Issue 30 March 2012

Bealart City Symposium Gilder’s Design

thebeatmagazine.ca | 1 March, 2012

contents theatre March 2012

4 On Stage Robyn Israel – 24 Hours of creativity 6 Visual Arts Beth Stewart – 40 years of Brush & Palette Bringing Music to Life! 8 Industry Paula Schuck – City Symposium: Shaping our city’s future

1010 Q&A Nicole Laidler – Q&A with Donald D’Haene music FROM AUSTRIA WITH LOVE 1212 News & Views Phil McLeod – City Hall: Coming to a neighbourhood near you Mastere wwoorkks 1414 Feature Jill Ellis – Bealart in the air March 10 - 8pm / Centennial Hall

ker Spotlight Jay Menard – Best face forward r 16

a Threr e ggianntss of sysympmphohoniic wwrriƟnng; yet eaeach strugglg eedd in

n P 1188 Sound Bites Bob Klanac – Liam Isaac

Ia Viennana… Exxpep rir enence thhee drraamma, beaauty andd elegancce aas Alaiin Trudel connduducts SScchhubert’s crowwnniing orchesstral 2020 Classical Beat Nicole Laidler – Video to Verdi creaƟon, “The GrG eaeatt”” Symmphony.y Iaann Parker maakes his 22 Art on the Arts Art Fidler – Life with shows festivals visual arts Orchestra Londdoonn deebbutu on Moozazart’’s Piano Connccerto No. 20! 2424 Pegg’s World Robert Pegg – Eating the old 2266 Final Frame London through the lens of Deborah Zuskan A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON RRed Hoot Weeeke enndss OnO the cover: Ceris Thomas raises a glass to The Drowsy Chaperone. March 23 & 24 - 8pm / Centennial Hall StorySt on page 10. Photo by Ross Davidson. OOrchc esstrtra LLonndonn & The Jeans ‘n CClassiccs band honour MiM chhaea l JJackkssoonn’’s iincreddiiblee 40--yey ar legacy, from his OnlineO features @ www.thebeatmagazine.ca DISHingDI with Donald | What’s On? | Contests & Promotions | Rants & Raves bbegig nnnninngs as a yyouth ssttarr of the Jackkson Five, thror ugh hiis monnuummeental Thhriller yyears aand later hiitts. BehindB The Beat CONTACT INFORMATION:

Publisher/ Richard Young The Beat Magazine festivals l À LA FRANÇAISE! Cathheddral ManagingM Editor [email protected] PO Box 25294 ude March 28 - 2:30pm / St. Paul’s Cathedral Editor Nicole Laidler London, N6C 6B1

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a The Beat Magazine is published monthly and has a l Maestro AlAlaia n Trrudeel, a naaƟve oof Mono treal, taakes us oonn a

A Online Theatre Donald D’Haene circulation of 8,000 magazines. Reproduction of any words Editor delighƞul “r“reve ueu ” off Freencch mmuusiic,c fror m Baarroqque tot [email protected] material published in The Beat Magazine is strictly coontntempoorarary! InInclc ududeess Raavel’ss Tomombeb aau de CCouppeerinn, Arts Calendar Valerie Cavalini prohibited without written permission from the [email protected] managing editor. The views and opinions expressed FaF uré’’s Pavavanee, & mmusic by Luullyy & Varesee. 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] 2012-13 Season Subscriptions ON SALE NOW 519-870-2328 Copy Editor Beth Stewart Photography Deborah Zuskan fi lm orchestralondon.ca 519-679-8778 Art Director Lionel Morise Website Renaissance Monkey Design season sponsors: Printing Wonderland Printing Ltd. 2 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 3 March, 2012 on stage

“As“As artists, we knew how vital TAP was to all We believe in downtown London and we 24 Hours formsform of art, be it visual art, theatre and all think the arts are the life blood of culture, thingsthin in between,” Werkmeister said. “We felt creating commerce, social cohesion and of creativity it wasw time again to give back to the institution beauty.” andand work together to support this treasure.” By Robyn Israel Th e Arts Project will be open to the public EstablishedEst in 1999, Th e ARTS Project is a throughout the 24-hour time period. nonon-profin t art gallery, theatre and studio space Following the event, the centre will host a Jason Rip will join for artists. Its mission is to bring arts and grand aft er-party with cocktails and a meet- three other playwrights ccultureult to the downtown core and to the wider

ore ore ore ore the-artists opportunity.

mmmm CitCity of London by providing the space and the participating in this mmeansea for artists to create and showcase their year’s 24-Hour Rush. Robyn Israel is a local playwright, performer, wwork.or A capital campaign is planned for 2012 professor and therapist.

