| The RED Letter, Feb 2006 |
Table of Contents
1. Words from Lisa Pijuan-Nomura
Wow, Canada! For the past few weeks, I have been to Calgary and back, worked with artists and creators from across Canada with the Interrarium Project, performed at the High Performance Rodeo, and then returned to Toronto to attend Performance Creation Canada, a conference that initiated important questions of art, creation, politics and people. I have always know that we live in a great place full of great artists, but it really occurred to me that possibilities of collaboration are so more accessible in this time of internet, innovation and cheap air flight. I urge artists to push the boundaries of our city, and find other voices in this country, heck, in this world that inspire you and that you want to work with. Send them an email, start a conversation and who knows what might happen. I hope you all have a wonderful February, I know for most people it’s a bit crappy, but for me, it’s great, Rhubarb Festival, Valentine’s Day(although I hated it before I was married, I have high expectations this year!) and my birthday on the 25th! I think that February is going to be grand! Just grand! If you want to drop me a line, and let me know of any upcoming events I should know about, or you have an idea for the RED letter, please do email me at lisa@girlcancreate.com.
2. Interview with Friendly Rich: Artistic Director of the Brampton Indie Arts Festival
For those of us who don't know, What is the Brampton Indie Arts Festival? How did the festival come into existence? The Brampton Indie Arts Festival is a diverse festival I started in my hometown of Brampton. I worked with the theatre manager Steve Solskiin 1999 who gladly supported my work as a composer and gave me the green light to curate this festival at the Heritage Theatre. It's continued to grow into something truly bizarre over the last 6 years. Our aim has always been to offer kids in the suburbs something different to eat. Since Brampton is short of a university, I think having festivals like ours will not only help retain interesting people/artists in Brampton, but it will also attract diverse audiences to Brampton. This festival has been described as "Canada’s strangest festival" by Hal Niedzviecki from the Globe and Mail. How so? Yes, Hal Niedzviecki from the Globe and Mail referred to this fest as "Canada's strangest festival" in an article he wrote three years ago. I like that as a title for the fest, which offers a little bit of everything to its audience. This year, we're especially excited to offer a bathroom series, in the man's/women's washrooms that are gender specific, on the hour performances by some some truly daringartists (ie. Child at Zoo, Erin Cricket, Kristen Theriualt and more). Tell us about your personal work as an artist. I began compiosing strange music naked in my parents' basement in Brampton. I enjoyed success composing music for the Tom Green Show on MTV in the late 90's. I am currently collaborating with puppeteer David Hannan on a touring vaudeville show called "The Friendly Rich Show" which will launch at the Lula Lounge on Feb. 16th 2006. It will also be the CD release of my ensemble The Lollipop People's new recording "We Need a New F-Word". I am excited to build a show that has music inthe foreground, like Lawrence Welk, with strange design and theatrical approaches, like Pee Wee's Playhouse. This show has really taken alot of my extra time lately, as we are polishing it to take on tour in the Summer. You work as both a producer, artist and a teacher. How do you find the time to juggle between these three simalar but very different hats. I don't do much else! I do manage to excercise and try to make time for my family, but overall, yes my work as an educator, composer and festival director has been tough to balance. Somehow I have gotten used to a sick routine. I enjoy the work, but as I grow older (almost 30) I aim to focus a little more. I also stay away from dope and drink only with a meal in order to stay sharp. What might we see at the festival this year? A rangoli powder artist from India, an exhibit from Mendelson Joe, Bob Wiseman/Anand Rajaram's Cowboy's and Indians, my group The Lollipop People, local heroes Moneen and ONE MAN MACHINE from New York. Lots to digest....and a zine fair....and a washroom series.... Who inspired you to create? I grew up admiring the work of Frank Zappa. What does the future of this festival look like? Next year we will actually get an office and kick it harder than ever before. We've already confirmed Mark Mothersbaugh from DEVO who will be a featured artist in a gallery exhibit and he will also do a Q and A which is very exciting. Advice for emerging artists? For more information on the Brampton Indie Arts Festival see www.friendlyrich.com
3. Feature Dance Show: the speed of our vertigoesA dizzying and intriguing night of choreography peeling back layers of physical metaphors for velocity and fear.
