Saturday, May 31, 2008

Superfantastics Downloads!!!

If you visit this site then you've heard me go on and on and on and on about them. So, I'm very happy and proud to announce that they now have 5 songs in the podsafe downloads.

Representing East Coast Gangsta syle (if the gangstas wore argyle sweaters and rode bikes) - Halifax's version of the White Stripes (if the White Stripes were way, way less angry) go and get some Superfantastics!!!

the Superfantastics - What Will You Do Now?



"The Superfantastics are the Alex P. Keaton of the indie-pop scene. Small in size, big in heart and adorable in a sweater-vest."

Can Rock Plaza Central Stay at Your House?

From their Myspace blog: Rock Plaza Central are looking for places to crash during their upcoming western tour. Imagine, while your friends are bringing home CDs and T-shirts, you can bring home the band!
Last time we went out West on tour, we stayed with so many wonderful people. For me, it was probably the best part of it. Getting to know so many of you who like what we do. Any chance anyone would like to put up five musicians again? We have mats and sleeping bags. We just can't handle pets because of allergies.

In addition to the dates on our page, we're also likely to be in and around LA and San Diego in the June 15-16 area, Phoenix on the 17 and Missoula, Montana on June 22. Then back into Canada for what looks to be:

Lethbridge june 23, Edmonton the 24, Red Deer the 25, Saskatoon on the 30, Regina the 31, and Winnipeg July 1, my sister's birthday.

Then I think it's Madison, Des Moines and Iowa City or Chicago?

Please fire me an email at chrisrulesbigtime at sympatico dot ca is you think you can help.Thanks!


Rock Plaza Central - Anthem for the Already Defeated

Julie Doiron is Everywhere! (Julie Doiron and Superfantastics Tour Info)

A bunch of stuff to tell you about and since it's all interrelated I thought I'd do it in one post. First there is this article from Chart about Julie Doiron's adoption of the Superfantastics.
""It was pretty wonderful," says drummer/vocalist Stephanie D'Entremont. "Julie Doiron is one of my favourite songwriters/drummers/singers and people. Her partner in crime, Dick Morello, who was playing drums with her on tour, is also amazing.

"It's really cool to just be in her presence because Julie is so maternal, I find. This was the first time we'd ever been out in western Canada. It was kind of scary, but as long as Julie was there, everything was OK… She always knows how to get to all the vegan restaurants in the area.""
Now (via Radio 3) it turns out that Julie's band Eric's Trip is getting ready for a bit of a micro tour that goes like this:
Tue June 3 - The Mod Club, Toronto
Mon July 7 - The Warehouse, Calgary
Tue July 8 - Starlite Room, Edmonton
Thu July 10 - Plaza Club, Vancouver
Fri July 11 - Sugar, Victoria
Sat July 12 - Marymoor Park, Redmond WA
And the Superfantastics are getting ready for a bit of a tour themselves like so:
June 5 Halifax, NS @ Gus' Pub w/Slate Pacific and Quiet Parade
June 6 Charlottetown, PEI @ Lyons House w/BA Johnston, The Stolen Minks and The Barnkats (all ages, 7 p.m.)
June 6 Charlottetown, PEI @ Baba's Lounge House w/BA Johnston, The Stolen Minks and The Barnkats (10 p.m.)
June 7 Fredericton, NB @ The Capitol Bar
June 10 Montreal, QC @ Crobar w/The Ease Down
June 11 Ottawa, ON @ Avant Garde
June 12 Peterborough, ON @ The Montreal House w/The Burning Hell and Shotgun Jimmie
June 13 Toronto, ON @ Criminal Records w/Mardeen, Old Man Luedecke, Shotgun Jimmie and Calm Down It's Monday (5 p.m.)
June 13 Toronto, ON @ Clinton's (NXNE)
June 15 Toronto, ON @ Rancho Relaxo
July 26 Antigonish, NS @ Evolve Festival
Now pay special attention to that Criminal Records show on June 13...if you'll notice they're playing with Calm Down It's Monday - I have to point this out because that too is Julie Doiron (and Dick Morello).

Julie Doiron - Darkhorse

Facebook Sued over Privacy

According to internetnews.com the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) is suing Facebook charging 22 distinct violations of Canada's privacy laws.
""Facebook purports to provide users with a high level of control over their data," said Harley Finkelstein, one of the law students who wrote the complaint. "But our investigation found that this is not entirely true -- for example, even if you select the strongest privacy settings, your information may be shared more widely if your Facebook friends have lower privacy settings. As well, if you add a third-party application offered on Facebook, you have no choice but to let the application developer access all your information even if they don't need it.""

Friday, May 30, 2008

Love Music? Join the (Mint) Team!

Into Canadian indie music? Ready to stop just listening and become an active participant? Vancouver's Mint Records home of Immaculate Machine, the Pack A.D., Neko Case, Young and Sexy, Hot Panda, Bella, the Evaporators, the Choir Practice, Kellarissa, the Awkward Stage, Carolyn Mark, the Buttless Chaps, Cub and many, many more..needs your help.

Here are the details, straight from the Mint Press:
Do you love music? Do you love Mint Records? Do you love getting free CDs and getting on guest lists? How about postering, handing out flyers for shows and distributing fancy treasures to the good citizens of your hometown?

Since we do not have a Mint Records magic carpet (yet), we need a little help spreading some Minty joy through Team Mint. Should you choose to join this elite bunch, we'll send you on secret missions that may or may not involve putting up posters, loitering in record shops and taking goodies to your favourite venues, stores, cafes etc. Heck, when they're in the neighbourhood, a band might even need help selling merch.

And, to reward you for your noble efforts, you shall be rewarded with free CDs (often before your friends get 'em), guestlist spots for the occasional show and other fanciful treasures.

Some cities we're looking for helpers in (but not limited to):

- Seattle
- Portland
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- New York
- Boston
- Austin

And in Canada:

- Victoria
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Saskatoon
- Regina
- Winnipeg
- Ottawa
- Quebec
- Montreal
- Halifax


Interested in joining this choice club? Just let me know (click here) and I'll pass your info along!

Cub - My Chinchilla

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Coming Up in Toronto

From the Events Toronto Facebook Group


(Through May 24 - June 21)
Gareth Bate "Lament" Painting Show
Facebook Event page

Thursday, May 29
Tightrope Books Launches IV Lounge Nights!
Facebook Event page

The Silver Dollar Presents Machetes LIVE
Facebook Event page

Pee-wee Herman Picture Show
Facebook Event page

ZYGIELLA IV
Facebook Event page

The Silver Dollar Presents Machetes LIVE
Facebook Event page

Meg-a Music Toronto & IndieCan Music Birthday Bash Part 2!!!
Facebook Event page

The WAWA Show! May 29th, 30th, and 31st!
Facebook Event page

Blast Off
Facebook Event page

Friday, May 30
Steamwhistle Unsigned 6 w/ Bocce, Hexes & Ohs, DJ=Woodhands
Facebook Event page

PLANET B-BOY starts Friday May 30th
Facebook Event page

Saturday, May 31
2008 FVC AGM & Conference / REC AGA et conférence 2008
Facebook Event page

