arts
Summer on the Turntable
Young artists get big break from Vancouver Opera
Roundhouse’s outdoor programming invites you to get out of your safe zone
By Martha Perkins
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f you want to step outside the box, a circle is a good place to start. Starting on June 4, the Roundhouse Community Centre is hosting Summer on the Turntable, a series of interactive events in the circular outdoor plaza where railway companies turned the train engines around at the end of their route. “You expand your world by meeting new people and trying new things — getting out of your safe zone,” says Hanne Lene Dalgleish, communications coordinator for the Roundhouse. As much as the Roundhouse is a place for people to gather to play sports, take a class or view an exhibition, it has also been a place that isn’t afraid to explore ideas or concepts
outside the norm. The summer programs reflect both the traditional ideas of community centre programming as well as a few new twists on favourite themes. Yes, there will be dancing lessons but have you ever heard of a slow dance booth? A riff on Lucy’s five-cent psychiatric booth in Peanuts cartoons, Caroline Liffman’s booth (Aug. 10) will tell you how to make the most of those times when the lights dim and the music becomes more up close and personal. Belly dancing will fuse with contemporary songs for Ming Yeung’s Belly Fusion fitness-like program on July 23. Summer on the Turntable begins on June 4 with Naomi Brand’s Ageless Dancers performance which invites everyone of “a certain age”
Seven artists to participate in intensive training program through national auditions By WE Vancouver
The Roundhouse’s outdoor plaza will become a place where the community can gather and have fun together this summer. Martha Perkins photo to shake off society’s expectations of what getting older means. Other programs include graffiti art with Gurl 23 (June 11), Dez Dunbar’s joyful catalyst dancing (July 2), chalk dancing with Roundhouse Community Dancers (July 6), all-ages art installa-
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tion workshop with Tin Can Studio (July 9 and 16), rule-less core rhythm dancing (July 13), Karma yoga (July 20 and Aug. 9), Justin Gorrie Band (July 30 and Aug. 30), Outsider Art visual art workshop (Aug. 6), the Thursday Jazz Trio (Aug. 24) and the youth-based Artquake (Aug. 27). All programming is free. If it rains, events will be held indoors. For details go to Roundhouse.ca.
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ive talented singers, one skilled pianist, and one up-andcoming stage director have been selected as the latest group to take part in Vancouver Opera’s Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program. Mezzo-soprano Laurelle Jade Froese, baritone Zachary Read, soprano Caitlin Wood, and stage director Brenna Corner will participating in the comprehensive 26-week residency for the first time. Tenor Rocco Rupolo and pianist Kimberley-Ann Bartczak will return for their second year in the program. The participants, chosen through national auditions, will receive coaching in vocal and audition techniques, along with training
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in movement, acting, and stage combat. In addition, they will receive career counseling, stress management and health and wellness support, and insight into industry business practices and public relations. The Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program (YAP) began in 2012 as a bridge between university training and a professional career. The program is made possible through a substantial donation from the family of Yulanda Faris, and is named in honour of her outstanding service to opera in Vancouver. During their term, participants in the program perform in mainstage productions, community events and private fundraising events in support of Vancouver Opera. “For young artists, the journey to a career can be long and difficult. Mentorship is absolutely key to ensuring success,” says Yulanda Faris. “This program provides the comprehensive training that is so vital to helping our young artists blossom. I am so pleased to see the program thrive, so proud of the hard work our past participants have put in, and so excited to watch them as they go on to do great things.” A series of master classes will also be held with visiting artists throughout the residency, allowing participants to work directly with established vocalists such as Judith Forst. The singers will be cast in mainstage and understudy roles in Vancouver Opera’s upcoming productions and will take part in Vancouver Opera’s community engagement and special events during the 2014-15 season.
June 5 – 11, 2014
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tv & film The Immigrant exposes underside of American Dream THE IMMIGRANT
Starring Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Renner Directed by James Gray
Angelina Jolie stars in Disney’s Maleficent.
Jolie can’t save Maleficent MALEFICENT
Starring Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning Directed by Robert Stromberg hy can’t villains just be bad anymore? Disney’s Maleficent continues the latest trend (blame Wicked) of reworking an antagonist’s backstory in order to give us a needlessly complex origin that tries to convey the baddie may be good after all. Angelina Jolie dons the curled horns in the live action reimagining of the studio’s classic Sleeping Beauty with less focus on Princess Aurora (Fanning) and more time spent on the wicked fairy’s innocent roots. Following a brutal betrayal by the man who would be king (Sharlto Copley), Maleficent puts a sleeping curse on his daughter and bides her time until the girl turns 16; this is where the plot gets murky and often grinds to a
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complete halt. Character motivations become increasingly unclear as Jolie even goes so far as to save the child on numerous occasions after her trio of bumbling pixie guardians continually drop the babysitting ball. The film is awash in visual effects, containing such an abundance of CGI it’s often hard to distinguish between real life and animation. Much of the mythical world’s artificial landscape and inhabitants are Thor Diakow reminiscent of Avatar mixed with Oz the Great and Powerful. So much of Maleficent’s execution conjures up images of Snow White and the Huntsman, with the latter providing more memorable imagery and production design. It all adds up to a familiar outing and, although Jolie casts an imposing figure and does her share of scenery chewing, the story never has the urgency needed to justify such a retelling.
