Issue 35 August 2012 London Salsa Academy SillWill Studios Mashup Kids thebeatmagazine.cathetthheh bebeeaatmtmat gazine.ca | 1 August, 2012 contents theatre August 2012 4 On Stage Kathy Rumleski – Kyle Blair stars at Stratford 6Dance Susan Scott – Some like it hot 8 Tech Beat Jay Menard – mindyourmind 10 Visual Arts Beth Stewart – Rock, water, canvas MUSIC DIRECTOR 12 Indie Chris Loblaw – Comic book duo music 1414 Word Richard Young – Adventures with Bruce 1515 Word Richard Young – Th e Beggar’s Opera 1616 Feature Jill Ellis – A cultural mash up 2012/13 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: 1818 News & Views Phil McLeod – When no means maybe Beethoven’s Eroica 20 Nooks ‘n Crannies Jason Rip – Hanging tough 22 Sound Bites Bob Klanac – Th e Sugar Shack Beethoven’s 9th 2424 Classical Beat Nicole Laidler – Bach rocks Summer Music artsvisual festivals Vivaldi’s Four Seasons 2626 Art on the Arts Art Fidler – An Open Door 2828 Pegg’s World Robert Pegg – Retro sexism? Hammerstein & Friends 3030 Final Frame London through the lens of Linda Simpson Movie Magic OnO the cover: Head over heels for Salsa. See story on page 6. Barenaked Ladies PhPhoto by Deborah Zuskan. Chantal Kreviazuk OnlineO features @ www.thebeatmagazine.ca DISHingDI with Donald | What’s On? | Contests & Promotions | Rants & Raves SINGLE TICKETS BehindB The Beat CONTACT INFORMATION: Publisher/ Richard Young The Beat Magazine festivals ON SALE AUG 20! ManagingM Editor [email protected] PO Box 25294 Editor Nicole Laidler London, Ontario N6C 6B1 [email protected] The Beat Magazine is published monthly and has a Online Theatre Donald D’Haene circulation of 8,000 magazines. Reproduction of any words Editor [email protected] material published in The Beat Magazine is strictly Arts Calendar Valerie Cavalini prohibited without written permission from the [email protected] managing editor. The views and opinions expressed 519-870-0846 in The Beat Magazine’s contents and advertisements are those of the authors and do not necessarily Advertising/ Richard Young refl ect those of the managing editor. Marketing [email protected] 519-870-2328 Copy Editor Beth Stewart Photography Deborah Zuskan fi lm Art Director Lionel Morise Website Renaissance Monkey Design Printing Wonderland Printing Ltd. orchestralondon.ca2 | thebeatmagazine.ca 519-679-8778 thebeatmagazine.ca | 3 August, 2012 on stage FestivalFest for its 60th season from the Shaw “I was just so star struck with the actor that FFestival,est which celebrated its 50th anniversary lived next door to grandma and grandpa,” he laslastt year. And when Stratford hit the big 5-0, remembers. “It’s a neat bookmark for me to be BBlairla was part of the company then as well. here playing the part that he was playing.” ““It’sIt’s amazing to see these places develop and Blair is also thrilled to be working with his life thethey’rey both such an important part of the Kyle Blair starss partner Kyle Golemba, also acting in both of CaCanadiann theatre scene,” he says. “Th ey’re at Stratfordd bbothot incredible places to learn as an artist.” his shows. “We were a bit hesitant to see how it would go, but it’s actually been fantastic. As a child, Blair spent many days in Stratford By Kathy Rumleskiki It’s amazing to have your support network so at ttheh home of his grandparents, Peggy and EEwartwa Morris. Th e couple has passed on, but close,” says Blair. Kyle Blair is glad he took a chance andd BlBlaira has dedicated this season to them. Kathy Rumleski is a London fr eelance auditioned for Th e Pirates of Penzancee. “Th ey both were really big fans of G&S and journalist and writer. Visit her blog at http:// thetheyy brought me to see Th e Mikado here, kathyrumleski.wordpress.com Photo by Cylla von TiedemannCylla von by Photo Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann inin (1993)( … one of my fi rst memories of the theatre.thea I thought it was special that I was When Kyle Blair received word from his agent A former member of London’s famed Amabilee cocomingm to do a G&S.” What: The Pirates of Penzance that the Stratford Shakespeare Festival wanted Boys Choir and Lester B. Pearson School for When: Until October 27 Interestingly,Inte actor Jeff Hyslop, who also him to audition for the lead role in Th e Pirates the Arts graduate, Blair says he’s always felt What: 42nd Street playedplay Frederic at Stratford and was in one of Penzance, he was stupefi ed. the rhythm in his body. But he only started When: Until October 28 of BBlair’s favourite TV series, Today’s Special, dancing in his fi nal year at Oakridge secondaryry Contact: www.stratfordfestival.ca “I laughed and said, ‘Clearly I’m the wrong renrentedt the house beside his grandparents. guy,’” Blair recalls on a recent day off from his school for the musical Crazy For You. Aft er festival work, which also includes the musical high school he did several tap musicals at 42nd Street. Huron Country Playhouse, including 42nd Street. “I mostly learned on the job,” he says. Th e London native felt the role of Frederic in Pirates Now Blair dances with the wasn’t his style, but he best of them in 42nd Street still wanted the chance to at Stratford. And when he’s audition. He’s glad he did. “It performing “We’re in the forced me to grow as an artist Money” with the cast in and a singer,” he says. glittering gold costumes andd tap shoes, you can see that His role of Billy Lawlor Blair has become a triple in 42nd Street – where he threat. shows off his dancing chops too – also had Blair fearful. And he’s getting to the heartt “Th ey both sort of scared of who he is. me,” he admits of the Gilbert “What I like about this and Sullivan operetta and business and about this art iss Harry Warren musical. that it’s an exploration of thee “Th ey are two musicals that self. I fi nd the more I keep are very, very diff erent. G working and growing, the &S requires legitimate tone. more I learn about myself It’s a big score and vocally it’s and come closer to being at 635 Richmond St. very challenging and 42nd HouDavid by Photo Photo by David Hou the centre of who I am.” Street is more of a physical Kyle Blair and Cynthia Dale Blair was wooed back to challenge.” in Stratford’s production of the Stratford Shakespeare 4 | thebeatmagazine.ca 42nd Street. thebeatmagazine.ca | 5 dance August, 2012 Printingg Made Simple Some like it hott www.wondlderlan diidprinting.com By Susan Scotttt Photo by Deborah Zuskan Deborah by Deborah by Photo Photo Zuskan Ross Todorovic and his team Salsa up a storm in downtown London. Thanks to television shows like Dancing One diff erence, however, occurs right at the With the Stars, Salsa is on a roll these days. And start. In On1, the lead dancer steps forward Londoners can learn this spirited dance – with on the fi rst beat of music. In On2, the lead its fast footwork, fancy lift s, dips, spins, and dancer steps in place on the fi rst beat then stepss turns – right in the heart of downtown. backwards on the second. On2 also tends to bee Th e London Salsa Academy teaches Club-Style funkier and allows dancers more creativity withh Salsa dancing, which is a more relaxed and their movements. varied version of the formal Ballroom-Style Although Salsa dancing is partner-based, depicted on shows like DWTS, explains Todorovic says 85 per cent of students take the academy founder and director, Ross Todorovic. group classes on their own. Classes run year- “It’s funny the way Salsa appeals to people,” round at Th e Organic Oscars on Dundas Street,t, he says. “Some fi nd the music addictive and are with the Academy off ering weekly Beginner, driven to it for that reason. Dancing is a lot of fun Intermediate, and Advanced Team Training and when people see Salsa dancers who dance sessions. Students are graded on their dance really well, they think ‘I wish I could do that.’ profi ciency before moving on to the next level. Others think it’s a great way to meet people.” “Advanced Team Training is for those A London native, Todorovic has been a dedicated enough to get to a level where they professional dancer for 15 years. can perform,” Todorovic explains. “It’s not a He has worked in fi lms, performed on cruise requirement but performing is another part off “How can we ships, trained dance teams, and performed with learning to dance better.” help with your the Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. From 2002- 2006, he ran Studio Tango here, but closed it Todorovic, his two instructors, and talented next print job?” to work south-of-the-border until returning in advanced students typically perform six to ten 2010. “London is where I started in my dance times a year. Th is is helping to spread the word C M Y profession,” he says. “I wanted to come back that the Salsa is not only fun to watch, it’s fun and be closer to family and friends again.” to dance. Oh yes, and it’s a great way to spice upp Th e Academy teaches two types of Salsa: On1 your life. and On2. Both share Latin American and Susan Scott is an arts writer and visual artist. 519.681.2171 Cuban origins, dance in a track linear system, [email protected] and use dance patterns with delightful names 647 WILTON GROVE RD., UNIT 6 like Canopener, Waterpump, and Pretzel Turn.