Jenny's Room
Facebook Event page

Pillow Fight Toronto 2008
Facebook Event page

Million Dollar Youth Concert
Facebook Event page

"Cycle of Fear" Movie Premiere
Facebook Event page

BRITE! - A fundraiser for Newmindspace
Facebook Event page

Jason Trachtenburg w/Idle Tigers, Ching Chong Song
Facebook Event page

Frances-Marie Uitti + Lori Freedman @ soundaXis Festival
Facebook Event page

Extermination Music Night VII
Facebook Event page

The Golden Dogs, 6ixty8ights, Will Currie & The Counrty French
Facebook Event page

Sunday, June 1
The Second City that Never Sleeps
Facebook Event page

Acoustic Gambol — Chamber Music for Found Objects
Facebook Event page

Monday, June 2
Eyes on..Bruce McDonald!!, Ron Sparks, Sun Parlour Players!!
Facebook Event page

Wednesday, June 4
Drunk & Disorderly 2
Facebook Event page

PWYC Weds w/ Alanna Brown, Carnival Moon and the Printing Press
Facebook Event page

Thursday, June 5
1st Annual Militant Turn It Off Day
Facebook Event page

Regenesis Launch Party
Facebook Event page

THE BEAUTY SALON (June 5 - 14 "Come for the Art, Stay for the Manicure")
Facebook Event page

Friday June 6

Luminato: Toronto's Festival of Arts and Creativity 2008 (June 6 - 15)
Facebook Event page

Saturday, June 7
SIP presents the RESURFACE alley jam!
Facebook Event page

Morreseey Magic 49th anniversary party
Facebook Event page

The Toronto Small Press Book Fair
Facebook Event page

The Wellness Party Experience! (Saturday, June 7, 9 PM)
Facebook Event page

TWM 18: The Darcys, the Dress Whites, an Offhand Rebellion
Facebook Event page

Friction
Facebook Event page

Sunday, June 8
soundaXis is the Street — Free Music in Car-Free Markham Street
Facebook Event page

Thursday, June 12
NXNE (North By North East) June 12 - 15
Facebook Event page

Friday, June 13
Mint Records at NXNE
Facebook Event page

Saturday, June 14
We Are Wolves – (Redpipe presents Musebox @ NXNE)
Facebook Event page

FACE2FACE
Facebook Event page

Sunday, June 15
Burning Effigy Press Spring 2008 Launch Party
Facebook Event page

Thursday, June 26
Suoni per il Toronto feat. Evan Parker Trio, Feuermusik, Neptune, more
Facebook Event page

Wednesday, July 2
The Son of The Man (July 2 - 13)
Facebook Event page

Thursday, July 10
Brooke Gallupe Solo @ Toronto, ON
Facebook Event page

Monday, September 22
Spacing presents thinkTORONTO
Facebook Event page

Saturday, October 4
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2008
Facebook Event page

Sunday, October 19
2008 Toronto Zombie Walk
Facebook Event page

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

RVT: Immaculate Machine - Dear Confessor

Awesome video for an awesome song! You can, by the way, download the MP3 for this in English and Mandarin! (seriously) at Stereogum. Obviously you can find more Immaculate Machine stuff at immaculatemachine.com/

Halifax : Thursday, June 5 : Superfantastic!

Don't worry Toronto, the Superfantastics will be in town for North by Northeast (stay tuned for details) but for now they are still at home and next Thursday they are playing at Gus' Pub along with the Beginners, Slate Pacific, and Quiet Parade.

Facebook Event page is here


Enjoy them while you still can Halifax! To be perfectly honest, it's true - Toronto has been trying and will continue to try to steal the Superfantastics and they're visiting us again soon!

This Saturday In Toronto: Kate Maki and Country French

Kate Maki and Will Currie and the Country French will both be playing this Saturday in Toronto. Unfortunately they are not playing at the same venue.

Kate Maki "& Guests" will be playing at Mitzi's Sister. The Guests in this case include Nathan Lawr (obviously) as well as Cindy Doire, Ryan Bishops, Andrea Ramolo and Sean Pinchin.

Will Currie and the Country French will be playing at the Horseshoe Tavern with The Golden Dogs and 6ixty8ights.

Have a hard time being in two places at once? I know. It's hard but North by Northeast is just around the corner - time to hone those skills!

NDP to Introduce Net Neutrality Legislation



According to the CBC NDP MP Charlie Angus promised yesterday to introduce a private members bill on Net Neutrality today. He made the announcement at a Net Neutrality rally on Parliament hill stating that "You are citizens of a digital realm and you have rights".

Sadly it appears that the NDP may be alone on the issue. In keeping with their tradition of not taking a position on anything Liberal MP Mauril BĂ©langer told the crowd "I will not say yes blindly, I can't give you a blank cheque."

Also according to the CBC article:
Canada is behind the United States in dealing with net neutrality issues. In February, the U.S. regulator held a public probe into the traffic-shaping practices of Comcast Corp., the country's largest ISP. The hearing prompted Comcast to promise it would abandon traffic shaping in favour of a non-discriminatory network management system by the end of the year. Representative Ed Markey, a Democrat, also introduced a net neutrality bill to the U.S. House of Representatives in February.
The Conservatives appear with allowing Bell to do as it pleases with it's taxpayer funded monopoly on internet infrastructure.

I would urge anyone and everyone concerned with a private, taxpayer funded monopoly being given control over free speech on the internet to:

  • Write your MP to express concern over this issue and urge them to support net neutrality legislation. If you don't know how to contact your MP try this.

  • Join SaveOurNet.ca

  • and

  • Join the Canadian Fair Media Coalition on facebook.


  • I stated a few days ago that I felt that rallies on Parliament Hill or at Queen's Park had lost their impact as a protest method. I started the Canadian Fair Media Coalition because I believe what would be effective is hitting Candidates with media/arts/cultural issues during an election - either on the phone, or in person at their rallies or debates. Only during an election do candidates feel forced to take a position and while they will usually conveniently forget everything they said while campaigning, once they are on the record they can be held accountable.

    Bicycles Say Go!

    The Bicycles were on CBC's GO! this weekend and a bunch of the audio from it is online. You can download bits from the Bikes show, as well as other music, clips and even full shows from http://www.cbc.ca/go/audio.html. GO!, the radio show, also has a YouTube channel where you will find bits like this: The Bicycles doing a cover from some obscure British band.

    Tuesday, May 27, 2008

    Silver Dollar on Thursday, Machettes, Shitt Hottt & Dead Sexy Sheila



    the Machettes who played a memorable first set (ever) opening for the Woodhands back in April take to the stage this Thursday with Shitt Hottt and Dead Sexy Sheila at the Silver Dollar Room (486 Spadina).

    Summer is here and TV season is over folks - time to get out and do something!

    Bruce McDonald at Eyes on Toronto June 2

    Legendary Canadian filmmaker Bruce McDonald, Director of such films as the Tracy Fragments, Hard Core Logo, Highway 61 and currently at work on a documentary about Broken Social Scene's Brendan Canning will be at Eyes on Toronto this Monday, June 2nd at the Gladstone Hotel.

    Also on stage that night will be the hilarious Ron Sparks and the Sun Parlour Players who are not as funny as Ron Sparks but have more rhythm.
    If you can't be there live in person, and you really should be, you can watch it live at eyesontoronto.ca.

    This is the second to last show before the Eyes on Toronto cast and crew take a summer hiatus, so if you've been saying to yourself "I really should go to one of these..." now would be a good time!

