Anya M. Wassenberg's Blog: Art & Culture Maven, page 91
July 19, 2016
Love, Opera & Espionage: Mr Shi and His Lover August 4-14 as part of Summerworks 2016 Toronto
From a media release:
Love, Opera & Espionage:
Summerworks’ First Chinese language Production
Mr. Shi and His Lover
Presented as part of SummerWorks Performance Festival, August 4-14, 2016
TORONTO – The North American premiere of Mr. Shi and His Lover will touch down at the SummerWorks Performance Festival in August 2016. Featuring an international cast and performed entirely in Mandarin with English surtitles, this vivid contemporary Chinese music theatre piece created by artists from Toronto and Macau marks the firstever Chineselanguage production in the Festival’s 26year history.
Inspired by the enigmatic reallife story of a Chinese opera performer and his French Diplomat lover who believed him to be a woman, this intimate twohander reimagines the characters’ innermost thoughts to illuminate their mysterious affair and the ensuing espionage scandal that rocked the political world in the 1980s. Stylistically varied and emotionally rich, the score draws inspiration from opera, musical, and vintage popular music from both East and West.
Praised by the Taiwanese press as “gentle and elegant, yet possesses a determination that dares to dream”, Mr. Shi and His Lover is a collaboration between Macau playwright Wong Teng Chi (Amsterdam Études, Hiu Kok), director Johnny Tam (Golden Dragon, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center) and Toronto composer Njo Kong Kie (Infinity, Volcano/Tarragon; knotty together and La Señorita Mundo, SummerWorks; Picnic in the Cemetery, Edinburgh Fringe).
Jordan Cheng and Derek KwanMr. Shi and His Lover offers a rare opportunity for Canadian audiences to revel in the beauty, passion and rich storytelling of modern Chinese music theatre. Featuring Jordan Cheng (Art School Musical, Edward Lam Dance Theatre) as Mr. Shi and Derek Kwan (Blood Wedding, Aluna Theatre/Modern Times; The Lesson of Da Ji, Toronto Masque Theatre) as his lover, this SummerWorks Special Presentation is a coproduction by Music Picnic, Macau Experimental Theatre, and Point View Art Association.
Music Picnic is a music and theatre production company led by Torontobased pianist and composer Njo Kong Kie. His compositions have reached music, theatre, and dance audiences internationally.
Macau Experimental Theatre is a nonprofit theatre company with the mission to promote local theatrical art and enhance performers’ professionalism and techniques. Formerly known as the Horizon Theatre (Macau), MET was founded in 2008 and has presented more than 30 productions to date.
Jordan Cheng as Mr Shi
Point View Art Association
is a nonprofit arts and cultural organization based in Macau. Its mandate includes the production of arts and cultural creations, the promotion of arts education and research, audience development, and exchange and international collaboration.
SummerWorks Performance Festival is Canada’s largest curated performance festival of theatre, dance, music, and live art. From the first Thursday of every August and running for 11 days, SummerWorks takes over Queen Street West in a celebration of new and essential Canadian voices.
Love, Opera & Espionage:
Summerworks’ First Chinese language Production
Mr. Shi and His Lover
Presented as part of SummerWorks Performance Festival, August 4-14, 2016
TORONTO – The North American premiere of Mr. Shi and His Lover will touch down at the SummerWorks Performance Festival in August 2016. Featuring an international cast and performed entirely in Mandarin with English surtitles, this vivid contemporary Chinese music theatre piece created by artists from Toronto and Macau marks the firstever Chineselanguage production in the Festival’s 26year history.Inspired by the enigmatic reallife story of a Chinese opera performer and his French Diplomat lover who believed him to be a woman, this intimate twohander reimagines the characters’ innermost thoughts to illuminate their mysterious affair and the ensuing espionage scandal that rocked the political world in the 1980s. Stylistically varied and emotionally rich, the score draws inspiration from opera, musical, and vintage popular music from both East and West.
Praised by the Taiwanese press as “gentle and elegant, yet possesses a determination that dares to dream”, Mr. Shi and His Lover is a collaboration between Macau playwright Wong Teng Chi (Amsterdam Études, Hiu Kok), director Johnny Tam (Golden Dragon, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center) and Toronto composer Njo Kong Kie (Infinity, Volcano/Tarragon; knotty together and La Señorita Mundo, SummerWorks; Picnic in the Cemetery, Edinburgh Fringe).
Jordan Cheng and Derek KwanMr. Shi and His Lover offers a rare opportunity for Canadian audiences to revel in the beauty, passion and rich storytelling of modern Chinese music theatre. Featuring Jordan Cheng (Art School Musical, Edward Lam Dance Theatre) as Mr. Shi and Derek Kwan (Blood Wedding, Aluna Theatre/Modern Times; The Lesson of Da Ji, Toronto Masque Theatre) as his lover, this SummerWorks Special Presentation is a coproduction by Music Picnic, Macau Experimental Theatre, and Point View Art Association.Music Picnic is a music and theatre production company led by Torontobased pianist and composer Njo Kong Kie. His compositions have reached music, theatre, and dance audiences internationally.
Macau Experimental Theatre is a nonprofit theatre company with the mission to promote local theatrical art and enhance performers’ professionalism and techniques. Formerly known as the Horizon Theatre (Macau), MET was founded in 2008 and has presented more than 30 productions to date.
Jordan Cheng as Mr Shi
Point View Art Association
is a nonprofit arts and cultural organization based in Macau. Its mandate includes the production of arts and cultural creations, the promotion of arts education and research, audience development, and exchange and international collaboration.SummerWorks Performance Festival is Canada’s largest curated performance festival of theatre, dance, music, and live art. From the first Thursday of every August and running for 11 days, SummerWorks takes over Queen Street West in a celebration of new and essential Canadian voices.
Love, Opera & Espionage: Mr Shi and HIs Lover August 4-14 as part of Summerworks 2016 Toronto
From a media release:
Love, Opera & Espionage:
Summerworks’ First Chinese language Production
Mr. Shi and His Lover
Presented as part of SummerWorks Performance Festival, August 4-14, 2016
TORONTO – The North American premiere of Mr. Shi and His Lover will touch down at the SummerWorks Performance Festival in August 2016. Featuring an international cast and performed entirely in Mandarin with English surtitles, this vivid contemporary Chinese music theatre piece created by artists from Toronto and Macau marks the firstever Chineselanguage production in the Festival’s 26year history.
Inspired by the enigmatic reallife story of a Chinese opera performer and his French Diplomat lover who believed him to be a woman, this intimate twohander reimagines the characters’ innermost thoughts to illuminate their mysterious affair and the ensuing espionage scandal that rocked the political world in the 1980s. Stylistically varied and emotionally rich, the score draws inspiration from opera, musical, and vintage popular music from both East and West.
Praised by the Taiwanese press as “gentle and elegant, yet possesses a determination that dares to dream”, Mr. Shi and His Lover is a collaboration between Macau playwright Wong Teng Chi (Amsterdam Études, Hiu Kok), director Johnny Tam (Golden Dragon, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center) and Toronto composer Njo Kong Kie (Infinity, Volcano/Tarragon; knotty together and La Señorita Mundo, SummerWorks; Picnic in the Cemetery, Edinburgh Fringe).
