Sep 30: Augusta / Jason Dionne concert

Remember Dolly, from the original production of TENT MEETING? That's Karen Augusta, who's also played at Pacific Theatre events like PASSION, along with her husband Jason Dionne. Well, they've lined up a concert of good old live music happening this coming Sunday evening, Sept 30, in Coquitlam, as a benefit for a missions trip to India. Here's the deets:
Date: Sunday, Sept 30
Time: 7 pm - 9:30 pm
Place: Northside Foursquare Church, 1460 Lansdowne Drive (at David St), Coquitlam, BC
Cost: $2.00 at the door (that's right, only $2.00!)
Occasion: fundraiser for November missions trip to India

4 different acts:

Augusta
folk-fusion trio with Karen Augusta (acoustic guitar, flute, and voice), Jason Dionne (bass), Darren Schoepp (drums): "We'll be performing some new songs from our up-and-coming CD as well as a couple of old faves."

Jeremy Shrimer Quartet
Upright Bass, Sax, Piano, Drums

Chris Goetz Big Band
large horn section, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Drums

Alter
Jason writes: "The jam band I've been in for over a decade (sometimes pleasantly melodic, sometimes wild and way out there, we never know...you'll have to be there to find out what happens!)"
Features...
Craig Townsend (guitars, battery operated dental utensils, rivets, small motors, early science project items, gadgets from Frankenstein's laboratory, etc)
Darren Schoepp (drums, sticks, stones and broken bones, raw pieces of meat slapping against cymbals, odd electronic sounds)
Greg Reid (keyboards, rants and random bouts of nonsensical silliness)
Jason Dionne (bass, marbles, electrical screws from Frankenstein's neck - "I got these from Craig")

Northside Foursquare Church Coquitlam Campus
1460 Lansdowne Drive
Coquitlam, BC
V3E 2N9

Phone: 604-942-7711

Click to see map

Sep 27 - Nov 3: A DOLL'S HOUSE, Chemainus

Pacific Theatre's "sister company" on Vancouver Island is staging A DOLL'S HOUSE, directed by Kim Collier (one of my personal favourites among Vancouver theatre artists), with a couple of Pacific Theatre faces in the cast. You've seen Anthony Ingram...

...in many of our shows stretching right back to the origins of our company, from the Pacific Salt Company and those murder mystery fundraisers through memorable performances in THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE, HOWARD BUYS A MOTORHOME, HALO, etc, to Guest Productions in our mainstage season that Anthony has himself produced, like BEGGARS AT THE WELL OF IMMORTALITY, THE ELEPHANT MAN or PRIVATE EYES. And you'll remember Todd Thomson from ESPRESSO....


Chemainus Theatre Festival presents
A DOLL'S HOUSE
by Henrik Ibsen
Sept 27 – Nov 3

Directed by Kim Collier
Featuring Dawn Petten and Todd Thomson

Nora has a delicious secret that saved her husband’s life, but if he finds out what she’s done, it might destroy her marriage.
Blackmail and innocence…love and hypocrisy collide in one the most groundbreaking and celebrated plays in theatre history.

Sep 27: Diane Tucker book launch

Palimpsest Press is pleased to present the launch of Bright Scarves of Hours, the second book of poems by Diane Tucker. Please join us on Thursday, September 27 at 7 p.m. at the Café Montmartre, 4362 Main Street, to hear Diane read from her new book. Special musical guests Rodney Decroo and Doug Sherlock. For more info about the launch, call 604-421-4931.

Diane is a member of St John's Shaughnessy, and I regularly invite her to read her work at Christmas Presence and other such PT shows. There's a lovely interview here, where she talks about her daily life as a poet, and touches on her love of theatre and her faith. Check out two of Diane's poems here

Sep 19-22: TWELVE ANGRY MEN

FIVE PERFORMANCES ONLY! Wed Sep 19 through Sat Sep 22. Tickets and information at the Pacific Theatre website.


Well, we open tonight, and I'm having the time of my life, hanging out with 25 years worth of theatre pals, and just being in rehearsal again. Haven't acted in a show since HUNGRY SEASON, and that's ninteen months ago. Too darn long.

Here's the line-up, with actors from the 1957 and 1997 versions in brackets following).

JUROR NO. 1 Ron Reed (Martin Balsam, Courtney B. Vance)
JUROR NO. 2 Adam Bergquist (John Fiedler, Ossie Davis)
JUROR NO. 3 Mike Kopsa (Lee J. Cobb, George C. Scott)
JUROR NO. 4 David Nykl (E.G. Marshall, Armin Mueller-Stahl)
JUROR NO. 5 Kyle Jespersen (Jack Klugman, Dorian Harewood)
JUROR NO. 6 Frank Nickel (Edward Binns, James Gandolfini)
JUROR NO. 7 Francis Boyle (Jack Warden, Tony Danza)
JUROR NO. 8 Allen des Noyers (Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon)
JUROR NO. 9 Terence Kelly (Joseph Sweeney, Hume Cronyn)
JUROR NO. 10 Kerry Vander Griend (Ed Begley, Mykelti Williamson)
JUROR NO. 11 Tim Dixon (George Voskovec, Edward James Olmos)
JUROR NO. 12 Tariq Leslie (Robert Webber, William Petersen)

Director: Ian Farthing

Five years ago, the 1957 original film ranked twenty-third on the IMDb list of users' favourite films of all time: today it has climbed to an astonishing #13. It's listed as one of the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" (list here) and Roger Ebert writes it up as part of his "Great Films" series.