In New York City in 1921, the Statue of Liberty may openly welcome the tired and poor but the immigration authorities at Ellis Island have no tolerance for new arrivals with bad reputations or worse lungs. Ewa (Marion Cotillard) and Magda (Angela Sarafyan), two Polish sisters looking to start new lives, land in the latter unfortunate camp. And while tuberculous Magda remains quarantined, Ewa discovers a patron in Bruno (Joaquin Phoenix), who provides shelter in a tenement apartment and work with the opportunity for advancement (in exchange for moral compromise). Given that The Immigrant marks Phoenix’s fourth collaboration with writer-director James Gray, it’s little surprise that the pair find themselves on the
same page and in complete agreement on how best to punctuate every scene. While Cotillard amasses more screen time, it’s Phoenix who dictates the film’s telling. Maintaining an oppressive control of Ewa, Bruno essentially becomes the only America that she knows. An uncharacteristically impish Jeremy Renner turns in appearances as a “pretty boy magician,” with his sudden, dramatic exits only serving to underscore the fact that Ewa and Bruno seem to be locked in an inescapable, slow motion death spiral. Darius Khondji’s gold tinged cinematography both emulates the look of vintage photographs and abets the muted emotional palette that Gray favours. A sombre fable about “the things you do to survive,” The Immigrant is a stark reminder that the American Dream is sometimes only for those who can endure its accompanying trials. That said, it’s compassion is evident in a climactic sequence that grants its players deliverance courtesy of an immaculately framed, astonishingly orchestrated final shot. –Curtis Woloschuk
WolfCop claws out place among horror cult classics WOLFCOP
Starring Leo Fafard, Amy Matysio Directed by Lowell Dean A blue moon is practically an everyday occurrence compared to a Canadian film that people are champing at the bit to see. And yet, here we have the debut feature from Saskatchewan’s previously unknown Lowell Dean that’s already developed a considerable fanbase, earned national media attention, pre-sold a collectible action figure and had a sequel green-lit. From a purely marketing standpoint, the first product of the groundbreaking CineCoup Film Accelerator (CineCoup.ca) has to be considered an unqualified success. But what about the movie itself? Thankfully, WolfCop delivers everything it promised, not only unleashing a badge-wielding lycanthrope on the big screen but also the sort of gofor-broke (but budget-conscious) carnage that would likely elicit an approving smile from schlock king
Roger Corman. Leo Fafard plays Lou, an alcoholic cop who’s right at home in a nowhere town known for both the Liquor Donuts convenience store and annual Drink ‘n’ Shoot get-together. (Also on hand are the sort of scheming small potatoes politicians who tend to frequent B-movies.) One occult ritual later and Lou suddenly finds himself sprouting fur and going for a particularly gory rip. An American Werewolf in London remains the standard for werewolf transformation sequences but WolfCop may have just clawed out a place in the pantheon thanks to the inspired lunacy of its R-rated metamorphosis. And while the film’s aesthetics were seemingly lifted from the straight-to-VHS vaults, it also draws from ‘80s fare in more unexpected ways. Lou’s arc cleverly recalls Tootsie’s famous lesson (“I was a better man with you, as a woman...”) while the audacious use of Gowan’s “Moonlight Desires” would see it become the new “Take My Breath Away” in a just world. -Curtis Woloschuk
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5/5/2014 9:59:37 AM
June 5 – 11, 2014
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horoscopes
Free Will Astrology By Rob Brezsny • Week of June 5 ARIES (March 21-April 19): “We are born with whirlwinds, forest fires, and comets inside us,” writes novelist Robert R. McCammon. “We are born able to sing to birds and read the clouds and see our destiny in grains of sand. But then we get the magic educated right out of our souls. We get it churched out, spanked out, washed out, and combed out. We get put on the straight and narrow path and told to be responsible.” That’s the bad news, Aries. But now here’s the good news: The next 12 months will offer you a series of excellent opportunities to re-magic yourself. If you have not yet caught wind of the first invitation, I bet you will soon. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “When given a choice between owning an object and having an experience,” says art critic Holland Cotter, “I always choose the experience.” He prefers to spend his money on adventures that transform his sense of self and his understanding of the world. I recommend that approach to you in the coming weeks, Taurus. The most valuable “possessions” you can acquire will be the lessons you learn, the skills you hone, and the relationships you ripen. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In Marcel Proust’s novel Swann’s Way, the narrator speaks of how profoundly he is inspired by an older writer named Bergotte: “Each time he talked about something whose beauty had until then been hidden from me, about pine forests, about hail, about Notre Dame Cathedral . . . with one image he would make that beauty explode into me.” I bring this to your attention, Gemini, because in the coming
