Oooooooo, a racy photo!

Thought that would get your attention. If Tapestry is the coolest opera company in TO, then Opera Atelier is the most sumptuous opera experience on offer. If you have never been to an Opera Atelier production, you are missing out big time. This company specializes in Baroque opera theatre, and provides the instrumental accompaniment, costumes and choreography to match it. (Even non-opera-lovers--if there be such a thing--would love it). It is always an exquisite experience for the senses, even without the hot young cast! But seriously, some of the best young operatic talent around, like Stephanie Novacek and Olivier Laquerre, is directed by some of the most intelligent artistic directors around, i.e. Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Zingg, and the outcome is always fab-o. Add Artists of Atelier Ballet, David Fallis conducting Canada’s finest renaissance ensemble on period instruments, the Toronto Consort, and waddya get? Monteverdi's The Return of Ulysses, that's what. From their site: 'This deeply moving opera recounts the story of the Greek king Ulysses and his return to his homeland after a twenty year absence fighting in the Trojan War. Ulysses’ reunion with his heroic wife, Penelope and his son, Telemachus makes for some of the most poignant moments in operatic history.' If John Terauds likes OA, you know they've got to be impressive (I always trust his musical judgment).

The Return of Ulysses runs October 27, 30, November 1, 2 and 3 at 7:30pm, and October 28 at 3pm. Find out about regular and special ticket prices via (416) 872-5555, in person at the Elgin Theatre Box Office, 189 Yonge St. (Yonge & Queen), or online at http://operaatelier.com/home_ulysses.htm.

Trust me, this is one art offering you can't go wrong with. Do yourself a favour and go. Next week I will report on my experience. (Gee, do you get the sense it will be a positive review?....)

Sneaking Opera into Kids' Lives

I LOVE my COC, but the coolest opera company going is Tapestry New Opera (they're the cool ones I mentioned in Nuit Blanche). One of their many projects for this year is a collaborative effort with PREVNet and sponsored by TD Canada Trust Music, a touring production in Oct/Nov and April in Toronto schools. Here is info on their fundraiser this Tuesday the 23rd (and please note the opportunity to sponsor a child from the Regent Park School of Music to attend):

Elijah's Kite
Camyar Chai, librettist / James Rolfe, composer
October 23rd Special Performance & Fundraiser
Tapestry's opera for young people about bullying prevention will tour Ontario schools in the fall of 2007 and the spring of 2008. Tapestry's development partner, PREVNet (Promoting Relationships Eliminating Violence Network), is pleased to announce a joint fundraiser in support of the TD Canada Trust Music Elijah's Kite School Tour and of PREVNet's ongoing research. The performance will be followed by a catered reception and will be recorded by the CBC for an upcoming broadcast.
Join us for a special performance of Elijah's Kite featuring children from the Regent Park School of Music on October 23rd at 7pm at the The Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W., Toronto.
TIX: $95 at http://www.prevnet.ca/
A tax receipt will be provided.

Book Madness

A few days remain of the 32nd Annual Trinity College Book Sale, an insane event if ever there was one. It is open today til 8, Monday 10-8 and Tuesday 10-8. All forms of payment are accepted. Risk the bruises and get some serious bargoons! 6 Hoskin Ave, 978 6750 or www.trinity.utoronto.ca/Library_Archives/Friends_of_the_Library/

Sundays at 3

Next Sunday, October 28th, we at St. Clement's will host a concert by Elizabeth Fraser, a leading young Canadian flautist from Vancouver. She is a performer with the McGill Symphony Orchestra and the Contemporary Music Ensemble Montreal. The program will include her solos as well as works with harp and organ. Like all concerts in our Sundays At Three Series, it will include refreshments and an opportunity to ‘meet the musician’ afterwards. Tickets are $20, $15 for students and seniors, but subscription to the series offers discounts. For more info call 416 483 6664 ex 26 or see our website, http://stclements-church.org/whatsnew.html

Get Animated!

This coming Sunday is World Animation Day, and the NFB hq is highlighting animation shorts, free to the public. You can get more info by clicking here: http://www.nfb.ca/webextension/animation-day/ to see what is going on in the Toronto area this week.

" "

"Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future."

~Jan Karon

Hero of the Week

As friends will know, I am not a political person in the least. However, I wanted to have a shout-out for someone who has restored my faith in politicians: Lillyann Goldstein, recent runner in the provincial election. This lady impressed my son when she visited his school (while her opponent was condescending to young people), and she went out of her way for me right in the middle of her campaign. A lady of integrity. Just so you know.

Friends Plug Each Other!

To read the small print, right click on 'open link in new window'. On now!

'Prodigal' Delivers Big Time!

We went to the premiere of Jason Hildebrand's film, The Prodigal Trilogy, this week and were blown away! This is one powerful film! So, so cool. Jason has produced a modern re-telling of the story, which has evolved over eight years of his performing it, and which is sure to become a classic. We wish him the best of luck in marketing this piece. It ended with silence, sniffles and a standing ovation in the theatre. I loved it theologically and artistically, and my filmmaking daughter loved the cinematography. I am working on having it shown at my school, and would strongly recommend it for youth, Bible study and film groups. You can get info about obtaining a dvd at info@jasonhildebrand.com. In case you missed my last plug before the premiere, ck out the trailer here: http://www.jasonhildebrand.com:80/prodigal_trailer.htm Ck out his other doings at his eponymous website.

Hero of the Week

I think I have recommended this website before, but as Nic Askew is back from a move and pseudo-sabbatical/travel, I thought I would give him another shout-out. Nic has a knack (!) for finding what is important in people and putting it on film. Sometimes in unexpected ways. For instance, watch last Monday's film, Beyond the Words. Then sign up for your weekly delivery. It's always food for thought and truly a great way to start your week.
http://www.monday9am.tv/monday9amblog/film_of_the_week/index.html

"Subverting Secular Time"!

