It's only the 1st round!

As we wait for the 2nd round I've been keeping a playoff blog following the Montreal Canadiens. For more about what happened in the 1st round you can go to comtemplating...I simply know better. It's more of a fan's perspective as I've been a fan since The Canadiens last won in 1993. I've been picky about the fans, some who have been following (good or bad), some who just gone on the bandwagoning of the playoffs and then there is far worse. I wrote this yesterday reacting to the riots on Monday which on behalf of the real fans, feel embarrassed and disappointed:

Congratulations to the Montreal Canadiens on recovering and playing like the team that won the division championships. Thanks for the exciting blowout of 5-0 and showing that this team can handle the pressure. Also, congrats on the fans on making a complete ass of themselves and the reputation of the team and the city itself by torching cars and breaking windows. We've now given more fuel to the Leaf Nation's fire.
Sure, they celebrate 1st rounds like it were Stanley Cup Finals, at least they know not to RIOT in the 1st round.
IT'S ONLY THE 1ST ROUND as I yelled this at a fan who was being hauled by two cops on my way home. REALLY, sounding like a mother who had been biting her lip for too long watching her kid do something stupid to the point it starts to bleed and can't contain her words any longer. This really spoiled already an amazing night.
We have to acquire more guys who's last name starts with K.
My night started at Ye Olde on The Main with a posse from The Concordian newspaper and the usual I normally watch the games with. There was an energy in the back section, screaming at the TV and gulping beer that isn't Molson. I held in my excitement (in between screaming in fear whenever the puck was in our zone, I know it doesn't help, defense does). I fully concentrated until the last 5 minutes in the 3rd period. That's when I pumped my arms up in the air and woo hooed till the clock ran out. That was a close one. Now we wait for tonight's game (Philly or Washington, take your pick). Meanwhile Calgary will be doing the same thing as us, only without the riot.
I went by my Cafe Depot job to find the crew I work and watch the games with, I found them outside waving a Belarus flag. This is in regards to the Kostiyn brothers who have been amazing this past game 7. Off we went, flag, confused people and all, down to Ste Catherine to see the celebrations. At first we were seeing the good fans, flags on cars and jerseys. All was good until we saw the riot cops, then we knew that this was one of those situations. Or so we thought. I thought the cops were there to contain the excitement, not realising what had been having in the last 20 minutes.
Myself and the Depot crew had a cheap pitcher of Ex and a couple shots, then met some Ukrainians who recognized the flag of Belarus. This is what I love about playoffs, everyone is united about the love of the team, the excitement of victory and the positives it brings to the city. Not quite, you got to remember that there's a lot of beer involve. Beer can equal stupid. There was the drunk girl at the bar, the glasses that hit the ground, the one Bruin fan sitting at Peel Pub, this was small potatoes to me until I headed home. The guys with the Belarus flag headed back to the Main.
I don't normally hang out downtown, more of a Main girl however I loitered for a little bit as I was full of cheap beer and wobbled on my bike. There were the fans that were partying on the street still, playing in Tam Tam like demeanor, cars honking. No harm, then the riot cops again. I hit Crescent and noticed the smoke and smell of gasoline. I headed up knowing that my curiosity would have consequences. I looked on as I saw 7 people destroy a cop car right in front of MadHatters (not surprised that it was in front of Hatters). They were throwing rocks and stomping on the hood. A guy next to me mentioned that this had been happened in the last hour, cop cars being torched, store windows shattered. But, this is ONLY the 1st round, who are these people?I've been picky about the fans of late, there are the hardcore, the ones that know the history, the fair weather fans that have their flag on the cars and tin foil cups. What happened that night were the killjoys, no respect, an excuse to destroy things just because we normally riot come the final. Someone jumped the gun and went too damn far. This makes the team, the fans, the city look bad. Pissing off the legends of the game who would win the cup every year, yep, you pissed off Jean Belivieu;
you don't want to piss off Jean Belivieu.
I ducked to another bar to avoid rocks hitting my head. Watching the crowd run down Bishop as the riot cops were not too far behind. This was the only time I didn't have my camera, was pissed drunk and pissed at myself for being a bad photog. I've been lately frustrated on where my photo has been going, stuck as of late however I will get to that another time. More angry as this is only the 1st round, this is a distraction, this can cause more harm than it already has. What happens if we make it past 2nd round, what are the cops going to do? What about the good fans, it leaves a big mark knowing that there are the drunken killjoys (like the ones in English soccer), do we have to resort to new tactics. When did a hockey game turn into turmoil, I don't know but I know for one thing, it's sitting on the minds of the players come the 2nd round. The team had restored their focus, what's going to happen now?

Rebekah Higgs Tour Dates

Halifax's Rebekah Higgs (Recently nominated for Best Female Artist and Best New Artist at the East Coast Music Awards and who scored a whopping 91 on her Chart Report Card) is touring across Canada from April 29 - June 1. Check her out if you get the chance. You can also pick up Rebekah's album on Zunior.

Tuesday April 29, 2008 - London / Salt Lounge W. ONFF
Wednesday April 30, 2008 - Hamilton / Casbah W. ONFF
Thursday May 1, 2008 - Guelph / E-Bar w. Colin Monroe
Friday May 2, 2008 - Toronto / Ukula Over The Top Fest
Saturday May 3, 2008 - Ottawa / Zaphod's
Thursday May 15, 2008- Vancouver / Penthouse
Saturday May 17, 2008- Vancouver/ The Railway Club
Tuesday May 20, 2008- Kelowna / Doc's Willoughby's
Wednesday May 21, 2008- Canmore/ The Canmore Hotel
Thursday May 22, 2008- Calgary Broken City w/ Pete Samples
Friday May 23, 2008- Edmonton/ Starlight Lounge w/ Jon and Roy
Saturday May 24, 2008- Saskatoon/ Amigos w/ These Hands
Sunday May 25, 2008- Regina / The Exchange
Tuesday May 27, 2008- Medicine Hat / Ottoman
Wednesday May 28, 2008 - Lethbridge / The Slice
Friday May 30, 2008- Kamloops/ The Loft
Saturday May 31, 2008 - Tofino / Legion
Sunday June 1, 2008 - Victoria / Lucky Bar

Is There any Such Thing as Indie Anymore?

The tagline for publicbroadcasting.ca is "to strengthen and preserve the independent and emerging Canadian voice" which I think I'll stick to. It may be time though for "indie" as a label applied to music to come to an end. We all seem to know what we mean when we say "indie". I wouldn't, for example, want to see CBC Radio 3 start playing Nickleback and Avril Lavigne. But, what exactly is indie anymore?

Personally, I tend to think of it as relating to the integrity of the artist - whether or not they maintain creative independence. But is that really a genre of music? Are the Woodhands, Laura Barrett, the Dears, the Tom Fun Orchestra, Kate Maki, the Blood Lines, Black Mountain and Arcade Fire all part of the same musical genre?

