Ben Franklin's Schedule

Early Riser!

The big picture

Is here. So volunteer! Tickets on sale at Fusion and MES. We expect the cocktail party to sell out so get your ticket now!

Dooryard Art and Workshops

Permanent art displays for the duration of the festival will be hosted at MACC OfficeFresh Market FoodsFusion Coffee Co.NBCC Lobby. Make sure you drop in to take a look.

On Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th, artists and and crafts people will take over the down town waterfront from the Farm Market to the Main stage tent on water street. Many works will be for sale, so be sure to take the Dooryard Arts Tour.

Get the message

Found a great site where elementary, middle and high school students made 1-minute videos explaining how proposed budget cuts would affect them. We've just been through this in NB and managed to avoid cuts only because of an across-the-board public outcry. Well done, everyone. Check out these videos - same stuff, different pile south of the border.

Also, the English language version of the AAPNB has been launched, after nearly two years of consultation. Their website is here. Their objectives are very similar to RiVA's . . . .

Why history?

My conclusion is simple: As we can no longer rely on personal memory, or even on the force of personal encounters with this last of the wartime generations, so we need more and better history to be taught in our schools. History brought home with human stories. A good teacher might start with Bronek, Leszek and Ralf.

Some numbers to crunch

Volunteer hours in arts, culture, recreation and sport organizations represent 64% of total work in these organizations, much higher than the overall average of 20% for the non-profit sector.

Other types of organizations that rely more heavily on volunteers than on paid labour include those involved in law, advocacy and politics, the environment, religion, as well as international development, relief and human rights.

The replacement cost value of volunteer work in arts, culture, recreation and sport organizations is estimated at $3.6 billion.

P.S. We've moved the Dooryard mainstage to behind Home Hardware, where the pavement won't have to be disturbed by arts and culture. It's the best we could do.

12 holes or an arts festival

We are planning Woodstock's first 5 day arts festival for August. The schedule is below. Except that we might have to move it out of town because the Town of Woodstock won't let us put 12 holes in the Farm Market parking lot to secure our mainstage tent, which is required to be staked down in order to meet the building code.

Mega frustration, anyone?

I cannot understand for the life of me how the maintenance of a parking lot is more important than bringing residents and visitors together to enjoy a great festival.

Speaking of Guitars

Everyone's talking about Dave Carroll's Taylor Guitar. Here's a great commentary from a marketing blog about how the internet is changing the way consumers deal with customer service complaints.

Get your Dooryard ready...

The Dooryard Arts Festival will run from Wednesday, August 12th until Sunday, August 16th, and will be headquartered in downtown Woodstock. Most events will be free, walkable and open to all ages. Please watch the blog for schedule updates or visit http://www.rivervalleyarts.net/

Wednesday, August 12th
Free daytime art exhibits open in downtown buildings with more than 15 local artists confirmed.
Student music and local musician showcases on outdoor mainstage (King St.)
Cocktail party in the Connell House Parlour. Music by Tracy Anderson Group/Josh Guest (6-8pm; $10) Food by Debrah Westerburg
Evening Music: Singing Bridge Orchestra and Pat LePoidevin, downtown, with art by Adam Atherton.

Thursday, August 13th
Free daytime art and music showcases continue. Art workshops for children and adults
Premiere of “The Trials of Benny Swim” at the Old County Courthouse. (8pm, $15/10).
Ryan Griffith and the writers of Vagabond Trust at Fusion, with music by Colin Brewer. (8:30pm/free)

Friday, August 14th
Free daytime art and music showcases continue, with workshops.
Jens Jeppesen live at the Picaroon’s Garden Party. (8pm; Free)
Outdoor screening of local films including the Charlie Bomb series, NB Heritage Films, Chris Dow, music by Andrew Wiley(10pm; Free)
Midnight Music - Never the Same

Saturday, August 14th
Daytime art and music showcases continue, with workshops.
Food and Wine tasting - 4-6pm, downtown ($10/person with food vendors onsite)
Ross Neilson and the Sufferin’ Bastards live at the Picaroon’s Garden Party with opening act the Debarker Boys (8pm, $10 ticket)

Sunday, August 15th
Closing brunch downtown 10am-1pm. (Bring your own or price TBA)

Update: Workshops

Wednesday Aug 12th (2-4pm) & Saturday Aug 15th: 2 Part Pottery workshop for Kids with Wendy Thomas. Ages 8-11, downtown, weather permitting (rain location-Saint James United Church). Only 8 seats available, so register early by calling 328-2020 or email riva@rivervalleyarts.net

Session 1: build your piece by learning hand building and slab building techniques. Session 2: Glaze your piece. Participants will go home with their very own electric kiln fired work of art. Cost TBA

Friday Aug 14th (2-4pm) Printmaking Workshop with Michael McEwing (downtown). All ages welcome. Cost= $5.00 and there are 20 seats available.Register by calling 328-2020 or email riva@rivervalleyarts.net.

Learn various carving techniques, how to create a print plate and print your very own series of images.

Political wives

Hint: start at the bottom and work backwards. Who are these women?