Anya M. Wassenberg's Blog: Art & Culture Maven, page 30

Indie Pop: Jobbaloon: The Invitation (Independent / March 20, 2021)

Indie Pop:
Jobbaloon: The Invitation
(Independent / March 20, 2021)

Stream it on Spotify Stream/Buy it on Bandcamp

Trippy and psychedelic, the songs on Jobbaloon's Invitation defy easy categorization. Instead, they offer an inventive flavour of electro-pop with hypnotic and expressive vocals as the draw.

Writer/Producer/Guitarist/Pianist/Singer Joshua Achatz and producer Justin Squires make up the Detroit garage rock duo Jobbaloon. They've allowed themselves free license to get creative on this release. 

There's the spacey spoken word of The Invitation, and a sexy slow groove in Bm, with melodic vocals that that wind around the electronic beat. 

Aligned is a melancholy ballad with a relentless beat. Soulful vocals are the draw on Baby Blue, on top of a nicely interwoven bed of keyboards and percussion. 

Days is a standout track with an earworm appeal and the duo's signature melancholic edge. 

As yet, Jobbaloon is unsigned, and while they claim they prefer independence to signing with a major label, they also say they "are fully prepared, with a plethora of excuses, for when they do."

You'll find yourself humming along and dancing at the first listen of this interesting release.

Stay in touch:

Official Website: http://jobbaloon.netFacebook: http://facebook.com/jobbaloonmusicTwitter: http://twitter.com/jobbaloonmusicInstagram: http://instagram.com/jobbaloonmusic Bandcamp: https://jobbaloon.bandcamp.com/Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jobbaloonYoutube Channel: http://youtube.com/jobbaloonmusic

Batuki Music Society Presents: Habari Africa Virtual Festival August 13 – 22, 2021

From a media release:

Batuki Music Society Presents:
Habari Africa Virtual Festival
August 13 – 22, 2021

Free performances at 8 PM daily

Batuki Music Society is proud to present the eighth edition of the Habari Africa Festival featuring a stellar line-up of local, national and international artists with virtual concert presentations that celebrate the wealth and diversity of African music. Join us online and subscribe to the Batuki Music You Tube Channel to watch the Habari Africa Virtual Festival with free performances at 8 PM daily from August 13 – 22, 2021.

The performing artists include: 

Mamy Kanouté, Della Hayes & Women of Colour Band, Lorraine Klaasen,

Joyce N’sana, EMDE, Mariaa Siga, Mighty Popo,

Lionel Kizaba, Naxx Bitota, Kora Trio, The Black Stars,

Adama Daou, Blandine,

 Dieufaite Charles, Donné Roberts, Alpha Rhythm Roots,  

Gloria Gift Nankunda, Garmi Mint Abba, Donald Dogbo and IZimba Arts.

Habari Africa Virtual Festival 2021  Friday August 13 to Sunday, August 22, 2021  Concerts daily at 8 PM  Subscribe online: https://www.youtube.com/user/BatukiMusic Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/1U7ewoy4F Info: http://batukimusic.com/site2/ Donald Dogbo:

Travel Japan: Historic Shirakawa-go

From a media release:

Travel Japan:
Historic Shirakawa-go

For more information on Shirakawa-go, click on the link

With Olympic coverage shining a spotlight on Tokyo, Japan's dynamic urban beauty is on full display. Far from the noise and excitement of the city, Japan's rural countryside holds oft-missed beauty of a different kind to match its metropolitan counterparts.

Shirakawa-go, Japan - Image courtesy of Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

Japan’s rural areas provide a glimpse of the past, a preserved picture of classic Japanese Architecture in the shadow of ancient forests and frosted mountains.

You don’t need to journey as far north as snowy Hokkaido, with its world-famous skiing, to experience the splendour of rural Japan. Just 3.5 hours west of Tokyo by train, tucked away in the mountains of the landlocked prefecture of Gifu, you’ll find the historic village of Shirakawa-go, stunning in its unspoiled, traditional beauty. 