RRRRR to ensuree the organization remains viable and bbyby byby aableble to provide the services needed. toto toto

PhotoPhPhoPhoPhoPho by Richard Gilmore ““ThTh is is very exciting, very much a whirlwind What: The 24 Hour Rush of ccraziness and creation,” Johnston said. “It Where: The Arts Project (203 Dundas St) & rreallyeal features what incredible talent we have Wolf Performance Hall (251 Dundas St.) Imagine trying to write a play in 24 hours. It Directors include Eva Blahut, John Gerry, in thist city while supporting a great place like When: March 30-31 might not result in the genius of Shakespeare Rachel Jones and John Pacheco. TATAP. As a non-profi t it is crucial to generate Contact: www.artsproject.ca or Simon, but that’s not the point. “We’ve tried to choose actors and directors whoo ffundsun through events like these to stay open. Th e objective, in this case, is to raise funds for can be extremely versatile and who can work Th e Arts Project (TAP) and to challenge the under the gun,” said Jeff Werkmeister, another creativity of local artists by working under event organizer and local thespian. “Twelve pressure. And, of course, to have fun. hours to put together a performance can be “Th e point is the creation, the intensity of a heart ravaging! Th e writers also have to work time limit,” said event organizer and TAP under the gun and be able to work into the night, emerging with a fresh script by morning.” board member Janice Johnston. “Some people ” thrive on the excitement of that. Huge energy Th ere is also a visual arts component to the is created by the ‘rush’ aspect. It really is a event. Using the same topic as the writers, rush.” artists will be working at TAP through the Four playwrights – Jayson McDonald, Jason night to create works which will be auctioned Rip, Clara Madrenas and another yet to be off beginning at 3 p.m. the next day. Th e confi rmed – will be given a certain topic to auction will be online, accessible by smart write about. Th e theme will be chosen by phone or computer. London Free Press journalist James Reaney, “Th is is a great new aspect, as we can receive and will be revealed on opening night. bids from anywhere, all over the world really, “Th e writers go off to their writers’ caves and until 10 p.m.” Johnston said. type away all night,” Johnston said. “Th en, Th e 24 Hour Rush debuted in 2008, when at 8 a.m., the scripts are handed over to the Th e Arts Project was on the brink of closure directors, they grab their team of four actors due to lack of funding from both municipal and off they go for the day to rehearse. Th e big government and the private sector. Johnston, show is at the Wolf Performance Hall in the Werkmeister and Louise Fagan approached Central Library at 7:30 p.m., making it the full TAP manager Sandra DaSilvo, and the wheelss 24 hours from start to fi nish.” were set in motion.

4 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 5 visual arts March, 2012 It wasn’tw until 2001 that she had the courage 40 years of Brush & Palette to entere the annual show. She says, “To my big surprisesurp my small watercolour painting was By Beth Stewart awardedawa with a ribbon. How encouraging that was!”was teaching watercolours, acrylics, oils, drawing and Husnik,Hu like Rosati and Moore, says the sculpture. club’sclub real value is the camaraderie it provides. “I“I ama very grateful for the friendships, But the true highlight encouragements,enc and all the things I have 2012 of the year is the annual learnedlear directly or indirectly through this club spring show. Friday,F April 13 andand its wonderful members,” Husnik says. 7 to 9:30 p.m. Usually held at the Byron Branch Library, this year’s SarahSara Cowling has been a member of the Brush & PaletteP Club since 2001. Over time, she too Saturday,Sat April 14 show and sale is at St Paul’ss 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cathedral. hashas worn many hats. Th is year she is responsible forfor the hanging committee at the new venue. Sunday,Su AprilAprilil 155 Club president Jean Rosatii SheShe says, “Th e Brush & Palette Club has been says the change in venue noon to 5 p.m.p m.m veryvery important to me. Over the years, it has is designed to make the providedprov friendship, critiques, and workshops club’s 40th anniversary Brochures available in late MarchM to helph develop my art.” an extra-special event. She at Museum London, Library hopes moving the show DorothyDor Adams, who joined the club around Branches, or online at “Home” by Sarah Cowling, fabric, paper, and fusible to St Paul’s will attract a the same time as Cowling, has also paid her www.londonstudiotour.com webbing on wood. whole new audience. “We dues,due serving as assistant show convenor, show still have our tried and truee convenor,con and membership convenor. She too This year marks the 40th anniversary of the clientele but we are hoping to push out into thee isis impressedim by the friendliness of the club. Brush & Palette Club, a local art group that wider population,” Rosati says. SheShe specifi cally credits fellow member Hilda has encouraged and sustained members of Rosati joined the Brush & Palette Club in 19999 MarksonMa Gray with making her a “loose London’s creative class since 1972. aft er being introduced to art by a friend while woman.”wom Th e club was started by a small group of women vacationing in Tuscany. “He said take these andd “She“Sh