The Scope issue 93 by The Scope

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{polls close for the best of st. john’s at 11:59pm on thursday, november 5} c a s t y o u r v o t e o n l i n e a t w w w. t h e s c o p e .c a

thescope

A Fishing Stage in the Battery. Photo by Mark Bennett (www.flickr.com/markbennett/)

COVER ART

issue 93, vol 4, num 20, Nov 5 - nov 19, 2009

E-mail: inbox@thescope.ca Online: www.thescope.ca Listings: listings@thescope.ca

LISTINGS

SECTIONS

11 Music 17 Movies 21 Community Events 19 On Stage 16 Visual Arts and Museums 22 Classifieds

8 Feature 5 Storefront 4 Nooks & Crannies 15 Food Nerd 18 Field Notes 17 On Screen 16 Music Reviews 20 100% Local Comics 20 Free Will Astrology 22 Savage Love 18 DIY 6 City 16 On Display 19 On Stage

Mail: The Scope PO Box 1044, St. John’s, NL, A1C 5M3 Phone: 709-726-8466 Ad sales: 709-693-5028 Fax: 709-726-7682 Publisher/Listings Editor/Distro Manager: Bryhanna Greenough (publisher@thescope. ca) Editor: Elling Lien (editor@thescope.ca) Advertising Diva: Lesley Marie Reade (sales@thescope.ca) Distribution team: Barry Ross, Phil Coates, Rachel Jean Harding, Bryhanna Greenough and Elling Lien Bottom Line Editor: Adam Clarke (adam@thescope.ca) Contributors: Adam Clarke, David Keating, Patrick Canning, Rodney Wall, Angus Woodman, Shawn Hayward, Sydney Blackmore, Rachel Jean Harding, Bryhanna Greenough, Andreae Prozesky, Bryan Melanson, Andrew Power, Jennifer Barrett, Andrew Wickens, Ray Denty, Ricky King, and Tara Fleming. Also contributing: Dan Savage and Rob Brezsny. The Scope is St. John’s arts and entertainment newspaper, published by Scope Media Inc. 14,500 copies of The Scope are printed fortnightly and distributed throughout the metro area. The Scope seeks to publish a newspaper that will entertain, inform, and foster cultural development in the St. John’s metropolitan area. The Scope claims absolutely no responsibility for the chanterelles you picked which you later discovered were not chanterelles. Free issues of The Scope are limited to one copy per reader. All rights reserved. © 2009 Proudly independent and locally owned. Founded in 2006.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Billy Bragg photo courtesy ANTI— Records

inbox

globed and mailed The Scope welcomes comments on all aspects of city life and the paper’s performance. Web comments, e-mails, and smail may be edited for space and clarity. E-mail: inbox@thescope.ca Find many more comments online at thescope.ca

Shawn Hayward’s Nook & Cranny about the grave marker on George Street attracted attention online, and more information about the grave marker on George Street popped up, but a few questions are still unanswered, especially: “Why is there another almostidentical version of the stone in the General Protestant Cemetery on Waterford Bridge Road?” Elling: I’ve always thought that the

St. John’s zombiepocalypse would begin on George Street. Finding this

definitely not

I’ve often wondered about that grave marker, why people were buried there—was it part of a larger graveyard?—and if the remains are still in the ground there. It’s a little part of George Street that is almost completely unknown.

the Reynolds are in the GPC. It is unlikely that this was ever a grave site, as burials were forbidden in the city after 1849. The GPC had started burying in 1842. However, it is a mystery as to why the stone is there and mentions some of the Whiteford children, but not Isabella. If you discover any further information, I would like to hear it. I will also do some more checking.

Susanne Sexty: Shawn, your

Kayla: For the record, it’s called the

gravestone brings us one step closer. Ken O’Brien: Great little story.

discovery of the stone near the Rockhouse is a most interesting one. I have been working on a history of the General Protestant Cemetery and some of those resident there. While I have not done the Whiteford family, I can tell you that Isabella and Alexander Whiteford were the parents of the poetess Isabella Whiteford Rogerson (see tinyurl. com/ygox8y2) The others are probably two other daughters, a son-in-law, and a son. All, including

“Zombocalypse”

Read more comments online at

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Dr. Melanie McLeod Dr. Robert Quigley, 257 LeMarchant Road, is pleased to announce that Dr. Melanie McLeod, B.Sc., D.D.S., a 2009 graduate of Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Dentistry has joined him as a full time associate in the practice of Dentistry.

We welcome new patients.

thescope.ca

For appointments please call 579-2115.

november 5 - November 19, 2009

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Nooks&Crannies theindex

swine flu by numbers Names of the known human influenza viruses currently circulating among humans: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2 Year in which the first licensed flu vaccine appeared: 1944

Photo by Elling Lien

the rower Western edge of Quidi Vidi Lake

hen Morgan MacDonald walked around Quidi Vidi Lake in 2004, he decided something was missing. Best known as the site of the city’s historic Regatta, the lake had no icon or symbol of how important the race is to provincial culture. “I just thought we have this important sporting event, and there was nothing around the lake to commemorate it or give it a place in history,” says MacDonald, a sculptor educated at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College. “I made a concept to show to the city and look for support. Lo and behold, someone saw the vision in it and felt strongly enough to support it.” That concept was “The Rower”, which now graces the western edge of the lake, and that someone is Elinor Gill Ratcliffe, who split the $300,000 price tag with the City of St. John’s. The statue was sculpted by MacDonald in New Hamburg, Ontario,

C O U G A R A S B R O N C N O V I I I A N T I H I

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A T A M I D S T H I G A T O R S T A M I N E N I L E

november 5 - November 19, 2009

See puzzle on page 22

and cast in Georgetown, Ontario, between January to July 2005. Cast in bronze, the Rower is an abstract personification of the Regatta Day rower. His racing shell isn’t fully included, but wave-like formations around the base symbolizes the craft’s wake. MacDonald has completed several other high-profile pieces since “The Rower” including a statue in honour of the arts at the east entrance to George Street, and two bronze plaques inscribed with the names of World War One soldiers from Newfoundland installed in Bowring Park on July 1. The Rower was unveiled four years ago, but as his first major work, MacDonald says it remains one of his favourite pieces. “It’s great to have something like that,” says MacDonald. “It’s a symbol of trying to stay true to your goals and persevering when things might be difficult. I hope that people can feel the same way about it, and gather some inspiration from it.” — Shawn Hayward thescope.ca/nooks

Approximate number of months it takes to develop and test the seasonal influenza vaccine each year: 6 Month in which GlaxoSmithKline, the company which is supplying the H1N1 vaccine to Canada, officially announced that they had begun work on the vaccine: May Page number in the November 1st Globe and Mail of an article featuring a survey of various Canadian celebrities’ opinions of the H1N1 vaccine : 1 Page number of an article from that edition featuring analysis and/or explanation of the H1N1 vaccine from reputed medical sources: n/a Number of waves of H1N1 that are anticipated: 3 Number of waves that we have left to put up with: 1 Sources linked online at

thescope.ca/index

storefront local business news planning/parking

Georgestown’s lot When The Casbah restaurant owner Steve Curtis considered opening a gourmet deli on Hayward Avenue, he didn’t foresee the negative affect on area residents. “Then I found out that parking was an issue,” says Curtis. The commercial space Curtis eyed lies right in the heart of Georgetown, near the popular Georgetown Bakery. Georgestown residents like Meagan Broderick are already competing with bakery-goers to find parking near their homes. They fear a second shop would limit residential parking even more. “It probably would be too much. I have trouble parking here on Saturdays because of the bakery,” says Broderick. Curtis has since withdrawn his application for this location, but does have a suggestion to solve Georgestown’s parking problem. “Behind the basketball court [on Hayward] is an unused parking lot. If the court moved 10m to the west and parking was created where the court is now, you’d have 20 [additional] spots, eliminating congestion from any business and more on-street parking for the neighbourhood.” Broderick, who lives houses away from the commercial space, sees merit in Curtis’ idea. “If there was more parking right there, I think [a deli] would be fine. I’d park there.” Transportation engineer with the City’s Planning Department and Downtown Parking Study chief Robin King, offers insight on Curtis’ idea. “The on-street parking in these areas is at a premium. We know that, and the only thing that we can do is protect the interests of the residents.” For a suggestion like Curtis’, King says that many departments would get involved and consider the issues affecting residents before a plan could be drafted. “There may be some impacts associated with having the basketball courts back closer to the houses, especially if it’s used late at night, say.” The bottom line, says King, is that Georgetown is a residential area so residents come first over commercial matters. —Sydney Blackmore

local products

Tickles for sale

Photo by Sydney Blackmore

Tickle Kids, a Newfoundland-centric line of prints, greeting cards and children’s clothing by artist Amber LeDrew-Bonvarlez first began as a doodle. “I work with the Historical Sites Association and they were looking for content aimed at kids. I brought these sketches I did for fun into the office and everybody loved them,” she says. The Tickle gang is a watercolour collection of rounded and smiling characters Oliver, the Newfoundland dog Jigger, Sarah, Adelaide, Aiofe and the Cape Spear superhero Cathy Sparks. Each character relates to a provincial site or emblem like Signal Hill, Cape Spear, sou’westers and lupins. “It’s all about protecting and preserving the culture. And that connection, that space between two places is what a ‘tickle’ is to Newfoundlanders,” says Amber. “The greeting cards for kids is a way to connect two places that aren’t that far out of reach.” Amber is also in the early stages of producing a children’s book to entertain and teach lessons in Newfoundland history and heritage. Tickle Kids can be purchased at any Heritage Shop and the St John’s Farmer’s Market. For more information contact the Heritage Shop Gallery at 739-7994. —SB

fitness/health

restaurants

Bobby Bessey and Meaghan Hutchings are offering over 20 yoga classes per week at the new Shakti Yoga Studio located at 286 Torbay Road in Coaker’s Meadow Plaza. Shatki aims to be an inclusive yoga studio for adults and youth alike with classes for prenatal, yoga for mom and newborn and children aged 3-5 years. “We wanted to fill every need in the city,” says Bobby. The studio also sells Canadian made yoga gear, eco-mats and bags, and 100% cotton unbleached blankets. To check out their schedule, upcoming seminars and blog at www.shaktiyogastudio.ca or call 722-YOGA. —SB

There’s one less Coffee Matters in the metro, as the 320 Water Street Coffee Matters Too is now home to Bistro Sofia. Gregory Bersinski, former Executive Chef of The Vault, is one of four partners that operates the shop, which will sell Montreal smoked meat sandwiches, brioches and specialty chocolates. Sofia will also offer pastries and cakes for weddings, birthdays and special events, plus catering and delivery upon request. For more info call 738-2060 or e-mail bistrosofia1@gmail.com. —SB

Using the force

At the bistro

Send your fresh business news to storefront@thescope.ca

atlantis musi c prize}

thescope presents the

SERENA RYDER

Help us pick the best album released in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2009. We’re on the lookout for volunteer jury members for this year’s Atlantis Music Prize. If you’re a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, are passionate about local music, and have not released an album yourself or as a member of a band in the past year*, we’re looking for you. It’s a minimal time commitment, and all ages, musical preferences, genders, and musical backgrounds are welcome. Interested? Send an e-mail to info@atlantismusicprize.ca with your name, e-mail address, phone number, plus a few words about yourself and why you’d like to be on the jury. For more information visit www.atlantismusicprize.ca. * November 1, 2008 - October 31, 2009

november 5 - November 19, 2009

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Neighbourhood convenience When else these days do you run into your neighbours except when you’re picking up a six-pack, or a carton of milk? As contemporary life changes our ways of relating to each other, could it be that our last remaining connection to our neighbourhood is through our local convenience store? Independent ‘mom and pop’ stores have had a rough go of it over the past 10-to-20 years. In order to survive they’ve had to keep up a fight against supermarkets, chain convenience stores, and gas stations which are all able to undercut costs. For many of these shops, the only way to keep going has been to develop a niche. What do they have that no one else has?

Shawn Hayward talks shop with a handful of stores in the St. John’s area. Photos by Kevin Coffey

Stockwood’s Freshwater Road

On the corner of Freshwater and Oxen Pond Road you’ll find Stockwood’s, a 24-hour convenience store and bakery that’s been open for half a century. General Manager Cathy Ivimey says the neighbourhood has changed a lot over the years, and Stockwood’s has had to change with it. “We became a university area,” she says. “We used to be known as a family neighbourhood. We’re no longer a family neighbourhood. A lot of our customers are students, and they’re looking for different things.” Snack food, sandwiches, and subs are more popular now, while meats and baked goods don’t sell as much as they once did. Ivimey says Stockwood’s still has its regular patrons who come in daily and have a chat. “They’re mostly your daytime customers,” says Ivimey. “Those that come for the morning paper. There are still a few retirees in the neighbourhood. We get to know them.” Being open 24 hours a day has helped Stockwood’s get business other convenience stores miss when they lock their doors at night. Taxi drivers, police, firefighters, and other people who work overnight shifts come in to buy items you can’t find at a fast food restaurant or gas station. “If they go out 4 or 5 a.m. in the morning, they’re coming in to get something,” says Ivimey. “After 2 a.m. you’re very limited in what you can get. Whereas you can come in here and get a sandwich, or a can soup and we’ll heat it

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november 5 - November 19, 2009

in the microwave for you. For people working the over night shift, it’s a good thing.” Working at Stockwood’s for 30 years is bound to create some memories, and during one memorable shift Ivimey helped search for a lost child in the store. “No one could find him,” she says. “We knew the door was too heavy and he couldn’t reach the handle to get out, so he had to be somewhere in the building.” The young boy’s mother began to panic and was about to call the police when they finally discovered him. “We found him asleep on top of the bread,” says Ivimey. “He had it all squat flat and was very comfy.” Like most convenience stores in the city, Stockwood’s has also had to cope with criminals, some less ingenious than others. One robber held up the cashier with a knife after buying a pack of cigarettes. The cashier had asked for the robber for ID, which he left behind when he fled. On another occasion, someone took a less subtle approach to get what he wanted. “A dog ran behind the counter from off the street and started wolfing down biscuits,” says Ivimey. Independent convenience stores face challenges across Canada as larger corporations move into the industry. Stockwood’s isn’t immune to chains like Marie’s and Needs, but their advantage lies in their flexibility to adapt to new trends in the business and the community. “Once we realize our customers have changed, we change with them,” says Ivimey.

Halliday’s Gower Street

Opened in 1914, Halliday’s is one of the oldest existing businesses in St. John’s. Since opening the butcher shop and convenience store has moved from its first location at the foot of Signal Hill to the corner of King’s Road and Gower Street. Cliff Halliday grew up helping his parents with the store, and now he runs it with his staff of nine people. “A lot of our customers are like our friends, especially the ones from the neighbourhood,” he says. “We all know them by their

first names. We get customers from all over the island coming here for our sausages and puddings too.” Meats are the store’s biggest sellers, according to Halliday, and they’re busiest during times of the year when people are most carnivorous—like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Their downtown location is good for business because a lot of people don’t have cars and can’t easily get to the bigger grocery stores, according to Halliday. “Downtown’s been good to us,” he says. “The east end has been good to us.”

city

wha? Questions and Answers from readers, for readers. Submitted online at thescope.ca/wha

What are the best local ‘mom and pop’ convenience stores? I don’t mean ones run just by moms and pops, but independent mini-groceries. (And gas stations and chains don’t count.) Submitted by Elling Lien Ricky: My grandparents had a convenience store attached to our house when I was a kid. They used to rent out my Nintendo games. Steve: Clarenville had the convenience store called Butler’s… there for as long as I could remember. Jonathan Kennedy: Ever since I started living in St. John’s I have been a huge fan of Stockwoods. Late nights and good beverage selection is what won my heart. Cake decorating is just a delightful bonus.