Originally established specifically for its remoteness, Shirakawa-go, untouched by time, enables visitors to unplug into the quiet calm of daily life from a bygone era. Composed of roughly 100 thatched roof Japanese gassho-zukuri farmhouses, Shirakawa-go offers guests rustic shelter from the snows of winter and the heat of summer. 

Shirakawa-go, Japan - Image by Makohiko from Pixabay

The largest village, Ogimachi, is flush with sightseeing opportunities and museums, and acts as the perfect staging point for venturing into the alpine valley beyond.

Recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site, an overnight or multi-night stay at one of Shirakawa-go’s fairytale farmhouses is the perfect way to experience Japan’s humble roots, and get far, far away from the concerns and worries of a post-COVID world. 

Warm yourself by a roaring farmhouse fire in the cool nights and enjoy traditional Japanese countryside comforts at a picturesque village from another era.

Toronto Hotel News: The Gladstone House Reopens In September 2021

Toronto Hotel News:
The Gladstone House Reopens In September 2021

Toronto's 130-year-old Gladstone Hotel reopens under the new moniker Gladstone House beginning with a phase one in September. The announcement was recently made by Streetcar Developments and Dream Unlimited Corp.

Gladstone House, Toronto - lobby (rendering)

In its newest incarnation, the venerable building at the corner of Queen and Gladstone takes its new name from an old engraving on the exterior of the building.

The Gladstone House will keep its emphasis on arts, culture, and diversity, while preserving its unique historic character. 

The new interior design has been created by Elastic Interiors, incorporating modern elements and contemporary art for a unique look in each room. Exposed brickwork and lighting that changes throughout the day are two of the new technical innovations.

Gladstone House, Toronto - The Bar and Bistro (rendering)
 The Gladstone House will be a sister hotel to The Broadview Hotel , on Queen Street East and Broadview, with 55 guest rooms and assorted public spaces. The latter includes The Bistro and Bar, a lobby bar which will be reopening daily in the fall.

The legendary Melody Bar, renowned as an entertainment venue, and home to the Drag Brunch, will reopen later in fall 2021. 

Since 1889, the Gladstone has been a landmark in Toronto's Queen Street West neighbourhood. For the new renovations, a call for submissions went out to local artists, and 50 works were selected from among more than 500 entries.

The hotel has been reinvented multiple times in its past. Speaking of history, here's a look at the Gladstone just before its 2000 transformation from a Queen West flophouse to arts and culture haven.

 
“As one of the oldest operating hotels in Toronto, we are dedicated to paying homage to Gladstone’s rich history in the city and maintaining its status as a celebration of diversity in the West Queen West neighbourhood,” says Les Mallins, Founder & President of Streetcar Developments in a media release.
“We have worked hard to ensure that we are telling the stories of the past and creating new one-of-a-kind experiences for the future as written by our guests. Gladstone House is the modern reimagination of a truly historical landmark.” 
Gladstone House, TorontoThe hotel will be operated by Crescent Hotels & Resorts Latitude Division Event and room bookings are now available online.

Images of interior courtesy of Gladstone House
Exterior image by Onasill ~ Bill (NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0))

A look at the renos, which include fitness rooms in a very cool basement environment, structural work, bright open rooms - and a penthouse terrace.

Classic Rock & Blues | George Gritzbach: Full Circle (George Gritzbach Music / June 1, 2021)

Classic Rock & Blues:
George Gritzbach: Full Circle
(George Gritzbach Music / June 1, 2021)

Listen On Spotify

Upbeat bluesy party music with a danceable beat and a tight groove - that's the appeal of George Gritzbach in Full Circle, his latest release.

Gritzbach plays guitar, along with penning all the material. Vocally, he's got a raspy rock voice that works with the RnB/rock flavoured material, supplemented by harmony vocals where it counts.

Musically, he cycles through a range of classic rock moods. Sweet Misery has a nice keyboard sound to accompany melodic guitar riffs, reminiscent of Santana in its Latin flavour.

