Arts on Parade

So, we handed out over 600 cards advertising rivervalleyarts.net. There is a lot of energy in the air and people in the town seem to be waking up to the possibilities for something meaningful to happen. Exciting stuff.

Speaking of which, have a listen to the music recorded by a great bunch of east coast musicians. http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/singleConcert.html?20070319ecwms
It's people from all genres and cultures who don't normally work together-the results might surprise you. From my perspective, a good musician is a good musician, no matter what the tunes.

More on cars, municipalities and leadership

http://rabble.ca/columnists_full.shtml?x=60998

Public transit

Very interesting article about places that have decided to do away with charging money for public transportation. Turns out collecting the fares and tickets costs a lot of money.

As the price of gas escalates and people are ever-more aware of the impact of climate change, this is an idea well worth considering. How many car trips in the Town of Woodstock could be avoided by a regular small bus run from the Post Office to Connell Hill?

http://www.alternet.org/environment/57802/

Good news for Canadian artists

Canada Council for the arts funding will increase next year. Excellent news for the country and for Arts Old Home Week 2009.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/artdesign/story/2007/07/20/council-funding.html

Linger a while

Interesting energy in the air at the concert last night. A very eclectic mix of people: young punks, old punks, families, retired couples, even the elusive 18-35 crowd. One member had to leave early in preparation for birthday #1 today.

What struck me most was the Liquor Store crowd, which was obviously surprised to see a concert happening. The interesting thing was that people who had no idea they were in for a concert decided to stick around a while. What is normally a very busy in-and-out section of town slowed down for a couple of hours, and people leaned on their cars to listen, chatted with other people and generally (I think) had the sense that it was nice to stop and hear the music.

When music fills the air, it makes even a bare parking lot feel warm and alive. This to me is very significant, because towns people are drawn to are also warm and alive. So, let's hope it continues-thus far this has been a fabulous summer for live music in Woodstock.

Also, an interesting link from Julie Craig, who is a librarian par excellence. The subject of this post is whether or not the public library could exist today (had it not already been invented). Worth reading.

http://www.freakonomics.com/blog/2007/07/10/if-public-libraries-didnt-exist-could-you-start-one-today/

Music on the Meduxnekeag-Part II

The second installment of Music on the Meduxnekag will take place this Thursday, July 19th at the Woodstock Farmer's Market. It starts at 7:30 and will feature Tracy Anderson jazz ensemble and Seth Anderson, singer-songwriter.

I am very excited to showcase two of Carleton County's up-and-coming musicians, who just happen to be my relatives. Bring a lawnchair and a friend-there is no rain date for the concert but hopefully the sun will shine.

Also, we are looking forward to Arts Old Home Week 2009. Please send names of people who have left the area but might be interested in coming home to perform or present artwork. I know they're out there . . .

It seems this whole 'taking time off' thing is working because already I am thinking of new projects. It reminds me of the time my father looked me straight in the eye and intoned "if I could split myself in two, I could get a lot more done." Or something to that effect. Let's just say all the slackers in the world can rest a little easier knowing there is only one G.W. Anderson.

Anyway, the point is we are going to have Old Home Week for the ARTS in 2009. The plan is to invite all the wonderfully talented artistic people who have left to return for a week and put on their art in Woodstock. Imagine a convergence of that kind-concerts, shows, exhibits, films, parties, food, dancing. This town may never live it down...

Please let me know of people who fit this description and I'll add them to the list.

A little poem for today

It turns out this is my 60th post. That's pretty good, all things considered. To celebrate, I give you a poem by the fabulous Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda. Look him up on Wikipedia.

Here's one for the guitar, which is the most popular instrument in the Western world, by a factor of 10 (so I'm told).

Ode to the Guitar

Slender,
perfect profile
of a musical heart,
you are clarity itself captured in flight.
Through song you endure:
your shape will never pass away.

Is it the harsh grief
that pours out of you,
your thrumming beats, or the
buzzing of wings:
is this what I'll recall?
Or are you
more thoroughly thrilling
in silence,
the dove schematized
or a woman's hip,
a pattern that emerges from its foam
and reappears: a turgid, tumbled
and resurrected rose.

Beneath a fig tree,
by the rough-running river Bio-Bio,
you left your nest like a bird
guitar,
and delivered
to swarthy hands
those long-lost trysts,
muffled sobs,
and endless successions of farewells.
Song poured out of you,
a marriage
between man
and guitar,
forgotten kisses
from an unforgettable, unforgiving lady.
In this way the entire night
became
the star-studded body of a guitar.
The firmament trembled
in its musical canopy,
while the river
tuned its infinite strings, sweeping towards the sea
a pure tide of scents and sorrows.

O rich solitude
that arrives with the night,
solitude like bread made of earth,
solitude sung by a river of guitars!
The world shrinks to a single drop
of honey, orone star,
and through the leaves everything is blue:
trembling, all of heaven sings.

And the woman who plays
both earth and guitar
bears in her voice
the mourning
and the joy
of the most poignant moment.
Time and distance
fall away from the guitar.
We are a dream, an unfinished song.
The untamed heart
rides back roads on horseback:
over and over again it dreams of the night, of silence,
over and over again it sings of the earth, of its guitar.

-from Odes to Common Things, 1954-1959

Wow, am I in Woodstock?

Anyone who was at Fusion last night can relate to this feeling. It was a glimpse of what life could be like in this town if people are interested in making it happen.

Nobody watched t.v., lots of people of different ages talked to each other, some drank, some ate, we had a good laugh, plans were hatched and everyone enjoyed great music courtesy of Tracy and the live band. Jim Lawrence even made a surprise appearance with his tin sandwich.

A good time was had by all.

Les Filmes, Mais Oui

This just in from Richard Blaquiere-check it out.

Greetings Film Lovers: This is our tentative schedule for the September-January FILMS IN THE VALLEY film series. Passes are $30.00 for 4 movies. We need to sell as many as possible so we can rest a bit more comfortably. Numbers were down last year. We are each committed to selling 10 passes minimum. Forward this note to anyone you feel might be interested. These are good films. Maybe our best season yet! They can contact me and reserve a pass by e-mailing me at Richardb@NBNet.NB.Ca

Season Overview (still tentative)

Wednesday, September 19 - Introducing the Dwights - http://wip.warnerbros.com/introducingthedwights/
Wednesday - October 17 - La Vie En Rose http://www.edithpiafmovie.com/
Wednesday, November 21 - Ten Canoes http://www.tencanoes.com.au/tencanoes/
Wedensday, December 5 - TBA
January 16 - Gypsy Caravan http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gypsy_caravan/

the sights, the sounds, the city

We got back from Montreal late last night. What a great city-full of great food, beautiful people and fabulous music. I spent way too much money but had a chance to see the Dave Holland Quintet, Mina Agossi, David Binney Quartet, and many other free shows.

Next on the agenda: Tracy Anderson, Adam Mahoney, Chad Ball and Craig Woodcock at Fusion on Thursday, 8pm. Be there or be square- it's the best music you're going to hear all summer.