Kensington Market is a colorful, lively place chock full of quaint shops and colorful characters. On the last Sunday of every month they hold an innovative, car-free, pedestrian-only street festival.

My pal Grey Coyote is the President of the Kensington Market Action Committee [...]]]> < Photo of Maracatu Nunca Antes, Toronto-based Brazilian music group, by Yvonne Bambrick

Kensington Market is a colorful, lively place chock full of quaint shops and colorful characters. On the last Sunday of every month they hold an innovative, car-free, pedestrian-only street festival.

My pal Grey Coyote is the President of the Kensington Market Action Committee and a loyal supporter of community events like Pedestrian Sundays. I asked him to write about the event and tell us what we might expect for the last two events on September 26th and October 31st.

“With the summer quickly fading away, the hotter days of Pedestrian Sundays is now behind us, but there are still two left to go. On September 26th, the theme will be fall harvest time – and on October 31st, it will be a Halloween theme as we honour our ancestors. As with every street closure, there will be giant games in the middle of the street, buskers and musicians spread out the whole length of the Market, and as far as the eye can see – food – food – FOOD! So far, with absolutely no corporate funding whatsoever, we’ll pulled off most of our 7th season without a hitch. Belly-dancers warmed things up in anticipation of summer on the May 30th opener. The June 27th event was a fire theme, and I almost got heat stroke shaking my percussion along with the Samba Elegua! On July 25th, we had a water theme to try to cool things down, and on August 15th, we all tried to turn off as much power as possible to remember the great blackout of 2003. August 29th saw the Kensington Air show (our way of saying that we don’t need the war planes that come for the other air show at the lake). For each and every one, the streets were packed with a multicultural melange of people enjoying the streets without any vehicular intrusion – something that can be instituted in any community that wants to band together and have a street closure day. – For me, that’s the most important part of it all – knowing that this is our town and our streets and that bowing to the convenience of cars is not something that we have to do every day.”

Grey Coyote
greycoyote.net
paradisebound.ca

THANKS to my contributors: Grey Coyote and Yvonne Bambrick

More info: P.S. Kensington

I don’t really frequent art openings and [...]]]> Two art show / exhibitions open this Friday that explore the geography of Ontario, one focusing on the man-made spit at the foot of Leslie St. in Toronto, and the other on the remote wilds of northern Ontario, north of Thunder Bay by and reached via Highway 11.

I don’t really frequent art openings and I’m a marginal participant, but in the last year I attended Contact Photography Festival, the Gladstone on an occasion or two, and a handful of cool shows involving friends (including the amazing YYZ shopping mall at 401 Richmond that my friend Ulysses participated in). I was really stoked to get emails from two gallery spaces early this week. This weekend two shows open which document explorations of urban/wilderness spaces and concepts at the geographic extremes of Toronto and northern Ontario (easily 24 hours driving north of the megacity).

The first email came from Ranko Pavic, who operates Gallery Out / Aut on St. Clair Ave West. I first met him about two years ago. He was preparing an exhibit with punky/graffiti-inspired manipulations of found materials, and I got stoked on his originality and bright quirky works. He hosts a number of other artists at the gallery throughout the year. On Friday the photography exhibition “As Far North in Ontario as the Road Goes,” by Noah Cole, opens for a one month run.

The second email I received was from Laura and John, who operate the innovative Labspace Studio at 2a Pape Ave. in the city’s east-end. Two years ago I did a DJ-Live performance there as Mikooshka, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and eclectic acts and art. John and Laura strive to present interesting evenings of music and performance, with a backdrop of funky edgy art, and it looks like they are going to be stretching novel concepts to the limit with their new and future projects. I think the description below should pique your interest (and be sure to keep your eye out for a future “Toronto explorations through art” event called “Rumblings from the Rouge”). Labspace’s event is just over the weekend so you have a brief window to catch it! (Performances Friday night and exhibit Saturday.)

Here are descriptions and links for the shows and artists:

As Far North in Ontario as the Road Goes

“Inspired by stories of northern travels; bears, beautiful lakes, remote hiking trails, historic canoe routes, logging roads, and the potential promise of seeing caribou, I headed on a journey along Highway 11, past Kapuskasing, and Thunder Bay, as far north as the road travels in Ontario. I drove to a remote community, and drove 300 kilometers north of it, where there are no cell phone towers, or gas stations – at the end of the road there is only wilderness, and the result of the impact people have made on the lands. I had the chance to see big rivers, blue sky, expansive lakes, pickerel, remote villages, mountains, ancient forests, and the stars in the northern sky. Along my journeys I enjoyed blueberries, fresh fish, and along the many miles of open road and wilderness, I enjoyed my own company, as well as the company of loons, a fox, and the campfire. On my journey, I hiked along many ancient trails, and I stood on the shores of lakes where voyageurs, and ancient first nations people stood, enjoying the landscape that brings peace of mind in an otherwise busy world.”

