Music must be seen to be heard
This is to take nothing away from the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra but when you bring in a globe-trotting virtuoso I think it’s fair to say all eyes will be on them. That was certainly the case Saturday night in the Winspear Centre.
The ESO got to take the spotlight for two pieces; Haydn’s Symphony No. 88 in G Major and Stravinsky’s Symphony of Wind Instruments (1947), the latter of which, of course, featured only the woodwinds and brass.
I will admit to raiding iTunes for versions of everything to be played Saturday. This gave me a sense of what I was to hear.
Seeing the ESO play, however, gave me what the music was really about.
I especially felt this in the opening symphony from Haydn. There was more energy in the piece than my iPod had shown. I think some of this was thanks to conductor William Eddins bouncing and happily moving at the most exciting parts.
But the symphony really pushed this music out to the corners of the Winspear. The 3rd movement’s swells, and calls and answers, brought out this energy and I could feel it in my chest. Even one of the trumpet players, when not engaged in the music, was quietly swaying and bopping his head.
Eddins is nothing if not able to work a crowd. He was sure to include some timely Olympic jokes and references in his conversation with the audience. He got a round of applause when telling the story of Slovenian skier who broke four ribs and collapsed a lung but still won a bronze medal. He got laughs when trying to update us on the games, finding only a never-ending curling match on TV.
He got more, polite, laughs when he had to leave the stage before Stravinski’s Wind Instruments because he had forgotten his music. It worked out, putting a smile on people’s faces before a grimmer piece of music. As the ESO describes it: “The work’s unusual scoring lends the work certain steely edge – as does the use of the many silences throughout its brief duration.”
Indeed, this was not music for everyone’s ears or tastes. The brass and woodwind players seemed pleased to have performed it for us and took their final bow of the night with smiles of their own.
They left the stage, and the strings returned for the final piece of the night, Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aries.
Karen Gomyo (Photo: ESO)
But, I’ve gotten just a bit ahead of myself. Before the intermission there was also a Bartok piece called Rhapsody No. 1 for Violin and Orchestra. This was where the ESO audience got their first listen of the evening of the guest violinist, Karen Gomyo. (more…)
I’m a good little symphony-goer
Jacket. Check. Button-up shirt. Check. Axe bodyspray. Nope.
Thanks for your tips, Edmonton.
You totally Eliza Doolittled me. I’m sure that sounded better (and less dirty) in my mind.
Anyway, I attended the symphony Saturday and had a great time. It helped that I had a few pointers from you, including attire, and I was much more at ease.
It also helped that the show was “Broadway Rocks,” and it’s the PERFECT show for someone just getting into the symphony. It’s also good if you like Broadway and all those songs they do. I won’t go into a review (I’m sure my request from the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is on the way) so check out what my ticket-holding friend had to say about the show at her blog.
I also have to give shout-outs to Kerri (and the future help I’m sure to glean from her blog) and Sarah. Sarah is a ringer, with inside experience at the Winspear Centre.
I’m also glad I had suggestions about tuxedo shirts and leather chaps. You have to have a sense of humour about things you don’t know about.
Oh, and Philip Paschke, the ESO’s New Media Specialist (Yes, they have one.), had great tips all around, which I’ll share with you. It will be helpful in case you are like me, and don’t really know which side of people to walk on, what an oboe is and other life/orchestra items. (more…)
Art Gallery – video
I couldn’t think of any good zinc jokes.
But I did take over Sally’s Mac to edit this video.
Go to the Art Gallery, it’s open! Go now!!
Or don’t. It’s your call. But you’ll miss all the sweet art and cool design.
Today the Art Gallery of Alberta, tomorrow the other news stuff
If you follow any number of Edmonton bloggers, webbies or photogs you’ve probably surmised that the Art Gallery of Alberta (AGA) hosted a tour of social media folk. Being a part of this expanding online media force, I tagged along.
Having experience in the world of traditional media, I’d say this was just your average photo-op, where you get dragged around the building and told stuff about it.
AGA Executive Director Gilles Hebert and Communications Coordinator Sarah Hoyles listen intently to a question.
I hope to have a little more on the actual make-up of the building and its appearance once I come up with some good jokes involving zinc, glass, steel and Douglas Fir (all oft-used components in the design of the new AGA).
