THE SCOPE | FREE EVERY OTHER THURSDAY | OCTOBER 8 - OCTOBER 22, 2009 | VOLUME 4, NUMBER 18 | ISSUE 91 | WWW.THESCOPE.CA
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ST. JOHN’S INTERNATIONA L
WOMEN’S FILM FEST
SCHEDULE, CRIT INTERVIEWS, EICS’ PICKS, TC, ETC.
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Where few chance to look (artist unknown) Photo by Rachel Jean Harding (www.flickr.com/racheljeanharding/)
COVER ART
ISSUE 91, VOL 4, NUM 18, OCT 8 - OCT 22, 2009
E-mail: inbox@thescope.ca Online: www.thescope.ca Listings: listings@thescope.ca
LISTINGS
SECTIONS
12 Music 18 Movies 25 Community Events 23 On Stage 19 Visual Arts and Museums 26 Classifieds
4 City 6 Storefront 17 Food Nerd 22 Field Notes 20 On Stage 19 Music Reviews 24 100% Local Comics 24 Free Will Astrology 26 Savage Love 21 DIY
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, Shawn Hayward, Sydney Blackmore, Rachel Jean Harding, Kerri Breen, Bryhanna Greenough, Jillian Butler, 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. 13,800 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 fact that you had to turn on the heat the other day. Free issues of The Scope are limited to one copy per reader. All rights reserved. © 2009 Proudly independent and locally owned. Founded in 2006.
Cover image from Stephen Dunn’s The Hall, making its debut at the Women’s Film Fest this month.
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E-mail: inbox@thescope.ca
BBQ, Da Slyme, and Potmaster, the conference is part of a larger ongoing effort to catalogue the history of punk in the province, especially for younger bands who don’t know...
There are lots more comments online at thescope.ca
Stig Stilletto: We were infants in
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.
From “Our punk rock heritage” by David Keating, September 24:
O
ver 30 years since Da Slyme first hit the stage in St. John’s, punk has been a continuous thread in the local music scene. In conjunction with Rock Can Roll’s Fifth Annual Music Festival, the Independent Artist Co-Op is organizing the closing night conference entitled “Preserving Our Punk Rock Heritage.” Featuring presentations with members of groups like Dog Meat
this punk thing—audience and performers alike—unsure of what the appropriate behaviours should be—so we approximated. And while it’s true that lead singer, Snotty Slyme, did end up in Emergency to be sewn for 11,that was result of pratfall on wet floor exacerbated by the panty hose he was wearing over his pants and sneakers. From such modest and beaucolic romps are fables formed. HBeez: Dog Meat BBQ, okay, cool,
but what about the current St. John’s punk and hardcore scene? Where were Weak Link? Icebreaker? Over
The Top? At Both Ends? Once Loved? Dig Up The Dead? Where were guys like Rob Forward with his Species At Risk zine? Or Steve Renouf who put out a cassette comp last winter of pretty much every band involved in the scene in the last 7 or 8 years? mc: Yes, we get it, it’s important
to understand where the roots of the punk rock scene in St. John’s came from, but at the same time, romanticizing the past isn’t doing any favors to the scene now. Johnny R: Preserving our Punk Rock
Heritage can be done with an Wiki entry, keeping our punk rock scene alive takes a little more work. Read more comments online at
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oh well at least it's not winter OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
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city
Not like you think
Structure and practice October is Autism Awareness Month and Newfoundland and Labrador has a higher rate of autism than the national average. Scientists still don’t understand what causes autism, and why doctors are diagnosing more children with the neurological disorder. Whatever the cause, the effects for parents and children alike can cripple families and limit what an otherwise-promising child can accomplish in life.
Shawn Hayward talks to one St. John’s mother about her child’s experience with autism.
G
eorgina Cook says she and her family were shocked when they heard the diagnosis. Eric, her only child, was
autistic. Being a parent would not be how she imagined. “And not just for the mom and dad, but grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles,” she says. “Especially with a young child, it’s really difficult.” Autism affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with their environment. Autistics often show repetitive behaviour, such as arranging objects in patterns, and extreme oversensitivity or lack of sensitivity to sound. Autistic people can become socially isolated and unable to find work as adults if the disorder goes untreated.
Autism affects one in 137 births in Newfoundland and Labrador, according to the Janeway. (Stock photo.)
SAPPHO’S
ANNOUNCEMENT
CATERING AVAILABLE
Dr. Melanie McLeod
CAFÉ
Perceiving differently
Cook and her husband first noticed their son was different when he wouldn’t respond to loud noises. “We were walking up the street, and a fire engine went past,” she says. “I had to cover my ears, and he didn’t even notice it.” At first Cook thought her twoyear-old son might be hearing impaired, and brought him to a public health nurse. The nurse booked them an appointment with an autism specialist at the Janeway Children’s Hospital. The waitlist for a diagnostic examination is usually 10 to 14 months, but Cook was lucky. She had brought Eric to a doctor who knew a specialist in child development. After two months on
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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.
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We welcome new patients. For appointments please call 579-2115. H E A R T M A J U N K E T S N O W H O O P W H I T E N E E A O H I O A N P E N O L O G I S T S Y A W E S O M E N E S S
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OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
EMAIL: jasonkearsey@goldstonerealestate.com WEB: www.goldstonerealestate.com
See puzzle on page 26
the waitlist, that doctor got her an appointment when another family cancelled. Early diagnosis is important for the future of an autistic child because if treatment starts he or she has a better chance to overcome the symptoms and lead a normal life. Eric soon began governmentsponsored therapy.
Parents need accounting skills
Parents of autistic children in Newfoundland and Labrador have to employ therapists themselves. The provincial government pays the parents, but parents are responsible for filing pension forms, employment insurance, and taxes with the federal government. Cook, who had been in school to become an accountant, had experience with payroll, but she says most other parents have to learn skills normally required of small business owners. “For those people with no idea about taxes and looking after a business, it can be very daunting,” says Cook. “A family just found out their child has a neurological disorder, and to nearly have to start their own small business? It’s a real challenge for them.” Government-funded therapy only lasts until the age of six in Newfoundland and Labrador. Cook took a therapy course so she could do it herself, which put her education as an accountant on hold in order to spend more time with her son. “I stayed home to take care of our son and give him the best I could possibly give him,” she says.
Eric takes applied behavioural analysis (ABA) therapy, which uses flash cards to help autistic children interpret the world around them. The child is asked to repeat phrases they’d use in daily life, and indentify things they see with categories. The therapist asks the child to point to a card showing something you’d eat, for example, and the child would point to the picture of a sandwich. Now, after seven years of therapy, Cook says her son’s verbal and social skills have improved to the point where most people wouldn’t realize he was autistic. “If you met my son and extended your hand, he should shake it and say ‘hi,’” she says. “Other children would probably back away from you. He’s not as interactive as his peers, but if they come up to him, he will talk to them about different things, and interact that way.” Many autistic children show an above average ability to memorize facts. Cook says her son is very interested in naval ships, and can see just the outline of one and tell you its name and country. “It’s amazing how much information he has in his brain,” she says.
Autistic trend
Eric is one of 190,000 Canadian children with the disorder. The Janeway Children’s Hospital estimates one in 137 children have autism here in the province. Scientists suspect autism may be caused by genetic predisposition triggered by the pregnant mother’s environment—but they don’t know the exact mechanism. Trish Williams, executive director of the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, says parents in the province are lucky to have short waitlists for treatment, but they must wait longer for diagnosis than those in other parts of Canada. If autism is noticed early, the child has a better chance to learn along with other kids their age, and to compete academically. If it’s not, the prognosis is much worse. “We have children with autism who, because of their behavioural difficulties, can only attend school for 45 minutes a day,” says Williams. “Their right to an education is being seriously limited because you can imagine: you’re not learning very much in 45 minutes.” Cook’s son, now 11, is in a Grade 6 class, and gets help from a challenging needs teacher. Cook says she’s hopeful about Eric’s future, based on how much his language and interaction has improved. “At four years old, he said his first word: ‘mom,’” she says. “At 11, now he’s talking in full sentences and has great comprehension. Seeing how far he’s come, I fully expect him to get a job and do something that he enjoys.” Respond to this article online at
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theindex Birth year of Saint Augustine of Hippo, who famously wrote “Nothing is so powerful in drawing the spirit of a man downwards as the caresses of a woman” : 354 Century in which the Catholic Church began insisting upon a celibate clergy: 12th Minimum number of times a week that having sex will decrease a man’s risk of heart attack or stroke by half, according to researchers at Queens University in Belfast: 3 Percent by which the levels of immunoglobulin A, an immune system aid, are increased in those who have sex once or twice a week, according to a University of Pennsylvania study: 30 Year in which neuropsychologist James W. Prescott published Body Pleasure and The Origins of Violence, an article which argues that sexual repression leads to increased violent behaviours: 1975 Number of credible accusations of sexual abuse against Catholic Clerics since 1950, as of 2007, according to the Roman Catholic Church: 13,000 Amount, in Canadian dollars, of the deficit ran by the St. John’s Roman Catholic archdiocese, partly due to compensation fees for victims of sexual abuse: 1.3 million Amount, in Canadian dollars, of Bishop Raymond Lahey’s posted bail following allegations of possessing child pornography: 9,000 Sources linked online at
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OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
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storefront local business news new management
New ownership for Asian Variety After 17 years, the Chiu family of Asian Variety Store at 159 Water Street have retired. The specialty grocery store, which was voted Best International Food Shop in 2008 by Scope readers, was handed over to loyal shop-goer Gaylynne Lambert in September. Says Gaylynne, “A couple of years ago I changed my diet to encompass a lot of gluten free products, so I started coming down here just about every day.” Gaylynne became acquainted with Simon Chiu and his wife Irene over the years and when she learned there was an opportunity to take over the shop, Gaylynne jumped at it. “It fits well with my lifestyle,” she says. Asian Variety was one of the first storefronts in the city to offer international goods and remains the only convenience store to service Water Street east. Good news: Gaylynne intends to change little. “It’ll still be Asian Variety with the same great groceries that everybody has come to want and expect. But we’ll expand the Asian groceries and have more convenience and lunch items.” Gaylynne also hopes to hold seminars on Chinese remedies and a ‘recipe of the week’ feature that’ll teach customers how to prepare meals using store ingredients. As for the Chius, hopefully they’re enjoying a much-earned rest. “Simon will be here from time to time,” reports Gaylynne. “He’s going to consult with us on a few things, so you still may see him around the store.” Enjoy the retirement Mr. and Mrs. Chiu! —Sydney Blackmore
local products
Pure Indigène-uity Edible partridgeberry crystals are a ‘beauty food’ produced by Indigène. The NL all-natural beauty company makes use of indigenous ingredients like bakeapples, seaweed and iceberg water in its products. Creator Lisa Walsh explains why these crystals are ‘berry’ good for you. “Partridgeberry gives you an antioxidant boost, it’s antibacterial and has lots of flavonoids and some fibre in it.” The berry is also said to have naturopathic properties for women, a discovery first made by Native Americans who would use partridgeberries to relieve cramps, regulate menstruation, induce childbirth, and ease delivery. The crystals are produced at Rodrigues Winery in Whitbourne, where partridgeberry mulch is crystallized on dryer. The crimson crystals are packaged in 200 gram travel-ready bags that can be mixed with water, smoothies, cereals or whatever you like to compensate for your daily fruit intake, says Lisa. “One gram of product is equal to 15 grams of fresh berry. With one heaping teaspoon a day, you get your percentage of fruit.” The crystals are sold at www.indigena.us and at the St. John’s Farmer’s Market. —SB
home decor
costumes
Home decor store Country Dreams from the Village Mall has opened a second location at the old Extreme Pita address, 200 Water Street. “We’re testing new waters,” says co-owner Diane Bishop. Diane created her home decor business alongside fiancé Andrew Tilley, starting out as a mall kiosk called Trinkets and Treasures. Over the years, the pair moved into a Village storefront with a new name, Country Dreams. “We have been a home decor business for 12 years, so we’re not new to what we’re doing.” With stores like Home on Water, The Weavery and Living Rooms already offering home decor downtown what makes Country Dreams special? “I try to stay away from what everybody else is doing. I look for different things. I think we’re all going to compliment each other,” says Diane. Country Home Decor on Water will operate seven days a week until the end of the Christmas season. —SB
Wondering where the heck the Avalon Mall’s San Francisco escaped to, just weeks before Halloween? It’s moved across the street to the old Emerald Palace restaurant at 56 Kenmount Road, as Halloween Distributors. The costume superstore is open seven days a week at until Oct 31st.
Downtown goes country
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OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
If you’re going to San Francisco
correction
Karma number The last issue of Storefront (Sept 24-Oct 8) listed an incorrect telephone number for Karma Hair Salon at 132 Water Street. The new salon’s correct phone contact is 7225127. The Scope regrets the error. —SB
Send your fresh business news to storefront@thescope.ca
Rock House The
on George Street
L I V E
B A N D S
FRI, OCT 16TH
TOM FUN
ORCHESTRA
CARMEN
TOWNSEND TRIO
RAH RAH
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
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1. FIND YOUR NICHE
How to start an awesome festival in 7 easy steps Well, maybe not easy. Created in 1989, the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival is celebrating its 20th year this October. 672 films and 349 hours of screening time later, they’ve become one of the most important and consistently exciting festivals in the province. They’re so good, in fact, that their story might as well be a model for how to start your own festival. Here are some wise words and a look back from some of the people who have poured their hearts into the fest. By Shawn Hayward.
All in the family In the last few years, the work of filmmaker Sherry White has been shown at festivals across the world—her short films have been screened at the Toronto Film Festival, the Atlantic Film Festival and the L.A. Shorts Festival.
She’s back on her home turf with her first feature length film, Crackie, which she wrote and directed. It had its world premiere just a few months ago at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in the Czech Republic, and has been busy making the circuit ever since. Jill Butler caught up with Sherry between destinations to find out more about her first feature length film, Crackie, a story about a young outport girl who brings a rebellious mutt into an already fractured home.
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o where are you now? Well, I screened the film last night in Stephenville at the college, and tonight I’m screening it for a small crowd, and then I’m off to the theatre school in Corner Brook, where Megan [Greeley, who plays Mitsy in the film] still goes to school. So I’m on my way to Corner Brook
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When the festival began in 1989, there was no annual film festival in Newfoundland and Labrador, and few in the world devoted to women filmmakers. “That criteria has made us unique,” says Kelly Davis, who has been executive director of the festival for the past five years. “There are few other opportunities where women filmmakers can come and feel supported and celebrated. They all leave here totally inspired to make more films and come back to this festival.” The people who originally started the festival did it to support women filmmakers in an industry dominated by males. Only three women have ever been nominated for best director at the Oscars, and in 2006, only seven per cent of the top 200 films were directed by women. A film must be written, directed, or produced by a woman to be shown at the festival, though male collaborators are allowed. It gives women filmmakers an audience to show their work. Peg Norman, who was a member of the festival steering committee in its early years, says there was a strong group of women filmmakers in St. John’s when the festival began, partly thanks to the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers CoOperative (NIFCO), which supplies training and equipment to those interesting in making a movie. Their help gave the first festival a solid selection of films to show in its first year. “There’s an appetite here for a film festival and I think there always was,” Norman says. “The women who organized the first one knew there was an appetite. There was a burgeoning women’s film community here, and having a venue to show their work was really important.” In the past 20 years, the festival has screened 672 is supposed to be our best friend, and when someone really, really wants something from somebody they really can’t give, it’s disappointing. But I like the idea that it was a relationship between a person and a dog, rather than a person and a person. You get a little bit more objectivity on it, you know? Did you always know it was going to be a Newfoundland film about a Newfoundland family? Well, I knew it was about a family. It’s not that it was ever going to not be a Newfoundland story.
for that. Where did the inspiration for the movie come from? Different seeds came from different things, and it was a very organic writing process. I was really interested in the relationship with the girl and the dog. We all think a dog
Crackie writer and director Sherry White
films made by women from this province, other parts of Canada, and all over the world.
2. FIND A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
A film festival can’t thrive just anywhere. It needs the love and attention of an active artistic community, which St. John’s has proven itself to have. “St. John’s is a fun city and very supportive of the arts community,” says Davis. “The festival has lasted as long as it has because it is in St. John’s, and it has been so well supported.” The festival gets funding from all levels of government and corporations, as well as NIFCO, which donated $10,000 this year. It’s the support people show filmmakers by going to screenings that sets St. John’s apart, according to Norman. “We’re out in the middle of the cold Atlantic surrounded by water, and there’s something about island cultures where we do rush to support those kinds of endeavours,” she says. “We’ve got such a vibrant, thriving arts scene here, and it’s got a dedicated audience.”