He's chosen a talented roster of accompanying musicians, Peter Murry on saxophone and horns by Steven Ahern (trumpet) and Dan Anthony (trombone) on some tracks. There are guest appearances by critically acclaimed harmonica great Jerry Portnoy, who was a fixture in the Muddy Waters Band.

Sally O and Burning at Both Ends are straight up blues tunes, while Never Far Away has a truly classic RnB groove, compleat with organ swells against the horns and rhythm guitar.

Black Rose is an interesting track with its Louisiana bayou flair, reminiscent of Robbie Robertson. On Better Than Gold, Gritzbach displays what the Washington Post called his "knock-out slide guitar work."

The production is smooth without losing the music's vitality. If your groove is classic rock and blues, you can't go wrong with this release.

Personnel: George Gritzbach guitars, Scott Lariviere bass, Christian McCarthy drums, percussion, Johnny Menezes keys, Peter Murry Sax, Jerry Portnoy harmonica, Steve Ahern trumpet, Dan Anthony trombone, Gabby Rossen vocals.

Tracklist: 1 All About Now; 2 Sweet Misery; 3 One Race, Many Faces; 4 Sally-O; 5 Never Far Away; 6 Cheap Thrill; 7 Black Rose; 8 Roots Rhythm & Blues; 9 Burning at Both Ends; 10 Better Than Gold

Stay in touch:

Official Website: georgegritzbach.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeGritzbachBand/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ggritzbach/Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeorgeGritzbach

Streaming Online: Stravinsky's 'The Rite Of Spring' Reimagined By Choreographer Jeanguy Saintus (From July 23, 2021)

With material from a media release:
Streaming Online: Stravinsky's 'The Rite Of Spring' Reimagined By Choreographer Jeanguy Saintus (From July 23, 2021)
Opera North in collaboration with contemporary dance ensemble Phoenix Dance Theatre Streaming July 23, 2021 To January 23, 2022 Watch It At The Link Figures from Haitian Voudou folklore tell the story of ritual and ceremony, revolving around a female spirit named Erzuli. 
'The Rite Of Spring' - Choreographer Jeanguy Saintus/ Opera North /  Phoenix Dance Theatre (Image via YouTube)
This isn't your mother's The Rite of Spring, in other words.
Award-winning and internationally-acclaimed Haitian choreographer Jeanguy Saintus takes Stravinsky's story about female sacrifice, and interprets it through the lens of his own heritage. He blends elements of Voudou spirituality and traditional Haitian/African-based dance with European classical and contemporary dance vocabularies for a truly unique take on the modern classic.
The video was taken at the Leeds Grand Theatre in February 2019, where the show opened. After a successful home run, the production went on tour. The film captures the energy and drama of the piece as it cuts between the dancers, including overhead shots, and the work of the orchestra and conductor.
The Rite of Spring choreographer Jeanguy Saintus is artistic director and founder of dance company Ayikodans, based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He comments in a media release.
'The Rite Of Spring' - Choreographer Jeanguy Saintus/ Opera North /  Phoenix Dance Theatre (Image via YouTube)
“I am moved when I think about the welcoming challenges I experienced rewriting this well-known dance work. At the time I didn’t know the company well, but I quickly discovered I was embarking on that adventure with beautiful dancers and a wonderful creative team.
“I am grateful to Sharon Watson, then Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre for allowing me to tell my alternative vision of the Rite through the lens of Haiti’s empowering Vodou culture, my culture. Also a treat was the collaboration with Opera North and its Music Director Garry Walker, who earned my trust starting with the first rehearsal.
“I am thrilled that the world can now experience our amazing endeavour from the comfort of their homes. Reaching a larger audience is the goal of every choreographer, artist, and the dancers themselves; therefore, this is a wish realised for me.
“On a personal note, the COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the worst periods I’ve experienced. I am still living through it, along with my dancers and dance artists all over the world. On a more positive note, I am working on a new piece, ‘Invocation’, for my company Ayikodans in Haiti, and another production to be presented in Athens in September 2021.”DetailsOrchestra of Opera North, Conductor Garry WalkerChoreographer: Jeanguy SaintusDancers: Manon Arianow; Natalie Alleston; Carmen Vasquez Marfil; Carlos J. Martinez; Michael Marquez; Vanessa Vince-Pang; Prentice Whitlow; Aaron ChaplinCostume Designer: Yann SeabraLighting Designer: Richard Moore
Available from 23.07.2021 at 19h00 CET (1pm ET)Available until 23.01.2022 at 12h00 CET (6am ET)
Watch It Free Of Charge At The Link