This story originally premiered live on CBS in 1954 in a shorter version, which was adapted by Sherman L. Sergel into a full-length stage play in 1955. Reginald Rose worked from his own original teleplay to create the 1957 screenplay, which he reworked only slightly for MGM's 1997 made-for-TV treatment. (Interestingly, the racist "#10" is African-American, a former member of the Nation Of Islam movement.) An Off-Broadway stage version of the Reginald Rose screenplay is currently touring the U.S., with Richard Thomas (John-Boy Walton) in the pivotal role of "#8" - played in our production by Allen des Noyers, co-founder of Pacific Theatre. We will be working from the 1955 Sherman Sergel version.

Sep 19 - Oct 31: Invitational Art Show, Lookout Gallery

12 ANGRY MEN Cast

Well, we start rehearsal tomorrow morning, and man am I keen! Haven't acted in a show since HUNGRY SEASON, and that's ninteen months ago. Too darn long.

And it's twice as long ago that Michael Kopsa and I first had the idea of doing TWELVE ANGRY MEN together. And what a cast we've ended up with! Spanning right back to the origins of Pacific Theatre.

Here's the line-up, with actors from the 1957 and 1997 versions in brackets following).

JUROR NO. 1 Ron Reed (Martin Balsam, Courtney B. Vance)
JUROR NO. 2 Adam Bergquist (John Fiedler, Ossie Davis)
JUROR NO. 3 Mike Kopsa (Lee J. Cobb, George C. Scott)
JUROR NO. 4 David Nykl (E.G. Marshall, Armin Mueller-Stahl)
JUROR NO. 5 Kyle Jespersen (Jack Klugman, Dorian Harewood)
JUROR NO. 6 Frank Nickel (Edward Binns, James Gandolfini)
JUROR NO. 7 Francis Boyle (Jack Warden, Tony Danza)
JUROR NO. 8 Allen des Noyers (Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon)
JUROR NO. 9 Terence Kelly (Joseph Sweeney, Hume Cronyn)
JUROR NO. 10 Kerry Vander Griend (Ed Begley, Mykelti Williamson)
JUROR NO. 11 Tim Dixon (George Voskovec, Edward James Olmos)
JUROR NO. 12 Tariq Leslie (Robert Webber, William Petersen)

Director: Ian Farthing

Five years ago, the 1957 original film ranked twenty-third on the IMDb list of users' favourite films of all time: today it has climbed to an astonishing #13. It's listed as one of the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" (list here) and Roger Ebert writes it up as part of his "Great Films" series.

This story originally premiered live on CBS in 1954 in a shorter version, which was adapted by Sherman L. Sergel into a full-length stage play in 1955. Reginald Rose worked from his own original teleplay to create the 1957 screenplay, which he reworked only slightly for MGM's 1997 made-for-TV treatment. (Interestingly, the racist "#10" is African-American, a former member of the Nation Of Islam movement.) An Off-Broadway stage version of the Reginald Rose screenplay is currently touring the U.S., with Richard Thomas (John-Boy Walton) in the pivotal role of "#8" - played in our production by Allen des Noyers, co-founder of Pacific Theatre. We will be working from the 1955 Sherman Sergel version.

FIVE PERFORMANCES ONLY! Wed Sep 19 through Sat Sep 22. Tickets and information at the Pacific Theatre website.

SOUL FOOD: Angries, Fringe, Galleries, Flicks

Fall has fell, arts-wise anyhow, and it's time to start raking some leaves. Here's a quick clear plastic recycling bag full of early autmnal debris.

Pacific Theatre opens its 24th season with a staged reading of 12 ANGRY MEN this coming week! Five shows only, Wed through Sat. Check out the cool graphics and order tickets at the PT website. I really want to encourage you to come experience this one: it's a grand experiment, no ad budget (no way we could pay a professional cast of 12 for a regular rehearsal period and full run), and I'd love to fill the place. It's such a terrific script from such a well-loved film classic - I notice the movie is featured in a stupendous book I just picked up, "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" - and we've gathered an all-star PT cast spanning right back to the founding of Pacific Theatre in 1984 (I'll post more later at the PT blog. I'm in the cast, along with Michael Kopsa (HOSPITALITY SUITE), Tim Dixon (COTTON PATCH GOSPEL, HOWARD BUYS A MOTORHOME, many more), Allen des Noyers (CPG, FISH TALES, DREAMS OF KINGS & CARPENTERS, you name it), Francis Boyle (NAVY WIFE, THE FOREIGNER, etc, etc), Adam Bergquist, and so many more. (Well, seven, actually, if you're counting...)

Speaking of Adam Bergquist, he's in a powerful production of CRACKWALKER in the Vancouver Fringe, that closes this Sunday. En route to that show I'll be checking out Timothy Clayton's art show at The Havana: as well as spinning tunes at the PT Gala this past February, Timothy's PT connection is his wife Gina Chiarelli (THE FEVER, AGNES OF GOD, SEE GRACE FLY, etc). There's another soul-nourishing art show on the North Shore, Hope Abundant at the Bellevue Gallery, another compassionate, artful look at Africa.