    Monday, May 26, 2008

    What You Can Do to Save the Internet



    I got an email this morning from Steve Anderson at democraticmedia.ca about the Net Neutrality Rally set to take place tomorrow on Parliament hill. Personally, I won't be in Ottawa and so can't attent and, honestly, most of the time I doubt the effectiveness of traditional rallies (on Parliament Hill or at Queen's Park) - this was an effective means of protest for many years but has become so widespread that I don't think it has much of an impact anymore (especially given the resources that must be devoted to organizing and staging such a rally.)

    That said, Steve also pointed me to this: saveournet.ca which I fave fully signed on to (and would urge others to join me.

    Net Netrality may seem like an obscure tech topic, but it isn't. What it means, in a nutshell, is that if left unchecked Bell and Rogers will soon be able to decide what websites you can and cannot visit. This is what we would call, in tech speak, bullshit! Especially given that Bell and Rogers have no competition and given that Canadians pay more than people in most of the western world for high speed access.

    The infrastructure used to deliver high speed internet, whether it is over the air (satellite), phone lines (DSL) or cable is public property: Given that it comes over public airwaves of via lines that run over public property they cannot technically be owned by a private company. Further, let's say for example that in order to maintain highways the province leased them to a private company: Sure the roads would be in worse shape and the people who maintained them would make far less money, but beyond that would it be fair for that company to then decide who could get on the road, at what time of day and where that person could go? That is essentially what Bell and Rogers are trying to do. Seriously, sign up for saveournet.ca or, if you still don't get it ... ask a Ninja

    CBC, Money, Labour and Marketplace in Jeopardy?

    A bunch of stuff in InsidetheCBC.com today.

    First (and second really) CBC President Herbert Lacroix was pretty busy last week. First at the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television last Thursday Lacroix reiterated that the CBC requires an extra 215 million dollars in order to maintain quality programming. This amount was suggested by the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage back in February.

    On Sunday Lacroix also became the first CBC President ever to speak at the bi-annual convention of the Canadian Media Guild (CMG), the union that represents the vast majority of the CBC's employees.
    "Lacroix said poor communication between the senior executives and guild representatives underscored an urgent need to rebuild a proper relationship. Lacroix’s said his mission since he joined the CBC 18 months ago has been to build a greater level of respect and transparency at every level of the organization.
    Lacroix called for a “paradigm shift” (yes, he actually said “paradigm shift”) in thinking to incorporate more pride and positivity. He added that he knew the job was hard because the same executives are in the same place as they were during the 2005 lockout. He also highlighted that each member of his senior management team had been fully briefed on the importance of the CBC/CMG relationship, and “failure is not an option” to them."
    This is good news for the CBC across the board. With nothing having changed substantially since 2005 and a constant need for cash at the CBC I would have called a 2009 work stoppage likely just a few days ago. (I actually still think it's likely, but wish Mr. LaCroix all the luck in the world.) With public support somewhat weaker than it was in 2005 a work stoppage next year could be disastrous.
    Finally it appears that Marketplace is going on a bit of a hiatus. It appears that the program is being replaced in it's 7:30 pm Wednesday time slot by the American game show Jeopardy. The show will resume in January 2009, replacing Royal Canadian Air Farce in its Friday evening time slot. It should also be pointed out that that same Heritage Committee Report Mr. Lacroix referenced on Thursday also recommended "That CBC Television's prime time (M-F 7-11 pm) be exclusively Canadian" and "That the CBC Reduce it's relative dependency on advertising revenues for television programs". From InsidetheCBC.com:
    "Marketplace is the only adult show on CBC to not run ads, a commitment the show has kept since it started 36 seasons ago. This is in keeping with the shows spotlight on consumer affairs."

    Thursday, May 22, 2008

    Bell Shapes Traffic to Its Own Ends

    From Dr. Michael Geist: It appears that, not that it is shaping it's traffic, it wants to shape it in a way more advantageous to, who else, Bell (tell me you're not suprised).

    Bell has decided to launch it's own internet Video on Demand Service in direct competition with cable and satellite companies and even other online video distributors. Because video is one of the highest bandwidth services on the internet - it would now appear that Bell needed to do traffic shaping to hurt the competition and boost it's own service and that it had nothing (contrary to Bell's statements) to do with customer service.

    From Michael Geist:
    "The major ISPs claim that throttling is needed to ensure better quality of service to all customers, yet it also has a significant effect on the video marketplace. Cable and satellite companies have begun to sell new video on demand services to consumers, which compete directly with video distributed over the Internet."
    If we had a reasonable Government (which we do not) or a responsible opposition (also no) this practice would already be illegal. Legal or not it is certainly criminal and further erodes Bells already very low reputation.

    Coming Up in Toronto

    From the Events Toronto Facebook Group


    Friday, May 23

    THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY opens Friday for one week
    Facebook Event Page

    2008 Green Toronto Festival (May 23 and 24)
    Facebook Event Page

    1st ACT to ACT to ACT Screenplay Challenge - Friday May 23rd, NFB at 7pm
    Facebook Event Page

    Sass and the City - The Improvised Movie
    Facebook Event Page

    The Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra + Arkana Music @ Concord Cafe May 23
    Facebook Event Page

    TWM: First Person Shooter, Organical, and Streetlight Light
    Facebook Event Page

    ERIC CHENAUX performs at Soundscapes.
    Facebook Event Page

    The Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra + Arkana Music @ Concord Cafe May 23
    Facebook Event Page

    Saturday, May 24
    Doors Open at Coach House
    Facebook Event Page

    Camp Combo with Mysterion and guests at The Cameron House
    Facebook Event Page

    WILDsound SHORT FILM Showcase WITH Audience FEEDBACK, Sat. May 24th at 7pm
    Facebook Event Page

    Free Your Game Launch Party
    Facebook Event Page

    Sunday, May 25
    The Harmony of Tea & Music
    Facebook Event Page

    CONCRETE TORONTO MUSIC
    Facebook Event Page

    BEST of SUNDANCE Short Films/BEST of WILDsound Intern Films- MUST SEE EVENT
    Facebook Event Page

    Tuesday, May 27
    International Zombie Day
    Facebook Event Page

    Toronto the Good
    Facebook Event Page

    Les Gars + The I Spies
    Facebook Event Page

    Thursday, May 29
    Tightrope Books Launches IV Lounge Nights!
    Facebook Event Page

    The Silver Dollar Presents Machetes LIVE
    Facebook Event Page

    Pee-wee Herman Picture Show
    Facebook Event Page

    ZYGIELLA IV
    Facebook Event Page

    The Silver Dollar Presents Machetes LIVE
    Facebook Event Page

    Friday, May 30
    Steamwhistle Unsigned 6 w/ Bocce, Hexes & Ohs, DJ=Woodhands
    Facebook Event Page

    Saturday, May 31
    2008 FVC AGM & Conference / REC AGA et conférence 2008
    Facebook Event Page

    Jenny's Room
    Facebook Event Page

    Pillow Fight Toronto 2008
    Facebook Event Page

    Million Dollar Youth Concert
    Facebook Event Page

    "Cycle of Fear" Movie Premiere
    Facebook Event Page

    BRITE! - A fundraiser for Newmindspace
    Facebook Event Page

    Jason Trachtenburg w/Idle Tigers, Ching Chong Song
    Facebook Event Page

    Frances-Marie Uitti + Lori Freedman @ soundaXis Festival
    Facebook Event Page

    Extermination Music Night VII
    Facebook Event Page

    Sunday, June 1
    The Second City that Never Sleeps
    Facebook Event Page

    Acoustic Gambol — Chamber Music for Found Objects
    Facebook Event Page

    Wednesday, June 4
    Drunk & Disorderly 2
    Facebook Event Page

    PWYC Weds w/ Alanna Brown, Carnival Moon and the Printing Press
    Facebook Event Page