loosened my brushstrokes … we constantly with a shared interest in painting, and its paint,” she recalls with a laugh. chucklechu about this,” Adams says. meetings were originally held at the home of She says the club has defi nitely expanded her Th e March show will feature more than 400 member Wyn Slemon. By 1989, membership horizons. “Th e workshops are excellent. It has piecespiec of original art by club members. Th ere London’s had swelled to 50 and meetings were moved to allowed me to exhibit, of course, and meet isis nno overall theme; each member is allowed Corner Drug Store St. Aidan’s Anglican Church hall. with a huge number of wonderful people, all off since 1938 to submit four framed and eight matted whom are willing to share their expertise.” to s Club membership is now capped at 110 and pieces.piec And although the show is not juried, there is a waiting list to join. Show convenors Amelia Husnik and Susan 10 ribbonsr of merit will be awarded by artist Coenzyme Q10 Although the club has grown exponentially Moore echo Rosati’s sentiments. StefanStef Andrejicka. Promotes Healthy over the years, its core values have remained Husnik also joined the Brush & Palette Club inn Heart Function much the same. Th e group still meets in St. 1999. Her primary purpose was to learn. BethBeet Stewart is a secondary school teacher, Aidan’s hall, nine times per year, on the fi rst visualssu artist and writer. Bonus Size - 140 Capsules It wasn’t long before she became involved Wednesday of the month. No meetings are in the club executive, fi rst as membership held in January, July and August. What:W Brush & Palette Club 40th Anniversary convenor and treasurer, then show convenor, ArArt Show & Sale Monthly meetings include club business, later president and now webmaster. “I felt WWhen: March 29 to30 demonstrations, speakers, and social strongly that I had to return my services to interaction. In addition, members enjoy nine this club that meant so much to me,” WWhere: St Paul’s Cathedral (472 Richmond St.) workshops per year with qualifi ed artists Husnik says. CoContact: www.brushandpaletteclub.com 6 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 7 industry March, 2012 City Symposium: Shaping our city’s futuree The Power By Paula Schuck of PRINT(S) Artists, advocates and academics coming together to spark discussion about London and shape the future of our city; that’s the gist of the City Symposium series, held once a month until May. Th e series brings together a diverse group of people from a variety of fi elds and cultures together to discuss issues and challenges within our city. According to organizer and creator James Shelley – a local social worker, fi tness instructor and writer who moderates the talks – the friendly discourses promote a sense of discovery. “It’s easy for us to get primarily involved in one or two parts of our city and miss so much of the other rich culture and innovation that is happening here,” he says. Th e fi rst symposium, held this past September, Creative featured speaker Kelly Bradley, the founder of Th e Karen Schuessler Singers share their Grit Uplift ed, a journal of creative writing for sounds this month at City Symposium. Printing Solutions people who are, or who once were homeless. Th e same evening saw an academic speaking about Karen Schuessler Singers, and former city how urban design impacts children’s health, and councillor Gina Barber. Th e evening will be Full Colour Digital Copying celebrated London artist Daniel Castillo talking hosted by Jeff Buchanan. about his creative process and Colombian roots. Each symposium is available in podcast on Offset and Large Format Printing During the informal chats – 12 minutes of talk the City Symposium web site and is taped and followed by a fi ve minute question and answer broadcast by Rogers Community Television. State-of-the-Art Equipment – the audience is encouraged to be part of the London city councillor Sandy White says the process using their smart phones, via twitter or Competitive Pricing format has been useful in bringing all ages other social media, to pose questions and post together to contemplate issues and brainstorm observations. Excellent Customer Service solutions. “Most of all, hearing from local Shelley said the series has been well received innovators is inspiring.” Contact WPL Wonderland Printing Today! and well attended. “Th ere’s a rich diversity of people doing extremely creative things across Paula Schuck is a London fr eelance journalist C M Y K the city. I think we’re helping people discover and blogger at thrift ymommastips. She has each other.” been published in the “Globe and Mail,” “Today’s Parent” and “Canadian Family.” Th e next meeting is March 6 with the newly- W P L formed London Youth Advisory Council, who What: City Symposium Series 519.681.2171 will be sharing their vision for the city. Where: Wolf Performance Hall (251 Dundas St.) [email protected] Th e March 20 meeting features Bill Avison When: March 6 & 20 @ 7 pm 647 WILTON GROVE RD., UNIT 6 wonderlandprinting from the University of Western Ontario, the Contact: www.citysymposium.com LONDON, ON N6N 1N7 LIMITED 8 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 9 March, 2012 Gerald Fagan, the Fagan Singers, soloist Margie Bernal and accompanist Emer Montano promise an afternoon that sizzles with eclectic Spanish music from 1600 to folk songs of the present day.

