Issue Thirty, July 2008 3 www.artscapemagazine.ca contents

Editor Visual Art Beth Stewart Susan Scott – Innuit Gallery ...... 4 [email protected] Profiles Cover Image Beth Stewart – Boland & Benedict . . . . . 8 Here comes Sunfest! – Kane ...... 9 See article page 20. Visual Art Advertising Sales Tess de Hann – Connecting Threads . . 10 Ashleigh Barney [email protected] Theatre Robyn Israel – Verve ...... 12 Publisher Christopher Ballard Theatre [email protected] Robyn Israel – Port Stanley ...... 14

Website July Calendar ...... 16 www.artscapemagazine.ca Courtesy of Londonsource.com Nicole’s Notes Nicole Laidler – Sunfest & Stratford . . 20 Graphic Design Christopher Ballard Music Mushroom Studios Creative Inc. Richard Young – Home County . . . . . 24

Printing Pegg’s World Phibbs Printing Robert Pegg – Sweet ...... 26

Photography Heather Lynch – Miszczyk ...... 28

ArtSCAPE Muse - ‘Dog’

Copyright 2006, 2007, 2008, Mushroom Studios Creative Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material published in ArtSCAPE is strictly prohibited without the written permission of the Publisher. ArtSCAPE has a circulation of 10,000 magazines published monthly. The views or opinions expressed in the information, content and/or advertisements published in ArtSCAPE are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the Publisher. PO Box 52033, RPO Commissioners Road East, N6C 0A1

ArtSCAPE is published by Mushroom Studios Creative Inc. Tel: 519 432-1813 4 visual art Susan.Scott

The Innuit Gallery: A passion for primitive

gallery is holding its first estate sale from June 25 to July 19. The sale includes rare ivory Tupilaks (small carvings said to ward off evil spirits), sculptures, and whalebone carvings from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. And on July 23, Waddington’s, a major Toronto auction house, will conduct a one- day “road show” at the gallery. For a small fee, people will be able to have their Inuit art appraised by experts. “The fees will be donated to the Children’s Museum’s new Arctic Adventure exhibit,” says Evans. Also on tap is an exhibit of Pangnirtung Community prints that runs until July 12 and, in October, the gallery’s annual Cape Dorset show featuring prints by well-known artists from that region. These prints are sought-after because of their sophistication, and because each Faces by Adamie Ashevak, Cape Dorset, 2008, image is hand inked and limited to 50 polished black serpentine, H26 x W12 x D7. worldwide. It must be karma that this year, when This flurry of activity is not unusual for The Innuit Gallery is celebrating its 25th the gallery, which has basically carved out anniversary, it received the largest order in the market for Inuit art in London with its its history. But filling the order also needed passionate dedication to the oeuvre. The a lot of work and a little luck. Innuit Gallery was opened by Isaacs at the In just over two weeks, the gallery had suggestion of his uncle, Avrom Isaacs, who to purchase and package 400 Inukshuks owned an Inuit gallery in Toronto. Isaacs (stone structures with a vaguely human look, also used his uncle’s award-winning logo now the logo for the 2010 Olympics), with its atypical but dictionary-correct which were to be distributed at a corporate spelling of Innuit, in which the double “n” conference to global representatives. All the resembles an igloo. sculptures had to be the same size and From the start Isaacs, a fulltime teacher, price, no mean feat when they are crafted has relied on a staff of four to run the across the Arctic by different artists using gallery day-to-day. Evans and Jenkins were different stones. But with long hours and the among the original employees and when help of family on packing day, the gallery their boss, who was raising a young family met its deadline. at the time, considered selling the business “Longevity helps,” says Janet Evans, in 1993, the two bought into it. “Ann and I co-owner of The Innuit Gallery, along with convinced Howard to stay on as a third Ann Jenkins and founder Harold Isaacs. partner,” says Evans. “We said ‘You can be “The gentleman that placed the order had a silent partner’ but he knew he would at one time lived in London. He never remain silent. And we knew it too.” remembered The Innuit Gallery, googled About 90 per cent of the gallery’s art – our website, and then contacted us.” prints, paintings, sculpture, boxes, and Two other milestones are also marking jewellery – is created by Inuit in the Eastern the gallery’s anniversary. While it has sold Arctic and 10 per cent by First Nations Inuit art collections for private collectors, the artists, mainly from the Six Nations Reserve 6 visual art Susan.Scott near Brantford. The three owners purchase While some artists, especially those in the latter’s art directly from the artists, but remote communities, still utilize traditional buy Inuit work in Toronto from community materials and subjects featuring animals, co-operatives. hunting, and myths, others are The co-operatives stem from a program incorporating modern goods, technology, initiated by the Canadian government in the media, subjects, and styles into their work. late-1940s to boost the economy of the One large sculpture, Faces, by Adamie Inuit, then a nomadic, hunting people who Ashevak epitomizes this dichotomy. The were being paid “peanuts” for Artic furs. piece is carved from black stone polished to Artist James Houston, who was travelling in a fine sheen. On one side is a traditionally the North, recognized that the small, hand- simplified, flat Inuit face with the suggestion held carvings the Inuit used to tell legends of a fur hood. On the other are two three- and objectify their oral history would dimensional, abstract faces that are worthy appeal to “southern” Canadians, who were of any modern artist. starting to appreciate their cultural history. First Nations artists have also been “Houston took the carvings to Quebec and affected by contemporary influences. R. they sold like hotcakes,” explains Jenkins. Gary Miller, for example, was born on the “So the government said back you go and Six Nations Reserve. After surviving several perhaps they could be a little larger.” years in a residential school, he graduated In the late-1950s Houston launched the from the Ontario College of Art and first Inuit print show in Quebec and prints obtained a BFA from the University of proved popular too. By the 1960s the Toronto. He now lives in Peterborough and government had set up co-operatives in paints portraits and textured landscapes most Inuit communities to build on the Inuit’s using rich colours with little stylistic hint of artistic tradition. The co-ops helped train the his heritage. artists, gave them workspace, marketed The gallery reflects the changing face their art, and handled sales. While the of Inuit and First Nations art, featuring both government initially ran the co-ops, the Inuit traditional and modern works. It is this that now do so. keeps it vibrant and attracts long-term Today Inuit art has worldwide appeal. customers, whether they are collectors, There are Inuit galleries across Canada, the corporations, or everyday people U.S., and Europe. In 1970, the 1960 print purchasing something unique to celebrate The Enchanted Owl by Kenojuak Ashevak an occasion or to give when they are appeared on a Canada Post stamp and it travelling. “People don’t want to turn over a later garnered the highest price paid for gift they have given someone in another any Canadian print auctioned by country and see Made in China,” says Waddington’s. In 2006, Annie Pootoogook Jenkins. won the Sobey Award in competition with All the owners believe one role of the Place Phibbs ad here all Canadian artists. gallery is to help people appreciate Inuit This appeal has turned art into the and First Nations art. “We encourage Inuit’s major source of income, but it has people, whether they are buying or not, to also changed the very art that created it. come into the gallery just to look around Small carvings have given way to the more and learn,” says Evans. Jenkins agrees. popular large sculptures. Soapstone is often “We all love the art,” she says. “That’s why replaced by Serpentine, which has greater you’ll find we’re so enthusiastic about it.” colour variation and is more easily The Innuit Gallery is located at 201 polished. And many prints have gone from Queens Avenue. The gallery website is flat, bold, basically black, naive images to www.innuitgallery.com. ones with lots of colour, 3D modelling, and subtle shading. Susan Scott is a writer and visual artist. 8 profiles Beth.Stewart