3. THINK BIG, STAY INTIMATE
The festival has become much bigger since 1989, occupying multiple venues and showing more films than ever. But Davis says it’s kept its intimate atmosphere, which bring people to the festival year after year. “Filmmakers have a chance to meet with industry representatives face to face, whereas with the big festivals that’s a rare opportunity,” she says. “That’s another reason people keep coming back.”
4. TREAT YOUR PEOPLE LIKE ROYALTY
Davis says it’s important to give the filmmakers all the luxuries of home, making sure they get rooms in good The other real seed of inspiration was that I lived fairly close to the dump growing up. There was my house, and then the dump, and then beyond that was my father’s sawmill. So growing up I spent a lot of time driving past that dump. There were often garbage pickers there, and I started thinking about their stories, and their families. I knew they had dreams, and they hoped to get above where they were, and they have people in their families with differing opinions.
hotels and are entertained during their stay in St. John’s. “Treat your filmmakers like royalty,” she says. “We make them feel special. They really felt like they were being celebrated, whereas in most festivals you’re just one of many.”
5. WORK YOUR ASS OFF
Most people who help with the festival are still volunteers, and they’re responsible for everything from decorating to collecting tickets. Norman says volunteers are essential for a non-profit organization like the festival to keep going. “It was amazing what the festival could do with little money,” she says. “It required many hours of volunteer time. They’ve been so dedicated.”
6. GROW, GROW, GROW
For the first time, this year’s festival will open and close with full-length feature films by Newfoundland filmmakers. The festival will present 93 films this year, in formats ranging from animation to documentary, which organizers selected from a pool of 440 submissions. Norman has seen the festival evolve from a small event at the LSPU Hall to what she says is one of the most important festivals for women filmmakers in the world.
7. STICK TO YOUR GUNS
The spirit of 1989 hasn’t been lost at the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival, according to Norman, it’s just expanded so more people can experience a week dedicated to the celebration of women in film. “It was exciting that there was a women’s film festival, and how cool it was,” she says. “There were so many women filmmakers doing such fabulous work. It just made sense, and it worked.”
thescope.ca/culture idea for me. Realizing families are all shapes and sizes, and are very rarely picture-perfect. That’s very important to me. And to most people.
There’s definitely a theme of collecting and discarding. Was that intentional? Yes, definitely. The idea that these things were all loved, at one point, and had been discarded or thrown away, or broken or destroyed. Or rotten. There was that quality to the characters as well as the objects in the film. Even the landscape.
The different families in Crackie all reflect that. You’ve got Mitsy and her grandmother, then the errant mother and then Duffy [the love interest] and his mother... Well, I think with Duffy’s character [played by Joel Thomas Hynes] and his mother… he’s just that that kind of guy. He preys on Mitsy, because he’s got a certain level of charm that somebody with low self-esteem would really fall for him. So the little scene that he has at home with his mother is just showing what a louse he is. He’s still getting his mother to look after him, despite the fact that he’s got somebody else’s mother living with them.
This is your third film now, and the third to explore the idea of family. Why do you think you keep coming back there? The discovery that family is not what we think it’s supposed to be is a big
He’s a real piece of work. Do you think that there’s anything redeemable in his character? I love that character and I think Joel did a fantastic job. I think the character spends his
The Hall, showing October 24.
An owl costume & Cannes Shot in a borrowed apartment in Toronto, short film The Hall follows detective Martin Holligan, played by Dan Cristofori, on his awkward attempts to woo his neighbour, Olive, performed by Lauren Breuer. Then this giant owl shows up. Crackie, showing October 24.
whole life avoiding looking inside, because if he ever did, he might discover some redeeming qualities and just kind of feel embarrassed by them. All the performances are remarkable, but Mary Walsh’s appearance in the film is a real standout. How did she get involved with the film? Well, I’ve worked with Mary a fair bit over the years. I worked with her on Hatching, Matching and Dispatching and Young Triffie, and with her directly as a writing assistant, so I just knew her well on a personal level and I knew that she was that kind of person: an emotional ball who could also be really, really tough. I just knew she could do an amazing job in this part. Speaking of strong emotion, how far is too far? How do you know when to pull back and reel it in? Well, sometimes I feel I didn’t go far enough here. It’s easier when you’re editing to stop when it’s going too far. You just cut it out. I just think you can feel it. Some people might watch it and find that it goes over the top, and other people might see things as perfectly in sync with reality. It’s a personal
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thing. I can only go by my own feelings about that. Was that the most challenging part of filming Crackie? Well, we didn’t have a big budget, so there were time constraints. We were definitely under the gun every day, because we weren’t paying people very much money, so we didn’t want to be keeping them overtime. Then there was the dog. We had a great trainer, Glenn Redman, and he was really good. But it was still a challenge. He was a smart dog, he learned really quickly. He knew what was coming and he wouldn’t give us a second take. That’s one of the old Hollywood rules, isn’t it? “Don’t work with kids or animals”? Luckily we didn’t want the dog to like Mitsy very much. Getting all that ‘pulling away’ was easy though, because he was just so attached to the trainer. So how does it feel to take your films out there and show them to people? When Crackie premiered at Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic—a really big film festival—I was really pleased with that. In the festival program they say it had the authen-
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ticity of a Ken Loach film. I was just thrilled about that, because he’s been known to be so authentic and to really get that working-class authenticity. That they would even compare Crackie on any level to that was a really great honor. I wanted it to be a universal story. There can be films made that take place in Newfoundland that aren’t just going to be pigeonholed as a Newfoundland story that other people can’t get, or that people are only going to understand if they come from Newfoundland. Or if they get Newfoundland humour. I think that’s ridiculous. I think there are all kinds of amazing films that come out of Newfoundland that are far-reaching, but a lot of them just haven’t reached. I’d like to think that Crackie will reach as far as I want it to, because I’d like to see more films come out of Newfoundland that can be seen as a universal story.
Originally made as an entry for the 48-Hour Film Challenge in Toronto, the film ended up cleaning house at that festival’s award ceremony, was slingshotted to in the States, continued to win awards (including awards with titles containing words like “best of all time”) and even caught the attention of Roger Ebert, who wrote about the film. Oh, and it was screened at last year’s Cannes FIlm Festival. Now, finally, The Hall is being screened in director Stephen Dunn’s home province. Elling Lien called him up to ask him about how it all came together.
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o tell me the story of The Hall. You had just arrived at Ryerson film school, and—what happened? I didn’t know anyone. Not a soul. I stumbled into a line up for the Toronto Film Festival and I was stand-
Crackie will be closing the Women’s Film Festival on Saturday, October 24 at the Arts & Culture Centre at 8pm. For ticket info, visit www. womensfilmfestival.com
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you weren’t elected. we picked your name out of the recycling bin \
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The Hall writer and director Stephen Dunn
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i love / democracy!
ing line next to Polly Washburn who was the director of the 48 Hour Film Challenge. We were just talking, and she told me the most important part of being in the industry is to meet people. I ended up finding out she was the director for the 48 Hour Film Challenge and I was like, man I’ve done competitions like that with the Women’s Film Festival before, and I was totally game. So when I got to school I started telling people about the competition, and sure enough, seven of us grouped together and we started meeting weekly. I knew if we were going to do this we’d be doing it with discipline. We were going to be prepared for it. We had weekly meetings for a month and a half before shooting, to prepare.
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pancakes for / everybody!
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
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To do it in Toronto, and to do it in 48 hours... I felt so vulnerable. I felt like I had no control. I didn’t have any equipment. I didn’t have a good network of people in Toronto like I have in Newfoundland. But that didn’t matter, because we were all so into it. We loved the idea of working on a project outside of school, and it was a profound bonding experience for us. We got to work with each other before anyone else did. So I told a couple people, then the competition happened and we won. How many people were involved? Seven first year students, and we had actors and stuff like that. Let’s go back to the first win. Did you have any idea that it be as successful as it was? Not a clue. We were the youngest people in this. We were all first-years, early 20s and late teens. The other competitors seemed like serious professionals—many in their 40s and 50s. And we were doing it for fun. We didn’t even know there was a prize for it—it was for a fun, bonding experience. But we loved the film once we finished with it. It had heart, it had some great performances and it looked really professional. Not like anything I’d ever worked on before, or anything anyone else had ever worked on before. Out of the seven, it was only
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OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
myself and Kyle Sanderson who had ever worked on a film before. No one else had ever been involved on a film set. When you first watched it what was your reaction? My background is in theatre, and watching my films sitting with an audience I feel so much more exposed than I do in a performance. Because I have no control. The film is it’s own thing, and I just have to wait and see how people are going to respond. That’s terrifying, because you’re with them, you’re with the audience. But, actually, that time I felt satisfied. I was nervous as hell, but I had this warm feeling, sitting there with my friends watching this film I was proud of. ...Aaaand then it won a shitload of awards. We were going up there every five minutes to collect them. ...Aaaand then you went to Filmapalooza, Miami’s International Film Festival. And the film had the exact same response! We were like, “great! It got to Miami!” Then, once we arrived there was a rumour that the top films at the festival would go to Cannes. Of course, then, that was always on our minds. Then it happened. We were floored.
Do you think the fact that it was a group of friends trying to get to know each other that really helped it? Yeah, I think it had a really big impact on the film. There’s something so wonderful and spontaneous about challenging yourself in that way. It’s easy to let go of things. You assume, “okay, I’m going to make a film from script to screen in 48 hours.” That sounds really stressful, but it wasn’t at all. Myself and Kyle stayed up the entire time, and I hardly felt tired. If you thought you were going to get so much attention from the film, how do you think that would have affected you? I probably would have changed it. I probably would have felt more pressure. That’s something I don’t like about that industry. Awards are fun, but competitions hurt sometimes. I work well under pressure, from deadlines. I’m not very good at organizing myself, but I do work well under pressure. I don’t like thinking about awards. It doesn’t matter! It’s so easy to feel unsuccessful if you’re thinking about awards. If there was a film that won more awards at that 48 Hour Film Challenge... If we didn’t win, that wouldn’t have mattered. It’s still a good film. An award shouldn’t change that. I know people in Newfoundland are eager to see it, after hear-
The Hall
ing so much about it. I really can’t wait to share it at home. That’s the whole point of making films, is to share it with people you love. And I love home so much. I can’t wait to bring it there. I have to ask about the owl costume. Where did you get it? It was the creepiest thing I’d ever seen. It was a mascot costume. It looked like a cartoon trying to look like an owl. It looked so demonic. When I saw that decapitated head on a shelf, I thought, “that has to be mine. I want that!” We had it for the weekend and
wore it around our residence. It was amazing. I don’t know if Scott Matthews, the actor who wore it, appreciated it as much as we did. Why? It was really hot. And we were fighting him, pushing him to the ground. He was a trouper though. The Hall will be screened at the Women’s Film Festival on Saturday, October 24, at the Majestic Theatre at 1pm. For ticket info, visit www. womensfilmfestival.com
OUR FESTIVAL PICKS
106
The St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival returns for its twentieth year with an assortment of feature films and shorts from this province and abroad. Film critics Adam Clarke and Jill Butler review the highlights of this year’s festival.
106 Canada (6 min) dir. Candice Day Are you ready for a geriatric rumble? This blackly comic Canadian short film is all about the heated feud between Wilma and Edna, each turning 106 years old on the same day. Edna, as it happens, was born just a few scant moments before Wilma. As such, Edna is a cherished local celebrity for being the oldest woman in Ontario, much to Wilma’s chagrin. This, naturally, means war, and Wilma is not afraid to go to cartoonish extremes to dispose of her sole competition as Ontario’s most senior citizen. Candice Day (who wrote, produced and directed) has excellent comic timing and a rather inventive use of sound effects. AC
AFTER TOMORROW U.K. (15 min) dir. Emma Sullivan Morning dawns, and a man wakes up in a strange bed in the village of his estranged wife. He’s here because he hopes to reconcile, but gradually, he realizes he’s a prisoner in this house, kept without reason by seeming strangers. The mood— at once disorienting and sinister—is established from the first frame, and you’ll feel the palpable, nameless terror as he tries with increasing desperation to find his wife. The English landscape, captured in tepid blues and greys, doesn’t do much to lessen the bleakness of his fear. When the final puzzle piece clicks into place, the outcome is far worse than first imagined. JB
CRACKIE Canada (94 min) dir. Sherry White Sherry White’s first feature-length film has gotten a lot of positive buzz—and CAL justifiably. This is her finest LO work to date. In a murky, grim and desolate area of rural Newfoundland, Mitsy (Meghan Greeley) spends her days eating deep fried take-out with her nan (Mary Walsh) and daydreaming about the mother who abandoned her. Young Mitsy applies to beauty school and adopts a maltempered dog, but finds little that can keep
Mum’s The Word
Vive La Rose
her loneliness in check. White’s film is enriched with strong acting all around, particularly from Mary Walsh, who delivers her strongest performance in years. AC
THE HALL Canada (8 min) dir. Stephen Dunn Newfoundland’s Stephen Dunn has achieved quite a following as an actor, writer and filmmaker. Though his early short films and many YouTube videos have received a lot of AL LOC attention, The Hall’s screening—at Cannes— gave him his widest audience to date. Now, finally, the short has come to his hometown. It depicts a day in the life of a neurotic young man who attempts to make contact with his attractive neighbour. Then, suddenly, a giant owl shows up. Trust me, it makes sense. Dunn’s film is quietly funny, and rather imaginative. AC
LOVE AND SAVAGERY Canada/Ireland (1 hr 35) dir. John N. Smith It’s 1968, and Michael McCarthy, a young geologist and occasional poet, travels to a small Irish village for his studies. He meets Cathleen, a AL LOC raven-haired local girl who’s destined for the nunnery, and her family, who are pathologically suspicious of meddling outsiders. What follows is a quiet study of simmering tempers and the obligations of blood, with a slow and deliberate pace that purposely clashes with the wild, luscious backdrop of the traditional music shore. As the male lead, Allan Hawco gives a performance. If you’ve ever felt that doomed romances have become too “feelgood,” then this is the film for you. JB
THE MAGNIFICENT MOLLY MACBRIDE Newfoundland (25 min) dir. Deanne Foley Now, here’s a short film that could easily be the pilot for a great television comedy series. 11 year old Molly (Julia Kennedy) is desperately trying to be a great Irish
Love and Savagery
dancer, but her graceless moves only earn mockery. AL LOC When a burglar (Andy Jones) saves her from a trio of prepubescent bullies, the two strike up an agreement: he’ll teach her to dance if she helps him with his nightly robberies. This halfhour film is absolutely hilarious, anchored by superb performances from Jones and Kennedy, and is one of the best-looking local films to date. AC
MUM'S THE WORD Canada (15 min) dir. Edward Tanasychuk In this slapstick farce, a quartet of would-be thieves (who clearly graduated from the Stern-Pesci School of Inept Burglary) disguise themselves as mummers during a Christmas party. AL LOC It’s not Purity Syrup they’re after, either. No sir. There’s a considerable wad of cash rumoured to be found at the party, and mummering offers them the perfect disguise. Of course, it’s really hard to focus on a heist when your mom’s half in the bag and starting to hit on you. Sharp editing gives this short a great sense of momentum as events reach their ridiculous conclusion. AC
PLAYING THE MACHINES Canada (43 min) dir. Barbara Doran They’re everywhere. You can find them in bars, hotels, restaraunts and even at the mall: Video Lottery Terminals. Everyone knows VLTs are little more than brightly-lit,
The Magnificent Molly McBride
noisy methods of squandering your every dime. Still, people keep playing them. Actor John Dunsworth appears in AL LOC the film to discuss his VLT addiction and even travels to Las Vegas to confront the manufacturers of these machines at a trade show. Barbara Doran’s exceptional documentary shows the effects of VLT addiction in unflinching detail. Playing The Machines is the best of this year’s entries. Not to be missed. AC
the hard-nosed strategy of a military general, Cupid lords over the meetcute of a would-be couple, carefully controlling the AL LOC everyday forces—a lost tourist, a coffee run, a forgetful mind—that will bring the two together. It’s less ‘boy meets girl’ than it is ‘boy better meet girl, or else all hell will break loose.’ A superb use of voiceover, charming leads and excellent pacing make this a pocket-sized love story that makes you blush. JB
SWEET PICKLE
VIVE LA ROSE
Canada (9 min) Dir. Lois Brown Isabelle (Ruth Lawrence), a closet foodie living in a small outport town, decides to AL LOC leave home for the big city grocery store. With the bright, oversaturated colours of a kid’s colouring book, the film explores expanding your palate in a sweetly unpretentious way that calls to mind the late great Pushing Daisies. Though it’s true that the musical portion, even with its rich, clever vocabulary, never feels like it lets go completely, the film’s simple quest to taste something new captures the vulnerability and excitement that comes with leaving your doorstep for the first time. JB
SNAKES & LADDERS Newfoundland (5 min) Dir. Lynn Kristmanson You know that old saying about love and war? Well, this short from NIFCO First Time Films tries it on for size, and by gum, it still fits. With
Canada (6 min) dir. Bruce Alcock In a house by the sea, in a place tucked away from the world, are the pieces to the story of a fisherman and his lost beloved. This animated short is set to the song of the same name by Emile Benoit, and filmed on location AL LOC in Bay Bulls. Combining paint animation, natural imagery and stop motion, the process must have been labourious, but seems effortless. The visuals alone make this film a triumph, but paired with the haunting lyrics, it’s a hypnotic six minute journey. You’ll almost need two viewings to catch everything. Maybe ask them for a rewind? JB For more info on the films and for ticket information, visit www. womensfilmfestival.com
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
thescope 11
livemusic
throwing stones at you
Photo by Patrick Canning
FROM SEPTEMBER 25
Monsterbator Sometimes in this crazy world full of political and economic turmoil, religious zealotry and insurmountable environmental calamity, it seems the world would be better off if everyone everywhere just stopped giving a shit all together. The five man, ultraincestuous (band-wise) team of musicians who formed the new band Monsterbator seem to be the purest example and the ultimate application of Not-Giving-Any-Kind-Of-A-Shitology. The band is made from two members of Colonel Craze and the Hunch, three members of Amusia and three members of Kill Popoff. For their debut performance they went with three very unusual and highly questionable methods of promotion. First, there was the despicable and crudely drawn posters scattered around that featured what seems to be the adolescent sexual fantasies of severely troubled 12-yearolds (most of them were ripped down before the show started), second, there were the CD-Rs hung from trees and taped to walls downtown that had one of the crustiest, ghetto-sounding recordings ever made (I think it was done on a boombox during their first or second jam) and third, there were the Facebook invites that claimed they were “a band from New York City.” All of this would have likely brought disaster to the show if it hadn’t been one of the most violent and energizing spectacles I’ve seen all year. The place was maggoty with partiers. The music is as belligerent and primitive as it can get. The band hammered on grooves designed to create maximum freak-out potential for the volatile frontman Andrew Waterman (this time unencumbered by any guitar duties) who takes the provocateur edge of his Colonel Craze persona to the utmost extreme here. — Patrick Canning
Watch video of local bands online at
thescope.ca/throwingstones
music listings SEND US YOUR SHOW INFO Email: listings@thescope.ca Online: thescope.ca Event listings are free. Hi-res photos are welcome and encouraged. 13,800 copies of The Scope are available at 300+ locations across St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Torbay and CBS.