Noah Cole

A Night with Leslie
Adventure 2 – led by Laura Mendes and John Loerchner

Nine adventurers set out on a two-day expedition to explore and research the strange and beguiling landscape of the Leslie St. Spit; a 5km man-made peninsula, wildlife sanctuary and active construction dumpsite.

Join them as they present their research and “Spit”
inspired works: Performance, Dance, Sound, Installation & Found Sculpture.”

Labspace Studio

Links:

Noah Cole

greenravenphotography.com

Labspace Studio

labspacestudio.com

I just saw the singer [...]]]> The opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup is taking place right now, and it’s reminiscent of the large-scale ceremonies I remember from the Vancouver and Beijing games. The stadium is ginormous and hundreds of Africans, primarily women, are performing synchronized dancing as performers do songs blended together in medleys.

I just saw the singer of a classic Ghanaian group called Osibisa perform “Sunshine Day.” I still remember this first time I heard that incredible positive funky rock song. It reminded me of the anthem quality in the positive rock/reggae crossover songs by Bob Marley. One of the astonishing images from the first part of the ceremony was the giant patchwork quilt that spread out on the floor of the stadium – in the shape of the African continent. And then slowly the other continents slowly formed around Africa as the participants roamed the floor. The quilt was a beautiful metaphor and a stunning visual. Watch for it in highlights on TV and video.

One of the amazing things that I just discovered is that K’Naan’s “Wavin’ Flag” is apparently NOT an official song for the World Cup. I think the Canadian media and World Cup sponsor Coca Cola have slid this in by the backdoor. In fact, if you look at the Wikipedia page and read some news stories on World Cup music, you’ll discover that the official song is called “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” and it will be performed by Colombia’s Shakira, with a South African group called Freshlyground at the closing ceremony. Even the official “anthem” is by R. Kelly.

Interesting. Seems somehow the hype machine of both Coca-Cola and the music business have blended fact and fiction, and as is very common these days —  often a commercial branding initiative with TV commercials and catchy music will blend the line between culture and commerce. Have we been duped? Or are we just dumb consumers? Many reputable publications, including Exclaim Magazine, and the NME from Britain, misreported this story.

I really like K’Naan’s “Wavin’ Flag,” and I had the pleasure of teaching it to a group of LINC ESL students a week ago. It really is an amazing song – capturing a certain momentum that K’Naan has been building for the last few years. I downloaded “Soapbox” and a half dozen other songs from eMusic about 3 years ago. The kid from the rugged Somalian capital Mogadishu whose family now calls Toronto home, has crafted a truly epic, anthemic song. the song however is Coke’s official song, and I’ve just witnessed it in the background of commercial spot on the CBC broadcast.

I have to admit I’m mildly disappointed. YouTube has a video labelled “Official World Cup theme song” and the buzz has all been building toward K’Naan = World Cup 2010. I thought it was a great fit. Apparently, Coca Cola did too but even asked K’Naan to modify his lyrics, which they found to be dark and dour (and which I celebrated as an echo of the beautiful but plain-spoken lyrics of Bob Marley, see “Buffalo Soldier” which K’Naan references in his song).

This is the latest from Exclaim‘s website (other sites including Dose are reporting this too so hopefully it’s factual):

In a recent interview with Billboard, it was revealed that before the song could be used by the soft drink giant, Coke asked K’naan to rewrite the lyrics, which called Somalia “a violent prone, poor people zone,” referring to its people “struggling, fighting to eat.” K’naan complied, and in the interview, defended his choice before anyone could cry “sellout.”

“I saw it as an opportunity to reach more people,” he said. “I don’t work for Coke or anything; what I do is my music. This was a really great opportunity for them to use my song, without compromising my integrity as a musician. This is what I write, these are the songs I make. I’m happy about it.”

What about the games and the sport you ask?

Well, as you may know this blog is about people, culture, language and arts. So, in short, I am not a huge soccer fan, but I will tune in to a few World Cup games. Like most things in my life these days, I’d rather play and participate than watch. As a spectator I hope to catch some of the magic of South Africa, from the people to the music to the other aspects of African culture which hopefully will shine and benefit from this spectacle.I with the people of South Africa well and hope this World Cup is truly on the positive side of the boon/bust ledger. I also hope the platinum selling “Wavin’ Flag” will be a boon to K’Naan and remain an inspiration and beacon of hope, and not just a mass-marketed jingle for a soft drink multinational.

Recommended Viewing:

Look up the CBC “Q” video on YouTube for an excellent acoustic “unplugged” style rendition of K’naan performing “Wavin’ Flag.”

Green Screens presents WATERLIFE

Directed by Kevin McMahon, 2009, 109 minutes.

