WAMM issue 16 | august 2009 by WAMM

WAMM| issue 16 | august 2009 2

CONTENTS

3 eat your city 4 windsor scene 6 vote for the best of windsor 6 ten indians 7 pride fest 7 made in windsor

Windsor Stars you never knew about

9 Yarn Bombing

listings

10 11 album charts

august 2009 | issue 16 Windsor Arts & Music Monthly (WAMM) is a free independent publication designed to keep you abreast of arts and culture in the Windsor area. Featuring music, visual arts, film, theatre, literature and beyond, WAMM is your guide for entertainment in Windsor. WAMM will grow & evolve with every issue and continue to answer the question; “What do you want to do tonight?” editor: Stephen Hargreaves copy editor: Kate Hargreaves contributors: Jamie Greer, John Doherty, Kate Hargreaves, Stephen Hargreaves & Adam Fox design & cover: Stephen Hargreaves We are looking for freelance writers! email: WAMMmagazine@hotmail.com letters, comments, advertising, etc. contact: WAMMmagazine@hotmail.com

visit our website:

WAMMonline.com Can you identify the Windsor stars on this issue’s cover? The first to send a complete list of this month’s cover stars, or the most complete list by Friday, August 21st to WAMMmagazine@hotmail.c om will win a WAMM t-shirt in a colour of your choice, so long as that choice is black.

also find us on facebook.com, at myspace.com/WAMMmagazine & at twitter.com/WAMMonline printed in Canada

WAMM| issue 16 | august 2009 Inside information from inside the Windsor

pedo a few months back. The break-up has more to do with future careers it seems (one member is moving to Saskatchewan to teach, the ges. other is off to pa eb w t’s of artis © & courtesy Western for All images schooling) than the normal dysfunctional band drama, which is refreshing to see. They’re lthough Windsor has having their final show in Sarnia at lost the residence of Norm’s Pub on Saturday, August 8th, Ron Leary, the side- bringing fellow Windsor bands Hello burned marvel still con- Bella and Time, as well as Kid Skeletinues to make the trek along the 401 ton. back to visit us, which is always a myspace.com/thetreestreets good thing. He returns to the area Saturday, August 1st with The Big It seems that right around the time we Three (also featuring Kelly “Mr. lost one dusty highway troubadour Chill” Hoppe and Scotty Hughes) (Ron Leary) we regained another one. for an early evening showcase at The always lovely Lonesome Lefty is Bob-Lo Beach House & Grille, the once again a Windsorite and it’s great restaurant on Bob-Lo Island in Amherstburg. There’s no cover and the show begins around 6:30pm. It is a great setting to see three fantastic musicians outside on the monstrous patio. myspace.com/ronleary

On a farewell note, local rockers The Tree Streets have called it quits. These guys have come a long way over the past year or so, going from one of the cover bands on the circuit to becoming one of the most improved original bands. They really turned a lot of heads with some greats shows and sounds, landing a coveted opening slot for Matt Mays & El Tor-

to have our resident King of Country back on our stages. This man is an encyclopedia of old school country and roots sounds and his originals effortlessly slide in to his sets and never feel out of place with the treasure trove of old school throwbacks he uncovers. He’s back out playing around Windsor at any stage that will take him and his band of minstrels, The Crying Shames. This month, he’s got a show on Saturday, August 1st at Mick’s Irish Pub (28 Chatham St. East) , followed by a set at Leopard’s Lounge (1190 Wyandotte St. East) on Wednesday, August 12th. myspace.com/lonesomelefty It seems like big swirling bands of gypsy folk music with North American roots are becoming all the rage, with bands like The Unsettlers and The United Steel Workers of Montreal gaining momentum across the country. Nova Scotia’s joining the fray, sending us The Tom Fun Orchestra to play at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West) on Saturday, August 1st. Considering that Nova Scotia is home to some of the most intense kitchen party jams this country has ever seen, these guys are probably going to be bringing an intensity and passion that can only be nurtured and harboured by the sea air of Cape Breton. Also on the bill are Windsor’s own The Locusts Have No King and another Cape Bretonner in vocal powerhouse Carmen Townsend. Should be a barn burner. myspace.com/tomfunorchestra myspace.com/thelocustshavenoking

Troubadour Lonesome Lefty returns to Windsor

myspace.com/carmecita Ottawa’s Fuck The Facts are tearing the North American hardcore circuit apart, appearing on television, major media and playing some huge shows. Luckily, these guys (and gals) never forget who made them and helped them, and whenever they come near Windsor they always play a show at The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, below Pogo’s). They’re on the road again and making their Coach pit-stop on Wednesday, August 5th. Should be a nice sweaty midweek excuse to bleed the ears out. myspace.com/fuckthefacts

disc. Local thrashers Assassinate The Following (who just recently released their own new album, Massacre of the North) and Guelph’s Farewell to Freeway (whose new single “Portrait” just debuted on Headbanger’s Ball on MTV2) will be joining Tyburn Tree in celebrating their long awaited debut disc. myspace.com/tyburntree myspace.com/assassinatethefollowing myspace.com/farewelltofreeway

Has it been twelve years already? Long gone are the Princess Blacktart days, but Blasternaut is still alive! These veteran rockers have routinely played the Michigan circuit more Local metallers Tyburn Tree have often than Windsor (primarily due to the dual citizenship of the band and, been scorching a trail all over unfortunately, because there are simtown the past year and it finally ply more stages to play), but they do culminates in their manage to play at home once or twice long overdue CD a year, usurelease party on ally to Friday, August p a c k e d 7th. Tyburn Tree houses. will be unCombining veiling the sounds their debut of bands release, like Cheap Parliament Trick, Tof Trees, at Rex and T h e Stone TemChubby ple Pilots Pickle into a mish (762 Ouelmash rock lette Ave.), and roll and they’re pleasure b e i n g ride, these joined by a guys are couple of road tested heavyand battle weights to hardened and celebrate continue to the new 12 years strong: Blasternaut

