Verb Issue S240 (May 17-23, 2013)

ISSUE #240 – MAY 17 TO MAY 23

ARTS

CULTURE

MUSIC

SASKATOON

FLYING FOX

HUNTER GATHERERS

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AND THE

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AMBITIOUS PURSUITS

TATTOOS 101 Getting inked in Saskatchewan CASUAL CLASSICAL Ritornello Fest 5 STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS + IN YOUR DREAMS Films reviewed­

PHOTO: COURTESY OF CAT PANETTA

NEWS + OPINION

CONTENTS

TATTOOS 101 The history of getting ink.

4 / LOCAL

MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT Shedding the stigma of sex addiction.

6 / LOCAL

BLADES OF GLORY ON THE COVER:

FLYING FOX & THE HUNTER GATHERERS

Why we think the Blades have a fighting chance at the Mem Cup. 8 / EDITORIAL

COMMENTS Here’s what you had to say about improving bicycle lanes. 10 / COMMENTS

On ambitious pursuits. 12 / FEATURE

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

CULTURE

Q + A WITH LUCAS CHAISSON Growing up making music. 12 / Q + A

INTO THE WOODS

PUB GRUB

Tammy Satzl’s latest exhibition.

This week we visit Uncle Barley’s.

13 / ARTS

16 / FOOD + DRINK

CASUAL CLASSICAL

MUSIC

Exploring the Ritornello Chamber Music Festival. 13 / ARTS

Indigo Joseph, Fabolous + The Eagles. 17 / MUSIC

ENTERTAINMENT

LISTINGS Local music listings for May 17 through May 25. 18 / LISTINGS

VERBNEWS.COM @VERBSASKATOON FACEBOOK.COM/VERBSASKATOON

EDITORIAL

BUSINESS & OPERATIONS

PUBLISHER / PARITY PUBLISHING EDITOR IN CHIEF / RYAN ALLAN MANAGING EDITOR / JESSICA PATRUCCO STAFF WRITERS / ADAM HAWBOLDT + ALEX J MACPHERSON

OFFICE MANAGER / STEPHANIE LIPSIT ACCOUNT MANAGER / NATHAN HOLOWATY SALES MANAGER / VOGESON PALEY FINANCIAL MANAGER / CODY LANG

STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS + IN YOUR DREAMS 20 / FILM

CONTACT

ART & PRODUCTION

COMMENTS / FEEDBACK@VERBNEWS.COM / 306 881 8372

DESIGN LEAD / ROBERTA BARRINGTON

ADVERTISE / ADVERTISE@VERBNEWS.COM / 306 979 2253

DESIGN & PRODUCTION / BRITTNEY GRAHAM CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS / PATRICK CARLEY, ADAM HAWBOLDT + ISHTIAQ OPAL

DESIGN / LAYOUT@VERBNEWS.COM / 306 979 8474

ON THE BUS Weekly original comic illustrations

by Elaine M. Will. 26 / COMICS

NIGHTLIFE PHOTOS

GAMES + HOROSCOPES

This week we visited Tequila and Hudsons. 22-25 / NIGHTLIFE

Canadian criss-cross puzzle, horoscopes, and Sudoku. 27 / TIMEOUT

GENERAL / INFO@VERBNEWS.COM / 306 979 2253

2 MAY 17 – MAY 23 VERB MAGAZINE

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LOCAL

PHOTO: COURTESY OF DIEGOSERVELION

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ALEX J MACPHERSON / VERB MAGAZINE

TATTOO 101 PHOTO: COURTESY OF TATTOOBLOGGER

Getting ink and learning history BY ADAM HAWBOLDT

T

he buzzing of tattoo guns is the first thing you notice. The intermittent buzz, buzz, buzzing of needles pistoning up and down, puncturing flesh and depositing ink into skin.

The thought of that skin being inked makes my heart race a little faster. And before you get the wrong idea, I’m not one of those people who get excited at the thought of acquiring a new tattoo. Quite the contrary. Save for a bout of teenage acne and the odd scar here and there, my skin has managed to go unblemished for 34 years.

Until now. From behind the front desk the receptionist looks at me as I hand her a picture of the tattoo I’m planning to get sometime in the near future. “When do you want to schedule an appointment?” she asks.

I tell her the sooner the better. I just want to get this over with.

She types something into the computer in front of her, says, “We can fit you in right now if you want.”

“How long will it take?”

“No longer than an hour,” she says.

Without thinking I tell her okay. And immediately I regret my decision.

I think [tattoos] are more popular because they’re a form of selfexpression…

SEAN MAGINNES

What am I thinking? Am I really going to get a tattoo for this story I’m writing? Is it going to hurt? My mom is going to kill me!

And looking up at me as I hand her a filled-out consent form, the receptionist says, “You’re really fidgety. Are you nervous or something?”

You could say that.

The first known person to have a tattoo was Ötzi the Iceman.

That wasn’t his real name, of course, just the name he was given when his body was extracted from a glacier in the Ötztal Alps, on the Austrian-Italian border.

Thought to have lived about 3,300 B.C., Ötzi had over 50 carbon tattoos on his spine, his right knee and both ankles. Some people speculate these tattoos were used as a pain relief of sorts. Think acupuncture, only permanent.

This is what Sean Maginnes and I are talking about when I sit down in what looks like a dentist’s chair, waiting for him to ink my shoulder.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE »

4 MAY 17 – MAY 23 NEWS + OPINION

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A Rush song is playing in the background. And as Sean picks up his tattoo gun, he says, “Let me know if you feel light-headed. A lot of people, especially if it’s their first time, won’t say anything. I’ve had a few people nearly fall out of their chairs.”

Then he turns on his tattoo gun.

The first few times it touches the skin pain shoots through my shoulder. It’s kind of like someone taking a sharp stick and rubbing it back and forth on your skin until it starts to burn.

Taking a deep breath, I wipe my sweaty hands dry on my pants and ask Sean what else he knows about tattoo history.

“The Romans had them, the Mayans, and then you have the Polynesians,” he says, “For them, being tattooed was a right of passage.

They told a story. The story of who you are and what you’ve done. They offered protection. They told how many battles you’ve been in, how many kills.”

But when British captain James Cook and his men sailed to Polynesia in 1768, they didn’t fully understand this. That didn’t stop them from bringing tattoos back to Europe, though.

And soon sailors adopted the practice to tell their own stories.

A turtle meant they had crossed the equator, an anchor symbolized

they’d sailed the Atlantic. Eventually, getting a tattoo at different ports became common practice You know what else was common at these ports?

An underclass full of criminals, who also started getting tattoos. As soon as that started, tattoos once again became viewed as the ancient Romans had once viewed them — as a stigma associated with barbaric people and criminals.

It’s a view that, until recently, held fast.

“People in the drug trade, bikers, gangsters, that’s the crowd that’s supposed to have tattoos,” says Sean, as Mötley Crüe’s “Girls, Girls, Girls” blares over top of the buzzing of his tattoo gun.

“Or at least, that’s what a lot of people of a certain age think,” he continues. “They think if you’re, like, a pastor, you’re not supposed to have a tattoo.”

On the wall opposite us hangs a picture of a First Baptist Church billboard that reads “God loves you, unless you have tattoos. In that case, you are going to hell.”

And as Sean wipes the ink from my tattoo, he says, “But that has changed severely. In the ‘90s things went for a spin. Tribal tattoos and stuff like that became really popular.”

Since then, tattoos have not only grown in popularity, they’ve also become socially acceptable. No longer is it just criminals and tough guys who sport tattoos. Now lawyers have them, doctors, cops. Heck, they’re so popular these days there are even tattoo conventions — like the Ink Alley Tattoo and Art Show last month in Saskatoon and the Pile O’ Bones Tattoo Convention this week in Regina.

And while Sean is putting a liberal dose of vitamin A and D on my finished tattoo, I ask him why body art has become so admissible and popular all of a sudden.

“I’m not sure why all of a sudden it has became accepted,” he says, “but I think they’re more popular because they’re a form of self-expression of this generation. That, and it’s a memory thing. It’s something that you’ll always have on your body to remind you of certain things that happened in your life.”

And as I look down that the words he’s tattooed on my deltoid — “so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past” — who am I to argue?

Feedback? Text it! (306) 881 8372

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5 MAY 17 – MAY 23 @VERBSASKATOON

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LOCAL

MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT, YOU’RE ADDICTED TO... SEX

Shedding the stigma of sex addiction BY ADAM HAWBOLDT

W

hen you stick a syringe full of heroin into your vein and push down, the drug slides like fire through your bloodstream. It enters your brain, mimics endorphins, and chemicals like dopamine are released. That’s when the warm, fuzzy feeling settles over you and tucks you into a waking drug dream.

