Vacation, but first a few notes on Bruce McDonald and Grand Analog

I'm off on vacation for a few weeks folks. I'll have limited access to email , but won't have enough internet access to really post anything to publicbroadcasting.ca.

Once I'm back, I have a number of things in the works for publicbroadcasting.ca and otherwise.

I haven't had much time to post today but while I'm away you should check out the press release on Bruce McDonalds new film Pontypool (PDF Format) which will be premiering at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.

While I'm away you should check out The Signal on CBC Radio 2. For the next few weeks Odario Wiliams of Grand Analog is filling in for a couple of weeks!

Also, if you have a spare moment, please take a slurpee to John O'Regan (of the D'Urbervilles) he's in hospital for surgery.

See you soon folks, e if you miss me.

RVT: Levi MacDougall

Almost everyone knows who Levi MacDougall is. If you don't know the name he is the guy with the really bad cell phone service in Rogers Wireless ads (Don't believe the hype, Rogers service is not that great.) But Levi is more than a guy with bad cell phone service. He's also one of Toronto's better stand up comics.



p.s. It's also his birthday. Happy Birthday Levi

Find (or Write) the New Hockey Song

The CBC Hockey Challenge site is up and in full swing at anthemchallenge.cbc.ca. Submissions are being accepted between now and August 31 for a chance to win

"• Bragging Rights: the world will know you wrote an anthem that will be a key part of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada’s broadcast. The winning Theme will be broadcast as a key part of the program during the 2008-9 hockey season, and potentially beyond.
Cash: $100,000 (CDN), and half of the royalties for public performance of the Theme will be paid to the Songwriter(s), and half will be donated by CBC to minor league hockey."

Although there is nothing in this contest about "artistic merit" it is financially the same as 5 Polaris Music Prizes and, my guess is, (although it's sad) that the winner will find more Canadians who care about Hockey Night in Canada than Canadians who care about 'artistic merit'.

There are already hundreds of entries on the site that you can listen to and rate, although official voting doesn't start until October 4. (All the rules and regulations and legal fine print are also on the site).

Coming Up in Toronto

This is going to be the last events posting for a couple of weeks as I'm headed out of town. If there is anyone out there who relies on this, Jennifer Polk is taking over the Facebook Group in my absence so you may want to join that.

Wednesday, July 16
RIVAL GANG THEATRE + MJ CYR @ C'EST WHAT
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Facebook Event Page

ACCEPTING THE POSSIBILITY THAT I MAY RUIN MY EYES: READING IN DARKNESS
TORONTO FREE LIBRARY Librarian Residency #3
Facebook Event Page

JP live @ the Kathedral on July 16th
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, July 17
NO SHAME : Rouge / Peter Project / Famous Players @ Rancho Relaxo
Facebook Event Page

We Take Lovers' EP Release party? W/ Femme Generation and The Guest Bedroom
Facebook Event Page

ZAC & JEFF BEIRK: CYCLE OF VACANCIES
Facebook Event Page

bye bye badman @ the Supermarket
Facebook Event Page

SchombergFair/Weewerk/Horseshoe July 17th
Facebook Event Page

Rue Morgue's CineMacabre: Monster Slayer
Facebook Event Page

Friday, July 18
Steam Whistle Unsigned #7
Facebook Event Page

TWM 20: Jetset Motel, Hooded Fang, Knock Knock Ginger & Cedar
20 and going strong!
Facebook Event Page

GNARLY - MY!GAY!HUSBAND!, THE MACHETES (LIVE), DOUGIE BOOM + SURPRISE GUEST
Facebook Event Page

A JIHAD FOR LOVE - one week at The Royal
Facebook Event Page

Bat Meet: Whorish Pop and Hip-Hop
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, July 19
NO SHAME: Carbon Dating Service / OhNo Forest Fires / Ride Til Dawn @ Drake
Facebook Event Page

Humber College Songwriting Workshop ( VIP Prize Draw)
Facebook Event Page

Fashionista Yard Sale
Facebook Event Page

1001 NIGHTS BOAT CRUISE
Facebook Event Page

A Showcase of Photography Presented by the Great Hall Gallery
Facebook Event Page

Fire Hydrant @ The Music Gallery
Facebook Event Page

oxford hotel presents: hamilton trading co., grim safari, whatever jailer
Facebook Event Page

Shobha CD Release Party
Facebook Event Page

elZOO: DOPPLEGANGER!!!
Facebook Event Page

((((( CHRONOLOGIC )))))
The History of Post War Pop (and anti pop) Played in Chronological Order
Facebook Event Page

Sunday, July 20
The Steamboat Soul Revue w/ Mantler& Sandro Perri and Micheal Louis Johnson
Facebook Event Page

Monday, July 21
MATMOS return to the Music Gallery!!
Facebook Event Page

Tuesday, July 22
Beth In Battle Mode - FREE at the Horseshoe!
Facebook Event Page

it IS a tumor
A benefit show for the Princess Margaret Hospital
Facebook Event Page

Wednesday, July 23
SMC - Summer Music Conference
Facebook Event Page

Granny Boots: A FAT PARTY!
Facebook Event Page

The Darcys open for We Are The Take @ Tattoo
Facebook Event Page

PWYC Weds: La Casa Muerte, Burn Planetarium & Kaleidoscope City!
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, July 24
NO SHAME : Slim Twig / Magic Weapon / Mixylodian @ Rancho
Facebook Event Page

Friday, July 25
DINOSAUR BONES & Black Hat Brigade!
Facebook Event Page

GAREN @ FreeTimes Cafe
Facebook Event Page

WILDsound TV PILOT Screenplay Night - Fri. July 25th 7pm at the NFB
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, July 26
Miracle Fortress + Think About Life + Ruby Coast + Adam & The Amethysts
Facebook Event Page

WILDsound SHORT Film Festival - July 26th - FEEDBACK discussion
Facebook Event Page

TWM: Animal Clinic, Cursed Arrows, the Primordials & Quantum Physique
Facebook Event Page

Tuesday, July 29
FastLane - Summer Social Patio Night
Facebook Event Page

The Craft Economy with Jane Vain & The Dark Matter and The Warped 45s
Facebook Event Page

Wednesday, July 30
Themis LIVE at Kathedral
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, July 31
NO SHAME : Receivers / Sleeping Kings of Ional / Loitering Heroes @ Rancho
Facebook Event Page