    Thursday, June 5
    1st Annual Militant Turn It Off Day
    Facebook Event Page

    Regenesis Launch Party
    Facebook Event Page

    THE BEAUTY SALON (June 5 - 14 "Come for the Art, Stay for the Manicure")
    Facebook Event Page

    Friday June 6

    Luminato: Toronto's Festival of Arts and Creativity 2008 (June 6 - 15)
    Facebook Event Page

    Saturday, June 7
    SIP presents the RESURFACE alley jam!
    Facebook Event Page

    Morreseey Magic 49th anniversary party
    Facebook Event Page

    Saturday, June 14
    FACE2FACE
    Facebook Event Page

    Sunday, June 15
    Burning Effigy Press Spring 2008 Launch Party
    Facebook Event Page

    Thursday, June 26
    Suoni per il Toronto feat. Evan Parker Trio, Feuermusik, Neptune, more
    Facebook Event Page

    Wednesday, July 2
    The Son of The Man (July 2 - 13)
    Facebook Event Page

    Thursday, July 10
    Brooke Gallupe Solo @ Toronto, ON
    Facebook Event Page

    Monday, September 22
    Spacing presents thinkTORONTO
    Facebook Event Page

    Saturday, October 4
    Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2008
    Facebook Event Page

    Sunday, October 19
    2008 Toronto Zombie Walk
    Facebook Event Page

    Polaris Jury Announced



    Sure awards season is long since over but the most prestigious prize in Canadian Music is just getting warmed up. The 2008 jury for the Polaris Music Prize was announced today.

    This is the third year for the prize, which awards $20,000 for the best Canadian album based solely on artistic merit. Better still, "no one with a direct financial interest in musical artists (i.e. managers, record labels, agents and music publishers) are involved in the selection process." Toronto's Final Fantasy (Owen Pallett) took the award in 2006 and Montreal's Patrick Watson took last year's prize.

    This year, for the first time, the long list will be announced ahead of time (on June 12) and the short list will be announced on July 7.

    Anti-Canadian Copyright Bill Returns

    The Canadian version of the American Digital Millenium Copyright Act appears to be on it's way back to Parliament. When the bill reared it's ugly head last time the Conservatives were heavily critisized by Canadian consumers as well as arts and cultural groups for failing to consult anyone (except the large American media companies) before introducing the bill, which coincidentally helped only large American media companies.

    As is to be expected in the current political climate the Conservatives have still consulted no one and the Liberals are silent on the issue. It is likely that the Conservatives are hoping to take advantage of the support (by abstention) that they've been enjoying from the Liberal opposition.

    The NDP at least has weighed in on the issue:
    "Industry Minister Jim Prentice may very well introduce a bill to amend existing copyright legislation before the end of the current session of Parliament in the next few weeks. Unfortunately, there is reason to believe that his bill will be no better than previous attempts, which I, along with the other members of the NDP caucus, felt failed to address the needs of consumers."
    So, here we go again. Here are the address' to complain to.
    Industry Minister Jim Prentice - Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca, Minister.Industry@ic.gc.ca

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper - pm@pm.gc.ca

    Find Your Local MP


    Wednesday, May 21, 2008

    Montreal, Vancouver and How-To sections added

    I've been busy working on the site today. There are new aggregators for Vancouver and Montreal (I'm looking at other cities and more will follow at some point). There is also a new How To section, fairly small for now but it will grow and will be dedicated to tutorials on how to...all kinds of stuff. Stay tuned!

    Pee Wee Herman, Rocky Horror Style



    Ever seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show? Sure you have. Ever seen it done by members of Broken Social Scene, Apostle of Hustle, The Hidden Cameras, Kids on TV, Republic of Safety, the Old Soul, the Phonemes, and reportely a guest appearance by Sook Yin Lee? I doubt it. Now scratch Rocky Horror and change it to Pee Wee's Big Adventure and you have what promises to be one of the Toronto events of the year.

    The Cast (see below) will reenact the movie as it appears on the screen. All of this as a fundraiser for the Toronto Cyclists Union and will appear for two shows only at the Bloor Cinema, Thursday May 29, at 7 PM and again at 9:30 PM.

    Tickets are on sale at

    Downtown:
    Grassroots Bloor, 408 Bloor St West
    Grassroots Danforth,372 Danforth Ave
    Soundscapes, 572 College St
    Toronto Women's Bookstore, 73 Harbord St
    Bloor Cinema box office (as of Monday May 12th)

    Etobicoke:
    Chain Reaction, 4231 Dundas St W
    Bicycle Depot, 835 Albion Road
    Daial Cycles, 555 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Unit 107

    The Full Cast for the Evening Includes

    Lex Vaugh as Pee Wee Herman
    Gentleman Reg as Francis
    Joel Gibb as 'the hobo'
    Maggie MacDonald as Tina

    and

    Adrian Heaps (Toronto City Council)
    Andrew Whiteman (Apostle of Hustle)
    Ariel Garten
    Jedediah Smith (Bad Dog Theatre)
    Jo-Ann Goldsmith (The Old Soul)
    John Caffery (Kids on TV)
    John Power (Brutal Knights)
    Justin Stayshyn
    Keith Cole (Keith Cole)
    Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene)
    Lisa Smolkin
    Magali Meagher (phonemes)
    Margaret Hastings-James
    Matt Blackett (Spacing Magazine)
    Mike EB
    Misha Glouberman
    Rose Bianchini
    Sook Yin Lee (Definitely not the Opera)
    Yvonne Bambrick (Toronto Cyclists Union)

    More info is available here and here and here and, of course there is a Facebook Event Page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=24642939648.

    See you there! (If you're at the 7 pm show that is)

    Dan Mangan Tour Dates



    Dan Mangan (homepage, Myspace) has announced the dates for his upcoming tour through BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec (including a few dates with Said the Whale). In case you missed it Dan now has a few songs available for download on this site. Go out and welcome him to your town!



    May 22. Duncan Garage Showroom w/ The Karuna Movement - Duncan, BC
    May 23. The Cambie w/ Shane Koyczan & The Short Story Long - Nanaimo, BC
    May 24. The Solstice Cafe w/ Shane Koyczan & The Short Story Long - Victoria, BC
    May 25. CBC Radio 2 presents "Canada Live" @ The Penthouse w/ James Lamb & Nat Jay - Vancouver, BC
    May 29. The Can w/ Shane Koyczan & The Short Story Long - Penticton, BC
    May 30. TBA - Calgary, AB
    May 31. Sugarbowl w/ TBA - Edmonton, AB
    June 1. Lydia's w/ TBA - Saskatoon, SK
    June 3. The Lo Pub w/ All Of Your Friends - Winnipeg, MAN
    June 7. COCA Conference - Ottawa, ON
    June 10. The Mercury Lounge - Ottawa, ON
    June 11. TBA w/ Said The Whale - Montreal, QUE
    June 12. TBA w/ Said The Whale - Guelph/Hamilton, ON
    June 13. The Rivoli (NXNE / TMB) - Toronto, ON
    June 14. The Savannah Room (NXNE) - Toronto, ON
    June 25. Vancouver Jazz Fest @ The Media Club w/ Ryan McMahon & The Arbutus Collective - Vancouver, BC

    Hey Ocean! Tour Dates



    Vancouver's Hey Ocean! (Facebook, Mysapce) is getting ready to kick off a cross Canada tour (ok, not really cross Canada - they're not going east of Ontario on this one still ...) check them out if you can!