WAMM| issue 16 | august 2009

MUSIC SCENE EVERY MONTH IN WAMM MAGAZINE WITH JAMIE GREER! play each gig with the enthusiasm of the first. They’re playing a special intimate anniversary show at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West), which should be a shoulder-toshoulder sweaty affair indeed. myspace.com/blasternautmusic While The Guess Who may have been permanently grounded a few years ago, principal members Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings are still playing together and they bring their greatest hits package to the WFCU Centre on Friday, August 7th. I have a lot of friends who are probably going to go to this, but I must admit, Burton Cummings makes my skin crawl. Maybe it’s his moustache or his beady eyes, but he just plain gives me the willies. Last month we lost a vastly underrated and often under-appreciated singer/songwriter in Charles Benn, who has taken a job out in Alberta. His farewell show/CD release show last month was a great send off and an even better testament to the talent he truly is. Speaking of losing more talent, Kimberly Ann Kukoraitis is the latest who has had to leave the fair city i n

pursuit of higher education. Kimberly Ann has been a fixture on the singer/songwriter circuit for the past few years under the moniker This Is Me As A Woman. Late last year she jumped into the band circuit as a member of the raucous, high energy rock and roll of Vultures! With Vultures! now on hiatus and Kimberly Ann getting ready to head to Toronto for school, she’s throwing Windsor’s second farewell/CD release party in two months on Saturday, August 8th at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West). She’s finally releasing a document of her songs, recorded at Rockerie Records by fellow Vultures! Scott Warren and Andy Langmuir, entitled Extravanganza! and she’s being joined at the show by special guests Salt of the Chief Cornerstone and Jamie Reaume (The Golden Eagles, ex-Foreign Film Star). myspace.com/thisismeasawoman myspace.com/saltinfo myspace.com/jamiereaume Our reigning Kings of Power Pop, Inoke Errati are back with another Rock Show at The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.) on Saturday, August 8th. These guys are pure rock stars in every sense of the word but without a lot of the rock star trappings that often distance or alienate. Super nice

This is Me As a Woman is leaving us, but leaving a new CD to remember her

guys who write some damn catchy pop songs. They’re bringing along The Tragedy of Mariam and The Eclectic Chair to add to the party. myspace.com/inokeerrati myspace.com/thetragedyofmariam myspace.com/theeclecticchair The Metal Gods have opened the gates and the thunder will rumble at…Phog? Not exactly known for its metal shows, but Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West) is opening its doors on a big one on Friday, August 14th when international metal sensation (homegrown here in Windsor!) Woods of Ypres take “The Little Stage That Could.” Frontman David Gold has proclaimed that this will unfortunately be the last time that Woods of Ypres plays Windsor so make sure you get yourself to this show for one last time to hear Woods of Ypres in the town where it all started! Joining the bill is Arkayic Revolt, an impressive throwback to 80’s thrash metal, featuring exmembers of Lunacy. myspace.com/woodsofypres myspace.com/arkayicrevolt The Vaudevillianaires, a new heavy rock riff collective featuring past and present members of The Golden Hands Before God, Big Daddy A & The Merves, Hogfat and The Tyres, debut on Saturday, August 22nd at The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, below Pogo’s). The Vaudevillianaires are planning an ambitious stage production in the coming months, but this will be a musical showcase to debut the new sounds that these five have created over the past few months. Drawing on sounds like

Monster Magnet, Eagles of Death Metal and Moistboyz, The Vaudevillianaires are definitely looking to put some sweat and blood onto the dirty Coach stage. They’re being joined on their debut show by special guests The Unsettlers, who will be promoting their new live EP, recorded during a showcase for CBC Radio 2. The Unsettlers are garnering quite the buzz nationally and, with several members of this Montreal outfit from the Windsor area, always kill with their shows in town. Opening up the show will be the darkly romantic tones of Two For The Cascade (hot off their CD release for As God Intended) – if lead vocalist Stefanie Buckridan is unable to perform (she is about ready to give birth to her and Kevin Buckridan’s child), the remaining members will be performing under the banner The Other Woman. myspace.com/thevaudevillianaires myspace.com/theunsettlers myspace.com/twoforthecascade The CD release parties continue in August when local grunge rockers Crash Kondition release their debut album, Pretty Little Chemical, on Friday, August 28th at The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West). Crash Kondition are one of the few bands who have

taken their fair all over Windsor and haven’t limited their shows to just the downtown core. The result is a growing legion of fans in all pockets of the Rose City. They’re being joined at the show by The Tyres and Desposed. myspace.com/crashkondition myspace.com/thetyres myspace.com/desposed The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West) is closing out August with a loud bang, when our resident metal riff sludge masters Fiftywatthead hit the stage with Montreal doomriders Barn Burner in tow. What a great way to end the summer. myspace.com/fiftywatthead myspace.com/theinfamousbarnburner

Fiftywatthead, rises from the ashes of the fire that charred their gear in 2008

6 WAMM| issue 16 | august 2009

With Windsor establishments gaining national accolades recently and the city the focus of some international attention, WAMM is giving you the reader the chance to recognize your favourite Windsor spots as the best our city has to offer. Give props to your amazing hairdresser, and shout out the curry that makes your eyes water. Tell us where you buy your bread and where you spend it. Give kudos to comic shops, and big ups to blogs. In short, share your picks for the best everything of Windsor with WAMM in our annual reader’s survey. Vote online at wammonline.com to make sure your favourites take home the titles of the best in Windsor. Best Shawarma: _________________

Best Wine List (restaurant):_________

Best Woman's Clothier:___________

Best Open Mic:__________________

Best Local TV program:___________

Best Patio:______________________

Best Food at 3am:________________

Best Hair Salon:_________________

Best Bartender:__________________

Best Radio Station:_______________

Best Pizza:______________________

Best Bakery:____________________

Best Cosmetic Counter:___________

Best Pick-Up Bar:________________

Best Local Blog:_________________

Best Vegetarian Food:____________

Best Desserts:__________________

Best Spa:_______________________

Best Dive Bar:___________________

Best Locally Made Booze:___________

Best Café:______________________

Best Book Shop:_________________

Best Vintage Clothing Store:_________

Best Sports Bar:_________________

Best Locally Made Product:__________

Best Curry:_____________________

Best Comic Shop:________________

Best Antique Shop:______________

Best Beer Selection:______________

Best Neighbourhood to Live:_________

Best Burger:____________________

Best Record/CD Shop:____________

Best Band:______________________

Best Wine List (bar):_____________

Best Yoga Studio:________________

Best Sandwiches:________________

Best Musical Instrument Shop:_______

Best Songwriter:_________________

Best Art Gallery:_________________

Best Place for a Walk:_____________

Best Breakfast:__________________

Best Health Food Store:___________

Best Album Art:__________________

Best Commercial Art Gallery:_________

Best Park:______________________

Best Romantic Restaurant:__________

Best Place to Buy Produce:________

Best Place to Dance:_____________

Best Visual Artist:________________

Best Festival:___________________

Best Place for a Cheap Date:_________

Best Butcher Shop:______________

Best Live Music Venue:___________

Best Place to See Live Theatre:_____

Best Escape Without Leaving Town:

Best New Restaurant:____________

Best Men's Clothier:______________

Best Club DJ:___________________

Best Local Author:_______________

_______________________________

it was twenty years ago today...

