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.”
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
La Vida Grande
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."
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."
Friday, October 23, 2009
See the Kingston Prize finalists and winners!
Have a look at these great paintings.
http://www.kingstonprize.ca/2009-GALLERY/gallery_2009.htm
http://www.kingstonprize.ca/2009-GALLERY/gallery_2009.htm
A weekend awaits
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Oct. 20-30 What's a gal to do?
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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.)
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.)
Monday, October 12, 2009
Toronto Toronto
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.
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.
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