    Friday, June 6th - Windsor, ON @ The Phog Lounge

    Saturday, June 7th - Sarnia, ON @ Paddy Flaherty's

    Monday, June 9th - Ottawa, ON @ Maverick's

    Tuesday, June 10th - Montreal, QC @ Le Divan Orange

    Wednesday, June 11th - Toronto, ON @ The Rivoli

    Thursday, June 12th - London, ON @ Call the Office

    Tuesday, June 17th - Sudbury, ON @ Loplops Gallery

    Wednesday, June 18th - Thunder Bay, ON @ Jack's

    Thursday, June 19th - Winnipeg, MB @ The Lo Pub

    Friday, June 20th - Regina, SK @ The Club (Exchange)

    Saturday, June 21st - Calgary, AB @ Virgin Festival

    Wednesday, June 25th - Canmore, AB @ Canmore Hotel

    Thursday, June 26th - Golden, BC @ The Roadhouse

    Saturday, June 28th - Saskatoon, SK @ Lydia's

    Tuesday, July 1st - Kelowna, BC @ Doc Willoughby's

    Thursday, July 3rd - Victoria, BC @ Element

    Sunday, July 6th - Vancouver, BC @ St James Hall (ALL AGES)

    Friday, July 11th - Vancouver, BC @ Richards on Richards

    Saturday, July 12th - Whistler, BC @ GLC

    Tuesday, May 20, 2008

    Randall Cousins Downloads

    Randall Cousins has contributed 3 more songs to the download section today. It wouldn't be suprising if you'd never heard of Randall, but you should still check out the songs. Randall plays an instrument called a theremin. From Randalls website
    "The theremin is one of the oldest electronic instruments, and the only one known that you play without touching. Moving your hands in the space around its antennas 
    controls pitch and volume."
    So, the teremin will sound familiar to you if you've watched alot of old sci-fi. From wikipedia:
    "To play, the player moves his hands around the antennas, controlling frequency (pitch) and amplitude (volume). The theremin is associated with "alien", surreal, and eerie-sounding portamento, glissando, tremolo, and vibrato sounds, due to its use in soundtracks such as Spellbound, The Lost Weekend, Metroid Prime, Ed Wood, Mars Attacks! (together with the Ondes-Martenot and pre-recorded Theremin samples)[4] and The Day the Earth Stood Still. "

    Go here to have a listen

    The Rebirth Of The Big Boss Lady

    After sleeping well and re-hydrating and slowly eating little bits of healthy food I feel remarkably good considering the intensity of my last week. Being surrounded by those who truly love me is also extremely comforting and immediately relaxing. Even after one short evening, night and day I have been able to truly enjoy my day today. It is sunny and beautiful and I am enjoying the day immensely.

    Since I left for Cannes last Monday what I experienced was probably the worst week of my life, to date. I was exhausted, emotionally drained, physically sick, weak without food and drink and largely without means to communicate (no outgoing phone, barely there internet) in the South Of France. My experience was that in that country there were a handful of kind people, who I will write about who really helped me, and countless who acted so cold and inhumane that even in my desperate state it became funny. I was living in a black comedy. By the end of the week to top of the ridiculous circus of what was going on, I was also feeling the icky icy fear of anxiety attacks added on to by my dehydration and lack of food and comfort.

    I want to say that now that I am safe and sound out of France and surrounded my those who love me, that I feel last week was also the most important and powerful week of my life. This blog will journal the rebirth of the Big Boss Lady of Mighty Brave Productions. Now the birthing process was painful and scary. The lights and sounds were bright at the other end. But now that I am safe I realize that I have fundamentally changed and it feel good. I realized that the way I had been living my life was always keeping everyone’s perspectives in mind. And this won’t radically change, I will just set new clear boundaries for myself. I believe that overall a nurturing environment that was always my goal at Mighty Brave (in the office, with creative and extended team) will remain. That is so important to me and now it is key that it is reciprocated.

    In the recent past I have been blazingly honest with how I feel about all the important people in my life. It felt harsh after being so different for years. And you know what, it set me free. I am no longer bound to directors, editors friends anybody. I already have another go-to director/ editor with a long track record of delivering on time, with grace and appreciation. And bless the lord, he is also an intuitive and good writer and Bun loves working with him. Yahoo. And he is mature and he saved my ass last week.

    After my experience in France, the little I had standing upright out of my sweaty pajamas, really also opened my eyes to the kind of person I wanted to be and the kind of work I wanted to do. My burning desires are to be safe, loved, nurtured and surrounded by those who love me. I want to tell stories on film. I want the extra-ordinary experiences that I have had to help me tell a good story. I want to be free of burdens and people who don’t want to be in my creative family.

    And those that do and that are happy with me (friends and work) I will have you there with open arms. And those that aren’t and those that don’t want to be there are set free.

    I was shocked at some people’s behaviour, and I wish I had been wearing a hidden camera because my last week would have made the most extraordinary documentary about human nature. From one extreme of a cab driver staying with me for hours calling around to find my condo in Biot (it wasn’t on the GPS and I had been left in Cannes at night to take a cab home). He kept calling so I wouldn’t have to sleep on the street. We talked to all the cab drivers he knew he got me home and he gave me hug after hearing my story. To the other extreme of me asking at reception for food and water because I couldn’t call out and I was sick and her saying there was nothing she could do to help me.

    I know a helpless person is a tough situation. And I know that people have an instinct to take care of themselves first. I also believe that someone’s true colours come out in a time of crisis. And I have opened my eyes.

    Now this new harsher me has already scared a few people away. And has brought many surprising near. And those I shall keep close.

    I will write more as the stories of last week come out. They really are bizarre . I coldn’t have created more plot twists, mis-communications or drama. These were mostly created because of lack of communication. All the people who were worried about me had no way to actually talk to me. And the broken telephone caused quite the circus. I have learned never to travel when I am weak and never to leave the country without a cell phone that is strictly mine. I never expected it would be impossible to reach an operator or emergency assistance on a French payphone or from a condo that has a land line.

    I love people and I want to tell stories and I want to live happy healthy and well.
    I am not interested in money or fame or any of the trappings that my week in Cannes represented to me. I would rather make short films on video for the rest of my life.

    Mighty forces cradle the brave
    And I am happy
    Lisa Anita Wegner

    Thank you Mom, Dad, Kate, Morgan, Benjamin, Bun & Duffy

    Monday, May 19, 2008

    News Flash: Gas Prices Will Go Up Forever

    For some time now things have been good for the media. Every day they get an easy story just by reporting on gas prices and then going out to find people (usually people who drive SUVs, minivans or Hummers) to complain about them.