Right now I want to touch briefly upon the whole idea of social media-ers being invited to an event like this. There are some other opinions on this popping up. (I’ll note both of these folks are like me, and have previous or current experience in the traditional media world.)
First of all, it’s thanks mostly to the persistence of Edmonton’s Twitter King (Mack D. Male) that this even happened. The other portion of thanks goes to the AGA for being open to the idea.
The AGA isn’t the first organization to offer access to those from the blogosphere. The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, for example, invited bloggers to last summer’s Symphony Under the Sky. They’re also looking at doing more with bloggers in the regular season.
And it’s tough to keep bloggers and freelancers away from most public news conferences, so there have been plenty of stories from outside the usual suspect newsrooms on happenings here in Edmonton.
I think this is about the best idea organizations could try. (more…)
Edmonton concert: Julie Doiron
Julie Doiron played The Artery last night and Sally took it all in.
Sally says:
The show was great.
Julie is cute and tells little rambly stories between songs. It was just her and a drummer/guitarist, and at one point she broke a string on her guitar and made him change it.
Meanwhile she told the audience a story about having recently discovered vegan makeup.
She really rocked for such a little lady.
The opening band was Attack in Black and they were a cross between Modest Mouse and Rural Alberta Advantage. They were great. The lead singer looked like a cross between (our friend) Derjis and Eugene from Gogol Bordello.
Editor’s notes: That last bit just means the guy had a giant mustache. I’m now digging into some Attack in Black as I write this. The Julie D show will air at a later date on CBC Radio 2.
The Many Moods of Christmas
Here’s a little Christmas cheer to warm you during this cold spell.
The Greenwood Singers are celebrating 30 years of music with tonight’s “The Many Moods of Christmas” at McDougall United Church.
Joining the choir will be the U of A Faculty of Education’s Handbell Ringers and pianist Jared Samborski.
There should be everything from traditional carols to pop x-mas tunes.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for students/seniors, available from TIX on the Square.
(Photo: Greenwood Singers)
Edmonton’s very funny
Sometimes, when the winters are long and cold, you need to find
There's too much funny here!
ways to amuse yourself and those bundled up nearby.
Thankfully, that means there are plenty of funny people around Edmonton to keep us all smiling. (Maybe not smiling insanely like me, over there –>)
If you’re not familiar with The Gateway, the University of Alberta’s student newspaper you should get familiar. It’s a quality paper.
Oh, and twice a year they do a great issue where they skewer all kinds of things with sarcasm, wit and plenty of foul language. I’ll note that a few of the images in the newest issue of The Getaway are really, really NOT SAFE FOR WORK. But they take on the University (of course) and issues happening right now in higher learning, plus they zing us online folks so it’s good times. (Again, images are NSFW.)
The other bit of funny I’ve got to pass along today is the awesome news I heard this morning on CBC Edmonton. The Irrelevant Show is coming back to radio!
This was/is a sketch comedy show recorded live at The Varscona Theatre. (Though, future recording locations may change.) For an introduction to what you might hear, check out the Jane Austen Drinking Game.
More information on the 2010 schedule of recording from the Radio Active page. It also explains why host Peter Brown will be off the air more. Tickets will be going on sale for next year’s recordings soon.
They’ve also got a New Year’s Eve special, which will surely be hilarious.
Calling all artists
Wouldn't you like your art to grace a cover, like this?
If you’re artsy with a paintbrush, a pencil, camera or even some crayons, you may want to read on.
The Old Strathcona Business Association (OBSA) has an open call to artists for the cover of their yearly guide to the trendy neighbourhood.
They’re looking for something that captures the spirit of Old Strathcona’s culture, creativity, energy and meeting place-vibes.
(What? Nothing alluding to constant weekend binge drinking?)
Anyway, you can send a digital format of your work over to Stephen Liley, Marketing and Events Manager of the OBSA.
I hope to see your art on the cover of the new magazine.
p.s. Your deadline is January 31, 2010.
Help out CKUA already
As I write this, the CKUA Radio Network has raised more than $313,000 in its fall campaign. Their goal for the ten-day fundraiser if $525,000.