Second Pass Live at the Rivoli Thursday JUly 31st
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, August 2
Themis LIVE @ The Rivoli
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, August 7
Squiggfest 08 - Day 1
Facebook Event Page

Plastics Inc. @ Clinton's
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, August 9
NO SHAME : Bruce Peninsula / The Got To Get Got / 1 Heart Many Hands
Facebook Event Page

In the Shadow of Souls - Fundraising BBQ
Facebook Event Page

Monday, August 11
Perseids Meteor Shower
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, August 14
Squiggfest 08 - Day 2
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, August 21
Squiggfest 08 - Day 3
Facebook Event Page

Friday, August 22
SINS OF A SUPERVIXEN - An Intimate Evening with Tura Satana
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, August 28
Squiggfest 08 - Day 4
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

Thursday, October 30
Flourish A Brighter Future Through Culture
Facebook Event Page

Friday, November 14
Art Gallery of Ontario public opening
Facebook Event Page

War Resisters, Stephen Harper and Gerard Kennedy

So it's come to this. US Military deserter Robin Long has been deported.

"Prime Minister Stephen Harper's minority Conservative government has ignored a nonbinding motion passed by opposition parties in the House of Commons last month that would have allowed the Iraq deserters to stay."

This coming right on the heels of evidence of the torture of a Canadian teenager at Guantanamo bay. It is appallingly clear and has been for some time that Canada has an anti-Canadian Prime Minister.

Mr. Harper is staunchly pro-Bush, even on issues of war crimes, torture and child abuse. He is pro-Bush even when it hurts Canada and Canadians. He is absolutely anti-enviroment, he is against art and free speech but strongly supports censorship and government secrecy. As I said though, we already knew all of this. The thing is Harper would no longer be in power if the Liberals hadn't completely bungled their leadership election. Even with that, you cannot blame Stephen Dion for not being a leader. True he should, at this point, step down for the good of the country but his lack of charisma is not his fault.

The person, other than Harper, who is most to blame for the current situation is Gerard Kennedy. It pains me to say that. I supported Mr. Kennedy when he was the MPP for my riding. I supported him in the Liberal Leadership race. He seemed like the ideal candidate. Young and charismatic and full of ideas and optimism. He also had none of the negatives of Mr. Rae and Mr. Ignatieff.

Originally from Mantioba, Mr. Kennedy was creating food banks in Alberta when the sponsorship crisis happened and so cannot be tied to it. His wife is from Quebec and so Quebec wouldn't have to worry about being forgotten about and Mr. Kennedy currently lives in Toronto (and Ottawa) - so, with the exception of the Maritimes, Kennedy has the entire country covered - Quebec and Ontario, the Prairies and the West.

I honestly thought Mr. Kennedy would be the new leader of the Liberals, but he did worse than lose - When his chance came to be kingmaker, to shift his support to a candidate and effectively decide the outcome, Kennedy Supported Dion.

I cannot help but think, and I thought this at the time, that someone as politically astute as Kennedy knew what would happen with Dion in power. He must have known that Dion was the weakest and least charismatic of the three candidates and, although I cannot prove it and cannot read minds I suspect that Kennedy was hoping for a short leadership stint from Mr. Dion and another chance to run himself.

Whatever his reasoning or motivation it was this decision by Kennedy that has kept Stephen Harper in power for so long, and because of this demonstration of poor judgement, and because my current MP Peggy Nash has been on the right side of every issue I am concerned about I have decided to support her and the NDP in the next election against Gerard Kennedy.

Stephen Page Arrested on Drug Charges

Barenaked Ladies frontman Stephen Page has been arrested on drug charges according to the CBC.

Steven Page, along with two women, were arrested after police found cocaine and marijuana in a Fayetteville, N.Y., apartment, according to a Syracuse-area radio station's website, 9WSYR.com.

Page and one of the women were apparently arrested Friday after police discovered a car with an open door in the driveway of a home. While they were investigating the vehicle, officers observed a man and a woman sitting at a kitchen table with a white capsule inside an apartment.

Police said the man and woman had a substance that tested positive for cocaine. Page, 38, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree. He was reportedly arraigned in Manlius, N.Y., Town Court and released after posting $10,000 US bail.

It is not apparently clear who the drugs belonged to or what the outcome of any court proceedings might be. Page's manager Terry McBride is promising business as usual until the case is decided however, according to US law, this could result in Page being unable to re-enter the United States. Remember folks, if you want to stay out of trouble (whether you've done anything wrong or not) is don't go to the U.S..

Barenaked Ladies - Pollywog in a Bog



We can only hope that Page will receive a fair trial and won't wind up in Guantanamo or Syria.

Better Than The Van: New Site to Help Musicians on the Road

Via CBC Radio 3 comes word that a brand new website has been created to help find bands places to stay while on the Road.

"For indie musicians, there's nothing quite like hitting the road in that stinky old Ford Econoline and heading across North America.

But it doesn't take long before the romance of staying flea bag motels or crashing in the van in Costco parking lots wears a little thin.

That's exactly why musician Todd Hansen created betterthanthevan.com, a brand new website that pairs music fans with musicians who need a place to stay.

The story behind Todd's site, for those of you who are interested, goes like this:

What's the story behind the site?

Touring isn't cheap or easy. We know, we've done it for years. We thought of this as a way for music fans and other bands to offer up their floor and couches. We've stayed in some great and not so great places while on tour, so we know it can be hit or miss. We figure people are fans of bands and bands become fans of other bands; if we give them all a place to meet under a common need, good things will come of it.

We wanted to make a very simple site that allows bands to meet fans and bands to meet bands for a practical purpose. You can join the site for free as either "offering a place..." or "needing a place..." to stay. Bands can search by location, age, weekend/weekday availability and few other options. People with places to offer can also search for bands who are looking. Give as little or as much info as you want.
That's the basic idea. Give it a go and sign up!

Dinosaur Bones at the Supermarket July 25

So the last band I saw at this year's NXNE was Dinosaur Bones who were good, but it was very late at night on Sunday after NXNE was technically over. So I've been patiently waiting for my chance to see them again. Naturally, I will be out of town when it happens. But, if you're in Toronto on July 25 you should definitely check them out.

Here are the details:

July 25, the Supermarket, Doors at 9 p.m.