TWENTY YEARS OF TEN INDIANS Jamie Greer

wenty years ago, the world was changing. The Berlin Wall came down after thirty eight years of dividing a nation, Communism in Russia was making way for Glasnost, and Jay Leno was being groomed to take over The Tonight Show from host Johnny Carson. Hair metal was on its road to commercial success on the radio, and Tim Burton’s Batman and the third installment of Indiana Jones topped the box office charts. And in a small audition room in Windsor, Ontario, two young musicians met and the blueprint for a rock and roll machine was born. Matt Weingarden and Dennis Cantagallo formed the foundation that is now known as Ten Indians. Joined a few years later by drummer George Manury, Ten Indians became one of Windsor’s true rock and roll inspirations. Longevity in any scene is a thing of wonder, especially in today’s age of so much media attention and radio and video stations’ insatiable hunger for new talent and mundane singles with which to brainwash the masses. The competition and pressure to perform – day in, day out – is often too much for even the best of them. The Beatles only lasted eight years. The Sex Pistols nearly two. The Clash never hit a decade and Led Zeppelin only barely did it, but Windsor’s Ten Indians – guitarist/vocalist Dennis Cantagallo, drummer/vocalist George Manury and bassist Matt Weingarden – have battled the odds, fought through the trends, and remained rock and roll warriors in a sometimes disenchanted local music scene for two decades. Now, twenty years later, Glasnost Russia is seemingly makes strides back to Communism, Conan O’Brien has been groomed to take over for Jay Leno, and The Dark Knight ruled the box office, and a little rock and roll band called Ten Indians has defied the odds and continues to play rock and roll the way it was intended – with a lot of sweat, a lot of energy and a whole lot of heart. To celebrate this beautiful career, on Friday, August 7th, Ten Indians will be holding a very special

20th anniversary show at The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West, beside Pogo’s). It’s being recorded live by the SharkTank’s Mark Plancke for a future release, with art direction by George Rizok. WAMM recently talked to bassist Matt Weingarden and drummer George Manury about twenty years of Ten Indians.

manic depression, buckets of sweat, temporary breakups, drugs, great and fierce women, respect, anger, love...hmmm? Jamie, I could go on for pages so I’ll let the readers do the math…

WAMM: First off, does it even feel like twenty years??

George: Out of sheer necessity.

Matt Weingarden: Some days yes, some days no…Recently we were hanging around downtown and some kid came up to us and said ‘Wow! You guys are Ten Indians…my dad has all your music. I grew up listening to those CDs.” That certainly puts some perspective on the timeline (and I felt every one of my 46 years). George Manury: There is a rock and Rollrequation to calculate the answers to such questions. Here’s ours: a heaping amount of ego, (which seemed to have dissapated over time according to some), approximately $21, 379 in shots, $17, 914 in beer and $14, 623 in mixed drinks, probably 500 to 550 shows from the Spotted Dog to Cuba, a healthy portion of

WAMM: So how did Ten Indians come to be?

Matt: As I recall, Dennis and I were auditioning for the same lame cover band the night we met. Immediately we began trading riffs, comparing heroes and indulging in the grape. I felt bad for the guy holding the auditions. We completely ignored the chap…as I recall, he asked us to lock up when we were finished and left us alone. As it happened, Dennis lived right around the corner from me. I believe we came up with ‘Ingrid,’ off our first album, during our first time collaborating together. Amazingly, the song seemed to write itself. Little did we know at that time there would be a couple hundred more songs to follow. The band was lifted to a whole new level when George came on board in 1991. WAMM: In two decades, you guys have seen many musical trends come and go – from the late 80s hair metal to early 90s grunge. How have you managed to keep Ten Indians grounded and consistent in its musical path? Matt: We love rock and roll. It’s that simple. We three have distinctive musical tastes and influences and have somehow managed to bring the whole maelstrom together into quite the collective of music. We’ve written and forgotten more music than we care to think about. Lately, we’ve been digging through some of the songs of the past and asking ourselves “wow, what were we thinking when we wrote that one?” WAMM: Apart from a short stint a year or so ago, you’ve managed to hold up

with the same line-up for the entire duration. What do you think is the key to keeping a line-up together, both musically and socially? Matt:True friendship…unconditional love and support, even through the most difficult of times, and there have been difficult times. WAMM: You’ve played so many stages in Windsor, most of which are now sadly gone. What were some of your favourite places to play in Windsor that may or may not still be with us? Matt: The Spotted Dog was a personal favourite, The Press Club, Buzz’s, Smileys (we were the house band Sunday afternoons for a couple years), The Terradactyl, Slim’s, The Carhole. Remember the ‘Green Arts Festival?” That was a great event. The Brunswick Hotel in London was a regular stop over, the legendary Lili’s in Hamtramack, St. Andrews Hall, the State theatre, The Whitney garden parties. WAMM: You guys have paid your rock and roll dues and come out of some good and bad times with your band still intact. What advice can you give younger bands about maintaining longevity and remaining relevant? Matt: Stick to your guns, regardless of what anyone tells you. I’d probably not choose Windsor as a home base. There a lot of temptations out there…behave yourself and don’t allow these things to cloud your judgement. There is a lot of hard work involved in the music business…you can’t be lazy (like we were). George: Maintaining longevity is one of the most important good ideas we have for any relationship, which is exactly what a band is. A relationship. Communication, leadership, knowing that music and the song is waaaaay bigger than you dude (that may

pride in the name of love

take some time, but it'’s worth it), having a fucking blast on stage whether it’s for the barmaid or a thousand people, tune your instruments if you are engaging in traditional Western Hemisphere Rock and Roll (hits harder that way), be friends if you can, be a band, don’t be fooled/ lost or taken by all the bullshit that modern popular radio stations and that TV would have you believe. You figure it out for yourself. Oh yeah, don’t concern yourself with being relevant. WAMM: You’ve got some pretty big plans for this upcoming show. How important is this show to you guys? Matt: Well, for me personally, it’s very important. The last couple of years I’ve had to deal with some personal demons. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to play music again. Today, I’ve found a solution that works for me. It has given me a second chance at living. George: We have the likes of George Rizok, Mark Planke, Dave White, Ryan Fields and other greats helping us to make that night happen. It’s important to us to have others involved. Ten Indians can be quite insular at times and this show will be a collective effort. I like that. That’s important WAMM: So what’s your favourite Ten Indians story from days gone by? Matt: There are simply not enough pages in this magazine if we were to start a Ten Indians drunk-a-log…the clubs we’ve played, the characters we’ve met along the way, the right/wrong place at that particular time, the infighting and personal struggles. There are too many to mention, although, we have a great story about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. George: Our show in Cuba is a good story. Flying around the countryside on scooters, fresh squezed o.j. and cheap vodka for breakfast, the ocean, bringing stuff to the locals, playing on some very primative equipment, trying and failing to understand Cuban polyrhythms. You know, it was good to spend time as a band. WAMM: So what does the future hold now for Dennis Cantagallo, George Manury and Matt Weingarden? Matt: Whatever the future brings for me, it will definitely include writing and playing music. George: Staying friends is what I’d like to see. Ten Indians – 20th Anniversary Show, Friday, August 7th at The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St., formerly the Old Fish Market), no cover charge. You’re probably wondering how anything can be written or discussed about the Ten Indians without the words of Dennis Cantagallo. After all, anyone who has encountered or drank with Dennis knows that being quiet is something he can never quite do well. Let’s just say Dennis had far too much to say about Ten Indians, things that he said so well that I’ll let Dennis tell them. To read Dennis Cantagello’s reflections on Ten Indians, check out his exclusive contribution at wammonline.com.