The program includes: Martha’s Demon, newly commissioned from Malgorzata Nowacka. This work began as an examination of Ophelia and grew into a wild look at the manifestation of fear, like the anthropomorphic demons from horror films. Four for Five a new dance-theatre work by J. Brian McDonald that looks into states of limbo, inertia and speed in all its forms with Brian’s usual wit and poignancy. An intriguing and expert cast: John Baktis, Sion Irwin Childs, Michael Menegon, and Miko Sobreira. Continued tales of a weathervane by Susan Kendal. This work continues the creative collaboration of Susan Kendal and Lindsay Zier-Vogel, by combining Lindsay’s evocative poetry live with a quartet of dizzy, weather-struck dancers. Performed by Jennifer Bolt, Lisa Farrington-Emmons, Jennifer Fullerton, Susan Kendal and Lindsay Zier-Vogel. Blue Ceiling dance projects was formed in 2003 by Lucy Rupert with the aim of creating and producing intelligent, passionate, and highly physical works of dance and dance theatre. Past works have included a dance adaptation of Henry Miller’s novel Tropic of Cancer, Days of Mad Rabbits (part of HATCH: emerging performance projects at Harbourfront), and the popular but heartbreaking Smokefall. As well as Lucy’s choreography, Blue Ceiling dance projects has produced and co-produced work by Lisa Pijuan, Tina Fushell, and Rebecca Carney/Circus Orange. Lucy Rupert has lately enjoyed success performing in theatre, circus and dance, where she is known for her passionate and sensuous performances. She has a Masters degree in History and also trained in visual arts and classical music; her work as a performer and creator is nuanced by all these facets. For Blue Ceiling contact Lucy Rupert 416 604 9944 or blueceiling@sympatico.ca 4. Feature Theatre Show: Down the Main DragDown the Main Drag Down the Main Drag tells the story of a day in AnyTown that is anything but ordinary. One very early morning, Him arrives at the front door of his friend Pal, and announces that his father “disappeared on the kitchen floor.” During the day he meets the other residents of AnyTown: The Family, The Whole Town, Jack-of-All-Trades, Miss Deal, Bloom, Old Fart and Uncle. Everyone keeps telling Him that his father has died, but Him’s not so sure. February 20-26 5. Story Scene: Storytelling Events in Toronto
SPEAK - an afternoon of visual and verbal storytelling has been a fantastic success!!! Thanks to all the wonderful folks who've been coming, listening and participating. Our next event happens this Sunday, February 12th – so come on down to the Distillery District and have some fun with us. This Sunday our Tellers/Performers will be the lovely and talented – THEO HERAS, virtuoso singer and storier Where: Distillery District, Fourth Floor, Studio 409 Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission : $5 to $10
6. Read this Book! With Book Lady Sarah Selecky
It sounds like it could be vegetarian propoganda: a young documentary filmmaker is hired to research and film American cattle farmers, marketing the product (beef) for a Japanese audience. Along the way, Jane (the filmmaker), finds out some disturbing information about what really happens in the American meat industry – for instance, why young girls are developing breasts earlier than ever before – and she tries to find a way to reconcile her feelings about all of this while still keeping her job. Meanwhile, in Japan, a young woman who is watching Jane’s show becomes involved in a very different way… What makes this book so exciting is that Ruth Ozeki is such a great storyteller. This novel is funny and smart and unpredictable – even if you are a carnivore.
I do like Melissa Bank’s stories. She makes me laugh out loud, and she makes my eyes tear up. Her first book, A Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing, arguably started the “Chick Lit” trend that we all detest today, but I think it’s unfair to categorize Bank’s books with The Nanny Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada, and the Shopoholic series. Sure, all of these books have a similar protagonist – a young heterosexual woman lives in Manhattan and struggles with crazy relationships and crazy new jobs – the difference is, Melissa Bank is a smart, intelligent writer. It’s not heavy Nobel Prize material or anything, but if you need something delicious and hilarious to read while you’re fighting a cold or recovering from a late Saturday night, The Wonder Spot will surprise you with its wit and tenderness.
I was reading some old issues of the Globe and Mail recently, and I found the most fascinating article about a recent development in Africa: to help curb the elephant overpopulation problem in parts of the continent, they are performing vasectomies on teenaged elephants. I won’t go into details here (it was in the July 23rd Focus section, for those who are interested), but I will say that it reminded me that I had to tell everyone to read Barbara Gowdy’s The White Bone. If you haven’t already, that is. It’s unlike anything you’ve read before, except maybe Watership Down, but that’s a different story. In this book, you will become deeply involved in the complex and incredible lives of elephants. It is a work of fiction, but the characters are living, breathing, speaking elephants. Gowdy spent a very long time in Africa living with these animals, learning their social structures and unbelievable, magical (to this reader’s mind) lives. This is one of those heartbreaking, life-changing novels that will stay with you for a long time after you’ve read it.