9:30 - Leh-Lo
10:15 - Steve York Band
11:00 - Black Hat Brigade
12:00 - DINOSAUR BONES

1:00 until the end of time - DJ's MishMosh & Dick Nasty

Total cost? A measly five bucks!

Dinosaur Bones - N.Y.E.

New Gentleman Reg Album Coming on Arts & Crafts

According to CBC Radio 3 Reg Vermue (a.k.a. Gentleman Reg) has inked a deal with Arts and Crafts and will be releasing his new album "Jet Black" on October 14.

It has been a long wait for Jet Black. Reg's last album "Darby and Joan" was released in 2004. His other albums include "Make Me Pretty" (2002) and "the Theoretical Girl" (2000). He has also been a regular member of the Hidden Cameras

Gentleman Reg - the Boyfriend Song

The CRTC, New Media (and Michael Geist)

If you don't read Michael Geist's Blog. Dr. Geist will keep you up to date on the latest in the law as it pertains to technology and copyright.

Today you would have found out a couple of important things. First the Competition Bureau has warned the CRTC against regulating new media. This is a good thing in that the internet doesn't need to be regulated in the same way television and radio are. The internet is a public forum where anyone can participate and should remain so. It is a bad thing in that, at the moment, a handful of companies in Canada monopolize connections to the internet and bandwidth and they are exploiting that monopoly. They are overcharging for internet use, and trying to control what you may or may not do on the internet - they are, in effect, regulating the internet themselves without any input from government.

The best solution is probably for municipalities to provide internet service (in the same way they provide water and sanitation) - simply make it an essential public service and shut the telecoms out altogether.

The second important and interesting thing you would have found out is that those self same companies have formed an alliance to defend their anti-public monopolies.

Feist Does Sesame Street

Sure, there have been the late night talk show appearances, the Emmy Nominations and the sweep of the Juno Awards but nothing quite says "you've made it" like a guest appearance on Sesame Street.

So, although I normally ignore what goes on Stateside on this blog, even when it involves Canadians I have to tip my cap to Feist on her "Golden Muppet Award" (Ok I just made that up but it would be a cool award!)

New Spiral Beach Comic

Click to Enlarge

New comic from Spiral Beach's Maddy Wise which I shamelessly ripped off from their blog.

Suprise New Release From Woodpigeon

Apparently while Woodpigeon was in the studio making Die Stadt Muzikanten they were also quietly recording something else.

From their blog:

"14 songs completed during the recording of die stad, some of which date back to 2005, and others which were recorded the day they were written in 2008. every copy's been hand-built, and we've done up 200 special-special-editions with hand-stamped covers, and 800 special-editions with cover art by our grand designers sing statistics. the record features appearances by dillon whitfield (of raccoon and jane vain + the dark matter), mt. royal, the neighbourhood council, garrett mcclure (of the summerlad), and alberta's best-named pedal steel player, brooker buckingham.

we're releasing this one all official-like on 1 august 2008 with a release party at broken city with our pals kris ellestad and the neighbourhood council. you'll be able to pick it up at indie record shops in calgary, at all of our shows (well, until they're gone, natch), and via our website woodpigeon-songbook.com."

The band also reports that they are releasing the digital version of their new album as a "pay what you want". The full album can now be heard on last.fm and the lyrics to the new album can be found on MySpace.

RVT Caribou

Accoring to their Myspace Blog the polaris nominated Caribou are about to take off for some international dates in "playing in the United States, Switzerland, Taiwan, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany, France, Belgium, England and Wales". After these dates Caribou will reportedly go on hiatus to write and record new music.

But, before all of that "Video Marsh, the team behind the beautiful video for Irene have made another great video for Hummingbird - off the 2007 Tour CD"

Caribou - Hummingbird

Imponderables: History's Greatest Pervs Continued

Awhile back I posted the first three episodes of History's Greatest Pervs from Toronto sketch comedy troup the Imponderables - just to complete the set here are episodes 4 and 5.




History's Greatest Pervs [Ep4]: Catherine the Great



History's Greatest Pervs [Ep5]: Mahatma Ghandi

Remix Album from You Say Party! We Say Die! August 26

You Say Party We Say Die has posted a brief and cryptic message on their Myspace Blog. It reads simply:

" Remik’s Cube = Remix Record
more info coming before the august 26 2008 release date.
isn't that nice of us!"

Now, if my secret decoder ring is working properly that means that on August 26, 2008 You Say Party, We Say Die will be releasing a remix album entitled "Remik's Cube" and August 26 is soon!

You Say Party! We Say Die! - the Gap

Allison Crowe Comes to Toronto July 26

Long time friend of publicbroadcasting.ca Allison Crowe is finally coming to Toronto. Allison, if you don't know or have forgotten is an incredibly brave and forward looking singer songwriter who has fully taken control over her own career. She has started her own label to produce her music, sells her own CDs and still makes all of her music available on her website for free. (Just click on an album for a list of tracks you can download.) You can also freely download video, individual songs not on her 6 albums (to date) and sheet music.

Somehow despite the fact that she is doing everything wrong, at least according to the traditional 'music industry' Allison is doing just fine thanks.

On Saturday, July 26 starting at 8:00 p.m., Allison will performing at Toronto’s Heliconian Hal. The full message from Adrian (her manager) is below.

"On Saturday, July 26 starting at 8:00 p.m., musician Allison Crowe performs in Toronto’s Heliconian Hall, “a visual and acoustic gem dating from 1875” (35 Hazelton Avenue http://www.heliconianclub.org ) This be the first performance by the acclaimed and much-loved singer-songwriter in Yorkville - where musical kin folk made the Village scene in the '60s.

Allison Crowe has just returned to North America, following concert dates in Paris, Vienna, Frankfurt, Prague and Scotland. She proved a sensation at the 'John Lennon Northern Lights Festival' in Scotland: "Canadian angel Alison Crowe gave one of the weekend's most magical moments," says The Scotsman, Scotland's national newspaper.

Festival Director Mike Merritt describes Crowe as "awesome" and "spine-tingling", noting her performance in the Highlands "put hairs on the back of your neck! She brought the house down."

"Allison Crowe has a voice to fall in love with. She is from Vancouver Island in Canada, descended from Scottish, Irish and Manx stock. She's exactly the sort of artist who can make serious headway on her own label and that's just what she's doing," says UK music journal Record of the Day.