There's a nifty keen Bruce Cockburn concert on CBC Radio Two tonight at 8pm, which you can also listen to online: follow the links from the Soul Food Vancouver posting.

At the movies, it's all about the Vancouver International Film Festival, which kicks off Sep 27: I've started previewing the more Soul Foody servings at the movie blog, and will have more when the official program is in my hands tomorrow noon. As for what's onscreen now, THIS IS ENGLAND is really something, autobiographically inspired, 1983 setting, about a 12 year old working class English boy who falls in with a gang of skinheads after his dad's killed in the Falklands: you'll be on edge, and yes there's some violence that's tough to watch - not so much because it's grisly or gratuitous, but because you believe it, and it happens among characters you care about - but it's loaded with brilliant unexpected turns, heart-breakingly true characters. ACROSS THE UNIVERSE opens today, Julie Taymor's eye-candy musical that uses Beatle songs musical-theatre-style to tell a love story set against the backdrop of the late Sixties: I wish it had gone darker (I'm thinking TITUS, here), and must admit some of the stuff is definitely on the nose, but by and large it's wildly creative, and I'll take anything Julie is dishes out. 3:10 TO YUMA riffs on all the classic western motifs, has strong performances, is shot full of Bible quoting, prayers, and crosses on sixgun handles, but goes wildly stupid in its final half hour: how come bad guys who never miss can't land a single shot once they're within range of the closing credits? Darn, that bugs me. And let's just say the psychology of that home stretch is, well, a stretch. Rent UNFORGIVEN or OPEN RANGE or THE BIG COUNTRY instead, or maybe even SHANE.

Sep 14 8pm or forever: Bruce Cockburn, Banff Centre Concert

You can tune in to CBC Radio Two tonight at 8pm, or you can go to the CBC website anytime you want, and listen to an August 9th (or is that September 8th?) Bruce Cockburn concert recorded in Banff.

Bruce Cockburn at The Banff Centre
Recorded 8/9/2007 at Eric Harvie Theatre, The Banff Centre in Banff, AB
In a career that now extends 40 years and over 25 albums, Bruce Cockburn possesses an ability to distill political events, spiritual revelations, and personal experience into rich, compelling songs that have made him one of this country’s finest and most-honoured musical icons and one of the world’s most celebrated artists. He is a performer who masterfully moves his audience through a range of emotions, at one moment inspiring them to dance and the next inspiring them to think.

A passionate social advocate, a deft guitarist, and an adventurous musical spirit, Cockburn performs music and songs that are glimmering snapshots of a provocative, probing, and important performer. We welcome his long overdue return to Banff for this special, solo concert.

Related Links
Bruce Cockburn at True North Records
The Bruce Cockburn Project
Gavin's Woodpile

40 years? Sheesh. Anybody want to come over to my place and listen to my Christophers Movie Matinee record?


More on "Three's A Crowd" over here

Sep 16 - Oct 5: Timothy Clayton Art Show, Havana

If you've known Pacific Theatre for a while, you know Gina Chiarelli - most memorably for AGNES OF GOD and THE FEVER. You may also have seen her lauded performance in SEE GRACE FLY, a film project that Gina herself initiated. And if you've been around Soul Food for a while, you also know that Gina's husband, Timothy Clayton, is a visual artist. Well, he's got a show about to open at the Havana on Commercial Drive...


Opening reception: Sep 16, 4-7pm
Show runs Sep 16 - Oct 5

Check out Timothy's online portfolio at timothyclayton.ca

Sep 8-29: "Hope Abundant" at Bellevue Gallery

Last fall Bellevue Gallery opened with a really splendid show of photos and video from Africa. Bellevue is a really beautiful gallery in West Vancouver operated by Christians, though what they present is not at all limited to artists of faith. Now, a fresh look at those African themes...


HOPE ABUNDANT
Sep 8-29
Opening reception Thursday, September 13th, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Bellevue Gallery

Bellevue Gallery is pleased to present their second humanitarian exhibition featuring the village of Bufukhula in Southeastern Uganda. With all proceeds going to Canadian Food for the Hungry, this exhibition demonstrates how your involvement has and will change the lives of those less fortunate and provide 'Hope Abundant.' Some packages will be available to sponsor children.

gallery hours | tues - fri 10am - 5:30pm, sat 11am - 5pm | and by appointment

Julia Mackie Sweeps Victoria Fringe Awards

Remember that crusty old bookie who stole the show in Pacific Theatre's MERCY WILD a few years back?...

VICTORIA FRINGE ANNOUNCES "PICK OF FRINGE" WINNERS
Touching Story of War Vet, Jake's Gift, Sweeps Awards
Fringe Festival Continues Through Sunday September 2

VICTORIA, BC CANADA
At a pancake breakfast Saturday morning at TEMPLE, Victoria's swankiest martini lounge, Fringe Producers Intrepid Theatre announced the winners of the Pick-of-the-Fringe Awards, as voted by the Fringe audience.