    Personally I'm tired of the whining. Gas prices aren't coming down folks, not ever. They may dip a bit, only to rise even more but for the most part the trend will continue to be up and up. What's more everyone who was paying attention has known this day was coming for 30 years - since the oil crunch of the 70s. It's called peak oil:
    "Peak oil is the point in time when the maximum rate of global petroleum production is reached, after which the rate of production enters its terminal decline. If global consumption is not mitigated before the peak, an energy crisis may develop because the availability of conventional oil will drop and prices will rise, perhaps dramatically."
    What's more increasing energy prices are just the tip of the iceberg - anything imported is going to start going up in price, the farther away it's imported from, the higher the price will go. Ultimately all of this will be a good thing. It will, hopefully, lead to less fuel consumption which is good for the environment. Once import prices begin to climb it will mean more local jobs, including (probably) manufacturing jobs and it will finally force governments and business to get serious about alternative fuel research.

    But high fuel prices are just a reality. People will have to start living closer to where they work, shop and send their kids to school. They will have to begin making use of public transit and they will have to buy more fuel efficient cars, many will have to ultimately give up personal automobiles altogether. This is just reality, we've known it was coming, and now it's here and there is nothing anyone (not government, the oil companies, the Saudi's or anyone else) can or will do about it.

    Just wait until Alberta is forced to shut down the oil sands then things will really get interesting.

    Image borrowed from lucsnetguide.com (who seems to think that the US has high gas prices - even though they are amoung the lowest in the world.)

    Spacing Poll: TTC An Essential Service

    Now that some of the raw emotion from the latest TTC Strike has work off, Spacing is hosting a poll to see if people still believe the TTC should be an essential service (thus losing the ability to go on strike.

    Personally I think this is a no brainer. The TTC should be declared an essential service because the TTC is an essential service. For a large and growing number of Torontonians the TTC is their primary mode of transportation. They rely on it to get to work, to school and to essential goods and services. I believe that it is absolutely necessary that people be assured that the service will always be running. That they feel comfortable giving up their cars and buying metro passes without worrying about what they will do when the TTC walks off the job.

    Whatever you feel about the issue though go vote at

    http://spacing.ca/wire/2008/05/19/poll-should-the-ttc-be-decalred-an-essential-service/.

    A Cease Fire in Copyfight?

    In Saturday's Globe and Mail John Degen, head of the Professional Writers Association of Canada, declares a personal cease fire in the Copyright wars. He is offering, for free, a PDF version of his most recent novel "the Uninvited Guest" through his website.
    "Does this mean I've surrendered, that I agree cultural product should cost nothing to obtain? Not at all. I'm a professional writer and I insist on a viable economic model for my work, and for the work of publishers and booksellers. I'm not giving my novel away out of a sense of hopelessness. Rather I'm investing in my confidence in the literary marketplace.

    People who like the download are free to share it and thereby market it. After all, the literary sharing economy was created long before we went digital (think libraries). Those who really like my book can pick up an offline copy from their local bookstore. There are, ahem, a few remaining. Importantly, all this activity will occur within the legal boundaries of copyright law. The Uninvited Guest remains my intellectual property. When it comes time to sell the film rights, for instance, it will be me doing the selling.
    Time for us all to take a breath, I think. The war, if there ever was one, is over."
    Whatever the future outcome(s) of the copyfight Mr. Degen is positioning himself to win. For over a decade now producers of music, film, television, literature and other cultural works have been fighting for more rights, better enforcement and more money and they have been losing. I think, if you're a producer, you'll find if you start with the supposition that your fans are not your enemies, that you can and should have a symbiotic relationship that it will quickly point the way to the end of the war.
    Most content producers, as well as their lobbyists and advocates in Ottawa (and other world capitals) have started with the idea that the audience is the enemy, that your fans are basically criminals who want to do you in and that an adversarial relationship should exist between creators and consumers.
    Given this approach it is not surprising that content producers have been losing. Whatever the outcome of all of this the one certainty is that the cooperation of the audience is going to be required for any solution to work. I hope that Mr. Degen's position will result in more Canadian content producers and distributors rethinking their approach.

    Sunday, May 18, 2008

    Free Spiral Beach Downloads!

    Want two free songs from, what Soundproof Magazine calls, "Toronto's finest young electro-indie-pop four-piece"? Of course you do! How could you not. Here's a bit of a preview of the latest addition to the podsafe downloads Spiral Beach!

    Spiral Beach: Made of Stone

    We Are Wolves - Fight and Kiss

    The new video from Montreal's We Are Wolves once again brings together the classic music video elements of models and water! If you're not a fan of models and water - it's still amazing dance music!

    We Are Wolves - Fight and Kiss

    Opt Out of Telemarketing



    Compliments of Michael Geist comes a way to easily close a loophole that telemarketers are counting on.
    "The Canadian government passed legislation in 2005 mandating the creation of a do-not-call registry. The registry is scheduled to take effect in mid-2008, yet many Canadians may be disappointed to learn about the exemption of a wide range of organizations (registered charities, business with prior relationships, political parties, survey companies, and newspapers). Under the law, exempted organizations are permitted to make unsolicited telephone calls despite the inclusion of the number in the do-not-call registry. However, organizations must remove numbers from their lists if specifically requested to do so."
    Using ioptout.ca you simply enter your contact information, select the organizations you never want to hear from again and ioptout.ca sends the requests for you. If, after sending these 'opt out' requests you hear from the organization again, simply file a complaint with the privacy commissioner who must, by law, take enforcement action.

    Although this is a beta version and there appear to be some initial problems with the login mechanism if you don't like being called in the middle of dinner by someone trying to sell you things you don't want or need it's well worth bookmarking.

    CBC's Board of Directors

    Many people believe that the CBC is run by the Government. This is not quite true. While the Canadian Government provides funding and lays out the CBC's mandate the Government does not directly control the CBC. Instead a board of directors appointed by the Government provides oversight - maintaining an 'arms length' relationship between Parliament and the national public broadcaster.

    If the CBC seems of late to be suffering from a bit of an identity crisis the board of directors may provide some clues as to why. From Tod Maffin at Inside the CBC comes a breakdown of exactly who sits on that board. With the recent addition of 2 more lawyers to the board, it now looks like this.

    Saturday, May 17, 2008

    Mighty Forces Cradle The Brave - Correction

    If I am going to continue to write blogs clearly I need fact checker.

    My darling friend Kate let me know there hasn't been a King of France in some hundreds of years. John Davidson is here in my condo with me now and he let me know that it was the President Of France who walked in with the trumpets.

    If I had been correct about the King Of France, this dude might have walked in.
    And John produced Jean Luc Godard's only English film. Not his last film. And Godard is still alive. Yikes. And I spelled Godard incorrectly.

    Kate I love you for everything you are and everything you do!

    Shortly I am heading to the festival with John to pick up my accreditation and then Kim is arriving. I feel so much better. I hope Carlie is doing okay.

    The Mighty Brave website is up soon, I am very stoked about that. Thank you Micheal!

    xo LAW

    Friday, May 16, 2008

    Mighty Forces Cradle The Brave


    I just realized that France is the home country of Jeanne D’Arc, my personal heroine and logo mistress of Mighty Brave. At fourteen years old she charmed the King of France and she led the army to save this very country.