Since 2003 Crowe has released six critically and commercially successful CD albums. Her songs and music videos online enjoy an audience numbering in the millions. Grassroots touring each year across Canada and Europe has earned a reputation for exciting live shows that stir together original songs with much-loved interpretations from the popular songbook in an organic blend of rock, jazz, folk, Broadway, gospel and soul. It's a joyous sound that one music critic describes as 'Elton John meets Edith Piaf'.

"Ever wonder what it would have been like to listen to a gifted singer/songwriter from Saskatchewan in a small, intimate hall before she became Joni Mitchell? Don't fret the missed opportunity. There's no need to turn back the clock. Check out Allison Crowe," ~ The Record (Canada)

"Treat yourself to one of the mightiest talents on the singer-songwriter scene today." ~ Bob Muller, JoniMitchell.com (USA)

"Her version of 'I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)' would give Aretha Franklin goose-bumps." ~ Robert Moyes, Boulevard (Canada)

"The most honest, heartfelt, and directly intimate concert in my entire life." ~ Ross Hocker, WGTE/NPR Radio (USA)

Advance tickets: http://www.maplemusic.com + http://www.allisoncrowe.com

Contact: Adrian du Plessis c/o management@allisoncrowe.com + (250) 537-1286 "

Vancouver Film Race 2008

Vancouver Film Race 2008
Nick Pannu

On June 25, 2008 29 films short films screened at the Ridge theatre for the Vancouver Film Race.

Lights, camera, action. Movie sets, flashing strobe lights and roadblocks have become almost as permanent fixture in Vancouver as the mountains surrounding the city. On Saturday, June 21st 30 local Filmmakers committed themselves to a challenging and arduous task. Filmmakers created an original short film in just 24hrs. The films had to revolve around two themes: greed and action. 29 of the films managed to make the ominous deadline; and were screened at the Vancouver Film Race on June 25th at the ridge theatre.
Over 300 in attendance witnessed some very creative and unique short films. Competition Director , Charlie Wysman commented that “ Vancouver is the 9th city in the film race and Vancouver has had the strongest group of films so far”. Wysam was impressed with some of the set designs and make-up. The film race on a tour of 17 cities in North America is only inclusive to two Canadian cities: Vancouver and Toronto. Starting the event from New York in 2002 Wysman had no real motive, but just to put on a fun event. According to Wysman, “ the first event went well in 2002, so we decided to keep doing it and it’s a great opportunity for first time filmmakers as well as people in the industry who'd like more creative control.” He also stressed that the film race is a great learning experience, which Filmmakers can apply to future projects.
Moreover, according to recent film grad, Diane Donaldson stressed that when working in desperation within a 24hr deadline, a team mindset is very important. Donaldson articulated further, “ overall when you do something like this it is such a bonding thing when you totally push your body to the extreme, you don’t eat, you don’t sleep, and you just go and film and film and edit edit and the end you just kind of collapse together and it’s like oh my God we did it. “
In spite of having only two themes to work with (greed and action), the films were quite diverse and distinct from each other. Issues such as how some random door-knocking charities are a farce was exploited as well as very comedic scripts involving robots and rocks that looked like Elvis. Often engaging the 300 audience members with bouts of laughter. Local filmmaker and judge, Kryshan Randal felt the event was well organized and high quality, creative and entertaining...more than unusual. Randal, who has judged other events, commented that “ the event demonstrates talent of local filmmakers very well...something about being under the gun on the weekend, 24hr is pretty tight so it is pure creativity and pure instinct”.
. One finalist will be selected from Vancouver to compete with other North American cities in the film race. Vancouver’s top ten finalists will have their films screened at the Celluloid Social Club’s monthly screening at the Anza club July 23rd also produced by Paul Armstrong- local producer for the Vancouver film Race 2008.

For further information for the film race 2008 go to this site: filmracing.com and to find out more about the Celluloid Social Club’s monthly screening go to the Facebook group: Celluloid Social Club.

Young People F###ing VS Bill C-10

Martin Garo, writer and director of the recently released film Young People Fucking, says his film is a perfect example of the type of films that will have no chance of receiving funding and ultimately cease to reach the production stage if Bill C-10 is passed in Canadian law.
Bill C-10 is an amendment to the Income Tax Act that is currently under review by the Canadian federal Senate. If Bill C-10 is passed, Ottawa’s Heritage Ministry will be granted the right to deny funding for Canadian films in the form of tax credits if the film’s content is identified as “questionable.” Some people say that Bill C-10 threatens to undermine a promising domestic Canadian film industry that already faces many challenges, especially those of finances.
Garo argues that while Young People Fucking does have an objectionable title, the film still manages to enlighten and serve a wide demographic, which is something that would be entirely overlooked if Bill C-10 is enacted. Moreover, Garo says that Bill C-10 goes against common sense and that anyone can see that it is poor legislation. If the bill is read thoroughly, Garo says, “people will see all the things that are wrong with the bill — creatively and business-wise.”
Young People Fucking is a unique and authentic film if you consider its originality, candidness, and good acting. Even for those offended by the content, the brilliant script will still engage and often surprise the audience through its witty and comedic scenes. The responsibility for this ingenious script lies solely in the hands of two people: Martin Garo and Aaron Abram. Abram, who also acted in the film, communicated with Garo via the internet over the time span of one year to write the script. Garo said it was more the sense of humour and dialogue that he shared with Abram that allowed the creative process to occur naturally, as well as to be gratifying. Being frank though, Abram admits “when you’re writing about sex, things come together easily because it’s an easy subject — it’s all about conflict and a universal subject that everyone can relate to”
The film thoroughly examines the various dynamics of sex in the context of different relationships, played out during the course of one night. There is the foreplay between roommates, ex-partners, grade school friends, a first date, and a married couple. A lot happens, actually a lot of unexpected things respectively with each couple. As these bizarre things happen the viewer can’t help but mentally create their own barometer for which scene is most or least unusual and strange. The dialogue is contemporary with minimal cheesy lines; the audience is treated to implied themes that conclude each segment for the different couples. As well written as the script is, it would not have taken life if not for the talented cast. Actors delivered the script marvelously, managing to stay focused in suggestive scenes that often included nudity
As has been demonstrated by this and other Canadian films, the Canadian film industry has unlimited potential to develop further and thrive. Bill C-10 will further burden Canadian filmmakers that already deal with financial pressures, and perhaps discourage some from ever taking the initiative to make film. Filmmaker Martin Garo makes a good point when he says that the virtue of democracy is giving people the right to see what they want to see, and choose not to buy a ticket for film that offends them.