BEST DRAMA
Nominees: Mute, The Timekeepers, Singing at the Edge of the World, Jake's Gift
Winner: Jake's Gift (Juno Productions/ Julia Mackey)

BEST COMEDY
Nominees: The Cody Rivers Show: Flammable People, Die Roten Punkte, Rainer Hersch's Victor Borge, On Second Thought
Winner: The Cody Rivers Show: Flammable People

BEST PHYSICAL THEATRE/DANCE
Nominees: The Cody Rivers Show: Flammable People, private i, BLiNK, Uber Alice...the elaborate adventures of a New Zealand manicurist
Winner: BLiNK

BEST SOLO SHOW
Nominees: Giant Invisible Robot, Singing at the Edge of the World, Jake's Gift, Putz, Rainer Hersch's Victor Borge
Winner: Jake's Gift (Juno Productions/ Julia Mackey)

AWARD FOR INNOVATION/CREATIVITY
Nominees: Bye Bye Bombay, The Cody Rivers Show: Flammable People, BLiNK, Giant Invisible Robot
Winner: Giant Invisible Robot (Stars & Hearts / Jayson McDonald)

BEST PERFORMER (MALE)
Nominees: Jayson McDonald (Giant Invisible Robot), Randy Rutherford (Singing at the Edge of the World), Tom Stewart (Mute),Rainer Hersch (Rainer Hersch's Victor Borge)
Winner: Jayson McDonald (Giant Invisible Robot)

BEST PERFORMER (FEMALE)
Nominees: Julia Mackey (Jake's Gift), Amy Salloway (So Kiss Me Already Herschel Gertz), Cara Yeates (Bye Bye Bombay, Laura Harris (Pitch Blond)
Winner: Julia Mackey, Jake's Gift

BEST NEW PLAY
Nominees: Mute, Giant Invisible Robot, Dead Celebrities, Jake's Gift
Winner: TIE: Mute (by Wren Handman), Jake's Gift (by Julia Mackey)

The Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival, now in it's 21st year, features comedy, drama, dance, spoken word, cabaret and musical performances from around the world. This year's festival has attracted record crowds and many productions have sold out. The festival concludes Sunday Sept 2, with 40 productions playing on the final day, a closing concert by Curtis Eller's American Circus ("New York's angriest yodelling banjo player") and a party recognising the contributions of hundreds of Fringe volunteers at the Victoria Event Centre.

For more information, contact Intrepid Theatre at 383-2663 or check the Victoria Fringe website.

Kathleen Nisbet, Viper Central update

Kathleen writes...


ssksskssksss!...

Greetings good people,

To ring in the last few weeks of summer your friendly neighbourhood Vipers have a full slate of performances scheduled!
Join us for any or all of the following nights of Viper escapades and manic musical tomfoolery:

Thursday, Aug. 16th @ the ANZA Club ( 3 W.8th Ave. @ Ontario) with the Sumner Brothers ( www.myspace.com/thesumnerbrothers); 8pm, $10
A popular blues-roots act, the Sumner Brothers deal in the deeply spiritual side of music while expressing no interest in any particular religion. Their songs seem to explore the themes and topics that are both nearest and dearest to our own hearts but also the ones we speak about the least. A just complement to the Vipers' darker side!

Friday, Aug. 17th @ the Grand Central Emporium ( 2740 Sturdies Bay Road, Galiano Island); 9:30pm, no cover
Join us on Galiano, one of the most beautiful & accessible Gulf Islands , for a hopping night of old-time party grass - Viper style!
For those who haven't been there, the Grand Central is a fabulously funky yet pleasantly intimate café/restaurant/pub/headshop in the true island form.

Saturday, Aug. 18th @ the MAIN (www.themainonmain.com); 9:30pm, no cover
Always an affordable way to take in live music, the MAIN makes up in accessibility what it lacks in sound quality!
With a great atmosphere and a patio to boot, why not saunter on over saturday night for a pint and some good cheer with the mavens of Main Street, the Vipers of Vancouver City.

Wednesday, Aug. 29 @ the Montmartre Café (4362 Main Street @ 28th Ave.); 9:00pm , no cover
A partial Viper lineup with a little help from Christopher Suen, "that chinese banjo player guy" of Whiskey Jar fame!
Featuring the epically morbid, achingly sad, and delightfully crooked songwriting talents of Tyler Dean himself.

Friday, Aug. 31 @ RIME ( www.rime.ca); 9:30pm, $10
The Vipers are thrilled to make their feature debut at RIME, one of Vancouver 's most happening live music venues.
Our last (*sniffle*) full-ensemble performance before Tyler 's 8-month academic hiatus, join us for this unforgettable evening of classy entertainment... and perhaps a surprise or two!

MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS!...

1. VIPER CENTRAL was recently awarded a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts and we are very excited for this chance to head back in the studio together! We will therefore be spending the week of Aug. 22-25 recording an "EP-style" album for release and promotion in the fall. Stay tuned!

2. The Viper website has been officially launched! www.vipercentral.ca
More improvements are in the works but pay us a visit anytime and make yourself at home.

...et c'est tout!
Thanks to all for your support and may we see you sometime very soon at a venue near you!