Whale’s Back Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s

There’s no shortage of convenience stores in Portugal CoveSt. Philip’s, yet the Whale’s Back has stayed afloat since 1986. You need to specialize in this business, according to Jennifer Churchill, who runs the store with her parents, Joyce and Eldred. The store started as a convenience store and pharmacy until having a pharmacist became an expense of more than $75,000 a year. Now the Whale’s Back leases part of its building to Eastern Health, which runs a public health clinic there. Elaine’s, a convenience store just next door, has a liquor store, and the nearby Needs has a gas station. “Everyone has a niche,” says Churchill. As the last store before coming to the Bell Island ferry, the Whale’s Back gets a lot of customers from the island who drop by to stock up on food and drink before making the crossing. Friendliness is key to the survival of a convenience store, and Churchill says her staff tries to make both strangers and regulars feel special. “We speak to everybody when they come in, whether we know them or not,” she says. The customers return that friendliness, according to Churchill. When her grandmother recently passed away, she got sympathy cards from people in the community whose names she could hardly remember. Churchill says gestures like this make working at the Whale’s Back a great experience, even though the job can be stressful and she’s never really off work. “I’m my own boss,” she says. “It means long hours and a lot of work. You don’t have a nine-to-five job. When you close your doors you have to worry about people breaking in.” A break-in in June cost the Churchill family tens of thousands of dollars in lost cigarettes, which aren’t covered by insurance. The Whale’s Back got its name from its location in Portugal Cove, according to Churchill’s grandfather. “He said the store is going to be right on the whale’s back,” she says.

tron deluxe: Halliday’s, hands down John Feltham: Jackman and Greene’s is wicked. You could seriously have a long running reality show with a camera taping the characters that come and go from that place every day. Janet: Here in town, my vote goes to the Cornwall Superette. If you call ahead, they’ll save a bowl of soup for you if you can’t get there at lunchtime!

Philly’s Airport Heights

The Flemings, who own Philly’s Convenience, don’t have to put their coats and hats on to go to work, because they live above their store on Airport Heights Road. Daughter Meghan Fleming says it’s a place where people come to socialize with neighbours. “A lot of people come in and meet each other,” she says. “People who haven’t seen each other in a while. It’s a neighbourhood hang out for the kids too.” Like most convenience stores, the big sellers at Philly’s are beer and cigarettes, and they sell a lot of basic items like bread and milk. Criminals have held up Philly’s twice and broken in four or five other times, according to Fleming, which makes living above the store difficult. “I’m not so bad,” she says. “Mom’s a little nervous. She listens for stuff at night. It’s kind of hard to sleep sometimes.” Fleming says there wasn’t as much competition until a pharmacy moved in across the street a couple years ago, and now a Marie’s Minimart is setting up nearby. She says she’s unsure about how their store, which employs around 10 people, will compete with a chain that can buy goods wholesale in larger volume. “It should be interesting,” she says.

BooBoo: In the name of preservation someone should have taken photos of all the neighbourhood stores before they disappeared, and did an exhibit similar to the “Last Stands” taxi stand exhibit that used to be at The Rooms. I lived on Lemarchant Rd in 1996 and had the choice of Mrs. Murphy’s ... Marions ... Natasha’s... Jackman & Greene... Long’s Hill Conv... D&I Convenience...Gregory’s... Maypole.... Most of these are long gone. I’m a Westender now so I like to support Cornwall Superette. Walsh’s on St Clare/ Mt Pleasant have been around a long time too. Sandy: Caine’s, for those of us in East Downtown, is pretty schweet. The staff is really friendly, and the traditional dinners (shepherd’s pie, etc) they make are deadly. I only moved downtown recently; haven’t been to Halliday’s yet, but have had their bacon and eggs. So good. Kerry: Prescott Convenience was my favourite back in the day when i lived downtown, but as far as i know it isn’t open anymore. Now it’s Craigmillar convenience for me.

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november 5 - November 19, 2009

thescope 7

Interview by Phil Churchill.

It’s Tuesday. It’s 2:25pm in Newfoundland: almost 6 o’clock in England. I’m listening to Mr. Love and Justice, the latest and largest album from British superstar Billy Bragg. I click through a few of the 1,350,000 pages that came up when I Googled him. I look at the Jail Guitar Doors website—an organization that Billy started to mark the anniversary of the death of Joe Strummer that puts guitars into the hands of inmates to help them do their time. It’s 2:28pm in Newfoundland. I bump my head off my own guitar as I tongue-test the batteries on my recorder. I click on the countless pages of tour dates, past and present: with Bruce Springsteen here, with Neil Young there. I scroll through pictures and articles of him on his Miners’ Strike Tour through Wales and count how many times the words “Billy Bragg”, “socialist”, “Margaret Thatcher” and “bitter” appear in the same sentence. I YouTube “A New England” and watch Billy doing it now and 30 years ago simultaneously. Guitar is a little different, hair is a little greyer. Looks just as happy now as then, though. Maybe even a little wiser. It’s 2:30pm in Newfoundland. It’s 6 o’clock in England. I make the call. Dial tone. Dialing. British phone ringing.

said, “well, just write a facking song about it!” and he walked away.

Billy Bragg: Hallo?

[laugh] And I thought, “touché”. It’s a double edged sword, innit? [laugh]

Hello. Is this Billy Bragg? Yas.

And did you write a song about it? Naw, I went and bought another ticket.

Hi. This is Phil Churchill calling you from St. John’s Newfoundland.

I want to talk to you about the industry a little... You seem to have a real soft spot for the Internet and a sense of hope for what it can do. It seems that record companies are losing control of what we get to listen to. Are we moving towards or are we already at the point where music and activism are rekindling the relationship they had in the past? We’re moving forward. I don’t think we can say that we’re out of the control of commercial pop music, but the potential for communicating for people over the Internet is the most amazing thing, whether we’re just me and you talking to each other about what time you’re going to phone, or you spreading the word about a particular demonstration, or you’re spreading the word about a particular piece of music you really love and that you want your friends to hear... There’s incredible potential there, but the question is how does that manifest itself as a benefit in the real world? Although the potential is there, we haven’t quite worked out how. The record industry is in a

Just a little scenario for you... Yeah. It’s closing time... Yeah? They’re kicking you out. Do you remind that bartender that you are, quote, “a national treasure”? It doesn’t work. Doesn’t work? Trust me, it really doesn’t work. But the best response I had to something like this was one of the busiest underground stations in London on the weekend before Christmas. A million people were trying to get in and out at the same time and my ticket wouldn’t go through the barrier, and I went over, there was a really bored looking Underground guy standing there, totally unable to control this incredible flow of humanity that was going through his station. He’d obviously been working too long and I waved my ticket at ‘im, and said “here, mate! Mate! There’s something up with this ticket, it ain’t workin’, eh?” and he just looked at me and

Cat’

8 thescope

morning exorcises

O!!!!!!

MOOO /

november 5 - November 19, 2009

l f

! EAT YOUR FACE!!! \

complete panic. And, you know, nobody really knows what’s going to happen. But in ten years time, I can tell you this: there’ll be people who want to make music and people who want to hear music. That won’t change. So do we, the music makers and the music fans have to move to where the industry wants us, or do they have to move to where we’re already getting together? So depending on what happens, it’ll soon become a choice for the record industry conform to what we want or fold? My hunch is we’re gonna have to do what the consumers want. That’s what usually happens. I mean, for instance, when radio first came out in the UK, the record labels wouldn’t let a particular record be played more than three times a week because they believed it would undermine record sales. Then they realized that, actually, the opposite is true—it promoted record sales. I wouldn’t be surprised if this new medium works in much the same kind of way, that people come to understand that P2P is a form of promotion rather than people not buying. You know, that people hear stuff and if they like it, then they buy tickets, or shirts or maybe even buy CDs. Digital sales rose again this year and broke the record for last year, ten weeks before Christmas. 98 per cent of singles sold in the UK last year were digital. Radio stations that play the

HAM SANDWICH!!!!!!!!!

same 15 songs at work... And small artists need to be able to find a viable business model that they can exploit. With Internet radio, you don’t need to rely on some radio station that’s cornered your territory. Have you got any scars or open wounds that were inflicted on you by the record industry? Not really. I have more or less been independent. In the UK, I’ve always been independent. I have rever-

I mean, for instance, when radio first came out in the UK, the record labels wouldn’t let a particular record be played more than three times a week because they believed it would undermine record sales.

sions on my contract so I get my rights back after seven years. And in the U.S. and Canada—where I have signed to majors simply because I wanted to get my records into shops in St. John’s rather than just Toronto and Montreal—they’ve worked very hard for me. I’ve not always given them product that they understood what to do with though...

AARRGH!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAA AAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRGH!!!!!!! /

I mean, Elektra Records, who put my records out in the USA, they have a long tradition of supporting independent singer songwriters (in fact they coined the phrase “singer/ songwriter” for a compilation album in the early ‘60s) they loved me, they saw in me someone who connected back to Phil Oakes who was on the label and artists like that. Then I would give’m shit like “England, Half English” and they just didn’t know what to do with it. But they worked very hard, and I was very sorry when they were folding into Warner Bros. and it all went the wrong way, because then I was on a label with people I really respected, like Jackson Browne and Natalie Merchant and Tracy Chapman. It was a really nice place to be, and they did work really hard for me as best they could, given that I was a socialist and I was talking about Englishness. Not an easy art. Speaking of industries, when you took a bit of time off a few years ago to write The Progressive Patriot, how did you find the book and record industries differed? The book industry works quite similar in terms of promotion, you know. Radio stations... I ‘spose you’d say book fairs are the equivalent of music festivals. Only doing a reading is a bit like trying to do a six-minute set of music. Yeah, except at readings you have to take ideas from your book and run with them and take questions from

MOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

what’s g

explode!

the audience, which to me are just like heckles, except I have to be polite to people who put their hand up. How was writing the book different from writing an album? Writing an album, before you get into the studio, you do it in the space where you find to do it. Writing a book, it’s a very, very long runup, and then it’s a long time to put together. Every day, you know, for as many hours as you can, and even when you’re not sitting there writing it you’re processing ideas and, you know, the pressure on my family was completely different. They went right through it with me. I would stop writing and go and have dinner with them in the evening and I was talking to my missus but I was really thinking about what George Orwell said about imperialism in 1941 or something like that. Or the Bill of Rights. If I were to do it again, I would approach it in a different way. And will you do it again? I dunno. You know, it’s not the sort of thing I was planning to do. Something happened. The election of 12 fascist councillors—far-right British National Party councillors— in the town where I grew up in east London. I still name-check it every night after a show: “my name’s Billy Bragg, I’m from Barking, Essex. Thank you very much, good night.” It’s not that I’m proud of where I come from, it’s just that I’m not ashamed of it. And that’s who I am. It continues to shape me. My

mum still lives there in the house that we grew up in, my brother lives there, and the notion that this was now going to be the racist capital of Britain... I thought, how can I stand by while this happens? It would be easy to dismiss them and say, “well, they’re a load of assholes in Barking. Who cares?” But I couldn’t do that. And I’d already bloody written “England, Half English”. I’ve already made an album about it, what else am I gonna do? And until I wrote the book, I don’t think I could’ve made Mr. Love and Justice. The book was in the way. And as soon as I delivered the manuscript, the songs started coming out. Bong. Just like that. The first one, I was in a warm-up in a concert hall in Toronto before I went to South by Southwest, as soon as I strummed the guitar in sound check, out came the idea for a song which became “If You Ever Leave.” Is that right. Yeah. And they were all love songs, that was the interesting thing. After that long period of polemical concentration, it was love songs that burst through the cracks in the tarmac. Your catalogue of music is so huge, it makes it look as though writing songs is easy for you. Hm. It’s not really easy, but it is something that I can tune into. Back in the day when I was first making records in the 80s, it totally consumed me all the time, and I didn’t really have the need for

anything else in my life. It was just me playing gigs, doing tours, coming home, constantly writing, bang, bang, bang. And that’s all it was. Now, I don’t think you can keep doing that for 25 years, you’d burn yourself out. And also, now I have a life. I never had a life back then. I used to think if I wasn’t doing gigs, I didn’t really exist. How stupid is that? Now I have a life, so I think that my songwriting is something I tune into. For instance, a couple of months ago a friend of mine asked me to write a song for a movie he was making, and I thought about it and thought about it and thought about it, and as the day came closer that I was going to have to send him something, every time I picked up the guitar I thought about a song. I came up with a song every time. In the space of about four days I did that about five times. But now, if I had to pick up the guitar after having just spoke to you now? Nothing. So it must have something to do with intuition. Does it ever freak you out? Yes, I did have a time recently where it did freak me out. Where I started writing a song on the way to a gig, and when I got to the gig I sang it in sound check. I thought, “that’s pretty good.” I had three verses, and I said, “I’ll sing this tonight.” I went back to the hotel to have a kip, because I was really tired. I’d driven all the way to the gig and I couldn’t sleep because lyrics kept

I did hear once Madonna say that she can summon her muse... Bollocks! ...It’s not like milking a cow. coming. So I didn’t get any sleep at all, actually. I ended up taking the new lyrics and sound checking them in the shower before the gig, then singing the song at the gig, then coming home after the gig and it being one o’clock in the morning and going to bed and still not being able to sleep because there were even more lyrics coming. It was almost as if my muse was awake and wanted to play and nothing I could do about it was going to change that until I exhausted the lyrics and wrote all the lyrics down and focused on it. So I was up till God knows what time, writing more lyrics, until eventually, she let me be. And I had no control over that process at all. The three verses I sang in the sound check would have been fine. Would have been absolutely fine. People would have loved the song and I would have built on it later and it would have been great. But something had a hold of me that’s not under my control. The thing is you can’t switch that sort of thing on and off. I did hear once Madonna say that

she can summon her muse. Oh, right, yeah. [laugh] Bollocks! That thing pulls you by the scruff of the neck and you gotta respond to it. You’ve got to serve it. It’s not like milking a cow. So, you often change the lyrics of songs on the fly at shows. Yeah, I’m a bit willful like that. If you’re still changing a song 20 years after its written, how do you know when you’re done? You know when it doesn’t hit the target. You know instinctively. You know when it’s a lame concept, or it’s a lame rhyme, it doesn’t have the response... I’ve been playing for the first time to my missus and she’ll tell me straight off. I don’t even have to ask my muse, she’ll tell me straight off if it’s working. What if the audience reacts positively to something you realize after the fact is lame? There was a track on the last album where the vocal on there was a guide vocal, the original guide vocal from when I didn’t actually have all the lyrics written. I had just sang what I had with the intention of coming back to it later and writing a better lyric. My producer, Grant Showbiz, was so upset when I told him this he was in tears at the idea that I might change it. And I thought to myself, “well, maybe I’m being over-conscious of this and maybe I should just let it sit.” So I did let it sit, and I only

november 5 - November 19, 2009

thescope 9

slightly regret it because it says “I fear for the future.” And I don’t. So the only thing I would have really changed is to put “should” at the start of that line: “should I fear for the future... and what it might hold.” But I respected what Grant said. Because once you sing the song, it doesn’t belong to you anymore. You got to go with how people feel about it. I used to have this one with Paul Weller when I used to tell him how great “That’s Entertainment” was as a song, how it summed up, perfectly, my life growing up in London in the east end in the 70s and he would say, “aw, it took me 2 minutes to write that.” And I’m like, “yeah, but [laughs] just ‘cause you knocked it off when you come out from the pub one night, drunk...” That’s the way it is. It’s the ones that you sweat over where everyone’s like “oh, yeah, s’all right.” And the one you threw away, 30 years later they’re begging you to play it. Can you tell me about Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday that happened earlier this year? Yeah. It was absolutely brilliant. What an incredible thing to do. I mean, for one to be part of it, you know, the celebration of the life of a man who had done so many incredible things in his life. He traveled across the United States of America with Woodie Guthrie, that’d probably be enough for most people... but he also stood up to the House Committee on Un-