Kate Hargreaves

omedy shows, drag queens, bowling, dance parties, and of course a parade are set to hit Windsor this August as part of Windsor Pride 2009. The annual celebration of Windsor’s LGBTT community runs August 5th through the 9th, and promises to be the best Windsor Pride yet. Since its inception back in 1992, Pride has expanded into five days of events for adults as well as families. This year’s festival kicks off with the traditional raising of the Pride flag at City Hall on August 5th, followed by the annual Pride family bowling night on August 6th at Rose Bowl Lanes on Dougall. The Pride committee has this year teamed up with Caesars Windsor to bring celebrated comedienne Sandra Bernhard to the city for Friday Night OUT!, a comedy show hosted by MuchMusic’s Trevor Boris and held at the Caesars Augustus Ballroom on August 7th. Saturday features a wine tour across Essex County, with a bus departing and returning to Riverfront Festival Plaza right in time for Saturday evening festivities by the river. Audiences can catch the Next Top Drag Superstar competition, featuring drag queens and kings from across North America strutting their stuff for the chance to win the title and $1500. Hosted by the fabulous Miss Conception,

and featuring judges Sunny Fong (winner of Project Runway Canada), and HGTV’s Ambrose Price, the contest will see three finalists compete on Sunday for the Superstar title. Stick around after the drag show for a reprise of last year’s successful Saturday night dance party, featuring DJ Shawn Riker, DJ Jamal, Windsor’s own DJ Josh Karmin, and international drag star Sofonda with her male dance crew. New this year is the Rave’n on the River Pride boat cruise, which features DJ Josh Karmin spinning for a luxurious dance party on the river, also taking place Saturday evening. Sunday starts off early with a worship service at the Festival Plaza stage, followed by Pride Brunch at Mick’s Irish pub downtown. Once brunch is done, head outside for the annual Pride parade, featuring a diverse mix of over two dozen groups, floats, and countless marchers. Finally, to wind down the week, Sunday features a day of family activities, food, and entertainment, featuring Kelly & The Kellygirls, The Joys, and the Drag Superstar finale judging. For more information on events, times, and tickets, please check out windsorpride.com or pick up the 2009 Windsor Pride Guide at many Windsor businesses. Tickets for Sandra Bernhard are avalible at ticketscene.ca, WFCU locations, Scotiabank and the Pride Office.

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WAMM| issue 16 | august 2009 7

Adam Fox

e in Windsor are all too aware of the pains of recession. Jobs are leaving town, and money is tight, but there is a silver lining in the dark clouds of our current local economic condition. A spat of recent initiatives with the philosophy of buying local has helped curb the doom and gloom of Windsor’s economy. One such initiative, Made In Windsor, is set to take a big step with a new retail store. Christine Rideout-Arkell is the brains behind Made In Windsor and I caught up with her at her new store on Ottawa street to discuss her motivation, the resurgence of support for local artisans, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. WAMM: Where did the idea for MIW come from? Christine Rideout-Arkell: I lived in Toronto for a couple of years, and Toronto has a lot of little and huge craft shows. I was there for two years, and then I came back to Windsor and there was just a period where I just happened to meet a bunch of people around the same time that were all making things. They were making their items as gifts for people or they’d have a few friends over and try to sell stuff in their living room, but nobody really had a bigger venue to try to sell them. There’s craft shows in the city but either they’re fairly expensive like Art in the Park or they’re small scale church basement craft bazaars. WAMM: So you decided to start your own event – how were the initial events? Christine: The first couple I did in the basement of the downtown library, which were great but we just weren’t getting a tonne of traffic. So then we brainstormed and came up with the idea of using an art gallery. We rented Nancy John’s Gallery and Vincent Franzoi Gallery. We’ve done five now and they keep getting bigger and bigger.. WAMM: What was the feedback like from the public? Christine: People would come through the doors and say ‘this is awesome I wish there was something like this year-round.’ WAMM: So you’re making a leap of faith and turning this into a full-time retail thing. What kind of support have you received since

you made this decision? Christine: Im opening this a sole proprietorship but by ‘we’ I’m talking about me and the (over 40 people) I hope to have selling stuff in here as well as the countless people that have been in here helping me out. Every day I have people just knocking on the door asking ‘hey can we come in and help out.’.I’m hoping it has that kind of feel – I want it to be a place where people just pop in and hang out; I want it to be more than just a store. WAMM: You’re a children’s librarian (at the downtown Windsor Public Library) by profession; are you going to be pulling double duty? Christine: I adore my job, I’m so lucky I go to work everyday with a job I love. [Made in Windsor] is also something I love. WAMM: What kind of variety of goods will Made in Windsor carry? Christine: Im opening it up to anything handcrafted in Windsor, with the exception of framed art – I don’t have a lot of wall space once I put up my shelves. I have about 15-20 categories, anything from jewellery, clothing, accessories, handbags, pottery, wood working… I even had a lady contact me the other day who makes all natural dog-treats, I have soaps, shampoos, and personal care…I’m pretty much open to anything. WAMM: Is the store going to be strictly a retail space? Christine: No. Mornings and evenings I plan on doing all kinds of programs and workshops…. Clothing swaps, sewing classes, book launches… I also hope to see music and book readings in the space. Goods are sold on consignment and local artisans who are interested in selling their wares can call Christine at 519-973-0776 to set up an appointment. The response from the art/crafts community has been exceedingly positive and Christine admits for some categories, notably jewellery, she’s already at capacity, and there is a waiting list for new artisans who want to get their goods in the store. Made in Windsor is located at 1465 Ottawa Street and will open its doors to the public for the first time on Saturday, August 8th.

Stephen Hargreaves

hen one thinks of notable Windsorites, names of NHL stars like Ed Jovanovski, Bob Probert and Tie Domi come to mind, or perhaps the mind turns from the ice to the political arena and the likes of former education minister Dave Cooke and former Prime Minister Paul Martin. Suits will surely be quick to point out Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda was born and bred in the City of Roses, and while LaSorda’s new boss, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, was born in Italy, he graduated along sid LaSorda from University of Windsor in 1980. However, this is not a sports, political or business publication, thank god. So presumably when you are asked “anyone famous from Windsor?” you would likely mention the successes of The Tea Party or Richie Hawtin, perhaps more recently Daniel Victor of Neverending White Lights or 2009 Polaris Prize nominees Elliott Brood, hopefully avoiding any mention of Shania Twain, who moved to Timmins, Ontario before she could walk. However, most of us forget to mention “the greatest Canadian rock and roll singer of all time,” “America’s singing sweetheart,” the “North American Syd Barrett” and many others who have made their mark and sadly seem to have been all but forgotten. Over the next few months, we will dust off some old records, both the cardboard folder and the round vinyl varieties and let you in on a few pieces of Windsor’s creative past.