If you’re not familiar with CKUA, let General Manager Ken Regan explain to you what it is they do and why that’s important.
“CKUA is Alberta’s listener-supported radio network. It’s also Canada’s largest and most successful community broadcaster.”
Tell us more, Ken.
“It should be considered a heritage broadcaster for it’s milestones over 82 years,” he continues.
“It’s one of the best places for genuine lovers of music in the country. North America. Maybe the world. It’s one of Alberta’s best inventions.”
The station is Alberta-wide, with its Edmonton studios on Jasper Avenue between 106 and 105 Streets. When stations tell you they’ve got something for you, they don’t always. CKUA really does. That’s one way it differs from all those Hot and Bouncy and rock stations on your dial (or your Internet).
“Yeah, we ask for money,” says Regan. “But the difference between CKUA and private radio is they make money. That’s the end, they make money for shareholders. For CKUA money is not the end, it’s the means to the end. We ask listeners to help us run the station.”
The fundraising campaigns are usually 17 days, but they’ve changed things over there at CKUA. They’ve gone to a 10-day event.
“You constantly have to change things up,” says Regan. “We can’t afford complacency.”
Recently, campus-based community station CJSR fell short of its annual FunDrive goal of $150,000. Could the recession be out to get small stations that don’t have large sales departments?
“We could worry about that. We did worry about that in the spring campaign,” Regan says. “But (then) we had the second-best campaign in our history. I believe people will continue to support the things that matter to them.”
“Every campaign is a crapshoot. We never know if we’ll meet our goal. The people with the capacity to support us will continue to support us.”
Now you know. And maybe you want to donate.
Give CKUA all of your money
Well, not ALL of your money. But giving them some of your money sounds much better, now, doesn’t it? (See what I did there?)
After going hard on the CJSR Fundrive it’s only fair to make you think about putting some money into the Alberta-wide non-profit radio powerhouse that is the CKUA Radio Network.
If you’re familar with CKUA’s campaigns you’ll notice they’ve shortened the donation time this fall. Calling it a “good things come in small packages” kind of idea, CKUA is looking to raise $525,000 in just 10 days (October 15 – October 25) instead of the usual two-and-a-half weeks. In one way it’s a good idea; it saves them money, meaning your money goes a little further.
This is right from CKUA’s media release, but it still caught my attention:
Among other campaign highlights, listeners can tune in to the October 17 edition of Natch’l Blues, as host Holger Petersen, (who marks 40 years of broadcasting this year), presents the legendary Big Dave McLean his West Coast Music Award for Blues Recording of the Year. Big Dave and Doc McLean will also celebrate Fall Fundraiser with a special in-studio performance.
So…if you dig an eclectic mix of music (their music library has 1.5-million selections!) and/or the idea of listener-supported radio, you’ll want to donate.
The phone lines open today at 5pm – 1-800-494-2582. And there’s also the option of donating online at CKUA.com.
Dance me southside
In all the hub that was last year’s new-tenant decision at the Connaught Armoury, a smaller player in the mix had to find a new home.
Alberta Ballet had attached to the Edmonton Opera in its bid for the old military building. When the building went to the Youth Emergency Shelter Society (seen widely as a great choice) the Ballet was looking for new digs.
“We had no street presence in Sun Life, that’s absolutely the impetus of a new place,” says Alberta Ballet’s Jennifer Faulkner, Director of Edmonton Operations.
Alberta Ballet is streetside and ready for you.
So, the Alberta Ballet wanted some storefront action, to entice new people to experience the art of dance, and also because they were moving away from Ticketmaster to their own ticketing system.
“With the new ticketing system we knew we had to get to street level,” says Faulkner. (more…)
Book ‘em
This is your brain on books. (Image: LitFest)
Do you like reading? Maybe you like writing. Perhaps you just want to be close to people who are in the glamorous literary world?
Here’s your answer to all of the above: LitFest, the Edmonton International Literary Festival.
Here’s what the folks at LitFest have to say about LitFest:
LitFest is Canada’s only Creative Non-fiction Festival. It brings together some of the world’s best selling, award winning and emerging authors, writers, filmmakers and artists with audiences at readings, panel discussions and presentations.