The Salt of the Earth Christian Seasons art calendar is just that: it maps out the year based on the church year, starting with Advent. A really cool indicator of your Christian orientation. It's only $11.95, and is the work of the University Hill Congregation (United Church) in Vancouver. Call 604 696 1295 or ck it out at http://www.thechristiancalendar.com/uhill.htm. Be a rebel: use a different calendar than the rest of society!

Jazz Vespers!

Next Sunday, October 21 4:30pm at Christ Church Deer Park (1570 Yonge St). The Brian O'Kane Quartet leads worship with a tribute to Dizzie Gillespie. This early evening office gets increasingly beautiful as the days shorten and one emerges from the church into less and less sunlight. Come park on a pew for an hour or so.

OFF THE MAP

Saw a quiet but big movie this weekend: Off the Map (2005, Campbell Scott director). This quirky film is about loss, grace and resurrection, and manages to address the holy in life without being hokey. Oh, and for once, a homeschooled child was represented realistically--creative, imaginative and poised--rather than as some social freak or oddball which is usually the way in the media (recall Dharma?). It was also about art and its power in the human psyche. Great performances, artistic integrity, Christian worldview themes--what's not to love? Rated PG for some dumb reason (you know the MTV rant). Highly recommended.

" "

This is my Father's world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world;
I rest me in the thought--
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,
his hand the wonders wrought.


~Maltbie Davenport Babcock 1858-1901

Discussion on Art

Did you tune into Cross Country Check-Up on CBC radio with Rex today? They were asking people what constituted art to them. There were lots of myopic views shared. I thought it was very interesting that one of the most apt comments about modern art was via an email from a 13-year old. There's hope for the future yet.....

Hey, Faith Really Can Move Mountains!

Francis Alÿs, Still from When Faith Moves Mountains, 2002

A Belgian based in Mexico City, Francis Alÿs often creates art on religious themes. In 2002, he filmed 500 volunteers digging in single file to literally move a 1600 ft. sand dune over 4 inches from its original location.

Francis Alÿs: Politics of Rehearsal, is a major exhibit of various media, and will be on view at the Hammer Museum in L.A., September 30, 2007 through February 10, 2008.

I want them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above; then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all his love.

~Matthias Claudius (1740-1815), tr. Jane Montgonery Campbell.

UPDATE ***For the Spirit-Filled Young 'uns

All you crazy kids into breaks, DJs, spoken word, techno etc can head down to The Loft, 619a Queen St W just east of Bathurst Saturday night from 8am til 1am! Bring a cash donation if you can. And the next praise and party will be November 17th, FYI.

Every Churchgoer's Dream...

AGO closes today

If you want to get to the Art Gallery of Ontario, this is your last chance for the next year or so. It is closing to complete their transformation, although some programming will be offered in other venues in the meantime.

And my thanks to Aaron in the education department for comping my class when I took them on Friday. They were totally turned on by their experience!

architectural thrills

An exhibit of architectural posters is at the U of T's Eric Arthur Gallery at 230 College St. until December. Graphic Virtuosity explores the printed poster as a crucial tool in disseminating the image and idea of architecture to a wider audience. For more information and for gallery hours, contact the al&d at enquiry.ald@utoronto.ca.

Nuit Blanche

Our family and friends spread out across the city to check out the various offerings of Nuit Blanche with varying degrees of satisfaction.

My night rocked with Tapestry New Opera's Opera Briefs, the result of Lib Lab (think speed dating for librettists and composers). Regulars Keith Klassen, Carla Huhtanen, Peter McGillvray, Jessica Lloyd and Scott Belluz were outstanding, and the germinal operas literally had me on the edge of my seat.

Also worth a laugh were the slideshow dramas of Sarah Teitel and Shira Leuchter about Macbeth, Sodom and Gomorrah "in the medium of Barbie Doll". Great girls with refreshing output!

Apparently the downtown section had some misfires, Yorkville was hot, and Church and Wellesley successfully represented red light districts of previous eras. As one in our posse said, it was cool, but I 'm glad I didn't pay. Dommage, too, that the trendies crowding the galleries don't support them the other 364 days/nights. Church next morning prevented some of us from staying out all night but next year we'll fortify ourselves with some double red-eye Americano first.

Jazz Vespers

The next Jazz Vespers is Sunday October 7th at 4:30pm. Christ Church Deer Park hosts the Robi Botos Trio (wahoo!), celebrating the music of Thelonius Monk. 1570 Yonge St at Heath, 920 5211; free/offering taken up.

" "

Shame our wanton selfish gladness, rich in goods and poor in soul.

~Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969)

Boredom of Heaven

I recently watched--intermittently--Kingdom of Heaven (2005), directed by Ridley Scott of Gladiator fame. This Orlando/Liam fest attempted to reduce all of crusade history into some small window of the Middle Ages, as if it all kinda squished into about 30 years. The moslem stereotypes, while not exactly offensive, were pretty hackneyed, and someone let the costume designer go wild: the crusaders apparently had every kind of anachronistic cross embroidered on everything! Even St. George's cross was on banners. As a liturgical symbolist, I think I know my crosses pretty well, and trust me, this film is a little historically incorrect.... And nary a scallop shell anywhere (the pilgrim's symbol). I guess that's where I started to lose interest. The flying cgi blood also got irritating. I awoke three times to find Orlando was doing something honourable and brave again. Blech! So glad I didn't rent the dvd.

Call for Volunteers

Each year I participate in Design Hope Toronto which raises funds for Dixon Hall's homeless shelter by auctioning art in various media on a certain theme. This event usually takes place in February at Gallery 1313 and is primarily coordinated by Philip Sung Design Associates, a downtown architectural firm. Here is their call for volunteers:

After two very successful years raising money and awareness for the homeless at our annual gala and art auction, we want to spread our message of hope even further.

