| The RED Letter, Feb 2009 |
Table of Contents
1. Words from Lisa Pijuan-Nomura
It’s my birthday on Wednesday the 25th and oddly, I have been thinking that I was turning 38. I truly really deeply believed that until I was reminded by my friend Joel that I was in fact turning 37, so whoo hoo, I gained a whole year! And as a celebration I am going to offer my early bird rate until the 25th for my creativity classes! Please note that you will be getting March’s letter on time. I am no longer lost ;-) Enjoy the offerings of February! Creatively Yours, P.S This photo is of a short performance piece that myself and Nicole Mion did at Banff, yep, that is me hiding behind the tree in green!
2. Feature Theatre: Binti’s Journey
Binti’s Journey Adapted by Marcia Johnson from the novel The Heaven Shop by Deborah Ellis. After losing her home and family to AIDS and enduring separation from her siblings, 13 year-old Binti Phiri finds her way to her Grandmother’s village and discovers a deeper understanding of the power of family and community. Deborah Ellis’s acclaimed novel for youth addressing the human impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa is brought to life through the power of drama, storytelling, dance and music in an inspiring theatrical production. February 18 – March 1, 2009 The Loop Theatre 416.504.7529 or buy online at www.artsboxoffice.ca
3. Feature Theatre:Wise. Woman.
Wise.Woman A new play involving a modern tangle of relationships, self-discovery, and a revealing journey into the old world of an east african dynasty. After the successful 2007 workshop, b current is proud to present Wise.Woman by Rebecca Fisseha. Immerse yourself in the magic and beauty of a great show featuring a cast of prominent local artists of colour, written by a young female artist of Ethiopian descent, Rebecca Fisseha. This is a theatrical event not to be missed! Directed by ahdri zhina madiela February 20, 2009 - March 8, 2009 For tickets and group discounts, email outreach@bcurrent.ca
4. Feature Dance: Banta
Experience the spirit, freedom and complexities of African dance in a spectacular celebration of traditional and contemporary works, when COBA (Collective of Black Artists) presents its 16th annual season at Fleck Dance Theatre, February 20-22, 2008 – part of Harbourfront Centre’s NextSteps program. With driving rhythms and a stylized aesthetic, COBA’s compelling creations address social themes and are rooted in the rich legacy of African history. Banta, meaning to talk, celebrates the spirit and excellence of the performers, giving them a chance to share their heart and soul with diverse audiences. In it’s 16th annual season, COBA’s program includes 2 world premieres choreographed by Charmaine Headley and Bakari E. Lindsay, reflecting the experience and knowledge garnered from their recent research trip to Jamaica and Trinidad. These two original works promise to be powerful examples of COBA’s ability to compel modern audiences, garnering them place at the heart of contemporary Canadian dance. These two contemporary pieces are balanced with an encore visitation of Sis Robin Hibbert’s Doun Doun Dance. This traditional West African dance exposes and honours the roots that inform all of COBA’s work. A smashing success, the lively and colourful Doun Doun Dance has fast become one of COBA’s most popular works. See it now before it retires! About COBA: February 20th & 21st at 8pm, February 22nd at 2pm Fleck Dance Theatre $25 - $30
5. Creativity Classes and Coaching with GirlCanCreate“As a workshop leader, Lisa brings a sense of excitement and passion few can match. Her enthusiasm rubs off on the participants, now co-creators, in a world of movement and creativity carefully explored and unleashed in a safe, fun-filled experience. Lisa is both a masterful facilitator and a catalyst for stepping into the unknown. With such warmth and humour, she truly creates a joyous atmosphere in her classes and workshops.” - Beth Mairs, Director of Wild Woman Expedition
She Can Create: Creativity Classes for Women Join us for an experiential woman's creative group that meets once a week to play and create using a variety of different inspirations. Focusing on self-expression and the desire to bring more art to our lives we will use Collage, Storytelling, Movement, Doll making, Beadwork and Journaling to jumpstart our creativity and help create unique pieces of art and find ways how to continue creating after the classes are finished. Lisa will also talk about the overcoming creative blocks, taking steps to complete projects and letting the world know about your work. A sure fire inspiring workshop, register early to avoid disappointment as there is a limited amount of participants. Monday Nights from 6:30 to 9:30 Wednesday Nights from 6:30 to 9:30 Price: $200 To register and place a deposit to hold your spot please email Lisa at lisa@girlcancreate.com or call 416-516-4925 One on One Creativity Coaching Do you have a creative dream welling up inside? Or do you feel stuck by anxiety when you take a step towards your creative vision? Perhaps you simply want more art in your life. Rates: Single 1 hour session = $70 I am currently accepting new coaching clients. If you are interested in working with me please email me at lisa@girlcancreate.com with a short introduction. I look forward to hearing from you! About Lisa: For many years Lisa has helped other artists when times were tough. It seemed to be a natural extensions of her work as an artist and curator. Lisa has studied with many great creative minds including author and creativity expert Eric Maisel, Art Therapist Jacqueline Gautier, dancer Lisa Nelson, singer Ysaye Barnwell, musician Babatunde Olatunji, storyteller Judith Black and many others! Lisa has taught at Rio Caliente Wellness Spa, Wild Women Expeditions and as an Artist in Education in the Toronto School Board. With over 15 years of working as a performance artist, writer and educator, Lisa is especially passionate about bring art, humour and creativity to lives of women, youth and children.