    It is a breathtakingly beautiful here in Biot, where the condo is located. (There is a nearby town called Biach, which made me laugh when I saw it on the car GPS.) From here is a short drive to the Cannes Film festival along gorgeous French country roads. It is lush and green with fragrant blooming flowers, interesting architecture, birds, rabbits, frogs and fountains everywhere. Bentley’s and other fancy cars line the streets and the one thing I can honestly say I am not keen on are the rich French folk who live in this area. They are not really my kind of people. The wait staff and workmen are more my speed than the snooty rich boys at the country club who radiate their belief that they are god’s gift to the world. Yuck.

    I had another rough sick day, stayed in bed and sweated and slept through most of it. I remember Carlie trying to wake me. I tried to take a bath but was instantly too hot. I still haven’t made it to the festival, although I found out where there is local free parking from another producer and got a good party invite, unfortunately for when I’m gone. I also got offered services free from a concierge company.

    Today I was intending to drive Carlie to the train station but kept waking in and out of delirium having strange obvious dreams. I was freezing and then sweaty and couldn’t keep food or drink down. I had a dream I was trying to call on an old rotary phone and it kept dialing the wrong number and then the dial melted. I tried to meet a friend and kept missing busses and was led astray down wrong streets.

    I really feel cut off without a local phone. Carlie took the French cell because she didn’t want to travel without it. The lovely receptionist here who is less that cheerful still hasn’t given me an internet password so I’m still piggybacking my neighbour’s password which is patchy as a quilt. I tried to send Kim an email for about 40 minutes and feeling like I was going to cry then gave up. I tried several different payphones and the hotel phone but none can call out. I feel a tad helpless and cut off but have had lots of support through sporadic emails that do come through. Also the lobby of the nearby hostel has free internet that works. So I have walked over there a few times with my laptop. And the traveling students are much kinder.

    I am in the lap of luxury here. Beautiful lush countryside, with a closet full of designer gowns and a BMW and I can’t make a phone call to save my life!

    After sleeping and eating a bit, I feel more human and just took another of my late night walks and after raiding the BMW of the toll change I bought chips and a latte from the vending machine at that youth hostel. The chips did the trick to make me thirsty, I wanted to drink a bunch of water. I know coffee might not be the best late night beverage but c’est la vie! They don’t seem to have decaf coffee in France.

    Carlie has left, she took the train from Cannes and then is flying home tomorrow. Kim is arriving tomorrow and the best news is producer John Davidson is joining her and he will be staying in the condo with us. He is a good friend of hers and a well known producer who was asked by Jen Luc Goddard to produce the master’s last film. He told Kim and I all about dining with The King of France at Cannes and all kinds of other useful and interesting tidbits. Gracious kind and fun, he is my favourite kind of people. He’s not pretentious at all, despite his acclaim.

    And I also got a Cannes travel donation emailed to me from a friend. I am the luckiest girl in the world.

    Tomorrow I get the condo in order, wash my sweaty pajamas do my best to get clean sheets and finally get to the darn tootin’ festival. I am going to be so happy to see the lovely Miss Poirier and Mr. Davidson. They will be like a vision of an angel and a knight in shining armour, the deus ex machina in the story of this last week.

    A few other noteworthy tidbits from today:

    It’s a lot quicker to use the emergency exit of the condo to get the hostel so the last time I went there I stuck a Tick Tak box in the door to prop it open. As I was walking away the alarm went off and I imagined the receptionist popping out of the bushes and accusing me.. When I got back the door was shut and my minty little whities were nowhere to be seen.

    The first time I went to get snacks at the hostel I ran into French frat boys watching bad porn and they gave me change for the machine. The second time I went to use their lobby internet a sleazy guy in tight pants and pointy shoes offered me cocaine. Now that is just what I need. Last time I went out two cute well spoken French guys driving a real mini stopped me asking if I wanted to party. I was wearing Little Miss Giggles PJs and I just stared at them until they drove away.

    I will end on a completely different note. My friend and writer Catherine Jenkins just found out that she got accepted into her chosen PHd program (www.catherinejenkins.com). She is working with Kate Meier and I on a little passion project of Mighty Brave’s about breast cancer entitled THE MOMENT. Kate is already working on her PHd so I have two very smart ladies backing me up on this one. Do two PHd candidates balance out one university drop out?

    And that’s it. The sun is rising and I’m going to nap again before getting up for the day. It truly is beautiful here. Thank you all for the endless support and encouragement. This truly has been one memorable week.

    Lisa Anita Wegner,
    Mighty Brave Productions
    www.mightybrave.com

    Thursday, May 15, 2008

    Coming Up in Toronto

    Friday, May 16
    DINOSAUR BONES EP RELEASE PARTY!!!
    Facebook Event Page

    A Special Movie Night: AFTERLIFE
    Facebook Event Page

    Hou Hsiao-hsien's THE FLIGHT OF THE RED BALLOON
    Facebook Event Page

    TWM Presents: The Torcus, Pavlov's Dogs Orchestra, La Casa Muerte +
    Facebook Event Page

    Saturday, May 17
    Make it Funky: DJ WOOD N SOO & THE SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA!!!!!
    Facebook Event Page

    Peter Kingstone in Conversation with Thomas Waugh
    Facebook Event Page

    Sunday, May 18
    Second Pass Live at Lee's Palace
    Facebook Event Page

    1001 NIGHTS: Revolutions - VICTORIA DAY LONG WEEKEND
    Facebook Event Page

    Wednesday, May 21
    SNOWDEN w/ Colour Revolt & The Diableros May 21 @ Lee's
    Facebook Event Page

    Thursday, May 22
    Drop Your Shorts 3
    Facebook Event Page

    BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE
    Facebook Event Page

    Friday, May 23
    2008 Green Toronto Festival (May 23 and 24)
    Facebook Event Page

    1st ACT to ACT to ACT Screenplay Challenge - Friday May 23rd, NFB at 7pm
    Facebook Event Page

    Sass and the City - The Improvised Movie
    Facebook Event Page

    The Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra + Arkana Music @ Concord Cafe May 23
    Facebook Event Page

    TWM: First Person Shooter, Organical, and Streetlight Light
    Facebook Event Page

    Saturday, May 24
    Camp Combo with Mysterion and guests at The Cameron House
    Facebook Event Page

    WILDsound SHORT FILM Showcase WITH Audience FEEDBACK, Sat. May 24th at 7pm
    Facebook Event Page

    Sunday, May 25
    The Harmony of Tea & Music
    Facebook Event Page

    CONCRETE TORONTO MUSIC
    Facebook Event Page

    BEST of SUNDANCE Short Films/BEST of WILDsound Intern Films- MUST SEE EVENT
    Facebook Event Page

    Tuesday, May 27
    International Zombie Day
    Facebook Event Page

    Toronto the Good
    Facebook Event Page

    Thursday, May 29
    Tightrope Books Launches IV Lounge Nights!
    Facebook Event Page

    The Silver Dollar Presents Machetes LIVE
    Facebook Event Page

    Friday, May 30
    Steamwhistle Unsigned 6 w/ Bocce, Hexes & Ohs, DJ=Woodhands
    Facebook Event Page

    Saturday, May 31
    Jenny's Room
    Facebook Event Page

    Pillow Fight Toronto 2008
    Facebook Event Page

    Million Dollar Youth Concert
    Facebook Event Page

    "Cycle of Fear" Movie Premiere
    Facebook Event Page

    BRITE! - A fundraiser for Newmindspace
    Facebook Event Page

    Frances-Marie Uitti + Lori Freedman @ soundaXis Festival
    Facebook Event Page

    Sunday, June 1
    The Second City that Never Sleeps
    Facebook Event Page

    Thursday, June 5
    1st Annual Militant Turn It Off Day
    Facebook Event Page

    Regenesis Launch Party
    Facebook Event Page

    Friday June 6

    Luminato: Toronto's Festival of Arts and Creativity 2008 (June 6 - 15)
    Facebook Event Page

    Thursday, July 10
    Brooke Gallupe Solo @ Toronto, ON
    Facebook Event Page

    Friday, August 29
    Spacing presents thinkTORONTO
    Facebook Event Page

    Saturday, October 4
    Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2008
    Facebook Event Page

    Sunday, October 19
    2008 Toronto Zombie Walk
    Facebook Event Page

    Wednesday, May 14, 2008

    Johnny Cash Money Machines?