Natalia Yanchek (keys for the Dears) actually brought this subject up on her blog recently.

Being part of a band that has been plunked into the “indie rock” category, I often struggle with the genre and what, exactly, it means. What is indie? I believe it is a dead identity: like how the title “alternative” was borne from grunge in the 90’s, and has since come to define bands like Nickelback. It’s outgrown its meaning: Death Cab is indie, but on a major label. So WTF?
The term “indie” essentially used to mean “not major label” and oftentimes “not on any label.” But now the new “indie” had been commodified and major label bands can be indie rock.

I'd add that it's difficult to even define what constitutes a major label these days. To me Warner Bros, BMG, etc., are the 'major labels.' They are the ones identified with continuous attacks on the internet, frivolous law suits, screwing artists and fans at every opportunity etc. But what if we set aside the battles of the last decade? Arts and Crafts have come to, almost, define 'indie' but can a label that represents Feist and Broken Social Scene still be considered a 'small label'?

There is an entire film on the subject of what indie is, appropriately titled What Is Indie?

It is clear though that 'Indie' has become fairly useless as a definition. It is entirely subjective. To some the Arcade Fire and Feist are still indie, to others they are not and virtually every new band, no matter how well funded, considers itself 'indie'. I would even go so far as to say that all genres have lost their reason for being. As the world becomes smaller and the number of influences people are exposed to grows and becomes more multicultural the lines will blur still further. Unless you work in a record store and need to figure out where to put things - it may be time to simply divide things between what you like and what you don't. It would certainly make radio better and more interesting if there were no labels, no genres to decide what should and shouldn't be played and the playlist was simply made up of good music.

Concerts on Demand: Kate Maki

Kate Maki, the celebrated musician and Sudbury school teacher who recently released the widely acclaimed album "On High" featuring the single Blue Morning and is reportedly working on a "cool new band" with partner and frequent collaborator Nathan Lawr has a full concert up on the CBC's Concert's On Demand site.

"In February, Sudbury artist Kate Maki finally released her CD "On High" after almost two years of healing a serious case of pinched nerves which halted her musical career.

She's back in action, and brought her northern folk-pop to rock the house at the National Library of Canada in December with music that's been called Jazz, Folk, and Americana...and compared to early Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams."

This is rapidly becoming one of my favorite parts of the CBC website and, because it's Sunday and Kate Maki's music is close to perfect for Sunday listening - go and give it a spin (or whatever we do now that everything is digital).
http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20071207kmaki - you can also visit http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/ for the Concerts on Demand home page.

Last Minute Gentleman Reg Show (Toronto)

According to a note sent out this morning Gentleman Reg (Reg Vermue) will be playing this Wednesday (April 23) at the Tranzac with Gret Aunt Ida and Bellewoods - the show will start at 9 pm and is expected to be over by midnight. Reg also mentioned that this is his first Toronto show since New Years and that this might be a 'disappearing act.' We'll hope not but I'll pass it on if I hear anything.

Gentleman Reg - Over My Head (directed by Sara St. Onge)

One More for Record Store Day

One more for Record Store Day, because I can't think of a more fitting song, at the moment, for record stores and the artists who fill their shelves (and sometimes stock their shelves too).

Happy Record Store Day




For those of you who don't know, today is Record Store day. CBC Radio 3 did a whole contest to find the "Best Record Store In Canada". The award, surprisingly, went to Meow Records of Prince George, British Columbia.

Record Store Day was started to celebrate the Record Store as a musical community center, as well as bring people in to their local record store (where they may not have been in awhile.) Stores across the US, UK and Canada participated in the event with in store performances, special sales and other events.

From CMJ

Organizers hope to thwart the notion that the record store has gone or is going the way of the buffalo, as well as call attention to the nefarious ways of corporate big box stores like Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy.

"Independent anything gets my vote," says Eric Levin from Criminal Records in Atlanta. "As long as I'm kicking against the corporate pricks I'm deliriously happy. There's been a strange misconception that the record store was an endangered species, which is very far from the truth. It doesn't matter if the New York Times reports the end of music retail, if it isn't true. We just wanted to shine a light on that fact."

Sadly I fear that far more record stores will fall off the map before all is said and done. Although my personal favorite is Soundscapes I still recommend that people buy from Zunior.com as often as possible because, quite simply, it's the best way to get the most money to the artists themselves.

Today I went to Sunrise Records, on Yonge Street in Toronto for Laura Barret's instore performance. I didn't miss the irony of attending a "Record Store Day" event across the street from "Sam the Record Man" whose signs still dominate that part of Yonge Street.

Laura, as always, was brilliant - sadly it was not her crowd. Most of the crowd was made up of teenagers, of the particular variety that is already swallowed whole by the Matrix, who had come to see Ill Scarlet (peforming later in the evening). Still, I think Laura won a few new fans and it is important to rescue those who can still be rescued.

Free Gravity Wave Downloads

So here's the skinny, I was supposed to get pics etc., from the Gravity Wave Free Party (pdf) - which I was unable to attend. If those come in I'll still post them. In the mean time though there are some Gravity Wave tunes in the Free Podsafe Download section and you can have at them.

The Gravity Wave - Over video by Jared Sales

Additions to Band Blogs Too

Seven new additions to Band Blogs Too today. That brings the total between Band Blogs and Band Blogs Too to 128 Canadian Musical Acts. Between these two pages you can keep up with all of them, in their own words. Bear in mind that some acts aren't included simply because they don't have a blog, or don't use the one included in Myspace.

Today's New Additions are Animal Names, Jill Barber, the Clips, Dress Whites, Jenn Grant, Kellarissa and Rebekah Higgs.

Upcoming Toronto Events

So, one of the many things I do is run a little facebook group for upcoming Toronto Events http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11485921261- just a list really that is sent out once a week and links to Facebook events. I might as well post it here also. Currently it looks like this:

April 14 - May 2 Toronto Free Library (Book Drive)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=13972245317

Friday, April 18
TWM Presents: OPOPO, Les Handclaps, Primordials, & the Assistants!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=40681595416

Colour Me Rad - Kavinsky @ RANDOMLAND
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=32616130485

Saturday, April 19
mission 56: the mod club 04.19.08
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10189148794

Mal ArmÈ (Letterdrop III): 26 poems, 26 collages
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10714612382

VONEGUT and the Slaughterhouse Orchestra
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10500394028

chronic at the Cameron House
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10834558761

Monday, April 21
the Movement Movement: Premiere Screening Run The ROM
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=9935684315

GreenTOpia, BlueTOpia Concerned about water in Toronto?
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15150492989


Wednesday, April 23
You Can Never Bike Alone - TorontoTheBetter Movie Screening
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=12324821902

Thursday, April 24
Seed Bombing (Guerilla Gardening)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11907750913

Friday, April 25
WILDsound SCREENPLAY Festival - Friday April 25th
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10356849285

Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble @ The Music Gallery
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=17406521619