American Activities... He marched with Dr. King... He stood next to Paul Robeson at Peekskill while the Ku Klux Klan were throwing rocks... never mind that, he also wrote some great songs as well. Just to be part of that experience was something great. And then, in the context of that, to actually be asked to sing L’Internationale in Madison Square Gardens [laugh] That... that was really great. You know, to feel part of that family, the extended Woodie Guthrie family. That was really great. Ever write that song about the Boston Tea Party Conspiracy? No, sadly, no. There are a number of things that I throw about that I don’t make into perfect songs, subsequently. Ah, well. Makes for some good stage banter anyway. Yeah, stage banter is a really important part of it all. I had a great experience at the Roundhouse when I launched Mr. Love and Justice, Grant Showbiz spoke to one of the bouncers who was doing front of stage afterwards and the bouncer said to him, “yeah, quite enjoyed that!” And he said, “What’d you mean?” He said, “well, I just thought it was going to be all politics, but it was quite good, wasn’t it? Was quite entertaining!” ‘Cause that’s the thing I suffer from: People think that just ‘cause

they know the politics bit, they know everything about me, but… The Billy Bragg website Guestbook, entry #17,829 named only “June”, said that she’d seen you every time that you’ve played Ottawa but would not this time due to the promoter’s alleged unfairness to young bands. Oh dear! Now, with your activist sympathies, are you proud of June? Aw, no, I’m not. I’m interested to find out what lies behind this and hopefully June will come along and tell me at sound check maybe. Or maybe I should look into that. This is the interesting thing about when you’re traveling, like now, playing St. John’s and Victoria and all points in between, you’re coming into people’s towns where there’s activism going on and, very often, because you’re Billy Bragg, they’ll let you know about it. And that’s good. That’s really good. I’ve got a lot of issues to follow up on. Just today I got an email about nuclear weapons in Toronto. But that’s all part of being Billy Bragg. If “June” thinks I should have an opinion about this, maybe I’ll have to poke my nose in. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been steadily cutting arts funding since he took office and recently showed up at the National Arts Center

Rock House The

on George Street

L i v e

b a n d s

fri, nov 13th

hardliner dog meat bbq two guitars clash 10 thescope

november 5 - November 19, 2009

and, accompanied by Yo-Yo Ma, played and sang “A Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles. Oh ho ho! Wooo.

[laugh] Never met a politician that didn’t want to be a rock star.

Do you have any advice on how we’re supposed to deal with this guy? Well that’s what a democracy’s for, init? You gotta deal with these people as you see fit. How did it sound?

Singer-songwriter Billy Bragg will perform in support of his latest release, Mr. Love & Justice, at the Holy Heart Theatre on Saturday, November 14 at 8 pm. Tickets are $32.50$37.50 (incl tax) and are available at the Holy Heart Box office, by phone at 1-888-311-9090 and online at www.sonicconcerts.com.

[Sigh] Not bad. Oh no! [laugh] That’s sad. That’s really sad. Yeah. What a bastard, hey?

Thanks for this, Billy. Not a problem, mate. My pleasure.

Comment on this article online at thescope.ca

music listings

(rock), Smiley Ralph (indie), 10pm, $6, The Ship

Scruncheons (MUN Music) MUN Brass Ensemble, 8pm, $7/$12, DF Cook Recital Hall

Steve Edwards, Trinity Pub Stone Rogues (alt celtic rock) 11pm, $5, Rock House

The Finders, 10:30pm, $5, Fat Cat Blues Bar

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SATURDAY, NOV 7 Adam Baxter Threesome, Catcher (rock),

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Bic & The Ball Points, Tol’s Time Out

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Lounge

Bob Taylor & Carl Peters (8pm); Siochana

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Loft 709

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DJ Mikey B, DJ Steve Murray, DJ Electro, $5 till 1:30am, Liquid Night Club

DJ OTG, 1am, Dusk Ultralounge Gulliver’s Spree (NL Irish folk songs) $5

THURSDAY, NOV 5

cover, Erin’s Pub

Alex Cornick’s Mixed Stew, CBTGs Classic Rock Thursday: Terry Mack, Jace Hardcack, no cover, Loft 709

Cold Summer (Truro hardcore) Frontier, Dig Up The Dead (punk), Once Loved, 10:30pm, $5, Distortion Craig Young (solo acoustic) no cover, Fat Cat Blues Bar

Dave Panting, Erin’s Pub DJ Sina, Konfusion Fergus O’Byrne (7pm); Acoustic Punters (10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Fred Jorgenson & Arthur O’Brien, Kelly’s Pub Jerry Stamp, Chris Kirby, midnight, no cover, Bull & Barrel

MacLovin, Dusk Ultra Lounge Matthew Byrne (7pm), Middle Tickle (10:30pm), Shamrock City Pub

(11pm), Shamrock City Pub

Dan Tobin & Friends, CBTGs Dance League Saturday: Paddy Greene,

Jeff Dyer & Bill Brennan Duo, 9:30pm,

Scott Goudie, Geoff Panting, The Ship Rockin’ Thursdays, The Levee Stixx & Stones, The Dock The Insiders (acoustic) 10:30pm, Martini Bar The Mudflowers (Seven charities benefit) Kujo, Quiet Elephant, 10pm, $5, Rock House

Thursday Jam: With Alex Cornick, CBTGs Trevor Kelly, Whalen’s Pub Tropical Thursdays: DJ Chamba, Turkey Joe’s

FRIDAY, NOV 6

Overtone, Fat Cat Blues Bar Rob Cook (4:30pm); Fergus O’Byrne (8pm); The Masterless Men (11:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Rob Cook, 10pm, Kelly’s Pub Sandy Stokes, Trinity Pub Seamless Saturday: DJ Mike The Tailor, 11pm-5am, $5 (no cover before 1am), Spin

Sexual Saturdays: DJ Jaycee, Turkey Joe’s

The Anchorman Chorus, Arts & Culture Centre

The French Connection (MUN Music) Soprano Jane Leibel, clarinetist Paul Bendzsa & pianist Maureen Volk present music by Clifford Crawley & Francis Poulenc, 8pm, $7/$12, DF Cook Recital Hall

The Screamin’ Deacons (rockabilly) 10:30pm, The Ship

VJ Eric & DJ Slayer, 11pm, $5/$7 after 1:30pm, Zone 216

SUNDAY, NOV 8 Acoustic A Go Go, 10pm, no cover, Distortion (9:30pm), Kelly’s Pub

Chris Henessey (7pm); Con & Arthur O’Brien

Bob Macdonald, 6pm-10pm, The Republic Chris Hennessey (5pm); Bill Kelly (8:15pm); The Masterless Men (11:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Cold Summer (Truro hardcore), Swords (epic metal), Local Tough (rock), Icebreaker (hardcore), 11pm, $5, Rose & Thistle Colin Harris, 9:30pm-12:30am, Lower Path Bar

D’arcy Broderick & Ron Kelly (5pm);

Culture Centre

The Racket, George Street Beer Market

Anthony MacDonald & Ronnie Power, 10pm, Shamrock City Pub Dave White, 9:30pm, MexiCali Rosa’s DJ Diamond, no cover, Loft 709 Larry Foley & Patrick Moran, 9pm, O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Andrew Ledrew (solo acoustic rock) 9:30pm-1am, no cover, Fat Cat Blues Bar

Dave Reardon, 5pm-9pm, no cover, Station

Carl Peters & Dave White, Turkey Joe’s Chris Hennessey (5pm); Open Mic (10pm);

before 1am), Spin

Gulliver’s Spree (NL Irish folk songs) $5

Adam Baxter, 9pm, $5, The Levee BA Johnston (Hamilton casio rock), Mercy, The Sexton (pop), CBTGs

Bird & Bear (EP release), The Mountains & The Trees, The Dardanelles, Matthew Hornell & The Diamond Minds, 10pm, The Ship

Carl Peters & Bob Taylor (7pm), Middle Tickle (10:30pm), Shamrock City Pub Classic Rock Thursday: Terry Mack, Jace Hardcack, no cover, Loft 709

Craig Young (solo acoustic) no cover, Fat Cat Blues Bar

Dave Panting, Erin’s Pub DJ Sina, Konfusion Fergus O’Byrne (7pm); Acoustic Punters (10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub Kelly’s Pub

Jerry Stamp, midnight, no cover, Bull & Barrel MacLovin, Dusk Ultra Lounge Rob Cook, Justin Fancy, Rob Roy Pub Stixx & Stones, The Dock The Insiders (acoustic) 10:30pm, Martini Bar The Scientists Of Sound (Halifax), DJ Joe’s

FRIDAY, NOV 13

Kelly’s Pub

Blue Eyed Blonde,Club One Bob Macdonald, 6pm-10pm, The Republic Chris Hennessey (5pm); Bill Kelly (8:15pm); O’Reilly’s Irish Pub Bar

Connemara, Erin’s Pub D’arcy Broderick & Ron Kelly (5pm); Barry Kenny & Glen Harvey (8pm); Tarahan (11pm), Shamrock City Pub

Dana Parsons, Dusk Ultra Lounge Darrell Cooper (6:30pm-9:30pm), Dr Zoo (9:30pm), Fat Cat Blues Bar

CBTGs

Songwriters Competition, Whalen’s Pub Steven Bowers, David Francey, 9pm, $25, The Ship

Terry Fillier fundraiser: Music by Chris Badcock, 6pm-9pm, $5, Fat Cat Blue Bar

Tuesdays with Whitty, 10pm, no cover,

MINUS4LUN9, 10pm, $5, Distortion Overlay (rock), The Wolves (rock), The Sellouts

The Levee

Do you host live music or DJs? Joining our directory is free. E-mail: listings@thescope.ca

Dave Reardon, 5pm-9pm, no cover, Station

1:30am, Liquid Night Club

Lounge

DJ OTG, 1am, Dusk Ultralounge DJ Sina, Konfusion Fairy Tales and Fireworks (NSO) Music

Dave White, Trinity Pub DJ Fabian, Zone 216 DJ Mikey B, DJ Steve Murray, DJ Electro, $5 till

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One of the best deals in town. Good quality, excellent price. I’m surprised no one has yet mentioned the Cheesecakes. THE BEST! Made fresh at the restaurant, different selections each day, get a huge piece for only $4.39!?!? Can’t even get a small, tasteless, defrosted desert at the chain places for that! Avg rating

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 Reviewed by Laurie

Definitely the best meal out I’ve had in a long time. Downtown atmosphere while still able to be a great family restaurant. Great meals and awesome portions—you won’t leave hungry. The fish & chips are not rivalled anywhere in the city and the burgers are the best I’ve ever had out. I’ll definitely be going back again and again! Avg rating

1/2 (based on 7 reviews) Oliver’s

115 Duckworth Street, 754-6444

 Reviewed by A1C_Gastro

I have eaten at Oliver’s on five occasions now and have been completely satisfied on each occasion. I can say that service was great but the food was the attraction—along with the cozy and warm atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed the appetizers, entrees (including seafood, chicken and steak dishes) and desserts as well as their excellent wine list. Avg rating

(based on 4 reviews)

PJ Billington’s

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Reviewed by nlgirl

I’ve been to this restaurant many times, before the menu was changed and after. The quality of food and service is always great. My favourite lately is the 1/4 roast chicken done in a beer barbeque sauce. So good! And very reasonably priced with entrees all between $15-20. Definitely a good place to go! Avg rating

 (based on 1 review)

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november 5 - November 19, 2009

foodnerd

panna cotta da vida, baby

o, you may have noticed that I’m going by a different surname these days. Yes, the ol’ girl done got herself hitched. And she’s traded in a big pile of consonants for a lot of extra As. And so, hearing this news, you may ask yourself, as many of my acquaintances have, what does a Food Nerd serve at her wedding? Well, if you have visions of a multiAndreae course, sitCallanan down dinner, dreae@thescope.ca with me calmly juggling bridal bouquet and tray of chanterellestuffed vol-au-vents, then you must be thinking of some other food writer. I’ll admit that when this whole wedding idea got cooked up way back when (it’s been a lengthy engagement… so lengthy that I’ve been referring to my husband as my husband for about a year and a half), I was a little control-freakish about the menu. But then reality caught up with me and I had to admit that a woman with two youngsters and various jobs just shouldn’t try to handle a wedding’s worth of food on her own. I am damned lucky, let me tell you, to have family and friends who are as happy in the kitchen as I am. People who, from the moment the wedding was announced, asked, “What can I make?” I come from a line of food lovers, and whenever there’s an event of any sort, we’re driven to cook something. It’s just how we are. If you should ever find yourself throwing a wedding, and someone asks if they can help with the food (and you’re not tied to a caterer, naturally), say a great big “yes.” As long as they know what they’re doing, of course. Which, more often than not, they actually do, or they probably wouldn’t be offering. As a recently-wed person, I can tell you that no matter how capable you think you may be, the week before your wedding is no time to be roasting all manner of roast beasts and wrapping pastries and making hors d’oeuvres. You will have other things to do. Best leave the cooking to someone who isn’t about to, you know, get married. So here’s how the whole thing went down. We opted for a nice, cozy afternoon wedding at a family home, and after a short-ish ceremony we all tucked into a great array of finger foods—wonderful bread, cheeses and olives and pickles and grapes and figs (yes, I braved Costco), thinly-sliced turkey and ham and roast beef from various family ovens, ridiculously delicious spanikopita, wonderful spicy meaty nibbly things. And the cake? My life-long friend and soul sister Meghan O’Dea (of Pi fame) made what might have been the most deliciously dense, chocolate-full, fudgefully-frosted wedding cake in the history of the

sport. Throw some wine on top of all that, and I ask you: is there a better feast? No having to worry about seating plans or which bits of cutlery to use, and we got to mingle with our guests while hanging on to our little plates and wondering where we left our wine. It was a proper party, no stress, no pressure, no wedding-day freakouts. Did I really leave all the food up to my friends and loved ones? Well, I figured I should pitch in a little—it is, after all, what I do. So, on the night before my wedding, while other women might be

The cutest panna cotta you have ever seen.

flitting in hennish flocks through the streets of downtown, or drinking fluorescent shooters in some sticky bar, I was at home, making six dozen servings of panna cotta. To be fair, my husband was up half the night making Ultimate Wedding Mix Volumes One and Two and printing programs, so it all came out even. Panna cotta, if you’ve never had it, is a lovely dessert of Tuscan provenance—basically sweetened cream set with gelatin. I know, that sounds kind of weird, but trust me, it’s awesome. It’s as rich as ice cream, as smooth as custard, and miraculously light for something that’s made of, you know, cream.