Tuesday June 1 at 7pm

FREE

NFB Cinema – 150 [...]]]> This movie looks like a “must see.” The director, Kevin McMahon has directed some amazing documentaries, including one of my favorites, “McLuhan’s Wake” – a doc on the Canadian media communications theorist Marshall McLuhan.

Green Screens presents WATERLIFE

Directed by Kevin McMahon, 2009, 109 minutes.

Tuesday June 1 at 7pm

FREE

NFB Cinema – 150 John St (at Richmond St W), Toronto

Waterlife follows the epic cascade of the Great Lakes from Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean, telling the story of the last huge supply of fresh water on Earth. Filled with fascinating characters and stunning imagery, Waterlife is a cinematic poem about the beauty of water and the dangers of taking it for granted.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Tony Maas, Director of the Freshwater Program at WWF-Canada; Dr. Romila Verma, CIELAP Research Associate, Watershed Management and Climate Change; and Hilary Van Welter, Director of Social Innovation, Windfall Ecology Centre.

Green Screens partners films from the NFB with experts and panellists selected by the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy. If you are interested in the environment, Green Screens will entertain and inform you.

For more information, please call 416-973-3012 or visit:

http://www.NFB.ca/mediatheque

http://www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/mediatheque/?lg=eng

Today I fired up Google Chrome and saw the Olympic graphic (or “doodle”) Google created for their homepage. (It’s pictured at the end of this article). The image is subtle and appealing. It doesn’t even [...]]]> The branding and identity work for the Olympics features some stunning illustration. Kudos to the Vancouver Olympic committee!

Today I fired up Google Chrome and saw the Olympic graphic (or “doodle”) Google created for their homepage. (It’s pictured at the end of this article). The image is subtle and appealing. It doesn’t even use the color scheme that the Vancouver Games have been using – relying instead on a range of subtle blues punctuated by a dull orange flame. On the other hand, I’m fed up already with the punishing barrage of TV commercials from CTV, McDonalds, HBC, and the dozens of other companies that have jumped on the back of the Olympics in an effort to increase their brand appeal.

Perhaps you have seen the amazing illustrations that were created for the games. I didn’t know much about who created these icons and images until I picked up a couple of magazines recently – Applied Arts, and How Magazine – both of which feature articles on the talented people behind the look of the 2010 Olympic graphics. A Vancouver company called Karacters Design Group consulted on the project but the work was done in-house by the Vancouver Olympic Committee. The key designer on the VOC project, Leo Obstbaum, apparently passed away in the summer of 2009.

Google Doodle for Vancouver 2010 by artist Dennis Hwang

Links:

How Magazine article on Olympic Design Process

http://www.howdesign.com/article/winterolympics/

In my house we congratulate the players with a “molodyets” and routinely root for names ending in “ov” or “in.” Lately I’ve been shouting “Davai Gino!” while my partner urges on “Ovie.” Yes, we are cheering on the Russian players for Washington and Pittsburgh. Of course I feel [...]]]>

The finest logo I've ever seen!

In my house we congratulate the players with a “molodyets” and routinely root for names ending in “ov” or “in.” Lately I’ve been shouting “Davai Gino!” while my partner urges on “Ovie.” Yes, we are cheering on the Russian players for Washington and Pittsburgh. Of course I feel advantaged in cheering Pittsburgh, a team with a quotient of talented Canadians including Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury. (“Molodyets” means “Well done” in Russian).

There is no doubt that the big game this weekend takes place in an hour or so in Switzerland, as Russia takes on Canada at the World Championship. A talented Russian squad will take on an equally game squad of Canadians. It’s been amazing over the last couple years to marvel at the frequency with which Canada meets Russia in these big games. I have been scorned by a friend for cheering on the Russians – yet my heart is always going to be “strong and free.” Canada is my home and guys like Spezza and Heatley are my “hometown heroes. ”

The world of hockey has globalized like much in economics, sport, or entertainment. In the U.S. capital, the Washington Capitals are dominated by a gaggle of Russians, and they rely on two in particular to lead the charge – Ovechkin who has half their team’s goals, and the young Varlamov, who is a superb rookie backstop, and charmingly has a hybrid goaltender’s mask, one side still painted with the words “Hershey Bears.” the farm team he played on before being called up. Earlier this season I chuckled when I picked up the Metro newspaper and saw the headline and photo in the Sports section. The All-star game was being played in Montreal. The headline referred to “Hometown Heroes” and the photograph featured a red-sweatered Montreal Canadien: Alexei Kovalev.  The irony was not lost on me. Montreal is a big-league fanatical hockey city. For years, growing up, I knew that young Francophone players were coveted by teams like Montreal. Now I was looking at a strange new world where nationality meant little in the definition of what constituted local. The 4 representatives for “Les Habitants” at the game were Kovalev (Russian), Andrei Markov (Russian), Mike Komisarek (American) and Carey Price (an English Canadian).