Next deadline for listings: 5pm Sunday, October 18th.
THURSDAY, OCT 8
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
FRED JORGENSON & ARTHUR O’BRIEN, Kelly’s Pub
MACLOVIN, Dusk Ultra Lounge MATTHEW BYRNE (7pm), Middle Tickle (10:30pm), Shamrock City Pub
ROCKIN’ THURSDAYS, The Levee SCOTT CONWAY, Whalen’s Pub SONGWRITER CIRCLE: Ian Foster & Melanie O’Brien, 11:30pm, no cover, Bull & Barrel
STEVE EDWARDS, Trapper John’s Pub STIXX & STONES, The Dock STRIPED WHITE, CBTGs THE INSIDERS (acoustic) 10:30pm, Martini Bar TROPICAL THURSDAYS: DJ Chamba, Turkey Joe’s
UNLISTED, Green Sleeves Pub
FRIDAY, OCT 9 ALL REQUEST, Lottie’s BLACKIE O’LEARY (5:30pm); Rob Cook (10pm), Kelly’s Pub
Path Bar
BOB MACDONALD, 6pm-10pm, The Republic CAROLYN MARK (BC country), Luther Wright
CAROLYN MARK (BC country), Luther Wright
(Ont country), $10, CBTGs
ALEX DINN BAND, 9:30pm-1:30am, Lower
12 thescope
(10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
(Ont country), $10, The Ship
CHRIS HENNESSEY (5pm); Fergus O’Byrne
CLASSIC ROCK THURSDAY: Terry Mack, Jace
(8:15pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
Hardcack, no cover, Loft 709
COLIN HARRIS, 9:30pm-12:30am, Lower Path
CRAIG YOUNG (solo acoustic) no cover, Fat Cat
Bar
Blues Bar
D’ARCY BRODERICK & RON KELLY (5pm);
DAVE PANTING (folk country) Erin’s Pub FERGUS O’BYRNE (7pm); Acoustic Punters
Barry Kenny & Glen Harvey (8pm); Middle Tickle (11pm), Shamrock City Pub
(10:30pm), Green Sleeves Pub
SUNDAY, OCT 11
DARRELL COOPER (6:30pm-9:30pm) no cover,
ACOUSTIC A GO GO, 10pm, no cover, Distor-
DAMIAN FOLLETT (6:30pm), Eyecandy Jackson Down, Fat Cat Blues Bar
tion
DAVE REARDON, 5pm-9pm, no cover, Station
BLACKIE O’LEARY (5:30pm); Fred Jorgenson
Lounge
(9:30pm), Kelly’s Pub
DIGITAL DAN, 11pm, Zone 216 DJ MIKEY B, DJ Steve Murray, DJ Electro, $5 till
BOYD CHUBBS (4pm-7pm) Erin’s Pub CHRIS HENESSEY (7pm); Arthur O’Brien &
1:30am, Liquid Night Club
Johnny Graham (10pm), Shamrock City Pub
DJ OTG, 1am, Dusk Ultralounge FILTHY FRIDAYS: DJ Lex, Turkey Joe’s FIRST CHOICE, Tol’s Time Out Lounge FLAVA FRIDAYS: DJ Mayeham, Loft 709 FUNKTASTIC FRIDAY w/ DJs Leo van Ulden
DJ KNOWLEDGE (Las Vegas mash ups) 10pm,
& Rob Taylor, 12am-5am, $5 (no cover before 1am), Spin
GENERATION LOST, The Dock KALEM MAHONEY & ANDREW LEDREW,
Dusk Ultralounge
IRISH SESSION: Graham Wells & Billy Sutton, Mike Hanrahan (8:30pm), Bridie Molloy’s
JAZZ SONG: Vocalist Ryan Billington, 17-Piece Big Band, Lady Cove Women’s Choir, Newman Sound Men’s Choir with host Krysta Rudofsky, 8pm, $20, Holy Heart Theatre
MIKE HANRAHAN & RON KELLY (2:30pm),
Erin’s Pub
Scott Conway(6:30pm), Dave White & Carl Peters (10:30pm), Green Sleeves Pub
MATT BYRNE (7pm), Steve Knight Band
NATURAL STATE, Smiley Ralph (alt), Danny
(10:30pm), Bridie Molloy’s
Keating, The Ship
SIGMA, Jefford, Adam Baxter, Amy G Dala (rock),
RETRO SUNDAY: DJ Lex, Turkey Joe’s SONG SESSION: Allan Byrne (7pm), Best Kind
$5, Distortion
SIGNAL HILL, Club One STEPHAN GREEN, Whalen’s Pub THE INSIDERS, Rock House THE MONDAY NIGHTS (folk rock), Matthew Hornell & The Diamond Minds (folk), The Ship
TRADITIONAL SESSION: Graham Wells, Erin’s Pub
SATURDAY, OCT 10 ANDREW LEDREW, Kalem Mahoney, Whalen’s Pub
BAYTOWN CONNECTION (beach rock), Truth Laced Lie (alt), Steve Hoskins, 11pm, The Ship
BLACK LIGHT GRAFFITI PARTY (MUN Psych) Ticket includes a shirt, glowstick, highlighter & wristband, 9pm-12am, $10, The Sundance
BOB TAYLOR & CARL PETERS (8pm); Middle Tickle (11pm), Shamrock City Pub
BUDDHA VISION: Modern Asian music, cuisine & auction, 7pm, $125, Delta Hotel
CAROLYN MARK (BC country), Luther Wright (Ont country), $10, Rose & Thistle
DANCE LEAGUE SATURDAY: Paddy Greene, Loft 709
DJ MIKEY B, DJ Steve Murray, DJ Electro, $5 till 1:30am, Liquid Night Club
(10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
THE RACKET, George Street Beer Market
ANTHONY MACDONALD & RONNIE POWER, 10pm, Shamrock City Pub DAMIAN FOLLETT, Green Sleeves Pub DAVE WHITE, 9:30pm, MexiCali Rosa’s DJ DIAMOND, no cover, Loft 709 LARRY FOLEY & PATRICK MORAN, 9pm, O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
CARL PETERS & DAVE WHITE, Turkey Joe’s CHRIS HENNESSEY (5pm); Open Mic with Gary Foley & Robert Moran(10pm); Rob Cook & Larry Foley (12am), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
CONNEMARA, 10pm, Shamrock City Pub DAMIAN FOLLETT & GARY GAMBIN, Green Sleeves Pub
VJ ERIC & DJ SLAYER, 11pm, $5/$7 after 1:30pm, Zone 216
twistedsistersboutik.blogspot.com
Loft 709
RON HYNES & MURRAY MCLAUCHLAN, 8pm, $30, Arts & Culture Centre The Levee
WEDNESDAY, OCT 14 BLACKIE O’LEARY (6:30pm); Arthur, Fred &
(rock), The Levee
mon/tues/wed 10-6 thurs 10-8 fri/sat 10-6 sun 12-5
DES GAMBIN, Fat Cat Blues Bar HIP HOP TUESDAY: Paddy Greene, no cover,
1809 (MUN Music) Celebration of Haydn & Men-
THE MUDFLOWERS (rock) CBTGs THE WOLVES, Overlay (rock), The Sellouts
175 water street. st john’s, nl 709 722 6004
CBTGs
ROB COOK, 10pm, Kelly’s Pub SEAMLESS SATURDAY: DJ Mike The Tailor,
Blues Bar
fair trade recycled materials biodegradable substances
9:30pm-1am, no cover, Fat Cat Blues Bar
O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
SEXUAL SATURDAYS: DJ Jaycee, Turkey Joe’s SIGNAL HILL, Club One STEVE KNIGHT BAND, Bridie Molloy’s TAX FREE: A Hats Off To Jimi with DC-3, Fat Cat
836 Topsail Road * 364-2233 e-mail: shop@reidmusic.com * www.reidmusic.com
ANDREW LEDREW (solo acoustic rock)
TUESDAYS WITH WHITTY, 10pm, no cover,
11pm-5am, $5 (no cover before 1am), Spin
WHERE SATISFACTION AND SERVICE IS INSTRUMENTAL
TUESDAY, OCT 13
10:30pm, $15, Rock House
ROB COOK (4pm); Fergus O’Byrne (8pm),
BEST
MANIC MONDAYS, Turkey Joe’s SESSION, 8pm, Erin’s Pub
DANIELLE TOBIN, Andrew Mast & Friends,
Erin’s Pub
THE
MONDAY, OCT 12
DJ OTG, 1am, Dusk Ultralounge DODGEBAND, 10pm, $5, Distortion EYECANDY, Green Sleeves Pub FIRST CHOICE, Tol’s Time Out Lounge GENERATION LOST, The Dock IN THE FLESH? PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE, JEFF LEWIS, Lottie’s Place KALEM MAHONEY & ANDREW LEDREW,
FOR THOSE WHO WANT
delssohn, 8pm, $7/$12, DF Cook Recital Hall Chris (10pm), Shamrock City Pub
DJ MARK POWER, no cover, Loft 709 EPIC WEDNESDAYS: Adam Baxter, Robbie MacDonald, Evan Simmonds, Jill Fredman, 10pm, $5, Distortion
FOLK NIGHT: Chris Kirby, 9pm, $5, The Ship HUGH SCOTT, Erin’s Pub KRONIK, Green Sleeves Pub MATT BYRNE (7pm); The Bishops (10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
RICK SPRINGFIELD, Juice Newton, 7:30pm, $39.50-$57.50, Mile One Centre
Afterwords
245 Duckworth St Used Books. New Newfoundland Books. Gifts. 753-4690
ANDREW WICKENS
SCOTT GOUDIE (acoustic blues) no cover, Fat
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
thescope 13
Cat Blues Bar
SONGWRITER SHOWCASE: Hosted by John Feltham, 9pm, no cover, The Levee
TARAHAN, George Street Beer Market THE DRUNKS RULE THIS PLACE, CBTGs WACKY WEDNESDAYS: Dave White, 10pm, Turkey Joe’s
WEDNESDAY NIGHT FLUSH: With host Derm Kean, 11pm, $5, Rose & Thistle
WILD WEDNESDAYS: DJ Fox, Junctions
THURSDAY, OCT 15 CLASSIC ROCK THURSDAY: Terry Mack, Jace Hardcack, no cover, Loft 709
CRAIG YOUNG (solo acoustic) no cover, Fat Cat
MACLOVIN, Dusk Ultra Lounge MATTHEW BYRNE (7pm), Middle Tickle
Hornell & The Diamond Minds (folk), Quiet Elephant (indie pop), 11pm, The Levee
BLACKIE O’LEARY (5:30pm); Rob Cook (10pm),
(10:30pm), Shamrock City Pub
Kelly’s Pub
NIGHT MUSIC (Sound Symposium). Improvis-
BOB MACDONALD, 6pm-10pm, The
ers welcome, 9:30pm, $4, The Ship
Republic
RANDY DOYLE (The Miles Between CD release) With guests Sandy Morris, Rob Mills & Allan Ricketts, 7pm-9:30pm, $5, Martini Bar
ROCKIN’ THURSDAYS, The Levee STIXX & STONES, The Dock STRIPED WHITE, Japan Batteries, OK
ST FIND THE MOSTINGS LI E T A -D O UP-T ONLINE AT
Cobra (Montreal hip hop), The Leathers (Ontario hip hop), CBTGs
THE INSIDERS (acoustic) 10:30pm, Martini Bar TROPICAL THURSDAYS: DJ Chamba, Turkey
thescope.ca
gus O’Byrne (8:15pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
COLIN HARRIS, 9:30pm12:30am, Lower Path Bar
CONNEMARA, Erin’s Pub D’ARCY BRODERICK & RON KELLY (5pm); Barry Kenny & Glen
Harvey (8pm); Kilkenny Krew (11pm), Shamrock City Pub
Joe’s
DAMIAN FOLLETT (6:30pm), The Tequila Rock-
DAVE PANTING, Erin’s Pub FERGUS O’BYRNE (7pm); Acoustic Punters
UNLISTED, Green Sleeves Pub WORLD SOUND 09 (Sound Symposium) The
DANNY FERNANDES (RnB), Live N’ Direct, DJ
Offering of Curtis Andrews, 8pm, $10, The Ship
FRED JORGENSON & ARTHUR O’BRIEN, Kelly’s Pub
HEARTLAND BAND, 9:30pm-1:30am, Lower Path Bar
JERRY STAMP, midnight, no cover, Bull & Barrel
FRIDAY, OCT 16 ALL REQUEST, Lottie’s BAYTOWN CONNECTION (beach rock), Matt
directory
CHRIS HENNESSEY (5pm); Fer-
Blues Bar
(10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
music venue
ingbirds (10:30pm), Green Sleeves Pub JBillz, 7:30pm, $19.95+, The Majestic
DARRELL COOPER (6:30pm-9:30pm) no cover, Fat Cat Blues Bar
DAVE REARDON, 5pm-9pm, no cover, Station Lounge
DJ FABIAN, Zone 216 DJ MIKEY B, DJ Steve Murray, DJ Electro, $5 till 1:30am, Liquid Night Club
DJ OTG, 1am, Dusk Ultralounge DJ SHORTCUT (Montreal hip hop) Loft 709 FILTHY FRIDAYS: DJ Lex, Turkey Joe’s FUNKTASTIC FRIDAY w/ DJs Leo van Ulden & Rob Taylor, 12am-5am, $5 (no cover before 1am), Spin
JACKIE SULLIVAN, 7pm-10pm, Bridie Molloy’s KUJO (rock) CBTGs NSO: Featuring Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony & pianist Richard Raymond playing Chopin, 8pm, $18-$34, Arts & Culture Centre
OK COBRA (Montreal hip hop), The Leathers (Ontario hip hop), Distortion
ROUTE ONE, Tol’s Time Out Lounge THE MOXXY, Club One TOM FUN ORCHESTRA (NS folk rock), Carmen Townsend Trio (NS blues rock), Rah Rah (Regina indie rock), Rock House
TRADITIONAL SESSION: Graham Wells, Erin’s