Same thing happens when you have sex. While lost in the lusty throes of passion, phenylethylamine triggers the release of dopamine in the pleasure centres of your brain, which peak at orgasm. That’s where the feelings of excitement, arousal and bliss come from. The difference between this chemical reaction and the one that happens when your brain is subjected to opiates is that during sex the chemical reaction in your brain is 100% completely natural.

John knows all about this. He knows about the chemicals sex releases in your brain, and the mind-

Sex addiction is like any other addiction. It’s the same powerlessness.

JOHN

blowing pleasure it brings. He also knows how dangerous all this can be.

You see, John is a sex addict.

The realization that one is a sex addict rarely strikes like a lighten-

ing bolt from the sky. It’s more like a gradual, albeit rude, awakening.

For John, that awakening began in 2009. “At the time I was dating a girl and I was also dating a guy,” he says, “and I was cheating on both of them, several times a week. I realized what I was doing was very wrong and I wanted to stop, but I couldn’t.

Regardless of what I was thinking.”

Those trysts eventually ended, but it wasn’t long before John found himself in another relationship. And with a new lease on life and love, naturally he put his unfaithful ways behind him and focused on monogamy, right?

Wrong.

“That guy, I dated for about a year and I had strong feelings for him,” admits John. “But at the same time I was going online, chatting with guys.

I cheated on him twice. And by that point I was totally devastated. I felt powerless. This behaviour had been CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE »

6 MAY 17 – MAY 23 NEWS + OPINION

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So one night he got dressed, grabbed his keys off the counter, and walked out of his home into the darkness, hellbent on ending his living hell.

But something stopped him.

He can’t say for sure what.

All he can say for certain is that the next thing he knew he was back in his house calling the suicide hotline.

“They told me to go to the hospital and check myself in,” says John.

And that’s what he did.

going on for too long. I was willing to do whatever it took to stop it.”

So John went to see a counsellor about his problem.

“I was lucky to find someone who knew what they were talking about,” he says. “And when the counsellor told me about sex addiction a light went on. I was like, ‘Aha! That makes perfect sense. That’s what I am.’”

But as any addict will tell you, realizing and admitting you have a problem is just the first step of the healing process. The next is to seek help. So John signed up for a sex addiction program to try and relieve his affliction.

But recovery didn’t work at first.

“There was a period of time in 2011 when I kept relapsing,” admits John. “I just couldn’t stay out of trouble. I was still always looking for my next fix.”

And like most addicts, John had a ritual for getting his fix. On weekdays, after working a 9-5 job, he’d come home, have supper, get ready, and then off he’d go in search of sex.

“Oh, there are lots of ways!” says John, talking about how he went about finding sex on a daily basis.

“In the gay world, to find a partner to f**k for a night is not a problem. You can go to certain parks, parking lots, you can go cruising, go to gay bars, go online. There are apps like Grindr.

It’s really easy.”

So easy, in fact, that at one point John was hooking up with two or three guys a night. Getting his fix in dirty bathrooms, public places, and the backseat of cars in dark parking lots.

“It didn’t matter who it was. It didn’t matter if I was sexually attracted to them. It was about getting what I needed and getting out of there,” explains John. “It wasn’t about sex. It was about the thrill of going out, looking for someone, finding someone, getting my fix.”

But the more fixes John got, the worse he felt. Sure, he was aware about how risky his behaviour was, he was aware of how much he was torturing himself. Thing is, though, he couldn’t stop.

“Sex addiction is like any other addiction,” he says, “It’s the same powerlessness. You’re not free to make your own choices anymore. And you know what? It’s really demoralizing. There’s so much shame and guilt. I felt worthless. I hated myself.”

And John wanted a way out. He wanted a partner, kids, a future like a typical, well-adjusted person. Problem was, that seemed like such a pipe dream he didn’t think it would ever be attainable. “At that point,” says John, “I saw suicide as my only option and I made a plan. I was going to get in my car, get on the highway, go as fast as I could, and crash into a pole or a tree.”

Spoiler alert: John’s real name isn’t actually John.

At the moment he’s in a sex addiction program in Saskatchewan, and for reasons we won’t get into here he prefers to remain anonymous. And that’s fine. This story could just as easily have been about someone you know. “There is a real stigma attached to this,” he says. “People have this image of sex addicts being creepy old guys in trench coats. What they don’t realize is it could be anyone.

People from all walks of life — gay or straight, married or single — are addicted to sex. It doesn’t really matter.

There are lots of successful people with good careers and good families who suffer from this.”

And if they’re anything like John, they’ll try to find help. “Right now I’m in recovery,” he says. “It isn’t easy. The first challenge is to halt the behaviour … after you deal with the sexual behaviour you turn inwards. A lot of addicts have underlying issues.

For me, the biggest challenge was to deal with co-dependency. Then I had to deal with my past. I was in denial.

I had to deal with the fact that I was abused sexually, emotionally and physically for many years. That kind of stuff really f**ks you up.”

But it doesn’t have to ruin your life. Right now, John is going through the steps of a sex addiction program.

Heck, he’s even in a monogamous relationship for the first time in his life.

“But it’s an ongoing challenge,” he admits, “to remain faithful and to not f**k this up.”

Feedback? Text it! (306) 881 8372

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7 MAY 17 – MAY 23 /VERBSASKATOON

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF NÜMAN FILMS

BLADES OF GLORY

Don’t discount Saskatchewan’s chance at winning the Memorial Cup

S

o the Memorial Cup is back in Saskatchewan, and for the host team (the Saskatoon Blades) a lot of talk around the water cooler has been, well, let’s just say it’s been on the negative side.

But we don’t think that’s necessary — in fact, we don’t think the Blades should be discounted before the Mem Cup even gets off the ground. And it’s not because we’re a bunch of fans who want to see a Saskatchewan team come out on top.

Yep, we’re going Moneyball here: you see, we think the Blades are going to win the Mem Cup because they have history and chance on their side.

Now, we understand why some might assume the Blades are doomed.

After all, the team had a brutal start.

They struggled to find consistency and, perhaps most damning of all, they were swept in the first round of the 2013 WHL playoffs by the Medicine Hat Tigers — good thing the hosts

automatically get a spot. Add to that the fact that the three teams they’ll be competing against — the Halifax Mooseheads, Portland Winterhawks and London Knights — stomped the

the stats, the Blades actually have way more than a fighting chance.

You see, since the Memorial Cup changed to its current format back in 1983, 21 of the 30 host teams

And in a season marked with highs and lows, the one thing the Saskatoon Blades have proven is that they know how to string a bunch of victories together.

VERB MAGAZINE

junior hockey terra like goddamn giants this year, and it’s understandable why many junior hockey fans around the province and beyond feel the Blades are in way over their heads and probably won’t even make the semi-final round.

But if you dig a little deeper, look a little harder, and consider

have made it to the finals. In other words, for 70% of all host teams the Memorial Cup boils down to one, last, winner-takes-all game. And of those 21 teams who made the championship game, nine of them have gone on to win the whole shebang. Not bad odds, any way you slice it.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE »

8 MAY 17 – MAY 23 NEWS + OPINION

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE MEMORIAL CUP

And to narrow that even further, let’s look at the Memorial Cup in Western Canada in the last decade.

Since the Kelowna Rockets hosted in 2004, all three WHL host teams have made the final game, with two of them (Kelowna and Vancouver) going down in history as national champs.

Oh, and speaking of history, let’s not forget that the Blades have actually won a lot of games and are a really good team. Remember the last time the Blades hosted the Mem Cup, back in 1989 — they lost the championship game in overtime after going 42-28-2 during the regular season.

The Blades’ record this year? An East Division best 44-22-2-4. To put that record into perspective, when Vancouver won the Cup in 2007 they finished the regular season with only 45 wins, while national champ Kelowna had 47 regular season wins in 2004.

So there’s no reason to count the Blades out, like so many have already, before the tournament even starts. Last year people counted out the host Shawinigan Cataractes before the Memorial Cup began and look what happened — they won the whole thing even though many experts had all but written them off.

What’s more, in a 10-day roundrobin tournament like the Memorial

Cup, all it really takes is for one team to get red hot. And in a season marked with highs and lows, the one thing the Saskatoon Blades have proven is that they know how to string a bunch of victories together.

Or did you forget about their 18game win streak already?

And therein lies the beauty of the Memorial Cup. Once the four teams are set, everything is up for grabs.