Visual Arts: AGO re-opens with a POP! on July 21, 2021

AGO re-opens with a POP! on July 21

Tickets on sale now for the summer blockbuster Pop art exhibition Andy Warhol

TORONTO — The AGO is re-opening! On July 21, 2021, the Gallery welcomes visitors back with a summer blockbuster, several new exhibitions, a new patio – and a lot of excitement.

Campbell Soup (Andy Warhol Special Edition - signed) - Image by  Jonn Leffmann (CCOC license)

“After eight months, we are absolutely thrilled to re-open our doors,” says Stephan Jost, the AGO’s Michael and Sonja Koerner Director, and CEO. “This time has served as a powerful reminder that art and culture are vital to our collective sense of wellbeing. I can’t wait to welcome our visitors in person again to see great art and reconnect with the ideas that inspire us.” 

Pending final confirmation from the Province and Toronto Public Health, the Gallery will safely open under the public health regulations of Step 3 of the Ontario Roadmap to Reopen. Preparations have been underway for weeks, with the health and safety of staff members and visitors remaining the top priority. 

There could be no better way to celebrate this happy moment than with the blockbuster of the summer! Opening on July 21 is the must-see exhibition of the Pop Art phenomenon, Andy Warhol. 

Tickets are on sale now at ago.ca. 

Andy Warhol charts four decades of art-making in the life of one of the world’s most famous artists, told through more than 250 artworks including paintings, drawings, photographs, films and installations. Blurring the divide between the art world and popular culture, Warhol (1928 – 1987) funnelled his beliefs and desires into his art, captivating the world with his provocative images and collaborations. 

Curated at the AGO by Kenneth Brummel, Associate Curator of Modern Art, Andy Warhol is an international collaboration between the AGO, Tate Modern and Museum Ludwig, Cologne. The exhibition features iconic portraits of Elvis, Dolly Parton, Karen Kain, Wayne Gretzky and Elizabeth Taylor, alongside Warhol’s conceptual works and experimental installations. The exhibition debuted at the Tate Modern, curated by Gregor Muir, Director of Collection, International Art, and Fiontán Moran, Assistant Curator.   

The AGO Community (Members and Annual Passholders) is the first to see Andy Warhol. A Members window runs from July 21 – 25. Annual Passholders are eligible to join Members to see it as of July 24, and the exhibition opens to single-ticket visitors on July 27. There’s no better time to become a Member or Annual Passholder. For more information on how to join the AGO Community, visit tickets.ago.ca. 

July 21 also marks the opening of several new exhibitions including Ben Woolfitt: Rhythms and Series; Meditation and the Medieval Mind; and Shuvinai Ashoona: Beyond the Visible. For more details about these, in addition to ongoing exhibitions such as the compelling video installation Ragnar Kjartansson: Death is Elsewhere, visit ago.ca/exhibitions.  

Andy Warhol (right) and Ulli Lommel on the set of Cocaine Cowboys (1979) - Image by Hollywood House of Horror (CCOC license)How to Visit 

The AGO takes safety very seriously, and will strictly adhere to all public health regulations. Everyone entering the Gallery over the age of two must wear a face mask or face covering, and physical distancing will be required. Visitors are encouraged to visit and review our reopening web page for more information and helpful FAQs, and to self-assess before visiting the Gallery. 

Advance purchase or reservation of a timed ticket is required for all entry to the AGO, including General Admission. A limited number of tickets is available for each 15-minute timeslot in order to help control the flow of visitors. 

Admission is free for AGO Members, holders of the $35 AGO Annual Pass and all visitors ages 25 and under. Single tickets are $25 per person. Memberships, Annual Passes and single tickets are available at tickets.ago.ca.