ANCHORAGE COFFEE HOUSE, 106 Water St, 726-0388 ARTS & CULTURE CENTRE, Prince Philip Dr, 729-3900 THE ATTIC, 2 George St, 579-9632 BAR NONE, 164 Water St, 579-2110 BELLA VISTA, 26 Torbay Rd, 753-2352 BIG BEN’S, 55 Rowan St, 753-8212 BLACK DOG PUB, 318 Water St, 726-6015 BULL & BARREL, Holdsworth Court, 579-7077 BULL & FINCH, Torbay Rd, 738-7007 THE BREEZEWAY, MUN Campus, 737-4743 BRIDIE MOLLOY’S, 5 George St, 576-5990 BROWNINGS PUB, Hotel Mount Pearl, 364-7725 CBTG’S, Holdsworth Court, 722-2284 CHRISTINE’S PLACE, 210 Lemarchant Rd, 722-6400 CLUB ONE, George St, 753-7822 CROW’S NEST (OFFICER’S CLUB), 88 Water St (by War Memorial), 753-6927 D.F. COOK RECITAL HALL, Memorial University 737-4700 CORNER STONE SPORTS BAR, 16 Queen St, 754-4263 DARNELL’S PUB, 1570 Topsail Rd 782-2440 DISTORTION, Holdsworth Court, 738-8833 THE DOCK, 17 George St, 726-0353 DUSK ULTRA LOUNGE, George St ERIN’S PUB, 186 Water St, 722-1916 FAT CAT BLUES BAR, George St 739-5554 GEORGE STREET BEER MARKET, George St, 753-7822 GEORGETOWN PUB, 754-6151 GREEN SLEEVES PUB, 14 George St, 579-1070 THE GRAPEVINE, Water St, 754-8463 GRUMPY STUMP, Torbay Rd, 7532337 HOLY HEART THEATRE, 55 Bonaventure Ave, 579-4424 JUNCTIONS, 208 Water St, 5792557 KARAOKE KOPS PARTY BAR, 10 George St, 726-8202 KELLY’S PUB, 25 George St, 753-5300 KRUGER’S BAR, 986 Conception Bay Hwy, Kelligrews THE LAST DROP, 193 Water St, 726-3767 THE LEVEE, Holdsworth Court LIQUID NIGHT CLUB, 186B Water St, 754-5455 LOFT 709, 371 Duckworth St 351-2183 LOTTIE’S PLACE, 3 George St, 754-3020 LOWER PATH GRILL & BAR, 312 Water St 5791717 LSPU HALL, 3 Victoria St, 753-4531 MAJESTIC THEATRE, 390 Duckworth St MARG’S PLACE, Kelligrews MARTINI BAR (Above Peddler’s On George) 739-9180 MASONIC TEMPLE, 6 Cathedral St, 579-3023 MICKEY QUINN’S, 120 New Gower St, 739-6404 MILE ONE CENTRE, 50 New Gower St, 576-7657 MUN MUSIC, 737-4455 MRS LIDDY’S, Torbay 437-6005 THE OLD MILL, 271 Brookfield Rd, 368-1334 O’REILLY’S IRISH PUB, 15 George St, 722-3735 PEDDLER’S ON GEORGE, George St, 739-9180 PETER EASTON PUB, Cookstown Road PETRO-CANADA HALL, Memorial University PLAYERS CUE, 50 Commonwealth Ave-Mt Pearl 368-2500 REPUBLIC, Duckworth St, 753-1012 THE ROCKHOUSE, George St, 579-6832 ROSE & THISTLE, 208 Water St, 579-6662 SHAMROCK CITY PUB, 340 Water St, 758-5483 SHIP PUB, 265 Duckworth St, 753-3870 SPIN, 2 George St SHARKY’S PUB, Manuels 834-5636 THE SPROUT, 364 Duckworth St, 579-5485 SS MEIGLE LOUNGE, Seal Cove 7441212 STANLEY’S PUB, 26 Torbay Rd, 754-0930 STATION LOUNGE, 7 Hutchings St STELLER CLUB, Henry St, 753-8222 STETSON LOUNGE, 260 Water St, 753-8138 SUNDANCE, George St, 753-7822 TOL'S TIME-OUT LOUNGE, 74 Old Placentia Rd 745-8657 TOPSAIL BREEZE TAVERN, Topsail 7810010 TRAPPER JOHN’S PUB, 2 George St, 579-9630 TRINITY PUB, George St, 579-5558 TRIP IN LOUNGE, Kelligrews 834-4002 VICTORY TAVERN, 164 Water St, 738-2100 THE WELL, 14 George St 2nd level Green Sleeves WHALEN’S PUB, 32 George St 722-4900 WHISKEY ON GEORGE, 15 George St, 579-9475 ZONE 216, 216 Water St, 754-2492 Do you host live music or DJs at your spot? Joining our directory is free. E-mail: listings@ thescope.ca
Pub
WORLD SOUND 09 (Sound Symposium) Swamperella (Toronto Cajun dance band) 10pm, $10, The Ship
SATURDAY, OCT 17
THE TEQUILA ROCKINGBIRDS, Green Sleeves
BOB TAYLOR & CARL PETERS (8pm); Kilkenny
VJ ERIC & DJ SLAYER, 11pm, $5/$7 after
Krew (11pm), Shamrock City Pub
CHUBBY CHECKER, The Ducats, $39.50-$57.50, Mile One Centre
DJ MIKEY B, DJ Steve Murray, DJ Electro, $5 till
Pub 1:30pm, Zone 216
WORLD SOUND 09 (Sound Symposium) Indian drumming master Trichy Sankaran with The Scruncheons, 8pm, $10/$15, Petro-Canada Hall
1:30am, Liquid Night Club
DJ OTG, 1am, Dusk Ultralounge JASON SIMMS & JOHN BARELA, Erin’s Pub JEFF LEWIS, Lottie’s Place MATT BYRNE (7pm), Greely’s Reel (10:30pm),
SUNDAY, OCT 18
Bridie Molloy’s
ATLANTIC STRING QUARTET: Schumann,
MOJO (rock) Fat Cat Blues Bar OK COBRA (Montreal hip hop), The Leathers (Ontario hip hop), CBTGs
RAH RAH (Regina indie rock) The Ship ROB COOK (4pm); Fergus O’Byrne (8pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
ROB COOK, 10pm, Kelly’s Pub ROUTE ONE, Tol’s Time Out Lounge SEAMLESS SATURDAY: DJ Mike The Tailor, 11pm-5am, $5 (no cover before 1am), Spin
SEXUAL SATURDAYS: DJ Jaycee, Turkey Joe’s SPESH K (Halifax emcee) The Filthy Gents (hip hop), Antics, Maze, 11pm, $6/$8, Loft 709
THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC: A Tribute to ABBA with Janet Cull & Kelly-Ann Evans, Arts & Culture Centre
THE MOXXY, Club One
ACOUSTIC A GO GO, 10pm, no cover, Distortion Shostakovich, Liszt & Chopin with guest pianist Richard Raymond, 8pm, $23-$27, DF Cook Recital Hall
BLACKIE O’LEARY (5:30pm); Fred Jorgenson (9:30pm), Kelly’s Pub
BOYD CHUBBS (4pm-7pm) Erin’s Pub CHRIS HENESSEY (7pm); Arthur O’Brien & Johnny Graham (10pm), Shamrock City Pub
IRISH SESSION: Graham Wells & Billy Sutton, Mike Hanrahan (8:30pm), Bridie Molloy’s
MASTERLESS MEN (NL Eating Disorder benefit) ShanneyGannock, $35, Arts & Culture Centre
MIKE HANRAHAN & RON KELLY (2:30pm), Scott Conway(6:30pm), Damian Follett (10:30pm), Green Sleeves Pub
RETRO SUNDAY: DJ Lex, Turkey Joe’s SONG SESSION: Allan Byrne (7pm), Best Kind (10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
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14 thescope
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
(10:30pm), Shamrock City Pub
THE RACKET, George Street Beer Market
MONDAY, OCT 19 ANTHONY MACDONALD & RONNIE POWER, 10pm, Shamrock City Pub DAMIAN FOLLETT, Green Sleeves Pub DAVE WHITE, 9:30pm, MexiCali Rosa’s DJ DIAMOND, no cover, Loft 709 LARRY FOLEY & PATRICK MORAN, 9pm,
SEAN PANTING, The Ship STIXX & STONES, The Dock THE INSIDERS (acoustic) 10:30pm, Martini Bar THE RELEASE (jam band) 10pm, The Levee TROPICAL THURSDAYS: DJ Chamba, Turkey Joe’s
TWINS, 9:30pm-1:30am, Lower Path Bar UNLISTED, Green Sleeves Pub
MANIC MONDAYS, Turkey Joe’s SESSION, 8pm, Erin’s Pub
openmic
TUESDAY, OCT 20
MONDAYS: Grumpy Stump TUESDAYS: Gary Foley & Rob Moran at O’Reilly’s
O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
ANDREW LEDREW (solo acoustic rock) 9:30pm-1am, no cover, Fat Cat Blues Bar
CARL PETERS & DAVE WHITE, Turkey Joe’s CHRIS HENNESSEY (5pm); Open Mic with Gary Foley & Robert Moran(10pm); Rob Cook & Larry Foley (12am), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
CONNEMARA, 10pm, Shamrock City Pub DAMIAN FOLLETT & GARY GAMBIN, Green Sleeves Pub
DANIELLE TOBIN, Andrew Mast & Friends, CBTGs
DES GAMBIN, Fat Cat Blues Bar HIP HOP TUESDAY: Paddy Greene, no cover, Loft 709
Irish Pub (10pm)
WOMEN’S FILM FEST: Opening night party with Tanya Davis & Sherry Ryan, 11pm, The Ship
WEDNESDAY, OCT 21 BLACKIE O’LEARY (6:30pm); Arthur, Fred & Chris (10pm), Shamrock City Pub
DEBUT ATLANTIC (MUN Music) Joe Trio: From
Find the most up-to-date listings at
thescope.ca/events
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THURSDAYS: Open Decks at Liquid Night Club;
Rock House; Steven Green at Whiskey on George; Vance Clarke at West Side Charlie’s-Kenmount Rd
SATURDAYS: Old Country, Bluegrass, NF, Irish & Gospel at All Saints Parish Hall-CBS (2nd Saturday of month at 8pm)
SUNDAYS: Country Music Café at St Augustine’s Church Hall-Westerland Rd (8pm); Natalie Noseworthy at Hava Java (8pm); Shawn Beresford at Fat Cat Blues Bar; Young Musicians at Shamrock City Pub (2pm); Young Performers at O’Reilly’s Irish Pub (3pm)
karaoke TUESDAYS: Grumpy Stump; Mike Keating at Station Lounge (9pm)
WEDNESDAYS: Grumpy Stump; Karoke Kops Party Bar (10pm); Stanley’s Pub (10pm); Tol’s Time Out Lounge (9pm)
THURSDAYS: Klaim to Fame at Karoke Kops
DJ MARK POWER, no cover, Loft 709 EPIC WEDNESDAYS: Jerry Stamp, Adam Baxter,
FRIDAYS: Brownings Pub-Hotel Mount Pearl at
FOLK NIGHT: Allan Byrne, 9pm, $5, The Ship HUGH SCOTT, Erin’s Pub KRONIK, Green Sleeves Pub MATT BYRNE (7pm); The Bishops (10:30pm),
Tol’s Time Out Lounge (6pm)
Shamrock City Pub (9:30pm); Rose & Thistle
Papa Haydn to Uncle Shostakovich to their own arrangements of popular, jazz and rock tunes, 8pm, $15/$18, DF Cook Recital Hall
Robbie MacDonald, 10pm, $5, Distortion
SUNDAYS: Grumpy Stump;
WEDNESDAYS: Chris Ryan & Ronnie Power at
TUESDAYS WITH WHITTY, 10pm, no cover, The Levee
Bar (10pm); Stanley’s Pub(10pm); Tol’s Time Out Lounge (6pm)
Party Bar (10pm); Tol’s Time Out Lounge (9pm); West Side Charlies-Torbay Rd 9:30pm; Karoke Kops Party Bar (10pm); Stanley’s Pub (10pm); Tol’s Time Out Lounge (7pm); West Side Charlies-Paradise
SATURDAYS: Brownings Pub-Hotel Mount Pearl at 9:30pm; Darnell’s Pub; Karoke Kops Party
DISCOUNT ELECTRONICS, ACCESSORIES & MORE RETAIL LIQUIDATION OVERSTOCK SURPLUS WE BUY AND SELL
2639 TOPSAIL RD CHAMBERLAINS 834-1198
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175 water street. st john’s, nl 709 722 6004 mon/tues/wed 10-6 thurs 10-8 fri/sat 10-6 sun 12-5
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O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
SONGWRITER SHOWCASE: Hosted by John Feltham, 9pm, no cover, The Levee
TARAHAN, George Street Beer Market THE DRUNKS RULE THIS PLACE, CBTGs WACKY WEDNESDAYS: Dave White, 10pm, Turkey Joe’s
WEDNESDAY NIGHT FLUSH: With host Derm Kean, 11pm, $5, Rose & Thistle
WILD WEDNESDAYS: DJ Fox, Junctions
THURSDAY, OCT 22 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 FERGUS O’BYRNE (7pm); Acoustic Punters (10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub
FRED JORGENSON & ARTHUR O’BRIEN, Kelly’s Pub
JERRY STAMP, midnight, no cover, Bull & Barrel MACLOVIN, Dusk Ultra Lounge MATTHEW BYRNE (7pm), Middle Tickle
Murray Premises • 739-8444 www.grandtime.ca Open Tuesday to Saturday
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
thescope 15
6PM TO 6AM WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY
SPECIALS ON WEDNESDAYS & SUNDAYS $5 PINTS KEITHS 2 F O R 1 P I N K B U B B LY $3 JAGER SHOTS
reader restaurant reviews Restaurant reviews from thescope.ca
Ches’s Fish & Chips Various locations. Delivery 726-3434
Reviewed by Ann
Good basic food but a bit overpriced. The lemon pie, however, is to die for! Avg rating
(based on 2 reviews)
Sappho’s Café 183 Duckworth Street, 722-1366
Reviewed by gwen
2 1 6 W AT E R S T R E ET
MOO’S ICE CREAM
Fine Indian Cuisine
FEATURE
Gateway to superb
FORTNIGHT:
STRAWBERRY
CHEESECAKE 88 KINGS ROAD 753-3046 16 thescope
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
Dining
Indian
All you can eat LUNCHEON BUFFET Monday - Friday 11:30 - 2pm
Fine DINING
Monday - Sunday 5pm - 10:30pm
TAKE OUT AVAILABLE Telephone: 753.6006 286 Duckworth Street www.indiagate.250x.com
s a t a p Za RESTAURANT 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
Avg rating
(based on 2 reviews)
12 Freshwater Road, 726-8424
Reviewed by Ann
Mea Mei Wok is my “go to” place in St. John’s for Chinese food. Good food, great prices, excellent staff. The Cantonese Seafood Chow Mein is to die for. If the staff read this they’ll probably know who wrote it. Avg rating
(based on 2 reviews)
7 Restaurant 7 Queen St, 576-2112
8-10 BATES HILL, ST. JOHN’S
www.zapatasmexicanrestaurant.com
Mea Mei Wok Eatery
RESERVATIONS 576-MEXX
www.quidividibrewery.ca
MOO India Gate
HAVA BAGEL
A lovely little spot to wile away an hour. Simple menu, tasty food, pleasant people. The wooden booths in the back area aren’t super comfortable, but fine for a quick bite. Experiment with cushions maybe? Another suggestion is to add a lighter dish to the menu for those of us who would love to eat out often but don’t like what it does to the waistline. Salads with bacon and cheese are delicious, but aren’t really that light.