Jordan Cheng and Derek KwanMr. Shi and His Lover offers a rare opportunity for Canadian audiences to revel in the beauty, passion and rich storytelling of modern Chinese music theatre. Featuring Jordan Cheng (Art School Musical, Edward Lam Dance Theatre) as Mr. Shi and Derek Kwan (Blood Wedding, Aluna Theatre/Modern Times; The Lesson of Da Ji, Toronto Masque Theatre) as his lover, this SummerWorks Special Presentation is a coproduction by Music Picnic, Macau Experimental Theatre, and Point View Art Association.
Music Picnic is a music and theatre production company led by Torontobased pianist and composer Njo Kong Kie. His compositions have reached music, theatre, and dance audiences internationally.
Macau Experimental Theatre is a nonprofit theatre company with the mission to promote local theatrical art and enhance performers’ professionalism and techniques. Formerly known as the Horizon Theatre (Macau), MET was founded in 2008 and has presented more than 30 productions to date.
Jordan Cheng as Mr Shi
Point View Art Association
is a nonprofit arts and cultural organization based in Macau. Its mandate includes the production of arts and cultural creations, the promotion of arts education and research, audience development, and exchange and international collaboration.
SummerWorks Performance Festival is Canada’s largest curated performance festival of theatre, dance, music, and live art. From the first Thursday of every August and running for 11 days, SummerWorks takes over Queen Street West in a celebration of new and essential Canadian voices.
Love, Opera & Espionage:
Summerworks’ First Chinese language Production
Mr. Shi and His Lover
Presented as part of SummerWorks Performance Festival, August 4-14, 2016
TORONTO – The North American premiere of Mr. Shi and His Lover will touch down at the SummerWorks Performance Festival in August 2016. Featuring an international cast and performed entirely in Mandarin with English surtitles, this vivid contemporary Chinese music theatre piece created by artists from Toronto and Macau marks the firstever Chineselanguage production in the Festival’s 26year history.Inspired by the enigmatic reallife story of a Chinese opera performer and his French Diplomat lover who believed him to be a woman, this intimate twohander reimagines the characters’ innermost thoughts to illuminate their mysterious affair and the ensuing espionage scandal that rocked the political world in the 1980s. Stylistically varied and emotionally rich, the score draws inspiration from opera, musical, and vintage popular music from both East and West.
Praised by the Taiwanese press as “gentle and elegant, yet possesses a determination that dares to dream”, Mr. Shi and His Lover is a collaboration between Macau playwright Wong Teng Chi (Amsterdam Études, Hiu Kok), director Johnny Tam (Golden Dragon, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center) and Toronto composer Njo Kong Kie (Infinity, Volcano/Tarragon; knotty together and La Señorita Mundo, SummerWorks; Picnic in the Cemetery, Edinburgh Fringe).
Jordan Cheng and Derek KwanMr. Shi and His Lover offers a rare opportunity for Canadian audiences to revel in the beauty, passion and rich storytelling of modern Chinese music theatre. Featuring Jordan Cheng (Art School Musical, Edward Lam Dance Theatre) as Mr. Shi and Derek Kwan (Blood Wedding, Aluna Theatre/Modern Times; The Lesson of Da Ji, Toronto Masque Theatre) as his lover, this SummerWorks Special Presentation is a coproduction by Music Picnic, Macau Experimental Theatre, and Point View Art Association.Music Picnic is a music and theatre production company led by Torontobased pianist and composer Njo Kong Kie. His compositions have reached music, theatre, and dance audiences internationally.
Macau Experimental Theatre is a nonprofit theatre company with the mission to promote local theatrical art and enhance performers’ professionalism and techniques. Formerly known as the Horizon Theatre (Macau), MET was founded in 2008 and has presented more than 30 productions to date.
Jordan Cheng as Mr Shi
Point View Art Association
is a nonprofit arts and cultural organization based in Macau. Its mandate includes the production of arts and cultural creations, the promotion of arts education and research, audience development, and exchange and international collaboration.SummerWorks Performance Festival is Canada’s largest curated performance festival of theatre, dance, music, and live art. From the first Thursday of every August and running for 11 days, SummerWorks takes over Queen Street West in a celebration of new and essential Canadian voices.
RnB Release: Ravyn Lenae 'Moon Shoes' - Release: 29 July 2016
From a media release:
Ravyn Lenae
Moon Shoes
Release: 29 July 2016
• Check out her website
• Listen on Spotify
It’s hard to believe that someone so young could be bursting with so much talent; but listen to Ravyn Lenae and you’ll quickly realize that age is truly just a number. At 17 years old, the classically trained singer/songwriter is taking the music world by storm with her inimitable style, which seamlessly melds elements of R&B, Electronic, Soul and Hip-Hop. As Pitchfork declared, “She roars. She soars. She has the right.”
Born and raised on Chicago’s often turbulent south side, Lenae is part of “Zero Fatigue,” a local music collective that boasts artists like Smino and Jean Deaux, as well as producer, Monte Booker. In early 2015, Lenae released her single, “Greetings,” which quickly became a household favorite in the Chicago area and beyond. Soon after, she signed with renowned Chicago-based record label, Three Twenty Three Music Group.
In August of 2015, Lenae soft released her highly acclaimed debut EP, Moon Shoes, which premiered on Fake Shore Drive and My Mixtapes and has well over two million plays on SoundCloud. Hypetrak appropriately described the EP as a “combination of entrancing vocals, control over creative cadences and superb writing,” and noted that Lenae demonstrates an “incredible collection of skills that many singers work a lifetime on perfecting.”
After the success of Moon Shoes, Lenae was named Verizon’s Big Break Artist on WGCI in Chicago, as well as one of BBC Radio’s New Names of 2016. To date, Lenae has performed all over the country, including headlining appearances at Chicago’s African Fest and at House of Blues Chicago. On 7/29, Moon Shoes will be available at all DSPs and will feature two new songs, “Right Of Spring” and “Something In The Air.”
Given her remarkable ability to blend genres, it’s no surprise that Lenae has been influenced by a wide variety of artists, from Stereolab and Outkast to Bob Marley and Ella Fitzgerald. “I tend to take small bits and pieces from my favorite artist, and incorporate them into my own work,” shares Lenae. And, maybe that’s why some of her favorites - like Erykah Badu and NAS - are now reaching out as dedicated fans of Lenae.
With a lifetime ahead of her, fans can look forward to a whole lot more from Ravyn Lenae. “I plan to touch as many people with my music as I possibly can,” says Lenae. “And, I can’t wait to learn more about the world and about myself. I know I still have to tap into my full potential, and discover the true Ravyn Lenae.”
Ravyn Lenae
Moon Shoes
Release: 29 July 2016
• Check out her website
• Listen on Spotify
It’s hard to believe that someone so young could be bursting with so much talent; but listen to Ravyn Lenae and you’ll quickly realize that age is truly just a number. At 17 years old, the classically trained singer/songwriter is taking the music world by storm with her inimitable style, which seamlessly melds elements of R&B, Electronic, Soul and Hip-Hop. As Pitchfork declared, “She roars. She soars. She has the right.”
Born and raised on Chicago’s often turbulent south side, Lenae is part of “Zero Fatigue,” a local music collective that boasts artists like Smino and Jean Deaux, as well as producer, Monte Booker. In early 2015, Lenae released her single, “Greetings,” which quickly became a household favorite in the Chicago area and beyond. Soon after, she signed with renowned Chicago-based record label, Three Twenty Three Music Group.
In August of 2015, Lenae soft released her highly acclaimed debut EP, Moon Shoes, which premiered on Fake Shore Drive and My Mixtapes and has well over two million plays on SoundCloud. Hypetrak appropriately described the EP as a “combination of entrancing vocals, control over creative cadences and superb writing,” and noted that Lenae demonstrates an “incredible collection of skills that many singers work a lifetime on perfecting.”