Donald D’Haenee withth returns to the stage ass Donald D’Haene Th e Drowsy Chaperone’ss Man in Chair..

By Nicole Laidler nnnn dsodsodsodso aviaviaviavi sDs DsDs D RosRosRosRos byby byby toto toto

Photo by Ross by DavidsonPhoto PhoPhoPhoPho 7:007 pm Good Friday Sunday, March 4, 2012 - 3:00 pm AprilA 6, 2012 Many know Donald D’Haene as Th e Beat’s theatrical stage, so I actually started performingng CentennialC Hall Windermere on the Mount FanshaweF Chorus London • Gerald Fagan Singers online theatre editor, DISHING with Donald in that environment. Th ey were the toughest CConcert Players Orchestra Tickets: $30 – Adult / $25 – Senior / $15 – Student columnist and the creative spark behind the audiences I’ve ever experienced and I learned soo Soloists:S Leslie Fagan, soprano • Anita Krause, mezzo-soprano Ticket Hotline 519-433-9650 / Toll Free 1-866-244-0762 annual DISH Th eatre Awards. But D’Haene much. Th en I started all over from the ground KKurt Lehmann, tenor • John Avey, bass Chapters North/South(cash only) Tickets: $30 – Adult / $15 – Student has been involved in London’s community up in community theatre. T Centennial Hall 519-672-1967 TTicket Hotline519-433-9650 / Toll Free1-866-244-0762 Chapters North/South (cash only) / Centennial Hall519-672-1967 theatre scene for more than two decades, most Frankly, I became a producer because I’m a C On line at: www.centennialhall.london.ca OOn line at: www.centennialhall.london.ca / www.choruslondon.com recently as the producer of Musical Th eatre control freak and want a say on everything thatt www.choruslondon.com Productions’ Nine and Th e Producers with I experience. Other than the DISH Awards, I NAGAF Music Pacheco Th eatre. consider myself retired from producing. I am Aft er taking a 10-year hiatus from acting, now only interested in playing. D’Haene returns to the boards this month Q: Over the past two years you have written Think you can make a short film? playing the role of Man in Chair in Musical hundreds of theatre reviews for Th e Beat. Aree We’reW giving you two chances to show us what you’ve got. Th eatre Productions’ Th e Drowsy Chaperone. you nervous about exposing yourself to the Q: What was it about this production that criticism of others? drew you back to the stage? A: No, because as “they” keep telling me – I’m Come on – we DARE you to try. A: A brilliant script. It’s a comedy and a musical, too nice in my reviews. I’ve been exposed to my favourite. And the director, Rick Smith. criticism all my life. It’s just another day. No experience necessary. Q: Man in Chair sounds intriguing. Can you Q: If you had to describe London’s tell me more about the character? community theatre scene in fi ve words, whatt March 9 - 12, 2012 • www.londonfringe.ca would they be? A: Man in Chair is completely comfortable in his own home, but is slightly self-conscious A: Th riving. Surprising. Increasingly and feels inadequate to others outside of his competitive. Growing by leaps and bounds. apartment. Th ere is a hint of vulnerability, but a high degree of excitement to be talking about Nicole Laidler is editor of Th e Beat and a locall fr eelance writer and business communicator. something that he is passionate about – theatre. Visit her at spilledink.ca March 14, 2012 I can’t believe I get to say the things I say in this role in public! I can’t wait. www.shotonmobile.com What: Musical Theatre Productions, Q: How does your experience as a producer The Drowsy Chaperone ThankT you to our Thank you to our inform your approach to being an actor? Where: The Palace Theatre (710 Dundas St. E.) SShoth On Mobile sponsors 62-Hour Film Contest sponsors A: I produced a series of shows at the Halo When: March 23 to April 1 Night Club before I started acting on a Contact: www.musicaltheatreproductions.ca 10 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 11 news & views March, 2012

FANSHAWE

STONEY CREEK City Hall: UPLANDS SUNNINGDALE AIRPORT children’schi services, centres will be located in STONEYBROOK HURON HEIGHTS eveeveryr one of London’s 42 neighbourhoods, in FOXFOX HHOLLOWOLLOW Coming to a MASONVILLE schschoolso if possible. NORTH LONDON CARLING CRUMLIN MEDWAY neighbourhood ARGYLE FForor now the centres are aimed at helping HYDE PARK EAST LONDON fafamiliesm with children aged 12 and under WEST LONDON CENTRAL LONDON near you HAMILTON ROAD coconnectn with community and educational RIVER OAKRIDGE a BEND SOUTH LONDON serservices.v Th e next phase will expand services to SOUTHCREST Night By Phil McLeod GLEN CAIRN JACKSON OLD oldoldere age groups and their families. VICTORIAA