-Nick Pannu

Henrix of the Eggshaker

Yesterday, at the Ottawa Bluesfest during Jim Bryson's performance of "Sleeping in Toronto", Jim was joined onstage by the Jimi Hendrix of the egg shaker Amanda Putz (host of CBC Radio 1's Fuse and CBC Radio 3's 'Waking Up With A. Putz') and Alan Neal (Host of CBC Radio 1's Bandwidth). With the addition of such remarkable talent Mr. Bryson's place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is virtually assured!

Thanks to WildWorks for shooting the video!

Coming Up in Toronto

Sara Hennessey Time July 2 - 12
Facebook Event Page

Gameshow: The Musical July 4-13
Facebook Event Page

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

mission 60: fps vs. lee's palace (part v) featuring the apollo effect & left of zero
Facebook Event Page

NO SHAME : The RAA / Jon McKiel / Mandibles @ Rancho Relaxo
Facebook Event Page

Late Fragment -- TORONTO DVD RELEASE PARTAY!
Facebook Event Page

Tightrope Books Launches Its Spring Catalogue!
Facebook Event Page

Friday, July 11
Phresha Le VandalÈ - A Solo Exhibit
Facebook Event Page

2008 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
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Dodgeball Party
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Canadian Air Guitar Championships 2008
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THE FREE PRESS CD Release Party!!
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TWM Presents: Black Hat Brigade, Europe in Colour, & Howl $5
Facebook Event Page

The Cheap Speakers at The Drake
Facebook Event Page

Carlos Reygadas' SILENT LIGHT - one week only at The Royal
Facebook Event Page

Boxes & Bags Pump Up The Press Club!
Facebook Event Page

Friction Same niceness new venue in Kensington Market!
Facebook Event Page

ALICE’S HOUSE (A Casa de Alice) - starts july 11
Facebook Event Page

Canada's Pre-Launch "IGNITER" Event for HUB - Humanity Unites Brilliance!
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, July 12
Remix: The Scream Gala
Facebook Event Page

ZYGIELLA VI The Books Elusive, The Primaries, Coast Guard and The Miles
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MH & the VC @ The El Mocambo - Saturday, July 12th!
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Everyone's a DJ 16 DJs / 20 Minute Sets / No Cover
Facebook Event Page
Igniting Your Brilliance Weekend! Co-Founders fly in for Canada’s PreLaunch
Facebook Event Page

Sunday, July 13
Style in Progress 2008
Facebook Event Page

Poor Pilgrim Island Show
Facebook Event Page

WL 421 - The Heart Beats, Have Fun At The Altar, Phantastic Prayer Book
Facebook Event Page

Monday, July 14
Regenesis Meeting
Facebook Event Page

Human After All
A night of Open Mic, Acoustic Soul and Tremendous Word
Facebook Event Page

Wednesday, July 16
RIVAL GANG THEATRE + MJ CYR @ C'EST WHAT
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, July 17
NO SHAME : Rouge / Peter Project / Famous Players @ Rancho Relaxo
Facebook Event Page

We Take Lovers' EP Release party? W/ Femme Generation and The Guest Bedroom
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, July 17
SchombergFair/Weewerk/Horseshoe July 17th
Facebook Event Page

Friday, July 18
Steam Whistle Unsigned #7
Facebook Event Page

TWM 20: Jetset Motel, Hooded Fang, Knock Knock Ginger & Cedar
20 and going strong!
Facebook Event Page

GNARLY - MY!GAY!HUSBAND!, THE MACHETES (LIVE), DOUGIE BOOM + SURPRISE GUEST
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, July 19
Humber College Songwriting Workshop ( VIP Prize Draw)
Facebook Event Page

1001 NIGHTS BOAT CRUISE
Facebook Event Page

NO SHAME: Carbon Dating Service / OhNo Forest Fires / Ride Til Dawn @ Drake
Facebook Event Page

A Showcase of Photography Presented by the Great Hall Gallery
Facebook Event Page

Fire Hydrant @ The Music Gallery
Facebook Event Page

Monday, July 21
MATMOS return to the Music Gallery!!
Facebook Event Page

Tuesday, July 22
Beth In Battle Mode - FREE at the Horseshoe!
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Wednesday, July 23
SMC - Summer Music Conference
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Friday, July 25
GAREN @ FreeTimes Cafe
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WILDsound TV PILOT Screenplay Night - Fri. July 25th 7pm at the NFB
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Saturday, July 26
Miracle Fortress + Think About Life + Ruby Coast + Adam & The Amethysts
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Tuesday, July 29
FastLane - Summer Social Patio Night
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The Craft Economy with Jane Vain & The Dark Matter and The Warped 45s
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Saturday, August 9
NO SHAME : Bruce Peninsula / The Got To Get Got / 1 Heart Many Hands
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Monday, September 22
Spacing presents thinkTORONTO
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Saturday, October 4
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2008
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Sunday, October 19
2008 Toronto Zombie Walk
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Thursday, October 30
Flourish A Brighter Future Through Culture
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Friday, November 14
Art Gallery of Ontario public opening
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Vancougar, Hey Ocean to Drop CDs on Vancouver Friday

If you live in Vancouver you have a tough call for Friday but one thing's for sure. You can't stay home. Vancougar AND Hey Ocean!

At the Biltmore Cabaret starting at around 8 p.m. Vancougar will be dropping their new disc 'Canadian Tuxedo' with the help of the Transmitors, Master Apes and Los Tycoons.

Herohill has an aweome review up of Canadian Tuxedo:

"Driven by the vocals of Eden Fineday - who I guess would play Riff Randle in this tale - and backed by CC's solid drums, Megan's shimmering vintage keys and Becca's fuzzy bass, Vancougar manages to jump between garage, 90's indie, and even toss in a ballad or two ((I Hope Your) Money (Keeps You Warm)). But the band does best when they crank up the energy, amps and distortion like they do on the catchy lead single Obvious. Eden's crystal clear vocals contrasts the huge sounds and makes for a catchy jam that transitions perfectly into the swirling, crunch of Vanity. With hand claps and ahhhhhs, Vancougar really hits on that pop punker sound that the Donnas used to be so good at.