Creative non-fiction allows a writer to employ the diligence of a reporter, the shifting voices and viewpoints of a novelist, the refined work play of a poet and the analytical modes of the essayist and a journalist.
LitFest: Edmonton International Literary Festival was created in 2002 as the successor of the Alberta Book Fair, an annual trade fair for almost 20 years.
Now, doesn’t that sound like some good, bookish, times?
Things really get rolling October 21, but there are a few events between now and then (including tonight, hence the post right here). To find out when and where the big stuff is happening, check the events page.
Vibe Tribe
I think we can all agree that it’s a total drag to see winter looming on the horizon. Fall’s all well and good, what with the leaves changing colours and BLAH BLAH BLAH, but really, I’ve basically been dreading the next snowfall since May.
Anyway, one way to beat the psychosomatic seasonal affective disorder that creeps in this time of year is by heading over to New City SubUrbs tonight for Cirq-O-Rama-Licious. The event features Vibe Tribe, a group of local dancers, who describe what they do as “improvisational group tribal fusion style bellydance. It’s rooted in traditional bellydance…but we’ve put a bit of a spin on it. It’s done as a group and it’s improvised so we follow cues form the leader and we change leadership throughout the course of the show.”
I suggest checking this out, the fourth installment of Cirq-O-Rama-Licious, as the antidote to the fall blahs because the ladies describe their latest dance adventures (or dance-ventures…it’s a word, look it up) as the perfect way for us to “escape and rejuvenate ourselves, explore the dynamics of life and inspire individuals to do something or feel something that they never have before.”
From Vibe Tribe’s press release:
“Each month the tribe animates a story filled with lessons of life and love and enriches these lessons through dance, unique tricks and music to entertain the audience in a circus style format. The two main characters, Pica and Luca, host the circus and guide each audience member through the journey to connect them with what the performers consider the “vibe” of the room.”
I caught one of Vibe Tribe’s shows on Sunday at Fort Edmonton’s Free Admission Day (yeah, I was the person alone, childless and videotaping things) and it was really cool (see video above).
Plus, a look at the poster also reminds me that the Edmonton Stilt Walkers are co-presenters, which also garners a big thumbs up from me (my love of stilts is well documented).
Get your Art on
Tomorrow means Art. It’s Alberta Arts Days.
That’s a real thing. It’s the 2nd annual, you know.
Tomorrow kicks off Alberta Arts Days, as it’s a whole weekend of artsy stuff, right around the province.
One neat thing that I’ve found is the Edmonton Public Library’s “Experimental Novel.” The EPL is asking people to help them write the story, via online posts, and they’ve got an author to moderate and edit.
Oh, and CKUA is touring the province, so you can feel like you’ve been everywhere, man, without actually leaving your radio (or computer).
In Edmonton, here are some of the art ideas. They include open houses, workshops, performances, showings, author readings and book launches, concerts and performance art, food, tours, films, and, and, and…
It doesn’t matter where you are, however, since the government of Alberta is backing this (read: paying for some stuff) and you can find out what’s happening wherever you may be this weekend.
This speaks to the challenge of mankind. And why you need to find real artists to spend time with this weekend.
Edmonton Fashion Week: Cherie Howard’s 2010 Spring/Summer Collection
Oh my god, you guys, it’s time for Edmonton Fashion Week!!!
Is this a big deal? It is to me. This may come as a surprise to most folks, seeing as I dress like a garbageman 90% of the time (no offense, garbagemen), but come on, we all like to play dress up from time to time. Even I like to trot out some lady clothes bi-annually. Finally, my chance!
So, anyway, one interesting designer showing at this year’s EFW is Cherie Howard. The 30 year old Edmontonian is premiering her Spring/Summer 2010 collection on Tuesday night. She decided to build the collection around a zero budget, treating the lack of money as an inspiration, as opposed to an obstacle. (more…)
Concert Review: Bedouin Soundclash with Ben Stevenson and DJ Degree @ The Starlite Room’s 5th Anniversary Celebration
Ben Stevenson opened for Bedouin Soundclash at the Starlite Room's 5th Anniversary Party (Photo: Jason Bouwmeester)
(Photo: Jason Bouwmeester)
By Eri Gayler
The Starlite Room has been a staple of the Edmonton music scene for 5 years, and last night they had a chance to show their members a great time for their birthday bash. Arriving to two hours of reggae beats spun by local DJ Degree, the crowd was a perfect example of the mix that both the venue and the headlining band tend to attract: hipsters and rastas, frat boys and nerds, tattooed goth-punk types and couples that look like your parents. The club was packed, and most headed straight for the dance floor.