After the success of Moon Shoes, Lenae was named Verizon’s Big Break Artist on WGCI in Chicago, as well as one of BBC Radio’s New Names of 2016. To date, Lenae has performed all over the country, including headlining appearances at Chicago’s African Fest and at House of Blues Chicago. On 7/29, Moon Shoes will be available at all DSPs and will feature two new songs, “Right Of Spring” and “Something In The Air.”
Given her remarkable ability to blend genres, it’s no surprise that Lenae has been influenced by a wide variety of artists, from Stereolab and Outkast to Bob Marley and Ella Fitzgerald. “I tend to take small bits and pieces from my favorite artist, and incorporate them into my own work,” shares Lenae. And, maybe that’s why some of her favorites - like Erykah Badu and NAS - are now reaching out as dedicated fans of Lenae.
With a lifetime ahead of her, fans can look forward to a whole lot more from Ravyn Lenae. “I plan to touch as many people with my music as I possibly can,” says Lenae. “And, I can’t wait to learn more about the world and about myself. I know I still have to tap into my full potential, and discover the true Ravyn Lenae.”
July 18, 2016
New Music Monday: New Singles from Nacional Records - Fyahbwoy, The Chamanas, Alex Anwandter
From a media release:
New Music Monday
Nacional Records is proud to share with you our new summer singles.
Play them loud, play them often!
Nacional Records is coming out with three new singles today from three of their hottest artists.
Fyahbwoy, The Chamanas & Alex Anwandter (Nacional Records)Fyahbwoy -"Tanto Por Ti" - Buy the Single
The Madrid-based artist combines melodic vocals with urban reggae roots to create his irristitable signature sound. After finding fame in Spain with viral videos, Fyahbwoy drops his debut US album 'Tanto Por Ti' on July 29th. The title track has over nine million YouTube views. Join the fun on this sure-fire summer jam.
The Chamanas - "Neblina (Feat. Angeles Negros)" - Buy the Single
El Paso/Juarez based electro desert pop band The Chamanas have had a busy year. They have received critical praise from NPR, Apple, Spotify, Pandora, Carla Morrison, and even a tour with Beach House. This deluxe version of the bands track "Neblina" features the legendary Angeles Negros. The band drops a deluxe version of their album 'Once Once' on September 16th.
Alex Anwandter - "Intentarlo Todo De Nuevo" - Buy the Single/CD
Chile's Prince of Pop has been on an upward trajectory this year with the release of his critically acclaimed album Amiga which debuted number on on iTunes and on Billboard's Top 20 Latin charts. His new single "Intertarlo Todo De Nuevo" contains a lush pop melody with lyrics that tug on your heartstrings.
New Music Monday
Nacional Records is proud to share with you our new summer singles.
Play them loud, play them often!
Nacional Records is coming out with three new singles today from three of their hottest artists.
Fyahbwoy, The Chamanas & Alex Anwandter (Nacional Records)Fyahbwoy -"Tanto Por Ti" - Buy the SingleThe Madrid-based artist combines melodic vocals with urban reggae roots to create his irristitable signature sound. After finding fame in Spain with viral videos, Fyahbwoy drops his debut US album 'Tanto Por Ti' on July 29th. The title track has over nine million YouTube views. Join the fun on this sure-fire summer jam.
The Chamanas - "Neblina (Feat. Angeles Negros)" - Buy the Single
El Paso/Juarez based electro desert pop band The Chamanas have had a busy year. They have received critical praise from NPR, Apple, Spotify, Pandora, Carla Morrison, and even a tour with Beach House. This deluxe version of the bands track "Neblina" features the legendary Angeles Negros. The band drops a deluxe version of their album 'Once Once' on September 16th.
Alex Anwandter - "Intentarlo Todo De Nuevo" - Buy the Single/CD
Chile's Prince of Pop has been on an upward trajectory this year with the release of his critically acclaimed album Amiga which debuted number on on iTunes and on Billboard's Top 20 Latin charts. His new single "Intertarlo Todo De Nuevo" contains a lush pop melody with lyrics that tug on your heartstrings.
July 15, 2016
Travel Japan: Noto Kiriko Festivals Summer to Autumn 2016
With material from a release:
Travel Japan: Noto Kiriko Festivals
Summer to Autumn 2016
Giant lantern floats, decorated portable shrines and cheering crowds lit up by free flowing sake.. Noto Kiriko festivals have been held since the Edo period. From summer to autumn, Kiriko Festivals take place all over parts of the Noto region in the northern part of Ishikawa. The Kiriko lantern floats are paraded through the streets with portable shrines for the deities to ride on. At dusk, the Kiriko are lit up creating a magical ambiance as they come and go.
Each area of Noto holds its own version of the festival. At the Abare Festival in Noto Town, aka "the Fire & Violence Festival," the giant kiroko are set on fire on the pier at the end of the parade to the beat of taiko drums, gongs and flutes. In Anamizu, the the Kiriko are carried out to sea.
The Noto Peninsula
The Noto Peninsula extends into the Japan Sea from the Okunoto Coast in central Honshū, the main island of Japan, and is often called the "treasure box of festivals." Here, the spirit of the festival has been handed down from generation to generation since ancient times in an area that also preserves traditional rural culture.
Noto is often passed over by tourists, yet it is an area of lush green hills and gorgeous coastlines, home to unspoiled fishing villages.
Getting there is easy, with two flights to Noto airport from Tokyo daily along with mutiple options for bus or train travel. Getting around - public transportation is limited so your best bet to explore the Peninsula is a car rental.Local cuisine is dominated by fresh fish and seafood - naturally - along with game and fine local sake.
Tip: The Noto Peninsula is home to an established glass making industry and you'll find many artisans and gorgeous pieces for sale, along with the Glass Art Museum on Noto-Jimu Island.
Noto Peninsula, JapanHistory of the Kiriko Festivals
The date of when the first proper Kiriko Festival started in Noto is unknown. However it has been confirmed that a 4m – 5m tall bamboo Kiriko with a small lamp on top was used at the Sumiyoshi Shrine festival in Wajima in 1647. The success of the Kitamaebune trade ship brought economic prosperity to the port towns in Wajima and the surrounding area (during the 1800s), and with this the Kiriko floats grew in size and were decorated in Wajima lacquer. It is said that the floats were as tall as 10m in height during the 18th Century, however in the 20th Century with the development of telegraph poles, they had to be shortened to 4m – 6m.
At present, there are Kiriko festivals taking places in over 100 regions from early July to mid-October. Unfortunately there has been a decrease in float bearers on festival days and in turn the number of Kiriko used is falling every year. Despite this, inclusive of the preserved floats there are 700 – 800 Kiriko.