7. TOP10 with Performer, Director and Creator Chad Dembski(I love lists. And I love people giving me lists, so I have added a new column called TOP10 where I ask local artists to give me a top ten list of some of their favourite things. From Food to Magazines, Books to places, this list will give you a glimpse into the minds of some of Toronto’s most interesting folk.! – Lisa)
Chad Dembski is a Toronto based artist who works in theatre as a performer, creator, technician, stage manager and designer. Nominated for a Dora award in 2004 he looks forward to performing in first week of Rhubarb! With Small Wooden Shoe and continuing to develop his performance piece please.
8. Upcoming GirlCanCreate Performances: She Said Saffron Some of you may know that I have been working on my one woman show She Said Saffron for the past few months and I am glad to announce that it will be at Harbourfront next month. This piece that was originally produced by blue ceiling productions will become an hour long piece and will combine storytelling, modern and flamenco dance.
9. Classes, Workshops and ConferencesRe-Discover Your Natural Grace ~ Skinner Releasing Technique We’re all born dancers. SRT integrates technique with creative process. Through guided imagery, music and hands-on partner studies the practice facilitates a deep experience of movement. The class atmosphere is gentle and safe allowing you to proceed at your own pace, in your own way.As well as enhancing strength, suppleness, efficiency, availability, and freedom, we will catalyzes our own process, whatever that may be. It is an experiential, intuitive approach utilizing imagery as a powerful tool for transformation. Releasing begins with a shedding of preconceptions. Curious, since we don’t always know where we leave off – and become our preconceptions. The Releasing class is like a dance. Level 1 Series Saturday, February 25, 2006 Saturday, February 25, 2006 Sunday, February 26, 2006 Sunday, February 27, 2006 INVESTMENT: LOCATION: *Saturday/Sunday* TO REGISTER: Open to all, with or without formal movement training. Wear loose-fitting clothing, dress in layers, bring paper and writing instrument.
Green Tea - a collective of Japanese contemporary dancers presents: NOGUCHI GYMNASTICS (Noguchi Taisoh) Workshop with Mari Osanai "I define Noguchi Gymnastics (Taisoh) as a creation of one’s new self as nature within us. Noguchi gymnastics draws from a natural force that exists in our body and that is expressed through and with the natural materials that our bodies are made of." Noguchi Taisoh is a form of Japanese gymnastics. This workshop will help you find new ways to improve your movement efficiency and you will experience the letting go of unnecessary tensions.Taisoh is actually the Japanese word for gymnastics, but Noguchi Mari explains "Itfs not about strength or resistance, or forcing the body to move in a certain way. Instead, it allows the body to melt. It’s tender and flexible, and lets us give into gravity rather than fight it. It makes us find a more natural way to move." Mari Osanai is a teacher, choreographer and dancer.She resides in Aomori, Japan. “She is simply breathtaking, possessing a supple body that seems to have no spine, yet is anchored on a steel spike of consummate control. She is inspired by the natural elements, and her slow, methodical, yet radiantly beautiful explorations of physicality take her dance to a higher plane” This is a rare and unique opportunity for anyone in Canada to learn Noguchi Gymnastics. To join this exciting workshop (SPACE IS LIMITED), participants are required to pre-register. Workshop Date: Fee: $90 (full course), $80 if registered by February 28 Location: Register and/or more info:
Tone Modulation: Playing and listening to the music of the muscles The main focus of this workshop is tone modulation: attention to the flow of muscular tone in the body, as it tenses and relaxes. It is something that is constantly happening whether we pay attention to it or not, but that we will observe, explore and refine. We will explore this through precise minute exercises, open movement exploraions, postural work where the body is seemingly still, and fast disorienting dances where one has to rely on reflexes. We will explore how we rise and fall from the ground,how we go in and out of contact with a partner, and the kinesthetic communication that takes place while we are in contact. February 18 and 19, 2006
2 WEEKEND WORKSHOPS WITH ADAM LAZARUS BOUFFON Dates: March 17–19/06 CHARACTERS Dates: March 24–26/06 1 Weekend: $190/$150/Union Information: www.quiptake.com, thebouffon@rogers.com
BOUFFON INTENSIVES WITH ADAM LAZARUS Working in the tradition of Clown Master Philippe Gaulier, the workshops build from the study of Jeu and progresses into building Bouffon characters and numbers to be performed. ADDITIONAL TEACHING: Acrobatics,Movement,Voice Level I: Apr.3-16/06 Level II: Apr. 17-28/06 One Level-$350/$300/Union Information: www.quiptake.com, thebouffon@rogers.com