Of course, over the years as Maple Leaf fans, I have cheered a rather large number of  players from Russia and the former republics. Most recently I have cheered Ponikarovsky and Antropov, and before that it was Sergei Berezin and the amazing Alexander Mogilny. One of my all-time favourites was the “Russian Tank,” Dimitry Yushkevich. Russian Maple Leafs are so ingrained that once when walking through the Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood near U of T, I overheard a young man walking his dog hurry the wee canine by tugging at the leash and gently saying, “c’mon Borschevsky.” (Apparently Mike Myers also had a dog named for Nikolai Borschevsky, the small Russian who played for the Maple Leafs during the 1990s).

In any case, the Russians have the flash and perhaps epitomize the essence of a “ballet on ice” – though Ovie has been charging around with a thoroughly mean and possible “Canadian” bent in his hitting and thrashing. Even uber-fan coach/commentator Don Cherry seems to have come to like him and only criticizes him recently to tone it down because he could get hurt with his overly-physical play.

A couple years ago when watching the Canadians at the World Junior Championship I wrote a poem. Below is an edited version of  “Samba on Snow” – written for my team, Team Canada.

Da-Da-Ka-Na-Da! Nyet-Nyet-Soviet!

We are Brazil on ice
Samba on snow
It’s a goal!

Strongandfree
@World junior hockey
Gold baby gold!

I am hopeful Spezza/Heatley will put on a Pele-like performance and enormously glad that half of Team Russia is engaged in the Pittsburgh/Washington series. : )

Last  night I attended a book launch and lecture for Gerald and Setsuko Lazare’s amazing new publication “East Meets West.” The Japan foundation is the perfect setting for an event like this – central and elegant in design and ambiance. [...]]]>

Gerald with his award-winning portrait of Setsuko which adorns the cover of their book

Last  night I attended a book launch and lecture for Gerald and Setsuko Lazare’s amazing new publication “East Meets West.” The Japan foundation is the perfect setting for an event like this – central and elegant in design and ambiance. As we strolled from Lettieri in chi-chi Yorkville to the venue, we were greeted with brass-buttoned ‘guards’ outside the Cartier shop – and we joked about the 50% off sale inside and proceeded to the Japan Foundation.

The event turned out to be a sweet lecture and talk that was nicely informal at times, as both Gerald and his wife and creative partner, Setsuko discussed their lives in the art world and their real life day to day routine in Toronto. Their story is of two people from divergent cultures finding something in common and falling in love and as they related anecdotes from their work and travels I was caught up in the romance and strong artistic vision the couple possess. Gerald was easy-going and humorous while Setsuko was tender, relating stories like the one of the inspiration for her to place her deceased sisters together in a lovely ‘parlour room’ portrait. Most of their art is in the style of 19th century European art like Sergeant.

After their 30 min talk, with a nice accompaniment of slides, the couple entertained questions from the audience. A couple of questions challenged the artists and their work – why paint a kimono without its customary wrap or components? where is the intersection of east and west in the art? It was interesting to hear the responses. In the end, the artwork is what it is – not a merger of styles but a portrait of two cultures and two people from two cultures – Gerald especially admitting his take on “‘oriental art” was not meant to be accurate or true – but indeed a foreigner’s take and one containing appreciation and respect. It was an entertaining and thought-provoking launch for a book that is full of amazing paintings (and the Lazare’s story in a bilingual text).

Look for their exhibit in May at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto!

STIR ws held in the MIST theatre at the amazing Erindale Campus of U of T

“STIR is a dance, video & music mash-up party!”

No DOUBT! On Thursday I had the pleasure to attend an event which blew my mind for its creativity and originality – it featured the work of Toronto [...]]]>

STIR ws held in the MIST theatre at the amazing Erindale Campus of U of T

“STIR is a dance, video & music mash-up party!”

No DOUBT! On Thursday I had the pleasure to attend an event which blew my mind for its creativity and originality – it featured the work of Toronto artists Faisal Anwar, and the brothers Alvaro, Boris and Ulysses Castellanos (aka Quadrasonic). this team played with video projections and music in a novel fashion – interspersing the ‘presentation’ was some poetry and dancing by the fabulous Sinthiya Sivas and Nandini Krishna from Sampradaya Dance Creations. The imagery and tone was highly theatrical and transported us into another world. I had seen the Castellanos brothers work their charming improv performance before – in fact I was lucky enough to see these guys refine their abilities at the infamous “Coffee House” in Pickering during the late 80s. They are entertaining and experimental – and a lot of fun. The highlight this time was Alvaro teaching dance moves and then encouraging everybody to get funky when he showed the inspiration for these moves on a giant video screen – Britney’s ex Kevin Federline’s video when he grooves along with his new track in the studio. Hilarious and clever…