JACK SCOTT

“

the greatest Canadian rock and roll singer of all time......

n January 24, 1936, the man dubbed “undeniably the greatest Canadian rock and roll singer of all time,” by Rolling Stone was born in Windsor. Giovanni Dominico Scafone, Jr., or Jack Scott as he became known, was one of the first white rock and roll singers to receive notoriety. Despite being virtually ignored by the Canadian recording industry, Scott released records with the help of New York’s ABC and Carlton Records, with Carlton waxing a double-sided international hit in 1958 “Leroy” / “My True Love.” Later that same year, Scott released another US top 40 hit “With Your Love.” In all, six of 12 songs on his first album became hit singles. On most of Scott’s tracks, he was backed up by a Windsor based French-Canadian vocal group called the Chantones, a group with

”

whom he later recorded an album of Hank Williams songs. While spending most of 1959 serving in the army, Scott’s singles “Goodbye Baby” and “The Way I Walk.” rocked the top ten, the latter becoming a punk rock anthem, covered in the '70s by Robert Gordon, in the '80s by The Cramps; it later found itself featured in Oliver Stone’s 1994 film cult classic Natural Born Killers. By the beginning of the 1960s Scott was on fire, recording four Billboard Hot 100 hits – “Oh, Little One,” “It Only Happened Yesterday,” “What In the World’s Come Over You” and “Burning Bridges,” the latter two cracking the top five. In fact, Scott had more U.S. singles (19), in a shorter period of time (41 months), than any other recording artist [with the exception of The Beatles.] His sin-

gles were so widely received they made their way from the pop charts onto the “black” and “country” charts as well. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Elvis included, Scott wrote all of his own hits, other than one cover, “Burning Bridges.” In total, Scott penned four US gold records including “Goodbye Baby,” a song Elvis Presley adored and legendary music journalist Dave March claims to be one of the “greatest rock and roll singles of all time!” Jack Scott: “undeniably the greatest Canadian rock and roll singer of all time,” an inspiration to Elvis, a hero to Robert Plant, and a Windsorite. Jack Scott is alive and well and living in Michigan; believe it or not at 73 he’s still occasionally playing, including a concert at the Vintage House (31816 Utica Rd.) in Fraser, Michigan on September 25th and the following day at the Ford Community Center in Dearborn. For more information about Jack Scott, including music, visit jackscottmusic.com

arjorie Chandler was born November 18th 1926 in Windsor, though before she had finished school,with her sights set on stardom, she adopted the Hollywood-sounding stage name of Dorothy Collins. Stage name in hand, Collins began singing on radio stations in Windsor and Detroit at every opportunity, and at the tender age of 14 she was heard by bandleader and composer Raymond Scott. Much to the chagrin of many in Windsor, the famous American musician, 18 years her senior, whisked Collins away. She became the featured vocalist with Scott’s

orchestra, performing on radio and on tour. Scott groomed her for stardom, which included coaching her vocals (pitch, phrasing, and delivery) and mentoring her performance skills. In the late 1940s, she contributed vocals to the revived Raymond Scott Quintet, a group that released records on the bandleader’s own Master label and served as house band on the radio program ‘Herb Shriner Time.’ In 1949, after Scott was hired to conduct the orchestra on the popular CBS radio program, Lucky Strike’s ‘Your Hit Parade,’ he trained Collins to lead his sextet in his absence. Recommended listening: Jack Scott's ‘Greatest Hits’ When ‘Your Hit Parade’ (Curb Special Markets | 1991) moved from the wireless to television, Collins’ fame exploded as America gathered around their sets to watch the beautiful woman with the golden voice. She began regular guest appearances on The Steve Allen Show and a slew of popular television programs of the day, occasionally joined by singers including Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. In 1952 she wed Raymond Scott who was spending his days composingnow classic music for Warner Brothers cartoons and his nights inventing the “Electronium” a music synthesizer, 15 years before the first Moog. Scott’s busy schedule left Collins enough free time to release the hot-rod inspired single “My Boy Flat Top,” that reached #16 on the BillDorothy Collins with her husband Raymond Scott board charts and lent her

DOROTHY COLLINS

“

America's singing sweetheart

”

‘SKIP’ SPENCE

”

voice to some of the incredibly futuristic electronic compositions produced by her husband’s Manhattan Research Inc. This work has been given new life by contemporary artists such as J Dilla and Aphex Twin. She mothered two children with Scott before the two divorced in 1965 and she left the big fame of the small screen for the stage. In 1971, Collins made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. Her dramatic rendition of the song “Losing My Mind” routinely stopped he 1985 hit single “We Built the show and was one of the production’s This City” was not written highlights, earning her a Tony Award nominaabout Windsor, thankfully; tion for Best Actress. in fact Starship has nothing to do with Windsor, nor does their previDorothy Collins died in 1994 from respiratory ous incarnation Jefferson Starship. distress, as a result of a long-standing pul- Honestly, even their prop-powered monary disease, at her home in upstate Water- initial branding of Jefferson Airvliet, New York. Despite spending much of plane had little in connection with her working life away from Windsor, she Canada’s deep south, save a gifted spoke of her life here often and the girl the songwriter and singer who sat beNew York Times called “America’s singing hind a set of drums and penned a sweetheart” seemingly held on to her Cana- number of songs for the psychedian citizenship, “because that’s me, and you delic band, Alexander “Skip” can’t be what you aren’t.” Spence. Skip Spence was born in Windsor Recommended listening: in 1946 and after a visit to San ‘My Boy Flat Top’ 1955 Francisco, California in his early ‘Unchained Melody’ adulthood, he joined a number of from ‘Your Hit Parade’ 1955 acts and by 1966 had made enough ‘Lightworks’ connections to found Moby Grape, from Manhattan Research Inc. 1959 (all on youtube.com) the band journalist Jeff Tamarkin

later called the “greatest rock and roll ever to emerge from San Francisco.” Spence wrote a couple of tunes that appeared on Moby Grape’s debut including the much loved “Omaha,” a song identified in 2008 by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the 100 greatest guitar songs of all time. While promoting Moby Grape’s debut LP, Spence introduced John Hartman to Tom Johnston who, with Spence’s encouragement, went on to form The Doobie Brothers. It was 1968 when Moby Grape entered the studio to record their second album, Wow. At producer David Rubinson’s request, the band was to record the new LP in New York City, and take hotel rooms as homes, a move that didn’t sit well