In order to reach more people across Toronto, we need to fill a variety of vacancies on our organizing committee including, but not limited to, corporate donations, media relations and student contact.

Design Hope Toronto is a volunteer collective that will meet at a central location once a month leading up to our next event in February 2008. We are also looking for people who can donate their time on a short-term basis closer to and at the gala.

If you would like to help, please reply to info@designhopetoronto.ca for more information, or pass this along to someone who might be interested in joining our team.
More information about Design Hope Toronto can be seen at http://www.designhopetoronto.ca/.

At this point they mainly need someone to help with corporate donations, but please feel free to contact them through the email address above.

Thank you for your consideration of support!

DVD Premiere!

Friends at Imago have made me aware of a premiere of a short film by Jason Hildebrand called The Prodigal Trilogy which takes place on Thursday October 11th at the Royal Cinema (608 College St) at 7pm. The preview looks fantastic! For more information on how to rsvp your intention to attend this screening, please email your name, number of guests and full contact info to prodigalfilm@jasonhildebrand.com. You can also inquire about acquiring the dvd for yourself. For more information about Imago, which supports the Christian arts, please visit http://www.imago-arts.on.ca/.

If you don't get teary-eyed over this, there is something wrong with you-

Someone emailed this to me but to acccess it from here, go to http://www.myspace.com/coalitionforanimaljustice; scroll down to the fourth shining star on the left (you'll see what I mean) and there is a story about Ralphie the dog. Even if it is doctored a bit, it is feasible. A caveat, however: there is a lot of graphic stuff (even written) on the site about abused animals, so keep your eyes left if you haven't the stomach for that.

love it!

CRASH

Oh my gosh--this is an amazing film. Every time I reflect on it I get goosebumps. This movie, directed by Paul Haggis (2004), is a wonderful challenge to one's belief system. It is about racism, sexism, social status, deviance, power and authority--pretty much all the juicy sociological topics you can think of--but it examines every side of the coin, if you see what I mean; there isn't just black and white, if you'll pardon the pun, but many shades in between. It is full of irony, redemption, ruined dreams, horrific things and divine intervention. Crash reminded me of Magnolia in many ways, although this movie is completely heartbreaking and very poignant. Makes a great stocking stuffer for the humanists and the bigots on your list. Honestly. It should be discussed widely.

The Blessing of Animals

Next Saturday September 29th at 11am at the Cathedral of St. James there will be an annual service of the blessing of the animals in celebration of St. Franics Day on October 2nd. If you have never taken Rover or Boots to a blessing service, you really must, or at least go on your own and do it by proxy. The atmosphere is amazing; you'd think the animals would be scratching each others' eyes out, but usually there is a strange peace. Kind of like Edward Hicks' The Peaceable Kingdom. For more info call 416 364 7865 or go to the service at Church and King Streets; they tend to bring in animal and human reps from the zoo, Toronto Police Mounted Unit etc.

Hymnology 101

"...for Jesus restores what sin would destroy..."

~Byrn Austin Rees (1911-1983) in
'The Kingdom of God is Justice and Joy'

ROM Walks

One of my new discoveries recently has been the ROMwalks; I knew about them for yonks but finally got off my rear and went on some. The experience level of the docents varied and there were some errata (noticeably re: Latin inscriptions, but you knew I'd pick those out....), but I can't say I wasted my two hours with them. The last two of the season are today at 2pm around the ROM itself, and next Sunday Sept 30th at 2pm around Cabbagetown. I will bring up this outing again when next year's season opens in May. For further info, go to info@rom.on.ca or call 416 586 8097

Little Miss Sunshine

I watched this film at my church's film and theology night, and was sorry I hadn't seen it when it had come out. Frankly, the title had put me off and I foolishly dismissed looking into the film. This is a fascinating movie about family relationships and accepting people for who they are, rather than looking for non-existent perfection. Best of all (for me) this film was rife with Christian symbolism--wahoo! Don't get me wrong, this is no goody-two-shoes flick; there is tons of swearing and discussion about difficult topics-hence the reality ascription. I highly recommend this film for its poignancy and its humour. As our priest said, if you think your family is dysfunctional, this one is bound to make you feel better!

Hero of the Week

From 'Suzanne':

And Jesus was a sailor
When he walked upon the water
And he spent a long time watching
From his lonely wooden tower
And when he knew for certain
Only drowning men could see him
He said "All men will be sailors then Until the sea shall free them"
But he himself was broken
Long before the sky would open
Forsaken, almost human
He sank beneath your wisdom like a stone
And you want to travel with him And you want to travel blind
And you think maybe you'll trust him
For he's touched your perfect body with his mind.
~Leonard Cohen

Thanks to...

Just wanted to say thanks to the following people for extending friendship this week: Laura, Jim, Anna, Marilyn, Heather, Marguerita, Viviana, Randy, Simon, Christa (and I hope I haven't left anyone out!).

Snort!

Hero of the Week

Alas, another loss to the Christian arts community! One of my favourite authors, Madeleine L'Engle, died this week at 88. She is perhaps best known for her novels inspired by her curiousity about quantum physics, such as A Wrinkle in Time, but she also wrote extensively about faith and the arts. Since she bristled at the label 'children's writer' (which she felt was a slur to like authors, and an insult to children), I will emphasize that although my daughter read several of her books at around age 12, I read some of the same ones, and they had me hooked. She also chronicled family life (The Crosswicks Journals), and wrote many adult-themed novels based on biblical sources; one that I have not cracked open yet is The Genesis Trilogy. Ms. L'Engle was unapologetic about her Episcopalian worldview. She is greatly admired in our household.

