| The RED Letter, Mar 2007 |
Table of Contents
1. Words from Lisa Pijuan-Nomura
And so, Now that is sweet. Enjoy the coming spring days. It's really a wonderous time of year. Best, Sorry for the tardy letter! It’s been a busy time! Please note that the list of Upcoming Performances will return next month! 2. Feature Dance: The Spinster’s Almanac
Award winning choreographer Susie Burpee teams with indie songwriter Christine Fellows to create a show inspired by Burpee's own “modern spinsterhood” and her rural roots. Double Dora-winner Susie Burpee is pleased to present her first full-length evening of dance, The Spinster’s Almanac, as a DanceWorks CoWorks Series Event. Set to an original song cycle by Canadian songwriter Christine Fellows, this solo theatrical dance work is a bird’s-eye view into one woman's cabaret of solitude. Paula Citron of The Globe and Mail has called Susie Burpee “strong and bold, and a compelling dancer.” Vancouver Courier says Christine Fellows creates “perfect miniatures as finely wrought and layered as a New Yorker short story, with an inviting first line and an eye for detail.” Wednesday March 14 to Saturday March 17, 2007 Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Performance Schedule: Wed-Sat at 8pm; Sat Mat 2:30pm Tickets: $22 ($18 seniors, students, artists, CADA) Box Office: 416-866-8666 INFO: www.youngcentre.ca 3. Feature Theatre Workshop: Refugee Hotel
Written and Directed by Carmen Aguirre A Workshop Reading The Refugee Hotel is the moving portrayal of Chilean political refugees who arrived at a Vancouver Hotel in 1973, after Chile's bloody military coup sent shock waves around the world. Passionate and insightful, the play brilliantly captures the immigrant and the exile experience in Canada. Alameda Theatre Company was formed in 2006 to create, develop and produce Latin American Canadian theatre. For more information about Alameda Theatre Company and its upcoming programs, Nueva Voz: A Latino Youth Theatre Initiative , El Barrio (Canada's first online database of Latin American-Canadian theatre artists across the country), and the De Colores Festival of New Works (a playwrights festival for Latin American Canadians).
4. Feature Festival: RED Festival
Mark your calendars now! Join us for the 2nd RED Festival that will be happening on April 15, 2007 to April 18, 2007. Featuring over 120 artists in 4 days at the lovely Lula Lounge. Some of the highlights include the Sweet Sangria Orchestra featuring Michael Johnston, Claire Jenkins, Brian MacMillan, Gurpreet Chana, Saidah Baba Talibah, Corin Raymond, Daniel Stone and Treassa Levesseur as they come together for one night as the official band of the RED Festival. Join us for El Mundo Rouge: A Program of International Artists with Romina Digasparro (Opera), Bageshree Vaze (Classical Indian Dance), La Morocha (Flamenco), and Amelie Lefebvre (Chanteuse). This years festival also introduces Solo RED which features 4 theatre artists performing solo shows. Solo RED will feature David Van Belle (Beard), Ginette Mohr (Fish Face), Rachelle Elie (JOE), and Chris Gibbs. Curated by Lisa Pijuan-Nomura with the assistance of Erica Kopyto, the 2nd RED Festival promises to be an event you won't want to miss! For more information, see www.girlcancreate.com
5. RED Fundraiser – February 28 at Lula Lounge
The RED Festival Fundraiser was a great success and featured a handful of the festival artists in a preview of the excellent talent that will be present in April! We raised much needed funds for the festival with the help of our supporters and donators of raffle prices. I would like to thank all of the audience members who came out to support along with all of the generous help from those who donated. As always at RED we like to help those who help us! Here is a list of some local businesses and artists who made the fundraiser a successful one! Lula Lounge – www.lula.ca Buddies In Bad Times – www.buddiesinbadtimestheatre.com Dancemakers – www.dancemakers.org Roy Thomson Hall – www.roythomsonhall.com Nightwood Theatre – www.nightwoodtheatre.net Tarragon Theatre – www.tarragontheatre.com Harbourfront Centre – www.harbourfrontcentre.com Living Institute – www.livinginstitute.org The Downward Dog – www.downwarddog.com Jessica Tudos at Kika Creative – www.kikacreative.com Made You Look Jeweler Studios – www.madeyoulook.ca Kim Drosdick – Jeweler– www.kimdrosdick.com Dianne Robinson – silntdesign@yahoo.ca This Ain’t The Rosedale Library Pages Books – www.pagesbooks.ca Dave Pijuan-Nomura – www.davenomura.com Banjo Puppets – www.banjopuppets.com Anadam Performance Projects – www.anandam.ca Evalyn Parry – www.evalynparry.com Jorge Miguel – Flamenco