    Okay......be honest.

    This was a joke, right?



    This clip is part of two YouTube channels that features a wide assortment of television clips from the 1980's; the majority of which were prominent on television screens across Southern Ontario.

    To view the channels (put together by the same user), head to www.youtube.com/Retrontario and www.youtube.com/WNED17

    Dan Mangan Downloads



    When it rains it pours, yesterday it was Edmonton's the Secretaries and Saskatoon's Carbon Dating Service continuing the Western swing today Vancouver singer songwriter Dan Mangan has added 3 songs to the podsafe Downloads. If you don't know Dan, you should - have a listen to the 3 songs, including "Journal of a Narcoleptic" (video below) and then go ahead and buy the album you won't be sorry.

    Dan Mangan - Journal of a Narcolpetic


    A Nice Adventure in Nice

    There was more security at the airport going from Paris to Nice, than there was entering France. I am going between feeling stronger and more clear to feeling out of myself and surreal. When I started writing this blog I never thought it was going to be such a confessional for me. I thought it was going to be a play by play of the goings on of Mighty Brave and the ins and outs of making films. Well it will be that, but I realize Mighty Brave is essentially run on my gas, with an extended creative family and support system behind me. So in order for this to be a full spectrum story of how we make films, I will write here honestly.

    It has been suggested that I write only the positive aspects, and I can see how that makes sense. I suppose this is like my electric open diary. Instead of writing to someone, I am writing essentially to myself (and to all you PublicBroadcasting.com readers.)

    I am on the plane to Nice and Carlie is sitting beside me resting her head against the window. The Easy Jet woman who booked us in was nice and let my luggage overage go because Carlie’s was under. I really appreciated it. Two other noteworthy items: the head steward looks like a smiley Boy George sans makeup; and the sign “Fasten seat belt whilst seated” struck me as poetic.

    There is a screaming baby ahead of us by two rows and I find myself not annoyed by the screeching. My maternal instinct is kicking in, I suppose. I see myself with a baby of my very own on my hip sooner rather than later. I will run Mighty Brave with a dog by my side and a baby on my hip.

    Since falling in love with Duffy, when I hear a barking dog I feel no irritation. I realize that dog is doing its canine job of guarding. When I see a picture of Duffy, my eyes well up with tears. That is either cute or um pathetic, depending on perspective. I’m going to opt for cute.

    Soon we will land in Nice and then we have a car to drive to the condo. Carlie did a great job of booking the trip; all aspects have gone smoothly on that front. Then I will dress nicer (I am wearing my heaviest clothes to aid my overweight suitcase problem) and then we head into the red hot centre of the film market and festival universe. I am stoked to get my badge. I wonder what picture Carlie put on my festival pass (we had to email it in).

    I am stoked to see THE GOSPEL OF PHI trailer on the huge SPOTVISION screens. I think it will remind me of my path and highlight how far I’ve come. I am happiest that I have the one-pagers for the three films I am most stoked about. CHASING ACES was written Ben Dugas for me, and I was surprised when I read it that is said “by Lisa Wegner”. This is true because I have not been so far able to get across what I am intending for it. So what is written on the page are aspects of my ramblings to Ben strung together into a story sheet. I am not a writer so it seems odd to see me credited as one. Despite being a storyteller by nature, I am surprised to see my writing credits on IMDb.

    I am also proud of GOSPEL, I think it is a good indication of the work I like to do.

    I feel more calm and inspired than I have in days. Although I could do without the body ache…

    Carlie is sleeping now and hopefully things will get calmer for her sake. We are starting to land so I’m going to finish up here and post this when I get to the condo. This was a short and easy flight. It’s not called Easy Jet for nuttin’.

    ***

    Now I am sitting in a beautiful country club in the south of France. Our Hotel is named Naeema is closed from noon until 4pm. This was the only place around that had water and food. Carlie has hopped the fence to sit by our hotel pool but I can’t stomach full sun at the moment.

    The car rental was listed in our reservation at $289 Euros unlimited travel for one driver for the week. This sounds good. Carlie picked out hotel because it was in the mountains and cheap and then the rental car made sense. What they didn’t say was that car insurance in France is over $500 Euros for the week for limited insurance and one driver. So basically this glitch wiped out the remainder of my money, which was intended for food. We could have stayed right in Cannes for the combined price. The strange part was the Hertz lady did all these comparisons and for inexplicable reasons the car that was the over all cheapest was this really fancy leather clad black BMW.

    I love driving the car however got lost a million times. The Google map that Carlie printed up was actually wrong. And it turns out I am driving the largest car on the road in France. We follow the map, which takes us to this gated community where there are Bentley’s parked on the road. We left the airport at 10:30 am and the twenty minute drive to our condo takes us two hours and then the hotel reception closes for a four hour lunch break. So here I am writing in this posh golf clubhouse. The waitress took pity on us and let me sit in the air conditioning as long as I want. God bless nice people.

    The south of France is completely gorgeous and lush with beautiful coloured buildings with copper and ceramic roofs and amazing homes set on narrow sloping hilly roads. It’s now almost time for our hotel reception to open again. I am dying for a shower and a lie down.

    I don’t think we’ll get to the festival today- these last two days were the longest feeling ones I can remember. I need to rest and not drive again. Carlie is also now having panic and anxiety feelings so I might send her home early. I understand how this feels! On one hand I want her to stay with me, on the other hand I don’t want her to be uncomfortable I am too fragile to have to look after anyone else.

    Okay well I’m off to book into Hotel Naeema and get Carlie from the pool.

    ****

    Well I’m in the awesome hotel. We got in to the place at 4:30pm. It over looks the mountains and is awesome. We have a pool, sauna, under ground parking (nice for the posh car). Heated towel racks are nice if it gets chilly at night. There is no internet password available today for us. The folks here are not the most useful or friendly folks I have ever met. I did meet a group of traveling students who were interesting. (I bummed an internet password of a neighbour to post this).

    I think I might send Carlie home early. She is getting anxious and as much as I’d like her here, I think it might be best for me to be alone. Kim arrives in two days. We’ll play it by ear… once everything lines up and we’re settled in, I have a feeling she might feel better. Her being sensitive has gotten me stronger but I can’t cycle up and down with looking after her.

    So now I am intending to take a bath and then we’re going to buy some groceries and sit on the beach by the condo. Carlie is concerned about earthquakes yet keeps watching the news because it is the only English television channel.

    I wonder what Duffy is doing right now. Maybe he’s pushing the cushions off the couch looking for me. I hope he’s not pulling dreads out of his fur with his teeth anymore.

    LAW