at the WOODHULL HIGHLAND BYRON WESTMOUNT BRADLEY AAndnd as the LCBO tailors its product line HIGHBURY pera WHITE WESTMINSTER BOSTWICKBOSTWICK OAKS iinn iindividualn stores to suit its surrounding TALBOTLBOT O Imagine if City of London clieclientele, so too will the Neighbourhood SATURDAY 2012 services were as ubiquitous as LONGWOODS ChChildi and Family Centres. “Th e mix of MARCH 31 LAMBETH 8 pm Wesley-Knox United Church liquor outlets. If you could walk SHARON CREEK serservicesv provided in each centre will depend BROCKLEY 91 Askin Street, London into a corner store or mall and connect Thrilling choruses and ravishing arias - Bizet, Verdi, Puccini and more GLANWORTH on tthe unique cultural, geographic and with everything our civic government with soloists Amber Cunningham, soprano, Sebastian Haboczki, tenor socsocio-economici makeup of each community,” and Mark Payne, pianist did or off ered. LLivingstoneiv says. Adults $20 / Seniors $17 in advance ($22 / $19 at the door) TEMPO Students $10 / Children 6 - 12, accompanied by an adult, free Someday perhaps. And perhaps sooner Tickets from Tuckey Home Hardware, Chapters Th e centre at Jean Vanier, operated by the and Long & McQuade (formerly Belle Air) than you’d think. LoLondonn Children’s Connection, combines Information: 519.455.8895 or www.kssingers.com Already the city’s community and social an OOntario Early Years Centre and a day care Tickets may be purchased online at www.kssingers.com services department is experimenting with a wwithith the emerging children program. It off ers model that provides a tantalizing glimpse into proprograms Tuesday through Saturday for groups Haircutting, Styling and how City Hall might interact with its citizens their full potential. Th ese opportunities will as wide-rangingw as breastfeeding moms to Hair Colouring Specialists in the future. And the notion is altering the be identifi ed by the neighbourhood and bbabysittingab dads, with information available in for Women and Men belief that London’s next City Hall must be implemented according to evidence-informed eigeighth diff erent languages. a large, tall building downtown. In fact, the best practices using an integrative, inclusive andd next City Hall might be much smaller with SSomedayom you may be able to walk into the City holistic approach.” connections to a series of branch offi ces in ooff LLondon store in your neighbourhood mall, neighbourhoods across London. Now that single door is opening to what are papayy your taxes or parking fi nes, get a building perpermitm or rent time at a skating rink, sign up for It’s not as far-fetched as you might think, called Neighbourhood Child and Family a recreationre program or book your child into says Ross Fair, London’s executive director of Centres, where information about and access too dadaycare.y Th en you could walk around the front community services. “It’s part of a very broad a wide range of services is available. Currently social program change underway in London,” that includes some City of London services cocounteru to take part in a discussion group on a he says. as divergent as recreation and social welfare; nneighbourhoodeig issue or a health seminar. school boards; public and mental health In December, London’s Child and Youth CityCity Hall will be where the council meets programs; faith based and cultural services; Network, an informal consortium of 150 andand where department heads, city boards and community agencies, presented a report to city settlement services and other community commissionscom have their offi ces. Connected council on creating a family-centred service partnership programs. mightmig be a community cultural centre and system. Already there are two such centres operationall outsideout – at least in one artist’s concept – might bebe a beach. But the city’s real business will take Th e report off ered this vision for the future – at Jean Vanier School and Northbrae Community Hub – and two more are placeplac much closer to where you live. delivery of core social programs: “In every 635 Richmond St. London neighbourhood residents will open expected to open this year in the White Oaks PhilPhhi McLeod writes regularly on civic aff airs at London, Ontario a single door to multiple opportunities that and Argyle areas. Ultimately, says Lynne wwwwww.themcleodreport.ca. You can email him 519.434.1131 support children and families in achieving Livingstone, director of neighbourhood and aatt [email protected] www.chezcheveux.ca 12 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 13 feature March, 2012