They mix in elements of folk (the intro of the heavier Let it Go), but the goal of the record is making sure you have fun. Even on the 60's themed, slow dance paced Money, hearing Eden admit her rich man "can go to hell" is like a Pretty in Pink anthem for the new millennium. All too often, bands take themselves too seriously and strip away enjoyment from records like this, but Vancougar - like the name suggests - would rather see you smile than sneer. Works for me."

Vancougar is also featured on this week's CBC Radio 3 Sessions Podcast you can download it for free and nothing at http://www.cbc.ca/radio3/podcasts/sessions/CBCR3Sessions_2008-07-09.mp3.

While that is going on Hey Ocean! will be celebrating their new CD It's Easier to Be Someone Else at Richard's on Richards. From CBC Radio 2:

"This young foursome takes inspiration from every corner of pop music - combining folk, reggae, funk and jazz into a sound that is uniquely their own. Hey Ocean's music also borrows from several world music genres; largely because of David Beckingham's three years in Kenya as well as other members' travels in Central America, Asia and Europe. Passionate voices, pensive words and contagious fun keep this music honest and pure; from the heart, for the soul."

I have no Hey Ocean! session to lead you to but they are on Concerts on Demand on the CBC Radio 2 site which you can listen to at http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20080211ocean and there are a few songs you can download from their Myspace.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun Vancouver!

RVT - Rebekah Higgs - Parables

The new video for the lovely song Parables by Rebekah Higgs. If you like you can vote for it to be in the Much Music Top 10 and make Rebekah very happy. Of course if you were in her Facebook Group you'd already know that. (In case you missed it that's called a hint) ; )

Please Support YellowBird Project

Yellow Bird Project sells t-shirts, but not just any t-shirts. They have exclusive, original T's featuring and in some cases designed by some of your favorite bands. The bands then choose a charity, and the proceeds from the shirts go to that charity.

Their most recent addition is a shirt designed by The New Pornographers and Immaculate Machine with the proceeds going to the ALS Society of BC. So for 25 bucks you get a great t-shirt and help a great charity.



That though is just the most recent addition. You can also get shirts from

Broken Social Scene in support of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper



Stars in support of Le Chaînon (a Montreal women's shelter)



Hayden in support of The Acoustic Neuroma Association of Canada



Wolf Parade in support of the Glass Casters Union



And way more...This is a Win - Win situation folks, jump all over it and if you're a music artist and have a favorite charity talk to them.

Polaris Short List Announced

As just announced live on CBC Radio 3 the short list for this year's Polaris Music Prize:

Plants And Animals:: Parc Avenue



Basia Bulat :: Oh My Darling



Two Hours Traffic :: Little Jabs



Stars In Our Bedroom After the War



Shad :: The Old Prince



Kathleen Edwards :: Asking for Flowers



The Weakerthans :: Reunion Tour



Caribou :: Andorra



Black Mountain :: In the Future



Holy F*ck :: LP

East Coast vs. West Coast and the Winner is No Coast at All

Most Canadians can tell you how many years it has been since Lord Stanley's Cup came north of the border. Even people who are generally very pro-American will express some resentment at wealthy American teams taking the cup every year (and will remind you that most of their players are Canadian anyway.) What most people do not know is that while Americans have been 'stealing' hockey, Canada has been quietly stealing hip hop.

This is not overly surprising. Canada's music scene is currently stronger than that of the US in virtually every genre (thanks in no small part to Canada's ongoing commitment to music education in schools). It is also not really the fault of the Americans. In the early 90s big American record companies latched on to Nirvanna and tried to turn every band they could find into a parody of Nirvanna - setting the indie music scene back a decade or so. When that well ran dry the same companies latched on to Hip Hop and have done even more damage to it. Most of what passes for Hip Hop in the states now is light bubble gum boy band crap, or "guns, bitches and bling" b.s. that has become a Weird Al like parody of hip hop.

Meanwhile in Canada where we have been comparatively unmolested by the anti-creativity, anti-change, anti-music forces of the big multinational labels Canadian hip hop has quietly turned into something very different than what is being produced in the States. It has none of the celebration of guns and murder, the degradation of women or the attacks on fellow artists and it doesn't claim that money and material possessions are the ultimate purpose of life. In other words, it is something more in keeping with what the originators of hip hop had in mind.

Artists have slowly been appearing over the last several years in just about every city in Canada, amoung them Toronto's K-OS and God Made Me Funky, Halifax's Buck 65, and Calgary's Dragon Fli Empire and Cadence Weapon.

The clincher though came at this year's NXNE. Grand Analog, fronted by Odario Williams is great to listen to at home but their live show would have your grandmother bouncing. The music mixes old school hip hop with ska, raggae, funk, and soul blending them seamlessly, as if they were all always the same thing anyway. With all due respect to those who have paved the way, Grand Analog is the band that has made hip-hop Canadian. After all the east coast vs. west coast feuds that have gone on in the states the new home of hip-hop is not L.A. or New York or even Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver - it is squarely in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

If you'd like some of this for your mp3 player download the CBC Radio 3 Sessions Podcast Featuring Grand Analog.

Grand Analog - Around This Town



Grand Analog - Touch Your Toes

the Better Reasons Festival recap

Kids on TV, on their MySpace blog, have posted a recap of the Better Reasons Festival.

The festival combined the talents of Toronto record labels Blocks Recording Club, Fuzzy Logic, and Out of This Spark for a three day event at the Tranzac and featured such acts as
Prarie Cat, Peter Project, Lilly Frost, Laura Barrett, Forest City Lovers, Nif-D, the Phonemes, Matias Rosenberg. Kids on TV (amoung many others) along with work by Toronto homeless and street involved youth, a BBQ, free bike tune ups from the Bike Pirates and clips from the feature length mutant puppet film Scraps From Boil Street (currently in production). All of this to raise funds for Sketch - an charitable arts organization that works with homeless and street involved youth in Toronto.

According to Kids on TV the whole thing was a resounding success.