Contact Dance Workshops SUPPORT Experience Contact Dance with the Kaejas!. Harness personal fascination with skillful partnering between two people and utilize the power of your physical architecture. Explore the body's ability to support momentum and propel energy through space in relationship to gravity. Access the vibrancy and grace of moving in and out of contact. CONTACT DANCE II Sat-Sun April 1 & 2 $75 Harbourfront Centre To Register call Harbourfront For the past 15 years, Karen and Allen Kaeja have been widely sought after as teachers of Contact Dance, Improvisation and Composition. Internationally recognized, they have received awards for their stage and film choreography informed by their signature partnering style. They are currently on faculty at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and Ryerson University. Info: http://www.kaeja.org 416-516-6030
10. Calls for SubmissionsTHEATRE CREATOR’S RESERVE PROGRAM Cahoots would like to help you by recommending you for a Theatre Creator’s Reserve Grant from the Ontario Arts Council. But we can’t really give any money away unless we know what kind of projects are in your heads. So, please apply. What kinds of things are we interested in? Well, first of all, if you are not familiar with Cahoots, check out our website. Here you will find all sorts of interesting things, but most importantly our mandate. To summarize for you, this is what we would like. Send us your detailed proposals, scripts or even excerpts of works-in-progress. Or if you work in non-text based performance, send us something that can show us that thang you do. We’ll watch/listen to it – but maybe not all of it, so make sure it is cued properly. And if you want it back, be prepared to pick it up or send an SASE. Oh and please make sure to get your official form from the OAC. When you’ve all done, dotted your eyes and crossed your tees, send it our way: Cahoots Theatre Projects A little additional note: We can’t give money to everyone. We’re sorry, but we just can’t. We’re a little company with a little bit of money to give away. Hopefully it’s you. But if it’s not – well, it’s not because we don’t like you, or your project. It’s probably because there was another project that fit Cahoots better.
THEATRE CREATOR’S RESERVE PROGRAM APPLICATION AND SUPPORT MATERIAL Artists interested in applying are asked to review the Cahoots Theatre Projects Mandate on our website, www.cahoots.ca. Artists are free to submit any material they think best suits Cahoots and the Theatre Creators’ Reserve Program. Typically, this would be a project proposal and/or script. We will also accept script samples from works-in-progress. Cahoots strongly encourages submissions from artists working in non-text based traditions. For such projects, Cahoots will accept proposals in VHS, DVD, audio CD, CD-ROM, or MPG formats. (Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you would like these materials returned.) For artists who are not known to Cahoots, we ask that resumes and/or bios be included with submissions. All projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
In keeping with Cahoots Theatre Projects' mandate of inclusivity, strategic preference will be given to artists that reflect the cultural, linguistic, and ethnic diversity of the province. Please forward any questions to info@cahoots.ca with Theatre Creator's Reserve in the subject line.
11. Websites of InterestArts and Letters Daily Crafty Chica NPR Popstart
12. Upcoming Performances of InterestFebruary 1 to 19 For a full schedule of events and show descriptions visit our website Tickets: for more information and to purchase tickets call 416-975-8555
TORONTO, January 20, 2006-This year Kuumba at Harbourfront Centre celebrates African Heritage Month with two diverse weeks of profile musicians, authors and films, dance workshops and food demos, a Canadian Reggae Music Summit and Caribbean comedy night. An Urban music and culture photography exhibit complements family storytelling and Soul on Icefamily skating events. To access the huge variety of Kuumba happenings, please consult the event descriptions below.
Host Keith Cole introduces the lipsync serenaders including: For more information:
DEEKALI means to “revive” in the Senegalese dialect, Wollof. Visit http://www.cobainc.com for times and ticket information
The Legless Stocking presents an exciting blend of the arts with storytelling at the core! Features Maja Bannerman, Jim Blake, Duncan Cameron, chris cavanaugh, Helen Porter, Rico Rodriguez, Carol Leigh Wehking & Special Guests Noah Kenneally, Lisa Pijuan-Nomura, Tom Melville and Tannis Slimmon.
For more infor see:
For more listings have a look at Lisa’s Big Mouth Girl Blog!
13. Worth a Thousand Words – Photography from David Pijuan-Nomura
14. Last ThoughtOne windy day two monks were arguing about a flapping banner. The first said, “I say the banner is moving, not the wind.” The second said, “I say the wind is moving not the banner.” A third monk passed by and said, “The wind is not moving. The banner is not moving. Your minds are moving.”
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My Year of Meats
The Wonder Spot
The White Bone