Because the one thing you have to realize — the thing that anyone who has ever played sports before realizes — is that the best team on paper doesn’t always win. There are too many factors that come into play.

Chance, randomness, injury, hometown crowd … you name it. With a sample size this small, the chance of any of the four teams winning the whole thing is extremely high — even for the Blades.

These editorials are left unsigned because they represent the opinions of Verb magazine, not those of the individual writers.

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9 MAY 17 – MAY 23 @VERBSASKATOON

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COMMENTS

ON TOPIC: Last week we asked what you thought about improving bike lanes. Here's what you had to say:

– Bike lanes are fine keep them the way they are.

– The safest head for urban cycling pretend your invisible to pedestrians and motorists. No one sees you. Its all up to you to avoid a collision! Speed kills!

Text yo thoughtsur to 881 VE R B

portation like such, people would use them and be more happy with it! JoshuaTree

8372

– They should defiantly improve bike lanes, then I could use my longboard on them instead of the sidewalk cuz it’s not safe now that it’s legal to longboard downtown, but we should be able to use the bike lane because of no people walking and have to weave in between people, having a lane for bikes, longboards and other trans

– On the cycling lanes issue, if the street is one way, is the designated bike lane two way or one way?

There’s some hazardous confusion between cyclists and motorists.

Driver’s don’t look both ways for cyclists, focus on vehicle traffic.

– Thanks Verb for making my coffee break at work fun. As for improving bike lanes, it’s the smart thing to do.

Great form of exercise and practical, environmentally friendly transportation. In Europe it’s often a main for of transportation. Saskatoon is a young vibrant progressive city. Making it easier to commute via bike only makes sense.

– I cycle all year round. This winter was especially dangerous with the way windrows of snow narrowed the streets and covered sidewalks.

Clearing designated bike routes of snow would also be needed.

– Improving bike lanes is a great idea but first the police have to crack down on people riding on sidewalks espiecally 20th street!

Do your job cops!

– Bike lanes already take up so much space downtown, on already narrow streets. Bikes slow traffic, keep things crawling as they pedal at whatever speed they like. How would you propose having them keep up with speed of traffic?

– Improving bike lanes should be something that’s considered in more than just good weather.

People bike year round in this province, and having a plan for when it’s snowy and winter out is also necessary.

– Definitely agree we need to start treating our city like it’s part of CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE »

10 MAY 17 – MAY 23 NEWS + OPINION

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POWERED BY THE CREW AT MOGA MOBILE

– Who remembers the Bush “Ashoesinatian”. Funniets piece of comic political theatre in decades.

Sidesplitting! He deked it. Quick little sucker!

a province that is booming, with tons of young people who are active and out there and making biking lanes and the city more bike friendly is an essential part of this. Those kicking their heels about making this city more of a biker’s paradise are dinosaurs, the old guard, and they need to go we need to make this happen!

– Why is it a place like the King George condos downtown have a really nice building but probably the worst sidewalk? Isn’t there some way it could be fixed on the 23rd street side?

OFF TOPIC

– Loves the sign nowadays TAKE TURNS MERGING. ..... first of all Saskatoon doesnt know how to merge prorperly....... most drivers are ignorant anyways

– Fashion Week is a great thing that supports creativity in our province. Nice to see it get some attention!

In response to “Designing Woman,” Local, #239 (May 10, 2013)

SOUND OFF – No God no peace. Know God know peace.

– Osaka mayor Toru Hashimoto says forced prostitution of Asian women before & during the 2nd World War was needed to “maintain discipline” in the ranks of Japanese soldiers. He seems to have forgotten that sexually transmitted diseases helped bring down the Roman Empire & Napoleon!! :-!

– It may get to a point soon where in order to preserve humanity and its sanity we’ll just have to shoot all the greedy people. Unfortunate necessary evil.

– What is the point of a YIELD sign anyway in this city nobody uses them stupid drivers blows through like a green light

– I really Saskatoon would learn to signal when changing lanes so sick of the almost hitting people

– Great to see that city crews are out refreshing paint for crosswalks and street lanes.. Next week the Atridge Overpass by Preston Crossing????

– Everyone involved with the Mike Duffy scandal needs to resign right now! This is unbelievable.

– Summer is HERE way to go Saskatchewan it took long enough time to spend a little quality stint on a patio methinks

– Loved the text about Taylor Swift Tweet! I don’t really care about her or her music but this made me realize how unintentionally hilarious she is. Bring more!

– So nice to see people out and about enjoying the city at night walking with families hanging out with friends. Have a great long weekend everyone xoxo :D

– Landlords rental agencies Are Blacklisting Tenants ILIGAL – Love seeing all those blue bins out in front of people’s houses! It’s

so encouraging that Saskatoon has embraced curbside recycling so well way to go!

– Congrats to UofS teens whose inspirational video is getting so much atention! Kudoes!

– Spring = flower power

NEXT WEEK: What do you think of Blades’ odds of winning the Mem Cup? Pick up a copy of Verb to get in on the conversation: We print your texts verbatim each week. Text in your thoughts and reactions to our stories and content, or anything else on your mind.

11 MAY 17 – MAY 23 /VERBSASKATOON

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GROWING PAINS PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MACKENZIE WALKER

Lucas Chaisson on his new album, and growing up in the music industry BY ALEX J MACPHERSON

L

ucas Chaisson was just fifteen years old when he recorded his first album, No Loitering. Last June, the young songwriter from Cochrane, Alberta released Growing Pains. Poised on the brink of adulthood, Chaisson poured his heart out as the tape rolled: the album reflects not only his hopes and dreams for the future, but also the poignant perspective that we lose once experience overtakes innocence. Blending elements of folk and rock and pop, Chaisson’s sound pays tribute to an earlier generation of singer-songwriters while positioning him as an artist to watch in the years and decades ahead. I caught up with Chaisson to talk about delayed reactions, getting bored, the tyranny of genre, and growing up.

does it take before you get tired of playing those songs and you start craving something new?

Alex J MacPherson: Your latest album, Growing Pains, has had an interesting and unconventional first year out. Can you tell me about that?

show, with my first record. But as far as the record goes as a whole, I’m pretty proud of the songwriting on it.

And I do play a fair amount of material that’s not recorded.

Lucas Chaisson: As far as response to the album goes, it was a little bit delayed. We put it out in June and started getting a lot of buzz around it with a Canadian Folk Music Award.

That was September or October. It was strange, I haven’t toured it really extensively yet, and it still feels like a very new record even though it’s almost a year old. That starts with this next tour.

It’ll be the first time I’ve gone across the country to promote this record.

AJM: Which raises an interesting question: after an album comes out, how long

AJM: Obviously you’re at a time in your life when things are changing really quickly. Does looking back at your older material give you any sort of perspective on the stuff you’re doing now, or will be doing in the future?

LC: I don’t think I’ve gotten to that point with this record yet. I still enjoy playing the songs on it a lot. I kind of did get to that point, playing the same ten songs over and over again every

LC: It’s kind of strange, especially with No Loitering. I recorded that record when I was 15 years old, so looking back now I’m just like I definitely see a lot of growth between the two. There’s only a few songs from that record that I play regularly at live shows. I think that this last record shows some growth, and I’m sure that in a year or so, when I release my next record, it’ll be the same thing.

…I haven’t toured it really extensively yet, and it still feels like a very new record…

AJM: You mention a broad sound, but it reminds me somehow of the prairies.

Do you buy into the idea that there is a prairie sound?

LUCAS CHAISSON

LC: I’ve spent my whole life living on the prairies, and I think that reflects.

Even though I don’t write a lot of geographical, sort of mountain or field songs, just living in this part of the country has definitely rubbed off on my songwriting. But it kind of affects people in totally different ways. I do hope that I represent the prairies and the place where I was brought up in my songwriting. It’s pretty potent.

AJM: It occurs to me that your music could just as easily work in a coffee shop as in a bar, or even on a big stage.

Do you look at that as a challenge or an opportunity?

LC: On this tour that I’m headed off on this month, I have some café shows, I have some bar shows, and a theatre show. I don’t think it’s really an advantage or a disadvantage. I just think the way I write lends itself to being pretty accessible for a lot of different audiences; I can’t just put it in the folk genre or the blues genre — it’s got a little bit of everything.

Lucas Chaisson May 29 @ Gillian Snider’s House $10 in advance, or $15 at the door Feedback? Text it! (306) 881 8372

@VerbSaskatoon amacpherson@verbnews.com

12 MAY 17 – MAY 23 CULTURE

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INTO THE WOODS

Tammy Satzl’s latest exhibition explores the paradox of human history BY ALEX J MACPHERSON

T

ammy Satzl’s exhibition Into The Woods has its roots in the Yukon. Satzl, who is based in Montreal, was completing a residency at the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture in Dawson City when she began to hear stories about the changing environment.