TWM 15: Love Kills, Hojas Rojas, Holoscene!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=17164576060

Saturday, April 26
An All-Cause Rally
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10406128595

Kristin's Fundraising Salon Recital, No. 2
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11297335948

Sunday, April 27
WORKING CLASS ROCKSTAR Doc about the Music Industry
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=12311897775

Monday, April 28

Fringe Brittania: "The Further Adventures of Antoine Feval"
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10767583963

TALENT MONDAY's at "The Supermarket"
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=30257236264

Tuesday, April 29
Will Currie & The Country French CD Release Show!!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11849001906

Wednesday, April 30
PWYC Weds w/ Halleluyah, Secret Japanese Girlfriend, and Justin Chee
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15868410086

Thursday, May 1
Legacy: Social Networking Series
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15049853668

Girls Fall Down Toronto Launch
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=17467051135

Contact 2008 @ The Gladstone
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10828986564

The Riv presents: REID JAMIESON w/Annelise Noronha - May 1st/08
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=14282646926

Friday, May 2
Contact 2008 Launch Party
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=1306620751

Rue Morgue and Daniloff Productions present Justin Erickson's PIN-UP GHOULS
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11161818883

The Inaugural FOOTPRINTS Reading Series
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=17413791604

DD/MM/YYYY 7" release - - -> w. Shpilberg, Revolution Love, Machetes
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11195432355

Monteforte @ the Horseshoe!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=12340443662

Saturday, May 3
The MSU Harry Partch Ensemble (Dean Drummond, Director)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10492519642

Friday, May 9

SERENADES Judy Kang, Violinist
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=18245454752

Sick Kids Foundation Benefit Show
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=24752286384

Friday, May 23
2008 Green Toronto Festival (May 23 and 24)
http://www.toronto.ca/greentorontofestival/index.htm

Sunday, May 25
The Harmony of Tea & Music
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15091394714

Saturday, May 31
Pillow Fight Toronto 2008
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11919484404

Million Dollar Youth Concert
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=9842837137

"Cycle of Fear" Movie Premiere
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=20318319112

BRITE! - A fundraiser for Newmindspace
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11369267766

Will Currie and the Country French CD Release Party

Long time friends of this website Will Currie and the Country French who recently signed to Murder Records are not gearing up for their first official CD Release party at Sneaky Dee's in Toronto on April 29 ( 431 College Street (College & Bathurst). Opening for Will Currie and the Country Frency, who once listed amoung their influences Bellewoods. Tickets are "$7 OR $12 for superfan combo package including entry+CD+pin". The Facebook event page is at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11849001906. If you can't make that show, in particular, try one of these:

April 19th in Guelph at Jimmy Jazz w/ The Coast
April 25th in London at the Alex P. Keaton w/ The Coast
April 28th in Hamiliton at the Casbah w/ The Coast.
April 30th in Ottawa at Zaphod Beeblebrox. Us headlining with 2 local openers to be announced.
May 1st in Peterborough at the Montreal House
May 2nd in Toronto at St. Stephen-in-the-fields Church for the Over the Top Festival.

You may also want to check out The Chart Report Card on the band.

Bosh Wants NOISE!

Chris Bosh has a message to all Raptors fans:



This all started last Wednesday when the Raps were making a solid run against the Milwaukee Bucks. Unfortunately, the Air Canada Centre crowd was silent. Bosh vented his frustration during the radio post-game show and things have taken off from there. Remember when Dave Winfield did this?

Come on Toronto! Come on Canada! Let's make the ACC loud; let's make CB4 proud! LET'S GO RAPTORS!

Canadian DVD Club Launches

The First Weekend Club, which has emerged as one of the true champions of Canadian Cinema has launched their official DVD club.

The idea is that members can either rent or buy each months film, then head to the forums to post reviews, discuss it with other members - and sometimes the filmmakers themselves.

"Perks

There are many reasons to participate in the DVD Club, here are some:
• A chance to discover some great Canadian films (oldies and newbies, alike)
• An opportunity to connect with other First Weekend Club members across Canada
Q&As with special guests such as filmmakers, talent and film experts (based on suggestions from our members provided through a recent survey)
• DVD Club members will also receive special codes that will give them certain benefits such as discounts on DVD purchases, rentals and much more! Thanks to sponsors such as the amazing Videomatica.ca (coming soon)
• Additionally, to make things REALLY fun, each month, members will have an opportunity to earn "karma points" by posting reviews, entering mini-contests on the forum and completing other "missions". Various prizes will be awarded to those who have earned the most points each month."

Because people watch far more films at home than they do in theaters and because a small and shrinking number of Canadian theaters show Canadian film at all - the DVD club seems like an excellent place to start.

If you haven't been paying attention in recent years - Canadian Film has improved considerably since the days of Porky's. Just in the last few years Canadian films and co-productions have included the Tracey Fragments, Young People Fucking, Eastern Promises, Bon Cop, Bad Cop, Away From Her, Radiant City, Everything's Gone Green, It's All Gone Pete Tong, the Rocket, Weirdsville and the first selection in the FWC's DVD club Snowcake.

So..check them out, at least some of them join the club, and Stop Bill C-10 before arch criminal and Prime Minister Stephen Harper kills the entire Canadian industry.

So Long and Thanks for All the Tea

Back in 2005, during the 2005 CBC Lockout, CBC Management and the nations media critics were caught by suprise when employees on both sides of the line took to the internet with blogs and podcasts. It would appear that the age of the CBC Blogs is coming to an end.

At one point there were scores of them, even I had one. Since the start of april though, the last three have called it quits or gone on hiatus. Usually, in the blog world, hiatus means goodbye. Today the longest running and most read of those remaining Teamakers also made an exit.

They're right. Times change. I've changed. You've changed. We've changed. I never thought this blog would last 3 days. I've been going on nearly 3 years.

I've decided to take a break from this site. I'm not sure when I'll be back. It might be a while.

I want to thank you for ever reading, ranting, contributing, cheering, commenting, complaining, conspiring, bookmarking this site or removing it from your bookmarks, falling for a prank or pulling one on me. I'm going to miss all of you, each and every one.

It's been a lot of fun, and you made it worthwhile.

What is ironic about the timing is that it comes just as a new round of labour negotiations are about to begin and a 2009 lockout seems likely at this point.
 
It should be said that a few things remain from 2005. Inside the CBC is certainly a by-product of the CBC lockout and publicbroadcasting.ca was actually started during the lockout, as was meant to be a part of the discussion - but I've since expanded it to include a wide variety of non-CBC related things.
 
It is true though that much has changed. Most of the faces at the top of the CBC have changed including the President the general attitude toward blogging. The Government certainly seems to have changed it's attitude and the audience is more involved if not necessarily onside.