Guitarist - www.jorgemiguel.com Chris Warren – Singer/Songwriter - www.chriswarren.cc Gurpreet Chana – Tabla and Percussion - www.thetablaguy.com Susie Burpee – Dance Theatre Artist Amelie – Une Belle Chanteuse! - www.ameliechante.ca Blue Ceiling Dance Projects - Home of Lucy Rupert and all that she creates! Dan Goldman – Singer-Songwriter – www.dangoldman.ca 6. Call for Volunteers – RED FestivalWe are looking for a handful of fun, dependable folks who would like to help out during the RED Festival. If you are available on April 15 to April 18 in the evenings we are looking for people to help out with front of house, the sound bar, merchandise table and the RED Marketplace. In return for some of your help, we will offer you one complimentary night at the festival! If you are interested please email Lisa at lisa@girlcancreate.com 7. Read this Book! With Book Lady Sarah Selecky
I was looking for a book to bring with me on vacation, and since I was going pretty close to the equator, I thought this title would be fitting. Ha, ha, carry me down in my luggage, etc. I had no idea what a compelling character I was about to meet. What an incredible, thrilling surprise. The story is about eleven-year-old John Egan who has the “gift” of knowing when people are lying to him (it makes him physically ill). He lives in a cottage in Ireland with his parents and his grandmother, and as he hones his skills, practicing on the people he lives with, it becomes clear that something troubling is going on in his family. But what is it? Why are his parents acting so strangely? Why do they hide the truth from him, when he can obviously tell that they’re lying to him? Feeling deceived and alone, John befriends a substitute teacher who appears to respect him in ways nobody else does. But then his parents move out of the cottage and into the slums of Dublin – “just for a while.” Stranded, lonely, in an unfriendly school and in a dangerous apartment complex, John begins to investigate the private lives of his parents. He uncovers more secrecy, more lies, and when he finally reveals the truth, his family finds itself in a frightening, violent crisis.
I’ve been waiting for this collection to come out ever since I read the story “Honouring Honey” in Event last summer. The story is about a man who decides he’s going to honour the life of his beloved, blind, arthritic family dog by ritually cooking and eating her heart. It's an incredible story — not only because of the tension between the man and his dog, but the rest of the story, too, which is about the man's wife and children who are trying to deal with this uncomfortable situation in the best way they know how. The twelve very powerful stories included in this collection examine the human condition with integrity, looking at what it means to be good and what it means to wrestle with our own demons – gargoyles – as we live and love. Gaston's sentences are gorgeous, tight without being too spare or minimal, which makes the stories intensely satisfying to read —like opening a crisply-wrapped parcel secured with twine. Beautiful and clean, but not flowery or pompous, so the wrapping paper doesn’t overpower the content. 8. Classes, Workshops and ConferencesEllen Stewart and LaMaMa Umbria International present Romanian director Andrei Serban provides exercises that showcase his techniques for working with actors. American composer/lyricist Elizabeth Swados brings music into the director's process with her workshop on creating vocal music for theatre. Japanese director Yoshi Oida, formerly an actor with the Peter Brook company, will offer a workshop exploring the subtleties of naturalism in performance. Enrique Pardo, a Peruvian sensation now based in Paris, works with the voice to discover plot, place and story and then adds a choreographic component to the work. Bulgarian director Petar Todorov brings to a naturalistic script a unique way of working which fuses text and movement. Award-winning choreographer Annie-B Parson approaches direction as choreography working with pure movement, dynamics, the borrowing of theatrical devices, the use of found text and appropriation of historical materials. Symposium participants attend local festivals and visit cultural sites around Umbria while living at LaMaMa Umbria, a 500-year-old former convent that Ellen Stewart has made into an artist residence. For playwrights, LaMaMa offers the First Annual LaMaMa Playwright Retreat, August 6–13, 2007. Master playwright Lisa Kron will facilitate work sessions for the playwrights selected to attend. Much of the time will be reserved for quiet contemplation and writing. Lisa Kron (writer and star of last season's