Well the festival is over and done now. It was a good opportunity for our record co-op Blocks, and Toronto labels, Fuzzy Logic & Out of This Spark to work together. It was great for us to combine efforts to help out Sketch. An artist studio for homeless and street-involved youth that I teach a dance program out of.

It was awesome to have artists from Sketch perform on the stage alongside artists from Blocks Recording Club. One of them said "I've never performed on a stage this big before". It was good to have those communities come together. See the kids freak out to Nifty's set and fall in love with the Phonemes.

It was particularly rewarding to do this apart from NXNE. Which is a giant music festival / industry schmooze & snooze fest. It is good to be working with people who resist that and instead throw a fundraiser for a rad organization in the city. Thanks to everyone who supported and came out.

The event raised $1000.00. It will be donated to sketch and will go towards a recording compilation. The artists who use sketch have been recording music at the studio located there, and have wanted to put out a compilation of their work. With the money we raised, they can. Thank you!

Congratulations to everyone involved. Hopefully Better Reasons will become an annual tradition. While I can't see it ever being a threat to NXNE, it is a nice addition to that weekend - giving people a chance to hear great music and give something back at the same time.

Whoa, the Jetlag...

I finally got back into Ottawa yesterday morning from an overnight flight from Vancouver Island, where I was happily priviledged to attend a wedding in the family. Those of you already following my home blog will have noted some of the posts I've set up, as well as some of the photography I took during side trips into Vancouver.

One thing you should really take in if you're in Vancouver in the next little while is Krazy, a pop-culture arts exhibit featuring comics/manga/BD, animation/anime, video games, and related stuff and non-nonsense. It's being held at the Vancouver Art Gallery until September 7th. I think it'll be worth the time and the money.

Myself? I doted maybe a little overlong on the original art from Chester Brown's biographical, Louis Riel...

Live on Your Computer: Nathan Lawr, Hawksley Workman, Bison and Vancougar

Coming up on Wednesday the podcast (mp3) version of Vancougar's session will be up on the Radio 3 site. But as posted yesterday on the Radio 3 site. There are new full sessions up that you can listen to (but not download) from Hawksley Workman, Nathan Lawr, and Bison as well as Vancougar. If some live in Studio performances in the comfort of your own home would brighten up your weekend pay them a visit.

By the way, for anyone who missed the news somehow there is a new
Facebook group and Facebook page up for the Radio 3 Sessions as well as a new fan page for Canadian Music in general.

publicbroadcasting.ca Turns 1,000 (posts that is)

This is the 1000th blog post on this site. This particular blog started sometime after the site was launched but publicbroadcasting.ca itself will be 3 years old in mid August. So, this seemed like a good time to pause and reflect on why the site exists.

Not so long ago large media companies were the kings of North America. They drove popular culture in one direction or another. That is not true anymore. In television, for example, a program with a half million viewers (roughly 1 person in 60) is considered successful. A program with a million viewers (roughly 1 in 30) is considered a hit, and a program that draws 1 in 10 Canadians is considered a pop culture phenomenon. No other media (film, radio, literature, music, etc) pulls in anything close to the numbers that television does.

To say this has caused consternation amoung media outlets would be an understatement. It has caused convulsions and rabid fits amoung media outlets. For years they have made programs dumber and cheaper, have sacrificed credibility and have largely abandoned the public service functions that used to be an understood part of their broadcasting licenses. All of this in an effort to become a little more profitable, a little more popular. All of this has failed and the audience continues to trickle away. Now they are trying to enforce their position using vehicles such as traffic shaping and Bill C-61. They are, in other words, trying to achieve through force what they haven't been able to achieve otherwise.

It has never been more true that mass media is largely about money. Quality, originality and creativity frequently go by the wayside in favor of greater profits. Your chances of success, even your chance of getting noticed at all in this environment largely depend on the profitability of what you propose and/or the amount of advertising money you have to throw around rather than the quality of your work or your ideas.

American media frequently has large amounts of ad money to spend and it is far cheaper for Canadian media companies to import American products than to produce their own. This means that more and more Canadian artists and producers are shut out of the game altogether. Publicbroadcasting.ca came into being as a response to this.

This site is here to draw attention to (exclusively) Canadian artists and content producers and to Canada centric news and information. It is here to represent a variety of voices; voices that are driven by passion and ideas rather than a simple monetary equation. Everyone, no doubt, needs to make a living but if the sole reason you are in arts and media is to make money the odds of your producing anything of lasting quality are slim to none.

Publicbroadcasting.ca accepts no donations, and no advertising. The opinions expressed here are honest and topics covered here are based on quality not profitability.

I have always hoped to have more voices represented here. I truly appreciate those people who contribute, even occasionally, to the site. Sadly few people ever volunteer to write for the site and the majority of those who do never contribute at all. Whether this is out of some kind of stage fright or because it doesn't pay I have no idea but that is the reality.

After 1000 posts and almost 3 years I believe that this site is better today than it ever was. I also believe, given that it has operated with few hands and no budget, it has accomplished quite alot. By the end of this summer more changes will come to the site but as always these changes will make the site deeper, broader, more inclusive and useful. Because it is not driven by advertising nothing is ever done to the site for the sole purpose of making it more popular or accessible to people who are content with Brittany Spears, celebrity gossip and the latest pointless televised talent show.

I hope those of you who read the site have enjoyed it as much as I have. I hope that more of you will decide to contribute your thoughts and ideas and above all I hope that you continue to enjoy it going forward.

War Resisters May Be Welcome in Canada After All

The CBC is reporting tonight that war resister Joshua Key may qualify as a refugee after all. A Canadian Federal court ruled today that Canada's refugee board was wrong when it decided that the legality of the war or war crimes were not grounds for refugee status.

Barnes said the board erred “by concluding that refugee protection for military deserters and evaders is only available where the conduct objected to amounts to a war crime, a crime against peace or a crime against humanity."

Citing a case from the U.S. Federal Court of Appeal, Barnes said officially condoned military misconduct could still support a refugee claim, even if it falls short of a war crime.

"The authorities indicate that military action which systematically degrades, abuses or humiliates either combatants or non-combatants is capable of supporting a refugee claim where that is the proven reason for refusing to serve," Barnes wrote.

This ruling could affect dozens of similar refugee claimants. The US led war in Iraq was obviously an illegal innovation to begin with, was no doubt waged under false pretenses and war crimes have doubtlessly been committed. If Canada is to retain it's reputation as a peace loving country these soldiers cannot be returned to the United States.