Wayne Boland Ben Benedict Sarah Kane

“Blue Honeywort” by Wayne Boland, original “Missing My Dad” by Ben Benedict, oil on “Queen of Diamonds” (detail) by Sarah Kane, design, 669 pieces, 16 inches in diameter. canvas, 48 x 48 inches, 2005. acrylic on canvas, 48 x 36 inches, 2008. Wayne Boland has 25 years of Ben Benedict is well known as a feature Sarah Kane draws with graphite and experience as a stained glass artist. During writer and arts columnist for The Londoner. paints with acrylic. She enjoys both equally this time he has produced windows, He is also a tireless arts advocate and a and for different reasons: graphite for its transoms, doors, and panels for homes and visual artist in his own right. precision and its ability to “bring attention to churches. As a painter, Benedict works in oils and detail,” and acrylic paint for its freedom. “I Over the past 14 years he has mixed media. He also sculpts using found couldn’t work in just one medium,” says narrowed his focus to lamps, each of which objects. In fact, his first professional exhibit, Kane. requires between 70 and 200 hours of McIntosh Gallery’s “Generating Voices II” Her creative process is a cognitive one. painstaking labour. (June 1993), featured his sculpted figures, “I’m not the sort of artist who sketches my As a lamp maker, Boland works with including a recreation of Michelangelo’s ideas,” Kane explains. “I tend to write out both original designs as well as Tiffany David. what’s on my mind at any particular moment reproductions. He uses Lewis Comfort Benedict describes his artistic oeuvre as on pieces of scrap paper; and as those Tiffany’s original construction method – having generalized themes that deal with pieces gather, my ideas come into focus.” incorporating a ring, wheel and rim – to “male gender roles from an early-childhood She further develops her ideas until she give his lamps exceptional strength and developmental-psychology perspective is satisfied she has “taken something durability. based on object relations theories.” ordinary and made it the opposite.” “Nature supplies us with wondrous His greatest pleasure as an artist is “I think it’s important to the viewer [of colour combinations, beautiful flowing making a connection with other people. “It’s art] to experience something unique or shapes, and endless texture variations,” a wonderful feeling when a complete powerful,” Kane says. “Whether my theme Boland says. And it is nature that inspires stranger identifies with your images and is of fairytales, clowns, geisha, or any other many of his designs. ideologically based narrative,” Benedict subject, I’m hoping to create an escape for “One of the greatest gifts we’re blessed says. the viewer; a sort of window to a world with is the ability to see,” Boland says. Ben Benedict’s work can be seen parallel to our own.” Wayne Boland can be contacted at during the 2008 Pride Art Show, “A Sarah Kane’s solo exhibition “A 519 204-7567. Celebration of Queer Culture” which runs Spoonful of Sugar” is at The Arts Project Between July 17 and 20 an exhibition July 17 to 27 at Forest City Gallery. from July 15 to 26. of his work will be held at St. Paul’s Benedict also curates this exhibition. She can be contacted at Cathedral’s Cronyn Hall, with a reception He can be contacted through [email protected], or view her work July 17 at 7 p.m. www.bcreative.ca. online at www.sarahkane.ca. 10 visual art Tess.de Haan