Changes to television, radio and online are coming so fast and furious that it is hard to digest them and assess whether they are positive or negative. That said, I don't think I'd still be at it if I was just talking about the CBC - You can only cover the same ground so many times without repeating yourself. I also realized early on that there is alot happening in Canadian media (old and new), arts and culture and that much of it simply isn't represented or reflected on the CBC. When I wrote daily about the CBC that was what I was really interested in. Not just the CBC, or the lockout but the CBCs role in Canadian art, media and culture (all broadly defined.)

I, obviously, am pressing on. There will be no 'hiatus' note that pops up on this site. And I would invite Ouimet and the others who've stopped, to feel free to join me here if they'd like to (even occasionally) weigh in on the CBC or other topics close to their hearts.

Hopefully Ouimet will return, and hopefully it will not be a new labour dispute that brings about that return. In any case I applaud him or her and the others for hanging in as long as they did and speaking their truth.

The Kids in the Hall Return!

The Kids in the Hall are getting ready to launch a massive North American Tour. It's good to have them back, but sad that so few dates on their schedule are in Canada.





A Quick Word With Kids In The Hall - Now on tour!


17 Apr 2008 8 pm Wang Centre Boston MA
18 Apr 2008 8 pm Nokia Theatre New York NY
19 Apr 2008 7 pm Nokia Theatre New York NY
19 Apr 2008 10:30 Nokia Theatre New York NY
20 Apr 2008 8 pm Nokia Theatre New York NY
22 Apr 2008 8 pm Verizon Theatre Houston TX
23 Apr 2008 8 pm Nokia Theatre Dallas/Grand Prairie TX
24 Apr 2008 7 pm Uptown Theatre Kansas City MO
25 Apr 2008 7 pm Barrymore Theatre Madison WI
25 Apr 2008 10:00 Barrymore Theatre Madison WI
26 Apr 2008 7 pm Orpheum Minneapolis MN
27 Apr 2008 7 pm Burton Cummings Theatre Winnipeg, MB
30 Apr 2008 8 pm Keswick Theatre Glenside PA
2 May 2008 8 pm Seneca Casino Niagara Falls NY
3 May 2008 7 pm Warner Theatre Washington DC
4 May 2008 7 pm State Theater Easton PA
8 May 2008 8:30 pm The Grove Anaheim CA
9 May 2008 8 pm The Orpheum Los Angeles CA
10 May 2008 8 pm War Memorial San Francisco CA
11 May 2008 8 pm Arlene Schnitzer Portland OR
13 May 2008 7 pm Kingsbury Hall Salt Lake City UT
15 May 2008 20:30 WaMu Theatre Seattle WA
16 May 2008 8 pm Red Robinson Show Theatre Coquitlam, BC
17 May 2008 7 pm Jack Singer Concert Hall Calgary, AB
18 May 2008 7 pm Jubilee Edmonton, AB
20 May 2008 7 pm The Pageant St Louis MO
21 May 2008 7 pm Ryman Auditorium Nashville TN
22 May 2008 8 pm Hard Rock Live Orlando FL
23 May 2008 7 pm Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater FL
24 May 2008 7 pm Cobb Energy Center Atlanta GA
25 May 2008 7 pm North Charleston PAC Charleston SC
29 May 2008 8 pm The Chicago Theatre Chicago IL
30 May 2008 19:30 Royal Oak Detroit MI
31 May 2008 8 pm Playhouse Square Cleveland OH
1 Jun 2008 7 pm Weidner Center Green Bay WI
3 Jun 2008 7 pm Centennial Hall London, ON
5 Jun 2008 7 pm Massey Hall Toronto, ON

Born Ruffians In Store

If you're in Toronto on Sunday, April 27 and you happen to pop by Soundscapes at 4 pm there will be a in store performance by the Born Ruffians.

Also (as long as you're writing on your calendar don't forget Laura Barrett will be at Sunrise Records for an in store of her own at 4:30 on Saturday April 19.

Born Ruffians - Hummingbird

New Kara Keith Downloads

Kara Keith has been a resident of the publicbroadcasting.ca Download section for awhile now. Three new tracks have been added to her page though - "Whispering Bones" was recorded in studio by Pietro Summarco, the other two "Visions Fugitives" and "This Love" were recorded live at the Banff Center. If you listen to Radio 3 you have no doubt heard Kara's "Kick This City" which is also available for download. This May she will head to Montreal to record her first full length solo album with Howard Bilermen (who has also worked with groups like the Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade).

To download the new tracks visit http://publicbroadcasting.ca/download/KaraKeith/

To keep up with Kara's doings you can add her on Myspace or become a fan on Facebook.

Interview Yourself for publicbroadcasting.ca

This appears on the new page but I'll repeat it here anyway.

Publicbroadcasting.ca is primarily a blog, little bits of fact, opinion and observation published without any 'style guide' or 'journalistic standards and practices'. Still there are sometimes people who want to be interviewed, or have an opinion to express so I've created this easy to use form which you can use to interview yourself. If it has anything to do with what this site is about and isn't spam, I'll publish the finished piece. Just answer the simple questions below:

So, people are invited to come and interview themselves, say what they want about whatever is going on and as long as it's not completely off topic for this blog, as long as it's not spam, or about non-Canadian stuff I'll publish it.

Just so you know: I won't edit it. I'll post it the same way it comes to me which is a kind of form. If you'd like to interview yourself about...whatever - you can find the form at http://www.publicbroadcasting.ca/invu/

This is the test run:

The submitted value of field named "Name" is:
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Testing
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The submitted value of field named "Headline" is:
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This is a test
-------------------------------------------------------

The submitted value of field named "Quote" is:
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testing
-------------------------------------------------------

The submitted value of field named "Who" is:
-------------------------------------------------------
testing
-------------------------------------------------------

The submitted value of field named "What" is:
-------------------------------------------------------
testing
-------------------------------------------------------

The submitted value of field named "Where" is:
-------------------------------------------------------
testing
-------------------------------------------------------

The submitted value of field named "When" is:
-------------------------------------------------------
testing
-------------------------------------------------------

The submitted value of field named "Why" is:
-------------------------------------------------------
test some more
-------------------------------------------------------

The submitted value of field named "What else?" is:
-------------------------------------------------------
test `123
-------------------------------------------------------

Publicbroadcasting.ca = Some Changes + More Facebook Stuff

I've done a bunch of maintenance stuff today, some things are gone - others are new.

First, I've added a DIY Intervew thingy - more on that in a few minutes (it'll be the next post)

Second, I've removed the notice board - too much time spent separating the vast amounts of spam from the few real submissions. The CanCon cast has also gone away for now, I simply don't have the time - but I hope to bring in a new mixtape podcast at some point

Third, there are some new links in the vast list entitled 'More Links' that appears on every page

Fourth, I've added a bunch of new things to the 'Facebook Links' section. The new additions are:

Art at Elite

Bound to Create Theatre

Canadians for Net Neutrality

CBC Radio 3

CBC Radio: Fuse

the Diableros

Events Toronto

FUSE magazine

Gentleman Reg

the Islands

Just Canadian Talent

Keep
your censoring hands off of Canadian film and TV! No to Bill C-10!