Reviewed by Mark Cator
I found the experience to be amazing! The service was very friendly, but professional. The food was as good as any I have had anywhere. I actually found myself comparing it to Tru in Chicago. It was a tasting-style menu, every course, and we tried 7 of them. It was served hot, well presented, and was uniquely authentic to the region. There was an obvious effort to serve seasonal, local ingredients, but in a contemporary style. The flavours were out of this world! Avg rating
(based on 1 review)
Disagree? Write your own damn restaurant reviews at
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foodnerd
Therapeutix
show me the button and i probably won't push it
I
’m not a gadget person in the kitchen. Kitchen stuff always ends up as clutter, and I’ve moved enough, starting my kitchen from scratch each time, that I’ve learned how to get by with a frying pan, a bowl, and a couple forks. Even with the kitchen gear I’ve amassed, I end up using those three things more than anything else. The fork is the universal stirrer, whipper, smoosher, flipper, fisher-outer. I admire it. Part of my reason for shunning kitchen gear is that I hate buttons. Buttons on a kitchen appliance just call out, “I’m going to Andreae break. ProbProzesky ably within a dreae@thescope.ca year. Keep your receipt, and set aside bus fare to Canadian Tire.” This is the reason I haven’t had a toaster for two years. Every one I see has too many buttons. What happened to those slidy things that indicated “light” and “burnt,” and the up-and-down things to get your toast in and out? Was this technology imperfect? No, it was fine, and the appliance companies ruined it. I make toast in the oven now, and it works, so long as I don’t get distracted. It’s not the most energyefficient way to do the job, I know, but it’s what I’ve got. In terms of things that plug in, I have few. I have a waffle iron, and I love it. I really do. I have put a price on the head of the mouse who has been nibbling my waffle iron cord, because if my waffle iron goes, I might never be the same. I have a blender, and I love it perhaps more than I love my waffle iron, if only for its versatility. My blender is an Oster Beehive that I bought on eBay six or seven years ago. I wanted an old blender, precisely because all the ones in the shops had too many buttons. And little computers in them. There’s no reason for a blender to have a little computer in it. For sixteen US dollars and about the same in shipping, I got some wonderful lady’s old blender and the instructions and cookbook that came with it. The date on the cookbook is 1949, yet it has recipes for soy milk and soy loaf. Who knew? Anyway, here’s the awesome thing about my blender: the threads of the blender jar are made to be the same as a standard-mouth canning jar. That is post-war American ingenuity at its best. Should you wish to, say, grind some coriander, you put your coriander seeds in a half-pint jar, screw the blender blade on to the jar top, flip it over, pop it on the blender, and flick the switch (there are no buttons, just an on/off switch). If I want to be the most on-theball person on Earth, I can take a bunch of smoothie ingredients and put them in a pint jar in the fridge at night, and then, in the morning,
GADGETS, SCHMADGETS Here are the most important non-plugging-in kitchen things, according to me: • Cast-iron frying pan (about $24 at Canadian Tire) • Half-decent stainless steel pots (one big and one small) • Good knives, although you really only need one good chef’s knife and one good paring knife. Those two can take care of everything if you don’t have a big kitchen budget. • An enameled casserole dish or two. The LeCreuset ones sure are pretty, but there are lots of excellent cheaper brands out there. • Thermometer for meat, deep-frying, yogurt-making, candy-making. I used to think I was too cool for one of these, but after wasting enough ingredients I’ve become convinced that I am not that cool after all. • Wooden spoons, a whisk, a really nice thin-edged spatula, some slotted spoons, miscellaneous pans for baking and roasting. Things I would really like, even though I don’t need them: • A panini press, not one of the electric ones, but the stovetop kind with the ridged pan and the ridged, weighted lid. They are so cool. • A cappuccino maker, because there’s only one place I can bear to drink the coffee around here and I’m usually home anyway. • A marble slab for rolling out pastry, even though it’s not something I do all that often. • A pressure canner. So I wouldn’t have to put two cups of sugar into every jar of jam I put away. What’s in your kitchen? And what’s on your kitchen wish-list?
I can pop the jar onto the blender and have my daughter’s breakfast made in 20 seconds. Stick a straw in the jar and I’m done. It’s kind of like that Magic Bullet thing they have on the infomercials, only sixty years earlier and made of metal and glass instead of plastic. And without the zombie infomercial people. I know I can’t tell you to run out to the shop and pick up a blender from the 1940s, but if you’re someone who trawls eBay, keep your eye out. They come up fairly often, as do replacement parts (which I’ve never needed), and they never, ever die. Now, I do have one exorbitant, indulgent appliance, but it was a birthday gift and I do use it all the time. The classic, the beautiful, the weighty KitchenAid stand mixer. There are other stand mixers out there, and they may be as good. I don’t know. But this one is iconic. And it was on sale. Score. There really was a need for it: I burnt out the motor of my little hand mixer a while back making gluten-free bread. If you’ve ever had the pleasure, you’ll know that gluten-free bread dough can be remarkably cement-like in texture, and you’re usually instructed to beat it for about 15 minutes in an attempt to incorporate some air into the stuff. Anyway, a couple rounds of that and my trusty hand mixer was reduced to a smouldering handful of warm petrochemicals, grinding and shuddering when I tried to coax it back into action. I did without for four or five months before the stand mixer appeared, all shiny and alien-headlooking. It is so oomphy. It cannot be killed by the most cement-like of
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dough. If it has one flaw, it is that the dimensions of the bowl prevent you from making small amounts of anything, like, say, one dollop of whipped cream. For that, I go lowtech and use my hand-crank egg beater (another eBay find, but I see them in stores a lot). Or I just dump the whole carton into the stand mixer and suffer the consequences of eating too much whipped cream. There are worse fates. And you know what? I think that’s it. We have an electric kettle and a coffee grinder, and a clock radio. What a bunch of boring people! But we get dinner made, and that’s what matters.
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OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
thescope 17
movies THURSDAY OCT 8 AT 7PM COLD SOULS (MUN Cinema) We all know that nothing is better than a cool, delicious soul. All except Paul Giamatti, who decides to have his frozen and stored. Being called “Pig Vomit” must still sting. Directed by Sophie Barthes (USA-FRA 2009) $9/$10, Empire Theatres-Avalon Mall
FRIDAY OCT 9 AT 7PM YOU, ME & THE SPP (Council of Canadians / MUNSU) Trading Democracy for Corporate Rule: A feature length doc about the Security & Prosperity Partnership. Filmmaker Paul Manley in attendance for Q&A, MUN Engineering-EN2006
TUESDAY OCT 13 AT 7PM THE HERD (Global Cinema) In the proud tradition of Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer and Olive, The Other Reindeer, this reindeer-travel based tale recounts the true story of a man’s trek across Alaska. Directed by Ken Wardrop (CAN 2009) $8, Inco Innovation Center
THURSDAY OCT 15 AT 7PM FOOD INC (MUN Cinema) Wanna see how burgers are made? Of course, you don’t! That would ruin the illusion that Wendy’s has crafted for so long. Alas, this documentary wants us to grow up. Directed by Robert Kenner (USA 2008) Empire Theatres-Avalon Mall
FRIDAY OCT 16 (TIME TBA): FRESH (Food Security Network, OXFAM & FEASt) Celebrating the farmers, thinkers and business people who are re-inventing our food system, Gower St United Church
FRIDAY OCT 16 AT 8PM FESTIVAL DU VENT: Celebrate francophone culture with a selection of francophone short films from the Nickel Independent Film Festival, $6/$8, Centre des Grands-Vents-65 Ridge Rd 726-4900
MONDAY OCT 19 AT 8PM THE AGE OF STUPID (NL Climate Action Coalition) It’s 2055 and a lone man wonders why we didn’t stop climate change while we had the chance, by donation, MUN Engineering-EN2006
TUESDAY OCT 20 AT 8PM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: OPENING NIGHT GALA: Vive La Rose (CAN/6min); Love & Savagery (NL-IRE/95min). Filmmakers in attendance, Arts & Culture Centre
WEDNESDAY OCT 21 AT 1PM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: DOCS AT YELLOWBELLY: R.I.P: A Remix Manifesto (CAN/86min), YellowBelly Brewery
(CAN/5min); How Are You? (CAN/17min). Filmmakers in attendance, Masonic Temple
WEDNESDAY OCT 21 AT 7PM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: ART@A1C: The Name Of The Artist (CAN/9min); Pretend Not To See Me (CAN/52min). Filmmakers in attendance, A1C Gallery
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
WEDNESDAY OCT 21 AT 9PM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: OBSTACLE COURSE:
optional at this tropical island resort. Beautiful couples abound. (Avalon Mall)
Berated Woman (CAN/15min); Going To Seed (USA/11min); In Between (CAN/8min); Little Canyon (USA/20min); Brain Clever (CAN/5min); Glamour Guts (CAN/3min); The Necktie (CAN/13min); Dog = God (CAN/4min); Down To The Wood (NL/7min); Lucky Day (SPA/2min). Filmmakers in attendance, Masonic Temple
FAME: I’m going to live forever, ‘cause I’m an
WEDNESDAY OCT 21 AT 11PM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: GOOD VIBRATIONS: Sex Toys Stories, Masonic Temple
THURSDAY OCT 22 AT AT 1PM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: DOCS AT YELLOWBELLY: Thorns And Silk (PAL-UK/13min); Poto Mitan (HAI-USA/50min), YellowBelly Brewery
THURSDAY OCT 22 AT AT 3PM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: DOCS AT YELLOWBELLY: Motherland (USA/80min), YellowBelly Brewery
THURSDAY OCT 22 AT AT 3PM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: WHEN IN SPAIN: The Good News (SPA/108min), Majestic Theatre
THURSDAY OCT 22 AT 7PM THE BEACHES OF AGNES (MUN Cinema)
empty nostalgia piece! Yes, everything old is new again and a story about young dancers finding themselves seemed ripe for remaking. (Avalon Mall & Mt Pearl)
INVENTION OF LYING: What would happen if we lived in a world where no one lied? The only man who can becomes a god. (Avalon Mall)
JENNIFER’S BODY: Juno scribe Diablo Cody and Maxim cover-girl and sometime actress Megan Fox team up for a movie that no one is seeing. Jennifer (Fox) is a man-eating monster. She fights a nerd. (Mt Pearl)
LOVE HAPPENS: In this wack-tacular movie, a self-help guru actually needs some help finding love and peace in his life. Zany! I hope this is accomplished via a quirky love interest. (Avalon Mall & Mt Pearl)
PONYO: Director Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli have come out of retirement yet again. The story this time? A goldfish yearns to become human while hanging out with a young boy. (Mt Pearl)
Celebrated French cinematic auteur Agnes Varda has decided to tell all in a documentary about her life. Only not. She plays with the documentary format. It makes sense. Trust us. Directed by Agnes Varda (FRA 2008) Empire Theatres-Avalon Mall
SURROGATES: In the future, nobody goes
THURSDAY OCT 22 AT AT 10PM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: THE DARK SIDE:
mustache and goes the “Hollywood star gains weight” route to play a schlubby whistle-blower in this serio-comedy from Steven Soderbergh. Based on a true story. (Mt Pearl)
Fugue (USA/24min); Storstad (SWE/12min); Blue-Eyed Mary (USA/13min); After Tomorrow (UK/15min); Flights (SCO/15min); Grande Dame (CAN/13min); One Of Those Days (UK/15min). Filmmakers in attendance, Majestic Theatre
THURSDAY OCT 22 AT AT 12AM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: MIDNIGHT MADNESS: Mother, Mine (UK/16min); Bandaged (GER/92min), Majestic Theatre
outside anymore. They all live vicariously through synthetic “surrogates” who function as avatars while they lounge. Kinda like MMORPGers. No, it’s just like MMORPGERS. (Avalon Mall)
THE INFORMANT!: Matt Damon dons a fake
TOY STORY (3-D): Pixar is re-releasing parts 1 & 2 of this classic in anticipation of Toy Story 3, due out next year. (Avalon Mall)
TRAILER PARK 2: Countdown to Liquor Day: The nefarious Bubbles and co. are back in a movie that’s sure to prove to be the mother of all Trailer Park Boys sequels. Anyhoo, Ricky and the boys are out on parole again. Hijinks ensue. (Avalon Mall & Mt Pearl)
DAILY SHOWINGS
WHIP IT: Ellen Page says down with beauty
AVALON MALL’S EMPIRE STUDIO 12 722-5775
ZOMBIELAND: Mistrustful survivors of a zom-
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MOUNT PEARL SHOPPING CENTRE EMPIRE CINEMAS 364-8527
pageants and football and instead gets in touch with her roller-derby alter ego Babe Ruthless. (Avalon Mall) bie holocaust band together on a road trip to Bill Murray’s house. (Avalon Mall)
WEDNESDAY OCT 21 AT 3PM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: Docs at Yellowbelly: Ferron (NL/73min). Filmmaker in attendance, YellowBelly Brewery
WEDNESDAY OCT 21 AT 4:30PM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: HINDSIGHT 20/XX: Real Matriarch (NL/44min), Reception, screening & discussion. Filmmaker in attendance, Masonic Temple
WEDNESDAY OCT 21 AT 7PM WOMEN’S FILM FEST: C’EST LA VIE: How To Be Alone (CAN/5min); L’Ordre Des Choses (CAN/17min); Tango Lola (SWI/6min); Dream The Life (AUS/26min); Snakes And Ladders
DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT This year, the 11-member board of the Women’s Film Festival watched 440 submissions, and selected 93 films from 16 countries for the festival. Here, members of the board weigh in on their favourites. Be My Brother: I really liked this story set in a bus stop for its original script, endearing characters and for the way it reminds me that one’s heart, no matter how clumsy and fearful, can be set free by someone who loves it all the same. Pull your Metropasses out, and get ready for a heartwarming ride. (Fri, Oct 23, 7-8:30 p.m, Majestic) ~ Gay Decker Tango Lola: Watching this expertly crafted short animated film made my day. Lola is every woman and her lot in life is familiar, tragic and hilarious all at once. Comedy is so hard to get right—but this has all the perfect nuances to make it a crowd fave! (Wed Oct 21, 7-8:30 p.m., Masonic) ~ Anna Petras Expansive Grounds: How to memorialize the murdered six million? How to do so in Berlin? This riveting documentary
18 thescope
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
ALL ABOUT STEVE: Sandra Bullock is crazy and she wants to date you! She writes crossword puzzles and generally behaves like a braying idiot. This is love in the 21st century. (Avalon Mall)
thescope.
BRIGHT STAR: It’s 19th Century London and
23-year-old Romantic poet John Keats has fallen head over heels for the girl next door. (Avalon Mall)
CAPITALISM A LOVE STORY: Mchael Moore looks at the price America pays for its love of capitalism. (Mt Pearl)
brings the past to bear squarely, and in sculpted concrete, on the living centre of that historic city. The German filmmaker wisely explores how to deal with both her personal and her country’s collective guilt. (Fri., Oct. 23, 9-10:30 p.m., The Rooms) Noreen Golfman The Time of Their Lives: The witty, withered women in this unforgettable documentary warmed my heart. They’re old, wrinkly and ready to die but they prove grey matter is really what matters. I laughed out loud again and again. If I can hold onto my marbles as long as they have, old age might not be that bad. (Sat., Oct. 24: Inco Innovation Centre Theatre, 1:30 – 3 p.m.) Jane Adey The Necktie: This lovely film uses puppet animation to tell the story of a man suddenly questioning the meaning of his life. Have you ever worked in a mind numbing, dead end job...or been lucky enough to wonder what that might be like? This film offers some hope. (Wed., Oct. 21, 9-10:30 p.m., Masonic) Maria Hobden For those suffering from a broken heart, How To Be Alone is a whimsical yet poignant musical mediation on how to embrace being alone in today’s world.
Mixing live action with animation, spoken-word artist Tanya Davis gives an awe-inspiring performance. (Wed., Oct. 21, 7-8:30 p.m., Masonic) Deanne Foley
Flights: This charming three-minute film follows an elderly man as he climbs a winding staircase. I found myself cringing as the old codger struggled up each successive flight. At first I wasn’t sure where he -- and the movie -- were going, but the surprise ending left me breathless. (Thurs., Oct. 22, Majestic) Jane Mingay Good Morning Kandahar: I was alternately impressed and troubled by the Canadian military activities happening here to help win the war there. No matter what side of the stay-or-go debate one falls on, this is important stuff to know. (Fri., Oct. 23, 3-4:30 p.m., Majestic) Leslie Vryenhoek Crackie: This raw drama about family dysfunction in outport Newfoundland has film critics lauding Meghan Greeley (Mitsy) as Canada’s hottest new actress. But it’s Mary Walsh who truly shines as the harsh, hard grandmother, Bride. It’s a knockout performance that proves she is much more than our local comedy queen. (Sat., Oct. 24, 8 p.m.. Arts & Culture Centre) Susanne Hiller
on display
lucent “snowballs” made out of fibreglass and resin launched at Cape Spear with high intensity glow sticks, Eastern Edge Gallery-72 Harbour Dr 739-1882 (Ends Sat Oct 17)
OPEN TUNING (Wave Up): A kinetic sound installation by Stephen Kelly (NS) that translocates a remote ocean environment, in real-time, to an urban gallery space, Eastern Edge Gallery-72 Harbour Dr 739-1882 (Ends Sat Oct 17)
SALT CONCENTRATES: Will Gill and Annette
galleries • museums
Manning: Human flotsam and jetsam (tampon applicators, clay dolls, plastic bullet shells, toys…) is crystallized and hangs, floats and entangles, A1C Gallery-8 Clift’s-Baird’s Cove 237-0427 (Ends Oct 10)
galleries
WATERFORD, Ireland: Consultations and Observations: 25 photographs Michael Durrand, who spent a year travelling throughout the city and country of his birth, recording the length and bredth of the country, its people and places, free, St John’s City Hall (Ends Oct 22)
OPENING 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 (Opening reception on Sun Oct 11 from 2pm-4pm)
MIGRATIONS: Contemporary textiles by Kelly
museums
Jane Bruton, Diana Dabinett, Susan Furneaux, Heather Reeves & Rachel Ryan share stories about the impact of migration, Craft Council-59 Duckworth St 753-2749 (Opening reception Sun Oct 18 from 2pm-4pm)
A TOUR DE FORT: Interpretive panels tell the
MY STICKER CANDY PUSSY LOVER: Four
wireless station now communications museum, 23 Old Placentia Rd-Mt Pearl 748-1124
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
short films by Allyson Mitchell ( Toronto) Borne of the spirit of DIY riot grrrl activism and drawing on queer activist strategies, anti-oppression troublemaking and the power of local collaboration, A1C Gallery-8 Clift’s-Baird’s Cove 237-0427 (Opens on Fri Oct 16/Reception Sat Oct 17 at 8pm)
PENETRALIA: An exhibit of new works by
unidentified photos from the archives which remain a mystery in terms of their geographical location within NL, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000
COLLECTING THE ARCTIC: Bob Bartlett’s
Rhonda Pelley and Michael Pittman, Leyton Gallery-Clift’s-Baird’s Cove 722-7177 (Opening reception on Fri Oct 9 from 5pm-7pm)
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
REIGNING CATS AND DOGS: Funloving clay works by Vicky Northey & Pauline Stockwood inspired by the age-old antagonism between canines and felines, Craft Council-59 Duckworth St 753-2749 (Opening reception Sun Oct 18 from 2pm-4pm)
ARCHIVAL MYSTERIES: Where Is It? Featuring
FIND THE MOST GS PU TO-DATE LISTIN ONLINE AT
thescope.ca
ONGOING 400: Juried group exhibition of contemporary craft that reflects the 400th anniversary of Cupids, Craft Council-59 Duckworth St 753-2749
ALPINES: Painting in the Garden group exhibit, MUN Botanical Garden-306 Mt Scio Rd 737-8590
BREAKING POINT: Chainmaille-inspired creations that investigate our social links by Jason Holley, Craft Council-59 Duckworth St 753-2749
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 Butler Gallery-111 George St W 739-7111
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
NEW WORKS: New mixed media paintings & original prints, Christine Koch Studio-177 Water Street, by appt 576-0841
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
LAST CHANCE CAPE SPEAR: Will Gill’s video documents trans-
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
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 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
ICE AGE MAMMALS: See creatures that became extinct the last time the climate changed, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000
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 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
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
Find up-to-date listings online at
thescope.ca/on-display
Four short films by Allyson Mitchell, My Sticker Candy Pussy Lover, opens Oct 16 at A1C. Photo by Allyson Mitchell.