Threads of life, hanging in the balance

“If you’re referring to what we do as a craft, that’s okay,” she concedes. “But what we do is not ‘crafty’ like scrapbooking. It’s serious.” This is not to say that their work can’t be lighthearted. The women of the Embroiderers’ Guild find their inspiration in the most unlikely places, and much of their work is in interpreting and transforming elements from one medium into another. After a recent trip to China, Compeau is kicking around the idea of creating jellyfish out of lace and other fibre-based material. Another artist in the show, Elaine Ball, envisions taking photographs of Mixed media piece by Anne Siess. 1920s Art Deco architectural details on Connecting Threads brings together the downtown London buildings and fibre-based work of eight mothers and nine interpreting them in embroidery. daughters in a show celebrating tradition Ball is the assistant head of wardrobe and innovation. for the Grand Theatre. Her job includes Artist Anne Siess conceived the idea sewing, millinery, fabric dyeing, and for the show after noting that the Canadian creating jewellery. Embroiderers’ Guild London counted as For the show, Ball and her mother, Dell members (current or past) no less than eight Walker, are working on a triptych. One pairs of mothers and daughters. panel will be Walker’s hand embroidered Recognizing that this situation was notable, interpretation of a photograph of a she contacted Al Stewart, proprietor of The thatched cottage and English roses, while Art Exchange, about bringing the women’s Ball’s panel will be a machine-embroidered work together in one comprehensive show. version of a photograph of herself, looking Embroidery, quilting, beadwork, and over a large body of water. The third panel the like have been traditionally viewed as will be revealed at the show. This work “women’s work,” at least in North America. represents the first time Ball and her mother Although the experience of daughters have collaborated in this way. learning these skills from their mothers is Ball commends Siess for organizing the universal, this show is definitely about show. “Anne’s been great about rounding individuals and their work. us all up” she enthuses. Siess has two daughters who are Other participants are, in their familial participating alongside her in the show – groups, Edna Gee and Sheila Lui; Fran and Miriam Mann and Debbie Compeau. Diane Whitney; Hazel Wilmott and Karen Compeau is a business professor at UWO Hodgins; Lynda and Nancy Watson; whose textile work provides a counterpoint Raemonde Lebedz and Rene Vandenbrink; to her more structured professional life. and Viola and Mary Weil. Siess, Compeau and Mann try to get Connecting Threads runs from July 21 together monthly to work on their art. “It’s to August 2 at The Art Exchange. good to work together as adults on something that’s important to us,” Compeau Tess de Haan is a stay-at-home mom of says. “She shudders, however, at the three; she occasionally finds time to write, mention of ‘craft night.’” teach, quilt and tattoo. 12 theatre Robyn.Israel

A Pride of Verve

options for the Pride show – The Laramie Manon goes through her religion and Project, Mambo Italiano, as well as works doesn’t figure anything out.” by Toronto playwright Sky Gilbert – but The characters first surfaced briefly in ultimately opted for Tremblay’s 1977 work two of Tremblay’s earlier works: Sandra is (translated into English by John van Burek), mentioned in Hosanna, while Manon which consists of two large intersecting appears in Forever Yours Mary Lou. monologues. The characters, Manon and Lougheed thinks that it was inevitable that Sandra, talk about each other but never the playwright would give each character With a reputation for edgy, alternative address one another. more of a showcase. plays, the buzz around The Verve Theatre “It came down to what could be done “These two characters were so minor in has begun to build, and the efforts of this the easiest and what fit best,” Lougheed the earlier works yet had so much to say fledgling theatre company are slowly explained. “It’s not a huge cast. It’s not a and wanted their time in the spotlight, to say starting to pay off. huge time commitment. Most of the work all the things they couldn’t in the previous So far 2008 has been a banner year can be done outside of rehearsal. With two shows.” for Verve. The company kicked off January monologues, there’s no one to play off of; Though Lougheed loves Tremblay’s by winning a Brickenden Award for Bravest you have control over what you do.” work, and looks forward to reprising the Production for Crackwalker, its Fringe Lougheed will assume the role of role of Sandra – along with green nail Festival offering (the company was also Sandra the drag queen, while Aimee polish and green lipstick – there is, nominated in the same category for One O’Beirn will play the pious Manon. however, one thing that really bugs him: the Flea Spare). Lougheed is well acquainted with the role of ambiguous ending. This month Verve will enjoy its first paid the drag queen, since he first played her “We did a reading, to figure out what gig, a commission for the Pride London three years ago, while still a student in our options are, and we came up with eight Festival. The company will mount Michel Fanshawe College’s Theatre Arts program. interpretations. We finally decided that it’s Tremblay’s Manon/Sandra (Damnée That production was part of the 2005 okay if we each have our own Manon, Sacrée Sandra), an offbeat piece Fringe Festival. interpretation. Everybody who sees the about a sex-obsessed drag queen and a “I think it’s brilliantly written. I enjoy the show is going to take home something devout, nun-like woman who grew up juxtaposition of the two characters and differently.” together in Montreal. When the curtain what they’re saying,” Lougheed said. “I With no director to establish a vision falls, the audience will decide who is truly think what draws me to it is the fact that you for the production, it is up to the actors to sacred and who is profane. start off seeing a character as one- work together to set the tone and style. This Eugene Dustin, president of London dimensional, and it’s fun to break down the is the “creative democracy” that has Pride, had hoped to line up The Verve wall and see what’s underneath. In the distinguished The Verve Theatre since its Theatre for last year’s festival, but the beginning Sandra is someone who mostly beginning two years ago. Asked if he would company’s commitment to the Fringe talks about her sexual exploits. She starts off consider having a director in the future, Festival made it impossible. The timing was as that, but at her core is more than just Lougheed balked. better this year, and Dustin is pleased to shock value. The most sincere monologue is “We’ve discussed having a co- offer festival-goers a theatrical element for when she talks about returning to the street ordinator, a person who would sit and keep the first time in Pride London’s history. she grew up on, no one realizing that it’s track of all the ideas on the table, but really “We definitely wanted to put actually Michel. You realize that underneath the person would be a glorified stage something different into this year’s festival,” is someone who really does care, who’s manager. I figure after we won a Dustin said. worried about what people think, who Brickenden Award with no director, we Asked why he chose Verve specifically, wants to be accepted and loved and should keep it that way.” Dustin replied, “They’re a smaller doesn’t just think about sex.” Verve’s production of Damneé organization, so it gives them some “Manon, by contrast, is searching for Manon/Sacrée Sandra runs July 23-24 at exposure. I like to help out the underdog.” God, trying everything she can to find God, The Arts Project. Verve artistic director John Lougheed is whereas Sandra isn’t looking but ends up delighted with the support. A huge fan of being true to herself. Sandra knows who Robyn Israel is a local journalist, playwright gay theatre, he thought about various she is and what she wants to do, whereas and performer. 14 theatre Robyn.Israel