Another Plug

This shout-out is for a musician whose out-there-ness I respect very much; my previous contact with him through Wholenote magazine (see permalist, right) left me with the sense that he has not only musical but personal integrity. John Kameel Farah has a new cd out called Creation and you can sample his electronic style here: http://www.johnfarah.com/electronica.html. Make sure you also look at the song 'Healings', videographed by Eamon MacMahon, which is on that page. And if you want to see something really trippy/heavenly, try an example from a previous collaboration: http://www.galaxydynamics.org/. As per the site, "GRAVITAS: Portraits of a Universe in Motion is an ongoing project to visualize and animate the dynamics of galaxies using supercomputer simulations ...[It] is a synthesis of science and the arts. Long animation sequences of interacting galaxies and structure formation are set to the original music of John Farah inspired by these animations, creating a compelling synthesis of sound, motion, vast dimensions and timescales and Newton's universal laws of gravity and motion." It was produced in conjunction with astronomer John Dubinski, and it is truly lovely and original.

BTW, any cd/dvd on this blog are on my Christmas wish list.....

If You're Under 30 and You Know It, Clap Your Hands...

Ok, here's some new music for the non-seniors in the bloggership: actually, MC Maguire can't be pigeonholed. He has done such eclectic work that his appeal may be very wide. 'Course, coming from Eastman (and more), he is bound to be well-rounded. Unfortunately, the mp3 downloads are $1 ea., but that's the fallout we get from the whole piracy/free downloading issue. Roam around his site at http://harostreetmusic.com/index.html.

Join Jan in the Back to School Swoon

Branch Out, Cockburn Fans!

This chappy just finished a 'musicycle' cross-canada tour yesterday, which you can read about under the home section of the site, but ck out Derek Oliver's cd. He sounds very much like Bruce Cockburn; explore some sample songs here: http://derekolive.com/music/ . I like to push Canadian composition, so check out the Sonic Reveries excerpt too.

Signage

Mellower Live Music for the over-30s

Actually, I shouldn't say 'mellow' because every hip adult in Toronto is getting into the music at the semi-monthly Jazz Vespers which returns for a new season this week. Yay! Except I have another commitment elsewhere! Perhaps you can attend for me as they feature the John Johnson Quartet, celebrating Cannonball Adderley. I'll post a reminder of the next one on the 23rd too. So this Sunday September 9th, 4:30pm, go to Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge St north of St. Clair (920-5211); admission is free but an offering is taken up for those who can support this ministry.

Turntable Worship for the under-30s

"Reaching out to the party culture of our day", a new ministry under the auspices of the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship called Triple 7 Ministries has an online presence as well as regular downtown church meetings at various club-like set-ups. You can ck out their MySpace, Facebook and other web stuff like mp3 mix downloads on their website http://triple7.org/

I Furiosi Return!

Their first concert of the season is 'Crazy': "Mental instability can be a result of many different things – unrequited love, power struggles, being dropped on the head at birth... The ensemble whips off the strait-jackets for this presentation of wackos from the Baroque era." Guest: Stephanie Martin, organ

Saturday, September 15th, 2007, 8:00pm
Calvin Presbyterian Church, 26 Delisle Ave.Toronto
Price: $20/10 at the door.

Don't miss this; these folks are a riot and their concerts are absolutely fantastic. http://ifuriosi.com/bio.html

Creative Spark products

Two things to bring you from our friends at Creative Spark and Burning Brush:

Virtual pilgrimages you can make at http://www.burningbrush.net/pilgrimage.htm
and
the Burning Brush 2007 Online Gallery Winners in various media, http://www.burningbrush.net/creativespark/2007winners.html

They seem to be attracting the same type of artists as CIVA so it's interesting to see where Christian art is going all over the continent.

Grow Up! Be a Child!

Yesterday's sermon at St. Clement's by the Rev Canon Dr Harry Robinson talked about Jesus' admonition that in order to enter the kingdom of Heaven, one must become like a child (Matt 18:3). This immediately reminded me of an article in Scientific American MIND about cognition and creativity (XVI i, 19). The latter reviewed characteristics typical of people easily led to creativity, one of which was wonderment, "a spirit of discovery, a childlike curiosity about the world". I found it interesting that the goal of creativity and the goal of eternal life both required becoming like a child, laying yourself open to vulnerability, innocence and humility--casting away the strictures and pretences of adulthood. And both ends are not run-of-the-mill. Inheriting the Kingdom and creativity are both for our benefit; not doing those things is our loss. The Rev. Robinson talked about adults as the flesh of Adam being locked into time and space, but a descendant of Adam--via water and the spirit--can grow and bear fruit. At this time of a 'new year', let us all take time to become more like a child; it can only do us good.

Quills and Spills

To see the miraculously retrieved Margaret Atwood review, scroll down the page.

If Your Are Under 40....

Another 'sick' website (parents, that means 'cool', just so you don't freak) came to my attention for the 20-30 set: http://www.bustedhalo.com/

If you liked geezemagazine.com, you should like this atypical product of the Paulist fathers. Check it out.

Offering

©V.Wells, 2007

Museum Prioritizing?

There has been much navel gazing and gnashing of teeth as to why we in Canada do not have a portrait gallery yet, and now we are apparently getting a human rights museum. In the same breath, news wires report that art galleries and museums such as, recently, ones in Saskatchewan and Alberta are finally getting some financial respite to conduct much needed repairs and renewal projects. Am I slow, or does it not make sense to fix what is broke before manufacturing more? Kind of like if Montreal were to build some new state of the art toll bridges right now.... Interesting how the new stuff goes to the tourist magnets like, oh, the capital region, but cultural institutions anywhere outside the money belt shamefully go without funding and usually face funding cutbacks so that their programs suffer from crippling deficits. Argh.