Tony nominated play Well on Broadway) will provide individualized support and facilitate group discussions about the work. Kron currently teaches playwriting at the Yale Drama School. Director/playwrights may attend both the Symposium and Retreat at a reduced rate. Applications and further information are now available at www.lamama.org (click on Italy) or by calling LaMaMa ETC at (212) 254-6468. WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITY: Invitation to join the first ever HATCHLab, presented by Harbourfront Centre as part of New World Stage and HATCH: emerging performance projects . From March 28-April 1, New World Stage will feature NYC-based devised performance ensemble The TEAM with their show, Particularly in the Heartland. In connection with this performance, we are offering a workshop for local performance practitioners to work with The TEAM on March 30 and 31, 11 am – 6 pm at the Enwave Theatre at Harbourfront Centre. This workshop will be based around The TEAM’s work and process, creating a highly compressed and creative environment, in which the students will collaborate to generate their own work. This will be practical application, not theory, so while the TEAM will look to its work and process for reference, the class will focus on making new work. There is no cost to participate in this workshop, however, participants must be available and committed to attending both days and able to attend one of The TEAM’s performances before the workshop begins. Space is limited and registration may be limited. Please email hatch@harbourfrontcentre.com for more information. For more on The TEAM visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com/news or www.theteamplays.com. nanopod: Hybrid Studio - workshops Intensive Glass Fusing & Jewelry Making Workshop Learn how to cut glass, emboss-it, embed things in it, and fuse-it then learn how to bezel set your glass pieces, make a ring band for your bezel settings, pendants, cuff links, etc. Resource list of where you can purchase materials, tools, equipment and how to set-up your own studio is included. This is a 2-day intensive workshop that teaches not only how to make beautiful fused glass cabochons or “stones”, but also how to mount and display them to their best advantage. It is a fun, hands-on class that begins with glass cutting and ends with the completion of 6 to 10 fused pieces; cabochons for earrings, pendants and rings. The next day using sterling silver students will choose from their fusings made on Saturday and learn how to ‘set' them creating beautiful one-of-a-kind earrings, pendants and rings. If you are interested in making unique jewelry for sale or gifts, then this is the class for you. Class fee includes all materials: glass, sterling & fine silver, supplies, and firings. Tools are provided. Lunch included on Sunday at the Linux Cafe! Register online, or phone: nanopod: Hybrid Studio ARTISTS AGAINST WAR presents art changes everything Sunday March 18 11:00 – War in Perspective/War and Neo-liberalism 12:00 – Cultural Performance – Jawqet al-Sheikh Imam 1:15 – History of Art in the Struggle 2:45 – Moving Forward: Where do we go from here? for info or to register: aaw@sympatico.ca 9. Calls for SubmissionsCall to Artists: At the Wrecking Ball IV At the Wrecking Ball IV is an evening of short works by emerging dance artists and their interdisciplinary collaborators. Produced by Ambitious Enterprises (artistic directors Kate Franklin and Tina Fushell), this fourth installment of the Wrecking Ball Series will be held at the Theatre Centre, a 125-seat theatre at 1087 Queen West at Dovercourt Road www.theatrecentre. org . At the Wrecking Ball IV will take place from the 4th-7th of October 2007. Ambitious Enterprises is calling for submissions. Four successful artists will be chosen to be on the program along with the work of Kate Franklin and Tina Fushell. Successful applicants receive a venue for their work (six shows in total), all technicians including lighting designer and stage manager, advertising and publicity and a video archive of the show. Please read the guidelines carefully to determine if your work is eligible. 1) The work must be 10 minutes in length or under Please provide us with four (4) copies of the following written material: 1) Biographies of all collaborators Please provide us with one (1) copy of the following support material: Please provide the panel with a maximum of 10 minutes of video samples. 