volunteer gig whereas my semi-monthly kingstonlife.ca artsblog has been rather impeccably (knock on wood) edited by someone else. Here I’ll try to go back to monthly news, or more frequent, on my own (which will make it shorter than this ridiculously thorough introductory tome! )

For more succinct synopses, please check out the kingstonlife.ca blog around the first of November, January, March, etc. because they also have a lot more listings and editorial online as well. Other local arts-related news sites to check are http://www.artskingston.com/ (daily arts updates, twitter sign up, and a calendar) and www.kingstoncanada.com Modern Fuel, if you’re a member, sends out a darned good list of things happening too. And Nancy Grieg, of Absolutely Music, does the best “press release forwarding” around! Let’s keep the cooler months warm by congregating together in all the culture hot spots, okay. (FYI, I can even mention a few out-of-town things that we go to. Would love to hear your ideas too.)

Sept 7-12 Maybe we can just start September after Labour Day, since I can’t remember anything back in the first week. This is probably because I was just getting into “school year mode” again, and writer Donnalee Iffla and I realized we’d better get cracking if we were actually to perform the little piece we’d promised as part of Theatre Kingston’s opening launch. That and “geez, I’d better get signed up for that fall class after all” –which turned out to be portrait painting at Kingston School of Art. We also joined the Kingston Opera Guild for the first time, because they offer tickets and /or trips (and talks) to some great operas at the new Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. I also started working on laying some groundwork for the new Arts Hub project at the Kingston Arts Council. – which is devoted, in large part, to combing through a couple of thousand names in the database and getting to know all about who does what here. Thank you, God, for the opportunity to re-sharpen a memory I’d started to doubt! If you think you’re not on the database, email me at lin@artskingston.com and tell me what you do.Anyway, with names going through my head night and day, it was time to add a few more, as the Arts Season 2009/2010 kicked off in Kingston

The packed Theatre Kingston launch at the library’s Wilson Room Sept. 10 was a good place to start, since Diane Schoemperlen’s reading gave a taste of not only the sort of level of writing we would soon be experiencing at the inaugural WritersFest, but also a taste of the work to be combined with movement in tk’s season opener, Mark Cassidy’s theatrical staging of her Forms of Devotion. Theatre legend Jim Garrard also spoke a bit about Charlotte Corbeil Coleman’s version of Hamlet that Kingston-raised Rockne will perform in Jim’s Salon Theatre co-production of The King’s Conscience in the new year. Kim Renders (artistic director) movingly read from an excerpt from the stunning Joan Didion work The Year of Magical Thinking, in which she’ll perform this season. Donnalee Iffla and I turned out to be a regular standup comedy routine of cheeky old broads in our piece Sixty Secrets About The S- Word, which rather surprised us, after having tanked at a poetry reading at The Artel a few days earlier. I guess that’s what “out-of-town- previews are for! Those Artel readings, (hosted by writer in residence, Bruce Kauffman with really good coffee and snacks) were sort of art gallery -serious, but also intimate in a sparse living room atmosphere and featured everything from political sound-based works to funny theatrebits by my hub, John Lazarus.

Sept 13 – 20 Since my “art event” of that week was the Milestone Birthday and the family theatrics that ensued, I had to miss things like the first Arts and Letters Club night in their new location, the RCHA Club. Nonetheless, we did pop into Sandra Whitton Gallery to see the ever beautiful charcoal abstractions and drawing work by the equally lovely Laurie Sponagle (who, I’m happy to hear, is now teaching drawing at Brockville’s St. Lawrence College campus.) We fortunately, also to the OKWA (Organization of Kingston Women Artists) Juried Show at Chameleon Nation which featured things such as a beautiful button collage/family history by Zillah Loney, a haunting (prizewinner) by J.T.Winik, a stunning Skeleton Park (prizewinner) ceramic bowl by Marney McDiarmid and evocative works by women such as Margaret Hughes and Barb Carr. Good thing I went when I did because barely at the end of the week, we got the news that the CN’s doors had been bolted by the landlord, and the OKWA show would only be able to be seen one more time: at the Art After Dark reception night, which was brilliantly moved to (and accommodated by) Kingston Glass Works.