It’s always a favourite of mine when I happen to be in a restaurant, but since that happens less and less these days, I decided to take matters into my own hand and learn how to make the stuff myself. Well, it didn’t take much to figure it out. The recipe isn’t even a recipe really, just instructions. Honestly, if I could make 72 individual cups of panna cotta in an evening and still manage to get a decent night’s sleep, it can’t be all that hard. For serving cups, I used 125-ml jam jars (apologies if you were trying to buy tiny jars last month—I may be the jerk who bought them all). They looked mightily cute, and the lids and boxes made transporting them from my house to the wedding site super easy. And I can reuse the jars for everybody’s Christmas present preserves for the next three years, so it’s an investment. Normally panna cotta would be unmolded onto a plate, but we kept it simple, eating panna cotta out of jars with a spoonful of berry sauce on top (Pouch Cove blueberries, Cape Spear blackberries, and Pleasant Street raspberries cooked with some apple jelly I’d made earlier in the fall). People loved it, and, at risk of sounding ridiculous, love is what the day was all about. Every 12-serving batch took a whopping five minutes. I need to throw more big parties just as an excuse to do it again. Hey, just eleven months until our anniversary…

Mom & Baby Yoga Get back in shape while stimulating and bonding with your new baby.

Tuesdays 1:30-3:00pm

286 Torbay Road Coaker’s Meadow Plaza 722-YOGA (9642) www.ShaktiYogaStudio.ca

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thescope.ca/foodnerd

panna cotta 1 litre coffee cream (18%) ½ cup sugar 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 2 packets unflavoured gelatin 6 tablespoons cold water ¾ cup fruit preserves of your choice 12 125-mL jam jars, or equivalent dessert cups

1. In a large bowl, sprinkle gelatin over the cold water and let sit while you heat the cream. Make sure that you sprinkle it evenly, without any big lumps, so that it will soften throughout. 2. In a large pot, stir together sugar and cream until sugar is dissolved. Heat until just below the boiling point – don’t actually let it boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. 3. Pour hot cream mixture over softener gelatin, and stir until gelatin has been completely dissolved. Distribute the panna cotta evenly between the twelve jars or cups. Refrigerate at least four hours or overnight. 4. Before serving, top each serving with a tablespoon of preserves.

november 5 - November 19, 2009

thescope 15

ondisplay eastern edge turns 25

Looking forward, looking back Eastern Edge Gallery celebrates its 25th anniversary with a Silver Soiree Gala. By David Keating

astern Edge director Michelle Bush, assistant director Mary MacDonald and board chair Sarah Hillock are sitting among 25 years worth of half-unwrapped sculptures and paintings. And many more pieces arrive every day from past and present members from far and wide. “The idea was to have 25 past members and 25 present members exhibit,” says Bush, looking around. “Of course,” she laughs. “There are more than fifty works now, because I’m no good at saying no.” Founded near the beginning of a Canada-wide emergence of artist-run centres, for the 25 years of Eastern Edge’s existence the gallery has tried to be a doors-open institution for all artists and all community groups. “I think Eastern Edge tends to fill in for educational institutions that other cities have for the arts,” says Hillock. “We don’t have the Grenfell College art program from Memorial in St. John’s. Of course there’s the Anna Templeton Centre, which is an educating body, but we do lectures and workshops and our ‘Art School 101’... It’s pretty essential to St. John’s and to the community.” Eastern Edge has not only been a resource for developing local artistic talent. Over the years, numerous national and international artists have had their introduction to the province via the gallery. Communication is part of our mandate, says Bush. “We’re not just exhibiting work. I’d say 98 per cent of our exhibiting artists come here... to interact with the public and to get feedback on their work and to have that kind of one-on-one.” “It’s one thing to see someone’s exhibition, to read a text about it, but it’s another thing to get the chance to ask people questions directly,” she says. “I think it has benefits the visiting artists as well,” says Hillock. “It’s interesting for them because we’re such a community... I think that affects a lot of the artists and the way they work here. Which is different, than a major city where it can be much more competitive.” Along with having mounted a sixty-something piece members exhibition on October 31st, the staff and volunteers are putting the finishing touches on their upcom-

16 thescope

ing Silver Soiree gala—their big birthday to-do. “It’s going to be a really fun evening,” says Bush. “But not only that, it’s the opportunity to bid on some amazing works of art from some well-known and some lesser known but up-and-coming emerging artists.” Among the works being auctioned off are paintings by Will Gill, Pam Hall and Gerry Squires. With the Silver Soiree, one the gallery’s most important fundraisers of the year, Eastern Edge is making a push to invite in the city’s art patrons, philanthropists and collectors. “Hopefully more and more people will recognize who and what Eastern Edge is and what role we play in the whole arts community here,” says Bush. “The history of Eastern Edge just goes to show how important it has been. There are lots of artists who people know—and maybe they have their work in their collection—who were involved with Eastern Edge for so many years.” The Eastern Edge 25th Anniversary Members Show and ‘Time after Timeline’ open Oct. 31st and runs until December. Admission is free. Eastern Edge’s 25th Anniversary Silver Soiree takes place on Saturday, Nov. 7th at the Johnson GEO Centre. Emcee and auction host is comedian John Sheehan. Music by The Once. Tickets are $45. Call Eastern Edge at 739-1882 or visit easternedge.ca. To preview the Silver Soiree works up for auction, visit silversoiree. blogspot.com

on display galleries • museums

galleries OPENING Art Show (Autism fundraiser) Work by Susan Parsons, Joan Roberts & Dora Cooper, free, Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism-70 Clinch Cres (Nov 8 from 11am-6pm)

Aurora: Dance of Spirits: New works by gallery artists, Red Ochre Gallery-96 Duckworth St 7266422 (Opens Thu Nov 12 from 5pm-8pm) Across the Polar Sea: With Robert E Peary on the North Pole Expedition: Explore the story of the 1908-09 trek as told through hand-tinted lantern slides and the words of his assistant Donald B MacMillan, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000 (Opens Nov 17)

musicreviews kujo idlers creed

Kujo Kujo (Independent)

Creed Full Circle (Wind-Up Records)

Idlers Keep Out (Independent)

According to band Kujo, their debut album was al loc recorded over BBQs and beers on warm summer nights, and this album captures that atmosphere perfectly. Not just in its energized power pop sound, but also in the nostalgia and good time feel that seem to be built into the band’s arrangements. “Slumber Party” and “You Never Know” demonstrate the fuzzy riff rock the band is known for, while “Silver Capsules” and “Hail Kittania” blossom with psychadelic colors that will definitely delight fans of the Beatles. Frontman Victor Lewis’ gritty vocals are at times reminiscent of Robert Plant, and when backed up by Craig Follett, the boys belt out some skilled pop harmonies that demonstrate a level of sophistication and maturity not often seen in bands that rock this much. While Kujo may not have reinvented the riff rock wheel, this album is a reminder of everything good about good ol’ rock and roll. — alexander evan Bridger

Has it really been eight years? Wow. It’s seems like just yesterday that Creed were the biggest, shittiest fifth generation grunge band dominating the radio with tasteless, overblown, chest-thumping power ballads. But, yes indeed, it’s been eight years since Creed put out their last album Weathered, leaving the modern rock world with nothing but Nickelback to fill the void. Now, finally, they have reunited and delivered this album, which is probably their best (I wasn’t curious enough to actually re-listen to any of the previous ones). Here Creed give a more concentrated effort to appear to be “edgy” and “metal” and not at all like washed up bags of sadness. But, all in all, Creed are the auditory equivalent of a glass of warm Red Bull and a bag of Styrofoam peanuts, and Scott Stapp has the lyrical subtlety of a sledgehammer and a sack of kittens. — Patrick canning

I’ve always found the phenomenon of dance al loc bands with overtly political messages in their songs a little bizarre. You’ll never find an audience less concerned with the lyrics than an audience at a disco, and you’ll never find a singer with a harder job of being heard and understood than the singer for an 11 piece dance band. Is the idea to subliminally influence the dancers while they’re distracted? The Idlers new album Keep Out! seems to be circumventing these questions by being surprisingly laid back and stripped-down, and putting Mark Wilson’s voice front and center in the mix. Compared to their high energy live shows, which are full of bombast and over-stimulation, this album is a refreshingly mellow change of pace. The songs seem more like songs than musical backing for Wilson’s politics. A groovy little album that wants to give a message, but not at the cost of a good tune. — Patrick canning

old abandoned windows in derelict structures, Sweet Relic-Signal Hill

celebrates 25 years of artist-run culture featuring a visual time-line of uncovered treasures, found ephemera, collected stories, and full administrative history, Eastern Edge Gallery-72 Harbour Dr 739-1882

Encountering Grenfell: A Life and Legacy: Providing medical care, education & skills in craft, agriculture & animal husbandry Wilfred Grenfell sought to improve conditions in NF, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

Breaking Point: Chainmaille-inspired creations that investigate our social links by Jason Holley, Craft Council-59 Duckworth St 753-2749 Brigus: True As The Compass: Join us for an exhibition of local artwork celebrating beautiful Brigus, Heritage Art Gallery-309 Water St, 2nd Fl 739-7994 Cities: John Hartman: Known for large-scale expressionistic landscape paintings animated with the imagery of local historic events and personal narratives, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

Downtown Charcoals by Peter Lewis: City-scape charcoals capture the colourful spirit of St John’s in black & white, Peter Lewis Gallery-5 Church Hill 722-6009

Introducing Two Artists: Textile works by Hilary Rice & landscapes by Lucy Bause, Red Ochre Gallery-96 Duckworth St 726-6422

Jean Claude Roy: New Paintings, Emma

LAST CHANCE A Woman Clothed With the Sun: Paintings, drawings & sculpture by Gerald Squires, Emma Butler Gallery-111 George St W 739-7111 (Ends Nov 17)

Neal Greig: This Irish painter spent six weeks in Fogo creating impressions of the rocky shores. He works from life and focuses on light, space and color, Peter Lewis Gallery-5 Church Hill 7226009 (Ends Nov 9)

museums

Butler Gallery-111 George St W 739-7111

A Tour de Fort: Interpretive panels tell the

Maurice Cullen and His Circle: Nearly forty oil paintings on loan from the National Gallery. Works by Maurice Cullen, alongside his contemporaries James Wilson Maurice and William Brymner as well as Robert Pilot and AY Jackson, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

story of Fort Townsend, the 18th century symbol of England’s domination over the fishery, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

Admiralty House Museum: 1915 navy wireless station now communications museum, 23 Old Placentia Rd-Mt Pearl 748-1124

[here]say: 26 signs on light poles, each featuring an audio story about that particular spot. Stand on the sidewalk, use your cellphone to dial the number on the sign, and hear the voices, Water St Ice Age Mammals: See creatures that became extinct the last time the climate changed, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000 (Ends Jan 3) Johnson Geo Centre & Park: See Signal Hill’s 550 million year old geology & specimens of NF rocks, minerals & botanical park, 175 Signal Hill Rd 737-7880 MUN Botanical Garden: Trails, gift shop & tearoom, 306 Mt Scio Rd 737-8590 (Free first Friday of month)

Railway Coastal Museum: St. John’s Dockyard exhibit of model ship hulls, shipbuilding, dockyard history plus the story of Newfoundland’s railway boat service & 1940’s train diorama, 495 Water St W 724-5929 Signal Hill National Historic Site: Military & communications history, meet Signalman, watch film, interactive exhibits, Visitor Centre 772-5367

Migrations: Contemporary textiles by Kelly Jane Bruton, Diana Dabinett, Susan Furneaux, Heather Reeves & Rachel Ryan share stories about the impact of migration, Craft Council-59 Duckworth St 753-2749

Archival Mysteries: Where Is It? Featuring

Use bird specimens to learn lots of fascinating facts about the diversity of our feathered friends, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000 (Opens Nov 15)

New Works: New mixed media paintings &

The Big and Small Christmas Show:

works by Vicky Northey & Pauline Stockwood inspired by the age-old antagonism between canines and felines, Craft Council-59 Duckworth St 753-2749

Collecting the Arctic: Bob Bartlett’s World of North: As he explored the north, the captain collected plants, animals, geological specimens and everyday objects of the Inuit, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

The Fluvarium: A panoramic water view under the surface of Nagle’s Hill Brook. Spot fish, insects & plants in natural habitat plus interactive exhibits, 5 Nagle’s Place 754-3474

Connections: This Place and Its Early Peoples: Polar bears on tundra, carnivorous plants in a bog, seabirds, sea mammals, sea life plus the people who made their lives here, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

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Collecting Birds: A Beak Behind the Scenes:

New works by several local artists, Leyton GalleryClift’s-Baird’s Cove 722-7177 (Opening reception on Fri Nov 13 from 5pm-7pm)

ONGOING 400: Juried group exhibition of contemporary craft that reflects the 400th anniversary of Cupids, Craft Council-59 Duckworth St 753-2749

Abandoned Window Series: Hand painted habotai silk scarves based on photographs of

november 5 - November 19, 2009

original prints, Christine Koch Studio-177 Water Street, by appt 576-0841

Reigning Cats and Dogs: Fun-loving clay

Resolved Component: An exhibition by the Class of 2009, Visual Arts Department, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, curated by Charlotte Morgan, First Space Gallery-QEII Library

The Labrador Gallery: Work by resident artisan Albert Biles in soapstone, antler, whale bone, baleen & ivory, Wild Things-124 Water St

Time After Timeline: Members exhibition

unidentified photos from the archives which remain a mystery in terms of their geographical location within NL, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

Discovering Bartlett: An Archival Exploration: Marking the 100th anniversary of the 1909 expedition to the North Pole, this exhibition of archival records relates to the life and career of Captain Bartlett, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

Slicing the Waves: Canoes, Kayaks and Small Wooden Boats: A look at how these small but important vessels were made and used, and how they are still a part of our lives today, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000 (Ends Nov 5)

thescope.ca/on-display

onscreen fall lineup eh?

Fresh season for CBC Last week, I interviewed a few of the actors and crew behind the upcoming CBC series Republic of Doyle. For those not in the know, Doyle is a detective series set right here in St. John’s. Creator and series star Allan Hawco said Republic was recently screened for TV-savvy operators in England and the U.S. And if it’s good enough to impress them, the series could crack the international market. Now, the idea that we would need outside approval for our television series might seem selfdefeating, but you have to remember Canadian TV as it once was: The bar used to be set so low. Canadian-made meant Dog House, the YTV sitcom about a wise-cracking dog. Canadian-made meant RoboCop, the action series where nothing happened, or Counterstrike, the action series where nothing happened. Is the CBC actually aiming for greatness, after years of hopeless Air Farce-like fare?