Light comedies enhance the lazy days of summer

Simon Joynes, Artistic Director of the Bock is a founding member of the Thousand Port Stanley Festival Theatre, knows that 30 Islands Playhouse in Gananoque, while years means different things to different Collins first shared the stage with Joynes 16 people. years ago. The two actors have known “For a child it’s an inconceivable each other a long time, but never shared the amount of time. For a geologist, it’s barely footlights, until now. a heartbeat,” he said. “For Port Stanley, “I expect this will be an adventure we’ll Ontario? The amount of time there has been never forget,” Collins said. professional theatre in this wonderful PSFT’s 30th season concludes in village by the lake.” August with the world premiere of Running And the Port Stanley Festival Theatre is Mates by Sparta native Sarah Martyn. celebrating the occasion by offering Billed as a sparkling romantic comedy, the something for everyone in 2008. The story centres on a fisherman who’s running season, which kicked off in May and runs for mayor, a postal worker eager to help, through August, includes five productions, and a campaign manager equipped with a ranging from a nostalgic musical to a world copy of Politics for Dummies. Joynes will premiere. The common element in all five is direct the show, which features Martyn, a sense of fun and humour, promising Peter Church and John Turner. theatregoers lots of laughs. And Joynes will If PSFT’s first two productions are any be quite active as well, directing three of indication, the remainder of the 2008 the plays and doing the set design for season promises to be funny and festive. I another. saw Boardwalk: The Doo-Wop Musical and At the beginning of July the festival Perfect Wedding and enjoyed both. The features its third production, Shirley former show, by Juno-nominated composer Valentine by Willy Russell. The one-woman Randy Vancourt, was a nostalgic show stars Shirley Barr in the title role of a celebration of ‘50s and ‘60s music, brought woman who wonders what happened to to life by the talented trio of Vancourt and her life and how she has come to be in such his friends, Paul Gibson and Thom Speck. a rut. Theatre-goers will follow Shirley on Though the plot was thin – three band-mates her epic journey of self-discovery, from reunite and reminiscence about the songs sipping wine and talking to her kitchen wall they used to perform on the boardwalk – it to flirting with sun-drenched Greece. was nevertheless a great vehicle for music. Shirley Valentine will be familiar to film Perfect Wedding, directed by Joynes, buffs who saw the 1989 movie. Though the was a madcap farce full of English humour. film received recognition, it actually was a The standouts in the energetic ensemble play first, commissioned in 1986 by were Danielle Nicole as the chambermaid Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre. and London actor Jim Doucette as Tom, the Later this month PSFT presents Old Love exasperated best man. Kudos to set by Norm Foster. Canada’s most produced designer Eric Bunnell, too, for his vivid playwright takes a hilarious look at love bridal suite. after 60. What happens when a man If light comedies, rather than serious rediscovers the unrequited love of days drama, are more up your alley during the gone by? Will new love conquer all? lazy days of summer, the Port Stanley Directed by Joynes, Old Love stars Mo Festival Theatre is certainly worth a visit. For Bock and Susan Johnston Collins as the more information, visit www.psft.on.ca. reuniting couple. The show marks the PSFT debut for both Bock and Collins, who bring Robyn Israel is a local journalist, playwright a wealth of experience to the company. and performer. 16 arts calendar . arts calendar 17.