All the best to you and yours,
Love VIPER CENTRAL

Aug 11: Richard Osler on CBC

This just in from poet Richard Osler...
Just a quick note to say that I will be on CBC Radio One tomorrow morning around 7:30 AM Pacific time. Sheryl Mackay the host of North by Northwest will be interviewing me on my career change from business to poetry and specifically will be talking about the poems in my African collection called Again, No More. CBC is 690 in Vancouver but also available on the net under WWW.CBC.CA If you look for the Pacific Region and Vancouver you should find it. The show which runs from 6Am to 9 AM is called North by Northwest.

Sep 4 & 5: Nelson Boschman CD Release Concert

You know jazz pianist Nelson Boschman (not to mention drummer Kenton Wiens) from lots of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE and other such shows at Pacific Theatre - indeed, they played our Gala this past February. He's recently completed recording his second “trio plus guests” CD, Keeping Time Vol 02, in partnership with Communitas Supportive Care Society (formerly MCC Supportive Care Services). I love Volume 01 : "Song For Ordinary Time" and "Jerusalem Hymn" are both huge favourites. (The first CD can be ordered here. There's another CD as well, "MJC At The Shining Rose," but I don't know where you can order it.)

In celebration of the release of the new record, NeBo is doing two CD Release Concerts, one in Vancouver...


Tuesday, September 4
Fairview Baptist Church
1708 16th Ave W., Vancouver
7:30pm
Tickets $15, available at www.communitascare.com/store
or 1.800.622.5455, 604.850.6608
or at the door

...and one in Abbotsford....


Wednesday, September 5
Matsqui Centennial Auditorium
32325 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford
7:30pm
Tickets $15, available at House of James,
www.communitascare.com/store
or 1.800.622.5455, 604.850.6608

Nelson writes...

For these concerts, I am excited and honored to be joined by the same musicians who played on the recording itself. Here’s the lineup:

Nelson Boschman piano & rhodes
Adam Thomas double bass & electric bass
Kenton Wiens drums & cymbals
Bria Skonberg trumper & flugelhorn
Brian Thiessen electric guitar & nylon-string guitar

So, kindly proceed with the following instructions:
1.) Go mark your calendars immediately.
2.) Pick up the phone, go online or head out to House of James to buy enough tickets for you and the friends you undoubtedly will want to bring along.
3.) Forward this email to that other group of friends, family or acquaintances who you’re not sure are so much into jazz, but really should come to this show.
4.) Print and hand out attached files to ‘that other group of friends…’ (see #3 above)
5.) When you come to the concert, bring enough extra cash (or credit) to buy LOTS of CDs. They make wonderful gifts, and remember that all proceeds go towards Communitas’ important work among people with various kinds of disabilities.

There, that wasn’t so hard, was it? J. See you at the concerts!!!

Nelson

Brooke Anderson, "Presence"

Just received an email from Brooke Anderson, who did the Christian Imagination course with me at Regent a year or two ago. She recently completed a mural project ath the Women's Prison in Abbotsford, and there's a six minute video up at YouTube (called "Presence" In Prison) about the project. Mostly you just get to watch the painting take shape - a rare privilege for those of us who aren't visual artists, to get a chance to observe the process.



At her website there are a number of works on display, as well as word of upcoming gallery showings in the Philippines, Nagasaki Japan, and at the Roundhouse (October 2-4) and the Lookout Gallery at Regent College (this fall).


"Brooke Anderson's work is powerful, and has the quality of being at ease with itself, is lyrical, beautiful, at certain moments expansive and at others detailed. Her paintings display a naturalness and vitality that are filled with a sense of light and a transcendent vision." Dr Lindsay Farrell, Head of School of Arts and Sciences, Australian Catholic University

The first two images posted above are "Presence" and "Sonata." The third is from "Creation Series"

Tina Teeninga at The Glen

Tina Teeninga just got back from The Glen Workshop in New Mexico. It's an annual IMAGE Journal event, with week-long workshops for artists in many disciplines. Here's the email she sent, updating me on her adventures.

Hi Ron,

A few words about the Glen Workshop: inspiring, wonderful, brilliant! It was an amazing week full of stimulating conversations about art, literature and faith. I very much felt like a real intellectual a few times, discussing and debating theology and the arts! I thoroughly enjoyed my playwriting workshop. Mark St. Germain is very encouraging and yet had lots of helpful things to say about LUDDITES. I feel very motivated to write my next draft now, and am confident as to where I’m going to take the play. Mark gave us readings each day which we then reported to our class, which were enlightening as to the generals of structure, plot, character.

Probably the most tremendous thing about the Glen Workshop was being around hundreds of intelligent, thoughtful people who love to integrate their faith and art. It became clear to me that anything I write, as a thinking Christian person, will naturally weave my faith into the story. My worldview sees a tiny sparkle of hope in every situation because of God. So, even in tragedy (and you know I love a good tragedy!), there will always be some slant of light that shows us not *all* is lost, or at least, not forever. I don’t need to coerce or drag my worldview into my stories. I trust it will be there, even when the words “God” and “Jesus” and “faith” aren’t to be found in the script. Very freeing!