“I had always been interested in the relationship between humans and the natural world, and the way humans perceive themselves as far as their identity goes,” she explains, referring to human exceptionalism. “When I was out there, it was the first time I had really seen the frontline. Talking to the people who live there year-round and hearing stories of the changes they’d seen — up in the north [climate change] is much more apparent.”

The body of work that evolved over the next three years is a meditation on the human experiment — the impulse to separate society from the natural world. Satzl’s paintings, which hint at her introduction to art

through the world of comic books and graphic novels, and derive their beauty from dappled colours and deft brushwork, explore the gulf between the human experience and the natural world.

Into The Woods shares some DNA with the oldest fairy tales, which portrayed humans as fragile agglomerations of flesh and blood wholly unsuited to life in the state of nature. Satzl’s vision of the reunion between man and nature is raw and visceral; she strips away the impulse to hide the darker aspects of life, leaving behind vulnerability, violence, and death.

“We tend to really anthropomorphize animals, and we Disneyfy them,” she explains. “We have this sugar-coated society where we’ve Disnified everything into this perfect happy thing — all the animals talk and sing, and they’re not these frightening, wild things. Everybody gets the gold in the end.”

There is no gold in Into The Woods. Satzl’s world is populated

by unseen predators and unimagined threats; her human figures are fleshy and vulnerable, targets for all manner of sinister creatures.

It is a jarring body of work, and not just because the trappings of society shield us from the dangerous reality of life in the woods.

What Into The Woods points at is the paradox that has for millennia defined the course of human history. We are too weak to exist in the state of nature, yet our attempts to remove the existential peril of life in the woods has led inexorably to the destruction of the environment we need to survive. Satzl doesn’t provide any answers, but her ability to cast dangerous ideas against a stunningly beautiful backdrop ensures that viewers will find themselves fixed in place, contemplating life before — and after — the fall.

Into the Woods Through May 24 @ AKA Gallery

CASUAL CLASSICAL

The Ritornello Chamber Music Festival shows off a different side of classical music

BY ALEX J MACPHERSON

PHOTO: COURTESY OF AMBER LING ROLLACK

M

any classical musicians have a secret second life.

When they’re not playing symphonies on the concert hall stage, they’re thrashing out compositions with their friends — jam sessions for clarinet players and bassoonists.

Chamber ensembles have always been the rock bands of the classical world, and a deluge of pieces by a

talented crop of young composers has pushed the form into its second renaissance. The Ritornello Chamber Music Festival is a public showcase for the classics and some newer works. It is also an opportunity to reveal the secret lives of the most talented musicians in the country.

“The goal is that somebody attend the concert and go, ‘Wow, classical is

kind of cool — maybe I should check out the symphony sometime,’” says Jacqueline Woods, one of the festival’s artistic directors and an accomplished piano player. “We didn’t set out to compete with any local organizations.

We wanted to support what they were doing — and enhance what already exists here in the city as well as offer something different.”

The fifth incarnation of the festival features a diverse group of talented musicians playing a wide variety of pieces. Woods says the informal setting allows the players to deconstruct and update classic pieces by Bach, Brahms, and Schubert — as well as debut several brand-new pieces.

“Most young classical musicians are really versatile these days,” she ex-

plains. “They’re not just playing Mozart and Chopin. They’re playing that and 20th century music and contemporary music … most of our musicians are doing all kinds of interesting projects.”

The best example of this trend is Plumes Ensemble, a crossover group from Toronto featuring singer-songwriter Veronica Charnley and composer Geof Holbrook. The group’s seamless fusion of pop and classical, performed on a wide variety of instruments in a setting befitting a loud rock band, should be enough to convince even the most hardened cynic that chamber music is a force to be reckoned with.

And while the festival is still in its infancy, Woods thinks there is something special about five years of chamber music. “It gives us this pride,

like we’ve established ourselves on the national festival scene,” she says.

She’s right. People are talking because the Ritornello Festival provides a unique opportunity. Hardcore fans who want to hear Schubert will hear something new and exciting. And neophytes who don’t know anything about Schubert will hear something new and exciting, too.

Ritornello Fest 5 May 24-26 @ various locations $10+; see ritornello.ca for more info Feedback? Text it! (306) 881 8372

@VerbSaskatoon amacpherson@verbnews.com

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF CAT PANETTA

IF IT CAN BE DONE…

Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers tackle their most ambitious project to date BY ALEX J MACPHERSON

I

t sounds improbable. Maybe even impossible. But Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers, an operatic rock band from Winnipeg, pulled it off. Less than two months after the idea first took hold, the quintet is preparing to release Fruit and Ash, a collection of four songs overflowing with pyrotechnical performances, theatrical arrangements, and cagey lyrics. The EP, their first release since 2011’s Hans My Lion, was finished in just over two weeks. “It was pretty ridiculous,” says Lindsey Collins, the band’s tireless bass player, “but that’s the standard for us. We’ve always taken on ambitious tasks, just set our minds to it. And at the risk of burning ourselves out, we usually come out on the other end with the task accomplished.”

After a short tour in March, and just a few hours after Collins mentioned his desire to record a new album, he and his colleagues piled into their van for the long drive back to Winnipeg. What had been an offhand remark soon crystallized into a plan.

“We basically made the decision during the van ride home,” he explains.

“If we pulled the trigger immediately, we could get the EP done and ready for our May tour. So we got back and hit the ground running.”

Recording an album is a long and ridiculously involved procedure.

From finalizing the arrangements to extracting the best sound from each instrument and designing the packaging, the list of tasks that need to be accomplished seems limitless. Most bands take months to produce an EP. Flying Fox did it in 16 days.

We recorded the demos at my house one weekend,” Collins says.

“The next weekend we were in the studio for three days.” After tracking

home to his one-month-old,” singer Jesse Krause laughs.

That Fruit and Ash was finished in 16 days is a testament to the band’s willingness to tackle difficult projects.

In some respects, the new album carries on the traditions established on Hans My Lion: vivid melodies, the contrast between the band’s fiery performances and Krause’s sonorous baritone, and the unmistakable influence

We’ve always been pretty interested in exploration and delving into other kinds of music.

JESSE KRAUSE

the rhythm section and horns at the Mid-Ocean School of Media Arts in Winnipeg, the band began overdubbing the flourishes that transform each Flying Fox song into a symphony in miniature. Although the time in the studio went smoothly, the process was complicated by scheduling difficulties. Drummer Jaime Carrasco taught music lessons during the day.

After working for eight hours, he would race to the studio to spend another four or five hours laying down the vital drum tracks. “Then he went

of ancient lore, mythology, and fairy tales. Flying Fox have always sought to break down the barriers between popular music and the more obscure corners of classical. Hans My Lion bent the spectrum, pushing rock aesthetics and classical techniques together, creating in the process a stew of loud guitars and ornamental horns. But while its predecessor was burdened with the weight of myth and legend, Fruit and Ash is light and airy — though it does not sacrifice the musical depth that gives the band its sound.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE »

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This shift can be attributed to changes in the band’s lineup and the speed with which the album was recorded.

“We’ve always been pretty interested in exploration and delving into other kinds of music,” Krause explains. “We have pretty diverse influences through all the band members. Now I suppose it’s a little more concise. Andrew [Littleford] and Kyle [Wedlake] played a lot of horn music together, a lot of jazz and those kinds of things, and so their musical tastes are more in line than maybe [our old horn players] were.”

The most impressive aspect of Fruit and Ash, which doesn’t lack inspired performan ces, is the band’s ability to manipulate time and rhythm in complicated ways. An overwhelming majority of rock and roll songs are written and performed in four four time, a term referring to the number and length of beats in each measure.

Flying Fox, on the other hand, like unconventional time signatures. This tendency is apparent from the first measures of “Boatmen,” which opens the record with a syncopated riff split between Krause’s guitar and a pair of entwined horn lines. “We never play to a click track, for better or for worse,” Collins laughs. “There’s some push and pull, which makes it sound like a live band playing rather than having this clicking at 120 beats per minute in our ear the whole time.”

PHOTO: COURTESY OF CAT PANETTA

But don’t think Flying Fox play complicated music for the sake of playing complicated music. Krause, who writes the songs, sketching out a melody and harmonic structure before the group fleshes them out, is clearly capable of composing music that would stump even the most proficient players. But he is much more interested in the fusion of melody and lyrics — the heart of any great song and the band’s defining characteristic.