VISUAL ART June 15-July 31 David White: Winning Shots The Art Exchange, 247 Wortley Rd. www.theartexchange.ca 519 434-0000 Starbucks, 601 Richmond (at Central) www.londonfringe.ca 519 434-0606 July 7-19 Axl T. Ernst, RECEPTION July 10 July VisualFringe presents: Paula Letheren July 21-Aug 2 Connecting Threads: Mothers & Daughters, RECEPTION July 24 St. Paul’s Cathedral, 472 Richmond St. 519 204-7567 Artistix Gallery, 262 Piccadilly 519 672-2282 July 17-20 W. J. Boland: Lamp Exhibition & Sale, RECEPTION July 17, 7 pm June 5-July 10 Mary Louise White: Works on Washi St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre, 301 Talbot St. www.stepac.ca 519 631-4040 The Arts Project, 203 Dundas St. www.artsproject.ca 519 642-2767 July 12- Aug 31 John Krygsman: Upon Closer In(tro)section, OPENS July 12, 7 pm June 17- July 5 New Canadians Exhibition July 12- Aug 31 John Maggio: Images Along the Way, OPENS July 12, 7 pm July 15-26 Sarah Kane: A Spoonful of Sugar July 24 Starving Artist Lunch, 11:30 pm Blyth Festival Art Gallery July 26 Art Fest Elgin Pinafore Park, 10 am-4 pm June 27-July 23 kerry ferris & Catherine Morrisey: A Bend In the River Talbot Centre Art Room, 142 Fullarton St. 519 439-7415 July 25-Aug 13 Monte Wright : Behind the Mask, OPENS July 25, 6 pm July Susan Tanton London Chinese Cultural Centre, 1701 Trafalgar St., www.londonccnc.ca 519 451-0760 Thielsen Gallery, 1038 Adelaide St. N. www.thielsengallery.com 519 434-7681 July 11-13 Exhibition of Chinese Calligraphy & Painting, OPENS July 11, 4 pm July David Bolduc, Frank Caprani & Scott Pattinson Forest City Gallery, 258 Richmond St. www.forestcitygallery.ca 519 434-5875 Westmount Library, 3200 Wonderland Rd. S www.londonpubliclibrary.ca 519 473-4708 July 3-12 Act (ivat) ion July 2-31 Robinson & Chase: Different Perspectives, OPENS July 2, 7-9 pm July 17 to 27 Pride Art Show: Celebration of Queer Culture Williams Coffee Pub, 3030 Wonderland Rd., S. 519 649-6767 Gallery Lambton, 150 N. Christina St., Sarnia www.lclmg.org 519 336-8127 July Joseph David: Photography, OPENS July 2, 7 pm June 21-Sept 19 Celebrating Our Oil Heritage through Art Woodstock Art Gallery, 447 Hunter St. 519 539-6761 June 21-Sept 19 Traces: Contemporary photographic work May 31-July 19 Visual Elements: 50th Annual Juried Exhibition Grant Gallery, 175 Main St., Lucan 519 227-0248 THEATRE July 12-Aug 8 Cathy Groulx The Arts Project 203 Dundas St. [email protected] 519 673-8625 Innuit Gallery 201 Queens Ave. www.innuitgallery.com 519 672-7770 July 23 & 24 Pride London presents Verve Theatre: Manon/Sandra To July 12 Pangnirtung Community Prints Blyth Festival, 431 Queen St., Blyth www.blythfestival.com 519 523-9300 Marten Arts Gallery, 17 Main St., Bayfield www.martenarts.com 519 565-2222 June 17-Aug 16 Against the Grain June 27-July 23 Danuta Tydor: Soul of the Sole June 25-Aug 16 Harvest June 27-July 23 Peter Harris: Urbanscapes July 23-Sept 6 Courting Johanna July 25-Aug 13 Rita Vindedzis / Leslie Bergeron July 30-Sept 6 Innocence Lost: A Play About Steven Truscott McIntosh Gallery, UWO Campus www.mcintoshgallery.ca 519 661-3181 Port Stanley Festival Theatre, 302 Bridge St., Port Stanley www.psft.on.ca 519 782-4353 June 26-Aug 10 Facets: New Acquisitions in Context, OPENS June 26, 7:30 pm July 2-19 Shirley Valentine Michael Gibson Gallery, 157 Carling St. www.gibsongallery.com 519 439-0451 July 23-Aug 9 Old Love July Melanie Authier Stratford Shakespeare Festival www.stratfordfestival.ca 800 567-1600 Museum London, 421 Ridout St. N. www.museumlondon.ca 519 661-0333 July 11-Aug 3 There Reigns Love (Tom Patterson Theatre) To July 20 Matthew Carver: The Floating World July 22-Oct 18 Moby Dick (Studio Theatre) To Aug 31 An Eye for It: Selections from the Collection To Aug 23 All’s Well that Ends Well (Festival Theatre) July 12-Nov 2 T & T Onward Future To Aug 31 Krapp’s Last Tape (Studio Theatre) July 26-Nov 16 Pulp Fiction To Oct 4 Fuente Ovejuna (Tom Patterson Theatre) July 26-Nov 16 Paula Jean Cowan XXX(L) To Oct 4 Love’s Labour’s Lost (Tom Patterson Theatre) One Dundas Street, at the Forks of the Thames 519438-9001 To Oct 25 Cabaret (Avon Theatre) June 14-July 27 Philip Aziz Foundation: Thames Revisited, Sat. & Sun., 1-5 pm To Oct 25 Taming of the Shrew (Festival Theatre) Portside Gallery, 195 Main St., Port Stanley www.cuttingpromotions.com 519 782-7066 To Oct 25 Trojan Women (Tom Patterson Theatre) July Ten artist co-op featuring Bryan Parkes To Oct 26 Hamlet (Festival Theatre) Shutter & Brush Gallery, 172 William St., Port Stanley 519 782-3002 18 arts calendar .

MUSIC Alumni Hall, UWO July 23 National Youth Orchestra of Canada, 7:30 pm Knox Church, 142 Ontario St., Stratford www.stratfordsummermusic.ca 519 271-2101 July 27 Stratford Summer Music: L’Orchestre de la francophonie July 31, Aug 1 & 2 Stratford Summer Music: St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir London Music Club, 470 Colborne St. www.londonmusicclub.150m.com 519 640-6996 July 26 Donni Ivey / The Sea of Gold & Burgandy Maggie’s Supper & Jazz Club, 478 Richmond St. www.maggiesoflondon.com 519 434-5545 July 4 & 5 Jennifer Thorpe, John Noubarian & Darryl Stacey July 11 & 12 Christine Glen, John Noubarian & Darryl Stacey July 18 & 19 Joan Charette, John Noubarian & Darryl Stacey July 25 & 26 Joe Amato, John Noubarian & Darryl Stacey Pazzo Ristorante, 70 Ontario Street, Stratford www.stratfordsummermusic.ca 519 273-6666 July 25 & 26 In Oscar’s Footsteps: Robert Botos, 9:15 pm Aug 1 & 2 In Oscar’s Footsteps: The Brian Dickinson, 9:15 pm Scots Corner, 268 Dundas St. 519 667-2277 Wed HooDoo2, 10 pm Talbot Centre Food Court, 142 Fullarton St. 519 661-0215 July 2 Music in the courtyard, Charles Rallo, 11:45 am-1:45 pm July 9 Music in the courtyard, David Santanerea, 11:45 am-1:45 pm July 16 Music in the courtyard, Ken Varley Duo, 11:45 am-1:45 pm July 23 Music in the courtyard, Ron Fleming & Joe Gurney, 11:45 am-1:45 pm July 30 Music in the courtyard, Kevin Love, 11:45 am-1:45 pm FESTIVALS & EVENTS Elsie Perrin Williams Estate, 101 Windermere Rd. www.stancreade.com 519 433-2818 July 13 Stan C. Reade Photo Day 2008, 10 am-4:30 London Fringe Festival, 476 Richmond Street www.londonfringe.ca 519-434-0606 July 31-Aug 10 London Fringe: Theatre, Visual Art, Film, Spoken Word Victoria Park, Downtown London July 3-6 Sunfest ’08 (www.sunfest.on.ca) July 18-20 Home County Folk Festival (www.homecounty.ca) CALLS & AUDITIONS Friends of Dutton-Dunwich www.johnkennethgalbraithliteraryaward.ca Aug 1 Short Story Competition (3,000-3,500 words) Western Fair 2008 www.westernfair.com 519 438-7203 July 23 Photography (Class 59, 59b, 59c, 59d, 60, 60a) (For Sept 5-14 event) Aug 1 Fine Art (Class 63) & Youth Fine Art (Class 63d) Sept 13 Step Dancing & Old Tyme Fiddle (Class 61 & 62), Early Entry Aug 15