Adam Clarke watched the network’s fall schedule to find out.

Little Mosque On The Prairie

much to his chagrin. This show’s best quality is its sweetness. The scripts are cute, but characters like Thorne and local contractor Yasir Hamoudi (Carlo Rota) keep things interesting with acid tongues. It’s disappointing that the show’s female characters have little to do, but Mosque squeaks by on sheer likeability. It’s a solid, but not mindblowing comedy that flirts with, but never embraces, biting satire.

A Muslim community shares a church in a Christian-dominated town. Mayhem ensues! Airs Mondays at 9pm This show made quite a splash in the ratings when it premiered in 2007, instantly gathering viewers and a lot of attention. The series echoes CTV’s long-running Corner Gas with both its small-town Saskatchewan setting and its featherweight comedic touch. For Mosque’s fourth season premiere, the smug Rev. Thorne (Thomas Firla) is introduced as a new foil and comic villain for the series. Thorne has taken over the Anglican church that also functions as a Mosque to the other characters,

movies Thursday Nov 5 at 7pm The Cove (MUN Cinema) “Ecco The Dolphin”

Being Erica

Woman revisits her checkered past with the help of her magic therapist. Airs Tuesdays at 9:30pm

DAILY SHOWINGS

of 5 exposes the political and religious intrigue behind the Saturday-Sunday controversy in the early Christian church, MUN Engineering-2006, Parking in Lots 16/16A

call For times and prices Avalon Mall’s Empire Studio 12 722-5775

Tuesday Nov 17 at 7pm & Wed Nov 25 at 3:30pm Saint-Jacques... La Mèque (Francophone

Mount Pearl Shopping Centre Empire Cinemas 364-8527

Thursday Nov 19 at 7pm In The Loop (MUN Cinema) Armando Iannucci,

of 5 looks at the foundations of human time and why we have a seven day week, MUN Engineering-2006, Parking in Lots 16/16A

the great TV writer behind The Day Today and I’m Alan Partridge, turns his attention to the current socio-political regime in this satire. Directed by Armando Iannucci (UK 2009) Empire TheatresAvalon Mall

man goes searching for his estranged, poetrywriting brother. Upon discovering him, it turns out they have a lot of angst to go through. Who knew? Directed by Francis Ford Coppola (USA/ ITA/SPA 2009) Empire Theatres-Avalon Mall

The Canadian immigration office is really exciting, we swear! Airs Thursdays at 9:30pm This show makes up for all the laughs Erica fails to provide. Trouble is, it never intends to. A Canadian take on CSI and 24, The Border follows Immigration and Customs Security (ICS). Like CSI, the characters are impossible to tell apart. There’s Major Clench-Jaw (James McGowan), the stern leader of ICS. There’s Quipmotron 9000 (Jonas Chernick), the token, jokey computer geek. Yes, every week these intrepid agents fight characters with ridiculously made-up names! An episode entitled “Hate Metal” featured a Neo-Nazi named Cole Thorpe. I can only assume he was given that name because “Loudon McEvil III” was used in a different episode. The Border is a fundamentally silly program that uses the “ripped from the headlines” method of story telling employed by Law & Order, but does so in the clunkiest way possible. In the episode “Killer Debts”, one character’s fate recalls the 2006 poisoning of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko. Of course, it has little effect on the episode. The series is driven by shaggydog crime stories that aren’t solved by intelligence or deduction, but by coincidence and computer searching.

It’s strange. Now that Canadian series no longer pretend to be set in Anytown, U.S.A., shows like Being Erica and The Border seem more American than ever. Luckily, Ron James is doing what CBC does best: produce uninspired sketch comedy. Despite some decent sight gags (like a sketch in the pilot where James grills steaks in his car), the show is out to be the new Air Farce. A show like this could be fixed, but then you’d have to fire Ron James. James’ interests seem mainly focused on his distaste for anything new, like the sketch where an alcoholic anchorman complains about YouTube and current slang. Those stupid youngsters! Secondly, James is so limited as a performer that paying attention to him is a chore. Sketch comedy should be an avenue for multi-faceted actors to showcase a variety of characters. Ron James is not one of those actors. It’s also an ideal format for pushing boundaries, but the series plays it safe. Ron James is a comedian for those who find Tim Allen too edgy. So, Auntie Ceeb, it seems, is mostly trading in production values for quality. Still, with the promise of Republic of Doyle and the surprisingly likeable Little Mosque, perhaps new programs will continue the upswing in quality.

thescope.ca/onscreen

Thursday Nov 12 at 7:15pm Chronicles of the Seventh Day: Part 2

Thursday Nov 5 at 7:15pm Chronicles of the Seventh Day: Part 1

Thursday Nov 12 at 7pm Tetro (MUN Cinema) In Buenos Aires, a young

The Border

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Cinema) (FRA 2005) Free, Centre des GrandsVents-65 Ridge Rd 726-4900

tally invents a time-machine, everything works out for the best, with no conflicts or loose ends. Just kidding. Complexities and ambiguities, ahoy! Directed by Shane Carruth (USA 2004) $8, Inco Innovation Center auditorium

Sketch comedy, ho! Airs Fridays at 8:30pm

A cross between Quantum Leap, Touched By An Angel and The Lit-

taught us that dolphins live care-free lives. That was a lie. In this film, activists discover shocking abuse administered to these creatures in Japan. Directed by Louie Psihoyos (USA 2009) Empire Theatres-Avalon Mall

Tuesday Nov 10 at 7pm Primer (Global Cinema) When a man acciden-

tlest Hobo. Sadly, no one thought to title the series Touched By A Quantum Hobo, because that alone would make this show easier to watch. While Erica’s time-travelling is as much about helping herself as helping others—who gives a damn? If someone offered you the chance to travel in time, would you be revisiting your high school life? Why see Enlightenment-era Europe when you can relive shop class? Why do something interesting when you can navel-gaze for an hour? Star Erin Karpluk is receiving a lot of attention for her performance here, but I can’t see why. Her range seems to have two settings: “quirky” and “not quirky”. She must be a graduate of the Jennifer Aniston School Of Sad Face Non-Acting. The misused time-travelling sequences at least take the title character away from her job. The workplace scenes bring the quality of acting to the level of the worst Saturday Night Live sketches. Granted, none get off easy when characters utter non-punchlines like, “I just said knickers” in hopes of a laugh.

The Ron James Show

Thursday Nov 19 at 7:15pm Chronicles of the Seventh Day: In Part 3 of 5 the battle over the seventh-day Sabbath in medieval times is examined, MUN Engineering-2006, Parking in Lots 16/16A

A Christmas Carol: You know what? The time is ripe for another take on Dicken’s Ebenezer Scrooge. Y’know, a funny one. Wait, the Muppets already did that? Hmm, good luck, CGI Jim Carrey. (Avalon Mall) Amelia: Time for Amelia Earhart to get the romanticized biopic treatment and be shown “living the dream”. Hopefully, the film’s conclusion depicts the Bermuda triangle a la 2001: A Space Odyssey. (Mt Pearl) Astro Boy: Brave, gentle and wise robohero now stars in his own film. Be sure to tell Geronimo the computer about any mistakes he makes during the film and compare your answers with friends. (Avalon Mall & Mt Pearl)

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant: Based on the children’s book series, a teenager is drawn into the world of a fantastic circus and given new life as a vampire. Not a remake of Vampire Circus. (Mt Pearl) Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs:

The classic children’s book is adapted into a feature-length, 3-D cartoon. With the creators of Clone High writing and Bruce Campbell in a prominent role, what more do you need? (Avalon Mall)

Couples Retreat: Therapy sessions aren’t optional at this tropical island resort. Beautiful couples abound. (Avalon Mall)

ous, would-be Stepfather has now been remade. Advantage? The original film is on DVD. (Avalon Mall & Mt Pearl)

The Box: A couple is offered a large sum of cash if they push a button. The catch is, when they push the button, someone dies. Hopefully, the explanation for the button won’t be aliens. (Avalon Mall)

Law Abiding Citizen: Gerard Butler stars in this latest cinematic exercise of Republican fantasy! An everyman “takes the system down” after a couple of murderers go free. Not even Charles Bronson could do that! (Avalon Mall)

The Fourth Kind: What is causing the

Michael Jackson: This Is It: Tired of being force-fed Michael Jackson coverage in the news? No? Well, here’s some rehearsal footage of a man you had all but forgotten last year. That is it. (Avalon Mall)

The Men Who Stare at Goats: Washedup reporter stumbles onto the story of a lifetime: the U.S. military has employed a band of psychics to use their powers to end all war. Or they’re full of it. (Avalon Mall)

Paranormal Activity: In this Hi-Def mockumentary in the Blair Witch mold, strange things begin happening to a young couple when they move into a new house. They’re a new generation of Lutzes! (Avalon Mall)

Where the Wild Things Are: Boy befriends wild, roaming, yet cuddly monsters. If you’re looking for a family film without fart noises and people hit in the nuts, this is the one to see. (Mt Pearl)

Pirate Radio: In this Britcom, originally titled

Whip It: Ellen Page says down with beauty

The Boat That Rocked, a pirate ship in ‘66 begins broadcast rock music. Hijinks ensue. (Avalon Mall)

pageants and football and instead gets in touch with her roller-derby alter ego Babe Ruthless. (Mt Pearl)

Saw 6: Wanna play a game? Okay. Take a drink every time Jigsaw’s clues leave out a vital piece of info that leads to someone’s horrible death. Alcohol poisoning guaranteed. (Avalon Mall)

Zombieland: Mistrustful survivors of a zombie holocaust band together on a road trip to Bill Murray’s house. (Mt Pearl)

people the people of Nome, Alaska to disappear? Some say it’s aliens. I’d bet it’s Jonathan Frakes, hoping to get another Alien autopsy on the go. (Avalon Mall)

Stepfather: Because nothing is sacred, the cult classic Terry O’Quinn vehicle about a murder-

november 5 - November 19, 2009

thescope 17

diy

how to live on a desert island By Michael Flaherty Illustration by Tara Fleming Michael Flaherty is a bonafide desert island expert if we’ve ever known one. This summer he spent three months living alone on The Grey Islands— an uninhabited island group off the east coast of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula—as part of an interdisciplinary ceramic art project, where he spent his time constructing an inside-out ceramic kiln in which he “fired” the islands. He’ll be giving an artist talk about The Grey Islands project at Eastern Edge Gallery on Monday, November 9th at 7pm.

dmit it: you’ve thought about it more times than you can recall. Remember that horrible break up a couple years ago that almost sent you over the edge? How about that time at work when your incompetent manager took credit for your work? Or that Saturday afternoon when you wasted a half hour searching fruitlessly for sesame oil at Sobeys? Civilization, as becomes apparent at times like these, is ridiculously over-rated. Why not go live by yourself on a desert island? It’s not as crazy as it sounds. It can be done, and fortunately for you Newfoundland abounds with deserted islands (Count yourself and your escapist inclinations lucky that you don’t live in Regina.) There are so many locations to choose from that it shouldn’t be hard to find the

perfect island for you.

But where to go?

So how do you decide? Start by asking yourself a couple questions: How much time do you have? How isolated do you want to be? An easy overnight excursion can be made to Kelly’s Island in Conception Bay, while a week might be sufficient to experience Merasheen, near Placentia. Traveling to Belle Isle between the Northern Peninsula and Labrador would, however, require a significantly different level of material and psychological investment. When you’ve narrowed it down a little, consider some other key elements: geography, history and aesthetics.

Talk to the locals

When you’ve figured out where you’re going, you next need to get to know the locals. Sure, your island is deserted now, but it wasn’t always. Humans, opportunists that we are, inhabited virtually every neck and arm in this part of the world until resettlement happened in the 1960s. Someone out there knows a lot about wherever it is you’ve decided to go. Talk with fishermen, tour boat operators and cultural organizations in the area. These people can give you information you need to know, like where fresh water and a good campsite can be found—the sorts of things that won’t necessarily be obvious when you look at your

fieldnotes

elling lien scans for local culture arts funding

5000 Up It’ll take more than a quick Beatles tune with American cellist Yo-Yo Ma for the Prime Minister to prove his government is dedicated to supporting the arts, say the folks at the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council. Well, they didn’t quite say that. They did, however, say they were upset by the recent changes to periodical funding in Canada—a change that merged existing funding into the new Canada Periodical Fund. The NLAC says they are worried it’ll have a strong negative impact on smaller literary and arts magazines in the country. In a letter to the Minister of Heritage and Official Languages, NLAC chair Carmelita McGrath says the new qualifying benchmark of 5000 copies sold per year is an unacceptably high expectation to place on publications, and that it threatens the diversity of Canadian writing. Local literary magazine Riddle Fence is offered up as an example that will not qualify under the new

18 thescope

Bring clothes for every possible type of weather—you’re likely to get any or all of them on any given day. You’ll need a good knife and an even better axe. And don’t forget your emergency supplies—a first aid kit, any medicine you might need, and, if you can afford it, a personal satellite tracker.

Boredom is the enemy

topographical maps. They can probably also tell you whether your cell phone will work, or what stations you might be able to get on your AM radio. Don’t worry about them thinking you are a bit flaky—even if they do, it’ll probably motivate them to check in on you now and then. In any case, you’re going to need to hire a local with a boat who can drop you off and pick you up later.

Food as company

Bring a lot of food. A lot a lot. I can’t emphasize this enough. Bring more food than you could possibly ever eat. Food won’t just be your sustenance—although I don’t want to suggest nutrition isn’t important— it will be your company. And eating will be your entertainment. Remember: you are going to be on this island all by yourself without much else to do. Keeping the kettle boiled is going to be the closest thing you have to your usual habit of

That said, he’s still optimistic about it all. “I’d like to believe the country I’m living in values not only physical well being enough to fund medicare, but values mental and spiritual well being enough to fund the arts. I think it was at one time, but these days I’m not so sure.”

hip hop beefs

Take diss Riddle Fence: species at risk?

funding scheme. Riddle Fence Managing Editor, Mark Callanan, says that while the funding change won’t kill them, it’ll definitely hold them back, but “it would have helped us out a lot.” Callanan says the funding change is another sign of the Harper government’s lack of regard for arts and culture. “Here’s how you kill cultural programs: You reduce their funding so that they have to struggle to maintain their standards of content with a smaller budget. Then, when what little audience they have disappears, you can justify quashing them entirely,” Callanan says.

november 5 - November 19, 2009

“If my last name was Goudie, I’d be on NTV / If I lived in a gazebo, I’d be a sheltered G / If I had a big ego, I’d be Great Big Sea / And if I lied to the people I’d be ODC.” That’s the chorus of local rapper Johnny Hardcore’s latest track, “No Vaseline 2010”, released a few weeks ago. It’s a diss track aimed at local media, the general public, and at a particular rap promotion company. ODC were the promoters behind a show earlier this year where international rap star Nas failed to show, claiming he wasn’t paid in full. ODC, in turn, claim they were short-changed by another entertainment company, which was dealing directly with the rapper. The show left both ticket holders and ODC empty handed out of money and out of luck.

continually checking your Facebook account. For a short trip, fresh fruit and vegetables with plenty of canned food might be all you need. To prepare for a longer trip, though, a food dehydrator is a must. Through the miracle of dehydration 100 pounds of bulky, spoilable raw ingredients can become 10 pounds of edible, easy to pack, virtually indestructible fruit leather and beef jerky. Mac and cheese is a great staple meal, so bring plenty of pasta and cheddar (which I was astonished to find would last months if unopened). Rice with lentils and dehydrated vegetables is another. And for a quick snack, nothing beats popcorn doused with lots of spices and cooked over an open fire.