• Check out the long list of Noto Kiriko Festivals at the link
Schedule for Main Kiriko Festivals
Abare Festival (1st Fri – Sat of the month / Noto Town)Nanao Gion Festival (2nd Sat of the month / Nanao City)Koijihi Festival (Day before Sea Day / Noto Town)Iida-machi Toroyama Festival (20th – 21st July / Suzu City)Noto-jima Koda-no-hi Festival (Last Sat of the month / Anamizu Town)Nafune Taisai Festival (31st July / Wajima City)Yanagida Taisai Festival (16th July / Noto Town)Issaki Hoto Festival (1st Sat of the month / Nanao City)Horyu Tanabata Kiriko Festival (7th August / Suzu City)Saikai Festival (14th August / Shika Town)Okinami Tairyo Festival (14th – 15th August / Anamizu Town)Sosogi Taisai Festival (17th – 18th August / Wajima City)Wajima Taisai Festival (22nd – 25th August / Wajima City)Niwaka Festival (Last Sat of the month / Noto Town)Togi Hassaku Festival (4th Sat – Sun / Shika Town)Jike Kiriko Festival (14th September / Suzu City)Tako-jima Kiriko Festival & Hayafune Kyogen Play (10th – 11th September / Suzu City)Shoin Kiriko Festival (14th – 15th September / Suzu City)Ogisode Kiriko Festival (3rd Sat – Sun of the month / Noto Town)
Kiriko Lantern Museum
Open year round, the Kiriko Lantern Museum in Wajima’s Marine Town has the oldest existing Kiriko lantern floats and models of the Noto Peninsula festivals displayed. There are over 30 floats of various sizes including ones that have been designated as cultural properties by Wajima City. The room is arranged to give the same magical feeling as being in a festival with a summer evening-like lighting paired with the sound of festival music and people being played in the background.
Travel Japan: Noto Kiriko Festivals
Summer to Autumn 2016
Giant lantern floats, decorated portable shrines and cheering crowds lit up by free flowing sake.. Noto Kiriko festivals have been held since the Edo period. From summer to autumn, Kiriko Festivals take place all over parts of the Noto region in the northern part of Ishikawa. The Kiriko lantern floats are paraded through the streets with portable shrines for the deities to ride on. At dusk, the Kiriko are lit up creating a magical ambiance as they come and go.
Each area of Noto holds its own version of the festival. At the Abare Festival in Noto Town, aka "the Fire & Violence Festival," the giant kiroko are set on fire on the pier at the end of the parade to the beat of taiko drums, gongs and flutes. In Anamizu, the the Kiriko are carried out to sea.
The Noto PeninsulaThe Noto Peninsula extends into the Japan Sea from the Okunoto Coast in central Honshū, the main island of Japan, and is often called the "treasure box of festivals." Here, the spirit of the festival has been handed down from generation to generation since ancient times in an area that also preserves traditional rural culture.
Noto is often passed over by tourists, yet it is an area of lush green hills and gorgeous coastlines, home to unspoiled fishing villages.
Getting there is easy, with two flights to Noto airport from Tokyo daily along with mutiple options for bus or train travel. Getting around - public transportation is limited so your best bet to explore the Peninsula is a car rental.Local cuisine is dominated by fresh fish and seafood - naturally - along with game and fine local sake.
Tip: The Noto Peninsula is home to an established glass making industry and you'll find many artisans and gorgeous pieces for sale, along with the Glass Art Museum on Noto-Jimu Island.
Noto Peninsula, JapanHistory of the Kiriko FestivalsThe date of when the first proper Kiriko Festival started in Noto is unknown. However it has been confirmed that a 4m – 5m tall bamboo Kiriko with a small lamp on top was used at the Sumiyoshi Shrine festival in Wajima in 1647. The success of the Kitamaebune trade ship brought economic prosperity to the port towns in Wajima and the surrounding area (during the 1800s), and with this the Kiriko floats grew in size and were decorated in Wajima lacquer. It is said that the floats were as tall as 10m in height during the 18th Century, however in the 20th Century with the development of telegraph poles, they had to be shortened to 4m – 6m.
At present, there are Kiriko festivals taking places in over 100 regions from early July to mid-October. Unfortunately there has been a decrease in float bearers on festival days and in turn the number of Kiriko used is falling every year. Despite this, inclusive of the preserved floats there are 700 – 800 Kiriko.
• Check out the long list of Noto Kiriko Festivals at the link
Schedule for Main Kiriko Festivals
Abare Festival (1st Fri – Sat of the month / Noto Town)Nanao Gion Festival (2nd Sat of the month / Nanao City)Koijihi Festival (Day before Sea Day / Noto Town)Iida-machi Toroyama Festival (20th – 21st July / Suzu City)Noto-jima Koda-no-hi Festival (Last Sat of the month / Anamizu Town)Nafune Taisai Festival (31st July / Wajima City)Yanagida Taisai Festival (16th July / Noto Town)Issaki Hoto Festival (1st Sat of the month / Nanao City)Horyu Tanabata Kiriko Festival (7th August / Suzu City)Saikai Festival (14th August / Shika Town)Okinami Tairyo Festival (14th – 15th August / Anamizu Town)Sosogi Taisai Festival (17th – 18th August / Wajima City)Wajima Taisai Festival (22nd – 25th August / Wajima City)Niwaka Festival (Last Sat of the month / Noto Town)Togi Hassaku Festival (4th Sat – Sun / Shika Town)Jike Kiriko Festival (14th September / Suzu City)Tako-jima Kiriko Festival & Hayafune Kyogen Play (10th – 11th September / Suzu City)Shoin Kiriko Festival (14th – 15th September / Suzu City)Ogisode Kiriko Festival (3rd Sat – Sun of the month / Noto Town)
Kiriko Lantern Museum
Open year round, the Kiriko Lantern Museum in Wajima’s Marine Town has the oldest existing Kiriko lantern floats and models of the Noto Peninsula festivals displayed. There are over 30 floats of various sizes including ones that have been designated as cultural properties by Wajima City. The room is arranged to give the same magical feeling as being in a festival with a summer evening-like lighting paired with the sound of festival music and people being played in the background.
July 13, 2016
Habari Africa Festival August 12 to 14 2016 at Harbourfront Toronto
From a media release:
Experience the cultural diversity of global Africa at Habari Africa, August 12–14, 2016
at Harbourfront Toronto
co-presented by Batuki Music
TORONTO, ON (July 13, 2016) – Harbourfront Centre is proud to present Habari Africa, co-produced by Batuki Music Society, August 12–14. Returning for its third edition, this three-day festival celebrates African music from traditional West African griot music to rumba and other contemporary sounds representing the African continent.
Throughout the weekend, African music will be at the forefront with artists from Senegal, Mali, Ethiopia and more. Internationally renowned Senegalese singer Mamy Kanouté, descended from a long line of griots, presents a charming performance that marries traditional and western instruments on the Concert Stage on August 13. Joined by Blandine Mbiya, veteran Congolese group Cour des Grands will give a special tribute performance paying homage to two giants of African music, Tabu Ley Rochereau and Papa Wemba, on August 12. Ethio-jazz singer Alemayehu Eshete takes over the Concert Stage on August 13 with powerful vocals reminiscent of James Brown. Eshete’s sound is a combination of Ethio-jazz, soul, blues, and rock and roll.
“Habari Africa highlights the diversity of Africa through a variety of mediums including our exciting lineup of musical performances and interactive dance and drum workshops that take place throughout the weekend,” says Nadine McNulty, Artistic Director at Batuki Music Society. “Torontonians have the opportunity to build a greater understanding and appreciation for African culture by experiencing it through the various art forms that are closely tied to the continent.”
Along with the music, writer/author Kwame Stephens is proud to return to Habari Africa Festival in the company of some good literary friends. Simeon Taole (South Africa), MK Bonsu (Ghana), Yahaya Baruwa and Derek Thorne among others will read from their past works, discuss their latest works, the creative process and other engaging subjects of interest to everyone.
This year’s Habari Africa highlights the rich assortment of cultures that shape Africa through music, dance, film, workshops, crafts, fashion and food.