Mint Records

Most Serene Republic

Newsoundspace

rabble.ca

Rural Alberta Advantage

Save Jpod Now!

Show & Tell Gallery

Stop the Throttler (Bell)!!!

Superfantastics

Support the new CBC 2

Theatre in Her Shoes

Toronto Film Network

Toronto Free Gallery

Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival

Toronto's Official Dance Theatre and Opera Group

TWM @ Rancho Relaxo

Wavelength Music Arts Project

White Whale Records: Making Music With Your Friends

Vancouver Last Minute Show - Said the Whale

Said the Whale has added a last minute show - tomorrow night (Sunday, April 13) at the Media Club in Vancouver. The show starts at 9:30ish with "Maurice, Lotus Child, Aidan Knight, and possibly one more band whose name may or may not rhyme with "Gay Lotion".". This is also a "prom party"

Also, please note that this show is a PROM PARTY! That means ladies, dust off that old prom dress, boys, squeeze your fat ass into your old suit and slip a mickey of vodka into your boxers, cuz we're re-living prom night!

also note that this will be our LAST show in Vancouver until our CD Release show tentatively scheduled for June 5.

ok hopefully see some of you there!

Said The Whale - This Winter I Retire

Update: Upcoming Laura Barrett Stuff

This just in...an update on Laura Barrett's soon to be released album, along with some upcoming shows (starting tonight) and other future plans - if you'd like to get this kind of stuff first hand you should join the Deception Island Optimists Club on Facebook.

"Hey all!

So Laura's pretty much, almost, super close to finishing her first full length album - recorded and mixed by the very talented Paul Aucoin!
Soon Laura will be taking off to play a series of shows with the Hidden Cameras in Europe and will be returning in May to do do her own tour across Canada and the US (stay tuned for dates!)

So catch Laura before she takes off...

tonight - at the Entire Cities CD release party - at the Canadian Corps Hall at King and Niagra

Friday April 18th - at PepperJack's in Hamilton - Supporting the wonderful Junior Boys

Saturday April 19th - an in-store at Sunrise records - 336 Yonge St - 4:30pm Sharp!"

Fuse Launches: Canada's Newest Art Magazine Unveiled

Last nights I attended Fuse Magazine's Creative Cities launch which was strange on a number of levels. It was ironic, but I haven't decided if it was ironic in a good way or a bad way, that it should launch in the shadow of the soon to be condoized Abel Lofts. As I looked down Lisgar Street from the Mercer Union the two glowing signs seemed to sum up Queen West's current identity crisis. The first, in big letters said LSD (which stood for lighting and something I believe), the other one, right next to it, said Innergolf.ca.

All laments for the turning of Queen West into a product to sell aside, Fuse (a magazine which I was previously unaware of) looks like it is going to be excellent, with cerebral articles on the state of art in Canada and the stunning and thought provoking visuals that are necessary if your are going to have success as an art mag. This issue contains:

"Clive Robertson asks us to consider whether we’re Feeling Good About Canadian Art?, Kirsty Robertson explores The Creative Industries in Canada and Erin Morton interviews Terrance Houle about using humour to disrupt colonialist narratives. Also in this issue, Laura Paolini wonders what will happen if she falls while standing alone inside OCAD’s Sharp Centre for Design and Brendan Tang presents Kitbash.

Reviews:
Mimesis and Memory in Dot Tuer’s Mining the Media Archive by Tabitha Minns. small leaves room for thoughts to grow by Amy Fung. The Holocaust visited: Paul Antick’s itourist? by Rachel MagShamhráin."

I found it a little odd that the launch event had no speakers, no presentations, just bare white walls (and people, good ones) - but I suppose, to end where I started, any odd left in Queen West should be preserved as an endangered species.

cbc.ca Returns to China

Last Week CBC President Hubert T. Lacroix asking China to unblock the CBC and allow their citizens as well as Canadians in China for the Olympics access to CBC Web Content. Today it would appear that the CBC, along with BBC and Wikipedia have been unblocked by the Chinese.

Diableros Preview at Eyes on Toronto

Earlier I mentioned that the Diableros (with the new lineup) are playing at Lee's Palace on May 21. Before that though, if you want to get a sneak peak, they will be doing a mini-set at the next Eyes on Toronto on May 5. Also on the bill for that show are comic Jeff McEnery and a "Very special guest" - who Steve is being all mysterious about. Stay tuned...

Jeff McEnery

A Pedestrian Rant

How often has it happened to you?

If you're regularly behind the wheel of your car, you likely don't pay it much heed. Maybe
we're minor annoyances to you. Maybe we're just additional steps on the path to your very
own case of road rage. I don't know. I'm not sure if I ever want to learn.

But if you're someone who has just stepped off of a public transit bus - in Vancouver, Regina,
Ottawa, Ville de Québec, Halifax or anywhere in between - and looking to cross the street at
what ought to be a recognized crosswalk? That's when you're the one with a case of
pedestrian rage. Because that's the moment when the driver of a car coming up right behind
your bus...who has seen you stepping off the bus and positioning yourself to cross that street
to the other side...chooses to accelerate and cut you off before you can cross.

At that point, you've just had a run-in with what I call the Car-Driver Supremacist. Such a
driver, absent any evidence to the contrary, believes in their own right to get where they're
going coming before your right of way. At all times.

In my own case, it seems to happen at least twice a week on average. My stop, coming home
from my day job, is on the other side of the street from where I live. It's also long been known
as the site of a bike path and habitual crossing point in the neighbourhood. Has been such
since the neighbourhood was built, less than two decades ago. That it's at the halfway mark
of that particular street...well, I can't explain the urban planners' logic of two decades' past. I don't have the resources yet for that.

It's happened at other intersections as well. Once, after visiting either my general practitioner
or my dentist – not sure which at this late date – I had a near-miss while crossing a marked
and signal-equipped intersection. I stumbled, fell to the pavement, got up and turned
around...and got the finger from the driver on that occasion.

In spite of the fact that the “walk/don't walk” light was with me at the time.

Mull that over a moment.

It stretches the odds like Reed Richards to think that mine's the only case like this.

Pedestrian rage. It's going to be the next big thing if we're all not careful.

Maybe even if we are.

New Writers

A total of 5 new people have signed up to write for the site. I'll let them introduce themselves as they will:

For anyone else who is interested the basics go like this:

The site is about Canadian arts and culture (and sometimes politics): Beyond that

No Deadlines

No Assignements (you write about what interests you, when you feel compelled to do so)

No Editorial control (you post directly to the site, I don't even see it first)

No Style Guide or Standards and Practices - the only things you can't do are actually against the law other than that...