Former Edmontonian (now in Toronto) Ben Stevenson set a high visual bar for the night, dapper in his grey suit and tie as his band started out playing along with the last song in Degree’s set, jamming on it for a bit before getting into their own tunes. I’m not entirely sure what I expected from the former Our Mercury frontman, but this sure wasn’t it! Stevenson is completely chill and manically high-energy at exactly the same time, with a stage presence that encompasses his entire body, keeping all eyes on him. This cat is too cool for words, and bonus points for a solid, funky band that included Edmonton favourite Michael Rault. The thing that caught me again and again through the set was Stevenson’s voice, smooth and soulful with just the right rough edges, lyrics delivered with a power that seemed to suggest he was so full of music that it just had to come bursting out all night long. Trust me, you’ll be hearing more from Ben – and if you need it right now, check him out tonight at the ARTery with Rault as his opening act. The house will be rockin’, just like last night.
Bedouin Soundclash frontman Jay Malinowski (Photo: Jason Bouwmeester)
If Ben Stevenson’s band brought the house down, the Bedouin Soundclash boys-in-black blew the roof off. The volume was a little high for a small, brick-walled room, but they do say something about “too loud” and “too old,” and my 18-year-old self would probably just laugh at me. After that, though, I can’t possibly have a single complaint about this show, and might even call it one of the best performances I’ve seen.
Fresh from the previous night’s pick-up soccer game with both bands (Soundclash frontman Jay Malinowski told us proudly of his two goals, and praised the other guys for their skills), the band is excited be back in Edmonton to play for an audience that knows every lyric and every callback well enough that raucous cheers go up after the first chord of every song. From the second the music starts, there’s no way to not feel good, and I firmly believe that even the most steadfast non-dancer was tapping their toes so hard that they may as well just go all the way and shake it! (more…)
Vive la Revolution!
Will you follow this man into hilarious and through-provoking battle?
It’s time to FRINGE!
If you know what that means, you’re already super-psyched.
If you have no idea, or just vague inclinations about what that could mean, you should hit up the Fringe Theatre Adventures website. They’re the people that run the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival. They’ll even help out first-time fringers with explanations of how things work. (Wouldn’t it be great if more things laid it out like this?)
This year the fringe turns 28, and the theme is “Stage a Revolution.” (I actually kind of like just waiting to see what the theme will be each summer.)
You can buy tickets online. And man, are there choices! But isn’t part of the fun just throwing caution to the wind and choosing to see whatever is next, whatever is closest or whatever has the funniest name?
I’m aiming to catch Letters to Noce, because I failed to get off my lazy butt and see it during NextFest. I’ll also be sure to hit the beer tent at least once. And with other busking and fun happening for free, you don’t even have to see a bunch of shows to have a good time.
I’m also aiming to get disgruntled, at least once, with how many people have invaded my neighbourhood…but I digress.
FRINGE!
Free stuff!
From left: Alvin Lowrey (image: U of A) Joachim Segger, Marnie Giesbrecht (photo: Majoya.com)
If you like music, free stuff or the Winspear Centre, Wednesday is your kind of day.
If you like all of the above, you probably already know where this is going.
The Winspear Centre is inviting you to a free (free!) lunchtime concert Wednesday, noon-1pm.
Below are the musical details:
You get acclaimed organ and piano team “Duo Majoya” (Marnie Giesbrecht and Joachim Segger) with revered Edmonton trumpeter Alvin Lowrey performing Mussorgky’s Pictures at an Exhibition arranged by Lowrey. The program begins with Bédard’s Capriccio for Organ and Piano, and Duo Majoya’s arrangement of Elgar’s Salut d’amour.
Have fun!
Art!
Photo: Latitude 53
Have you, at any point in the last six months, bemoaned the lack of new and different things to do in Edmonton? If yes, have you been to any art openings lately?