compelledcom to pursue a While the program is crecreativea career and wanted widely acknowledged as to bbe a fashion designer as being important to the local a childch in . Aft er cultural scene, noted stained immigratingimm to as glass artist and former Bealart an aadult, going to Beal gave teacher Ted Goodden feels LaiLaidlerd the opportunity to that educators get as good as chchannela her creative drive they give. anandd turn it into a career as a “What is not talked about priprintn maker. oft en enough is that teaching ““II feelfe very fortunate to is a learning opportunity for hhaveav gone to Beal. While I the teacher,” he says. “Th e wwasas in my third or fourth size, diversity of studio areas “La Chase” (etching) by Bealart teacher Ron Milton, who is spearheading the eff ort yeayearr some of my prints and the staff members, which sstartedtar to sell and that included a number of well- to celebrate the program’s success. wwasas my encouragement to known artists, made Bealart cocontinuen on a professional a fertile place for expanding Bealart in the air basbasis,”i she says. “Tara” (digital print) by your vision. I learned how TVDSB photographer and to produce a lithograph, for By Jill Ellis BoBotht Jeff eress and Laidler sspeakpea fondly of some of technician Steve Kerr. instance, and began sculpting The old saying that those who can do, and Greg Curnoe, Ron Martin, Murray Favro and tthehe individuals who greatly in clay, as well as fi rming up those who can’t teach defi nitely doesn’t apply at Jack Chambers. iinflnfl uenced the art program and therefore their my own fundamentals through teaching art at the introductory level.” H. B. Beal Secondary School. Aft er 100 years of Connie Jeff eress is a Beal graduate whose owownn lives. Names like Herb Arris and Mackie shaping young minds, the various departments education has taken her across North CrCrydermany come up over and over again. Both What better way to celebrate a program than to and programs at Beal are ready to celebrate, America – working as a respected commercial wwereer department heads who helped put Beal on show off its products? with the art department leading the way. artist – and then back to London to teach at the artistic map of Canada. Starting in January, shows have been going on all Founded in 1912 as the London Technical and her alma mater for 24 years. “Beal was and stilll Spearheadingpe the eff ort to celebrate the over the city and will continue throughout the Art School, it took until 1927 for a defi ned art is a very special place. Having working artists proprogram’s success is teacher Ron Milton, a year. So keep an eye out for great masterpieces curriculum to come into being. Now considered as teachers is exactly as it should be. Th ere is noo BBealea grad with a hand in fostering today’s everywhere, because this year – more than any one of the fi nest art programs in the country, all sense teaching yoyoungu talent. other – art is in the air. of Bealart’s teachers are also practising artists. young people “Th e city benefi ts from Bealart in several about art, Jill Ellis is a London-based fr eelance “It’s a studio-based program,” explains Mark ways:way national status from famous artists, unless you’ve writer and chief communicator for Write.On Haney, artist, teacher, and Bealart department cocontributionsn of students to the local been there,” Communications International head. “Th ere are 10 studios and students do cocommunity,m more business [when former she says. (www.writedoton.com) all of them in the fi rst year to pick the two sstudentstud return to London and set up shop], that they’ll continue with in year two. All Of the a vvenuee for education about fi ne art through March Bealart Exhibits the teachers are working artists and that’s the thousands of showsshow and displays, interaction between program’s strength.” graduates of elementaryelem and secondary school students Tim Cosens @ The Art Exchange, until March 24 Students rotate through photography, print the program, throughthro workshops, and willing volunteers for Nicole Manell & Sarah Lund @ The Framing Experience, until March 31 making, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, painting, many share the arts-relatedarts programs,” he says. experience of drawing and design concepts, lithography, fi lm MiltonMil feels that highlighting Beal through Commercial Art History @ London Central Antje Laidler. Library, until March 31 and animation, and art history. With working thisthis 100th anniversary celebration is one artists teaching all of the studios the student A mature wayway to ensure that people know about the Ted Goodden @ The Art Exchange, March 27 experience is more authentic, he says. student when programpro so it continues. “I think that it to April 14 Canadian International AAirirr Th is structure has produced some of Canada’s she attended wouldwou be a great loss to the local, regional For more information on the year’s events visit www.bealart.com most respected artists, including Philip Aziz, in the 1970s, Show poster by Bealart gradrad andand national art scene if this [Bealart] ever Laidler felt Cliff Kearns. disappeared,”disa he adds. 14 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 15 spotlight March, 2012 goaltendergoa Michael Houser did with his most their masks, but I prefer the classic style. I still recrecente Gilder creation, his third mask so far. like simple, bigger, bolder graphics that you can see from a distance.” Best face forwardd “Th ere’s a couple of things that I always have By Jay Menardd on mym masks and have ever since I was probably Jay Menard is a corporate communications 14 oro 15 years old,” Houser said. “On the writer, fr eelancer, consultant, and multi-media bbackack of my helmet I always have my parents’ man-of-all trades. See more of his work at iinitialsnit and on this one I have a little tribute to www.jaymenard.com Like many goalies, the Londonn Ian Jenkins, a goalie who passed away [in an Knights’ Michael Houserer autautomobileo accident in the summer of 2011] included tributes to family andd Contact: www.gildersdesign.com friends in his mask design.n. wwhoho was draft ed by us.” ““II wasw really happy when I saw it for the fi rst titime.m He does an awesome job.” SSomeom masks are extremely dynamic with iimagesma and intricate design, but Gilder prefers cocombiningm classic styles with a focus on the tteam.eam Masks have traditionally been used to hide “You get most of your business from word-of- one’s identity, but thanks to local artist Derrick mouth. I’d say 70 per cent of the work comes ““AsAs painters evolve, it gives goalies more Gilder, many of hockey’s top net minders are from one trainer going to another and saying, optoptions. Sometimes you get these incredibly able to showcase their personalities on a key ‘Give this guy a try.’ If I can get a team on detdetaileda designs that look great up close, but piece of equipment – the goalie mask. board, then they’ll come back,” he said. yyouou can’t see them from a distance,” he said. “I Gilder, owner of Gilder’s Designs, knows “For the team, it’s a reward thing. It used to justt apappreciatep the artwork that some people put on fi rst-hand how important goalie masks can be. be for the starting goalie and the backup wouldd “I was a goalie when I was young in the 1970s. wear a standard mask. I’d come in at a price I grew up with the [Gerry] Cheevers and [Ken] point that would allow the team to do both Dryden masks,” he explained. “Back then, you masks. Now, instead of just fi ve or six guys in couldn’t buy those masks. You had to buy the the league having a custom mask, there are 25 helmet off the rack.” to 30 out there.” Gilder started doing automotive and auto body Gilder said that there are about 10 to 15 work with his father, indulging his creative reputable mask-design companies in the world.. passions by attending Bealart and Fanshawe He’s done work throughout the OHL, the College’s industrial design program. He created NHL, and as far afi eld as Russia’s KHL and his fi rst custom mask in 2003 for the Kitchener even Australia. He can average about three Rangers’ Scott Dickie. Over the years, costs masks a week. have come down, which has opened the market, “I don’t have a preference whether a kid and word of mouth has spread. gives me free reign or he comes in with his “My company is a one-man operation, so I’m own ideas,” he said. “Sometimes it’s more able to keep the overhead pretty low and I challenging when they have their own ideas try to pass those savings on to the customer,” because I’ve got hundreds of ideas in my head. he said. Masks typically range from $300 to But I like it when they do put more into it. I $1,200, with the biggest variable being the think they’ll appreciate the mask more when time involved. they see their ideas come to life. Typically the Gilder got his start with Dickie thanks to back plates are where people will put tributes too a mutual contact. It’s an approach that still family and friends, or add quotes.” works. Th at’s exactly what current London Knights’