No Pay (sorry - the site takes in no money, no donations, no paid advertisements - so unless I win a really, really big lottery there's nothing to pay you with)

One odd thing I've discovered is that, for alot of people the 'pressure of the blank page' is too much: Many of the people that think they want to write for the site, when given complete freedom, don't know what to say and end up not writing (which is why I've stopped introducing people - just in case).

If you decide it's something you want to do, and you haven't talked to me about it yet please give a shout there is a ton of stuff out there that doesn't get talked about, because of a lack of hands, time and local people to talk about it.

Fringe Fundraiser: The Further Adventures of Antoine Feval

The Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival is holding a fundraiser 'Fringe Britania' on April 28 at the
Theatre Passe-Muraille Mainspace, 16 Ryerson Ave.

The Further Adventures of Antoine Feval (written and performed by Christopher Gibbs): A mystery featuring cat burglar turned detective 'Antoine Feval'. Although I've never seen the show the reviews are pretty positive:

"“Gibbs’ performance as the witless and self-deprecating Barnaby is near flawless. His martini-dry wit is characteristically sharp, in both script and performance, and his comic timing is beautiful.” - CBC on Antoine Feval."

“Gibbs’ observations on the show-in-progress add further layers of irony, making this one of the most cleverly written and performed shows I’ve ever seen at the Fringe.” - EYE WEEKLY on Antoine Feval."

Also, because it is one night only, the luxury of waiting to see what other people think isn't available. It is however well worth the risk I think - Proceeds go to fund the Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival which is celebrating it's 20th Anniversary this year. If you support live theatre and creative and artistic freedom then you should already know about the festival, and if you don't:

"The Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF) is the national association of 23 theatre festivals held across Canada and the US . CAFF members share the vision of creating the opportunity for both emerging and established artists to produce their work with artistic freedom, and of engaging members of the community by making productions as affordable and accessible as possible.  CAFF members abide by four guiding principles:

Participation in the Festival is determined by a non-juried process;

Participants receive 100% of the ticketed box office receipts for their performances;

Fringe Festival producers have no control over the artistic content of performances;

Fringes should provide accessible opportunities for audiences and artists to participate"

Reviews are in for the Woodhands 'Heart Attack'

From the Woodhands Myspace Blog: The reviews for 'Heart Attack' are in - well some of them anyway.

http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/music/music-previews/very-good-dancers/

http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/discs.cfm?content=162394

http://www.chartattack.com/DAMN/2008/04/0101.cfm

http://www.montrealmirror.com/2008/040308/disc.html

http://www.eyeweekly.com/music/ondisc/article/22916

Happy Birthday to You Say Party! We Say Die!

You Say Party! We Say Die! sent out this video today (in which Stephen O'Shea has no head) in celebration of the 4th Anniversary of their first show. Happy Birthday!!!



You Say Party! We Say Die! - Monster

CBC and the Battle for Radio 2

It is difficult to know how to start this. I've had conversations with a few people this week about the various movements aimed at the CBC. I strongly believe that all of them are a good thing at the core. It is an indication that people care deeply about the CBC and what is (or isn't) on the CBC. It is a far better than people not caring one way or another. If it ever gets to a point where the CBC announces big changes and everyone shrugs, only then is the CBC in real trouble.

Having said that, the CBC cannot be all things to all people. It should, as is it's mandate, cater to smaller niche audience with programming that might be less commercially viable than what is played on commercial television and radio but that does not mean catering to one audience or another exclusively.

I have been shocked by some of the venom that has been directed at Radio 2. I am certainly against 'dumbing down' the CBC, but to imply that playing music other than classical is 'dumbing down' is ... well...dumb. Canada has an enormous amount of musical talent, classical and otherwise. For example, in addition to classical and opera there is world music, ambient, electronic, country, folk, a wide variety of different styles of rock music, blues, jazz, R & B, hip hop, and on and on. What's more, as Canada becomes more and more multi-cultural the types and styles of music are going to expand exponentially - to the point where even trying to attach a label or genre to a performer will be nearly impossible.

Artists in all of these genres have the same desire to have their music heard and have the same problems doing so. Fans of many of these genres also have a hard time finding programming unless it is on campus or community radio. All commercial radio seems obsessed with a small group of people who are not the majority in this country - rather they are just an easy and undemanding audience to get.

In an ideal world we'd have CBC Radio 1, 2 and 3 as well as 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, ... with each catering to different types of music and a different audience. In the world we live in however no one is going to pay for it. CBC Radio remains commercial free and the government is simply not going to fund it all. So, is it too much to ask that what air space is available is shared by different types of Canadian musicians and fans? Is that 'dumb'? I would certainly hope that it isn't. If, in Canadian culture, compromise and sharing are 'dumb' then this country is in trouble - and it has nothing to do with a lack of classical music.

So, again, here is the facebook group to keep Radio 2 classical http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9009203294 - it currently has over 12,000 members.

Over here is a (much newer) group that supports the changes coming to radio 2 http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10781634634 - currently a mere 254 members (which is up by about 200 in the last few days).

Run With Art: Film Premeire at the Gladstone

The Movement Movement, a collaboration between artist/curator Jessica Rose and dancer/choreographer Jenn Goodwin will premeire it's film "Run at the Royal Ontario Museum" on April 21st at 8 pm at the Gladstone Hotel's North Ballroom. The film, directed by Nick de Pencier and funded by CTV's Bravo! FACT (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) documents the Movement Movements choreographed run through the ROM

"A choreographed crowd formed by hundreds of runners activates the museum’s galleries alongside its six million artifacts. This moving sculpture is made up of: an art class from a high school outside of the city’s centre, a group of athletes from the running community, artists and art administrators, museum patrons, and members of the public who showed up with running shoes on. Temporarily, people and place come together in unexpected ways to run an institution.

“Run the ROM” is a taboo-smashing artifact that places the audience in the stampede of runners to experience the thrill and exhilaration of running a cultural institution. The runners stream by a cavalcade of suits of medieval armour, Egyptian mummies and Etruscan pottery on plinths, the vitality of their speed and life-force infusing these otherwise staid museum objects. Augmented by an aural universe of the echo-ing insistence of pounding feet on gallery floors and the laboured breathing of the human machine at work, the film charts the progress of the runners to underscore the breadth and extent of their accomplishment, an artifact that captures the vanguard of event based art."

You can find more information on the Movement Movement and their film at their website www.themovementmovement.ca or on the Facebook Event Page http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=9935684315.

They Shoot Horses: Taking a Break from Taking a Break then Breaking Up

Vancouvers They Shoot Horses Don't They decided awhile ago to take a break, with the plan being that they would, take a deep breath, write some new songs, and then hit the road again. Sadly, sometimes 'breaks' last longer than you wanted them to and it appears that the real, very last show, for the band will be at the Astoria in Vancouver on April 26.