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
thescope 19
onstage
RCA: Raising the curtain, rocking the cradle Without a home to call their own until February, RCA Theatre Company will open its new season at MUN’s Reid Theatre with the production Rocking the Cradle
David Keating sat down with Amy House, the company’s artistic animateur, to talk about the play and the ongoing renovations at the LSPU Hall.
CITY
ARTS &
What one change would make the St. John’s metro a better place to live? Best New Local Trend Worst New Local Trend Best-Kept Local Secret Best Local Hero (Female or Male) Person Who Should Be Mayor But Isn’t Sauciest Local Best Effort to Improve the City Local Claim To Shame Best Local Organization Best Prof Best Local Curse Best place to feel like you’re not in St John’s Sketchiest Crosswalk Best Day Trip Best Drag King /Queen Best Cheap Thrill Best Local Event of 2009 Best Corner Best Place to Swim Outside Best Washroom Best Building
Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best
LIFE
FOOD &
DRINK Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best
New Restaurant Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying Restaurant for a Quick Bite Take Out Buffet International Food Breakfast Pizza Burger Seafood Place to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Cup of Coffee Late Night (After 1am)
SHOPS & SERVICES
Best Local Employer Hardest Working Local Best Staff Best Specialty Store Best Clothing Store (Women) Best Clothing Store (Men) Best Convenience Store Best Hair Salon (Female) Best Place for a Haircut (Male) Best Place to Buy a Book Best Place to Buy Jewelry Best Optical Best Veterinarian Best Doctor Best Dentist Best Mechanic
20 thescope
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
MEDIA Gallery Show of 2009 Visual Artist Theatre Performance of 2009 Local Actor/Actress New Book Local Comedian New Local Film Local Radio Program Local TV Program Local TV Personality Local Publication Local Blog
love? Best Best Best Best
Place to Meet a New Lover First Date Place to Make Out Place to Break Up
MUSIC &
NIGHTLIFE Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best Best
Musician Band New Band Band to Dance To Loud Band Musician to Enjoy Quietly Local Rock Star (Female or Male) Band With the Worst Name Live Show of 2009 Rapper DJ Jam Night Karaoke Place for Cheap Drinks Bartender Place to Hear Live Music Afterhours Happy Hour Neighbourhood Bar/Pub Place to Shoot Pool
other Best Category We Missed Best Section of The Scope What The Scope Needs More Of
I
n the over 30 years of the Resource Centre for the Arts’ storied existence, the 2009/2010 season will likely prove to be a standout year. While still at the mercy of construction timetables, Amy House and the staff at RCA are anticipating being back in a completely renovated LSPU Hall sometime in February. “We’re living in great anticipation of returning to the Hall, says House. “It’s going to be a wonderful space for artists and a great space for audiences.” House says the efforts of staff and the Hall board to secure funding to revamp the space will finally bring the facility into the 21st century. The renovations—a do-or-die situation for the space, according to House—will include an adaptable performance area that can be changed for theatre-in-the-round, entrances at both stage left and stage right, a lift that makes the theatre more accessible, and a new 50-seat second space downstairs for smaller shows, newer companies and works-in-progress. Basic amenities like heat and air conditioning, as well as updated phone and ticketing systems, are also being added. Claimed by the Mummers Troupe in 1971 as an artist’s space, the Longshoreman’s Protective Union Hall has been at the center of St. John’s art scene since its inception as a theatre and gallery. Generations of performers— including member of CODCO and Rick Mercer—began their careers on its stage. Part of the new vision for the Hall, in both in its space and its mandate, is the continued cultivation on new writing talent and a longer incubation period for new works before they reach the main stage. “That 50-seat space downstairs is going to be instrumental in being able to present experimental and new works, and for artists to be able to try out new things in a less expensive venue,” says House. “What I think is a great accomplishment is the development that’s happening before productions are being put on stage... Now we find productions
that are in development for maybe two years before they’re considered for mainstage production.” The RCA Theatre Company’s first production of the year, Rocking the Cradle, has benefited from this extended development process. The show has been co-produced with Tarragon Theatre in Toronto, and the show and its cast will transfer to Toronto for an extended month-long run after closing here in town. House hopes that future mainstage productions will likewise find a life beyond their presentation at the Hall.
Rocking the Cradle
Written by Des Walsh and directed by Tarragon Theatre Artistic Director Richard Rose, Rocking the Cradle is an adaptation of Spanish poet and playwright Frederico Garcia Lorca’s Yerma re-imagined in 1960’s outport Newfoundland. “It’s going to be a beautiful show, visually, for sure... the essence of that small community, that remote outport Newfoundland, the sound, the wind, and the visuals,” says House. “It’s going to be extraordinary to watch.” Without a home base to work from, RCA has leaned on the resources of the whole theatre community to bring Cradle to life. The Arts and Culture Centre provided rehearsal space and resources, Holy Heart Theatre is handling box office and ticketing and MUN’s Reid Theatre is hosting the production. “Doing this show has really brought home to me a sense of community,” says House. “There’s an advantage of being out of your home. You’re out in the world, and you’re out there with everybody else.” Rocking the Cradle is presented by RCA/Tarragon Theatre at the Reid Theatre from October 8th to October 18th. Tickets are available at the Holy Heart box office. More info at rca.nf.ca. Comment on this article online at
thescope.ca
diy
how to make your own diamond kite By Kevin Woolridge Illustration by Tara Fleming
W
Step one
Take your dowels and put them in the shape of a cross. These are the spars of your kite. Your horizontal spar should be about 12 cm shorter than your vertical spar. Use string to keep these together with a dab of glue. With a sharp knife cut a slit at the end of each dowel. The slit should be level with the kite.
Step two
Although my memory is a little hazy, I’m pretty sure we had more than one kite from Pipers when I was little. Probably with Spider-Man or the Hulk splashed across its cheap plastic. Step three
Lay your frame down on your paper and cut around it, leaving a bit of extra paper. Fold the extra paper over and glue or tape it to the other side. The paper should be nice and taunt on the frame. Wow, you’ve almost got a kite!
Step four
Now take a piece of string, roughly 20cm longer than your vertical spar
and tie each end to your loops. This is your kite’s bridle. Tie your flying line to the bridle about a third of the way down.
Step five
Add some extra glue to your edges to be safe. Take another piece of string and tie ribbons to it. Then tie the string to the bottom loop of your kite for a tail. You may find you need to adjust the length of the tail once you try it out. Grab some crayons and/or markers and decorate the thing. Viola! You’re holding a kite. There are lots of resources online for kiting, and a quick Googling will come up with hundreds of pages. My only advice is to pack sunglasses/sunscreen, gloves, extra string, tape and a knife or pair of scissors, and with that you should be able to handle anything that comes up. Happy kiting! As part of the Association Communautaire francophone de Saint-Jean, the Festival Du Vent (Festival of the Wing) Sunday, October 16 is Kite Day in Bowring Park. There will be wind-themed crafts happening from 2-4pm, and a kite judging contest at 3pm. Follow the signs from the Waterford Bridge Road/Park Road parking lot. For more info, visit www.acfsj.ca Comment on this article online at thescope.ca
Internet Café
• Glue • Tape (of the transparent type) • String or twine • Two wooden dowels (bamboo skewers will do in a pinch, but will make for a very small kite) • Paper (a large brown paper bag or some nice wrapping paper, or, in a pinch, this page) • Ribbon • Knife • Scissors
Grab your string (or twine) and tie it to the top. Feed it through the slit and around the frame. If you like, you can loop it around the end of each dowel after it goes through the slit. When you reach the top you can go around again for good measure. The strings should be taunt. At the bottom tie a little loop and then again at the top.
HOOKED UP
ho doesn’t like kiting? Well my dog doesn’t show any interest in it, but unless it’s a cookie or his own butt he doesn’t show much interest in anything. As a species, humans have been fascinated with the idea of flight for thousands of years. Probably invented by the Chinese nearly 3,000 years ago, kites have been used for various applications ever since, from military use and scientific experiments (remember Marconi? And despite common belief, Ben Franklin never attached a key to a kite in a lightning storm, he just wrote about the idea.) Kites have been a part of us for almost as long as we’ve dreamed of being in the sky. For many of us, flying a kite as a kid is our first real experience with the idea of flight. Although my memory is a little hazy, I’m pretty sure we had more than one kite from Pipers when I was little. Probably with Spider-Man or the Hulk splashed across its cheap plastic. I guess Superman would have made more sense—at least it would have matched the Underoos. As an adult, kiting can do much more than connect us with our inner child, it can be a great recreational and social activity. It can be a great workout. And at the very least it’s a good excuse to get out and ‘get a bit of air on ya.’ Nowadays there’s a great variety of kite styles— from parafoils, deltas and boxes to bowed and stunt or power kites—and it can be daunting to someone just starting out. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s say it’s a rainy day and you’re looking for something to do that doesn’t include mopping your floors and cleaning the bathroom. Here’s what you’ll need:
Loves
to
Play...
www.hooked-up.ca • 206 Duckworth
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
thescope 21
fieldnotes
kerri breen listens for local culture
What did Ol’ Queen Elizabeth sound like? Photo illustration by Elling Lien.
audio documentary
Now I hear it Bruce Smith, author of The Acoustic World of Early Modern England, once asked himself: Are the sounds of the past gone forever? Inspired by Smith’s question, Chris Brookes, a local audio documentary producer and selfdescribed sound nerd went on a
quest to discover what Elizabethan England sounded like. For two weeks, he wandered around England recording sounds people have been hearing since Shakespeare’s days. His research brought him to a farm to record the snorts and squeals of Gloucester Old Spot pigs, a breed that’s been around since Elizabethan times, and to old
churches whose bells have been ringing for hundreds of years. The result of his work, and that of co-producers Paolo Pietropaolo and Alan Hall, is an audio documentary called Hark! The doc, which runs just under an hour, has been chosen to open the Prix Europa Festival in Berlin on October 18. Normally North American features do not qualify for the prestigious festival, but Hark! was given the OK because it was coproduced by a Brit and aired on BBC. Hark! has also been featured on CBC radio and broadcasts in Finland and Australia. Last summer it won the international Prix Marulic prize for radio documentary. Brookes says Elizabethans had a pre-scientific, almost spiritual conception of sound—with which Hark! was made in recognition of. “They thought of listening differently,” he says. “They had this idea that you heard a sound and it kind of circulated through your body, kind of like a spiritual fluid or something.” Hark! doesn’t intend to be an accurate audio portrayal of Elizabethan life, nor could it be. For one, Brookes says it was impossible to isolate the church bells from London’s brash traffic sounds. “Part of what we try to do is try to get people to imaginatively subtract all the 21st century sounds.” The program juxtaposes sounds that have existed for hundreds of years with those of modern day London. Brookes had to get creative
to collect those sounds as well. “I spent a long time phoning payphones in London trying to get someone to answer, and when they did I’d ask if they could just hold the phone up for 30 seconds so I could just record the sound in that particular spot.” Listen to Hark! at batteryradio. com
music awards
MusicNL nominees announced This year, Chris Kirby, the Novaks, and Shanneyganock have stolen the show. Kirby and Shanneyganock received four MusicNL nominations and the Novaks received three. This year’s MusicNL conference takes place from Nov. 13 -15. In addition to the gala, there is a songwriters’ circle, a showcase, an industry brunch, as well as seminars. For a complete list of nominees, head to www.musicnl.ca/news/54
script publishing
Theatre research
English professor Denyse Lynde and Toronto Ph.D candidate Mark Turner want to know why some local plays aren’t being published. They have launched a blog asking this question as part of a research project looking into the challenges
that prevent publication of Newfoundland and Labrador plays. Turner speculates that there’s more of an emphasis on production in local theatre culture than producing dramatic texts, and says there hasn’t been as much of a dialogue between local publishers and playwrights. “People don’t exactly know what to do with published play texts, because I think it’s sort of a different beast than publishing a book.” Lynde and Turner’s project also serves to get an accurate idea of just how much published and unpublished work is out there. They are looking for input from the theatre community as well as the public. Check out nlpp.wordpress.com
more music awards
Duane Andrews wins film award The local guitarist extraordinaire has won the award for Best Original Score at the 2009 Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax. The score for Sherry White’s Crackie also includes two songs by former St. John’s singer-songwriter Cherie Pyne, who now lives in Montreal. Comment online at
thescope.ca/fieldnotes
SERENA RYDER
ore on my do che met m ta us m bu YOU: fa a letter? more than step. Was it
thescope.ca/classifieds 22 thescope
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
musicreviews do make do great
Do Make Say Think The Other Truths (Constellation)
Hellothisisalex The Accidentals (alectric:audio)
The Flaming Lips Embryonic (Warner)