Most importantly you’ll want something to keep you sane while you’re out there. Sure, living on a deserted island seems romantic enough in itself. But if you don’t have anything to do you’re going to get bored. I suggest you give yourself a project, preferably one that keeps you on the move. Bring a plant guide and make a list of every species you can find out there. Pick berries and make fresh jam every morning. Make detailed records of the temperature/winds/precipitation/ tides/phases of the moon/whatever. Build cairns on all the highest points of land. As long as it’s time consuming and enjoyable it doesn’t really matter what you do. You’re going to love it! Your first night alone might be a little scary, but it quickly gets much easier. Maybe the hardest thing will be coming home at the end.

Other gear

Comment on this article online at thescope.ca

Hardcore—also known as John Young—has says he decided to make the track after he created the Facebook group “I want my money back from ODC productions”, where he argued that since ODC’s name was on the ticket, they should be the ones to refund money to people who paid to see Nas. After creating the group Young says he was verbally attacked— people called him washed up and in a rut—and the twice ECMAnominated rapper didn’t take kindly to it. “[This track] is obviously a taunt on my part. If I’m so ‘untalented’ then get someone who’s a better rapper than me from Newfoundland to respond back,” says Young. “We can have a war of words and let the people decide who won or if I am

washed up.” While attention for the local scene is growing slowly, says Young, it’s too slow for many of the performers in town who are frustrated by low show turnouts and lack of media attention to non-parody rap acts. He says fans also feel put out by the recent string of cancelled or delayed shows by international rap stars. “The hip hop scene here is stale,” says Young. “The guys who bring in out of town shows don’t care about local hip hop. There are very few DJs who even know how to scratch. The breakdancers, rappers, and DJs don’t communicate, and a lot of mediocre talents are getting their egos stroked.” Young’s track, called “No Vaseline 2010”, was inspired by the diss track made by controversial rapper Ice Cube in 1991 “No Vaseline” which had a similarly angry and broad target. Will there be a response? Stay tuned... You can hear the track on Young’s myspace page at www.myspace. com/therealjohnnyhardcore.

Of course you’re going to need a lot of other gear, too. Get the best tent and sleeping bag you can afford.

Comment online at

thescope.ca/fieldnotes Johnny Hardcore. (Photo by Kelly Best)

onstage

ages. I assume it’s for those 19 or up... Including your daughter? Did you find her a fake ID? I think babies can be snuck in.

The woman I’ve become Photo by Clair Hipditch

Cult play Hedwig and the Angry Inch follows the story of a transgendered rock goddess from her humble roots in communist East Berlin to her botched sex-change operation, her life in the United States, her rivalry with fellow rock star Tommy Gnosis, and her fight for fame, recognition, and self-acceptance.

Brad Hodder, who stars in C2C Theatre’s production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, spoke with The Scope’s Juls Mack about the play, and about sneaking extremely underage girls into bars. Did you have any qualms about doing such a controversial play here in St. John’s? Yeah, no. With C2C that’s not actually a conversation we ever have. The advantage of being here, running a company, is that you can pick the shows you want to do. The shows that are either good roles for you or the shows that challenge you as an artist, or you know, whatever you want. No one’s making million of bucks on this anyway, so you do shows that you want to do. I’ve got a hundred other things to do with my free time than go to rehearsal, so I pick things like Hedwig, so it’s fun to go to work.

on stage theatre • dance & burlesque spoken & written • comedy

And about the controversy... Uhh.. Whatever. St. John’s can handle it. So would you invite your nan to the show? No. No, I won’t invite my grandmother, but I think my folks will be there. And, uh, I just had a baby, over the summer, three months old and I’m hoping she’ll make it down to the show. Oh, is the production all-ages even though it’s in a bar? I guess not, because it is in a bar— the Rock House—and we are doing it as a bar show, so it can’t be all The Holy Show, $25, Holy Heart Theatre-55 Bonaventure Ave 579-4424 (Thu Nov 12 at 7:30pm)

performance &dance

theatre

Show, $45, Bianca’s Restaurant-171 Water St (Wed Nov 11 at 1pm)

Adventures in Winterland (PushPin

Salsa, Tango & Latin Dance, $5, Bella Vista (Tuesdays at 7pm)

Hedwig & The Angry Inch (C2C Theatre) Rock musical featuring Brad Hodder & Janet Cull plus a collection of local musicians as backup band The Angry Inch, $10, Rock House-George St (With Kujo Thu Nov 19 at 8:30pm / Matt Hornell & The Diamond Minds Sat Nov 21at 11:30pm) Little Women (Theatre St John’s) This musical staring Tina Maddigan follows the adventures of the beloved March sisters as they grow up in Civil War America. $15/$25, Holy Heart Theatre-55 Bonaventure Ave 579-4424 (Thu Nov 5 – Sun Nov 8 at 8pm / matinees on Fri Nov 6 & Sun Nov 8)

Our Celtic Spirit...in Crayon (Spirit of Newfoundland) A frazzled teacher and a less than ideal group of students discover what it means to be a Newfoundlander when they compete in a provincial cultural heritage fair competition in this musical comedy, $57.50+ (meal & show), Masonic Temple-6 Cathedral St 579-3023 (Fri Nov 6, Sat Nov 7, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14) Stucco In The 80’s (Spirit of Newfoundland) Big Hair, Big Shoulder Pads & Big Hits: A musical comedy review from the time when Madonna, Tina Turner & Dirty Dancing were all the rage. Featuring Sheila Williams, Dana Parsons & Steve Power, $57.50+ (meal & show), Masonic Temple-6 Cathedral St 579-3023 (Thu Nov 19)

Hedwig and the Angry Inch runs Thursday, November 19th at 8:30pm with special guests Kujo and Saturday, November 21st at 8:30pm and 11:30pm with Matt Hornell & The Diamond Minds at the Rock House on George Street. Tickets are $10 and can be bought at Model Citizens and Fred’s Records. Comment on this article online at thescope.ca

God - In Honour of Newfoundland’s Missing During the Great War, Coles-Avalon Mall (Sat Nov 7 from 1pm-3pm)

Book Signing (Breakwater Books) Chad Pel-

Catwalk for Cancer: Luncheon & Fashion

Productions) Help Crissy discover where the sun really goes when it disappears during winter time in this children’s show is based on the traditions and myths surrounding the celebrations of the Winter Solstice. With musical accompaniment, $10/$15, Gower Street United Church 765-9860 (Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, Sat Nov 21 & Sun Nov 22 at 2pm)

Is Hedwig is always done in rock bars? No, not always. It’s been done in restaurants, and it gets done in proper theatres sometimes. The idea of using the Rock House was credited to Charlie, the artistic director. He was very clear from the onset that he wanted to do this as a rock show and have that feel and vibe, with not really big production values, but rather a very raw... a very simplified sort of version. It’s kind of what C2C does, we try to always strip things down. We try to look for what are the bare necessities we need to tell the story. You end up having to make very creative choices, like you find these plays that sometimes need a living room, but, say, you can’t have a living room. So it forces you to think about, well, why is it a living room?

David Copperfield, Mile One Centre 5767657 (Sat Nov 7 & Sun Nov 8)

ley signs Away from Everywhere, Costco (Tue Nov 10 from 6pm-8pm)

Book Signing (Breakwater Books) Chad Pelley signs Away from Everywhere, Costco (Tue Nov 17 from 6pm-8pm)

Book Signing (DRC Publishing) Children’s author & Illustrator Necie signs copies of There’s No Place Like My Newfoundland and Labrador Home, Costco (Sun Nov 15 from 2pm-4pm)

Five Minute Friday (Storytelling Festival) With Hubert Furey, Eleanor Dawson, Mike Breen, Jenny Gear, Dave Paddon, Alice Lannon, Frank Holden, Michael Mooney & host Anita Best, $10, Gower St United Church Hall (Fri Nov 6 from 8pm-10pm)

Skirt Full of Milonga: Free Argentine tango class at 7:30pm; Dance at 8pm, $10, beginners welcome, MUN University Centre-The Landing 753-6105 (Every 4th Saturday)

Late Night Tales (Storytelling Festival) With Kira Van Deusen & Elinor Benjamin, $5, Quidi Vidi Brewery (Thu Nov 5 at 9pm)

Tango On The Edge: A social gathering to

pioneer Dorris Heffron, Eastern Edge Gallery-72 Harbour Dr 739-1882 (Wed Nov 18 at 7pm)

dance Argentine Tango, 8:30pm-10:30pm, $5, RCA Club-10 Bennett Ave (Thursdays)

spoken& written Book Launch (Oolichan Books) Leslie Vryenhoek launches her debut collection of stories, Scrabble Lessons, The Ship (Tue Nov 17 at 8pm) Book Launch: What We’re Made Of by Ryan Turner. Music by Sherry Ryan, The Ship (Mon Nov 23 at 8pm) Book Launch: Participate in the new launch of NL’s first novel, the late-Victorian romance, Only A Fisherman’s Daughter, by Anastasia English, Bianca’s-171 Water St (Tue Nov 10 at 5pm) Book Launch: Ellen Curtis celebrates first novel Compendium, Chapters (Nov 14 from 1pm-3pm) Book Signing (Breakwater Books) Chad Pelley signs Away from Everywhere, Chapters (Sat Nov 7 from 1pm-3pm)

Book Signing (Breakwater Books) Frank Gogos & Morgan MacDonald sign Known Unto

Literary Reading: With young adult fiction Noriko (Storytelling Festival) Silent storytelling & mime, all ages are welcome, free, AC Hunter Children’s Library 737-3954 (Sat Nov 7 at 11am)

Storytelling Circle’s 5th Birthday: An open mic of local tales by local tellers w/ resident fabulist Dale Jarvis, $3, Crow’s Nest Officer’s Club (Thu Nov 5 at 7:30pm)

Tales from an Irish Fireside (Storytelling Festival) With Mike Burns, Katherine Grier, Mary-Eileen McClear & host Fergus O’Byrne, $10, Gower St United Church Hall (Sat Nov 7 from 8pm-10pm) Young Voices (Storytelling Festival) Storytelling by students from Holy Cross & Bishop Field, $2/$5, Gower St United Church Hall (Thu Nov 5 from 7pm-9pm)

comedy Canadian Comedy Awards: Best Comic in Canada with Gerry Dee-The Next Chapter, $35+, Marconi Hall 576-7657 (Sun Nov 15 at 7:30pm)

Help Wanted Looking for fit, attractive, drug-free ladies to work at new fully equipped massage studio. We can provide the independent female with... • Flexible shifts • Above average income • Clean modern upscale studio • Friendly Staff Tel. (709) 753-6586

Comedy Sundays, $2, The Levee-Holdsworth Crt (Sundays at 8pm)

november 5 - November 19, 2009

thescope 19

100%localcomics

freewillastrology

rob brezsny IS NOT PUSILLANIMOUS

comic sans by Andrew Power

 Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) Your anti-role model—the person you should be the opposite of -- is the Scorpio warrior, U.S. General George Patton, also known as “Old Blood and Guts.” He once said, “Practically everyone but myself is a pusillanimous son of a bitch.” That’s an attitude you should especially avoid in the coming weeks, since your success will depend on you seeing the best in people—even if they sometimes don’t seem to warrant it. P.S. It may be okay to think of yourself as “Old Blood and Guts” if and only if you dedicate your ferocity to the service of smart love and ingenious collaboration. Happy birthday to Eamon, Ryan Cleary, Ben Jackson, Bryhanna Greenough and Sara Tilley.

 Sagittarius (Nov 22 – December 21) Congratulations, Sagittarius! Free Will Astrology’s Task Force on Creative Suffering has confirmed that your current dilemmas are exceptionally interesting and useful. You have demonstrated an impressive talent for getting embroiled in riddles that promise to bring out your dormant reserves of vitality and ingenuity. The dumfounding questions you’ve been wrestling with are high-caliber tests that have drawn you closer to the heart of the reasons you’re here on Earth. Take full advantage of this beautiful mess, my dear. Chaos this fertile is hard to come by.

werebears and only children by Jennifer Barrett

 Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) When Dante was nine years old, long before he became one of Italy’s supreme poets, he fell in love with Beatrice, an eight-year-old girl he met at a May Day party. They never had a close relationship. In the years after their initial encounter, they met infrequently, and both eventually married other people. But Beatrice played a crucial role throughout Dante’s life, although she died at the age of 24. She was not just his muse, but also his “beatitude, the destroyer of all vices and the queen of virtue, salvation.” Dante even wrote her into his Divine Comedy in the role of a guide. Is there any person or influence in your life equivalent to Beatrice? Any once-upon-a-time blessing that might be ready to give you the fullness of the gifts it has been waiting all this time to deliver?

 Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) I would love it if you could find a sword that could cut itself. Or a fire that could burn itself. Or some water you could wash. But even if you can conjure the magic to attract an experience that simply resembles one of those marvelous paradoxes, it would set in motion a series of epiphanies that would liberate you from an inferior paradox -- a confusing absurdity that is not worthy of you and that has been draining your life force.

Ms. Quote by T.L. Fleming

has changed in the last 30 years. Science has rehabilitated the reputation of wetlands, showing how crucial they are. They clean toxins from water, help control floods and soil erosion, and are home to more biological diversity than any other ecosystem. The coming weeks would be an excellent time for you to make a comparable conversion, Aries. Something you once demeaned or underestimated could become an inspirational catalyst.

 Taurus (April 20 – May 20) In the coming week, you will have the potential to articulate what has never been spoken before and to name truths that everyone has been avoiding. Uncoincidentally, you may also be able to hear what you’ve never been able to hear up until now and tune in to truths you’ve been oblivi-

Horoscopes 20 thescope

Scorpio

(October 23 November 21)

Black is the old black

november 5 - November 19, 2009

 Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Nature’s rhythm is cyclical. Everything alive waxes and wanes. If you’re smart, you honor that flow by periodically letting parts of your world wither or go to sleep. If you’re not so smart, you set yourself up for needless pain by indulging in the delusion that you can enjoy uninterrupted growth. According to my reading of the astrological omens, Gemini, this is your time to explore the creative possibilities of ebbing and slackening. Ask yourself the following question, which I’ve borrowed from the Jungian author Clarissa Pinkola Estes: “What must I allow to die today in order to generate more life tomorrow?”

 Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Pregnant women sometimes have unusual cravings. From the fourth to sixth month of her daughter’s gestation period, for example, my friend Marta was on occasion beset by the longing to eat toothpaste. I’ve known other women who fantasized about nibbling on mud, coffee grounds, and chalk. Fortunately, they all resisted the urge, which is what health practitioners recommend. Instead they tried to figure out if their bodies were trying to tell them about some legitimate deficiency of vitamins or minerals. I offer this to you as a metaphor to keep in mind. As your own special creation ripens, you may experience odd desires. Don’t necessarily take them at face value.

 Leo (July 23 – August 22)

It might be tempting to turn your home into a womb-like sanctuary and explore the mysteries of doing absolutely nothing while clad in your pajamas. And frankly, this might be a good idea. After the risks you’ve taken to reach out to the other side, after the bridges you’ve built in the midst of the storms, after the skirmishes you’ve fought in the Gossip Wars, you have every right to retreat and get  Pisces (February 19 – March 20) your homebody persona humming The planets are aligned in such at a higher vibration. So I say: a way that suggests you may be Be meticulously leisurely as you able to experience an orgasm Homework celebrate the deep pleasures of solely by meditating. This rare I invite you to launch self-care. cosmic alignment also means that a crusade to raise the it’s conceivable you could generlevel of well-being  Virgo (August 23 – September 22) ate money or attract new resourceverywhere you go. “Hey Rob: I was having trouble finReport results to es by following your holy bliss, or FreeWillAstrology.com ishing my novel -- typical writer’s that you might stumble upon the block. So I sidetracked myself tricky treasure you’ve been lookinto making silly creative projects ing for in all the wrong places. -- papier-mache chickens, masks But I can’t say for sure that you made out of junk mail, collages incorporating will actually be able to capitalize on any of bottle caps and dryer lint. I can’t say any of it these remarkable opportunities. It will depend is ‘art,’ but I feel creative again and my house on whether you can more fully express one is full of colorful stuff I whipped up myself. of the skills that is your birthright as a Pisces: If you wait to be perfect, I concluded, you’ll being wild and disciplined at the same time. never make anything. I tried something I knew I’d be bad at, so failure didn’t matter. Now  Aries (March 21 – April 19) I’m branching out with my inadequacy -- not There was a time when wetlands were conwaiting for Mr. Perfect but having a beer with sidered dismal and unproductive. At best they Joe Flawed, forgetting to be right all the time, were thought to be a waste of space, and admitting that I haven’t a clue. I’ve become at worst stinky breeding grounds for insect smilingly, brilliantly dumb. —Inappropriate pests. For over 200 years, many marshes, Virgo.” Dear Inappropriate: Congrats! You’re bogs, and swamps were filled with dirt and doing exactly what I want to advise all Virgos transformed into places suitable for farms, everywhere to try. houses, and recreational areas. But all that

Everybody cheer up by Bryan Melanson

second opinion

ous to. As you might imagine, Taurus, you must fully activate both of these capacities in order for either to function at its best.

 Libra (September 23 – October 22) At a yard sale today, I paid a dollar for a stained, pocket-sized horoscope book with many of its pages missing. The reason I made such an odd investment is that it had a forecast for Libra for the first part of November 2009, and this forecast struck me as even more useful than the horoscope I had composed for you. As a public service, I’m providing it here. “The graceful dragonfly lives for just a few months. But a sequoia tree’s time on earth can last 2,000 years. In the same way, some bonds, some creations, some worlds, endure for a mere blink in eternity, while others are destined to outfox the ravages of time. What will be the lifespan of the dream you recently hatched, Libra? It is time to decide and take action.”

j Sagittarius

L Capricorn

J Aquarius

n Aries

z Taurus

h Gemini

f Cancer

 Leo

x Virgo

(November 22 – Dec 21)

(December 22 – January 19)

(January 20 – February 18)

(February 19 – March 20)

(March 21 – April 19)

(April 20 – May 20)

(May 21 – June 21)

(June 22 – July 22)

(July 23 – August 22)

(August 23 – September 22)

(September 23 – October 22)

There’s red on you

KHAN!

Kill Nicholas for honey

Dee Dee King, not Ramone

Sydney Briar is alive

Kitties for you!

Eat some ham

Get ready for mind control!

Two of hearts. Come on, come on.

You are 2000-andlate

p Pisces

Jinkies! There’s no ghost!

Libra

events community events • lectures & forums • daytime music • kids & teens • meetings & classes

community events Anglican Cathedral Flea Market, PARISH HALL-66 QUEEN’S Rd (Sat Nov 14 from 9am-2pm) Bake Sale (MUN Drama) University Centre (Fri Nov 6 at 10am) CLB Sunday Market: Flea market & craft fair, CLB Armoury-Harvey Rd (Sundays from 10am-4pm)

Christmas Dinner & Dance (Public Sector Pensioners Assoc) $18.50, Knights of ColumbusSt Clare Ave 754-5730 (Fri Nov 13) Fine Craft & Design Fair (Craft Council) Fine crafts from across the province, demonstrations, free admission, Arts & Culture Centre (Thu Nov 5 - Sun Nov 8 / Wed Nov 11 - Sun Nov 15)

International Food & Craft Fair (Multicultural Women’s Organization NL) Display & sales of authentic food and crafts from more than 20 countries. Children’s play room with storytelling, face painting, crafts activities & international music, $2/$5, Holiday Inn-Grand Salon (Sun Nov 8 from 10am-6pm)

Breastfeeding Support Group (La Leche League) The topic of discussion will be The Art of Breastfeeding and Avoiding Common Difficulties, babies welcome, free, Sobey’s-Torbay Rd 754-3610 (Mon Nov 9 at 7pm)

Caregiver Conversations: A Support

at 7:30pm)

Place, Narrative & New Media Symposium (Storytelling Festival) Featuring Chris Brookes-[Here] Say; Marlene Brooks-3D Virtual World Storytelling; Jedediah Baker-City of Memory; Marilyn Dawe-Explora; Cupids Touch, Free but must register jedediah.edwin.baker@mun.ca, Johnson GEO Centre (Thu Nov 5 from 1pm-4pm)

Provincial Archives 50th Anniversary; Access & Authenticity: The Conservation of the Newfoundland Heroes: In acknowledgement of the sacrifices of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment an archival record will be unveiled for public viewing by Greg Hill plus The Forgotten Force-NL Royal Naval Reserve 19001922 by David Parsons, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000 (Sun Nov 8 at 2pm)

Rheumatoid Arthritis Forum (Arthritis Society) With Dr Sean Hamilton-Arthritis Specialist, free, Capital Hotel, Kenmount Rd (Thu Nov 5 at 7pm)

St James’ Way: Suzelle Lavallée will discuss her experiences, Centre des Grands-Vents-65 Ridge Rd 726-4900 (Thu Nov 5 at 5pm) Women’s Rights & Nationalism (Women’s Studies Speakers Series) Understanding Tamil Militant Women’s Concerns with Zincia Francis, MUN Science-4087 (Fri Nov 13 at 12pm)

daytime music

Jigg’s Dinner, $12, Trinity United ChurchRichard Nolan Dr-Mt Pearl 834-3558 (Wed Nov 11 at 5:30pm) Live Art Auction: Eastern Edge Gallery’s

kell plays varied programs of sacred and secular works, free, Anglican Cathedral (Wednesdays at 1:15pm)

Olympic Torch Relay: Celebrate the arrival of the Olympic Flame, Bowring Park (Fri Nov 13 from 5pm-7pm)

Provincial Archives 50th Anniversary: Archives Open House & Public Reception:Tours of the archival work areas & vaults, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000 (Fri Nov 20 at 10am & 2pm)

St John’s Farmers’ Market: Support our local economy & celebrate community spirit, Lion’s Chalet-Newtown Rd (Saturdays from 9am-2pm)

essary, Auntie Crae’s (Tuesdays at 12pm)

The Great Casavant Organ: David Drin-

Artist Talk: With textile artist Heather Reeves, in conjunction with the group exhibition Migrations, Craft Council-59 Duckworth St 7532749 (Sat Nov 7 at 2pm) Artist Talk: Last summer Michael Flaherty un-

kids& teens the changes a little fish must go through as we take journey through the lifecycle of a trout, The Fluvarium-5 Nagle’s Pl 754-3474 (Saturdays & Sundays)

Language Dead or Alive (MUN Anthropology) What’s in a Dictionary: Seminar presentation by Dr Jean Briggs, Professor Emeritus. All welcome, Queen’s College-4028 (Thu Nov 5 at 5pm) Montréal ‘Musiques émergentes’: A community without identity: Martin Lussier is interested in the categorization processes in popular music, particularly in Montréal, MMaP Gallery, Arts & Culture Centre-2nd fl (Thu Nov 12

Send your community listings to listings@thescope.ca

thescope.ca/community

Starring Melanie Barrett, Dylan Brenton, Timothy Fosse, Sharon King-Campbell and Megan Rowsell. Musical Composition/Accompaniment by Andrew Boyd, Matthew Drover, Ashley Barrett and Jeremy House. Directed by Emily Veryard Matinees Nov 14, 15 & Nov 21, 22 @ 2pm at the New Gower Street United Church 10$ Children / 15$ Adults PushPin Production’s premier children’s show is based on the traditions and myths surrounding the celebrations of the winter solstice. Interactive and educational, this show is fun for the whole family!

Gardens, Nature Trails, Family Programs, Gift Shop, Tea Room

Reserve tickets by calling 765-9860 or purchase them at the door!

Open daily, May - November Located at 306 Mount Scio Road Telephone: 737-8590 www.mun.ca/botgarden

new perspectives of writing and story telling. Open to all, free, Dynamis Health Centre-95 Torbay Rd (Tuesdays at 7:30pm)

Public Meeting: Downtown Parking Study, St John’s City Hall-Foran Rm (Tue Nov 10 at 7pm)

Seniors Bridging Cultures:

FIND THE MOST GS up-TO-DATE LISTIN ONLINE AT

Storytelling Festival: Kid’s

thescope.ca

Program with Noriko Yamamoto & Gerry Kumagai, free, AC Hunter LibraryArts & Culture Centre (Sat Nov 7 at 11am)

Storytime Program: Reading, rhymes, fingerplays and fun are waiting for your 3-5 year old every week, free but must register, Michael Donovan Library-Topsail Rd 737-2621 (Thu Nov 5 & 12 from 9:30am-10am)

ielle Hann, O’Reilly’s Irish Pub (Sundays at 3pm)

The Past and Future of Archives in NL: A symposium to celebrate the important work of archives, highlighting a variety of topics such as public records, health & dance, free, Mail foyer, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre (Fri Nov 6 from 8:45am-4:30pm)

By Melanie Barrett and Emily Veryard

ings in St John’s area, call 738-1742 for more info

“Ordinary Things “, in conversation with Joan Sullivan Managing Editor of The Quarterly, Emma Butler Gallery-111 George St W (Thu Nov 19 at 7pm)

Examining the Archival Footprint:

informal environment for women of all ages to perform, experiment & share stories about making music, Arts & Culture Centre-2nd Fl, Old Gallery 746-2399 (Mondays at 7:30pm)

in art, writing, film, theatre, journalism, yoga & Aikido, open to all youth aged 15-35, Gower St United Church 722-8848 (Weekdays from 12pm-6pm)

Le Café Français Hebdo: Un lieu où les francophones et francophiles peuvent socialiser en français. L’anglais est interdit, Atlantic Place, près de Starbucks (tous les dimanche à 16h)

Help Crissy discover where the sun REALLY goes when it disappears in winter time.

Women’s Accordion Circle: An

For the Love of Learning: Free classes

Cabot_Hill_Hurling_Club@yahoo.ca for details (Saturdays)

A PushPin Fundraiser for the Janeway Hospital

Paper Trails Writing Group: Explore

A Fish’s Tail: It’s spawning season. Discover

the basics of celestial navigation while you discover more about one of our greatest explorers, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 7578000 (Sun Nov 8 from 2pm-4pm)

the history of downtown, everyone welcome, free, Auntie Crae’s (Saturdays at 10am, rain or shine)

stroll through the flower gardens & see what’s in bloom this week, Suitable for families, MUN Botanical Garden-306 Mt Scio Rd 737-8590 (Sundays at 12pm)

Hurling: Training ongoing, Contact

in Winterland

Trivia Night, Rose & Thistle (Tuesdays) Walk on Water: Get fit, meet people & learn

Flower Garden Tour: Take a leisurely

days)

Young Performers: Open mic with Den-

Creole African-American Vernacular English with Sylvie Dubois (Louisiana State Uni), MUN Arts & Admin-1043 (Fri Nov 6 at 7pm)

East Coast Trail Hike: Deadman’s Bay, Blackhead & Cape Spear (25.8km, strenuous) Meet at parking lot near Prosser’s Rock Boat Basin near Fort Amherst at 8am, pre-register at delaneyecta@yahoo.com (Sat Nov 7)

Overeaters Anonymous: Weekly meet-

Christopher Pratt Talk: Join author of

Distinctive Paths of Linguistic Resistance: The Case of Cajun Vernacular English &

(Community Garden Alliance) Get your hands dirty & help out at the Rabbittown Community Garden. Workshops too, 36 Graves St (Sundays 12:30pm-2pm)

Men’s Darts, Darnell’s Pub 782-2440 (Thurs-

Young Musicians, Open mic at Shamrock City Pub (Sundays at 2pm)

Maasen, Heinrich-Heine University, Dusseldorf. All welcome, MUN Science 2098 (Thu Nov 5 at 2pm)

Community Garden Gathering:

(Thursdays at 8:45am)

dertook a three-month interdisciplinary ceramic art project on the Grey Islands, an uninhabited island off NL’s east coast, Eastern Edge Gallery-72 Harbour Dr 739-1882 (Mon Nov 9 at 7pm)

Conflict Solving in Gandhi & Whitehead (MUN Philosophy) Presented by Helmut

Comic Jam: Get together with local comic artists to create, share, conspire & discuss. Bring your own drawing materials, 7pm, free, Hava Java (Last Monday of month)

Mall Walkers Club, Avalon Mall, 737-2333

Learn to Navigate like Captain Bob Bartlett: Learn

lectures& forums

Cervical Cancer Prevention: Free info session with Susan Earles, Cervical Screening Initiatives Program Coordinator, AC Hunter Children’s Library 737-3950 (Tue Nov 17 at 7pm)

Adventures

The Rooms: Free admission, 9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000 (Wednesdays 6pm-9pm)

Green Drinks: An informal get together for those who work, volunteer or have an interest in environment & conservation related issues, 7pm-9pm, no cover, The Ship (Last Wednesday of month)

Auntie Crae’s Band, free-no purchase nec-

25th Anniversary Celebration with emcee John Sheehan, music by The Once & auctioneer Chris O’Dea, $45, Johnson Geo Centre-175 Signal Hill Rd 739-1882 (Sat Nov 7 at 7pm)

Group for Unpaid Caregivers, Community Room, Sobeys-Merrymeeting Rd 726-2370 (Every third Monday)