Send calendar listings to [email protected] by the 15th of each month. For best exposure send 45 days prior to event. 20 nicole’s notes Nicole.Laidler

Sunfest • Stratford Summer Music

Concierto with Sunfest audiences. The 11 members are among the top marimba players in the world, Caxaj says. “They are a true representation of Central American music.” Canadian groups are also well- represented, with old favourites like celebrated reggae artist Lazo returning for another year. “He only missed the first Sunfest and you cannot imagine the number of phone calls and emails we get asking if he is coming back,” says Caxaj. Other Canadian offerings include Janet Cardiff’s Forty-Part Motet (National Gallery of South Asian vocalist Kiran Ahluwalia, Canada photo) is the centerpiece of this year’s urban jazz diva Kellylee Evans and Stratford Summer Music festival. Quebecois klezmer group Gadji-Gajdo. Summer just wouldn’t be the same Home-grown musical traditions are without Sunfest. Canada’s largest world represented by Quebec’s Juno-award- music festival brings the global village to winning folk quartet Le Vent du Nord and Victoria Park, July 3 to 6, and you don’t the First Nations sounds of British have to pay a dime to join the fun. Columbia’s Sandy Scofield. TD Canada Trust Sunfest ‘08 opens This year’s festival has some added Thursday night with the Afro-beat sounds of Latin sizzle thanks to Fiesta ‘08, a Nigeria’s Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. If the name showcase of almost a dozen top Latin rings a bell, that’s because Seun is the American jazz, roots and dance youngest son of legendary Afro-Beat ensembles. “For many people, Latin pioneer and human rights activist Fela Kuti, American music means only salsa or who died in 1997. merengue or, more recently, reggaeton. But “Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 is one of the there is so much other stuff out there,” biggest names in World Music right now. Caxaj explains. “We want to explore as It’s an incredible accomplishment to be able much as we can; a wide spectrum of what to showcase this group here,” says Sunfest Latin American culture is all about.” artistic director Alfredo Caxaj. For full festival details, visit Now in its 14th year, Sunfest’s line-up www.sunfest.on.ca is a study in cultural diversity, offering everything from the Pakistani devotional The eighth installment of Stratford music of Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali to the Summer Music kicks off with a bang, July passionate riffs of 84-year old Dominican 21 at the Avon Flats. The month long music guitar legend Puerto Plata. festival begins with Sibold’s Grand London’s Columbian community is Illumination, a free fireworks display set to looking forward to welcoming the Grammy- Berthold Carrière’s Music for a award-winning Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto Midsummer’s Night. to this year’s festival. “This group is truly a Choreographed pyrotechnics may be national icon in Columbia,” Caxaj says. an unconventional way to open a music “The show is going to be something festival, but the show underscores the incredible.” underlying principal that has made On a personal note, Caxaj is delighted Stratford Summer Music such an to share Guatemala’s Marimba National de unprecedented success. 22 nicole’s notes Nicole.Laidler

“We want this festival to be accessible words can convey the beauty of the sound.” to everyone. It’s so important to me that Beautiful sounds will fill Knox Church, everybody be able to come,” says artistic July 27, when L’Orchestre de la producer John A. Miller. About half of the francophonie canadienne returns to festival’s 86 events are free or by donation, Stratford Summer Music with soprano Miller explains, and the artistic offerings Marianne Fiset, Grand Prize Winner of the cover a wide range of musical tastes – from 2007 Montreal International Musical children’s concerts to jazz, opera and after Competition. theatre cabaret. The orchestra’s first Stratford The centerpiece of this year’s festival is appearance was a highlight of the 2006 Forty-Part Motet, an audio installation that festival, Miller says. “This orchestra is marries 16th-century Elizabethan music to superb, young and dynamic and Fiset is 21st-century technology. being hailed as the next great Canadian Created by Canadian artist Janet voice,” he says. “This is going to be a Cardiff as a sculptural reworking of Thomas wonderful concert.” Tallis’ Spem in Alium, the sound piece has Scotland’s premier cathedral chorus thrilled audiences at London, England’s Tate also performs three different concerts at Museum, New York City’s Museum of Knox Church, July 31, August 1 and 2. Modern Art and Ottawa’s National Gallery Miller calls Edinburgh’s St. Mary’s of Canada. Cathedral Choir one of Great Britain’s finest The work was commissioned by choirs. They perform regularly on BBC England’s Salisbury Festival and performed radio and television and are an annual by the Salisbury Cathedral Choir in 2001. feature of the famous Edinburgh Festival. Each of the 40 choir voices was recorded They were also the first choir in Scotland to separately and is now played back through break the gender barrier and include one of 40 speakers placed in a circle female singers. “The blending of male and around the auditorium. “You can walk treble voices will be a glorious spirit-lifter,” around and hear the voices individually or Miller says. sit in the middle and hear them all Coverage of Stratford Summer Music together,” Miller explains. will continue in next month’s Notes. For full Forty-Part Motet will be presented daily festival details visit at half-hour intervals in Stratford City Hall www.stratfordsummermusic.ca. throughout the festival. Admission is by donation. “The music is so beautiful. It’s Nicole Laidler is a former oboist who now sublime,” Miller says. “It’s the sort of thing happily takes note of London and area’s that you must experience. No amount of surprisingly busy classical music scene. 24 music Richard.Young

