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Showing posts from May, 2009
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from Eternally Cool Blog: Pope Sergius on the Street; it’s an image from Piazza Magione in Palermo depicting Pope Sergius (reigned 687-701), the first Pope born in Palermo. By street artists Sten and Lex.

Kids' Summer Arts Camps

They will be in Guelph, at Crimea Street Studio. 4 sessions: Fantastic Fantasy July 6-10. Ages: 8-10... Passion for Painting July 13-17. Ages: 11-13... Making Faces August 17-21. Ages: 8-10... Bust-it-open Bookworks August 24-28. Ages: 11-13 Run by artist Phil Irish, profiled below. For more info contact him via www.philirish.com or on Facebook.

Film Recom

DAKOTA , a quirky Canadian film which you know is refreshingly different, but ya don't realize what it is until they mention toonies! Good fun, not too heavy AND it's got a couple of tracks by Royal Wood whom I've plugged here previously.

Interview with Scott Belluz, The Shadow

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Scott Belluz, Countertenor © V.Wells 2009 I had a meet-up after the press night for Tapestry’s The Shadow with that role’s artist, countertenor Scott Belluz. We had an engaging conversation about new opera works, music education and his performance in this new opera by Omar Daniel and Alex Poch-Goldin. [What follows is my paraphrase of our discussion and any errors or omissions are entirely mea culpa.] I commented that I knew a teenager who was totally hooked on Tapestry Opera , and wondered what was the appeal of this company that it could be considered a cool entertainment option for the partying demographic. Scott felt that it was twofold in nature. The subject matter of Tapestry’s productions is very current which is atypical of what we usually think of as opera, so the content is automatically appealing. He also pointed out that the youth of the composers and librettists and performers involved also contributes to a common, current worldview, and the material is therefore ve

Runs to May 30th only

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Scott Belluz (countertenor) as The Shadow; photo © Michael Cooper, CooperShoots There must be something in the water here: Canada turns out a lot of outstanding opera productions and stars, and thank God for that. Last night I had the pleasure of seeing another homegrown operatic world premiere: The Shadow presented by Tapestry New Opera Works . Part thriller, part cautionary tale, this strong piece was composed by Omar Daniel and written by Alex Poch-Goldin (see details in last week's post, below). I say strong because the work itself really doesn't need any propping up by external elements--although the very fine cast and well-appointed visuals certainly heightened the dramatic effects. Might as well accuse me now of partiality because this is yet another rave review of a Tapestry project. This is a consummately professional company whose studio members always deliver: there's never Over The Top acting or bad props or distracting shortcuts. These touches allow us to focu

INTERVIEW and REVIEW to FOLLOW 05/23!

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" Enter a world of duplicity in which a humble postman assumes the identity of a wealthy suitor to win a woman’s love. Determined to maintain the ruse at all costs, he is haunted by the Shadow as he spirals deeper into deception. Set in Old Barcelona, Alex Poch-Goldin and Omar Daniel have created a world premiere opera full of intrigue, desire and deception. Director Tom Diamond and Music Director Wayne Strongman lead a stellar cast including baritone Peter McGillivray as Raoul, soprano Carla Huhtanen as Allegra and a comic turn by tenor Keith Klassen as the waiter. Renowned Canadian baritone Theodore Baerg makes his Tapestry New Opera Works debut as the Don and Allegra’s father and countertenor Scott Belluz is The Shadow. Written by Alex Poch-Goldi, , Composed by Omar Daniel, Director Tom Diamond, Music Director Wayne Strongman, Set & Costume Designer Camellia Koo, Lighting Designer Robert Thomson, Stage Manager Isolde Pleasants-Faulkner, Assistant Stage Manager Gerry Egan

IMPORTANT EVENT for CHRISTIAN ARTISTS

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SYMPOSIUM ON THE ARTS: PERSPECTIVES AND PRACTICES FOR CHRISTIAN ARTISTS Featuring Lyann Purcell Jennings and featured performance by Canadian Baritone Sung Chung SATURDAY MAY 23 12:30-4:00 41 BRITAIN ST $15 GRACE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS please register at gracecentre@gracetoronto.ca

movie recoms

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THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER or ALL THAT MONEY CAN BUY (1941 VERSION) PRIEST (1994 with Linus Roache--yes, as in dad William Roache of Coro) RIVER'S EDGE (1986 with our own Keanu Reeves; Crispin Glover is excellent as the stoner with a heart too).

I Furiosi Returns ~ How Decadent!

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"NOW IN ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY SEASON! I FURIOSI Baroque Ensemble is one of the world's most innovative Baroque ensembles, comprised of four of Canada's leading early music specialists: soprano Gabrielle McLaughlin, violinists Aisslinn Nosky and Julia Wedman, and cellist/gambist Felix Deak. DECADENCE Saturday May 16, 2009 8:00 Calvin Presbyterian Church 26 Delisle Ave Toronto $20 & $10, at the door Guests: Olivier Fortin, harpsichord; Edward Reifel, percussion SILENT AUCTION before the show and at intermission! www.ifuriosi.com I FURIOSI's new disc CRAZY (on the Dorian label) will be available for purchase at the concert. CHECK OUT their VERY COOL VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRiLJWs9k0w " photo: Paula Wilson and Cylla von Tiedemann

New Exhibition by Phil Irish!

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Watershed Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery 101 Queen Street North Kitchener, Ontario May 15 - July 5, 2009. Public Reception: May 22, 7-9 pm. Curated by Allan Harding MacKay

but what about the trees???

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kinda funky!

Latin and Drag?

ck out this link to a film about Eleanor Roosevelt in which Sean Penn stars........also a new film about early church martyrdom done in lingua latina ! euge!!!