Eyes on Toronto This Monday

The next and maybe last Eyes on Toronto is this Monday, July 7 at the Gladstone Hotel. I kinda doubt that this really is the last, last show. I know that they were gearing up an all night show for Nuit Blanche but I know that they are taping this one to use as a pilot that they can show around, so who knows what will happen going forward. At any rate it’s the last show for now.

As for the guests:

First up is Mr. Ongoing History of New Music himself Alan Cross. After allan is a return visit from Comedian Fraser Young (I believe he’s the only guest to actually come back!)



Rounding out the Evening is musical guest Clothes Make the Man doors are at 9 I think, they usually are. So if you want to see Eyes on Toronto one more time, or for the first time before it gets picked up by a network and Steve is too good to be on your talk show come on out!

The CBC Reaches the End of It's Fuse

According to a note I recieved from the show, as of August 20 there will be no more Fuse on CBC Radio. Fuse is (until August) a unique concept in live music programming. Fuse brought together artists of different styles in front of a live audience and had them play together - broadcasting the show to all of Canada.

Just a small sampling included

Sunparlor Players & Voices of Praise
Greg Keelor & Cuff The Duke
Rock Plaza Central & Tafelmusik
Grand Analog & Dr. Draw
Abdominal & Henri Fabergé and the Adorables
The Skydiggers & Kyrie Kristmanson
Apostle of Hustle & Tanya Tagaq
Andrew Cash & Jenn Grant
Andre Ethier & Sandro Perri
Royal Wood & Priya Thomas
Jon Rae and the River & Anne Lindsay
Patrick Watson & Torngat
Veda Hille & No Luck Club
Hilotrons & Lily Frost
Woodpigeon & Jay Crocker

I mention these shows in particular because all of them are still available to listen to (but not download) through the Fuse Website. As I understand it even more shows will be added to the list before they are all done. Not all that long ago I started a for Facebook Group Fuse with the hope of convincing the CBC to make it into a podcast. I should have known better. My liking something on CBC (outside of Radio 3) seems to be the kiss of death as evidenced by my two favorite recent CBC Television shows This is Wonderland and jPod.

Still, it is sad, given CBC's recent re-commitment to a wide range of Canadian music I find it sad and somewhat confusing that they should start by killing off their most original, eclectic and creative music program.

However, not to be deterred I have launched a new Facebook Goup in support of the CBC Radio 3 Sessions, as well as a corresponding Facebook Fan Page because some people prefer that. I have also launched a Facebook Fan Page for Canadian music generally:

Rather than a page for a particular artist, group or group of artists this page is more generally for Canadian music. Announcements will go out with tour info, new facebook groups or pages related to Canadian music and other information for Canadian music lovers (of all styles and genres).

While the loss of Fuse is definitely a blow to Canadian music, there are simply too many extremely talented Canadian musicians to even think that that the loss of that battle will cost the war.

Still to come on Fuse before it disappears:

--July 5: Julian Fauth, Luke Doucet & Melissa McClelland

--July 12: Katie Stelmanis & Fred Eaglesmith

--July 19: Laura Barrett & The Hylozoists

--July 26: Greg Keelor & Cuff The Duke

--Aug 2: Sunparlour Players & Voices of Praise Gospel Group

--Aug 9: Brandon Isaak & Threat From Outer Space

--Aug 16: Basia Bulat & Done Gone String Band

--Aug 23: Choir Practice & Oye

--Aug 30: Finest Kind & Forest City Lovers

Coming Up in Toronto

Sara Hennessey Time July 2 - 12
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Gameshow: The Musical July 4-13
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Thursday, July 3
NO SHAME : Laura Barrett / Ghost Bees / Fall Horsie @ Rancho
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Fuse Magazine Summer Issue Launch and Dance Party
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Friday, July 4
Confidential Records 10th Anniversary Showcase: A Tribute to Dead Formats
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Monette ‡ la Francoforce
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TWM 19: The Craft Economy, the Hots, Karma Controllers
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MOVE IT LIFT IT (Toronto Free Gallery)
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Saturday, July 5
NO SHAME : The Superstitions / Invasions / Bellevue @ Drake
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Widespread Panic at Sound Academy
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TWM: The Champion Heartache, Language Arts, North Amorica, Alphabot
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Sunday, July 6
Shawn Clarke and Kaya Fraser at Smiling Buddha
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Monday, July 7
Eyes on Toronto- Our LAST EPISODE!!!??
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Thursday, July 10
Brooke Gallupe Solo @ Toronto, ON
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mission 60: fps vs. lee's palace (part v) featuring the apollo effect & left of zero
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NO SHAME : The RAA / Jon McKiel / Mandibles @ Rancho Relaxo
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Late Fragment -- TORONTO DVD RELEASE PARTAY!
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Tightrope Books Launches Its Spring Catalogue!
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Friday, July 11
Phresha Le VandalÈ - A Solo Exhibit
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2008 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
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THE FREE PRESS CD Release Party!!
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TWM Presents: Black Hat Brigade, Europe in Colour, & Howl $5
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Saturday, July 19
Humber College Songwriting Workshop ( VIP Prize Draw)
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1001 NIGHTS BOAT CRUISE
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Monday, July 21
MATMOS return to the Music Gallery!!
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Friday, July 25
GAREN @ FreeTimes Cafe
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Tuesday, July 29
FastLane - Summer Social Patio Night
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Saturday, August 9
NO SHAME : Bruce Peninsula / The Got To Get Got / 1 Heart Many Hands
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Monday, September 22
Spacing presents thinkTORONTO
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Saturday, October 4
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2008
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Sunday, October 19
2008 Toronto Zombie Walk
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Thursday, October 30
Flourish A Brighter Future Through Culture
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Friday, November 14
Art Gallery of Ontario public opening
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I'm Back and the Suggestion Box is Open

Back from vacation now and have many things to talk about but it will take me a bit to get caught up with everything. While I was away, as per usual when I have more time to sit and think, I thought of some things that could work better for publicbroadcasting.ca. In a few weeks I'll be back at the cottage, this time for a two week run. During that time I'll work on some of the changes I have in mind but if any of you have any thoughts on things that work, things that don't, or things that would make nice additions please let me know.

Otherwise, stay tuned...