Mamy Kanouté of Senegal is one of the featured performers, appearing here in a video with Baaba Maal '' Mousso Lou ''
Experience the cultural diversity of global Africa at Habari Africa, August 12–14, 2016
at Harbourfront Toronto
co-presented by Batuki Music
TORONTO, ON (July 13, 2016) – Harbourfront Centre is proud to present Habari Africa, co-produced by Batuki Music Society, August 12–14. Returning for its third edition, this three-day festival celebrates African music from traditional West African griot music to rumba and other contemporary sounds representing the African continent.
Throughout the weekend, African music will be at the forefront with artists from Senegal, Mali, Ethiopia and more. Internationally renowned Senegalese singer Mamy Kanouté, descended from a long line of griots, presents a charming performance that marries traditional and western instruments on the Concert Stage on August 13. Joined by Blandine Mbiya, veteran Congolese group Cour des Grands will give a special tribute performance paying homage to two giants of African music, Tabu Ley Rochereau and Papa Wemba, on August 12. Ethio-jazz singer Alemayehu Eshete takes over the Concert Stage on August 13 with powerful vocals reminiscent of James Brown. Eshete’s sound is a combination of Ethio-jazz, soul, blues, and rock and roll.
“Habari Africa highlights the diversity of Africa through a variety of mediums including our exciting lineup of musical performances and interactive dance and drum workshops that take place throughout the weekend,” says Nadine McNulty, Artistic Director at Batuki Music Society. “Torontonians have the opportunity to build a greater understanding and appreciation for African culture by experiencing it through the various art forms that are closely tied to the continent.”
Along with the music, writer/author Kwame Stephens is proud to return to Habari Africa Festival in the company of some good literary friends. Simeon Taole (South Africa), MK Bonsu (Ghana), Yahaya Baruwa and Derek Thorne among others will read from their past works, discuss their latest works, the creative process and other engaging subjects of interest to everyone.
This year’s Habari Africa highlights the rich assortment of cultures that shape Africa through music, dance, film, workshops, crafts, fashion and food.
Mamy Kanouté of Senegal is one of the featured performers, appearing here in a video with Baaba Maal '' Mousso Lou ''
July 7, 2016
Dancing in the Park: DUSK DANCES 2016 - July 28-30 in Hamilton & August 1-7 in Toronto
From a media release:
Dancing in the park:
DUSK DANCES 2016
July 28-30, 2016 in Hamilton at Bayfront Park
August 1 – August 7, 2016 @ Withrow Park
Dusk Dances Hamilton
We are thrilled to have the incredible visual and sound artist Dave Gould kick off the festivities at Dusk Dances Hamilton July 28-30, 7pm nightly at Bayfront Park! Dave's sound can be described as Experimental mixed with Urban Folk...check out his music at the link.
Join us before the show at 6 pm for free dance workshops. The festival kicks off nightly at 7:00pm with a musical performance by Dave Gould, who will be joined Hammer City Samba and Michel De Quevedo to delight audiences with a fusion of Afro-Brazilian Beat and Latin influenced folk music. From there, our incomparable host, Nina Gilmour will lead you through the park on an unforgettable dance journey .
Dusk Dances Toronto
Hosted by Allegra Charleston (Susie Burpee)
Opening Musical Act DoubleTooth
Free Nia Movement Class with Master Teacher Martha Randall
Featuring Five Contemporary Dance Works from Choreographers
Apolonia Velasquez & Ofilio Sinbadinho, Myriam Allard,
Susie Burpee, Michael Caldwell, and Milan Gervais
Now in its 22nd season, Dusk Dances Festival will return to Withrow Park, August 1-7, with five original contemporary dance works by Canada’s leading choreographers including Gadfly’s Apolonia Velasquez & Ofilio Sinbadinho, La Otra Orilla’s Myriam Allard, Susie Burpee, Michael Caldwell and Human Playground’s Milan Gervais; with performances by Myriam Allard, Hedi Graja, Dusk Dances Festival Director Sylvie Bouchard, Brendan Wyatt, Raoul Wilke, Lauren Lyn, Daniel Gomez, Celine Richard-Robichon, Mairéad Filgate, Molly Johnson, Meredith Thompson, David Albert-Toth, Jessica Serl, and Simon-Xavier Lefebvre.
Each performance of the weeklong Festival features four 10-minute pieces that move the audience throughout the park, plus, following last year’s new tradition, a final 25-minute work—on evenings only. Each presentation is hosted by Allegra Charleston (Susie Burpee), and begins with a free outdoor Nia movement class with master teacher
Martha Randall, accompanied live by musical act DoubleTooth.
From Dusk Dances Hamilton 2014
The 2016 Withrow Park Dusk Dances Festival programme includes:
HEYKLORO
GADFLY
CHOREOGRAPHED BY APOLONIA VELASQUEZ & OFILIO SINBADINHO
Performed by Raoul Wilke, Lauren Lyn, Daniel Gome, and Celine Richard-Robichon
Music by Dr. Draw & Sinbadinho mix
Toronto’s Gadfly Dance Company, an urban dance repertory company, presents a new version of their iconic Klorofyl, a highly physical dance that depicts four fallen warriors forced to work together to thrive and survive. A Dusk Dances Premiere.
THE PLACE IN BETWEEN
LA OTRA ORILLA
CHOREOGRAPHED BY MYRIAM ALLARD
Performed by Myriam Allard and Hedi Graja
Montreal-based La Otra Orilla, founded by choreographer and dancer Myriam Allard, and singer Hedi Graja, present an all-out choreographic exploration for three performers: a dancer, a singer, and a bata de cola; the long flamenco skirt which transforms movement and gives rise to another body.
A Dusk Dances World Premiere.
THIS IS HOW WE LOVE
CHOREOGRAPHED BY SUSIE BURPEE
Performed by Sylvie Bouchard and Brendan Wyatt
Music: Ogives I II III and IV by Erik Satie, performed and recorded by Eve Egoyan
Dora-Award winning choreographer and performer, Susie Burpee asks “What does love feel like?” The audience is asked this question as the dance begins, and their responses play a key role in bringing the duet to life. Quirky, passionate, and never the same from night to night, this duet is a game of love. A Dusk Dances World Premiere.
WAVES
CHOREOGRAPHED BY MICHAEL CALDWELL
Performed by Mairéad Filgate, Molly Johnson, Meredith Thompson
Original composition and live performance by Kyle Brenders
Choreographer, performer, curator, and arts advocate, Michael Caldwell seeks to incorporate cinematic sensibilities in all his work. Through a simplistic world of movement and sound, Waves tells a poignant story about three lonely characters searching for connection and understanding
A Dusk Dances World Premiere.
AUTO-FICTION
HUMAN PLAYGROUND
CHOREOGRAPHED BY MILAN GERVAIS
Performed by David Albert-Toth, Jessica Serli, and Simon-Xavier Lefebvre
Composer: David Drury
Rehearsal Director: Allison Nichol
Montreal based choreographer Milan Gervais conceives choreographic proposals for public spaces. Auto-Fiction features three dancers and an automobile embedded in the middle of a park. The dancers walk, run, roll, propel and fall all over a car, creating a link between nature and urban sprawl, dance and acrobatics. A Dusk Dances Premiere.
DUSK DANCES presentations will also take place in Hamilton (July 28-30) at Bayfront Park, and Repentigny, QC (August 18-20) at Centre d’Art Diane-Dufresne.
