ARTS CULTURE COMMUNITY April 21 – May 5, 2016 Issue No. 13.06 – 5000 printed copies The Hants County Arts Council: THE GREAT LITTLE ART SHOW & MORE EARTH DAY FAMILY FUN / p. 13 AN INTERVIEW WITH HEATHER PYRCZ The First Annual Grapevine Poetry Competition Judge / p.16 YOUR LIBRARY: The Ultimate “Save the Earth” Spot / p. 16 A FREE PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN THE ANNAPOLIS VALLEY April 21 – May 5, 2016 | 1 ON THE COVER PAGE 2 REG ON THE COVER: ACRYLIC PAINTING BY LIZ ROBINSON Liz has been painting for the past 20 years been in existence since the mid nineties and and finds total solace in it, yet also a won- has members from all over Hants County derful sense of adventure in starting each and beyond. Liz partakes in every art show new piece. She works mostly with acrylic on provided by the council throughout the year canvas but has several watercolor works in and donates work annually to many charities, her private collection as well. Liz's preferenc- primarily the Hants County Christmas Angels es are nautical scenes and landscapes, but program. recently has been asked to do portraits. This has given her a chance to really see where her The Town of Windsor and its surrounding area painting can take her and she's loving it! is abundantly wealthy in artistry, and Liz feels privileged to be a part of that. At the present time, Liz is the vice president of the Hants County Arts Council which has lizrobinsonpaintings.weebly.com Julie Skaling PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC Gym Memberships Available! ACADIA Kentville: 902 678 3422 | Wolfville: 902 542 7074 SPORTS THERAPY www.skalingphysio.com CLINIC INC. Where Nature, Research & Acadia Arena Complex, Wolfville, N.S. Technology come together acadiasportstherapy.com Open to students, visitors, Tel. (902) 585-1625 community, and faculty MANAGEMENT/PREVENTION OF SPORTS/RECREATIONAL 8am - 10pm every day INJURIES FOR THE VALLEY COMMUNITY 2 | April 21 – May 5, 2016 FEATURES WHO'S WHO: HEATHER FRASER - TEACHING THE WORLD TO SING IN PERFECT HARMONY Mike Butler Education program at McGill University and sense of family that the AVHC has become she used all her singing/accompanying expe- over the years. rience that she had gained with the Honour Choir to propel her in the direction of choral After an exciting adventure recently in Cuba conducting. with the Choir, Heather has returned and is polishing up the program for the final After a few years of teaching in London, UK, AVHC concert of the year on May 13 at Heather returned to Nova Scotia in 2009 Christ Church in Windsor, and May 14 at the and was hired at the NS Choral Federation as Wolfville Baptist Church. Both shows start at Program Director. She took over as Artistic 7:30pm. Come and see everything that choral Director of the Annapolis Valley Honour music encompasses and what it really can be! Choirs (AVHC) in 2010. Heather has been Heather says the program will include some fortunate to work with some incredible First Nations music, music from Cuba and musicians and musical directors over the Latin America, music from home, and music years and she attributes a lot of her strengths, that just expresses the true joy that songs work habits, and drive to her mentors Ross bring to life. Thompson and Iwan Edwards. But her biggest influence, and her primary mentor, was her As the Program Director for the Nova Scotia dad. Heather states, “My dad was my biggest Choral Federation, Heather also develops and influence with my music and I really wouldn't coordinates the provincial choirs (Nova Scotia be doing any of this if it hadn't been for his Youth Choir, Children's Chorus of Nova Scotia dedication and guidance and the education etc.), the annual "Sing Summer" Choir Camps he gave me. He said when I was born that my that are held at the Berwick United Church long fingers meant I was going to be a pianist. campgrounds each August, and workshops He died a year ago from cancer and it's been of all kinds, bringing in guest conductors and quite devastating.” clinicians. As Artistic Director of the AVHC, Heather And what does she love most about living has a true passion for this job. She considers here? “Where else in the world would be it a great honour to be able to teach choral better really? It's bloody gorgeous. It's a music to young people and to pass along the beautiful place full of kind, generous people, same incredible joy and gift that was given to with a true sense of community. And the best her. The vision statement of the AVHC is "to thing - the amount of culture, the amount of deliver a complete choral education, nurture artistic activity, and the community support healthy developing voices, and achieve musi- for these arts activities to flourish and be sus- cal excellence - all while building a community tained. From Acadia's programs to all of the of knowledgeable, thoughtful young musi- community theatre, music, dance, and