Is it a sign of the times and/or the failing music industry that more and more recording artists seem intent on making movies—or at least music—that sounds cinematic nowadays? This could always be said of Toronto’s premiere post-rock (what an awful genre term! Let’s never use it again) instrumentalists Do Make Say Think, whose long-form instrumentals always seem to evoke a strong visual synesthesia. The Other Truths is a detour from the direction of their previous album You, You’re a History in Rust which had them stripped back and recording in a barn to capture a more “authentic” band sound. But this time around they’re very much in studio artist mode, densely packing arrangements with orchestras and thickly woven guitars. The four 10+ minute tracks (each titled cheekily “Do”, “Make”, “Say” and “Think”) ebb and flow epically, but with much more vigour and exciting dynamics than usual. The final product is a finely-crafted layer cake made by experts in their prime. — PATRICK CANNING
Hellothisisalex is an electronic duo formerly of Corner Brook fame who now live in dirty old Ontario. The duo’s new album is a light, fizzy concoction of 8-bit analogue beeps and bloops with playful jaunty melodies. Many of the song titles reference Newfoundland locales such as “On the shore of Walden Pond” or “Blackpoll Party at Lobster Cove Head” but the tunes are more prone to elicit thoughts of Konami games instead of lobster pots or heritage sites—although the fog horn sample in “The Paper House” does set a bit of a nautical scene. The retro Gameboy tones are kept pretty dry throughout, and the bass-deficient buzz of the keys can grate the ears after a while, especially to those of us who are sick of the ubiquitous 1980s Nintendo nostalgia music circuit, ala Dan Deacon. But there is enough enthusiasm and invention present on this short offering to make it worth your while. — PC
The strongest release from the Lips since 1999’s The Soft Bulletin, this album finds the Flaming Lips moving away from the animal costume and fake-blood schtick that’s been their bread and butter for the past 10 years and returning to their experimental roots. There is scarcely a single radio-friendly moment anywhere on the sprawling two disc set, and the buzzed-out, confrontational production aesthetic seems to be designed solely for the purpose of dissuading casual listeners. The songs take the form of elaborate jam sessions, with an unmistakable love of 70s-era German prog with less of the Beach-Boys-onspace-acid pop the Lips have become known for. Waybe Coyne pulls back the melodrama in his voice, and the band lock into fuzzy hypnotic grooves with much more aggression and menace then they’ve shown in decades. No, not all of the 18 tracks are classics, but the band hasn’t sounded so much like “a band” in ages, and the album just gets richer and richer with repeated listens. — PC
performance &dance
(Sat Oct 10 from 1pm-3pm)
on stage theatre • dance & burlesque spoken & written • comedy
theatre
ETERNAL FASHION EVENT (MUNHOPE benefit) Clothing from Envy, Pseudio, RW&Co, Urban Planet, Laura, Sirens, $20, Dusk Ultra Lounge (Sun Oct 18 at 7pm & 9pm)
EVI PATRONE CHARITY FASHION GALA: Numerous outfits will be auctioned off for charity. Hosted by Donald Elliott, Majestic Theatre-390 Duckworth St (Tue Oct 13 at 7:30pm)
SALSA, Tango & Latin Dance, $5, Bella Vista (Tuesdays at 7pm)
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES: Musical adaptation
SKIRT FULL OF MILONGA: Free Argentine
of the family classic tells the poignant and funny story of a freckle-faced, red-haired orphan named Anne Shirley, $23, Arts & Culture Centre 729-3900 (Wed Oct 7-Sat Oct 10 at 9:30pm)
tango class at 7:30pm; Dance at 8pm, $10, beginners welcome, MUN University Centre-The Landing 753-6105 (Every 4th Saturday)
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Presented by
dance Argentine Tango, 8:30pm-10:30pm, $5, RCA Club-10 Bennett Ave (Thursdays)
Holy Heart High School, $8/$15/$20, Holy Heart Theatre-55 Bonaventure Ave 579-4424 (Thu Oct 22 - Sat Oct 24)
ROCKING THE CRADLE (RCA Theatre) Joan desperately desires motherhood while in a troubled marriage. Adapted from Lorca’s Yerma and set in rural pre-moratorium Newfoundland. Adapted by Des Walsh, directed by Richard Rose, and featuring Ruth Lawrence, Jane Dingle, Darryl Avalon Hopkins, Didi Gillard-Rowlings, Greg King, Monica Walsh & Kate Corbett, MUN Reid Theatre (Thu Oct 8-Sun Oct 18 (except Mondays))
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 (Fri Oct 9, Sat Oct 10, Fri Oct 16 & Sat Oct 17)
TANGO ON THE EDGE: A social gathering to
BOOK SIGNING: Chad Pelley signs Away from Everywhere (Sun Oct 11 from 1pm-3pm at Costco & Sat Oct 17 from 1pm-3pm at Chapters)
BOOK SIGNING: Tina Chaulk signs A Few Kinds of Wrong, free, Chapters (Sat Oct 17 from 3pm-5pm)
BOOK SIGNING: Trudy Morgan-Cole signs By the Rivers of Brooklyn, free, Chapters (Sun Oct 11 from 2pm-4pm)
DOUBLE BOOK LAUNCH: Chad Pelley (Away from Everywhere) and Tina Chaulk (A Few Kinds of Wrong) celebrate new their books, free, The Ship (Tue Oct 13 from 8pm-10pm)
ST JOHN’S STORYTELLING CIRCLE: An open mic of local tales by local tellers w/ Christine Hennebury, $3, Crow’s Nest Officer’s Club (Thu Oct 8 at 7:30pm)
comedy COORS LIGHT NEW TALENT NIGHT,
spoken& written
$5+/$7+/$11+, Yuk Yuk’s-193 Kenmount Rd 7269857 (Wednesdays at 8pm)
BOOK LAUNCH: Catherine Snow by Nellie P
Matt Esteves & Shannon Laverty, Yuk Yuk’s-193 Kenmount Rd 726-9857 (Thu Oct 8 at 8pm $12+/$14+/$18+; Fri Oct 9 & Sat Oct 10 at 8pm & 10:30pm $18+/$20+/$24+ w/ dinner at 6pm $47.99-$53.99)
Strowbridge, Chapters (Thu Oct 22 from 7pm9pm)
BOOK LAUNCH: Chief Mi’sel Joe: An Aboriginal Chief’s Journey. Edited by Raoel Andersen & John Crellin, Chapters (Fri Oct 16 from 7pm-9pm)
JUST FOR LAUGHS: Comedy Tour ‘09: All-Star Edition featuring Danny Bhoy, Pete Correale, Godfrey, Steve Patterson and Host Sugar Sammy, Arts & Culture Centre 729-3900 (Mon Oct 19 at 7pm)
STAND UP COMEDY: Johnny Gardhouse,
STAND UP COMEDY: Darcy Michael, Garret
Things by Christopher Pratt, all are welcome, no admission, Bianca’s-171 Water St (Wed Oct 21 from 7pm-9pm)
Clarke & Arthur Simeon, Yuk Yuk’s-193 Kenmount Rd 726-9857 (Thu Oct 15 at 8pm $12+/$14+/$18+; Fri Oct 16 & Sat Oct 17 at 8pm & 10:30pm $18+/$20+/$24+ w/ dinner at 6pm $47.99-$53.99)
BOOK READING: Christopher Pratt reads
STAND UP COMEDY: Tony Krolo, Paul Warford
BOOK LAUNCH (Breakwater Books) Ordinary
escope.ca
Ordinary Things and Chad Pelley reads Away from Everywhere, $10 (inc wine), Newman Wine Vaults-436 Water St (Thu Oct 8 at 7pm)
and Michelle Shaughnessy, $12+/$14+/$18+, Yuk Yuk’s-193 Kenmount Rd 726-9857 (Thu Oct 22 at 8pm)
BOOK READING: Artist and author Christopher
COMEDY SUNDAYS, $2, The Levee-Holdsworth
Pratt celebrates Ordinary Things, free, Chapters
Crt (Sundays at 8pm)
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
thescope 23
100%localcomics
freewillastrology
rob brezsny & the ridiculously sublime karma
COMIC SANS by Andrew Power
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) Amazingly enough, the good deeds you do in the next 21 days could alone qualify you for a permanent exemption from hell. It seems God has cooked up some imminent tests that will give you a chance to garner some ridiculously sublime karma. What’s that you say? You don’t believe in either God or hell? Well then, interpret the opportunity this way: The good deeds you perform in the coming three weeks could practically ensure that the sins you’ve committed thus far in your life will not stain the world or be passed on as IOUs to the next generation. Happy birthday to Justin Simms, Craig Cantwell, Helen Gregory and Michael Phillips.
Sagittarius (Nov 22 – December 21) In 1968, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn finished his book The Gulag Archipelago, a scorching indictment of the oppression that he and his countrymen suffered under the totalitarian regime of the Soviet Union. Banned for years, it was never formally published in his home country until 1989. Even after that, the new Russian government tried to control the teaching of history by suppressing texts like Solzhenitsyn’s. This year, all that changed. The Gulag Archipelago became required reading in Russian high schools. At last, the truth is officially available. (Maybe one day the equivalent will happen in the U.S., with alternate histories by Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky finding their way into the curriculum.) I celebrate this breakthrough as a symbol of the events that are about to unfold in your personal life: the long-lost truth finally revealed.
WEREBEARS AND ONLY CHILDREN by Jennifer Barrett
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) John, a colleague of mine, is a skillful psychotherapist. His father is in a similar occupation, psychoanalysis. If you ask John whether his dad gave him a good understanding of the human psyche while he was growing up, John quotes the old maxim: “The shoemaker’s son has no shoes.” Is there any comparable theme in your own life, Capricorn? Some talent or knowledge or knack that should have been but was not a part of your inheritance; a natural gift you were somehow cheated out of in your early environment? If so, the coming weeks will be an excellent time to start recovering from your loss and getting the good stuff you have coming to you.
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
Laureate Kay Ryan in one of her poems. “And rot is an / aggressive neighbor / whose iridescence / keeps creeping over.” Your job in the coming week, Pisces, is to reinforce that border -- with a triple-thick wall, if necessary -- so that the rot cannot possibly ooze over and infect tenderness. It is especially important right now that the sweet, deep intimacy you dole out and stimulate will not get corrupted by falseness or sentimentality. I urge you to stir up the smartest affection you have ever created.
MS. QUOTE by T.L. Fleming
Aries (March 21 – April 19) The poet Stephen Mallarmé wrote the following in a letter to a friend: “I don’t know which of my internal climates I should explore in order to find you and meet you.” I love that passage. It alludes to one of the central facts about the nature of reality: The quality of your consciousness is crucial in determining whether you’ll be able to attract the resources that are essential to your dreams coming true. In order to get what you want, you have to work on yourself at least as hard as you work on the world around you. This is always true, of course, but it’s especially true for you now, Aries.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Is there anything in your life that you don’t really want but nevertheless find it hard to part with? A situation or experience that
HOROSCOPES 24 thescope
f Cancer
Leo
x Virgo
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(June 22 – July 22)
(July 23 – August 22)
(August 23 – September 22)
(September 23 – October 22)
Justin Timberlake disagrees
Striped underwear??!
He said, she said, it says.
Breakfast is but a moment away
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
Gemini (May 21 – June 20) One of my New Age friends says she has it on good authority that the Seven Lords of Time will reconvene in their Himalayan sanctuary on December 21, 2012 and reinvent the nature of time, as they last did back in 3114 BC. I have no idea if that’s true or not, but if it is, I say “hallelujah!” We would all benefit from some big-time reinvention of time. But that happy event, even if it actually does come to pass, is still more than three years away. What to do in the meantime? Luckily, you Geminis now have major personal power to do some time reinvention of your own. To get the meditations rolling, ask yourself what three things you could do to stop fighting time and start loving it better.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Soup is your metaphor for the week, Cancerian. Symbolically speaking, it’s the key to your personal power and a model for the approach you should take in everything you do. On the most basic level, you might want to eat some soup every day. That will make potent suggestions to your subconscious mind about how to mix lots of ingredients together so that their value and beauty as a totality are more than the sum of their parts. Not just in the kitchen, but in every area of your life, blend many little miscellaneous things into one big interesting thing.
Let’s imagine that an independent filmmaker has been following you around, gathering footage for a movie based on the story of your life. This week he or she would face a Leo (July 23 – August 22) dilemma. That’s because unexpected new subChange your password. Take a different way plots may arise, veering off in directions that home. Ask a question you’ve never asked. seem to be far afield from the core themes. Dream up a new nickname for yourself. The acting of the central players won’t be bad Choose a new lucky number. Change the or unskillful, but it might be out of character way you tell the story about an important with what they’ve done before. And there event in your past. Make it a little could be anomalous intrusions more difficult for people to have that impinge on the main scenes, like a bug landing on your nose HOMEWORK you pegged. Eat a type of food you’ve never tried. Do the research during an intense conversation. To try the exercises necessary to discover why one of Yet I can’t help wondering if this and experiments in “Pronoia Therapy,” your opinions may be wrong. Add chapter of the tale won’t be extra an excerpt from my a new step to your grooming ritual. intriguing for just these reasons. new book, go here: Feel appreciation for a person tinyurl.com/95ykn. whose charms you’ve become Pisces (February 19 – March 20) numb to. Surprise yourself at least “Tenderness and rot / share a once a day. border,” writes the U.S. Poet
EVERYBODY CHEER UP by Bryan Melanson
SECOND OPINION
gives you a perverse sense of comfort because of its familiarity, even though it has a steep emotional cost and doesn’t serve your higher dreams? If so, the coming week will be an excellent time to change your relationship with it. You will make dramatic progress if you brainstorm about how you could break up the stagnant energy that keeps you entranced and entrapped.
Libra
n
Scorpio
(October 23 November 21)
Big game season is here
Virgo (August 23 – September 22) One of the best modern Turkish poets was Seyfettin Bascillar, who worked as a meat inspector in New Jersey for many years before his death in 2002. Nobel Prize-winning poet Czesław Miłosz lived in Berkeley, California for over four decades while writing his books in Polish, his native tongue. Iceland’s great poet of the 20th century, Stephan G. Stephansson, lived in Canada most of his life but always wrote in Icelandic. These people remind me of what you’re going through: striving to do what comes natural and authentic in a situation very different from the place where you originally learned to be natural and authentic. The interesting fact of the matter is that this feeling of displacement could very well be the key to your success.
Libra (September 23 – October 22) The sun shines brighter on my new home. The old place had resemblances to a cave and was surrounded by tall trees. My new space is surrounded by a wide sky and drinks in the solar radiance from dawn to dusk. As you might expect, my 15 plants need to drink a lot more than they used to. The watering ritual at the old house used to come once a week, but now it’s every other day. According to my reading of the astrological omens, a comparable shift is occurring in your rhythm, Libra. Metaphorically speaking, more heat and light are coming your way.
j Sagittarius
L Capricorn
J Aquarius
n Aries
z Taurus
h Gemini
(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)
I hear Zombieland isn’t that bad
Squid do not make good friends
Fruit flavoured Sharpie
No recount for you!!
Are you a founding member?