You should really try to get to the Glen next year. You’d love it. It’s sumptuous to be surrounded by all the other arts and artists - wordsmiths, people obsessed with textures and form, light and shadow junkies, musical magicians. Santa Fe is spectacularly artsy as well. My first day back to reality, I was rather miserable because leaving the Glen is like leaving a little bit of Eden. I know what I’m going to be doing in heaven! Sigh.

Cheerios,

Tina

SOUL FOOD: Van Stralen, Bard on Beach and Bandstand, Sojourners, etc.

1 Van Stralen cartoon in danger – write now!
2 Free MIDSUMMER!
3 Honours for Pacific Theatre folks
4 Bard On The Beach
5 New Sojourners CD
6 Soul Food Movies
7 Other blogs

*

1
Georgia Straight cuts Van Stralen?!

Many of you know Dirk Van Stralen as a core company member at Pacific Theatre – CARIBOO MAGI, VOICE OF THE PRAIRIE, THE FOREIGNER, PRIVATE EYES and so many others. This coming season you’ll see him twice, in A MAN FOR ALL SEAONS and in the lead role of THE WOODSMAN.

You may also know that Dirk’s single-panel cartoon Van Stralen has run for more than a decade and a half as a weekly feature in the Georgia Straight. So you’ll be as unhappy as I am to read this email from Julia Mackey (another beloved PT actor);

Dear Friends,

After 17 years of weekly cartoons in the Georgia Straight, Dirk has been let go due to a change in vision by, Matt McLeod, who is the current Vice-President of Operations at the Georgia Straight.

Dirk's last cartoon is scheduled to run sometime this month. Charlie Smith, the editor of the GS, gave Dirk the news. He said it was a decision based solely on Matt wanting to change things up, not a reflection of Dirk's work.

If you have enjoyed Dirk's cartoon over the years and wish to see it continue, please write to Matt McLeod (matt@straight.com) and Charlie Smith (c_smith@straight.com) to tell them so. We are accepting the possibility that this may not do anything to persuade them, but we've got to try none the less. As well, If you know anyone else who you feel would be willing to write to the Georgia Straight, please forward this email to them.

Thanks very much,

Julia

Well, I’ve sent off my email to Matt and Charlie, and encourage you to do the same. Support our artists!


2
Free MIDSUMMER!

No, that’s not a rabble-rousing political slogan. It’s a reminder that Shakespeare’s most seasonally appropriate play can be seen in a most geographically appropriate setting for a most budgetally appropriate cost. Frank Nickel, Kerry Norris and Stephen Elcheshen have all graced the Pacific Theatre stage over the past years – most recently, Kerry was Louisa MacDonald in A BRIGHT PARTICULAR STAR. Well, they’ve joined forces for a theatrical romp in the park, an outdoor staging of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at the bandshell of Queen’s Park, New Westminster. It runs every Saturday at 2pm and every Sunday at 11am through August 12. For more info, and all the players, visit the Shadows & Dreams website

3
Honours for PT Peeps

This past year PT had our second-ever playwriting apprentice (Lucia Frangione was our first, back in 1990). Several of Tina Teeninga’s one-acts were showcased on our stage in Stones Throw projects through the year, and Tina was memorable as the garrulous Max Becker and the not-so-garrulous work camp boss in REMNANTS.

As part of her apprenticeship, Tina also drafted her first full length script, LUDDITES, which was read as part of our Rosedale On Robson Writers Week back in February, where it met with extremely favourable response. Latest news, Tina was awarded a full all-expenses scholarship (plus a separate grant for her airfare!) to continue developing the play under veteran playwright Mark St. Germain at the Glen Workshop, which concluded yesterday in New Mexico. We’ll make sure you get a chance to hear – or maybe even see? – that one before too long.

And while we’re celebrating apprenti, congrats to Kirsty Provan (Joseph in REMNANTS) who was accepted into two of Vancouver’s top actor training programs, and begins Studio 58 in September! Joining a long line of PT actors who’ve won their spurs at the studio; Erla Faye Forsyth, Anthony Ingram, Francis Boyle, Kyle Jesperson, Evangela Dueck and plenty more. (And by the way, director Jeremy Tow has just cast Evangela Dueck as Margaret in A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS, a guest production which runs at Pacific Theatre next January. Also cast are Dirk Van Stralen, Julia Mackey, Adam Bergquist, Damon Calderwood, Dan Amos, William Samples and Yours Truly.)

Speaking of Yours Truly, I got nominated for the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre for 2007, a $100,000 award that rotates annually between designers, playwrights and directors. I’m not spending any of those bucks just yet – there are 25 other directors nominated all across the country, including some pretty impressive names – but it certainly feels great to get the nom, a glow in which I can bask until October, when the winner is announced. An important element of the award is an emphasis on mentorship of emerging artists, and winners pass along $25,000 of their prize to a protégé of their choice.

And we don’t just get nominated for stuff around Pacific Theatre! The Rosedale On Robson Suite Hotel has received national honours, the winner of this year’s Globe and Mail Business for the Arts Award for Best Arts/Entrepeneur Partnership. It really is an innovative partnership they have with our company, providing accommodations for out-of-town artists, sponsorship of the aforementioned Writers Week (involving playwrights from Toronto, New York, Delaware, Portland Oregon, Seattle and, of course, Vancouver), as well as promotion and direct financial support.