Home County at thirty-five: Honouring and welcoming

Chaucer’s and Aeolian Hall. “We want to extend the programming beyond the park to the local heritage venues that support folk/roots music all year round,” says McInnes. “For a $5 cover charge patrons will be able to experience artists like Emm Gryner, Greg Hobbs, Bill Colgate & the Urbane Guerillas, and Angie Nussey in smaller more intimate settings.” In addition to music, Home County will Scheduled singer-songwriters like Luke Doucet are indicative of efforts to contemporize Home County’s feature over 100 arts and crafts booths, programming. Photograph courtesy of Six Shooter Records. children’s performers and a variety of ethnic Home County Folk Festival, London’s Artistic Director’s position three years ago. and local foods. Alan Neal, host of CBC’s longest running free summer music festival, Most are established mid-career roots artists Bandwidth and Canada Live will be the celebrates its 35th anniversary this year by with a couple of CDs under their belts, Main Stage MC from Friday to Sunday. The honouring its past and welcoming its future. radio airplay, artist websites and growing festival will also be going green this summer The three day event scheduled for July 18 to numbers of admirers. with a pilot project intended to dramatically 20 in Victoria Park features several However, Home County is certainly not reduce the amount of waste generated by younger, local, regional and national turning its back on its past. In keeping with vendors and patrons. Canadian artists, some of whom are tradition, Jackie Washington will open the Organizing an annual festival like children of veteran folk/roots performers festival on Friday night on the Main Stage, Home County is no small task. According to who have graced the festival’s stages in as he has many times before. There will be Festival Chair, Phil Floyd, programming the years past. a special Saturday afternoon workshop non-profit festival with a limited budget and “Our theme is ‘Welcoming the Next tribute to Willie P. Bennett, a long-time marshalling the hundreds of volunteers Generation,’ but it shouldn’t really be Home County favourite who passed away needed to make it all happen remain the interpreted as a changing of the guard,” earlier this year. Bennett, who was a major challenges thirty-five years after the says Home County’s Artistic Director headliner at the first Home County Festival Home County Folk League was formed in Catherine McInnes. “Veteran performers in 1974, lived in London in the 1970s and 1973. “I am proud that Home County has like Jackie Washington, Mose Scarlett, Tom was a legendary performer on the folk/ remained a springboard for local, regional Wilson and many others are returning this roots circuit. and national Canadian singer/songwriters, summer. We’ve tried to achieve a balance “A group of us wanted to hold a tribute and I applaud Artistic Director Catherine of ages and genres, so that emerging, concert for Willie during the winter, but the McInnes for her tireless programming younger artists can potentially be mentored artists who were closest to him needed time efforts,” says Floyd. by more established artists and get new to grieve. This year’s festival seems like the “Programming Home County is a bit audience exposure. We want to engage the right time and place to do it,” says McInnes. like creating a patchwork quilt in your head next generation of festival patrons – the 25 “Two members of Blackie and the Rodeo – combining artists to create a unique to 35 year-olds. One way to do that is to Kings, Tom Wilson and Stephen Fearing, musical tapestry for the audience,” says book younger artists who appeal to that will be joined by guitarist Tony McInnes. “Seeing the audience react and demographic. We have also included as Quarrington, who produced Willie’s 1998 the musicians interact and be inspired by many female performers as possible in our Juno-winning album Heartstrings, for a two one another during the festival makes all program.” hour workshop which will include music, those hours of planning and organizing Scheduled singer/ songwriters like reminiscences and anecdotes about Willie worthwhile.” Emm Gryner; Nathan Rogers; Luke Doucet by the musicians and local community Full festival details are available at and Melissa McClelland; Jenny Whiteley; members. It will be a fitting tribute to a www.homecounty.ca. Kaya Fraser; Catherine MacLellan; and great Canadian artist.” Alexandra Krakus, are indicative of Home County will also be offering late Richard Young is a London freelance writer McInnes’ efforts to contemporize Home night shows from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. at three and musician who has attended every Home County’s programming since assuming the licensed venues, the London Music Club, County Festival since 1974. 26 pegg’s world Robert.Pegg