16 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 17 sound bites March, 2012 Acoustic Muse Concerts Folk Legend & Grammy Lifetime Achievement Winner Tom Complete Event Production Liam Isaac Paxton & Convention Services Sales and Service of everything By Bob Klanac “The“ Last Thing On My Mind”, Pro-Audio and Lighting “Ramblin’“Ram Boy”,“The Marvelous Toy” Don't call a salesman, call the owner: Ray Pierce Thurs. April 19, 8:00 pm 519 495 0926 Aeolian Hall, 795 Dundas St., London www.piercesound.com | [email protected] London’s Liam Isaac has $30$3 Advance- 519-672-7950 or aeolianhall.ca We do Installations a crooner’s talent and boy- next-door teen appeal.

/RQGRQªVRQO\ 79WDONVKRZ For most of the day, 16-year old Liam Isaac was the head chorister for two years and then I resembles a typical London teenager. Up way left to pursue the jazz sort of deal.” too early, school, and then some aft er class For Isaac, that “sort of deal” was the music swim lessons. of Sinatra, the then-emerging Bublé, Ella &$%/( It’s what he does aft er the pool that sets him Fitzgerald and Harry Connick Jr. “I really like :HHNGD\V$03030 apart. Most evenings, Isaac hunkers down the music because jazz is a good vehicle for the to exercise his remarkable singing pipes. His voice,” he explains. “It’s not like pop, which isn’t’t crooning – inspired by the sound of his idols about the singing.” Michael Bublé and Frank Sinatra – recently won over more fans when he performed at Finding a place to perform vocal jazz standardsds January’s DISH Awards. to an enthusiastic audience led Isaac’s mother to suggest retirement homes as a venue. “[Th e Isaac is refreshingly nonplussed about his talent and ambitions. residents] know all the music, they’re used to it and they’re also very supportive,” he says. “I [sing] when I get a chance,” he says modestly “Th at’s why I’m starting there.” of performances at school concerts and local retirement homes. When it’s suggested that Isaac is beginning to get some notice thanks to his YouTube But there’s also a YouTube page at Channel and recent appearances he chuckleses LiamIsaacChannel with a collection of videos sheepishly saying, “I’m not entirely sure that paint a remarkable picture of this aspiring about that.” crooner’s talent and boy-next-door teen appeal. He’s also caught the attention of musical “I’ll keep singing whether or not I get a kindred spirits, St. Th omas’ Sahara Swing successful career in it,” he says. “If I do, I’ll Band. Isaac fronted the band for a quartet of go on and make money and sing songs,” he songs at a February gig and will rejoin them for quips. “But if I don’t, I might go into physics another appearance this June. or something like that.” An early bloomer, Isaac says he started singing Bob Klanac has been scribbling about music as a seven-year-old chorister at St. Paul’s since he was young enough to know better. For Cathedral. “I was a soprano then,” he notes. “I more, go to klanac.blogspot.com

18 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 19 classical beat March, 2012 inin a way that allows the singers to convey thattha immediately. It’s really diff erent from Video to Verdii traditionaltrad choral music, but excitingly so.” SoloistsSolo soprano Amber Cunningham and By Nicole Laidlerer tenorteno Sebastian Haboczki will join in for some popularpop arias. “Th ey are fabulous home-grown singers,”sing noted Schuessler. “Both are well on Video Games Live creator,or, theirthe way to serious careers and we are thrilled Tommy Tallarico, teams up withth to supports them in their progress.” Orchestra London for a multi-mediaia concert experience at the JLC.C. NicoleNic Laidler is editor of the Beat Magazine

Photo by Melissa Melissa by by EstuelstaEstuelsta Photo Photo aanndnd a local fr eelance writer and business ccommunicator.om Visit her at spilledink.ca Richmond and Fullarton Going to the symphony is not usually all fun also ushering in a whole new generation of Monday - Friday 8 - 5 and games, but it will be this month when young people to appreciate the arts and their What:Wh Video Games Live with Orchestra London Orchestra London teams up with Video Games local symphony. It becomes a family event, andd Where:Wh John Labatt Centre (99 Dundas St.) Live to bring a unique, immersive concert a community event,” said Tallarico, who hosts When:Wh March 21 @ 8 pm experience to the John Labatt Centre, March 21. and plays guitar for each performance. Contact:Co www.johnlabattcentre.com Th e show – conceived by veteran video game “When you’re a composer it’s like putting composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall something in a bottle and sending it out. You What:Wh Karen Schuessler Singers, A Night at the Opera – features music from the most popular video don’t know who’s going to listen or how it’s Where:Wh Wesley-Knox United Church (91 Askin St.) games of all time performed by the orchestra going to be received,” he said. “But when you WhWhen: March 31 @ 8 pm and live choir, with synchronized lighting and perform live you get that instant feedback. It’s CoContact: www.kssingers.com www.foodandshops.com video footage, as well as interactive segments really powerful.” for the audience. “I like to describe it as having all the power Th e Karen Schuessler and emotion of a symphony concert combined Singers love variety. with the energy of a rock concert, mixed Th eir season launched together with the cutting-edge visuals, with a choral tribute technology and fun that video games provide,” to animals large and said Tallarico in a phone interview from his small and wraps up in home on the West Coast. June with music by Th e Beatles. Sandwiched in “My goal was to prove to the world how between is A Night at culturally signifi cant, and artistic, video game the Opera. music has become. I wanted to create a show for Soprano Amber everybody – not just for hard-core gamers or Cunningham Th e March 31 concert symphony goers.” joins KSS for features some of the A Night at the greatest opera choruses Th e production launched in front of an Opera. of all time, including audience of 11,000 at the Hollywood Bowl Verdi’s Anvil Chorus in 2005 and now travels to venues around the (Il Trovatore) and Triumphal Scene (Aida), world. Th e play list includes music from classic Bizet’s March of the Toreadors (Carmen), and games like Space Invaders and Donkey Kong Wagner’s Pilgrims’ Chorus (Tannhäuser). to more contemporary favourites like Final Fantasy and Th e Legend of Zelda. “Th e emotional range of these choruses is vast and dramatic. It’s absolute pain. It’s absolute “Th e cool thing about this show is that not ecstasy and larger than life,” said conductor only are we turning people on to the beauty Karen Schuessler, who will be setting each scenee and artistic merits of video games, but we’re for the audience. “Th e music is constructed 20 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 21 art on the arts March, 2012 Life with shows By Art Fidler

ore ore Colour

ililmililm The Only Way to Start your day! dGdGdGdG hharhhar RiRicRiRic yy bby bby tto tto PhotoPhPhoPhPho by Richard Gilmore Richmond & Tower Productions was among the “confi dent college-university gangs” at January’s DISH Awards.