4
Bard On The Beach

Whoa! I’m way overdue noising abroad a terrific Bard On The Beach line-up, with lots and lots of PT actors treading the beachfront boards. I was really affected by Katrina Dunn’s (PRODIGAL SON) understated staging of JULIUS CAESAR, putting all the emphasis on relationships, foregrounding Brutus as a man of integrity in moral crisis, and drawing out themes of fate, choice and perhaps providence with deft emphasis on the stars and the heavens (and subtle resonances with Galileo). Craig Erickson (GRACE, PRODIGAL SON, GOD’S MAN IN TEXAS) was Jessie-nominated for his Mark Antony last year: here he revisits the role with an even more effective approach. Tom Pickett (DRIVING MISS DAISY, MASTER HAROLD, TENT MEETING) and Parnelli Parnes (CARIBOO MAGI) play several roles. Stephen Bulat (TALLEY’S FOLLY, NAVY WIFE, WARDROBE) sound design. I’m still anticipating my chance to see Tom, Craig and Parnelli in the rarely-staged TIMON OF ATHENS (which will leave me but six of the canonical 37 left to go, and PERICLES scheduled for Ashland next summer – hey Chris, ever thought of doing Henry VI Parts 1, 2 and 3 in rep?).

Bob Frazer (PRODIGAL SON, GLASS MENAGERIE) is terrific as a man-with-no-name-inspired Petrucchio in Bard’s spaghetti western take on TAMING OF THE SHREW – juxtaposing the fun Clint Eastwood posturings with simple, heartful soliloquies that add empathy and complexity. Kyle Rideout (HALO, FARNDALE CHRISTMAS CAROL, BEGGARS) is funny as Lucentio, Chris Weddell (DREAMS OF KINGS & CARPENTERS) is Curtis.

Kyle also plays one of the title roles (I’ll let you guess which one) in ROMEO & JULIET – which I’ve not yet seen, but in which my daughters assure me he is absolutely wonderful, as is the entirety of this effectively lean staging by Dean Paul Gibson (LETTICE & LOVAGE). Bob Frazer Mercutio, Duncan Fraser (GRACE) Capulet, Christopher Apothecary. Kevin McAllister (CARIBOO, TENT MEETING, WARDROBE, REMNANT, etc, etc, etc) designed SHREW and R&J.


5
HOLD ON – New Sojourners CD

My favourite cd last summer was Jim Byrnes’ glorious “House Of Refuge,” which launched the amazing gospel trio The Sojourners. Producer Steve Dawson has played several of the Pacific Theatre’s trademark music-and-readings anthology shows, so we ended up with Messrs Byrnes, Mosely, Sanders and Small on our stage for one memorable night of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE last December. Hope that didn’t make opening for the Blind Boys Of Alabama an anticlimax in this year’s jazz festival....

Well, the Sojourners have just released their own recording, and it’s the musical thrill of Summer ‘07. You can order yourself a copy from Black Hen Music, where you can also hear three of the tunes; Eyes On The Prize, Run On, Children Go Where I Send Thee.

If that’s not enough Sojourners, and you just can’t wait to get your CD in the mail, check out their web page for more free online samples (Eyes On The Prize, Children Go Where I Send Thee, People Get Ready, Old Ship Of Zion), as well as a rundown of upcoming performances like the Edmonton Folk Festival and the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival.


6
SOUL FOOD MOVIES

To commemorate Mozart’s 250th birthday, Vienna commissioned six films from directors all around the world. The movies don’t deal directly with Mozart (or even chocolate! How un-Austrian...), but instead celebrate the “themes of magic and transformation, truth and reconciliation, and ceremonies for the dead that inform Mozart’s last three great works.” The New Crowned Hope film we really want to see is called DRY SEASON: more on that and other very cool items from the July Sight & Sound (SILENT LIGHT!) will show up on the Soul Food Movies blog over the next while. But for now, two films from the New Crowned Hope series play VanCity from August 10 to 16: SYNDROMES AND A CENTURY and I DON’T WANT TO SLEEP ALONE.

If the spiritual transformation-reconciliation themes in those two prove a tad esoteric for some tastes, or the Mozart tribute a bit too elliptical, I’ll also be posting a review of AMADEUS in the next couple of days, as well as something on the recent COPYING BEETHOVEN which owes much to that film. Both are now rentable at Videomatica, as is locally-lensed EVE & THE FIRE HORSE, recently raved by IMAGE Journal.

Returning our attention to big screen Soul Food, there’s lots of “let there be light” in Danny Boyle’s brand new sci-fi SUNSHINE about a space mission to kick start a dying sun. Emphasizing character and cinematography rather than outer space adventure, Film Comment compares it to SOLARIS and 2001, “drawing on the frequent SF conflict between (and yet conflation of) scientific empiricism and spiritual ecstasy.” And EVAN ALMIGHTY is still afloat (barely) at the Empire Granville 7 and satellite theatres.