The sweetest music this side of heaven

ex-Runaways Joan Jett and Lita Ford,) their throughout their career, all of their hits were origins are those of a bubblegum band with undeniably infectious confections. A bone- a sound initially not unlike The Archies or crushing anthem like “Fox on the Run,” is the The Ohio Express (of “Yummy Yummy” and stuff of adolescence. That’s why it will be “Chewy Chewy” fame.) played at roller-skating rinks and on carnival In fact, Sweet’s first big hit, “Funny midways for decades to come. Funny” came about in 1971 after hooking At this point, it should be pointed out up with the songwriting team of Nicky that their writers, Chinn-Chapman went on Chinn and Mike Chapman who began as producers to give us Blondie and The writing songs with a deliberate teeny- Knack. Producer Phil Wainman is bopper appeal after they noticed how many responsible for giving the world Billy Idol copies of “Sugar Sugar” were sold by The and “S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night” by the Bay City Archies to young teens. Recruiting producer Rollers. Depending on your musical taste, all Phil Wainman, Sweet began putting out of that may seem like dubious similar bubblegum material with song-titles accomplishments, but it also shows their like “Co-Co,” “Chop-Chop,” and “Tom Tom impact on pop music – and for them, it all Turnaround.” began with The Sweet. Shame on Steve Priest if he turns his All of the above-mentioned bands are back on Sweet’s early bubblegum hits in his the heirs of the Golden Age of teeney- new live show. It wouldn’t take much to bopper music. As is the greatest bubblegum “Are you ready, Steve?” revamp songs like “Wig-Wam Bam” or band in the world. Of course, I am talking That’s the musical question posed by “Little Willy” for Rock the Park. With a little about The Ramones. With their look-alike lead-singer Brian Connolly on kicking off fuzz and reverb and a lot of volume, even uniforms, simple song-titles and aural slices The Sweet’s 1973 pop-rock classic, “Funny Funny” would cut it with that crowd. of two-minute magic, the Ramones are as “Ballroom Blitz.” Arguably, it’s the greatest But what originally differentiated Sweet bubblegum as The Sweet and the Rollers. spoken song intro this side of the Ramones’ from The Archies, Ohio Express and other But don’t take my word for it – here’s “Hey-ho, let’s go!” early ‘70s gum acts was that on the flip side what the late, great Joey Ramone said in an Steve Priest, the original Sweet bassist of those singles, the band insisted on interview for the book Bubblegum Music is will be answering in the affirmative “Uh putting out a song that reflected their ability the Naked Truth, by Kim Cooper and David huh” tense when the new line-up of his old to rock. In spite of the bubblegum fodder Smay (Feral House Press, 2001). When band plays Rock the Park on Friday, July needed to get airplay, the B-side was asked about the Ramones’ early influences, 25, opening for Steve Winwood. intended to let their peers and the rest of the he gleefully admitted, “I hate to blow the Priest is one of only two remaining music world know that they knew how to mystique, but at the time, we really liked members of the 1970s glam-rock quartet rock. And that had they did indeed own bubblegum music, and we really liked the which called it quits in 1981. Guitarist testicles. Bay City Rollers. Their song, ‘Saturday Andy Scott has his own version of Sweet The rest of the world learned that Night,’ had a great chant in it, so we which tours Europe and their native Britain. lesson with “Ballroom Blitz” in 1973. wanted a song with a chant in it. ‘Hey-ho, Drummer Mick Tucker died of leukemia at Notwithstanding the fey-sounding intro by let’s go!’ was our “Saturday Night.’” the age of 54 in 2002. Connolly checked the lads, the high-pitched backing vocals, The bottom line – no Phil Wainman- out in 1997 at the age of 51 from liver the glam make-up and silk outfits, the Sweet produced Sweet singles with an intro like failure. proved they were capable of making music that on “Ballroom Blitz,” would mean no It’ll be interesting to see just what songs with balls. “Saturday Night” by the Rollers, and no Priest and company will be resurrecting at Subsequent power-pop hits like “Hell Ramones. Not as we know them anyway. the hard-rock venue in Harris Park. Because Raiser,” “Teenage Rampage,” although Sweet was an influential band, “Blockbuster,” “Action” and their last hit, Robert Pegg is a writer who’s been called (they’ve been covered by everyone from the self-penned and self-produced, “Fox on “smug, glib and impertinent.” Visit The Damned and Motorhead to such fist- the Run,” proved that Sweet were more than www.sonnydrysdalepresents.blogspot.com pumpers as Def Leppard, 63 Monroe and just the thinking teeny-bopper’s Slade. But for more of his musings. 28 photography Heather.Lynch

Diverse rewards

Paul Miszczyk used black and white infa-red film to capture these giraffes. All it takes is one look at his camera, he hops in a waiting taxi and photographs or a conversation about his leaves to catch a flight. That was scary … work and it becomes evident that Paul but I got the shot!” Miszczyk truly loves what he does. Miszczyk got his start in photography With over 30 years of commercial after college by working at a custom photo photography experience, Miszczyk’s list of lab where he was surrounded by great photographic adventures is considerable. photography. From there he went to Design He describes one shoot on location in Associates where he worked with his Florida. “We were shooting a mansion at mentor, head photographer Andre Nufer. night with large film format, only to find out He says, “This is where I learned my we had 15 minutes before we had to shut profession, working in all kinds of situations down due to a ‘turtle law.’” Unbeknownst to with all formats, 35mm to 11x14 film Miszczyk (and why should he know?!) the cameras.” state had passed a law intended to protect He has been on his own professionally endangered species of turtles by prohibiting for 18 years now. light from reaching the beach that would in In terms of the work he does, there isn’t turn attract the turtles to the building. much he doesn’t do. He admits that he has Another experience that Miszczyk always loved the diversity of commercial recounts took place in New York City on photography and according to Miszczyk, assignment to photograph a top CEO “The diversity is its [own] reward.” His outside in the business district. Prepared to photography spans a multitude of shoot 10 rolls of film, Miszczyk quickly categories ranging from editorial, product learned that the CEO had other plans. “I and cars to medical, fashion and shot one roll of film and while reloading my architectural. He shoots on location as well 30 photography Heather.Lynch as in the studio. the texture it gives to a photograph.” Miszczyk confesses that being the boss A frequent companion on his travels is can be challenging. This is especially true Miszczyk’s best friend, graphic designer when a photo session calls for him to direct Andrew Lewis (www.alewisdesign.com). 17 people on set including models, make- “We often travel together giving lectures up artists, hair stylists, art directors and and having more fun than humanly creative directors, while simultaneously possible!” maintaining the energy and work flow of Paul Miszczyk is a photographer who the shoot. But above all it is rewarding genuinely loves what he does. He sums it up when the client leaves happy and the best when he says, “The fact that I have desired results have been achieved. made a living being a photographer, His inspiration comes from many travelling the world and really enjoying sources not the least of which are his myself – it doesn’t get better than that!” children, Sasha and Nyles, and his travels. Miszczyk can be reached by email at “I travel a great deal and that always [email protected] and his work inspires me. I meet incredible people from can be viewed online at all walks of life.” www.popophoto.com. It is his travel to exotic locations throughout the world that has become the main source for his fine art photography. Heather Lynch is a photographic artist He shoots mainly black and white infa-red whose own work can be viewed at film, adding “I love the surreal effect and www.heatherlynch.ca.