6. Classes, Workshops and ConferencesClasses at Nathalie Roze and Co!
In this fun "softies" workshop participants will explore various techniques for creating their own customized stuffed toys using recycled fabrics, felted sweater bits, socks, yarn, buttons and other quirky crafty supplies. Materials will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring in their own notions to put their own stamp on their softies. Note: basic sewing skills are required! Instructor: Nathalie-Roze Fischer/Laura Cristinzo/Anneke Garnette $60+ GST (includes materials as well as tea and baked goodies served during the break) Lino-Block Printing This beginner-friendly workshop covers the basic principles of lino-block printing, a creative yet simple and low-cost printing technique that's ideal for making your own designs to transfer onto paper goods and fabric. Note: Participants must purchase a course kit for $20 from the instructor Guest Instructor: print artist/greeting card designer Katie Muthh $55+ GST (includes tea & baked goodies served during the break) Beginner Sewing: Easy Pillow Cases Stitching newbies will learn the basics in this popular introductory workshop - how a sewing machine functions, essential threading, key stitches and the finishing techniques required to create a quirky-cool pillowcase or cushion cover. Participants may opt to use the one of the on-site Singer/Janome machines OR can bring their own. Note: Participants must either bring their own fabric & notions or purchase the course kit ($15). No more than 4 participants per session, so register early! Instructor: Nathalie-Roze Fischer/Laura Cristinzo/Anneke Garnette $60+ GST (includes tea and baked goodies served during the break) LP Journals In this beginner-friendly paper crafts workshop, participants will learn how to recycle vintage LP album covers to create a quirky (refillable) journal with a library-style inside pocket. Bring in two album covers from your collection, pick some up at a thrift shop or buy them from Natalie's collection ($3 each). This hip eco-project makes a great gift or customized personal notebook. Guest Instructor: Natalie Leblanc of PaperMuse $60+ GST (includes materials as well as tea and baked goodies served during the break) Creative Card-Making Participants will learn how to create personalized collage cards that incoroporate fabric, photos, stamps and paper ephemera. Materials will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring along photos, papers, buttons and whichever personal items they hope to add to their cards. Expect to leave with 2 to 6 unique cards, plus the inspiration to make more at home. Guest Instructor: Kim Kutner, the illustrator behind the popular Kim's Suitcase line of paper goods and accessories (www.kimkutner.com) $50+ GST (includes all materials as well as tea and baked goodies served during the break) DIY Brooches This beginner-friendly workshop will provide participants with the skills necessary to create their own fabric, bead and wire brooches. Samples will be discussed and clever techniques revealed. Everyone will leave with a minimum of two finished pieces. All supplies and tools will be provided on-site. Instructor: Nathalie-Roze Fischer $55+ GST (includes all materials as well as tea and baked goodies served during the break) More workshop listings at: www.nathalie-roze.com nathalie-roze & co.