From the blog:

"So the Real LAST SHOW... is it the real last show?  Who knows but for sure it will surely be the real LAST SHOW for a few years if not forever. Expect some surprises and old songs. We will be more or less sticking to our previous pledge that we won’t play the songs we played at the last show (unless even one person person merely mentions that it would be nice if we played a particular song...you know a request...we don’t refuse requests...it’s our policy...that would be rude!) One thing you may be pleased to know is that Julia(on vacation from her German living ways) will be playing drums. Exciting!
Anyways... That the word. official and all"

You can still grab a few tunes from the band in the download section.

CBC President asks China to unblock websites

Via Tea Makers. New CBC president Hubert T. Lacroix has written to the Chinese ambassador asking that the CBC's websites be unblocked and allowed to pass through the 'great firewall of China'.

From CBC News:

"Access in China to CBC's French-language website Radio-Canada.ca has been blocked for six months, while access to the English site CBC.ca has been cut off since January, Lacroix said."

Mr. Lacroix's letter reads as follows:

---

His Excellency Lu Shumin
Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Canada
515 St. Patrick Street
P.O. Box 8935
New Terminal, Alta Vista
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 5H3

Your Excellency,

2008 is an important year for the image and reputation of China as a leading member of the international community. All eyes are on China as it prepares to host the world for the Summer Olympics. CBC/Radio-Canada is proud to be a partner in broadcasting the pageantry and excitement of these Games and, as backdrop, the tremendous social and economic strides that China is making to assert its role as a modern, engaged, global leader.

It is with this in mind that I call your attention to a matter of the gravest importance. You are aware, no doubt, that access to the two principal CBC/Radio-Canada websites, Radio-Canada.ca and CBC.ca, has been blocked in China. Our French site has been blocked for at least six months and our English site since January of this year.

As you may be aware, Canadian embassy officials in Beijing have raised this issue with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I am writing to request that you make formal and immediate enquiries as to why the sites have been blocked, and that you take steps to ensure that this policy is reversed.

CBC/Radio-Canada has maintained staff and a bureau in China for many years and, as Canada’s public broadcaster, we are committed to freedom of the press. I took note of the remarks of Premier Wen Jiabao when he promised, in April 2007, that in the spirit of One World, One Dream, “the government will provide services of an Olympic standard to athlete, officials, spectators and the media in order to facilitate their participation and enjoyment of the Games. The freedom of foreign journalists in their news coverage will also be ensured.” I understand that, in that spirit, access to the BBC’s website, which had been restricted, has recently been unblocked. This is welcome.

Your Excellency, Canada and China have a long history built on our ability to share our culture with each other. That relationship depends on our ability to communicate. Blocking access to our websites is inconsistent with that history, and with China’s growing place on the world stage. I would appreciate your personal commitment to resolving this problem as quickly as possible and ensuring that access to our programming is restored expeditiously.

Yours sincerely,
Hubert T. Lacroix
President and CEO
CBC/Radio-Canada

Copies to:
Hon. Josée Verner, PC, M.P.
Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages

Hon. Maxime Bernier, PC, M.P.
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Hon. Bob Rae, PC, MP
Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic

Francine Lalonde, MP
Bloc Foreign Affairs Critic

Paul Dewar, MP

FWC: All Canadian DVD Club

Canadian film is hard to see. If you live in a large city you might be lucky enough to catch a screening at a small rep theatre – if you even find out the screening is happening. If you miss it there you might find a copy at a good indie video store. Again that's if, you live in a big city and if the small indie video store is still in business. If you live in a smaller town chances are you can do neither of these things and will never have an opportunity to see many of the brilliant films that are produced in this country.

The First Weekend Club has been fighting to improve the situation, trying to get more Canadian films onto more screens for a longer period of time. Now they are getting ready to launch a DVD club so that you can actually own copies of those great Canadian films that no one gets to see.

Just think of it as a book club, but for movies. Each month a new DVD will be selected and throughout the month we will have an ongoing moderated discussion on our forum about the film. Participants will also be treated to "special guest appearances" by filmmakers, talent, film experts, etc.
This is a chance for you to connect with other First Weekend Club members across Canada, while bonding over great films - discovering the new and re-discovering "oldies" too.

They would like for you to take a moment though and take this survey before they get it up and going!

Here Come the Woodhands

Thursday night I watched Toronto's Wrongbar overflow with people for the Woodhands CD release party. I think it is safe to say that Dan Werb and Paul Banwatt are destined for larger venues. If everyone at the Wrongbar had changed their minds and left, there were enough people waiting outside to fill it up again.

As an added bonus, before the heart stopping performance by Woodhands, Wrongbar patrons were treated to the first ever performance by the post-punk inspired all girl band the Machetes who even whipped through a cover of Souxie and the Banshees' Love in a Void just to make sure that you knew where they were going. You can get a look at the band on Fri. May 2nd, 2008- Opening for DD/MM/YYYY @ Whippersnapper (part of the Over the Top Fest).

As for the Woodhands performans, I think most people reading this already know but it's kinda like they say in Jam

"Dan Werb of Woodhands wields his instrument of choice like a weapon, primed and ready for musical battle."

Or

" “Dancer,” the fiery, propulsive first track on Woodhands’ frenetic and spectacular new disc, Heart Attack (their debut for Paper Bag Records, in stores April 1), demonstrates this pretty convincingly. The verses of “Dancer” consist of Maylee Todd from Henri Faberge and the Adorables crooning about a gentleman whispering sweet nothings in her ear, over Werb’s warm-yet-squelchy synth squiggles and punctuated by Banwatt’s titanic fills. The chorus consists of Werb screaming “YOU’RE A VERY GOOD DANCER!! WHAT IS YOUR NAME? WHAT IS YOUR NAME?” like a man striking up a conversation with someone while simultaneously being chased by rabid bulldogs. Of course, it’s based on a true story."

Also,as long as you're hitting all of these links you should check out the Call & Response from Blog T.O.

What it all boils down to is: Take your blood pressure meds and go see them on this tour. It's only going to get harder to get in to their shows after this. For those of you not on the list, or those that can't make it out you can still get the digital album download on Zunior.

April:
7 - WINNIPEG - The Rocker
8 - SASKATOON - Amigos
9 - CALGARY - The Gateway
11 - VANCOUVER - Astoria
12 - VANCOUVER - Peanut Gallery
13 - EDMONTON - Jekyll & Hyde
14 - REGINA - The Exchange
16 - THUNDER BAY - Apollo
19 - MONTREAL - Club Lambi
20 - OTTAWA - Zaphod’s
21 - QUEBEC CITY - Le Cercle
22 - CHARLOTTETOWN - Baba’s
23 - HALIFAX - Gus' Pub

May:
1 - TORONTO - Over The Top Festival
3 - HAMILTON - Pepper Jack Cafe
8 - GUELPH - E-Bar

The Diableros Are Ready for the Country, Again

For a little while it looked like the Diableros were done. But, Pete Charmichael quickly filled in the holes and announced the bands return. Now, after a little rehearsal and time to mesh the band is getting ready for a return to the stage. May 21 at Lee's Palace in Toronto the Diableros will make their return official. Also at Lee's that night will be Snowden and Colour Revolt.