Call for Artists

Another call comes via our friends at CIVA: "CIVA is currently accepting entries for the invitational exhibition Art and Text. This exhibition brings together the works of no more than twelve CIVA members and may include up to five works per artist, depending upon factors such as size and shipping weight. Various media will be considered (drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, mixed media and new media.)" For full details go to www.civa.org

Call for Papers

A call for papers on the topic "Of Sacred Crossroads" has been issued by the Association for Cultural Studies, for the International Crossroads in Cultural Studies Conference at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica in July 2008. Abstracts are required and are due by November 30th. For full details go to www.crossroads2008.org

Signs, Signs...

An American in Birthday History

This Thursday, August 23rd is the anniversary of Gene Kelly's birth in 1912. This incomparable dancer and velvet-voiced singer is a dvd fixture in our house. We'll see if the weather calls for rain that day.

For the Young Metalheads

Let us cheer ourselves from the entry below by looking at another place the cello is used: the Finnish heavy metal band, Apocalyptica. My son, ex-metal aficionado, confirms their status as legitimately good.

You can get a good flashcard of them at http://www.apocalyptica.com/stuff/flashcards.php

Not sure they are exactly squeaky clean but they do know how to rock.

Hero of the Week - Reprise

On June 3rd I pointed to Richard Bradshaw as a hero of the Canadian opera scene, and now~alas~he has died. What a loss for the COC and for us, the appreciative audience. I will miss watching him conducting the opera. tibi gratias agimus, Richard.

Call for Artists

The National Exhibit by Art-at-the-Cathedral (Lexington, Kentucky) announces a new call: "Themes for Advent and Christmas". 2D or 3D media are welcome, and are due by October 15th or 17th depending on means of delivery. For more information about submission details, sales, etc. pls visit http://www.ccclex.org/Art-at-the-Cathedral.html. Thanks to ECVA for bringing this to our attention.

By Anonymous

"If you are looking for a friend, don't look for perfection, look for friendship".

For the Youngsters

You kids discovering what good taste your parents had in rock music will be glad to hear that there will be a cd release of Best Ofs by Led Zeppelin in November, along with a dvd of their 1976 concert in NYC, The Song Remains the Same. Whet your appetite with Black Dog here: http://www.ledzeppelin.com/site_flash/fs_audio.html

The Blue Screen of Blog Death

I just wrote a superbly crafted review of The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood and cyberspace sucked it into a black hole. Here's the gist of what it said:
1. Read the book; it's really good.
2. Go see the stage production at the NAC Sept 19-Oct 7; it's supposed to be good.

Stupid computers.

Quills and Ink Spills--Retrieved!

Lots of hoopla lately about the dramatization of Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad. The book (Knopf 2005) was the result of a series of myths reinterpreted by various authors and true to her form, this retelling of Penelope and Odysseus has Atwood's wit and acerbic perception; I laughed all the way through it. A week ago the theatrical producation, with choreography by Victoria Tennant--it's a joint NAC/Royal Shakespeare Company effort--opened over the pond to largely good reviews. If it's anything like the book or the operatic adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale (which was fab), I know it will beat by grade 8 exposure to mythology, which turned me off myths for 30 years. It plays in Ottawa Sept 19- Oct 7.

New Music, Music in the News

I was recently given the new cd by Peirson Ross, a Torontonian singer/songwriter whose album I found quite sweet. Check out some of his songs such as the thoughtful A Boy Caught on Words at http://peirsonross.com/song-boy_words.htm. His lilting style grows on you.

Ever hear a new word and then encounter it 15 times? That's been my experience with the graphic novel thing I discussed earlier. The Globe and Mail ran an article in the books section about them last month, I'm using one to teach in a class this year, and now Neil Young's Greendale cd is headed for graphic expression. I didn't know the music, but found everything I ever wanted to know about Greendale at http://www.neilyoung.com/tracks/tracks_menu.html. Look for the graphic novel next year.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to SSJD

One of my favourite places is the convent of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine in North York, and one of my fave things is the movie The Wizard of Oz. In a perfect world I would be attending an upcoming retreat program they are offering, led by neat people, Srs. Constance Joanna and Elizabeth Ann on November 23-25, called Praying in the Land of Oz. More info about this and other programming offered there can be found at http://ssjd.ca/retreats.html.

How Do You Say 'Bird's Nest' in Chinese Anyways?

I loved this story: the architect of the 91 000 seat stadium in Beijing is threatening to boycott the 2008 Olympics for political reasons (see http://www.cbc.ca/arts/artdesign/story/2007/08/11/beijing-artist-stadium.html for the story). Ai Weiwei, son of a political activist prisoner, is standing up to the Chinese government for their wacky human rights stance, something I don't think I would have the courage to do. Not a case of art imitating life, but of art trying to shape life. Kudos to you, Weiwei.

The Sort-of Weekly Diatribe

Okay, can we talk about Harry Potter for a minute? I know, we're all a bit overmuggled at the moment, what with the book and film releases, but I would like to offer two comments.

What the H-E-Double-Hockeysticks is wrong with the world??? Prior to the release of the English-language version of the final book, some patheticos in Britain were setting up a kids help/phone line in anticipation of helping young muggles cope with the potential killing off of the character(s). I just googled 'Crucifixion kids helpline' and 'Charlotte's Web kids helpline' to no avail: I guess we are just so much more enlightened about childhood trauma nowadays. The creators of this phone counselling service must live in an incredible bubble if they think that is a needed service. I'm sure the Kenyan garbage dump children and the Rwandan child soldiers will be really grateful that that service is available to them after they finish the book......

On a slightly saner note, JK and the Powers That Be are not going to sue the teenager who had posted an unofficial prevenient French translation of the book on the web. Gee, how nice of them not to sue a young person for reading and translating; have they never heard of drugs and crime? A kid does something constructive and ambitious, and they have to consider whether or not to waste his parents' and the state's money and time taking him to court. Oy vey.