“If it sounds overly complicated and indigestible than something’s been

lost,” he muses. “But if it sounds like something other than what you’re used to but still has language in it you can latch onto, then it’s still music — and it’s still successful to the listener even though it’s difficult to play.”

This is the key to unlocking Fruit and Ash — and the music of Flying Fox. Instead of writing lyrics to suit a piece of music, Krause writes music to suit his lyrics. Time signature shifts and other musical flourishes are coordinated to enhance and highlight the language of the song — not the other way around. “It can get very technical, but all of those things are simply based on the lyrics and the words,” he says. “We let the storytelling aspect, the narrative flow, dictate the time signatures, rather than the numbers dictating something else.” This fusion of language and music reaches its apex on Fruit and Ash, which features the most complete arc of any Flying Fox record. The new album is an exploration of the gulf between reality and the things we believe to be reality.

Of the four tracks, three are told from the perspective of insects: “Boatmen,” “Dragonfly,” and “Ant Eating Matriarch.” By shifting the point of view, Krause was able to alter the perspective, casting new light on our lives.

Krause has always been interested in insects. He grew up on a farm, and his biologist mother occasionally enlisted his help with her work. The songs on Fruit and Ash reveal more than his love of arthropods, however. “I certainly was interested in the idea of making an entire record just of insect stories,” he says. “Looking at important events and goings-on in human lives.

Sort of looking at those stories and telling them through the parallels of the natural world, the other inhabitants of the planet that we live on.”

The songs on Fruit and Ash alter the way we think about the arc of a human life. “Boatmen” explores the urge to define oneself in the face of a limitless cosmos. “Dragonfly” deals with love.

The broad theme, Krause explains, is centered on the act of “trying to find the parallels between those somewhat trivial things and the very real struggle for life that has been going on for the last couple hundred million years.”

But Fruit and Ash also includes an outlier, “Salmon.” Shaped by a syncopated guitar riff and a manic horn line, “Salmon” is about love

and the meaning of home. “Obviously,” Krause says, “a salmon is not an insect. That’s the last song that got finished, and some kind of evolution happened there very quickly.” This evolution, which has carried the band from the Black Forest to the streams of northern Canada, is ongoing. Fruit and Ash established the contours of a stillto-come full-length release. And the unpredictability, raw musicality, and sheer joy to be found in the music of Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers’ ensures the future is wide open.

“I guess if it can be done,” Collins says with a laugh, “we’ll do it.”

Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers May 30 @ Vangelis Tavern $10 Feedback? Text it! (306) 881 8372

@VerbSaskatoon amacpherson@verbnews.com

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PUB GRUB

Photos courtesy of Adam Hawboldt

Boxing machines & beer at Uncle Barley’s BY ADAM HAWBOLDT

T

here’s something about boxing machines that’s oddly compelling.

You know the ones I mean. Those big, (usually) red games you find in random bars and arcades (where they still actually exist). You put a loonie in, a speed bag drops down, you hit the thing as hard as you can, and then a score pops up telling you how hard you punch.

Not sure about you, but whenever I see one of these boxing machine the urge to punch the darn thing is overwhelming. So when I walked into Uncle Barley’s the other day and saw one nestled next to the jukebox, naturally my first instinct was to engage in feats of strength. But the last time I did that, things didn’t turn out too well. Long story short, I kicked, missed and wound up flat on my back in a street with young Korean children crowding around me, cackling and laughing.

So even though the boxing machine at Uncle Barley’s kept calling my name, I refused to answer and, instead, sat down to peruse the menu.

What I saw was exactly what I expected — sort of.

Let me explain. The moment you walk into Uncle Barley’s Restaurant & Pub you can tell it’s a neighbourhood

In the appetizer section you have things like nachos, mozza sticks, and onion rings. If you’re feeling like something more substantial, there’s everything from burgers and wraps to steak dinners and pork chops.

Then there’s the one thing I didn’t expect: all-day breakfast. Hungry man breakfast, steak and eggs, buildyour-own omelettes — you name it.

Then there’s the one thing I didn’t expect: all-day breakfast.

ADAM HAWBOLDT

joint. There’s sports playing on the TVs, pool tables, VLTs, and regulars sitting at the bar having a pint and chatting with the bartender. Yep, it’s a neighbourhood pub through and through, and the menu reflects that.

And while the thought of breakfast in the afternoon was tempting, I’d already had a beer and decided the most prudent course of action would be to go with the two staples of neighbourhood pub cuisine: wings and dry ribs.

With more than a dozen flavours to choose from, I went with buffalo for the wings, and sweet thai chili dipping sauce for the ribs. Good choices on both fronts, and the wings, which were big and meaty, had just the right amount of sauce. As for the dry ribs, well, unlike a lot of pubs I’ve been to where “dry” is, unfortunately, the operative word, the dry ribs at Uncle Barley’s (which are one of their best sellers) are plumb and juicy, sweet and spicy. Top that off with some nice, cold beer, and it make sense why locals around Confederation pick Uncle Barley’s as their pub of choice.

LET’S GO DRINKIN’ VERB’S MIXOLOGY GUIDE THE KNOCK OUT

INGREDIENTS

You want a drink that packs a punch, but is also sweet and delicious? Take a swing and see if you can hit this recipe on the button.

2 oz. lemon vodka 1 splash Grenadine 2 oz. pineapple Juice 2 tbsp. (fresh) lemon juice 1 pinch cinnamon 2 scoops sugar, powdered

DIRECTIONS

Mix vodka, pineapple juice, lemon juice, cinnamon and sugar in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into an old fashion glass. Splash grenadine on top and serve.

Feedback? Text it! (306) 881 8372 Uncle Barley’s Restaurant & Pub D-924 Northumberland Ave. | 306 934 4224

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NEXT WEEK

COMING UP

INDIGO JOSEPH FABOLOUS

THE EAGLES

@ AMIGOS CANTINA FRIDAY, MAY 24 – $10

@ ODEON EVENTS CENTRE SATURDAY, MAY 25 – $ 39.50+

@ CREDIT UNION CENTRE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 – $64.50+

“Infectious, man. Simply infectious.” That’s what my friend told me last year when I asked about Indigo Joseph’s music. And after seeing them play, turns out my friend was right.

With an upbeat, folky, funky rock sound, this quartet from Regina not only makes music that’s catchy as hell, but their live show is something else. Full of energy and audience engagement, Indigo Joseph has stage presence that is at once natural and developed. Natural in the sense you can tell they’re just up there having fun; developed from playing bars and festivals and a B.C. to Ontario tour last year. So if you want to see a rock show that’s fun and wildly entertaining, check these guys out when they open for the Young Benjamins next week.

Tickets at www.ticketedge.ca

True fans of Fabolous know all about Loso’s Way. A concept album based on the movie Carlito’s Way, Loso’s Way was released in 2009 and it marked a first for the New York rapper. It was the first time an album of Fabolous’ hit #1 on the Billboard 200. It also directly led to Fabolous (born John David Jackson) being named to MTV’s “Hottest MCs in the Game” list. He landed at #9, sandwiched between Young Jeezy and 50 Cent. No doubt Fabolous is hoping for a similar success with Loso’s Way 2, which is scheduled for release in mid-June. And if the album’s first single, “Ready” featuring Chris Brown, is any indication, things are looking up for this talented young rapper. Tickets are available at www.theodeon.ca.

There aren’t many bands like the Eagles. Think about. These guys know how to “Take It Easy” while living “Life in the Fast Lane.” What’s more, there’s a “Peaceful Easy Feeling” to their music that’ll make you think you’re a “Desperado” hanging out at the “Hotel California.” All horrible wordplay aside, though, this five-piece from Los Angeles is the fifth highest-selling musical act and highest-selling American band in history. From 1972-1980 they pumped out hit after hit, before taking “a 14-year vacation” from performing and each other. In ‘94 they got back together and released a live album called Hell Freezes Over (a reference to Don Henley’s quip that the band would get back together when hell freezes over).

But together they are, and still rocking.

Tickets through Ticketmaster.

– By Adam Hawboldt

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: THE ARTIST / THE ARTIST / THE ARTIST

SASK MUSIC PREVIEW Introducing the Music Heals iPod Pharmacy! Music Heals would like your old MP3 players, which they will clean and donate to a music therapist. That way, people waiting for treatment or sitting on dialysis can take their mind off things while grooving to their favourite tunes. If you have an old device you’d like to donate, please send it to: Music Heals. Suite 400-1788 W. 5th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., V6J 1P2. More info at http://musicheals.ca/ipod-pharmacy.