DUSK DANCES 2016
WITHROW PARK, Toronto
South of Danforth between Logan and Carlaw (Chester Subway Station)
Nightly Performances: August 1-7, 2016
Opening Band and Nia movement class start at 7pm
Dance Performances start at 7:30pm
Matinée Performances: Thursday, August 4 & Sunday, August 7
Opening Band and Nia movement class start at 2pm
Dance Performances start at 2:30pm
Pay-What-You-Can: Suggested contribution $10 per person
More info: http://duskdances.ca or call 416.504.6429 X24
FB/DuskDances • @duskdances #DuskDances
From Dusk Dances Toronto 2015
Dancing in the park:
DUSK DANCES 2016
July 28-30, 2016 in Hamilton at Bayfront Park
August 1 – August 7, 2016 @ Withrow Park
Dusk Dances Hamilton
We are thrilled to have the incredible visual and sound artist Dave Gould kick off the festivities at Dusk Dances Hamilton July 28-30, 7pm nightly at Bayfront Park! Dave's sound can be described as Experimental mixed with Urban Folk...check out his music at the link.
Join us before the show at 6 pm for free dance workshops. The festival kicks off nightly at 7:00pm with a musical performance by Dave Gould, who will be joined Hammer City Samba and Michel De Quevedo to delight audiences with a fusion of Afro-Brazilian Beat and Latin influenced folk music. From there, our incomparable host, Nina Gilmour will lead you through the park on an unforgettable dance journey .
Dusk Dances Toronto
Hosted by Allegra Charleston (Susie Burpee)
Opening Musical Act DoubleTooth
Free Nia Movement Class with Master Teacher Martha Randall
Featuring Five Contemporary Dance Works from Choreographers
Apolonia Velasquez & Ofilio Sinbadinho, Myriam Allard,
Susie Burpee, Michael Caldwell, and Milan Gervais
Now in its 22nd season, Dusk Dances Festival will return to Withrow Park, August 1-7, with five original contemporary dance works by Canada’s leading choreographers including Gadfly’s Apolonia Velasquez & Ofilio Sinbadinho, La Otra Orilla’s Myriam Allard, Susie Burpee, Michael Caldwell and Human Playground’s Milan Gervais; with performances by Myriam Allard, Hedi Graja, Dusk Dances Festival Director Sylvie Bouchard, Brendan Wyatt, Raoul Wilke, Lauren Lyn, Daniel Gomez, Celine Richard-Robichon, Mairéad Filgate, Molly Johnson, Meredith Thompson, David Albert-Toth, Jessica Serl, and Simon-Xavier Lefebvre.Each performance of the weeklong Festival features four 10-minute pieces that move the audience throughout the park, plus, following last year’s new tradition, a final 25-minute work—on evenings only. Each presentation is hosted by Allegra Charleston (Susie Burpee), and begins with a free outdoor Nia movement class with master teacher
Martha Randall, accompanied live by musical act DoubleTooth.
From Dusk Dances Hamilton 2014
The 2016 Withrow Park Dusk Dances Festival programme includes:
HEYKLORO
GADFLY
CHOREOGRAPHED BY APOLONIA VELASQUEZ & OFILIO SINBADINHO
Performed by Raoul Wilke, Lauren Lyn, Daniel Gome, and Celine Richard-Robichon
Music by Dr. Draw & Sinbadinho mix
Toronto’s Gadfly Dance Company, an urban dance repertory company, presents a new version of their iconic Klorofyl, a highly physical dance that depicts four fallen warriors forced to work together to thrive and survive. A Dusk Dances Premiere.
THE PLACE IN BETWEEN
LA OTRA ORILLA
CHOREOGRAPHED BY MYRIAM ALLARD
Performed by Myriam Allard and Hedi Graja
Montreal-based La Otra Orilla, founded by choreographer and dancer Myriam Allard, and singer Hedi Graja, present an all-out choreographic exploration for three performers: a dancer, a singer, and a bata de cola; the long flamenco skirt which transforms movement and gives rise to another body.
A Dusk Dances World Premiere.
THIS IS HOW WE LOVE
CHOREOGRAPHED BY SUSIE BURPEE
Performed by Sylvie Bouchard and Brendan Wyatt
Music: Ogives I II III and IV by Erik Satie, performed and recorded by Eve Egoyan
Dora-Award winning choreographer and performer, Susie Burpee asks “What does love feel like?” The audience is asked this question as the dance begins, and their responses play a key role in bringing the duet to life. Quirky, passionate, and never the same from night to night, this duet is a game of love. A Dusk Dances World Premiere.
WAVES
CHOREOGRAPHED BY MICHAEL CALDWELL
Performed by Mairéad Filgate, Molly Johnson, Meredith Thompson
Original composition and live performance by Kyle Brenders
Choreographer, performer, curator, and arts advocate, Michael Caldwell seeks to incorporate cinematic sensibilities in all his work. Through a simplistic world of movement and sound, Waves tells a poignant story about three lonely characters searching for connection and understanding
A Dusk Dances World Premiere.
AUTO-FICTION
HUMAN PLAYGROUND
CHOREOGRAPHED BY MILAN GERVAIS
Performed by David Albert-Toth, Jessica Serli, and Simon-Xavier Lefebvre
Composer: David Drury
Rehearsal Director: Allison Nichol
Montreal based choreographer Milan Gervais conceives choreographic proposals for public spaces. Auto-Fiction features three dancers and an automobile embedded in the middle of a park. The dancers walk, run, roll, propel and fall all over a car, creating a link between nature and urban sprawl, dance and acrobatics. A Dusk Dances Premiere.
DUSK DANCES presentations will also take place in Hamilton (July 28-30) at Bayfront Park, and Repentigny, QC (August 18-20) at Centre d’Art Diane-Dufresne.
DUSK DANCES 2016
WITHROW PARK, Toronto
South of Danforth between Logan and Carlaw (Chester Subway Station)
Nightly Performances: August 1-7, 2016
Opening Band and Nia movement class start at 7pm
Dance Performances start at 7:30pm
Matinée Performances: Thursday, August 4 & Sunday, August 7
Opening Band and Nia movement class start at 2pm
Dance Performances start at 2:30pm
Pay-What-You-Can: Suggested contribution $10 per person
More info: http://duskdances.ca or call 416.504.6429 X24
FB/DuskDances • @duskdances #DuskDances
From Dusk Dances Toronto 2015
Review: Waiting for Sunday - The Windsor Effect (Independent - Nov 17, 2015)
Review:
Waiting for Sunday - The Windsor Effect
(Independent - Nov 17, 2015)
• Buy the Music
It's been out for several months, but I just found The Windsor Effect, the latest release from Vancouver rockers Waiting for Sunday in my inbox recently. Better late than never applies in the case of this full length album of polished material.
Waiting for Sunday is producer and drummer Colin Everall, singer Dan Hudson, bassist Mircea Tracke and lead guitarist Matt Gauld. The 12 tracks on the CD offer a variety of styles and themes, as befits these veteran rockers. It's the follow to their 2011 debut, "The Courage, The Strength, The Wisdom & Doubt".
Last Call for Safety is a hook laden track of energetic straight ahead rock that is tight and accomplished. Dan's vocals are distinctive and expressive with a subtle kind of raspy edge. They are put to good use on tracks like The Love is Gone, a slow, bluesy song and a stand out track on the album.
The songs range goes through a number of moods and likewise, the lyrics cover a range of ideas from the usual romantic themes and rock out songs like Pebbles Become Stones to the liberation of Long Live the Strong, a heavier rock song where Dan's voice carries the mode well.