The Reach: Explore topics of faith through guest speakers & artists in relaxed setting. Short meditation on scriptures & singing, free/free will offering, St Thomas’ Church (Last Sunday of month at 7:30pm)

meetings& classes

clubs • groups • free classes & workshops Aikido Class (For the Love of Learning) Instructor Luigi Chiaramonte,free to all youth aged 15-35, Gower St United Church-Ring the bell on harbour side 722-8848 (Mon, Wed & Fri from 12:30pm-2pm) Avalon Wesleyan Church: Weekly meet up in a casual atmosphere with coffee & contemporary music, free, Rabbittown Theatre-106 Freshwater Rd 576-6937 (Sundays at 10am) Bike Repair: Everyone welcome to use workshop, MUN Engineering 1015-E (Wednesdays 5pm-9pm)

Bike Workshop (Bikeshare) How to clean and oil your chain, free & open to all, MUN Engineering 1015-E (Wed Nov 11 from 6pm-7pm) Bike Workshop (Bikeshare) Workshop for Volunteer Mechanics, free & open to all, MUN Engineering 1015-E (Sat Nov 7 from 1pm-4pm)

Tea, guest speakers & conversation, Seniors Resource Centre 737-2333 (Thursdays at 2pm)

Seniors Friendship Club, Seniors Resource Centre 737-2333 (Fridays at 2pm)

Shambhala Meditation Group: Meditation helps us appreciate

ourselves, others, and our world, free, Billy Rahl Fieldhouse-rear Elizabeth Towers 576-4727 (Wednesdays 7:30pm & Sundays 10am)

Sketchy Doodlers: Drawing club in comfortable den with tea & beer available, free, A1C Gallery-8 Clift’s-Baird’s Cove 237-0427 (Thursdays at 7pm)

Slow Food St John’s: Celebrate fine food and meet fellow food enthusiasts. Sample fresh local products and share your own preserves. Eric Wood & Nadya Kyutukchiev will share their experiences of preserving local foods, $10/$15, Cochrane Street United Church Hall (Sun Nov 8 at 3pm)

St John’s City Council Meeting: Refer to Council Agenda at www.stjohns.ca (posted Friday afternoon), Public welcome, City Hall-Council Chambers, 4th fl (Mondays at 4:30pm)

Grenfell Artisans: Rug Hooking: View hooked mats produced by the Grenfell Mission and explore the artful practice of rug hooking for yourself, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000 (Sun Nov 15 from 2pm-4pm)

Sunday Morning Nature Hike: Explore barrens, boreal forest, or bog as you hike one of our nature trails with education staff, MUN Botanical Garden-306 Mt Scio Rd 737-8590 (Sundays at 10am)

Super Trivia Night, Bitter’s Pub (Thursdays from 8pm-11pm)

Taking off the Mask (Storytelling Festival) Finding Your Stories, Your Voice and Your Style: A workshop for young tellers aged 13-18 with Katherine Grier, free but must register storytellingstjohns@gmail.com, Gower St United Church Hall (Fri Nov 6 from 3:30pm-5:30pm) The Pottle Centre: A social & recreation centre for consumers of mental health services. New members welcome, 323 Hamilton Ave 753-2143

november 5 - November 19, 2009

thescope 21

thescope

classifieds To place an ad go to thescope.ca/classifieds

Jobs

How to submit a classified ad for print

Wanted: Backdrop painter for upcoming Nutcracker production by Kittiwake Dance Theatre. Backdrop is appox. 30 x 40’, of ‘Candyland’; completion date: December 1/09; materials will be supplied; price negotiable. Contact Martin Vallee, Kittiwake’s Artistic Director at 765-4499 or email martinv@ nl.rogers.com AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Online classifieds are free but you can choose to upgrade them to print for a small fee.

Actors Needed (experience not necessary) I’m making a short film and need some ‘actors’ - it’s a traditional song re-told, so although there are lines, the song may be the audio track - but it’s not a music vid. need: 3x 180cm+ medium to big guys, somewhat athletic minimal pay offered, but fun and fast (one 1/2 day or two 1/2 day shoots only) shooting on a weekend day in Nov. Contact online at www.thescope.ca/classifieds

Place a classified in the print edition: All of our classifieds are placed through a self-serve system online. For $15 dollars, your 30word ad can be printed in the next edition. To place an ad in the paper, go to thescope.ca, click “Free Online Classifieds,” then “Post a NEW Classified.” Fill out as much information as you like, then click "Post Classified." On the next page click the “Upgrade to the Print Edition” button. You will be taken to the PayPal site—there you can pay by credit card or your PayPal account.

Housing experienced Housesitter available Currently housesitting in the downtown/Georgestown area, I’m looking for another housesitting opportunity for November 1st or thereafter. References available - clean and tidy, vegetarian, good with gardening, full-time working person. I have a very clean, friendly, indoor cat who is currently staying with me in the current housesitting situation. Contact online at www.thescope.ca/classifieds

For Sale DOG SWEATERS FOR SALE. Hand-knit sweaters for SMALL DOG BREEDS. Various colors and sizes from x-small to large. Keep your little ones warm this winter! Prices from $10 up to $18. Contact online at www.thescope. ca/classifieds

Cost: Classifieds printed in the paper cost 30 words for $15. Ads of more than 30 words will be edited to that size for print.

Bulletin Board Volunteer Tutors Needed for the Association for New Canadians

Deadline for print: Monday before publication, 5pm

We are recruiting volunteers for in-home tutoring for both newcomer children and adults. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact host@nfld.net or 722-0921.

Refunds/cancellations:

LBGTQ Community Forum. Planned Par-

We do not offer any refunds for early cancellations of paid print classifieds or web upgrades.

enthood - NL Sexual Health Centre is hosting a Community Forum to talk about the LBGTQ Youth Group and other services. Open to public. Monday November 23, 2009, 6:30-8:30pm. The Lantern, 35 Barnes Road. For info. call 579-1009 or 699-0509.

Adopt Me...

SPCA St. John’s - 726-0301 - www.spcastjohns.org

CROSSWORD

22 thescope

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november 5 - November 19, 2009

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’m a 20-year-old girl, and I’ve been dating my boyfriend, who is 23, for two years. From the get-go, he has known that I am bi, and like most straight guys, he’s happy to be with a girl who likes girls. The thing is, I am too shy to go out and hit on a girl. Getting a man was the easy part, but getting a girl who is willing to fuck around not only with me but also with my boyfriend is a daunting task. I encourage my boyfriend to talk to women since he is good eye candy. But I get kinda sorta jealous when he actually goes and talks to other women. It’s a weird game that gives me a headache. All I want is to satisfy my cravings for a woman—is that too much to ask? Am I just being selfish? Why can’t girls just appear in my bedroom? Crazy About Girls Eternally Because you’re not Logan, CAGE, and there’s no such thing as the Circuit (www. tinyurl.com/cfj89d)—not yet, anyway, even if the internet kinda sorta comes close. If watching your boyfriend hit on girls— ostensibly on your behalf— gives you a headache and makes you jealous, then you’re going to have to learn to hit on girls yourself, CAGE, Dan Savage mail@savagelove.net either in person or online. And you might have more success landing a willing bisexual girl—a girl who’s interested in you and your boyfriend—if you made the passes. Nice, sexually adventurous girls approached by 23-year-old pieces of male eye candy about two-girls/one-guy threesomes will assume that it’s about Eye Candy’s fantasies, not the girlfriend’s. And if you’re hanging back, looking uncomfortable, jealous, and headachy, even a girl who might be up for a threesome is going to read reluctance into your demeanor, presume your boyfriend is pressuring you, and politely decline. Or she’s going to think you have the swine flu and decline. If you want pussy, CAGE, you’ll have to take the lead. Remember: It’s okay to be geeky and inept and awkward when you’re hitting on someone; some people think it’s cute, and smooth is overrated when it comes to making passes. (Your boyfriend sounds pretty smooth—what has it gotten you?) Practice a few cheesy lines, something direct and truthful, something along the lines of, “We think you’re really hot, and we’ve always wanted to have a threesome”—and just blurt it out at the next pretty, flirty girl who crosses your paths. If you can’t do that, post personal ads online and flirt via e-mail. There are a lot of couples online looking for thirds, CAGE, and you’ll increase your odds of success if you

offer to be a couple’s third in exchange for the woman in the couple taking a turn as the third for you and your boyfriend. Of course, that might make your boyfriend jealous—but it’s his turn, right? •••

’m a straight female in her early 20s, currently engaged to a handsome man three years older. We’re very happy and we have a strong, healthy relationship, but lately I’ve been worried about one question: Considering my limited previous sexual experience (before him, it was oral only), is it still possible to have a long, enjoyable sex life with him? I’ve gotten some (well-intentioned, I’m sure) advice that suggests that we are both making mistakes. I can’t have a satisfying sex life without being able to compare him to anyone else, I’m told, and he’s making a huge mistake by pairing up with a less experienced partner. I hope that the individuals telling me this are wrong. I have absolutely zero interest in opening up this relationship, and I do my best to be GGG. He says I’m a great lover and a lot more confident in bed now compared to when we first made love, but I want to improve. Still, I don’t want to find out down the road that we made a mistake. Negligible Experience With Boning Are you happy? Is he happy? That’s all that matters. Just keep those lines of communication open, NEWB, while you continue to explore your sexualities together. And remind yourself every once in a while that even the less experienced partner in a relationship is allowed to have likes and dislikes, offer constructive criticisms, and make suggestions—and sometimes demands. And anyone who is being GGG for her partner has every right to expect GGG from her partner. Finally, tell the “friends” who’re offering you such unhelpful advice—tell those underminers—to go fuck themselves. Some people need to sleep around a bit before they realize what they like and whom they want. That’s not the case for everyone. And there are plenty of men and women out there in miserable, sexually dysfunctional marriages who met after both had plenty of experience. •••

have a small problem. My niece is 14, and the other day I met her boyfriend. He’s a sweet boy, with double-pierced ears and amazing fashion sense. My niece fell for him when she saw him sporting a pink jacket in the hallway of school, which is, of

AFRO-CARIBBEAN TAKE-OUT

…taste the islands mon…!

We are looking for the owner of this male Beagle found in Bauline. Please call 726-0301

(ready in 10 mins)

Toya International Market, 107 Long’s Hill

wha?

19 22

It’s comforting to think that your niece is safe with this boy, seeing as he’s a perfect little gentleman now and likely to be a perfect little pillow-chomping bottom when he grows up (or one of those rare fashion-forward tops). But a study conducted by the University of British Columbia found that gay and lesbian youth—closeted or otherwise—were more likely to get pregnant/impregnate than their straight peers. Because nothing says “I’M NOT GAY!” like a knocked-up 14-year-old girlfriend. So here’s what I’d do if I were you, ACLU: Pull the boy aside for a chat. Begin with, “You seem like a nice kid,” and then let him have it: “But if you get my niece pregnant, I will kill you.” Now pay attention to the italicized bits in what comes next: “I’d rather you didn’t fuck her—she’s 14, so are you—but if you need condoms or advice about anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I won’t repeat anything you ask me about to my sister. And don’t think I won’t kick your ass just because I’m gay. I can and I will. Oh, and love the jacket—where did you get it?” The boy will emerge from this harrowing chat aware that his girlfriend has potentially violent family members who are watching out for her—something all 14-year-old boyfriends should be made aware of—and that he can confide in you, the involved gay uncle, privately and about anything. It’s unlikely that he’ll seize the opportunity to come out to you, ACLU, and it’s important that you accept the premise of his heterosexuality (however improbable it might seem) before, during, and after your talk. You’ll be nudging him in the direction of coming out to someone, at some point, by setting an example, ACLU, while decreasing the odds that he will do real and lasting harm—read: teen pregnancy—to your niece. As for breaking her heart, well… you can’t protect her from that, and you shouldn’t bother to try. That’s what comes with being 14.

Listen to Dan Savage's podcast online at

thescope.ca/savagelove

wha?

questions by readers answers by readers www.thescope.ca/wha

scott 10

course, the reason my niece likes him. What teenage girl wouldn’t want someone to go shopping with? As a middle-aged homosexual myself, I can spot a proto-queer a mile away. Needless to say, my sister loves the boy—he’s a perfect gentleman. I’m inclined to let it be. They’re only 14; what harm could it do? Then I worry, what if this goes on for years? I don’t want her to get hurt. Then again, this boy could just grow up to be a Felix Unger–type heterosexual. Any advice? A Caring Loving Uncle

wha?

Roti, Jerk Chicken And Porkchops, Curry, Jollof Rice, Rice And Peas, Jamican Patty, Etc

CALL 579-0999 • 697-3199

milley 2

dan savage can't make girls appear in your bedroom

ROTI & JERK FLAVAS

Lady Dunfield Memorial Shelter

Found wet, cold, thin and hungry in the Town of Bauline, this stray medium hair female Calico is desperately seeking her family. If you own this cat or recognize her, please contact the shelter today at 726-0301

peanut

St. John’s

Shelter location: R.C.A.F. Road off Torbay Rd. Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm / Sat & Sun 2:30pm-4:30pm / holidays 2pm-4pm. Peanut is a very loving one year old NEUTERED male who was surrendered by his owner. If you are interested in meeting Peanut, please visit our shelter today.

savagelove

Across

1. Older female after young guys 7. Like or 9. the heaviest in the halogen series

11. In the middle of 16. Unbroken mustang 17. Yes! 18. Greeting 19. Not a croc 20. roman 8

21. Medicine used to treat allergies 22. World’s longest river

Down

2. Sash for a trad

Japanese dress 3. Uniform Resource Identifier 4. with host Brent Bambury 5. Associate in Nursing

6. Local theatre company 7. Difranco 8. Fifth note of any scale 9. Norwegian pop band/ Eureka!

10. He is a Horton 11. How long something has existed 12. Informal term for a mother 13. As what Happens?

14. A Spanish courtesy title 15. Lanka See solution on page 4.

2 large take out pizzas only $20

e v e r y W e d n e s d ay, T h u r s d ay, a n d S u n d ay, w i t h t h i s a d expires december 1, 2009 cowabunga!

geeks of the world

unite!

you have nothing to lose but your shame!!

Murray Premises • 739-8444 www.grandtime.ca Open Tuesday to Saturday

sterysa m e Tim locall d is a ned an ow erated op pany! com

timemasters 33 kenmount rd, 2nd fl, 754-3654

comic books × trade paperbacks and hardcovers × manga and anime × role-playing × table-top miniatures × collectable cards and board games × statues and model kits × toys and collectable action figures

Downtown

Tax Free Day November 12, 2009

Support local business and visit our independently owned and operated shops. Experience superior customer service. Find unique gifts for that special person on your list. Enjoy the festive atmosphere!

You’ll find it all…Downtown! A full list of participating stores coming soon to

www.downtownstjohns.com

s a t a p Za Restaurante Mexicano

Offering the finest Mexican cuisine north of the border! Enjoy lunch Monday to Friday, 12 noon - 2pm Dinner Sunday to Thursday, 4:30pm - 10:30pm Friday and Saturday, 4:30pm - 12:00 midnight Corporate bookings and private parties available! Ta k e - o u t • g i f t c e r t i f i c at e s c at e r i n g • A i r c o n d i t i o n e d

Reservations 576-MEXX 8-10 Bates hill, St. John’s