Creativity Tips on YouTube

I usually eschew self-improvement guruism, but I do like the woman who brought us the anti-self improvement day, Comfort Queen Jennifer Louden. While perhaps not incredibly original, she is a good angelos of reminders, such as this one about facilitating creativity. Check out her 2 minute video here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5S3FWR3lZY ; just take a deep breath and be prepared for major boppiness. You can also sign up for her email newsletter at http://www.comfortqueen.com/ .

Pleasantville is Just That

I recently watched the movie Pleasantville with the ever-appealing Tobey Maguire in the main role of a story in which a teen and his sister are transported back not only in time but into the TV-fictional 1950's town of Pleasantville, where everything is just A+ top drawer swell. The lesson, of course, is that wishing for perfection is the wrong route because it rarely pans out as we imagine. Perhaps a little too predictable and didactic, I felt the film was a good reminder to be grateful for what we have and also to be open to the possibilities of spontaneity. It reminded me of issues raised in the ongoing Star Trek prohibition against changing the Prime Directive and in the Lois Lowry novel The Giver (a five Quills rating on that one) which promotes the idea that trials and tribulations are invaluable to the human experience. Pleasantville has socio-political overtones about the 'non-changeist view' and the rejection of prejudice (the non-conforming Coloureds--literally people in colour vs. the town's black and white people--are to be embraced despite their differentness), and it celebrates individualism, choice and the joy of self-expression, as per the artist character played by Jeff Daniels. As usual, the PG13 rating is a bit moot (you know my MTV rant) and I believe the overall message is never outdated and ideal for youth groups and the like. A nice little fable that won't waste your movie night.

" "

Be ever engaged, so that whenever the devil calls he may find you occupied. ~St. Jerome

On Caravaggio

It has been a week rich in art news! You can read about a controversy in establishing authenticity of a Carvaggio painting (http://www.cbc.ca/arts/artdesign/story/2007/07/14/caravaggio-controversy.html) which is fascinating. The knowledge of art experts and the use of high tech in this area never ceases to amaze me. But the report reminded me of two charming things. One is the Golden Legend story about St. Jerome and the Lion which you can read here: http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0930.htm. The other is a chasuble designed after Caravaggio by Lewis Hindle of Orillia which I saw about five years ago at a liturgical arts festival, probably the coolest liturgical vestment I have ever seen (and I've seen a lot):

Pre-Raphaelite on the Prairie

The news report this week of a Kate Elizabeth Bunce painting in a Prince Albert cathedral reminded me how much I love Pre-Raphaelite style but often forget to explore it more. A devout Christian, this woman focused much of her work on church commissions and donations. The picture of St. Alban in the prairie church may be part of a triptych of him, Jesus and St. Patrick, but the latter two, if extant, are awol, as are many of Bunce's undocumented pieces. Here is a well-known painting of hers, Melody (Musica).

Quills and Ink Spills

A quill with a question mark this time to The Testament of Gideon Mack by James Robertson (Penguin 2006). I loved this book but the question mark arises because of a wack website I found associated with the book (http://www.scotgeog.com/index.php) which I will leave you to do with what you will. However, the novel was fab. It concerns a burnt out minister with an already dubious vocation who believes that after an accident he has not quite died but between realms he has met the Devil. This satan delivers: quirky and cool but unerringly creepy. Just how I like my religious literature: makes me laugh and think at the same time, and very imaginative. The town, of course, thinks Gideon is barmy~I'll say no more about it. It doesn't all take place in coo-coo land, so don't dismiss it as some weird sci-fi thing; it really is about the role we play in our own lives and how we are interconnected. Definitely one of those wish-it-wouldn't-end books. Having been exposed to a lot of gnostic and non-canonical gospels this year, I appreciated the idea of divinity in narrative and the human experience of spiritual players.

Hero of the Week

My favourite composer in the cosmos is Arvo Pärt, the Estonian-born writer of sacred choral and instrumental pieces who has recorded with choirs and ensembles from many countries. I will allow that he is perhaps an acquired taste, but if he hooks you, you've got an instant chillin' strategy. This is my deep-breathing/visualization/meditation replacement. This man's understanding of the human soul is so profound that it is hard to describe and really just insists on faith: you have to stop trying to understand the music on any level and just surrender to it. I recently found some cd's of his music that I had not heard before, so the Pärtometer is back in the red zone. http://www.arvopart.info/ has some MP3 audio samples you can check out.

Q Museum

I was promising to tell you of a new venue for art; my intended subject continues to have computer issues, so I will tell you of another, one of a growing movement: virtual art galleries that the public can contribute their own work to. Often they are associated with bona fide institutions such as the Louvre and the Smithsonian. This one is via CBC's show Q, hosted by Jian Ghomeshi. This phenomenon brings up questions about what art is, what makes an artist, how one discerns what is good art, and so on. The snob in us can sniff at the everyman aspect of this, the accessibility of fame and recognition; but why are we derisive or dismissive of John Doe's art? What makes his inferior to some of the crap that does make it into legit galleries? As my friend says, much art criticism is pretentious baloney (my paraphrase) anyway, so does it not pretty much remain to us, the viewer, to decide what is 'good' and 'not good', not only the gallery owners? It's much more about your emotional reaction, than just technique, maturity and universal appeal. Here is an example from Q by Jackie Alcock, Who is looking at us while we are looking up at them? All starts are in the right place.