days I suspect a great deal of beauty will explode into you. Why? I think it’s because you’re more receptive than usual to being delighted and enchanted. The triggers could be anything: exciting people, eavesdropped conversations, good books, surprising music, and who knows what else? CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Little horses cannot carry great riders.” So says a Haitian proverb. Now, in accordance with the astrological omens, I’m urging you to meditate on its meaning for your life. Here are four possible interpretations: Are you a “little horse” trying to carry a “great rider” who’s too much for you? Are you a little horse that could grow into a bigger, stronger horse worthy of a great rider? Are you a “great rider” who is in need of a horse that is big and strong enough to serve your big, strong ambitions? Would you like to be a “great rider,” but you can’t be one as long as you have a horse that is too small and weak? LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Declare victory, Leo. Even if victory is not quite won yet. Even if your success is imperfect and still a bit messy around the edges. Raise your arms up in elated triumph and shout, “I am the purified champion! I am the righteous conqueror! I have outsmarted my adversaries and outmaneuvered my obstacles, and now I am ready to claim my rightful rewards!” Do this even if you’re not 100 per cent confident, even if there is still some scraping or clawing ahead of you. Celebrate your growing mastery. Congratulate yourself for how far you’ve come. In this way, you will summon what’s needed to complete your mission and achieve final, total victory.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Give special attention to what will last the longest. That’s my main recommendation for you in the coming weeks. Devote less of your energy to transitory pleasures and short-term hopes. Turn away from the small obsessions that demand far too much of your energy. Withdraw from the seemingly pressing concerns that will soon start to fade because they really aren’t that important. Instead, Virgo, devote your love and intelligence to the joys and dilemmas that will animate your life well into the future. Express reverence and care for the mysteries that will teach you and teach you and teach you for years to come. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): My favorite bridge in the world is the Golden Gate Bridge. In the hundreds of times I have driven on it over San Francisco Bay, it has never let me down. I’ve always gotten from one side to the other without any problem. In addition to its reliability, it uplifts me with its grandeur and beauty. What’s your most beloved bridge, Libra? I suggest that in the coming weeks you make it your lucky charm, your magical symbol. Why? Because the next chapter of your life story requires you to make a major crossing. You will traverse a great divide. Having your favorite bridge as a shining beacon in your imagination will inspire your strength and courage as you travel. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): U2’s Bono has called Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” “the most perfect song in the world.” It is mournful and triumphant, despairing and uplifting. It’s a riddle that improbably offers cathartic release. Over 300 recording artists have done cover versions of it, and it has even been the subject of books. And yet it was a challenge for Cohen to compose. He wrote more than 80 verses before choosing the few he would actually include in the final version, and in one famous session he resorted to banging his head on the floor to stimulate his creative flow. “To find that urgent song,” he said, took “a lot of work and a lot of sweat.” I nominate “Hallelujah” to be one of your sacred symbols for the next 12 months, Scorpio. From your strenuous effort, I predict, will come masterful creations. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Let me outline the breakthroughs I hope to see for you in the coming months. First, what
is pretty good about you will not interfere with what is potentially great about you, but will instead cooperate with it and boost it. Second, your past accomplishments won’t hold back your progress; you will not be tempted to rely on them at the expense of your future accomplishments. And third, the brave ideas that have motivated you so well won’t devolve into staid old dogmas; you will either renew and reinvigorate them or else move on to a new set of brave ideas. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): If you are in even moderate alignment with cosmic rhythms during the next 12 months, you will be a connoisseur and master of recycling. I’m speaking metaphorically here. What I hope is that you will reanimate worn-out inspirations and convert faded dreams into shiny new fantasies. You will find ways to revive alliances that went off track. A once-vibrant shtick or trick that lost its cool could be retrieved from the ash heap of history and turned into a fresh, hot asset. Gear yourself up for some entertaining resurrections. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I wish I could tell you that your power animal this month is the eagle or dolphin or panther. Having a glamorous creature like that as your ally might boost your confidence and charisma. To be paired with one of them might even activate dormant reserves of your animal intelligence. But I can’t in good conscience authorize such an honor. That’s not what the astrological omens are suggesting. In fact, your power animal this June is the bunny rabbit. Please understand that there is no shame in this. On the contrary. You should be charmed and appreciative. It signifies that you will be fertile, fast, a bit tricky, and very cute. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The Buddhist meditation teacher Chogyam Trungpa said that one of the best ways to become fearless is to cultivate tenderness. As you expand your heart’s capacity to feel compassionate affection for the world, you have less and less to be afraid of. That’s the opposite of the conventional wisdom, which says you become brave by toughening up, by reinforcing your psychic armor. Of all the signs of the zodiac, you Pisceans are best set up to benefit from Trungpa’s method – now even more than usual.
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