Keep up with Saskatchewan music. saskmusic.org

17 MAY 17 – MAY 23 @VERBSASKATOON

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MAY 17 » MAY 25 The most complete live music listings for Saskatoon.

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19 20 21 22 23 24 25

FRIDAY 17 HOUSE DJS / 6Twelve Lounge — Funk, soul & lounge DJs liven up the atmosphere at 6Twelve. 9pm / No cover PHOENIX LAUREN + THE STRENGTH / Amigos Cantina — Local R&B/soul music

ABSOFUNKINLUTELY / Lydia’s Pub — Get down and get ready to groove with this local act. 10pm / $5 DJ BIG AYYY & DJ HENCHMAN / Outlaws Country Rock Bar — Round up your friends ‘cause there’s no better country rock party around. 8pm / $5; ladies in free before 11pm ZELJKO BILANDZIC / Prairie Ink — Flamenco and classical guitar. 8pm / No cover PRO-TEENS, FILTHY SENORITAS, HERD OF WASTERS / Rock Bottom — Heavy music for your listening pleasure. 9pm / Cover TBD THE GAFF / Spadina Freehouse — Smooth beats from a talented DJ. 9pm / No cover JETT RUN / Stan’s Place — Rock music to get your weekend started. 9pm / No cover DUELING PIANOS / Staqatto Piano Lounge — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King belt out classic tunes and audience requests, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga.

10pm / $5 PARTY ROCK FRIDAYS / Tequila Nightclub — Featuring DJ Dislexik. 9pm / Cover TBD CAM PENNER / Vangelis Tavern — Also appearing is Kiera Dall’Osto and Timothy O’Doran. 10pm / $7

you should check out. Also appearing: Joanna Borromeo. 10pm / Cover TBD PIANO FRIDAYS: MARION MENDELSOHN / The Bassment — Feel like taking in some smooth jazz stylings? Come check out Mendelsohn tickle the ivories. 4:30pm / No cover DJ AASH MONEY / Béily’s UltraLounge — DJ Aash Money throws down a highenergy top 40 dance party every Friday night. 9pm / $5 cover ACTIVIST MAGUIRE / Buds on Broadway — Come rock the night away. 10pm / $6 DJ ECLECTIC / The Hose & Hydrant — Local turntable whiz DJ Eclectic pumps snappy electronic beats. 8pm / No cover DJ SUGAR DADDY / Jax Niteclub — Able to rock any party, this local crowd favourite will have you on the dance floor in no time. 9pm / $5 cover

SATURDAY 18

HOUSE DJS / 6Twelve — Resident DJs spin deep and soulful tunes all night.

9pm / No cover

SMOKEKILLER / Amigos Cantina — Local singer/songwriter with an abundance of talent. Also appearing: Castle River, Zachary Lucky. 10pm / Cover TBD DJ AASH MONEY + DJ CTRL / Béily’s UltraLounge — These two DJs throw down a high-energy top 40 dance party every Saturday night. 9pm / $5 cover ACTIVIST MAGUIRE / Buds on Broadway — Come rock the night away. 10pm / $6 DJ KADE / The Hose & Hydrant — Saskatoon’s own DJ lights it up. 8pm / No cover DJ SUGAR DADDY / Jax Niteclub — Able to rock any party, this local crowd favourite has always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. He is sure to have you on the dance floor in no time. 9pm / $5 cover ABSOFUNKINLUTELY / Lydia’s Pub — Get down and get ready to groove with this local act. 10pm / $5 DJ BIG AYYY & DJ HENCHMAN / Outlaws Country Rock Bar — Round up your friends ‘cause there’s no better country rock party around. 8pm / $5 ONE MORE TROUBADOUR / Prairie Ink — Progressive fingerstyle guitar. 8pm / No cover BAND WARS IX / Rock Bottom — Featuring Bye Bye Baby, Jumbo, Agony Spawn, Destrier and Wrathed. 9pm / Cover TBD COLLECTED / Spadina Freehouse — Featuring Fuse Collective. 9pm / No cover JETT RUN / Stan’s Place — Rock music to get your weekend started. 9pm / No cover

DUELING PIANOS / Staqatto Piano Lounge — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King belt out classic tunes and audience requests, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga.

10pm / $5 SEXY SATURDAYS / Tequila Nightclub — Featuring DJ Dislexik. 9pm / Cover TBD (ladies get free cover before 11pm) THE BAD DECISIONS EP RELEASE PARTY / Vangelis Tavern — Also appearing will be Sexy Preacher and Brucey Ramone.

10pm / $5

SUNDAY 19

INDUSTRY NIGHT / Béily’s UltraLounge — Hosted by DJ Sugar Daddy; this crowd favourite has always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. 9pm / $4; no cover for industry staff DJ KADE / The Hose & Hydrant — Saskatoon DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm / No cover JAM SESSION / Somewhere Else Pub — Hosted by 11th Octave (formerly L.O.R.D. Funk & Friends. 3pm / No cover BLUES JAM / Vangelis Tavern — The Vangelis Sunday Jam is an institution, offering great tunes from blues to rock and beyond. 7:30pm / No cover

MONDAY 20

SHEEPDOGS / Broadway + 10th — A free concert put on by the RedBull truck. 5pm / No cover

18 MAY 17 – MAY 23 ENTERTAINMENT

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METAL MONDAYS / Lydia’s Pub — If hard, heavy awesomeness is your thing, swing by, listen to some killer music and get in on some concert giveaways. 9pm SHEEPDOGS AFTER PARTY / Rock Bottom — Also appearing is Tim Vaughn and Phoenix Lauren. 9pm / No cover HOMETOWN TOUR AFTER PARTY / Vangelis — With The Pistolwhips and Blackwater.

9pm / $5

TUESDAY 21

APOLLO CRUZ / Buds on Broadway — High-octane blues. 10pm / $6 DJ SUGAR DADDY / The Double Deuce — Able to rock any party, this crowd favourite has always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. 9:30pm / $4 cover VERB PRESENTS OPEN STAGE / Lydia’s Pub — The open stage at Lydia’s has hosted many of Saskatoon’s finest performers, and is a chance for bands, solo artists and even comedians to showcase original material. 9pm / No cover OPEN MIC / Somewhere Else Pub — Come out to show your talent. 7pm / No cover

WEDNESDAY 22

HUMP WEDNESDAYS / 302 Lounge & Discotheque — Resident DJ Chris Knorr will be spinning all of your favourite songs and requests, every Wednesday night.

9pm / No cover until 10pm; $3 thereafter APOLLO CRUZ / Buds on Broadway — High-octane blues. 10pm / $6 DJ KADE / The Hose — Saskatoon DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm / No cover DR. J ‘SOULED OUT’ / Lydia’s Pub — Dr. J spins hot funk and soul every Wednesday night. 9pm / No cover WILD WEST WEDNESDAY / Outlaws Country Rock Bar — Come out and ride the mechanical bull! 9pm / $4; no cover for industry staff THE AVENUE RECORDING COMPANY PRESENTS OPEN MIC / Rock Bottom — Hosted

by Chad Reynolds. Sign up and play at this weekly event. 10pm / No cover GREGORY S. EDMUNDS / Spadina Freehouse — Live saxophone music. 9pm / No cover CJWW KARAOKE / Stan’s Place — Your talent, aired on the radio! 9pm / No cover DUELING PIANOS / Staqatto Piano Lounge — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King belt out classic tunes and audience requests, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. 10pm / No cover FISH AND BIRD / Vangelis — An exciting folk act that is both familiar and fresh.

9:30pm / $8

THURSDAY 23 APOLLO CRUZ / Buds on Broadway — High-octane blues in a fun, hard-rocking atmosphere. 10pm / $6 THROWBACK THURSDAYS / Earls — Come experience the best in retro funk, soul, reggae and rock. 8pm / No cover DJ KADE / The Hose — Saskatoon DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm / No cover DJ SUGAR DADDY / Jax Niteclub — Local DJ Sugar Daddy will be rocking the turntables to get you dancing on the dance floor! 8pm / $5; free cover with student ID before 11pm JAY SEMKO / The Listening Room — Northern Pikes singer/songwriter puts on a solo show. 7pm / $22 (picatic.com) TRIPLE UP THURSDAY / Tequila Nightclub — Featuring DJ Stikman. 9pm / No cover

FRIDAY 24

HOUSE DJS / 6Twelve Lounge — Funk, soul & lounge DJs liven up the atmosphere at 6Twelve. 9pm / No cover YOUNG BENJAMINS, INDIGO JOSEPH / Amigos Cantina — A night of sweet indie rock. 10pm / $10 (ticketedge.ca) PIANO FRIDAYS: DENIS BORYKI / The Bassment — Feel like taking in some smooth jazz stylings? Come check out Boryki tickle the ivories. 4:30pm / No cover ROOTS SERIES: ALEXIS NORMAND / The Bassment — Colourful jazz/folk for the soul. 9pm / $15/20 DJ AASH MONEY / Béily’s UltraLounge — DJ Aash Money throws down a high-energy top 40 dance party every Friday night.