with Spence. “Skippy changed radically when we were in New York,” said bandmate Jerry Miller. Spence had traded his dashiki and marijuana for black leather and LSD. “And the next thing I know, he axed my door down in the Albert Hotel,” Miller continued. “They said at the reception area that this crazy guy had held an axe to the doorman’s head. He thought he was the antiChrist.” Bandmate Peter Lewis recalls that Spence wanted to kill bandmate Don Stevenson with a fire axe “to save him from himself,” and later “went up to the 52nd floor of the CBS building where they had to wrestle him to the ground.” Spence was arrested and sent to The Tombs [a jail in lower Manhattan], and then to Bellevue Hospital’s psychiatric facilities, where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He spent six months in Bellevue, and wrote what was to become his masterwork. Upon his release he commandeered a motorcycle and, dressed in only his hospital pajamas, drove to Nashville to record his only solo album Oar. Recorded almost exclusively on a threetrack recorder, ‘The Best Windsor Record Ever’ (WAMM Issue 5 | August 2008) “combines the ramblings of a man on the brink of mental collapse with some real moments of flippancy and laughter,” says Ross Bennett. Themes of saints and demons weave through the minimalist folk as you, the listener, sympathize, fascinate, and wonder away with Oar’s 12 tracks. “Just take a look at the tousled-haired, half-smiling figure gazing out from the record sleeve and tell me you don’t want to peer inside.” Sadly, mental illness, drug addiction and alcoholism thus prevented Spence from sustaining a career in the music in-

dustry, ultimately leaving him homeless. At one point he overdosed to such an extent that he ended up in a San Jose morgue with a tag on his toe, until he sat up and asked for a glass of water. He reappeared for a few Moby Grape reunion shows, and recorded a song for the X-Files soundtrack, the stunning “Land of the Sun” but when Spence saw the program he found it “too real” and “scary” and refused use of the song. “There’s no other record in history that sounds like this,” George Sarostin said of Oar, which, following its initial weak reception has become a cult classic inspiring 1999’s More Oar: A Tribute to Alexander “Skip” Spence featuring Robert Plant, Beck, Tom Waits, Mudhoney and other Spence fanatics. Alexander “Skip” Spence died of lung cancer May 19, 1999, a month before the tribute album was released; still, the music and the legend of Windsor’s golden son continues to inspire hundreds of thousands every year.

Skip Spence

the North American Syd Barrett......

Dorothy Collins

“

WAMM| issue 16 | august 2009 9

Recommended listening: Alexander "Skip" Spence – Oar (Columbia | 1969) or (Sundazed | 1999 | re-release with 10 bonus tracks)

YARN BOMBS HIT WINDSOR Kate Hargreaves

arn bombing has nothing to do with explosives. There is no mass destruction or property damage involved. On the contrary, this knit graffiti, which many have noticed popping up around Windsor lately, is all about beautification and making the city a little bit more colourful. Yarn bombing, or guerrilla knitting, is the process of using knitted, crocheted or otherwise crafted projects as a form of street art or graffiti to spruce up boring city streets. Thought to originate with knitters in Texas who were looking for a use for scrapped projects, yarn bombing has taken hold across North America and Europe. In Windsor, where many complained about the “messy” state of downtown, yarn graffiti enlivens otherwise drab public areas, and brightens the city’s core. Several parking meters now have a cozy new look and bike racks have gained wooly coats. Nicole Drouillard started yarn bombing around the end of April with a bike rack cozy, which went up in front of Phog Lounge. Since then, she has covered different surfaces across the downtown area, and most of her pieces remain on display. While most people have taken kindly to the yarn art, some pieces have not fared so well. “A few have been taken down, burned with lighters, ripped,” Drouillard explains, noting that she witnessed a dog marking her art as its territory when it slipped to the bottom of a parking meter. Not discouraged, she has no intention of giving up on yarn bombing. “I’m trying to cover as

many parking meters as I can,” she says. During the city strike, her yarnbombing turned the disused meters into street art. “They have to serve a purpose of some sort,” she said. “Why not turn them into an art display?” Drouillard is also co-founder of Oh! C.N.A.P! (Craft Night at Phog) alongside Sam Cooper, a group that meets every first and third Thursday at Phog Lounge to work on a variety of art projects.

Back on the sidewalk, Drouillard too has forayed outside knit graffiti occasionally. “I’ve also gone out a few time with sidewalk chalk and written fun messages and drawn little pictures,” she says. “That has gotten me in trouble though, so I usually stick to knitting.” If you are interested in yarn bombing, or joining in on the Oh! C.N.A.P! fun, you can check out Nicole Drouillard’s blog at knitnicoleknit.blogspot.com, the Oh! C.N.A.P! Blog at ohcnap.wordpress.com or search Oh C.N.A.P. on facebook.

“Many of the crafters at C.N.A.P. are knitters,” she says. “There have been several knitting lessons given since we started, and I can only imagine more will come.” The night is not, however, limited to knitters and other yarn crafters. C.N.A.P. has seen not only knitters and crocheters, but writers, painters, chain maille artists, jewelery makers, people who sew, and photographers. “Basically, if your work is portable and you don’t make a mess, you’re welcome to come out,” saysDrouillard.

[ a message from WAMM ]

listings _______________________

LIVE MUSIC

WEDNESDAY 5

TUESDAY 11

Dead & Divine (CD release) w/ Straight Reads The Line, I Am Committing A Sin & Gunsmith The Chubby Pickle

Miwa Gemini w/ Chris Velan Phog Lounge

The Got to Get Got Phog Lounge L & M Open Band Jam Night FM Lounge

Ten Second Epic w/ The Latency, Stereo Goes Stellar, Radio Adelaide The Chubby Pickle Tuesday Nights Concert Series feat: Pat Robitaille & guests FM Lounge

THURSDAY 6 ______________________ Huladog FM lounge

Open Mic w/ Stephanie Sarafianos The Mill

Matt Herdman and Romano Boom Boom Room Ion Dissonance w/ Starring Janet Leigh, Terrorhorse, The Severnaya Complex, The Myriad Burial & Waking Without Remorse (3pm | all ages) The Chubby Pickle Ion Dissonance w/Starring Janet Leigh, Bloodshoteye & Kill List (10pm | 19+) The Chubby Pickle The Tom Fun Orchestra w/ The Locusts Have No King Phog Lounge SUNDAY 2 Serge Devant Boom Boom Room Gunsmith w/Hunter City Madness, Assassinate The Following..., Saving Glory & Cowboy Dan The Chubby Pickle Open Mic FM Lounge MONDAY 3 Milkmen Milk Open Mic w/ Tara Watts Phog Lounge Open Mic w/ Clinton Hammond Kildare House TUESDAY 4

Open Mic w/ Brian VanderPryt Mick’s Irish Pub\

Open Mic w/ Andrew MacLeod The Dominion House

FRIDAY 7

Open Mic w/Jamie Reaume Twig N’ Berries

Blasternaut Phog Lounge Seven Out w/ Destroy Thy Will & Nicole Wood Coach & Horses

SUNDAY 23

Monday 17 Milkmen Milk Open Mic w/ Tara Watts Phog Lounge Open Mic w/ Clinton Hammond Kildare House