Long Live... is contrasted by Wanted, a melodic song in a softer mode - almost Beatle-esque - that has orchestral moments and a nicely complementary female backup vocalist. Borderline is texturally complex with an intriguing rhythm. Chasing Youth is (appropriately) bluesy while Seasons Are Dire slips into a bittersweet acoustic love song. My Scripture features - as you'd expect - an appropriately blues/gospel sound made edgy by Dan's distinctive vocal style
There's something different in each song and while the sonic terrain may be familiar overall, the band manages to make the sound their own.
Waiting for Sunday
Websites:
http://www.wfsmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WaitingforSundaymusic/
Watch the music video for "The Love Is Gone", directed by Colin Everall. The video has received multiple accolades, including
Platinum Remi Award for Music Video Production at the 49th Houston WorldFestDirector's Choice Best Music Video at the 9th Rincon International Film FestivalMusic Video Gold Kahuna Award at the Honolulu International Film FestivalOfficial Selection at FilmQuest 2016
Waiting for Sunday - The Windsor Effect
(Independent - Nov 17, 2015)
• Buy the Music
It's been out for several months, but I just found The Windsor Effect, the latest release from Vancouver rockers Waiting for Sunday in my inbox recently. Better late than never applies in the case of this full length album of polished material.
Waiting for Sunday is producer and drummer Colin Everall, singer Dan Hudson, bassist Mircea Tracke and lead guitarist Matt Gauld. The 12 tracks on the CD offer a variety of styles and themes, as befits these veteran rockers. It's the follow to their 2011 debut, "The Courage, The Strength, The Wisdom & Doubt".
Last Call for Safety is a hook laden track of energetic straight ahead rock that is tight and accomplished. Dan's vocals are distinctive and expressive with a subtle kind of raspy edge. They are put to good use on tracks like The Love is Gone, a slow, bluesy song and a stand out track on the album.
The songs range goes through a number of moods and likewise, the lyrics cover a range of ideas from the usual romantic themes and rock out songs like Pebbles Become Stones to the liberation of Long Live the Strong, a heavier rock song where Dan's voice carries the mode well.
Long Live... is contrasted by Wanted, a melodic song in a softer mode - almost Beatle-esque - that has orchestral moments and a nicely complementary female backup vocalist. Borderline is texturally complex with an intriguing rhythm. Chasing Youth is (appropriately) bluesy while Seasons Are Dire slips into a bittersweet acoustic love song. My Scripture features - as you'd expect - an appropriately blues/gospel sound made edgy by Dan's distinctive vocal style
There's something different in each song and while the sonic terrain may be familiar overall, the band manages to make the sound their own.
Waiting for SundayWebsites:
http://www.wfsmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WaitingforSundaymusic/
Watch the music video for "The Love Is Gone", directed by Colin Everall. The video has received multiple accolades, including
Platinum Remi Award for Music Video Production at the 49th Houston WorldFestDirector's Choice Best Music Video at the 9th Rincon International Film FestivalMusic Video Gold Kahuna Award at the Honolulu International Film FestivalOfficial Selection at FilmQuest 2016
June 30, 2016
Canada Day 2016: The Pride of Canada Carousel #folkart
From a media release:
Canada Day 2016 - free rides, cotton candy & more
The Pride of Canada Carousel
After July 1, the Pride of Canada Carousel will be open seven days a week 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. - $2:00 a ride
162 Enterprise Blvd and Birchmount in Downtown Markham
TORONTO – The Pride of Canada Carousel, a 50-foot, one-of-a-kind merry-go-round featuring 44 rideable sculptures was unveiled at a private preview event, today, Tuesday June 28, 2016 in Downtown Markham. The Carousel will make its public debut at a free Canada Day celebration, noon to 5:00 p.m., Friday July 1 at 162 Enterprise and Birchmount in Downtown Markham.
Canada Day celebrants will take free fantastical rides on the sculpture characters including a beaver, a bumblebee, a massive moose, a mermaid, a Canadian Mountie and more, all made from repurposed materials forming ingenious works of art. In addition to free carousel rides, the Pride of Canada Carousel July 1 celebration will feature, free cotton candy, air brush tattoo artist, mini Canadian flags, balloons twister, water station and costumed stilt characters inspired by the sculptures.
• A live BelloSound DJ will play the best of Canadian music. Beaver Tails will be on hand and The Great Canadian Food Truck and Caplansky’s will be curbside for the festivities.
• Across the street at 169 Enterprise Road, the Canada Day block party features more free activities with face painting, live music from Los Moralitos at 3.00 p.m., 5.15 p.m. and 6.15 p.m. and Awash with Flames: the Billions Cobra Show at 4:15 p.m. in the square.
The centrepiece of the celebration, The Pride of Canada Carousel is a spectacular interactive art piece created by notable, Canadian-born, California-based urban folk artist, Patrick Amiot, who is a master at creating art out of found objects. Amiot works in tandem with his wife Brigitte Laurent. The creative duo work side-by-side out of Sebastopol, California, Patrick sculpts while Brigitte paints.
The Pride of Canada Carousel is many things – a piece of kinetic art, whimsy and engineering in motion, a joyful lifestyle connection to tradition and a bucket list destination for globetrotters who seek an old-fashioned ride on a 21st Century Carousel. The legendary Daniel Horenberger of Brass Ring Carousel Company built the Carousel structure. Some of his notable carousels include Disneyland’s King Arthur Carrousel and the General Electric solar-powered Carousolar.
The Pride of Canada Carousel is housed in a dramatic open glass pavilion designed by acclaimed Toronto-based architect Sheldon Levitt of Quadrangle, Architects, Ltd. and will serve as a cultural anchor and meeting place in the 243-acre Downtown Markham development. The Pride of Canada Carousel will soon join the ranks of Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn, New York and Pier 39 Carousel in San Francisco. Christopher Bratty of The Remington Group, the pre-eminent real estate and development firm behind Downtown Markham, commissioned the Carousel to be a centerpiece of The Remington Contemporary Art Gallery (RCAG) The Remington Group’s ambitious $25 million public art initiative in Downtown Markham.
Commissioned pieces such as the Carousel are only part of Downtown Markham’s public art story. The Remington Group endeavors to build a creative community with studio spaces, shows and exhibitions. Art will feature prominently throughout all 243 acres of Downtown Markham as the true live, work, play community evolves in the coming decades. Such as the development itself, RCAG will continue to push boundaries, helping shape a dynamic and truly original urban landscape.
#PrideofCanada
Canada Day 2016 - free rides, cotton candy & more
The Pride of Canada Carousel
After July 1, the Pride of Canada Carousel will be open seven days a week 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. - $2:00 a ride
162 Enterprise Blvd and Birchmount in Downtown Markham
TORONTO – The Pride of Canada Carousel, a 50-foot, one-of-a-kind merry-go-round featuring 44 rideable sculptures was unveiled at a private preview event, today, Tuesday June 28, 2016 in Downtown Markham. The Carousel will make its public debut at a free Canada Day celebration, noon to 5:00 p.m., Friday July 1 at 162 Enterprise and Birchmount in Downtown Markham.
Canada Day celebrants will take free fantastical rides on the sculpture characters including a beaver, a bumblebee, a massive moose, a mermaid, a Canadian Mountie and more, all made from repurposed materials forming ingenious works of art. In addition to free carousel rides, the Pride of Canada Carousel July 1 celebration will feature, free cotton candy, air brush tattoo artist, mini Canadian flags, balloons twister, water station and costumed stilt characters inspired by the sculptures.