Eyes On Toronto, Monday April 7

This Monday, April 7, Eyes on Toronto goes again at the Gladstone. This months guests include Tonya Lee Williams founder of The Reel World Film Fest (Running April 2nd to April 6th) and She's also Olivia from Y & R, comedian Pat Thornton and musical guest USS plus DJ Medley, the usual cast of Eyes on Toronto and, of course, beer!

75 Million in New Ontario Arts Funding

According to the CBC the Ontario government is prepared to announce 75 million in additional funding for arts and culture including:

12.1 million for the Royal Ontario Museum

8.6 million for the Art Gallery of Ontario

15 million for the Luminato Festival

15 million for the Southern Ontario Library Service

2.5 million for the Canadian Film Centre

10 million for the Toronto Reference Library

2.2 million for the Ontario Science Centre

388 thousand for Science North in Sudbury

4 million for the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund

747 thousand for the Ontario Heritage trust

All of this comes on top of already announced funding from the 2008 budget including 7 million over 4 years for an Interactive Digital Media Fund.

I think this is all wonderful news, and applaud the McGuinty Government for doing it. I would still point out though that for many, many Torontonians the ROM, the AGO etc., are not the center of cultural life in Toronto and that more needs to be done for small galleries, venues, artists and arts orgnizations that do not have the tourist draw of the ROM. I personally think this would handle it nicely, but I'm looking for other - more short term, local solutions as well.

Events Toronto

One of the many groups I admin on Facebook is Events Toronto: If you're in to Toronto stuff and want some good options for stuff to do, please feel free to join - I won't post these here very often.

Thursday, April 3

Guerilla Gardening 2008 Kickoff/Planning Meeting

A Magical Night With Woodhands: Heart Attack CD Release (Toronto)

Friday, April 4

VIRTUOSO!

TWM Presents: Megan Hamilton, Northwest Division, Deromantic, Ugly Bug Band at Rancho Relaxo

Saturday, April 5

University of Guelph Artist Press 2008 Portfolio

Toronto Podcaster Meet-up

Debra (Digiovanni) in Toronto!

Re:Action (An Examination of Gentrification)

Soles Mojo @ Liberty Street Cafe this Saturday!

Yuri's Night @ The Ontario Science Centre

Sunday, April 6

Syrinx Sunday Salons

Monday, April 7

Cheri DiNovo presents a FREE Screening of Wal-Mart Nation

Eyes on Toronto Musical Guest USS, , Comedian Pat Thornton, Tonya Lee Williams!! DJ MEDLEY and after party.

Tuesday, April 8

Toronto Public Space Committee Meeting

Thursday, April 10

Fuse Magazine Launch Party

Friday, April 11

TWM: Animal Clinic, Coast Guard, That's the Spirit, Karma Controllers $6

Saturday, April 12

TWM 14: Mark Berube, Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra, & Whale Tooth

Tuesday, April 15

Israel Mini-Film Festival @HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE

Friday, April 18

TWM Presents: OPOPO, Les Handclaps, Primordials, & the Assistants!

Saturday, April 19

mission 56: the mod club 04.19.08

Monday, April 21

the Movement Movement: Premiere Screening Run The ROM

Saturday, April 26

An All-Cause Rally

Monday, April 28

Fringe Brittania: "The Further Adventures of Antoine Feval"

Friday, May 9

SERENADES Judy Kang, Violinist

MVP: Most Vindicated Player?

Back in January, I blogged here about the new hockey soap MVP, having done a little work on the pilot a year prior. I called it "big, stupid, nasty, trashy fun", and wondered if the CBC could handle such a show.

Of course, we know now that it couldn't. As usually happens, there was some initial interest, then the CBC kinda flailed. In this case, they made their valiant attempt at promoting it, then slacked a bit and eventually switched it on the schedule with fellow new series jPod without telling many people, leading to the demise of both shows.

Now there's news that MVP has been picked up by a channel in the U.S. that knows exactly how to handle bigstupidnastytrashyfun shows: SOAPNet. A popular digital channel, SOAPNet is best known for helping non-TiVo-owning soap fans who aren't able to tune into their favourite daytime drama, giving them the chance to catch up at night or on the weekend. A few years ago, they started developing more original shows, like the magazine/talk show Soap Talk and the reality show I Wanna Be a Soap Star, and last summer they tried their own soap with the General Hospital spinoff Night Shift, which pulled down 1 million viewers in its limited run. Now, they have MVP, which starts in mid-June.

Here's the link to the Hollywood Reporter's take on the story, which quotes a Disney-ABC (who runs the channel) boss, Brian Frons, as saying, "This is the first time we are going to have a primetime soap with real primetime production values" (they do have reruns of primetime fare like The O.C. and One Tree Hill).

"We're broadening our reach by investing more in original programming," Frons said, adding that "MVP" has "five to six times" the budget of "Night Shift."

Here's the link to the Globe and Mail's take on the story, which also includes that same boss, as well as a very happy and not-smug MVP co-creator Mary Young Leckie:

What this means is we've got a new launch - as an original series - in the States. ABC is taking the cast around to do a number of promotions, as well as the talk-show circuit...If it's successful for ABC, it could leave the door open to a second season.

That could mean a second season also for a possibly-contrite CBC, who still has the Canadian rights to the show - and will be re-airing the first season around the same time it makes its American bow. Will MVP be truly vindicated, or just another Falcon Beach? Is it a coincidence that SOAPNet is owned by the same mega-corp who owns ABC Family, the U.S. digital channel that picked up CBC ratings winner Sophie recently (and a couple years ago, picked up Falcon Beach)? And whither jPod? Stay tuned, as the twists and turns might prove as interesting as finding out if Damon and Mandy escape from the car that crashed into the lake.

(Thanks to Inside the CBC for the tip.)

Woodhands CD Release Party

This Thursday at 9 p.m. at the Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West (Toronto) the Woodhands will officially release their new CD 'Heart Attack' and might even consider playing some songs from it. Holding down the stage while they decide if they feel like it or not will be DJ Howlermonkey and magician and mentalist Jeff Woods who has predicted that some people will meet, instantly click and form the "all girl post punk inspired" Machetes who will make their debut that night. You can find more information on the Facebook event page. (Ok, technically it's the same information, but you can see who's coming). For speculation and random cheering see Stillepost.

Patrick Krief: New Stuff April 26

Patrick Krief reports that the new album is done and will be unveiled, along with his band's official name, at Lion D'OR on April 26.

"Lion D'OR is one of Montreal's finest venues. We're bringing in a special line up to try and emulate what happened on the record. The line up will consist of the 4 of us plus 2 cellos, 1 violin, an extra guitarist, Saxophone, Trombone, and two back up singers. People will be coming on and off stage for certain songs.This is probably the only time we'll ever play with this line up. We're pretty excited about it. "

In related news the Dears new CD is also close to ready.