Tonight at Latitude 53, it’s opening reception night for Thomas Kneubühler’s Trespass Act and J. Stanton’s Art Paraphernalia for a Modern World.
If you guys don’t know what I’m talking about (though you’re a worldly bunch and I’m confident that you do), See Magazine has a write up on Trespass Act here. Initially, I attributed my excitement about this exhibit to some kind of weird pop culture fascination with security guards (yeah, I saw Paul Blart…) but I think I’m more interested in the creepy sci-fi/big brother vibe that I’m gleaning from some of the initial photos I’ve seen. Plus, the giant outdoor installations could be cool.
And even if an exhibit exploring the role and meaning of surveillance in our society doesn’t really do anything for you, I highly suggest going to tonight’s opening anyway.
It can be a great change of pace. Ladies, it’s a lot like having champagne brunch or going to the horse races – it gives you an excuse to dress better than you would in day to day life, and it makes you feel like a socialite.
Secondly, as someone who couldn’t be more amped for next week’s opening of District 9, Trespass Act appears to be a really cool, creepy glimpse of the whole idea of keeping watch on certain segments of the population.
I get knocked down, but I get up again.
Last night, I was at my local neighbourhood convenience store, acquiring a delicious soda beverage. On my way home, I saw this poster:
It caught my eye because it said things like “BE THERE” and “DANCE PARTY” and …wait, what?
Computer, enlarge:
…CHUMBAWUMBA*WAMBA? CHUMBA -WHAT-A? Is this true?
So I visited Chumbawumbawamba’s website and found out what most of you likely know already; the CW is going to be here this weekend for Folk Fest. And a quick perusal of facebook proves that, yes, in fact, Chumbawumbawamba will be playing the Punx Picnic at the Hydeaway. Well I’ll be. I’d love to go, but I’m not convinced my self-esteem would ever recover from sitting in a room full of young hipsters, all of whom are likely enjoying the b-sides and rarities from Chumbawumbawamba’s vast back catalogue of materials, while I sit there in my Jon Secada t-shirt, drinking Crystal Pepsi, waiting for “Tubthumping.”
OLD!
(*thx for the correction, Cee Bee!)
TV taught me everything I know about opera
Opera. Riverboat. Win-win.
I saw a pile of handbills for The Mercury Opera’s presentation of Il Tabarro at a coffee shop downtown and just couldn’t help thinking of The Simpsons.
The reason is because the opera will be performed aboard the Edmonton Queen.
Stifler’s mom is coming to Edmonton
Image: The Comic Strip
This is the kind of news you can use.
Jennifer Coolidge (Stifler’s mom in the American Pie movies) is going to make you laugh at The Comic Strip for 3 nights next month.
(Thanks to @cdnchick for tipping me off over on Twitter.)
What? I can’t be thinking about serious stuff all the time.
What to Do: July 18-19
Guess what, gang? It’s almost the mother-flippin’ weekend!
So, no promises that we’ll be able to do this every week, because it takes a lot of time – but here are a few things going on this weekend that we thought might interest you guys.
-Capital Ex (uh, d-uh)
Pilot Speed plays Saturday @ Cap Ex
-Capital Ex Concerts (Sat: Pilot Speed & Arkells; Sun.: Hinder & The Ending)
-B.A.D.A.S.S.’ Pintride 4: Let there be pints
Bikes Across Downtown and Selective Southside (BADASS) Pintride
-Eville Derby Garage Sale & Car Wash Fundraiser
Things that Give Me Nightmares, Vol. 1
I don’t want anyone thinking I lack an appreciation for art. The skill and artisanship necessary to create something like this piece (artist Ron Mueck’s “A Girl,” currently residing at the Art Gallery of Alberta) doesn’t go unnoticed. And though I’m confident that had my only exposure to the giant baby been during a visit to the gallery, I could make my peace with it, these posters are EVERYWHERE, every time I turn around. And they terrify me to my very core. I keep waiting to look out the window of my Jasper Ave. workplace and see a 10 ft. baby storming westbound and crushing fleeing pedestrians – no longer art, merely a godless killing machine.
(“A Girl” is part of the AGA’s REAL LIFE exhibit and will be on display until September 7).