9pm / $5 cover RIFF RAFF / Buds on Broadway — Come rock the night away. 10pm / $6 EAST OF EDEN / D’Lish Cafe — An intimate evening full of good music. 8pm / Cover by donation DJ ECLECTIC / The Hose — Local turntable whiz DJ Eclectic pumps snappy electronic beats. 8pm / No cover DJ SUGAR DADDY / Jax Niteclub — Able to rock any party, this local crowd favourite has always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres.

9pm / $5 cover APOLLO CRUZ / Lydia’s Pub — High-octane blues. Also appearing: Ray Elliot Band.

10pm / $5 DJ BIG AYYY & DJ HENCHMAN / Outlaws Country Rock Bar — Round up your friends ‘cause there’s no better country rock party around. 8pm / $5; ladies in free before 11pm DOUG BOOMHOWER TRIO / Prairie Ink — Smooth jazz standards. 8pm / No cover

BIG BANG BABY / Rock Bottom — A Stone Temple Pilots tribute band. 9pm SOUND SOCIETY / Spadina Freehouse — Cool hip-hop/R&B/funk from Regina. 9pm / No cover JOMAMA / Stan’s Place — Rock music to get your weekend started. 9pm / No cover DUELING PIANOS / Staqatto Piano Lounge — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King belt out classic tunes and audience requests. 10pm / $5 PARTY ROCK FRIDAYS / Tequila — Featuring DJ Dislexik. 9pm / Cover TBD EVIL EBENEZER / Vangelis Tavern — With Factor and Gescha. 10pm / $10

SATURDAY 25

HOUSE DJS / 6Twelve — Resident DJs spin deep and soulful tunes. 9pm / No cover THE BRAINS / Amigos Cantina — A little psychobilly horror punk to liven up your Saturday. 10pm / Cover TBD JOHN HARM QUARTET, THE BASSMENT BIG BAND, THE SASKATOON COMMUNITY JAZZ BAND / The Bassment — A night of sweet, sweet jazz music. 9pm / $15/20 DJ AASH MONEY + DJ CTRL / Béily’s — These two DJS throw down a high-energy top 40 dance party. 9pm / $5 cover ECLIPSE / Broadway Theatre — Singing songs like “Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” “Constant Craving” and more. 7:30pm / $20 RIFF RAFF / Buds on Broadway — Come rock the night away. 10pm / $6 DJ KADE / The Hose — Saskatoon’s own DJ lights it up. 8pm / No cover DJ SUGAR DADDY / Jax — This local crowd favourite rocks. 9pm / $5 cover THE WIZARDS, RORY BOREALIS AND THE NORTHERN LIGHTS / Lydia’s Pub — Psychsurf and folk from two local bands. 10pm / $5 FABOLOUS / Odeon Events Centre — This New York rapper will be appearing with Pusha T. 7pm / $39.50+ (theodeon.ca) DJ BIG AYYY & DJ HENCHMAN / Outlaws Country Rock Bar — Round up your friends ‘cause there’s no better country rock party around. 8pm / $5 THE DAVE NELSON TRIO / Prairie Ink — Light latin and jazz music. 8pm / No cover CAUGHT IN A DREAM / Rock Bottom — An Alice Cooper tribute show. 9pm / Cover TBD SASKATOON BRASS BAND / Roxy Theatre — Playing tributes to movies like E.T., Superman, James Bond and more. 7pm / $5 (students/seniors), $10(adults) CHARLY HUSTLE / Spadina Freehouse — A local DJ spinning super-cool beats. 9pm / No cover

JOMAMA / Stan’s Place — Rock music to get your weekend pumping. 9pm / No cover DUELING PIANOS / Staqatto Piano Lounge — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King belt out classic tunes and audience requests. 10pm / $5 SEXY SATURDAYS / Tequila Nightclub — Featuring DJ Dislexik. 9pm / Cover TBD (ladies get free cover before 11pm)

PLUMES / Vangelis Tavern — With Minor Matter, presented by the Ritornello Chamber Music Festival. 10pm / $10

GET LISTED Have a live show you'd like to promote? Let us know! layout@verbnews.com

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INTERGALACTIC BROMANCE

PHOTO: COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES

Star Trek Into Darkness provides edge-of-your-seat action with much character development BY ADAM HAWBOLDT

T

he newest installment in the Star Trek franchise begins in warp

drive.

Not literally. But if the opening scenes of Star Trek Into Darkness don’t pin you to your seat, blow your hair back, and leave you thinking “my word! That was exhilarating!” well, you might not have a pulse.

Seriously. From the get-go the film plunges straight into the mouth of chaos. Spock (played to scientific perfection by Zachary Quinto) is beamed down into the belly of a roaring, spitting, hellfire volcano.

And this isn’t some ordinary volcano. If it erupts, it will destroy the planet it’s on. So it’s Spock to the rescue.

But things don’t go exactly as planned. Tension mounts, and as meltdown approaches Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) breaks Starfleet rules — as he’s wont to do — in order to save his pal and first officer from an impending, fiery doom.

And how does Spock repay him?

Naturally, because Vulcans can’t lie, Spock rats him out when the authorities ask what happened.

This opening sequence slaps you in the face with an urgency that most films lack in this day and age.

And to be frank, it was all kinds of awesome. But beginning like that causes problems. As any good longdistance runner will tell you, if you

come out of the gates like your ass is on fire, sooner or later you’re going to slow down. And if people expect that kind of pace to continue, well, you may run into some unfair criticism along the way.

Not here, mind you. If Star Trek Into Darkness had kept propelling itself at the same break-neck speed throughout the entire movie, I

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS J.J. Abrams STARRING Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Benedict Cumberbatch + Zoe Saldana DIRECTED BY

132 MINUTES | PG

And really, the plot of this film doesn’t matter. I mean, it’s good and

…the real heart of this story is the relationship between Kirk and Spock.

ADAM HAWBOLDT

would’ve had to walk away before it finished out of fear of excitement overload.

Mercifully, J.J. Abrams (who rebooted the Star Trek franchise in 2009 to great acclaim) knows better than that. And soon after Spock is rescued from the volcano the movie smooths out into a solid, even pace and begins dealing with the real story — a terrorist named John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch) who wants to exact revenge on the Federation.

But enough of that.

I know how much Trekkies and non-Trekkies alike love their Star Trek movies and I don’t want to spoil a second more of what happens.

stuff, but the real heart of this story is the relationship between Kirk and Spock.

In Abrams’ first Star Trek flick, the pair’s relationship gets its grounding. In this one, their friendship — which, if you think about it, is the heart and soul of the original Star Trek and these movies — becomes fully realized. The rivalry, the camaraderie, the warmth, the interspecies misunderstanding … it is all established in Star Trek Into Darkness. And the movie really skips and bounces because of this.

So is this installment better than the first Star Trek Abrams directed?

Depends who you ask. A Trekkie friend of mine thought Star Trek

Into Darkness was vastly inferior to Abrams’ first effort (for reasons we can’t get into here). But personally, I liked it better.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for bromance movies.

Feedback? Text it! (306) 881 8372

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IN HER DREAMS

Stevie Nicks’ documentary about her new album is much like the album itself — full of hits and misses BY ADAM HAWBOLDT IN YOUR DREAMS Stevie Nicks, Dave Stewart STARRING Stevie Nicks, Dave Stewart, Mick Fleetwood + Lindsey Buckingham DIRECTED BY

100 MINUTES | NR

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ABRAMORAMA

Y

ou all know Stevie Nicks, right? The raspyvoiced singer/songwriter of Fleetwood Mac fame is one of those people whose name — even if you’re not a huge fan of her former band — is familiar to most.

But here are some things you might not know about Stevie Nicks.

For instance, did you know she has

ception, growth and eventual birth of Nicks’ latest studio album. And in certain respects the movie is quite good.

If you’re a fan of Stevie Nicks you’re going to love just seeing the music icon doing her thing on screen for nearly two hours.