Art of Eating Festival: Pabalate Jazz Trio, Zumba with Joel, Latin Inspired Music, Workout, Credible Witness & Michou Lake St. Clair Shores, Tecumseh Open Mic FM Lounge

Clare Renauds Session Kildare House WEDNESDAY 12

Tuesday Nights Concert Series feat: Pat Robitaille & guests FM Lounge

TUESDAY 25

L & M Open Band Jam Night FM Lounge

Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings WFCU Centre

Huladog FM lounge

Field Assembly Taloola Cafe This is Me as a Woman (CD release) Phog Lounge

Loretta Lynn The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor FRIDAY 14

Open Mic w/ Tara Watts Phog Lounge

Open Mic w/ Andrew MacLeod The Dominion House

THURSDAY 13

SATURDAY 8

Open Mic w/Jamie Reaume Twig N’ Berries Clare Renauds Session Kildare House

Tuesday Nights Concert Series feat: Pat Robitaille & guests FM Lounge Open Mic w/ Stephanie Sarafianos The Mill Open Mic w/ Andrew MacLeod The Dominion House

THURSDAY 20

Open Mic w/Jamie Reaume Twig N’ Berries

Dutch Oven w/ Iron Giant Coach & Horses

Clare Renauds Session Kildare House

Huladog FM lounge

WEDNESDAY 26

Open Mic w/ Brian VanderPryt Mick’s Irish Pub

L & M Open Band Jam Night FM Lounge THURSDAY 27

22nd Annual St. Angela Merici Festival Sal Panetta, Big Lou & the Band Erie Street Inoke Errati w/ The Tragedy Of Mariam, The Eclectic Chair & The Day After Yesterday The Chubby Pickle SUNDAY 9 22nd Annual St. Angela Merici Festival Big Lou & the Band Erie Street

Open Mic FM Lounge MONDAY 10 Milkmen Milk Open Mic w/ Tara Watts Phog Lounge Open Mic w/ Clinton Hammond Kildare House

Woods of Ypres w/ Arkayic Revolt Phog Lounge Pitch Union w/A Point In 7, Sixty First Second, Evelyn Falls & Silent Movie Type The Chubby Pickle

Whoa Nellie Phog Lounge Red October w/ The Rowley Estate & Assassinate The Following The Chubby Pickle RockStock ‘09 Collective Soul w/ Marianas Trench, Preistess, Crash Karma, Faber Drive, Stereos, Mobile, Futures Past, Ashes of Soma, Square Root of Margaret, Time & Latency Chatham Airport

Open Mic w/ Clinton Hammond Kildare House ______________________

ARTS

“The Arrow & the String” Call for Cast & Crew LeBel Building (University of Windsor) Sunday 2 Sundays in the Studio: Artist Trading Cards Art Gallery of Windsor agw.ca Wednesday 5 Open House: curator-led exhibition tours (2pm) Art Gallery of Windsor agw.ca Thursday 6 Nancy's Fabulous Wine Tasting Event Nancy Johns Gallery & Framing Sunday 9 Sundays in the Studio: Cartooning Art Gallery of Windsor agw.ca Wednesday 12 Open House: curator-led exhibition tours (2pm) Art Gallery of Windsor agw.ca

FRIDAY 21 Art of Eating Festival: Pat Robitaille with Jackie Robitaille & Big Wiggle Lake St. Clair Shores, Tecumseh The Speakeasies Phog Lounge

Huladog FM lounge Open Mic w/ Brian VanderPryt Mick’s Irish Pub FRIDAY 28

Michou Milk Coffee Bar

Lonesome Lefty w/ Mike Hazzard Phog Lounge

SATURDAY 22

SATURDAY 29

Art of Eating Festival: Mr. Chill and the Witnesses, Leah Harris, Dusty & Jenna, New Brothers of Soul & Thornetta Davis Lake St. Clair Shores, Tecumseh

FiftyWattHead w/ Barnburner Coach & Horses

SATURDAY 15 Locusts Have No King Taloola Cafe

Open Mic w/ Tara Watts Phog Lounge

SATURDAY 1 Milkmen Milk

Open Mic w/ Clinton Hammond Kildare House

WEDNESDAY 19

Open Mic w/ Brian VanderPryt Mick’s Irish Pub

Milkmen Milk

______________________

Open Mic w/ Stephanie Sarafianos The Mill

L & M Open Band Jam Night FM Lounge

Lonesome Lefty & the Cryin' Shames Leopard's Lounge & Broil

MONDAY 31

MONDAY 24

Tyburn Tree (CD release) w/Farewell to Freeway & Waking Without Remorse (10pm |19+) The Chubby Pickle

Open Mic w/ Stephanie Sarafianos The Mill

Clare Renauds Session Kildare House

Open Mic FM Lounge

James OL & the Villains Phog Lounge

Tuesday Nights Concert Series feat: Pat Robitaille & guests FM Lounge

Open Mic w/Jamie Reaume Twig N’ Berries

Donna Summer The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor

Beneath The Sky w/ Forever In Terror, The Juggernaut, Sirens, Cyreene & Desertion (4pm | all ages) The Chubby Pickle

Dear Solace w/Brighter Brightest, The Mission, District, Epik & My Last Summer Sky The Chubby Pickle

Open Mic w/ Andrew MacLeod The Dominion House

Of, Jade Lester & River Junction Band Chatham Airport

TUESDAY 18

SATURDAY 1 Lonesome Lefty & the Cryin' Shames Mick's Irish Pub

submit live music, arts & theatre listings to WAMMonline.com

King Misfit w/ Citizen Erased & Dirty Love Band Blind Dog George Manury Taloola Cafe

SUNDAY 16

The Vaudevillianaires w/ The Unsettlers and Two For The Cascade The Coach & Horses

RockStock ‘09 Jason Blaine w/ Deric Ruttan, Alex J. Robinson, Traci Kennedy, Buckets

Flaming Yawn w/Nervous Wrecked, The Weather Station & The Music Box Phog Lounge

The Lesson Phog Lounge Punk A Palooza ‘09 Featuring: The Afterparty, Michou, Futures Past & 30+ more The Blind Dog

Sunday 16 The Future of Food (screening) Gourmet Emporium Sundays in the Studio: Watercolour Art Gallery of Windsor agw.ca WEDNESDAY 19 Open House: curator-led exhibition tours (2pm) Art Gallery of Windsor agw.ca FRIDAY 21 Every Little Step (USA | 2008) Sprucewood Estates Winery windsorfilmfestival.ca Sunday 23

Grand Funk Railroad The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor

Sundays in the Studio: Still Life Painting Art Gallery of Windsor agw.ca

Efan Taloola Cafe

WEDNESDAY 26

SUNDAY 30 Open Mic FM Lounge

Open House: curator-led exhibition tours (2pm) Art Gallery of Windsor agw.ca

THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND YOU

THURSDAY 27

SUNDAY 9

Nigel Barker's A Sealed Fate? (screening | 5pm) The Gourmet Emporium

Spirits of Sandwich Ghost Tour (begins at 8:30pm) Mackenzie Hall

Stitch 'n Bitch and Artist Trading Cards Artcite Inc.