1) A recording of the work if it has already been performed or rehearsal footage of the work; A panel comprised of Kate, Tina and two invited senior guest artists will review submissions. Submissions are due by April 15th, 2007. Please mail all material to: Ambitious Enterprises If there are any questions please do not hesitate to email Kate or Tina at ambitiousenterprise sae@gmail. com , or call Kate at 416-361-6102 MADance Screen Salon Two dance film screenings in spring ’07: 1st – footage in progress up to 5 minutes 2nd – completed works up to 12 minutes Films must include a Toronto based dance choreographer or director Deadline: March 31, 2007 See www.kaeja.org upcoming events for application/info Selected Shorts Writing Contest! Enter to Win the Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize An exciting new contest for writers. The winning entry will be read in the Selected Shorts series at Symphony Space and the winner will receive $1000. Story requirements: Where to submit your story: Email all submissions to shorts@symphonyspace.org Deadline: All submissions must be received by March 31, 2007 Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is Now Accepting Submissions for HYSTERIA: a festival of women Moynan King, Festival Director October 25 – November 3, 2007 Buddies in Bad Times Theatre “I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is. Buddies is seeking submissions for it's 4th incarnation of this international showcase of female talents from the worlds of theatre, dance, film, music and visual art. Curated by Buddies’ Associate Artist Moynan King, HYSTERIA is a vital female forum for presentation, discussion and exchange, unlike any other in the country. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: May 15, 2007 SUBMISSION GUIDELINES We are seeking new creations as well as existing works by emerging and established artists from diverse cultural, sexual and artistic backgrounds. Submissions may include (but are not limited to): Submissions must include: • 2 copies of the completed application form per submission Please keep a copy of your submission Hysteria Participants will receive an honourarium. DEADLINE: May 15, 2007 Please send all submissions to: (submissions will not be accepted by fax or email) For more information please contact 10. Harbourfront HappeningsAalst – a true story This riveting piece, from renowned theatre company Victoria, examines a crime so heinous it forever tainted the name of the town in which it was perpetrated, Aalst, Belgium. Kathy and Kurt check into a hotel with their two children, a few days later police find both children dead by the hands of their own parents... Aalst is ‘faction’ theatre, a mixture of fact and fiction, based on reality in which statements and interviews are reproduced exactly but to which new and fictional elements are also added. Director Pol Heyvaert based Aalst on newspaper articles and a national TV report — 70% of what you see performed on stage is verbatim of the trial. Aalst is about death, but it is also about love, and the way in which the local community and the Belgian legal system deal with it. Universal and close to home. For more info on the Victoria Company see www.victoria.be March 14 – 17 Solo – Le doute m'habite
(the doubt within me) Taking a courageous leap into the shadowy waters of his memory, European superstar choreographer Philippe Decouflé shares with us a self-portrait that is hesitant, fragile and poignant. Using a series of multimedia effects, this “camera danseur” interacts with himself on screen through real time projections, live music and simple storytelling techniques, presenting a nostalgic glimpse into his life as an artist and human being. Internationally known as the choreographer of the opening ceremonies of the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, this solo piece takes a departure from Decouflé’s grand scale works to a more intimate experience, reminiscent of an evening of home movies. For more info on compagnie DCA see www.cie-dca.com March 20 – 24 For more information on these shows and more at Harbourfront see www.harbourfrontcentre.com or call 416-973-4000 11. What is it? Contest
The first two people to respond correctly to this contest win a pair of tickets to The 2nd RED Festival for the night of their choice from April 15-18th at Lula Lounge! Good Luck! 12. Last Thought“Celebrate what you want to see more of.” |
I just finished reading the book Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. She is a 33 year old woman who seeks the art of pleasure in Italy, the art of devotion in India and the art of balance in Indonesia. This book is wonderful. Funny and real, full of hilarious moments and poignant thoughts about seeking and spirituality and soul. I highly recommend this book to everyone that I meet. Even total strangers, and of course those I love the most!