January’s DISH Awards got me thinking. Do you remember Kathy Rumleski? For Th ese celebrations are a momentary pause to several years, until her January retirement, she capture the past: the vanished theatre dreams, covered the arts beat for the London Free Press.s. realities and hilarities of the past year, but also, I’m as guilty as anyone of griping when my a full life in theatre. Th e cheering teen actors, project doesn’t get covered, and for forgetting the confi dent college-university gangs, the to show gratitude when it does. Like many, I alternative theatre visionaries, the community expect coverage even when I provide neither theatre devotees - my theatre life in three hours. background information, an angle that would So let’s recall our life with shows. attract readers, nor evidence of the passion thatt Full Colour makes it worth a mention. Stay Warm Just past deadline, an email popped in from Knowing WPL Has Over Rumleski, however, worked that beat over the Digital Copying Lisa Cardinal about A Funny Th ing Happened 30 Years Experience in the years, and if we could see gathered together all on the Way to the Forum at the UWO Faculty & Offset Printing Printing Industry of Education, performed the fi rst week of the articles she researched and wrote about the Short/Long Run Capabilities February. It read: “…if you’re scrounging local art and theatre scene, well, we would be around for some ideas and want to talk to some enlightened and humbled. theatre students putting together a musical for Th e Free Press mainly restricts actual reviewingg Call Brian Webb Todayfor Quality Printing, the fi rst time, we could sure use the publicity. I to professional theatre, and Kathy did that too.. just fi gured there’s no harm in asking.” She told me that her reviewing mantra was to Superior Service and Competitive Pricing! Th at’s true, and if all we can do now is go to the theatre in a positive, open frame of Come see why more people are making WPL remember your “college try” then let’s do that. mind, try to respond to what she saw rather than judge by preconception, and express her Wonderland Printing Limited their printer of choice. Remember that you rehearsed, argued, faced genuine response as clearly and honestly as crises, bonded, that crowds clapped for you, that CMY K she could, leaving the readers with their own you paid your bills, that you partied on closing freedom to choose. Th at’s a pretty good legacy night, that you fell in love, and that putting for all of us. Four Stars to you! it on meant more than you’ve yet been able to measure, straining in lonely rooms to catch up on Now, theatre people, back to the future! W P L assignments that seemed so beneath contempt 519.681.21715 [email protected] when you were joined together to create. Art Fidler, the current Director of Marketing forr Original Kids Th eatre Company, is a retired butut 64647 WILTON GROVE RD., UNIT 6 wonderlandprinting And now to our life with people. still passionate drama instructor/ actor/ director.r. LLONDON,O ON N6N 1N7 LIMITED 22 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 23 pegg’s world March, 2012 Eating the old By Robert Pegg

droves. Why? Lack of respect. In London, Ont., we eat our old. Here are two examples from the local arts and entertainment scene. Janice Zolf and Jim Chapman. In the past few months, both concluded decades-long careers in local broadcasting with absolutely no fanfare – or mention in our daily press. Even worse was that such distinguished careerss were tarnished in the past year in the social media. A Facebook group was created just to advocate for the termination of Zolf’s job as entertainment reporter for CTV-News – basedd on the misconception that she only covered events at the John Labatt Centre and the Stratford Festival.

Guy Lombardo left town for good shortly Th en there was the on-line and very public aft er releasing “Auld Lang London.” derision of Chapman’s song “London, City of Opportunity” – which was originally presented as our new “theme” song by Mayor A few years ago, there was a news report that Joe Fontana. London had been named one of the best places to retire in North America. Apparently we In today’s music scene, Chapman’s tune is tied with Denver, Colorado for second place. just not the type of sound likely to lure young Victoria, B.C., home of high tea and crumpets people here. However, more distressing was number one. Naturally. than the on-line insults was the absolute MarchM Live Th e fact that London ranked so high shouldn’t unrestrained glee taken by Chapman’s former BBreak On have come as a surprise to anyone who has ever colleagues at his last radio station in ridiculing observed our driving habits or listened to our the song. Just shameful. 114 - 17 Stage! local radio. Th is invasion has been going on for Th is sort of thing is not without historical years. Not only in the actual number of gray precedent. In the early 1960s, Mayor Frank hairs who fl ock here but in the mindset of those Stronach made a similar request of Guy who have lived here all their lives. If you want Lombardo. Lombardo left town for good Wolf Performance Hall, to live in a place where people talk incessantly shortly aft er his recording “Auld Lang about their cats, their mortgages and their feet, London,” done in his familiar big-band Central Library then this is your town. style, was made fun of by our local bebop 251 Dundas St. Good ol’ London – the place where people community. come to die. Tickets: www.oktc.ca Robert Pegg is a published author, currently But based on certain recent events, I’m working on his autobiography, Living in the 519-679-8989 predicting a reversal of that trend. Mark my Past. Visit sonnydrysdalepresents.blogspot.com words, old people are going to be leaving. In for more of his musings. “Building Character For 21 Years.”

24 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 25 fi nal frame March, 2012

Deborah Zuskan captured this image along the Th ames River during a January thaw. View more of her work at www.deborahzuskan.com

26 | thebeatmagazine.ca thebeatmagazine.ca | 27 March, 2012 Theatre Newfoundland Labrador’s production of TEMPTING PROVIDENCE By Robert Chafe

MARCH 13 - MARCH 31 Leaving the world she knew behind, nurse Myra Bennett arrived as an out-port nurse in Newfoundland in 1921 for a two-year posting. Come celebrate the true story of this amazing Canadian.

TITLE SPONSOR 519.672.8800 grandtheatre.com 28 | thebeatmagazine.ca