Following its re-opening week (which begins on a Wednesday), the AGO will resume its regular weekly hours of operation from Tuesday to Sunday, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The Gallery closes at 5:30 p.m., except on Wednesdays and Fridays, when it’s open until 9 p.m. Free Wednesday Nights return on July 21, with a limited number of free General Admission tickets released on the AGO website each Monday. For more information visit ago.ca. 

Shop and Dine 

ShopAGO’s on-site store will re-open to the public on July 21, featuring a curated selection of merchandise available for purchase. Capacity limits and physical distancing measures will be in place. Customers may also shop online at shop.ago.ca, which offers a range of art-inspired books, gifts and jewelry. Online shopping/delivery is available now.

AGO Bistro will offer take-out as well as patio dining in a brand new outdoor space at the corner of Dundas and McCaul Streets, starting July 21. For hours and menus, visit ago.ca/ago-bistro. Café AGO, the Espresso Bar in Galleria Italia and the Norma Ridley Members’ Lounge remain temporarily closed. Capacity limits, screening and contact tracing measures will be in place as appropriate. 

Acknowledgements

Andy Warhol is organized by Tate Modern, London, in collaboration with Museum Ludwig, Cologne, and the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto. It is curated by Gregor Muir, Director of Collection, International Art, and Fiontán Moran, Assistant Curator, Tate Modern; and Yilmaz Dziewior, Director, and Stephan Diederich, Curator, Collection of Twentieth-Century Art, Museum Ludwig, Cologne. Curated at Art Gallery of Ontario by Kenneth Brummel, Associate Curator, Modern Art.

Andy at the Tate Modern:

From Power Pop To Science Folk | Patrick Ames: The Virtualistics (Independent / 16 June 2021)

From Power Pop To Science Folk
Patrick Ames: The Virtualistics
(Independent / 16 June 2021)

Stream/Buy At Bandcamp

The Virtualistics by singer and songwriter Patrick Ames that should see you bouncing in your chair if not up on your feet. It's the kind of album where the songs sound familiar, with a fresh take from a singular point of view.

The eight songs were written during the pandemic by the Napa Valley-based artist, each one striking a hopeful and resilient note in the face of the chaos.

What links the tracks musically is an infectious rhythm, and a sense of invention that adds unexpected changes and turns in the melodies and harmonies.

Ames visits a number of musical styles, genres and eras through the eight tracks. Help People Up has a 70s soul groove and a psychedelic video to go along with it (below). Second Wave combines shades of New Wave with power pop. 

Harmony vocals add depth to the sound, with a softer edge than Ames' own raspy tenor. He adds interest with layers of vocal harmonies.

Rubber and Glue is a bluesy number, while the title alone of Great Bunch of Molecules showcases his humour in a science folk tune. As a songwriter, Ames excels at capturing catchy earworm riffs coupled with clever lyrics. 

He talks about the songs in a release.

"Lots of people love wine and the world of wine (tasting, collecting, etc) but few people get to live in the vineyard.  I live in one, and it is hauntingly beautiful. It's not like a cornfield...the vineyards are pampered and coaxed to produce, and the way they are watered, pruned, and picked is special. The land can be remotely wild, filled with animals and critters, and it can be very rural living there. The music that I write, and play, is not so much Americana as it is what I call Wine Country music: it's a mix of heady folk, basic rock, classic Motown, and choral music with an artistic and intellectual bent. Best heard with a glass of wine."

With wine or not, it's an interesting collection of new material from this creative artist.