And if you’re a fan of seeing how the creative process works you’re in for a real treat, because, ostensibly, In Your Dreams is the documentary about the

…In Your Dreams rarely turns the camera on Stevie Nicks the person, opting instead to focus solely on the music.

ADAM HAWBOLDT

produced over 40 Top-50 hits and sold more than 140 million albums?

Did you know that the Eagles’ Joe Walsh was the love of her life, but the pair broke up because both were serious drug addicts? Did you know Jimi Hendrix once dedicated a song to her?

Oh, and did you know she recently released a documentary about the making of her new solo album?

Titled Stevie Nicks: In Your Dreams, the documentary chronicles the con-

creation of an album — from start to finish. With the help of former Eurythmics guitarist Dave Stewart, Nicks sits down and takes viewers on a track-fortrack journey into her new record. She uses poetry from her journal to help write lyrics, she cribs lines from Edgar Allen Poe. Sometimes she sits down at her keyboard and pecks out songs, other times she creates them to the sound of Stewart’s guitar playing. Reese Witherspoon drops by and helps her name

a song. Other top-flight musicians like Mick Fleetwood and Lindsey Buckingham (both of Fleetwood Mac fame) pop in for guest appearances.

Think of it as a portrait of the artist as an aging rock icon.

Now I know some of you — especially the die-hard Stevie Nicks fans — are sitting there thinking “that sounds like all different shades of awesome.”

But here’s the thing: it’s not.

Unlike epic rock documentaries No Direction Home or DiG! or Gimme Shelter, In Your Dreams rarely turns the camera on Stevie Nicks the person, opting instead to focus solely on the music. And while her voice is reason enough to watch this doc, you can’t help but feel like it’s an extended version of VH1: Behind the Music — minus all the drug abuse and band in-fighting.

In fact, if we’re going to be completely honest here, In Your Dreams seems kind of like a vanity project if nothing else. It’s Stevie Nicks and Dave Stewart on screen simply for the sake of being on screen to tell us how great they are. Case in point: while at a hotel in Italy, Nicks presents the front desk clerk with a page of handwritten lyrics to her song “Italian Summer,” and tells the clerk to hold onto the paper, saying “some day [it] is going to be very important.”

This isn’t to say In Your Dreams is a bad documentary. It’s just that, at times, it’s boring and a tad too self-congratulatory. Watch at your own discretion.

In Your Dreams is currently being screened at Broadway Theatre.

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FRIDAYS + SATURDAYS @

TEQUILA

Tequila Nightclub 1201 Alberta Ave (306) 668 2582 MUSIC VIBE / Top 40, dance, rock

and electro FEATURED DEALS / $5 cover on

Fridays and Saturdays, $5 highballs and pints on Fridays, and free cover for ladies before 11pm on Saturdays DRINK OF CHOICE / Highballs, cocktails and champagne TOP EATS / Nachos and burgers COMING UP / Wedding season is here, so book your stagettes

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CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! These photos will be uploaded to Facebook on Friday, May 17. facebook.com/verbsaskatoon

Photography courtesy of Chad Coombs

23 MAY 17 – MAY 23 /VERBSASKATOON

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FRIDAY, MAY 10 @

HUDSONS

Hudsons Canadian Tap House 401 21st Street East (306) 974 0944 MUSIC VIBE / A mix of rock, pop

and classic, and a live DJ most weekends FEATURED DEALS / Weekends from 4-6pm: $4 Henry Hudson’s Brewing Co. pints, $4 house wine, $4 domestic bottles, $4 Caesars & hi-balls, and $4 off all starters DRINK OF CHOICE / Henry Hudson’s Lumberjack lager TOP EATS / Maple bacon barbecue burger, or steak sandwich SOMETHING NEW / Brand new heated patio

24 MAY 17 – MAY 23 ENTERTAINMENT

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CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! These photos will be uploaded to Facebook on Friday, May 24. facebook.com/verbsaskatoon

Photography by Ishtiaq Opal

25 MAY 17 – MAY 23 @VERBSASKATOON

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© Elaine M. Will | blog.E2W-Illustration.com | Check onthebus.webcomic.ws/ for previous editions!

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CROSSWORD CANADIAN CRISS-CROSS DOWN 30. Rubber band 34. At that moment 35. Affirm 36. Some 37. Lout 38. Controlled intake of food 39. Close forcefully 40. Establishes facts 42. Torment a stand-up comedian 44. Statistical experiment 45. Modern message 46. Nothing else than 47. Not hesitating

1. Stand idly about 2. Makes a choice 3. Diner order 4. Newfoundland rum 5. Breakfast food 6. Enormous 7. Wear and tear 8. Not excitable 9. Unspoken 11. Work very hard 12. Mouthfuls of gum 14. Like Easter eggs 17. Succeed in doing 20. Meat and vegetables dish 21. Wine sediment 23. Well balanced

24. Hammer part SUDOKU ANSWER KEY 26. Wearing apparel A 27. Word on a red sign 28. Map to navigate by 29. ___ Party (former Canadian political party) 31. Movie with a soundtrack 32. Including everything 33. Flower cluster 35. Passageway in B a supermarket 38. Word used in a letter salutation 39. Scratch mark 41. Contend 43. Australian bird

7 8 5 1 6 4 9 3 2 2 6 4 7 3 9 8 1 5 1 3 9 8 2 5 6 4 7 5 9 7 4 1 8 3 2 6 8 2 1 6 5 3 4 7 9 6 4 3 2 9 7 5 8 1 9 7 6 3 8 2 1 5 4 4 5 8 9 7 1 2 6 3 3 1 2 5 4 6 7 9 8

ACROSS 1. Cuts off branches 5. Consequently 9. Subject 10. Removes from office 12. Restaurant employee 13. Ancient 15. New Testament book 16. Tranquil rest 18. Nonprofessional 19. Stop functioning 20. Religious denomination 21. Not on tape 22. Make a small amount go further 24. Surrendered 25. Means of transportation 27. Threaded fastener

5 1 8 4 3 9 7 2 6 4 3 9 6 2 7 1 5 8 6 2 7 1 5 8 4 9 3 2 7 6 9 4 3 5 8 1 3 9 5 8 1 2 6 7 4 8 4 1 5 7 6 2 3 9 1 6 3 7 8 5 9 4 2 9 5 2 3 6 4 8 1 7 7 8 4 2 9 1 3 6 5

TIMEOUT

© WALTER D. FEENER 2013

HOROSCOPES MAY 17 – MAY 23 ARIES March 21–April 19

LEO July 23–August 22

SAGITTARIUS November 23–December 21

Lady Luck shall smile upon you this week, Aries. Make the best of it. She doesn’t smile too often.

The travel bug may be starting to bite, Leo. If so, give in to your wanderlust and plan a trip somewhere.

Anywhere.

There’s no halfway for you in the coming days, Sagittarius. No fence sitting. Either crap or get off the pot, because a decision has got to be made.

TAURUS April 20–May 20

VIRGO August 23–September 22

CAPRICORN December 22–January 19

Don’t try to do everything all at once, Taurus. Be sure to prioritize and focus this week, or things are going to get out of hand.

Keep your eyes open and your ears tuned this week, Virgo. If you do that, you might find out something that could surprise you.

Got the urge to do something different, Capricorn? Something out of the ordinary, or maybe a little crazy?

Don’t hesitate. Do it.

GEMINI May 21–June 20

LIBRA September 23–October 23

AQUARIUS January 20–February 19

Working hard lately, Gemini?

Feeling like you’re about to burn out? Don’t worry! All that work is about to pay off in a big way.

You will be given some important knowledge very soon, Libra. The problem is, you may not realize its value until it’s too late.

Know what you should do this week, Aquarius? Call some friends out of the blue and schedule an impromptu get-together.

CANCER June 21–July 22

SCORPIO October 24–November 22

PISCES February 20–March 20

You may have some unexpected visitors this week. Whether you’re glad to see them or not, be sure to treat them all with the same hospitality.

You may be suddenly struck by all of the beauty around you this week, Scorpio. If so, sit back and soak it in.

If you don’t understand the questions this week, Pisces, take a page out of Lucille Bluth’s book and simply don’t respond.

SUDOKU 5 8 3 9 7 3 2 8 2 1 4 3 6 4 5 1 3 9 8 1 1 6 2 9 7 5 4 9 5 6 8 7 7 4 2 6

CROSSWORD ANSWER KEY

A

7 8 5 1 6 9 2 9 1 5 9 2 4 3 6 8 2 3 4 6 3 2 7 8 7 6 3 5 4 5 9 1 1 4 7 8

B

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