Sept. 21- 28 Arts and Culture week. AKA: A Whole Month Packed Into 7 days!
I started the Downtown Kingston Business Improvement Association’s Arts And Culture week both excited and grumpy. Not only had that whole Chameleon Nation business been so distressing, I was concerned that the consultations for the Kingston Cultural Plan ironically had to happen on probably the biggest culture week in Kingston (those who did like culture or were involved in making it probably wouldn’t be there…) We never are correct in our prognosticating, of course (you MUST read the non-self-help book Stumbling on Happiness) and those meetings, in general, were good news, as it was all about finding some consensus on Kingston arts issues. Appropriately, the amazingly busy Lindsey Fair remarked on how great it was that there are now “clusters” emerging…which is true…although we do have a habit speaking up more about our complaints rather than our kudos. Someone even noted that the CKAF (City of Kingston Arts Fund) was a good thing for more than just the money, because people actually now look outside of their rabbit holes to see what those who get the money are doing, and they actually have to evaluate their planning. Sessions like these, led by some very talented culturati Jenny Ginder and Janis Barlow highlight the positives first…which should be a rule everywhere in life! And it was good to see young movers and shakers around the tables with the “older guard” and institutional policy makers.

Art and Culture week was even more active than the posters and ads would lead you to believe, since the Downton BIA’s mandate is promoting downtown events, (and apparently the bigger ones). The Kingston WritersFest dominated my week (as it did for hundreds and hundreds of other Kingstonians) starting out with Margaret Atwood’s theatrical booklaunch for Year of the Flood. It had a style that certainly echoed the book….everything from the amused and diminuitive grande dame herself, reading little bits at the corner, to three “genuine actors” (Michelle Girouard, Krista Garrett, Jim Garrard…my God, I didn’t realize they were the G-Guys!) doing staged excerpts on the other side of the stage. Each of them was great, since Jim is born to play an irreverent reverend and Michelle was perfect as a punky cocktail waitress in plumes. The name of the game for this launch is that the music and text are sent to the local community, who does what it will with it…and here Andy Rush and about 20 friends did a fully costumed rendition of the craggy “tunes” that form part of the novel. Due to acoustics, or articulation, one or two of the tunes would have been enough for me…but it was sort of a “suspension of disbelief” theatrically. Atwood wrote extensively about being in Kingston on her own blog (although the local paper somehow couldn’t find her appearance at the Community Harvest Working Group – or any of the other readers– newsworthy enough to cover that week!) Ms. Atwood’s blog, with pix of both events: marg09.wordpress.com

Ahem. Thursday night was a conflict for me between Art After Dark, the Artists on Art lecture at the Agnes, and the readings of Joseph Boyden and Michael Crummy (moderated by local writer Steve Heighton) . My hubby reported back that the guy readings were a dynamite event. ..and since I was exhausted from art talk all day, I "only" managed to see Kevin Viner’s Parisian photography at Robert Macklin, Bruce Millen and Molly McClung’s work at Studio 22, the Chameleon/Kingston Glass Studio show, have a quick glance at Modern Fuel’s films (based on the work of local residents with Bear Thomas) in Market Square and zip up to Modern Fuel’s Chronotopic Village and Dream Temples show in Modern Fuel. Fortunately, each and every show was high quality. The nibblies weren't bad either...Viner’s silver gelatine prints were both subtle artistic portraits of “current and contemporary views on familiar themes “ and largely showcased the classic grandeur of Paris with a soupcon of contempo eye (a hand of the artists sticking out from a garden portrait, a balto bar, a piece of graffiti on a wall.) Since my kids had just given me a ticket to Paris for a birthday gift…I felt the show was devised just for me.