Now, this is redolent of Kurelek (self taught) and perhaps fits into the naive genre, but that does not necessarily make it 'bad art' which should be kept in a closet gathering dust. For me it, along with its title, triggers a response that is about my place in the world and how tiny I am and concurrently how important I am to God (Matt 10:29, 31) despite the enormity of the universe. Doesn't mean I would put this in my living room, but it also doesn't mean it shouldn't be made accessible to more people via the internet. If you would like to contribute your stuff to the Q Virtual Museum, go to http://www.cbc.ca/q/index.html?copy-virtualmuseum. It will be interesting to see where this movement goes--trend of the Naughts that we look back at and laugh at, or (right or wrong) a new branch of the established art scene.

WHO's heard of this?

Pete Townshend has premiered a new rock opera, The Boy Who Heard Music, at an emerging theatre festival in upstate New York but will not communicate with media about it except by media release and says it is too much in the 'embryonic' stage still to do so. As per a CBC article, the opera is a 'hallucinatory tale about the rise and fall of a band made up of three teenagers from different ethnic backgrounds as seen through the eyes of an aging rock star'. Sounds like art trying too hard to imitate life to be relevant art...perhaps that is why he is shying away from meeting the press? A lack of confidence in his opus? I look forward to reading reviews and impressions of this piece. Hopefully it is heavier on the opera than on the hallucinatory; Tommy was cool when I was sixteen, but now I am more critical of rockers-gone-classical (see older post, Beatle Guise).

This Week~

July 16 1412 Joan of Arc led the French to military victory over the English at Orleans.
July 19 1834 Edgar Degas' birthdate.
July 20 1890 Birthdate of Theda Bara, movie vamp, the first to have an exotic bio constructed to further her cinema career.
July 21 1911 Marshall McLuhan was born.
July 22 Birthdates of artists Edward Hopper, 1882 and Alexander Calder, 1898.

Call for Artists

Christian artists are invited to apply to this juried exhibition: http://www.washtheocon.org/bodyofchrist
This came to me via friends at ECVA, the Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts (http://ecva.org/contents.htm).

My Life as a Squat Explorer

©V.Wells, 2007

Advance Concert Listing

Plan now for a concert by the Toronto Consort at the 1865 Philipsville heritage Baptist Church being renovated by Paul Jenkins, ensemble member and accomplished organist. This chamber ensemble, directed by David Fallis, specializes in the music of the middle ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods. The da Vinci Collection: Music of Leonardo's Renaissance takes place on Sunday July 29, 3-5pm, $20, call 416 920 3341 to confirm. I sang under the direction of Paul in a choir; his musicianship is outstanding, as of course is Toronto Consort's. Check out more about him at http://www.pauljenkins.ca/cv.asp.

Reprise: Kahlo and Rivera

There was excitement in the art world this week with the exhibition of many personal belongings of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in Mexico. For more information about this fortuitous segue from the movie review of Frida (see last week's blog), go to the online article at http://www.cbc.ca/arts/artdesign/story/2007/07/06/kahlo-exhibit-art.html.

The New 7 Wonders of the World

I will leave it to you to google the new list and its subsequent omissions. I'm sure everyone has their own quibbles with the content, process and historical significance of the selections. Here's my take on another list:
It's a wonder pouring millions of dollars into medical research rarely finds cures, especially for the biggies, AIDS and cancer.
It's a wonder we even still have a climate to promote through Live Earth.
It's a wonder we aren't all chronically depressed considering the news is 99% negative.
It's a wonder we still have people signing up for the armed forces.
It's a wonder air travel can be called 'a sin' but driving to the corner store is ok.
It's a wonder public transportation is not a government priority.
It's a wonder the arts are not the other government priority.

71 Minutes Well Spent

Following was written, directed and shot (in B&W) in 1999 by Christopher Nolan. Part thriller, part drama, this is a story using flashbacks and triple-crossing plot to explore the betrayal of victims by burglars. The sound editing backs up the bleakness of spirit permeating the film. It is a psychological study of a burglar who claims his motivation is anthropological study: "Take it away to show them what they had". The theme of consumerism aside, by the end we begin to consider the nature of culpability, and in fact which of the commandments it is worse to breach (it would be a spoiler if I elaborated). So the chicken and the egg question arises, and in turn we ask questions about social issues and problems. You can watch this film purely as entertainment, but it is also good brain candy. Rated 14A, recipient of many awards including Toronto International Film Festival recognition.

Quills and Ink Spills

A Quill this time to Ariel Levy, author of Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture. Published in 2005 (Free Press), this book unfortunately remains current (considering we keep hearing that low rise jeans are going out of fashion, I keep seeing errant thong straps and plumber's views). Levy's thesis is that we are a society that has reached the bottom of the barrel in terms of self-abasement, and that as women we have encouraged and aided what we claim to hate: men treating women like meat. Dressing like whores from an early age (see also Why Do We Dress our Daughters Like Skanks and related articles and books, http://dadventure.ca/?p=58), we wonder why women's lib isn't working for our generation, whilst wearing Tshirts with "I'd f*** me"; there is a disconnect between image, fashion, presentation and social identity. This can begin as a parenting issue, but as a society we perpetuate the problem, accepting Girls Gone Wild and Porno Valley as basic cable viewing. I always want to ask self-revealing girls, why do you want to look like a prostitute? What possible advantage could there be to saying to the world, 'I am trash'? There are other daring ways to compete, to stand out, to rebel. Levy proposes that underlying this smiling veneer of female strength and freedom is self-hatred and non-existent self-esteem; many are the girls she interviews who say they perform favours for male acquaintances purely for social acceptance. This book is not for the prudish. It is a book for every parent of a girl or boy of any age; pretending your child will not be affected in some way by raunch culture is delusional.

This Week...