Tracklisting:
1. Help People Up; 2. Second Wave; 3. Rubber and Glue; 4. Great Bunch of Molecules; 5. Essential Workers; 6. Songwriter's Block; 7. You Make Me Scream' 8. Reawakened 2020

Personnel:
Patrick Ames: rhythm guitars, vocals; Jon Ireson: Producer, bass, lead guitars, keyboards, Mix and Master; Chana Matthews: vocals; Mikaela Matthews: vocal

Stay in touch:

https://patrickames.com/https://www.facebook.com/2patrickames/https://www.instagram.com/patrickames/https://twitter.com/patrickames

Psychedelic Folk Rock Singer Songwriter | Wise John: A Wonderful World (Independent / 13 June 2021)

Psychedelic Folk Rock Singer Songwriter
Wise John: A Wonderful World
(Independent / 13 June 2021)

Stream It On Spotify  

Theatrical pop with a jazz singer's sensibilities and clean musicianship - that's the appeal of the inaugural release by singer/songwriter/musician/composer Wise John. 

As a vocalist, Wise John is a jazz singer with a nice sense of phrasing and expression - ornamentation with restraint - and the expression is in the simplicity. The tracks aren't jazz from a purist's perspective, but contain inventive hooks and musicianship. He often combines a raw feel and a polished, even musical theatre-ish approach in the same song.

Let Me Dance has a retro jazz feel, with a campy delivery that underscores his sense of humour over a golden guitar line. 

Leaving LA has a shade of Beatles and Elton John to the music. Lyrically, he has an idiosyncratic and poetic voice, with a sweeping and quirky vision that sees him writing about personal freedom, iconic celebrity - even The Fall of Rome. 

Borderline is a standout track, a song that builds layers of melody and texture around a lilting melody. Wonderful World is a classic piano centric song. 

Currently based out of Brooklyn, Wise John explains the impetus behind the album in a release.

I wrote most of A Wonderful World while I was living in Orange County, CA, during the summer of 2020. In addition to the gloomy state of the mid-pandemic world, I'd been facing my own personal apocalypse--I'd become bedridden for months with a flare-up of chronic illness at the end of 2019, knocked out my front teeth, been dumped by my partner, and moved home with my parents in general disrepair. My life's plans had fallen through, and I was facing a total lack of direction and purpose. Stoked!

This album is my sometimes-fiery, sometimes-sweet response to the state of the world and my life at the time. Ultimately, the album's core is this question: How does it feel to see the end-times coming, while everyone around you ignores it?

Tracklist:
Won't Somebody Let This Caged Bird Fly?; Leaving LA; Always Be the King; Let Me Dance; Wonderful World; The Fall of Rome; Pretending to Sleep; Last Night; Me & My Piano; Borderline

Personnel:
Wise John: piano, keyboard, lead vocals, human choir; Alex Strahle: Guitars, Bass, background vocals; Shaun Valentine: Drums, percussion; Noah Sierota: Bass; Justin Nichols: Additional bass; Dani Silva: Background vocals; Adela Pfaff: Background vocals; Tom Strahle: lead guitar solo; Micaela Ines: rhodes

Websites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisejohnofficialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisejohnofficial/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/13DmASWA762GpdaSAAR90l?si=FK281v27Sr6_693pTG7lFgBandcamp: https://wisejohnofficial.bandcamp.com/

From Opera to Pure Country | Jamie Carol: Lemonade (CMG Records / 24 May 2021)

From Opera to Pure Country
Jamie Carol: Lemonade
(CMG Records / 24 May 2021)

Stream It On Spotify

'From the opera to the Opry', Jamie Carol is a singer with a big voice and a new single in Lemonade. He rich, booming, operatically trained voice is perfect for the old tyme country style of the track. Carol wrings a world of expression out of an ode to the tart non-alcoholic beverage. 

The tune is a rollicking country two-step, with fiddles to add just the right tone. 

As an opera singer, Jamie sang on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera as a finalist in The Met's international vocal competition. He also sang for the United Nations 50th Anniversary Celebration for world leaders, including the US President.

Jamie decided to go his own way when it comes to music, and is set on making his mark as a singer and songwriter.

Personnel:
James Crowley, Scott Leader: Piano; Adam Armijo: Electric and Acoustic Guitar; Andy Galore: Bass Guitar; Alonzo Powell: Drums

Websites:

Official Website: https://www.jamiecarol.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamiecarolcountryTwitter: https://twitter.com/jcarolcountrySpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/56AHrEvpnpMUfQHQ6eu7p2