Studio 22’s show I think was the one I’ve most enjoyed so far, because there was a simplicity and uniformity of works chosen from only two artists. It also, of course unwittingly, was a perfect segue from the black and white Paris photos at Macklin’ s. At Studio 22, Bruce Millen’s Quietude (nearly monochromatic photographs of ice and icy landscapes) were soothing yet provocative, particularly works such as Holes in Perception and Zipper 1. Molly McClung’s new works in stone, Mythography, was a myth moving through stone –transporting you in a 3d fashion through themes you didn’t even need to be familiar with to enjoy. Have out of town visitors who aren’t that adventurous but like quality? I’d say to take them to this one…and to Macklin and Whitton…then to the Agnes. “Downtown Kingston” to the rest of us really can emcompass a trip past City Park! I also stopped by the Kingston GlassWorks/Chameleon Nation OKWA show, which was packed with well wishers. Unfortunately, a couple of works such did not travel with them to the Kingston Glass Works event, but it was a rather surreal treat to see people blowing glass while dozens of other folks VERY carefully wove their ways through the glass work and paintings

At Modern Fuel Artist Run Centre, Chronotopic Village, curated by Wanda Nanibush, may be one of the most successful shows there, with works from First Nations artists “recontextualizing Indigenous time based media” “engaging audiences in multiple and diverse time spaces.” (I couldn’t say it myself, and would be glad seeing those words in larger type somewhere. My eternal complaint.) Still…it was a hypnotic and yet thought provoking, stepping “out of time” in much the same way as the Diane Landry’s “umbrella piece” at the Agnes does. Nadia Myre’s Portrait as A Line (shown both as a rear projection and an embossed canoe) were two of my favourites.

Then it was back to WritersFest events (and more cultural consultations) for a few days, interspersed with Theatre K’s beautifully fluid and sensual Forms of Devotion and the impressive (no pun) First Impressions show by Kingston printmakers at Rebecca Cowan’s studio. At WritersFest, in addition to being charmed by constantly-glowing and hard working writer/organizer Merilyn Simonds (and her great outfits!), I enjoyed seeing all sorts of people (mostly women) venturing forth for tips on writing. My favourites were hearing local writer Susan Olding’s excerpts from Pathologies and Lorna Crozier’s takes on memoirs (a rather risky business when you’re talking about your family…), listening to the reading and writing of Gil Adamson (the Outlander) and seeing (dapper) old friend Bill Richardson cheekily and semi-sexily introducing the Speakeasy on Saturday night. It was fascinating how some readers’ work really changed with a jazz backup of Trio Without Words, led by the brilliant sax player Jonathan Stewart. Leon Rooke was the only one to leap off the page in something approaching sound poetry…and he was a relative oldster! I think we need a spot in town for writer cabarets…maybe the new Arts And Letters club location at the RCHA will turn into that. (Cam Shafer’s “blazz” -blues and jazz - events there on Fridays may lend themselves to this sort of thing.)

Sept. 27 – Oct 4 September just kept going, didn’t it? The week included the Sept. 30 performance Machine a Foudre by Diane Landry, courtesy of Agnes Etherington Art Centre. At that piece Landry stitched on a map, with a huge video project of her hands working, while the sound of the machine was amplified. Okay, I’m a dolt. Off I dozed. Repeatedly. But to a very interesting soundscape! Then we went to the gallery and I kicked myself for not seeing her fabulous installation The Defibrillators first, because it’s so brilliant and contextualizes her whimsical yet strong political sense. (Fortunately, her installation is on until mid-December, because it is not to be missed). I particularly love anything where well dressed people can be seen getting on their knees to peer underneath a bed! And don’t bypass the backrooms, particularly the one behind Landry’s performance videos, since it contains a pretty potent yet humourous link between women and washing machines.

Also had a great night “among the young folk” sitting cosily in a chair, reflecting on my own arthippy youth as those gangbuster Gertrudes tried out their Montreal set at The Mansion. I wasn’t the oldest in the crowd, just second-olderst…and you gotta love 10 people with bangos, horns, a theramin, and everything else! “Nerdgrass” Josh Lyon calls it. A Youth Tonic, I think.