July 11 1937 George Gershwin died of a brain tumour at 38
July 12 1730 English potter Josiah Wedgwood was born
July 14 1912 American folk singer Woody Guthrie was born
July 15 1606 Birthdate of Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn

A Different Portrayal of God

from Proverbs of Hell

"Joys impregnate. Sorrows bring forth."
~William Blake

Raw Bacon

An exhibit of Francis Bacon's 1950s paintings, Raw Human Emotion, is on at the Albright Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, alongside a photography exhibit and the gallery's Remix. Bacon was a self-taught painter who was unimpressed with the pretensions of art world figures, and whose focus was more on translating human emotion onto the canvas. He died in 1992, soon after a series of discussions recorded in "Francis Bacon: In Conversation with Michel Archambaud" (Phaidon Press). The show is large and demonstrates the wide range of Bacon's subject matter. He said about art, "One learns by looking. That's what you must do, look." I did, and I recommend that you do, too, if you are heading down that way. (The Albright Knox has reciprocal membership privileges with the AGO). See the link at the right for more info.

God in the Movies

There's an article reviewing the portrayal of God in Hollywood over the years: http://entertainment.sympatico.msn.ca/Movies/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5027132&imageindex=1. Personally my favourite is Morgan Freeman. I recently watched the R rated Dogma, a controversial film--for good reason--so I can't officially recommend it on a family-friendly site, but it did make some good theological points, and I loved the portrayal of Jay and Silent Bob, two prophets; not because of the foul language, but because it was very biblical that prophets often come in unexpected forms, saying things nobody wants to hear...Alan Rickman as a recalcitrant angel was a laugh, too. Alanis Morissette played God, wearing flip flops.

Christopher Dancen

Who knew he could dance??? See the nominally Methodist and very sauve Mr. Walken dancing here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMZwZiU0kKs (The Youngsters will recognize Fatboy Slim).

Poetry

Follow this link to read the poem Church Going by Philip Larkin.
http://edu.gsnu.ac.kr/~songmu/Poetry/ChurchGoing.htm

This Week in History

July 2 1900 Premiere in Helsinki of Jean Sibelius's Finlandia.
July 6 1928 Warner Bros. release the first 100% talkie; The Jazz Singer had full music and sound effects but only about 25% dialogue was audible.
July 7 1887 Marc Chagall was born in Russia.
July 8 1907 Ziegfeld Follies premiers on a theatre roof in New York.

Website of the Week

I must recommend a very subtle and sweet site you can subscribe to: Monday9am. This gem is by British film maker Nic Askew and it's about life, I guess; as the blog says, it's hard to describe, and 'you just have to see the films' to get it. I've been watching for some months now, and find his approach to film interesting and to people intelligent. I can't say much very eloquently about his work, which is usually the way with good stuff. Get your weekly jumpstart at http://www.monday9am.tv/monday9amblog/.

CD Release

A shout-out for the daughter of friends and fellow CCOC alumna: Sophia Perlman has just released her first cd, Once Smitten, with her jazz band The Vipers. She has also formed a smaller group, The Sophia Perlman Trio. This 21 year old's sultry voice and professionalism have been gaining media momentum for a while now, and for good reason: she has true talent, she's intelligent, and she has musical integrity. You can hear Sophia regularly on Monday nights at the Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., 416-955-0887, no cover. Sophia is also responsible for leading jazz fans to various other Toronto gigs via her column in WholeNote Magazine (see link in the sidebar). Get that shaved head/jailhouse-tears taste out of your mouth, and go see what the 20-somethings are capable of.

Beatle Guise

I have been wanting to get something off my chest for a while: Paul McCartney should have stuck to pop songs. I felt this after hearing his Liverpool Oratorio (1992) and the more recent Ecce Cor Meum (2006). As my classical music guru at the soon-to-be-defunct Sam the Record Man said in a stage whisper, 'the music is a little naive'. Another blogger feels the same (Why Can't the Walrus Read?, June 8/07, http://felsenmusick.blogspot.com), and we both shrink with embarrassment for Paul when he practically boasts that he can't read music. I love and try to support new classical works (an oxymoron, I know, but 'contemporary' and 'modern' can be confused with Christina Aiguillera), but I'm afraid Sir Paul's classical stuff just isn't credible to me, and I don't think it has lasting power. If you like 21st century classical, check out Daniel Felsenfeld of New York at http://www.danielfelsenfeld.com/felsenfeld-music-final.htm. Not only can he read music, he can write it down.

Also Recommended

Last week I watched the 2002 movie Frida, about Mexican surrealist artist Frida Kahlo, played by Salma Hayek. I found it visually sumptuous, and was inspired by this woman whose life was framed by physical pain. If anything, it might have been a little too sympathetic to her, but director Julie Taymor is cautious enough. Most exciting of all were the inserted fantasy/animation vignettes, illustrating things difficult to portray without being cheesy: unconsciousness, pain, art, death. The imagination of these little embellishments embodied understanding of the artist's inner life. This is a movie to bathe in when you are looking for sustenance yet narrative satisfaction.

The Children of Men

I have been intending to review Children of Men, but each week I just can't seem to articulate my feelings about it. I originally got excited about the movie, and then read the 1992 book by P.D. James, which the movie both copied and diverged from. Clive Owen, Michael Caine et. al. live in 2027 London; the social decay is such that suicide is supported by the government, refugees are in concentration camps, shortages abound, and there is total infertility worldwide. It is completely depressing (my sociological bent led me to find 35 separate social issues and problems brought up by the film), but there is a cinematic beauty to the atmosphere created in the movie, and ultimately the story is about redemption and renewal. If you like to bury your head in the sand, don't see it; if you are a thinking Christian, this film will keep you pondering for a while. I'm going to use the dvd as a teaching tool in my sociology class; I would recommend using the novel for book club or Bible study discussions. It is also full of religious symbolism, intentional or not. My only complaint is that the very ending included a trite and superfluous detail--the name of a ship--as if we couldn't get the symbolism on our own. Other than that, I found it to be a fair and intelligent adaptation of a great story.