all the cians and caring, engaged citizens who will artists and artisans, it really is a land of share in a life-long love of singing." plenty. We should feel so incredibly lucky.” HEATHER RACHAEL FRASER was born high school I was so sure I was going to go into Heather states, “I strongly believe in this Heather’s goals are to continue to grow the and bred in the Annapolis Valley. She grew the sciences. But one interview with a biology statement. I love watching the singers succeed AVHC organization -- to expand their out- up in Weston, on a lovely old property at the professor at Acadia freaked me out so much and become stronger, better musicians. They reach, do more collaboration with other choral foot of the north mountain with her mom, I left his office and signed up for an audition come from varied backgrounds, but they all and arts groups, continue to strive to create dad, and sister. Music always played a huge for the music department the same day.” And want to be good and they want to be chal- wonderful musical performances and reach part in Heather’s young life, which included so many are glad Heather made that decision! lenged. It is my job to create a safe space for new heights, and to share their music with as piano lessons, tots and tunes, workshops, the After her piano degree at Acadia, Heather our singers to take musical risks, to go for many people as they can. She would also like South Berwick Girl's Choir, and the Honour took a year off, took some music education broke without fear of judgment and I love to continue her professional development in Choir -- the same choir that Heather is now courses, and got a job at the Port Williams watching the singers grow each year. I love conducting to be able to offer these singers conducting. Baptist Church as their music director. In that watching them rely on each other, and sup- more, and to be the best conductor and edu- year she realized how much she loved teach- port one another in times of need.” Besides cator she can be. Well, with her enthusiastic She says, “Music was basically my life. But I ing, and wanted to be ON the podium, instead the love of music and students, Heather personality, and her passion for her projects, didn't think it was going to be my career. In of at the piano. So she registered in the Music enjoys the community involvement and the this should happen before she knows it! Take charge and get ahead. If you're lying awake at night trying to figure out how to pay your bills and invest too, debt consolidation may be just the solution. Fine Art Floor Refinishing Contact me and I can help you get started. Interior Painting / Finished Carpentry CYNTHIA FARRIS COANE, Consultant David Keating: 902.599.3729 Investors Group Financial Services Inc. Support our Valley businesses Tel: (902) 681-1061 ext. 243 Steven Rhude: 902.542.0664 [email protected] by buying local on Earth Day! www.stevenrhude.wix.com/mysite Friday, April 22nd April 21 – May 5, 2016 | 3 Who’s Who ................................... p.3 Snaphot .............................................. p.6 Food & Drink ..................................p.14 About Us ....................................... p.4 Horoscopes / Museums ........................ p.8 Written Word ................................ p.15-16 Furry Feature ............................... p.4 Crossword /Eat to the Beat ............... p.9 Locavore ...................................... p.18 Random Act of Kindness .............. p.4 Weekly Events .................................... p.10 Town of Wolfville ................................p.19 Letter to the Editor ....................... p.4 featurepreneur .................................. p.11 What's Happening ....................................... p. 17, 20, 21 Active & Healthy Living ................ p.5 In Review ........................................... p.12 Classifieds & Library events ......... p.22 Grapevine Questionnaire .............. p.5 Seedlings/Young Readers............. p.13 Acadia Page ................................. p.23 Tides ................................................... p.5 INDEX Depending on the commitment length ADVERTISING and colour options, rates range from: WHERE TO FIND US PRESENCE/LOGO $40 - $30 DOUBLE BLOCK $106 - $76 HALF PAGE $450 - $300 SINGLE BLOCK $54 - $39 FOUR BLOCK $205 - $145 ARTS EVENT POSTER $100- $65 IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY AN AMAZING TEAM OF CONTRIBUTORS: WOLFVILLE: Just Us! Café, AVONPORT: Kwik-Way NEW MINAS: Pita Pit, Irving Farmers' Market, T.A.N. HANTSPORT: Jim's Big Stop, Milne Court EMILY LEESON Editor CONTRIBUTORS: Mike Butler, Genevieve Allen ADVERTISING: [email protected] Hearn, Scott Campbell, Donna Holmes, Cafe, EOS, Public Library, Independent KENTVILLE: Designer Café, GENEVIEVE ALLEN HEARN Garry Leeson, Avery Peters, Laura Churchill GENERAL INQUIRIES: [email protected] Carl's Independent, FALMOUTH: Petrocan, Fruit T.A.N.