Good news came midweek too. 1) the disappointment of Chameleon Nation’s forced disappearance was alleviated by an announcement that the uber-dedicated Ashley Fortune and Kate Graff will be working with Sandra to curate and manage the gallery part of Sandra Whitton Gallery. Sandy is featuring the boldly colourful paintings of Sharon Thompson through the month. 2) Just found out that there will be an event during the first two weeks of February called Artignite, designed to showcase arts events happening both on campus and in town, encouraging “cross overs” from both the civilian community and the academic world. Maps, please! At least these won’t require thousands of dollars in police surveillance… (although a good coat, parking money, or taxi might be required). You have to submit an application to be included in this big co-promotion, however. More info:

At the end of the week, I was pretty impressed by the 75 year old nimble fingered Oliver Jones and ever-brazzy (a new word, but fitting) vocalist Ranee Lee, even if jazz is not a big taste of mine. (I’m such a fan of lyrics - I have a weird impatience with trying to “find them” among all the brilliant pyrotechnics. Sorry….silly….status quo. I’m working on it.)

The capper of First Week in October is one of those events that only the inner circle of Kingston theatre seems to attend, and I bemoan it every time. The Herman Voaden National Playwriting Competition readings.…This 7th incarnation of the biennial Playwriting competition, that brings two very strong scripts to town, with strong professional casts and one (free) reading each, are always on my calendar. These top-notch works solicited from across the country almost always go on to bigger productions in other cities, and are nearly the only time Kingston can witness such a strong combination of visiting talent with such powerful writing. Maybe the Queen’s Artignite thing will help to get locals more familiar with Queen’s locations. Maybe the Drama Dep’t will have to give up on using their own free space and go into “the centre of town.” Maybe? Gas Girls was a lively yet unsettling piece set in Zimbabwe, about 2 young women who have to work in the sex trade just to make money to live, by Donna -Michelle St. Bernard (who had worked with the playwrights unit of Toronto’s Obsidian Theatre...) The second piece, Tom’s A -Cold by David Egan, starred Shane Carty and Matthew Gibson in a time and perception-twisted tale of two men abandoned in the Arctic by their shipmates, many of whom had also turned to cannibalism to survive after they had been trapped in King William’s Land. Two years from now maybe the Voaden show will combine with the similarly biennial and national contest of The Kingston Prize and the cumulative impact of “visiting art” will perhaps have the audiences they both deserve!

ON TO OCTOBER.
Things to be thankful for in early October, fellow gluttons:
Oct 5-11 Oct. 7 –it’s Members Night at the Agnes (to see how they’re reworking the art rental/gallery space and mingle some more in the Landry show); Oct. 8 –we’re being torn between the Opening Gala for the Kingston Prize (which runs until Oct. 25 in the lobbies of the Grand, open between 12:30 and 5 daily) and the talk/closing reception at Union Gallery for Abject Nature (which you don’t need an invitation to attend. ) Later that evening, it’s back to the Mansion for a little “lower art” to hear Reuben DeGroot and his pal and mine, singersongwriter Corbin Murdoch from Vancouver. Then, honest to God, I’m getting out of town. Probably to Canadian Stage, the Gardiner Museum, and the AGO.

Pss. If you want to get ready for some fisticuffs, arts style, I dare you to go to the Kingston Prize (in addition to some of the great studio tours) on Thanksgiving weekend, then attend the reception for Macklin’s cheeky Salon des Refuses on Oct. 14th, and follow it Oct. 15th’s at RCHA with Arts And Letters Club’s talk Wither Portraiture Globe and Mail’s Gary Michael Dault (who now lives in the region) entertains the topic of the viability of portraiture in our modern world. Consider it a performance art triatholon!

Whew. Did Kingston really just survive all that? Did I? Did you?