No specific Soul Food content, but of interest to movie lovers anyhow: Charles Burnett’s much-celebrated, rarely-seen KILLER OF SHEEP plays the VanCity Aug 3-6, 8-9; latest Pixar RATATOUILLE is apparently the most delectable dish on this summer’s cinematic steam table, scaly-tailed rodents notwithstanding; RESCUE DAWN’s the new, mainstream Herzog; PARIS JE T’AIME continues at the Fifth Avenue, with audience responses as varied as the 20 short films by renowned international directors which comprise the portmanteau picture – including SF-certified Tom Tykwer, Alexander Payne and les freres Coen (whose NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN is my second-most-anticipated release of the fall, just behind Julie Taymor’s ACROSS THE UNIVERSE).

But as usual there’s tons of Soul Food on video store shelves (or at least, Videomatica shelves), like so many pickling jars full of cinematic spirituality preserved from the bounty of fall and winter to see us through the long movie-winter of cineplex summer. At the blog I’ll post a list of stuff I saw on sale cheap at HMV. And speaking of Le Blogge, I’ve just finished an overhaul! All the Soul Foodish movies are indexed down the right side of the page, links all working – and I’ve even started adding pictures! Oooh. Aaah. I’ve been writing like mad on my Soul Food Movies book, mostly at the front end of the alphabet, and posting entries as I go: check out July jottings on 49th PARALLEL, ABOUT A BOY, ABOUT SCHMIDT, ADAM’S APPLES, THE ADDICTION, AFTER LIFE, AGNES OF GOD, AND GOD SPOKE, ANDREI RUBLEV, ANGEL-A, BECKET, BLACK SNAKE MOAN, BLADE RUNNER, BOOK OF LIFE, BREACH, BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON, BULL DURHAM, CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY and lots more! (Fun way to spend a summer, eh?)


PS
Reminder about the other blogs...

Sometimes it takes me a while to get round to sending out a full-on Soul Food email. But you needn’t be slave to such vicissitudes! Just check out the Soul Food Vancouver blog for up-to-date postings on arts events around town that may have a particular spiritual flavour. Heck, as well as all the stuff you’ve just read, you’ll also find recent postings about a job opening, a book launch, the new Sinnead O’Connor recording, free stuff at Regent College and the opportunity to house one of Pacific Theatre’s incoming not-so-angry men!

I also keep a Pacific Theatre blog, “backstage notes from the artistic director.” Recently, news about a new Judith Thompson play in L.A., inspiration from an Iranian filmmaker, news about an upcoming Katharine Venour show, a brand new pope play in London’s West End, and... Oh, the opportunity to house one of Pacific Theatre’s incoming not-so-angry men!

And then there’s Oblations, where I post non-movie stuff that I write, and (mostly) cool things other people write; lately, Abbas Kiarostami, William Kennedy, Tim Anderson, G.K. Chesterton, Booth Tarkington, Jack Nicholson, W.H. Auden and Anton Chekhov.

And if you want to receive the Soul Food Email in your very own email box, just fire off a note to sf@ronreed.org

Theatre Job Opening: Eastside Story Guild / Grandview Calvary Baptist

Want a job?

Hello Ron -
I've been in touch with you before about our small theatre project called The Eastside Story Guild when we entered our life of David piece into the Vancouver Fringe Festival. We've recently received funding (through a World Vision partnership) that will enable us to hire a Theatre Arts Program Director and a World Music Program Director. Each position is 1/2 time (approx. $21,000 annually with benefits). While the Story Guild is intergenerational the bulk of the program is with children and youth so these positions require an enthusiasm working with kids in the performing arts. They also require someone committed to the Christian story and vision.
I thought you might have suggestions on where we might post these positions or connections to individuals in the arts community here in Vancouver and beyond who might want to spend a few years with this small but exciting initiative in community theatre. I''ve attached both the announcement and the more extended descriptions. I welcome any leads.

JOB POSTING

Theatre Arts Program Director

The Eastside Story Guild is looking for someone to develop and direct the theatre arts component of this church-based, multicultural and intergenerational theatre project where children and youth take the lead in telling the stories of the Jewish and Christian scriptures.
The applicant must have enthusiasm and training or experience both in working with children/youth and in teaching/directing theatre arts. The position is half-time and somewhat seasonal.
The Eastside Story Guild is based out of Grandview Calvary Baptist Church which is located in the artistically dynamic and culturally diverse Grandview Woodlands neighbourhood in Vancouver, BC.
For a more detailed description of this work opportunity as well as information on salary and benefits please see www.gcbchurch.ca.
Send cover letter, resume, and statement of faith to ESG, 1803 E.1st. Ave, Vancouver, BC V5N 1B3 by August 24, 2007. Position to begin September or October 2007.

The Eastside Story Guild
“Where my story and God’s Story Meet”

To Aug 12: A Midsummer Night's Dream, New West

Frank Nickel, Kerry Norris and Stephen Elcheshen have all graced the Pacific Theatre stage over the past years. Well, they've joined forces for a theatrical romp in the park, an outdoor staging of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at the bandshell of Queen's Park, New Westminster. It runs every Saturday at 2pm and every Sunday at 11am through to August 12.

For more info and all the players in the show, visit the Shadows & Dreams website.

Kiarostami & Pacific Theatre

A friend of Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarastomi told him, "While others are cultivating hectares of land, you grow vegetables in a flower pot."

I think it was meant as a warning. I think Kiarastomi received it as a blessing, and made it his watchword.

I'll do the same.