• A live BelloSound DJ will play the best of Canadian music. Beaver Tails will be on hand and The Great Canadian Food Truck and Caplansky’s will be curbside for the festivities.• Across the street at 169 Enterprise Road, the Canada Day block party features more free activities with face painting, live music from Los Moralitos at 3.00 p.m., 5.15 p.m. and 6.15 p.m. and Awash with Flames: the Billions Cobra Show at 4:15 p.m. in the square.
The centrepiece of the celebration, The Pride of Canada Carousel is a spectacular interactive art piece created by notable, Canadian-born, California-based urban folk artist, Patrick Amiot, who is a master at creating art out of found objects. Amiot works in tandem with his wife Brigitte Laurent. The creative duo work side-by-side out of Sebastopol, California, Patrick sculpts while Brigitte paints.
The Pride of Canada Carousel is many things – a piece of kinetic art, whimsy and engineering in motion, a joyful lifestyle connection to tradition and a bucket list destination for globetrotters who seek an old-fashioned ride on a 21st Century Carousel. The legendary Daniel Horenberger of Brass Ring Carousel Company built the Carousel structure. Some of his notable carousels include Disneyland’s King Arthur Carrousel and the General Electric solar-powered Carousolar.
The Pride of Canada Carousel is housed in a dramatic open glass pavilion designed by acclaimed Toronto-based architect Sheldon Levitt of Quadrangle, Architects, Ltd. and will serve as a cultural anchor and meeting place in the 243-acre Downtown Markham development. The Pride of Canada Carousel will soon join the ranks of Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn, New York and Pier 39 Carousel in San Francisco. Christopher Bratty of The Remington Group, the pre-eminent real estate and development firm behind Downtown Markham, commissioned the Carousel to be a centerpiece of The Remington Contemporary Art Gallery (RCAG) The Remington Group’s ambitious $25 million public art initiative in Downtown Markham.
Commissioned pieces such as the Carousel are only part of Downtown Markham’s public art story. The Remington Group endeavors to build a creative community with studio spaces, shows and exhibitions. Art will feature prominently throughout all 243 acres of Downtown Markham as the true live, work, play community evolves in the coming decades. Such as the development itself, RCAG will continue to push boundaries, helping shape a dynamic and truly original urban landscape.
#PrideofCanada
June 28, 2016
Recently released: Eric Anders - Big World Abide: The Best of Eric Anders (Independent - March 30 2016)
Recently released:
Eric Anders - Big World Abide: The Best of Eric Anders
(Independent - March 30, 2016)
• Buy the CD
This is a "Best Of' compilation from Eric Anders, a native of San Francisco. The songs are culled from several different releases - and it's a nice introduction to the work of this artist if you're not yet familiar - but there's a sense of cohesion and consistency to Eric's musical output that doesn't make it feel like a jumble sale of songs.
Eric's songs So Wrong was used in feature film, Man in the Chair and Big World Abide was used in the TV Show "Dirt," starring Courtney Cox.
It begins with the sombre Tethered to the Ground, a track that has a classic vibe in a folk vein. The pared down instrumentation and anthemic melody highlight Eric Anders' slightly raspy, romantically breathy tenor. His vocals have a sensitive sense of expression and a nice range that really carry the music.
A nice, crisp drum line adds impetus to the moody title song, Big World Abide. He pays as much attention to the lyrics as to the music and thoughtful arrangement with a poetic mix of cleverness and poignancy that matches the feel of the track.
God's got a list, he's checking it twice;
Heaven's the gift for those who are nice.
Eric Anders got into writing and recording songs late in life and then tried to make up for lost time by releasing four critically acclaimed CDs in four years: Not At One (2003), Songs For Wayward Days (2004), More Regrets (2005) and Tethered to the Ground (2006). Jeff Peters, who mixed four of Eric's releases, remastered the songs compiled for this 2016 release, Big World Abide: The Best of Eric Anders.
Big World Abide is a full length CD and the songs range from folk to country/rock within a familiar range but played and sung with a conviction you can hear in the recording. The mood ranges from plaintive to driving to bluesy, with each track offering something a little different.
Remembering On My Own is a highlight, a song with flashes of Indian strings and tabla underneath the folk-rock melody and guitar. It's gives the track an intriguing kind of texture. His vocals are soft on an acoustic version of the Violent Femmes' hit Blister In The Sun in a retake that you don't recognize at first. He mines the song for the romance of the words in a version that likely won't please fans of the original - but then again, it's not meant to be compared. Some tracks, like Genocide and Justice, are politically aware.
This is the best of the singer-songwriter genre, lit up by a laid back energy (if that can be a thing) and Eric's voice.
Eric is currently working on his next release with Mark O'Bitz and Matt Brown.
Websites:
www.EricAnders.com
https://www.facebook.com/ericandersmusic
http://ericanders.bandcamp.com/
Eric Anders - Big World Abide: The Best of Eric Anders
(Independent - March 30, 2016)
• Buy the CD
This is a "Best Of' compilation from Eric Anders, a native of San Francisco. The songs are culled from several different releases - and it's a nice introduction to the work of this artist if you're not yet familiar - but there's a sense of cohesion and consistency to Eric's musical output that doesn't make it feel like a jumble sale of songs.
Eric's songs So Wrong was used in feature film, Man in the Chair and Big World Abide was used in the TV Show "Dirt," starring Courtney Cox.
It begins with the sombre Tethered to the Ground, a track that has a classic vibe in a folk vein. The pared down instrumentation and anthemic melody highlight Eric Anders' slightly raspy, romantically breathy tenor. His vocals have a sensitive sense of expression and a nice range that really carry the music.
A nice, crisp drum line adds impetus to the moody title song, Big World Abide. He pays as much attention to the lyrics as to the music and thoughtful arrangement with a poetic mix of cleverness and poignancy that matches the feel of the track.
God's got a list, he's checking it twice;
Heaven's the gift for those who are nice.
Eric Anders got into writing and recording songs late in life and then tried to make up for lost time by releasing four critically acclaimed CDs in four years: Not At One (2003), Songs For Wayward Days (2004), More Regrets (2005) and Tethered to the Ground (2006). Jeff Peters, who mixed four of Eric's releases, remastered the songs compiled for this 2016 release, Big World Abide: The Best of Eric Anders.
Big World Abide is a full length CD and the songs range from folk to country/rock within a familiar range but played and sung with a conviction you can hear in the recording. The mood ranges from plaintive to driving to bluesy, with each track offering something a little different.Remembering On My Own is a highlight, a song with flashes of Indian strings and tabla underneath the folk-rock melody and guitar. It's gives the track an intriguing kind of texture. His vocals are soft on an acoustic version of the Violent Femmes' hit Blister In The Sun in a retake that you don't recognize at first. He mines the song for the romance of the words in a version that likely won't please fans of the original - but then again, it's not meant to be compared. Some tracks, like Genocide and Justice, are politically aware.
This is the best of the singer-songwriter genre, lit up by a laid back energy (if that can be a thing) and Eric's voice.
Eric is currently working on his next release with Mark O'Bitz and Matt Brown.
Websites:
www.EricAnders.com
https://www.facebook.com/ericandersmusic
http://ericanders.bandcamp.com/
Art & Culture Maven
Where I blog about art and culture, not surprisingly.
- Anya M. Wassenberg's profile
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