Spirits of Sandwich Ghost Tour (begins at 8:30pm) Mackenzie Hall

SUNDAY 30 Sundays in the Studio: Pen and Ink Drawing Art Gallery of Windsor agw.ca

SATURDAY 22 Dance D'amour Capitol Theatre wdxtheatre.ca

______________________ SUNDAY 23

THEATRE & COMEDY

______________________ SUNDAY 2 Windsor last month on the street right smack-dab in front of the venerable Phog Lounge. The day-long outdoor concert was Phog’s prize for winning as CBC Radio 3’s best live music venue in Canada. I only bring this up because Radio 3 also filmed portions of the event and posted a re-cap on YouTube. Search R3TV Episode #88: Holy Phog. The link, for the search-lazy, is youtube.com/watch?v=w00TBN1Ptz0.

Spirits of Sandwich Ghost Tour (begins at 8:30pm) Mackenzie Hall SUNDAY 30

Spirits of Sandwich Ghost Tour (begins at 8:30pm) Mackenzie Hall SATURDAY 8 Larry the Cable Guy The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor

Spirits of Sandwich Ghost Tour (begins at 8:30pm) Mackenzie Hall

get updated listings @

WAMMonline.com

Film-goers Alternatives

ocumentary filmmaker Matt Gallagher, a Windsor native whose locally shot film The Rise and Fall of the Grumpy Burger showed in 2007 at the Windsor International Film Festival, has another Windsorbased project in the works. Gallagher and five other Canadian filmmakers were recently hired by the NFB to film Web documentaries that portray the influence of the recent recession on Canadians. The project is called GDP: Measuring the human side of the Canadian Economic Crisis. The website says perfectly: “Filmmakers and photo essayists across the country will give a voice to the men and women who through resilience and ingenuity have become change makers in their communities. New stories will be posted each day in this innovative project that the public can follow live on the internet for a whole year.” Gallagher won’t say who they are yet, but his subjects are from Windsor and perhaps you even know one of them. To find out, visit gdp.nfb.ca.

Casting Call Kingsville’s Tim Swaddling is holding auditions Aug. 1 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. at the LeBel Building (University of Windsor, School of Visual Arts building) on the corner of College Ave and Huron Church. The casting call is for a Windsor/Essex Countybased feature film titled The Arrow & The String. Written and directed by Swaddling, the film is being made in association with the University of Windsor's Communications Department Studio 5 Production Guild and the Toronto based The Dot Film Company. Production is slated for Aug 20-Sept. 8. Auditions are for males and females of all ages. No experience required. The leading roles are paid positions. E-mail info@romancingthegutter.com to schedule a time. If you have a demo reel, provide a link online. For more information, search on Face book “Call for Cast & Crew: Independent Film.”

Phog Phest Immortal For those who didn’t go or didn’t know, the first annual Phog Phest live music event took place in

Are you sure you know what you’re eating? It may look like a tomato, but I’m telling you, I’ve seen some pretty eye-opening documentaries that will straighten out your intestines. One such doc is coming to Windsor this month. If you really are what you eat, perhaps sitting through the screening of The Future of Food will help you understand what those genetically engineered tomatoes are turning you into. Also, the Windsor International Film Festival’s monthly screenings wind down with a final film in August--a documentary of the production of A Chorus Line.

The Future of Food (Deborah Koons Garcia, U.S., 2005, English language) The Future of Food examines the complex web of market and political forces that are changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to control the world’s food system. The film also explores alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable agriculture as real solutions to the farm crisis today. The free screening is Sunday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Gourmet Emporium (1799 Wyandotte St. E.) as part of FedUp Windsor’s Summer Harvest Festival (Aug 15-16). The screening will be followed by a community discussion with panel guests. fedupwindsor.blogspot.com has details.

Every Little Step (James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo, U.S., 2008, English language, 96 min., PG) Broadway has produced many legendary productions, but A Chorus Line and the story behind it remain special. Every Little Step captures the magic of the show by following the process of casting the 2006 stage revival. The concept is self-referential, given that the very plot of A Chorus Line is about casting a musical, but the filmmakers add another layer by examining how the original show was born when Michael Bennett recorded a group of dancers speaking in confessional mode. Fans of the show may get goosebumps hearing those audio tapes, while newcomers will discover what made Bennett (in the words of the finale song) "one singular sensation/every little step he takes." Every Little Step screens Friday, Aug. 21, at 9 p.m. at Sprucewood Estates Winery, Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Uncommon Market Gift Shop E-mail johnwadoherty@yahoo.ca with your filmrelated tips, audtions, screenings and ideas.

independent album

charts

1. The Got To Get Got / Sahalee / Noyes 1 2. Tito Puente / Dance Mania (Legacy Edition) / Columbia 3. Reverie Sound Revue / Reverie Sound Revue / Boompa 1 4. Bibio / Ambivalence Avenue / Warp 5. Coeur De Pirate / Coeur De Pirate / Universal 1 6. Field Assembly / Broadsides & Ephemera / ind 1 (local) 7. Flotilla / One Hundred Words For Water / ind 1 8. Boogie Boarder / Pizza Hero / Famous Class 9. Cass McCombs / Catacombs / Domino 10. Regina Spektor / Far / Sire 11. Dinosaur Jr. / Farm / Jagjaguwar 12. Sonic Youth / The Eternal / Matador 13. The Evaporators/Andrew W.K. / A Wild Pear / Mint 1 14. Wilco / Wilco (The Album) / Nonesuch 15. Deer Tick / Born On Flag Day / Partisan 16. Various / Panama! 2 / Sound Way 17. Bidiniband / The Land Is Wild / Pheromone 1 18. Chali 2na / Fish Outta Water / Decon 19. God Help The Girl / God Help The Girl / Matador 20. Ty Segall / Lemons / Goner 21. The Danks / Are You Afraid Of The Danks? / Collagen Rock 1 22. Rum Runner / What's The Music Mean To You? / Stumble 1 23. Coalesce / Ox / Relapse 24. Royal City / Royal City / Asthmatic Kitty 1 25. Bonnie Pope & Micah / My Name Is Caleb And I Like To Dance / ind 1 26. The Peace Leeches / ROYGBIV / ind 1 (local) 27. Dave Brubeck Quartet / Time Out (Legacy Edition) / Columbia 28. Tiny Vipers / Life On Earth / Sub Pop 29. Dirty Projectors / Bitte Orca / Domino 30. Church Of The Very Bright Lights / Pagoda Faults / ind 1

Album charts are arranged according to number of plays on CJAM 91.5FM in Windsor over a four (4) week period prior to the publishing of this issue. 1 denotes canadian artist, (local) denotes local artist.