Two Classes at Hub 14
Dana Gingras – The Falling Body March 21 and 22 The workshop will be presented as a series of kinetic explorations combining skills and practices of rolling, releasing, giving and supporting weight. Drawn from various systems that aim to establish connections that develop a freedom and efficiency of movement and simultaneously awaken the senses. Special attention will be paid to increase the functional capacity and articulation of the spine. Through guided improvisations participants will investigate the fluid pathways and transitions inherent in falling and recovery with emphasis on the initiation of movement and the use of momentum and gravity as a means to full-bodied, dynamic and risky dancing. Phrase work will further explore the concepts of gravity and anti-gravity while expanding the range of spatial awareness and the potential for expansiveness. Participants will engage in their own choreographic explorations to develop material integrating the physical possibilities and qualities of an unstable equilibrium with intention and presence. Space is limited at Hub 14, please e-mail to register.
Keith Hennessy May 8-10, 2009 A weekend laboratory for people who make dances, performances, and experiments in staging bodies. 4 sessions: 1 talk and 3 practice. Responding to challenges in contemporary dance from Berlin to Vancouver, from Sao Paulo to Kinshasa, the lab will provide an opportunity for experiments in making and thinking. We'll begin with an interactive talk and maybe some mini performances and youtube viewings. Let's entertain some ideas. The weekend studio sessions will mix discussion and dancing. Engaging and staging the Space is limited at Hub 14, please e-mail to register.
7. Calls for EntriesCALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
2009 The Canadian Stage Company is pleased to announce a call for submissions to its second and now annual Festival of Ideas and Creation for the June 2009 Festival. Festival Director Natasha Mytnowych has released a Call for Submissions to artists who are currently working on new projects of any length and in early phases of development who would like the opportunity to publically share their work in a festival context. Deadline for submissions is March 16, 2009. The Festival of Ideas and Creation is an annual artistic festival, offering opportunities for professional artists locally and nationally to develop and present new work and evolve their artistic practice. The festival integrates the Company’s year-round artistic development initiatives and is programmed in collaboration with a wide array of artists and arts organizations. Additionally, the festival offers audiences opportunities to increase their understanding and participate in the development of new Canadian work. The inaugural Festival of Ideas and Creation in May 2006 was an international playwrights’ event based on play creation, consisting of Master Classes taught by senior theatre creators, public conversations, public panels and other networking events. Teachers included Edward Albee, Leslie Arden, Denise Clarke, Joe Penhall, Judith Thompson, and Paula Vogel. This year we are expanding upon the endeavors of the inaugural festival to include investigations of practice and process by creators, directors and designers, workshops and presentations of work in development, and the integration of youth, community and artist-driven events from June 8 - 27, 2009. Submissions for the 2009 Toronto Festival of Clowns needed!!! The Toronto Festival of Clowns aims to bring together clowns and physical theatre artists of all disciplines and backgrounds and provide a common space to showcase their work. Now entering our 4th year, the festival continues to encourage the risk and exploration of the clown, hosting new and established works that inspire and delight. Past festivals have hosted some of North America’s top clowns, including David Craig (Roseneath Theatre, Napalm the Magnificent), Eric Davis (Red Bastard), Dean Gilmour (Theatre Smith-Gilmour), Sue Morrison (Institute of Canadian Clowning) and John Turner (Mump & Smoot). Call for performers… Go to www.torontoclown.com for more info
8. Websites I LoveLittle Paper Planes – http://www.littlepaperplanes.com/– Bits of Art Online! Origami Club – An really large catalog of origami pieces! And with pretty great intstructions! Taste T.O. – Toronto’s food blog with reviews of restaurants and markets.
9. Upcoming Performances of InterestFebruary 16 and 23 February 21 and 22 February 23 February 24 February 25
10. Photography by Dave Pijuan-Nomura
Dave specializes in macro and live event photography.
11. Last ThoughtThe day is coming when a single carrot, freshly observed, will set off a revolution. |
Sometimes I get behind. Like this past month. I spent 2 weeks at Banff Centre amidst amazing artists and then spent a week on the west coast working on a new show. I came home early for a handful reasons. My time away was like being lost in a world of inspiration, work, art and challenges. And sometimes that is a good thing. To be swept up away from the everyday to get lost. To me it’s an essential tool in life. Sometimes you must forget your path, only to be reminded of what is important. It was a nice and sweet lesson.