It’s not cold outside
p Pisces
Blind-draw Sasquatch
events community events • lectures & forums • daytime music • kids & teens • meetings & classes
community events ANNUAL HARVEST SALE: Crafts, baking, etc, Topsail United Church (Mon Oct 12 from 11am-2pm)
CLB SUNDAY MARKET: Flea market & craft fair, CLB Armoury-Harvey Rd (Sundays from 10am-4pm)
FALL PET PHOTOS (Beagle Paws fundraiser) Have your pet’s photo taken by Vatcher Photographic in an autumn setting, $20, Critters & Things-Mt Pearl 738-7297 (Sun Oct 18 from 10am-5pm)
FALL FAIR FESTIVITIES: Jiggs Dinner & Auction, $6/$12, First United Church-Mount Pearl 368-2194 (Fri Oct 9 at 5:30pm)
FALL FAIR FESTIVITIES: Chili Mac & Cheese Dinner, $5/$10, First United Church-Mount Pearl 368-2194 (Thu Oct 15 at 5:30pm)
FESTIVAL DU VENT: Celebrate francophone culture, local artists and wind: Doors Open Day with family activities and concert by Cajun Band Swamperella, free, Centre des Grands-Vents-65 Ridge Rd 726-4900 (Sat Oct 17 from 11am-4pm)
FESTIVAL DU VENT: Celebrate francophone culture, local artists and wind: Wind craft activities for young and old. Kite contest, Bowring Park (Sun Oct 18 from 2pm-5pm)
FLEA MARKET, $1, Topsail United Church (Sat Oct 17 from 10am-3pm)
FOOD NOT BOMBS: Come out for a free, hot, vegan meal indoors, open to all, Eastern Edge Gallery-72 Harbour Dr 739-1882 (Sun Oct 18 from 1pm-3pm)
HOLY INNOCENTS PARISH FALL FAIR: Lunch, dinner, food and craft tables, face painting & bouncy castle, 782-3071 (Sat Oct 17 & Sun Oct 18)
HUMAN HOURGLASS DEMONSTRATION (NL Climate Action Coalition) St. John’s biggest action on the world’s biggest issue to mark the International Day of Climate Action, Nagle’s Hillby Fluvarium (Sat Oct 24 at 3pm)
JIGGS DINNER, $12, Topsail United Church 8344567 (Mon Oct 12 4:30pm-6pm)
SOUP LUNCHEON, Topsail United Church (Mon
CHRISTMAS COMES TO THE LIBRARY: Join Eric White for a display of Christmas ideas and crafts, AC Hunter Library-Arts & Culture Centre 737-3950 (Tue Oct 20 from 7pm-9pm)
COMIC JAM: Get together with local comic
Engineering 2006-Free parking Lot 16/16A (Thu Oct 22 at 7:15pm)
artists to create, share, conspire & discuss. Bring your own drawing materials, 7pm, free, Hava Java (Last Monday of month)
FESTIVAL DU VENT: Celebrate francophone
COMMUNITY GARDEN GATHERING: (Com-
culture, local artists and wind: Opening reception with a round table on professionalization in the visual arts, free, Centre des Grands-Vents-65 Ridge Rd 726-4900 (Thu Oct 15 at 6pm)
munity Garden Alliance) Get your hands dirty & help out at the Rabbittown Community Garden. Workshops too, 36 Graves St (Sunday from 12:30pm-2pm)
JK GALBRAITH LECTURESHIP: The Moral
FLOWER GARDEN TOUR: Take a leisurely
Roots of Economic Crisis featuring Dr Theodore Dalrymple, commonly referred to as the George Orwell of our time, free, Inco Innovation CentreIIC-2001 737-8405 (Thu Oct 15 from 7:30pm9:30pm)
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)
FOOD AS SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKSHOP:
MOUNTAIN OF LEARNING (Everest 2010
With guest presenters, 11am, free, St John’s Farmer’s Market-Lion’s Chalet-Newtown Rd (Sat Oct 17 at 11 am)
fundraiser) A multi-media presentation by TA Loeffler regarding the challenges of training for and climbing “The Seven Summits” including Everest. She is returning to Mt. Everest in the spring of 2010. Suggested donation$10-$20, Inco Theatre, IIC-2001 (Thu Oct 8 at 7:30pm)
FIND THE MOST GS UP-TO-DATE LISTIN ONLINE AT
NEWFOUNDLAND HISTORY
thescope.ca
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)
PROSTATE CANCER INFO SESSION: What is
HURLING: Training Sundays 6pm at Swiler’s out-
it? How is it diagnosed? How is it treated? What do you need to know as a patient or a family member? MUN Arts & Admin-1046 (Mon Oct 19 from 1pm-2pm)
SEX, GENDER AND HEALTH: New Directions in Health Research: New research on sex and gender as it relates to the health of the body, healthy workplaces, healthcare policy and delivery, free but must register, Sheraton Hotel 777-6993 (Mon Oct 19 from 8:30am-4:30pm)
TEACHER EDUCATION IN CANADA (MUN presents) How well are we preparing our teachers? Featuring Dr Robert Crocker, Dr Claire Kosnik & Dr Bruce Sheppard, free, Sheraton Hotel 7378405 (Wed Oct 14 from 7:30pm-9:30pm)
WHAT EVIL FELLED THE DUKE? (MUN History) Hugh Whitney examines the cause of death of the 4th Duke of Richmond, Governor-in-Chief of British North America, 1818-1819, MUN Arts & Admin-4004 (Thu Oct 8 from 12pm-1pm)
daytime music AUNTIE CRAE’S BAND, free-no purchase necessary, Auntie Crae’s (Tuesdays at 12pm)
ST JOHN’S FARMERS’ MARKET: Support
THE GREAT CASAVANT ORGAN: David Drinkell plays varied programs of sacred and secular works, free, Anglican Cathedral (Wednesdays at 1:15pm)
STILES COVE HIKE OPENS (East Coast Trail Assoc) Celebrate official opening of the 15km trail between Flatrock and Pouch Cove, Flatrock Community Hall (Sat Oct 17 from 9:15am-10am)
THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST: Hosted by Men’s Club, $3/$7, Topsail United Church (Sat Oct 10 from 8am-11am)
lectures& forums BIG WOMEN FROM BORROLOOLA (Music, Media and Culture) Approaching, applying and decolonising ethnomusicology in the context of Indigenous Australia with Elizabeth Mackinlay (U of Queensland), free, MMaP Gallery-Arts & Culture Centre (Thu Oct 15 at 7:30pm)
CATCH SHARES & SHARING THE CATCH (Henrietta Harvey) Considerations of Property and Community in Three Fisheries: Bonnie McCay (Rutgers) looks at how people in three regions – NL’s northeast coast; Mexico’s north Pacific coast; and US mid-Atlantic coast – responded to changes in their fisheries linked to environmental shifts, free, MUN Arts & Admin-1046/Parking in lot 15 (Thu Oct 22 at 7pm)
DARWIN’S DILEMMA: The Genes in Genesis
kids& teens 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 (Thursdays from 9:30am-10am) (ENDS NOV 12)
THE LEGEND OF LENNY THE LEAF: Program takes kids outside to examine the awesome changes happening all around us during the fall season, The Fluvarium-5 Nagle’s Pl 754-3474 (Saturdays & Sundays at 1:30pm) (ENDS OCT 25)
YOUNG MUSICIANS, Open mic at Shamrock City Pub (Sundays at 2pm)
YOUNG PERFORMERS: Open mic with Denielle Hann, O’Reilly’s Irish Pub (Sundays at 3pm)
meetings& classes
DARWIN’S DILEMMA: Is death, carnivory and
up in a casual atmosphere with coffee & contemporary music, free, Rabbittown Theatre-106 Freshwater Rd 576-6937 (Sundays at 10am)
sion vs A Day to be Remembered. Prof Veith on DVD looks at the existence of God, free, MUN
INTRODUCTION TO SCRAPBOOKING: Hosted by Christine Moores, co-owner of locally owned Paperie Scrapbooking, for adults, free, Children’s Library-Arts & Culture Centre 737-3950 (Wed Oct 14 from7pm-8:30pm)
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)
MALL WALKERS CLUB, Avalon Mall, 737-2333 (Thursdays at 8:45am)
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: Weekly meetings in St John’s area, call 738-1742 for more info
PAPER TRAILS WRITING GROUP: Explore new perspectives of writing and story telling. Open to all, free, Dynamis Health Centre-95 Torbay Rd (Tuesdays at 7:30pm)
PLAYGROUND OPENING: Ceremony for new boundary free playground and splash pad, Bowring Park-Parking at east & west entrances (Thu Oct 15 at 11am rain or shine)
SENIORS BRIDGING CULTURES: 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: Free meditation practice, Billy Rahal Clubhouse-behind Elizabeth Towers 739-0270 (Wednesdays at 7:30pm & Sundays at 9:30am)
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: Meeting, food sampling and a talk, $10/$15, Cochrane Street United Church (Sun Oct 18 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)
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)
THE POTTLE CENTRE: A social & recreation centre for consumers of mental health services. New members welcome, 323 Hamilton Ave 753-2143
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) Ave 757-8000 (Wednesdays 6pm-9pm)
clubs • groups • free classes & workshops
DARWIN’S DILEMMA: Dawkin’s God delu-
door field & Tuesdays 6.30pm at St Bon’s College. Contact alephmudra33@yahoo.ca for details
THE ROOMS: Free admission, 9 Bonaventure
with Zoology Prof Veith on DVD: A look at the two camps of evolution and creation, free, MUN Engineering 2006-Free parking Lot 16/16A (Thu Oct 8 at 7:15pm) parasites evidence for evolution? Prof Veith on DVD, free, MUN Engineering 2006-Free parking Lot 16/16A (Thu Oct 15 at 7:15pm)
Soil) See demonstration garden using simple techniques used in areas with elevated lead levels, free, call 738-7542 to view, The Gathering Place-Basilica Parking Lot North (ongoing)
(Wessex Society Lecture) Edward Roberts will be installed as the new Patron of the Society and will give a talk on Newfoundland history, Hampton Hall, Marine Institute (Wed Oct 14 from 8pm-10pm)
Oct 12 from 11am-2pm) our local economy & celebrate community spirit, Lion’s Chalet-Newtown Rd (Saturdays from 9am2pm/ no market Oct 10)
GARDEN TOUR (St John’s Safer
AVALON WESLEYAN CHURCH: Weekly meet
CAREGIVER CONVERSATIONS: A Support Group for Unpaid Caregivers, Community Room, Sobeys-Merrymeeting Rd 726-2370 (Every third Monday)
TRIVIA NIGHT, Rose & Thistle (Tuesdays) WALK ON WATER: Get fit, meet people & learn the history of downtown, everyone welcome, free, Auntie Crae’s (Saturdays at 10am, rain or shine)
WOMEN’S ACCORDION CIRCLE: An 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)
Send your community listings to listings@thescope.ca
thescope.ca/community
OCTOBER 8 - 22, 2009
thescope 25
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CLASSIFIEDS To place an ad go to thescope.ca/classifieds
Housing LOOKING for a room: I am a mature Academy Canada student (mid 30s) who is looking for a room. You must be non-smoking, working professionals or mature students who are quiet and responsible. Currently in a bad situation and need to get out ASAP. I can provide furniture. I can pay $400 a month. Email milesfromhome31@yahoo.ca or call 697-2399. Thank you! :)
ROOM AVAILABLE immediatly: Near MUN and the Avalon Mall. A spacious three bedroom/two bathroom house. Currently, there are two female students living in the house with two cats. Fully furnished with a washer and dryer. $400. Call 579-4198
Bulletin Board ARTIST looking for Newfoundland women to pose for portrait series : The series depicts women posed in a similar style to the famous image by William Gosse of Shanawdithit. The images will be on display at a gallery in Toronto this upcoming year. I will need about an hour of your time and will give you a copy of the final print. To view my work please visit www.eliserasmussen.com
Classes ARGENTINE Tango Workshop: A weekend with two visiting, world renowned dancers, performers, and teachers straight from Buenos Aires, Argentina. October 16th, 17th, and 18th @ the Landing, University Centre
CREATIVE WRITING Fitting Room: If you’re curious in MUN’s Creative Writing program, you can try it on in a no-cost, stress-free seminar. E-mail paragoncollection@gmail. com to register
TOASTMASTERS MEETING: Want to improve your public speaking? Terra Nova Toastmasters hold their bi-weekly meeting Tuesdays from 7-9 at the College of North Atlantic (Rm L 214)in the Murphy center. Guests welcome. derekcurtis62@hotmail.com
Musicians EXPERIENCED COMPOSER/SONGWRITER/PERCUSSIONIST is seeking a versatile Guitarist and Bassist to record his songs, for a cd project. An understanding of chord theory (by ear or on paper) is a plus. These are nondescriminatory, equal opportunity spots, all will be given consideration. Reply online at thescope.ca
How to submit a classified ad for print Online classifieds are free but you can choose to upgrade them to print for a small fee.
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.
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Refunds/cancellations: We do not offer any refunds for early cancellations of paid print classifieds or web upgrades.
ADOPT ME...
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SPCA St. John’s - 726-0301 - www.spcastjohns.org
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•••
I
’m a high-school student, gay, but whenever someone asks me, I lie and say I’m not. I feel like I’m ashamed of who I am and that I’m dishonoring every openly gay person. But I don’t know what else to do. Most of the other students at my school use the words “gay” and “faggot” in a derogatory way. I’ve only been in high school for four weeks, and I’m not sure how they would react. What should I do? Should I come out? GAY BOY SEEKING SERIOUS HELP “I’m a big fan of telling people what to do (just ask my poor boyfriend), but coming out is a deeply personal decision, one you’re going to have to negotiate yourself,” says Benoit Denizet-Lewis, who wrote a cover story for the New York Times Magazine about gay kids coming out in middle school. “With that said, here’s what you should
do. First, the fact that you’re worrying about ‘dishonoring every gay person’ speaks volumes about your character and tells me that you have a heart and a conscience, both of which will serve you well in your life as an openly gay man. Second, consider coming out first to an adult you trust (a school counselor, your gay uncle). Third, try to come out to one friend, preferably one who loves the show Glee. Having a peer ally is critical to your mental health. Finally, when you do come out to your parents, just be sure you’re not in a moving vehicle.” Denizet-Lewis’s first book, America Anonymous, is out now, and it’s pretty genius. But for the record: I do not love the show Glee. •••
G
reetings from Portland, Oregon. Our fair city is totally overflowing with cute, young, scruffy boys. Which is awesome, of course, for gay guys like me. The only problem is, it seems like a disproportionate number of these boys are, well, boys without dicks— trans guys. Seems like every dance party, every art-fag event, is packed with non-bio boys. But where are all the trans girls? None of my lesbo friends talk about all the new trans girls running around town. I know that this could strictly be regionspecific, but it seems to be a bigger issue. Why is it that the butch girls all seem to become dudes, yet so few of the femme boys identify as women? GGG IN PDX I’m just theorizing here: There seem to be fewer MTFs out there than FTMs, and the MTFs who are out there mostly seem to have been straight-identified before their transitions (they were with women), unlike most FTMs, who seem, for the most part, to have been lesbian-identified before their transitions. So MTFs weren’t integrated into the queer community prior to their transitions the same way FTMs were before theirs. Confused? Me too. So MTFs are less likely to frequent places— bars, clubs, art-fag events—where you, a gay guy, might encounter them. As for why there are so many trans guys in Portland, GGGIPDX, trans guys clump up for the same reasons other sexual minorities do. It’s not just about safety in numbers—although it’s partly that—but also about the romantic odds. The more trans guys in one place, the more trans guys there are to date; and the more trans guys in one place, the likelier nontrans guys and girls are to meet, get to know, and perhaps consider dating trans guys.
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Funny you should ask, HTRC, as last weekend the boyfriend-in-America/husbandin-Canada and I attended the wedding of some dear straight friends. We weren’t the only same-sex couple at the wedding; there were “a number of people in attendance [without] access to the rights” our straight friends were signing up for. All us homos at the wedding were delighted to be there and deliriously happy for our friends, and not one of us would’ve asked them to wait to marry until gay marriage is legal in all 50 states— something that isn’t going to Dan Savage happen until 2024 mail@savagelove.net at the earliest, according to number-crunchin’ superstar political blogger Nate Silver (tinyurl.com/ cn58xy). That’s when Silver predicts that the final holdout—Mississippi—will finally legalize same-sex marriage. Here’s what I think you should do, HTRC: get married, make a donation to the fight for marriage equality, and encourage your guests to do the same. And, hey, are you guys getting married in the next four weeks? Because there’s a ballot measure in Maine that would strip same-sex couples in that state of their newly won right to wed. Help protect marriage equality in Maine by making a donation—right now—at www.protectmaineequality.org. And religious bigots in Washington State, where I live, are attempting to repeal a domesticpartnership law at the ballot box. Protect the rights of same-sex couples in Washington by making a donation—right now—at www. approvereferendum71.org. And in addition to throwing some money
around, HTRC, I think you should consider lifting one of the readings from my friends’ ceremony. “Marriage is a vital social institution,” the reading began. “The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support. Civil marriage is at once a deeply personal commitment to another human being and a highly public celebration of the ideals of mutuality, companionship, intimacy, fidelity, and family. Because it fulfills yearnings for security, safe haven, and connection that express our common humanity, civil marriage is an esteemed institution and the decision whether and whom to marry is among life’s momentous acts of self-definition.” So touching, so true, and so universal—who could argue with those sentiments? Everyone at the wedding was nodding. And the reading continued… “It is undoubtedly for these concrete reasons, as well as for its intimately personal significance, that civil marriage has long been termed a ‘civil right.’ Without the right to choose to marry, one is excluded from the full range of human experience.” After the reading—which was done by a gay friend of the couple—the officiant identified the source: It was from the 2003 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage in that state. It was a lovely gesture: The gay couples at the wedding were touched and the hetero couples were reminded of the injustice that gay couples face. It would be wonderful if this passage from the Massachusetts court’s ruling on marriage equality caught on as a wedding reading, HTRC. The gay people in the pews will be touched, and with any luck, any straight guests who oppose marriage equality will take a moment to reconsider their positions. At the very least, they’ll know where the bride and groom stand.
This gorgeous boy is approx 3 years old and although he was confined to a pen, adores being around people. Mr. Duke is very gentle but would surely be up for playing or walking at the drop of a hat. This little man even seems to play well with cats.
LADDIE
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y partner and I have a dilemma. We’re a straight couple. Our lives and finances are intertwined, and we are already essentially living as a married couple. Now we want to hold a ceremony with family and friends to make public the commitment we’ve already made privately. That said, we are in favor of marriage equality and are considering joining the marriage boycott (www.unmarried.org) until DOMA is repealed and every state allows gay marriage. Our friends and family say we should get married and fight for equality “from the other side of the fence.” On the other hand, a number of the people in attendance at our wedding would not have access to the rights we’d be signing up for, and that feels unfair to us. We’d like to know what you think. Is boycotting legal marriage a worthwhile statement for straight couples to make? Or do you think we should put gay-rights groups on our registry and fight for marriage equality as a married couple? HOPING TO RENDER CHANGE
Lady Dunfield Memorial Shelter
If you are looking for a feline companion who will make life just a little more interesting, then Laddie is the boy for you. Approximately 4-5 months old, he is curious, mischevious, playful and affectionate. What more could a cat lover ask for?
LAUREL 1
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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. This little sweetheart is approximately 4-5 months old and exudes kindness and compassion. She likes to sit back and observe her environment, but is always open to giving and receiving love and affection. Drop by our shelter today to meet this darling girl!
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sex columnist dan savage is waiting for 2024
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ACROSS
1. Yer pumper 5. Yo-Yo is one. 7. Journeys taken for pleasure 10. Negatory 12. “____ there it is!”
15. To turn white 17. Someone from Ohio 19. Studies prisons, not penii 20. The quality of being awesome.
DOWN
2. Ah, What Now? 3. 17th letter of the Greek alphabet 4. Don’t stop ___ you get enough.
5. ___ Ryan 6. ___ DiFranco 7. A Wings’ hit. 8. For unlocking things. 9. Cuts wood; also a series of stupid movies.
10. Negatories 11. A mocking man’s “aha!” 12. Intense mournfulness 13. ___ Solo (Hint: Not Liz) 14. Half of two 16. Toronto abbr.
18. I am, but shorter. See solution on page 4.