The long winter

Everyone is thankful that winter is finally over. It was brutal, in more ways than one. This morning I read about a diabetic man who died because NB Power cut his power last February.

I cannot imagine what it must have been like to be him, frozen and alone, in those last days and hours. What a disgrace. It breaks my heart to know this happened here . . .

Speaking of Sustainability . . .

Here's what Jean Arnold has to say.

Factory Language on Earth Day

For almost six years, I have been preoccupied with industrialism and how it dictates the subtext of our lives: the houses we build, the clothes we wear, the food we grow and eat, how we educate ourselves and even how we speak and think.

In Politics and the English Language, Orwell translates part of Ecclesiastes into dead modern language. The original:

I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

becomes

Objective considerations of contemporary phenomena compel the conclusion that success or failure in competitive activities exhibits no tendency to be commensurate with innate capacity, but that a considerable element of the unpredictable must invariably be taken into account.

Awful, isn't it? It is so scientific, but tells us nothing. He continues:

The whole tendency of modern prose is away from concreteness . . . Orthodoxy, of whatever color, seems to demand a lifeless, imitative style.

Think about the natural world, in all its rich diversity. The average human can name a thousand brands (e.g. Tide) and less than ten trees. Why are so many people talking about nothing, and taking so many syllables to do it?

The destruction of habitat, the meaningless quest for more 'stuff,' the standardization and mechanization of everything - we are becoming lifeless and orthodox, unused to seeing, thinking and experiencing things for ourselves.

I realize this all seems pretty bleak, but it is if you stop and think about it. Even flowers no longer attract as many bees because the air is too full of pollutants.

When everyone lives in one of four identical boxes and all meals and thoughts have been standardized, will we rest on our laurels and revel in a job well done?

Late Night Blog

It's very unusual for me to be awake after 10pm. Teaching and the music festival keep me very busy, but spring is always a time for hectic activity. Since my brain won't shut up long enough for me to sleep, here goes . . .

I am thinking a lot these days about small towns and their limitations, and whether we are on the verge of enabling some meaningful changes here in Woodstock. Many projects on the horizon lead me to believe it is possible - the upcoming municipal elections (Geoff Stairs is running for council), a third Valley Young Company production, a third season for Music on the Meduxnekeag, our backyard musical, and the upcoming arts forum, new possibilities for arts journalism, discussion of the Civic Centre expansion, the success of downtown shops such as Fusion, Freshmart, Owl Book Shop etc.

I think people are beginning to realize that the arts are for everyone, that they are the core of a welcoming and growing community. Now we need a solid "people network," to reach out to audiences and supporters to speak clearly with a voice that articulates our needs. If we can work together and agree on some common values, we will have the power to changes our little town for the better.

Arts forum April 24th

Even if you can't make it, leave some feedback, okay? And don't pretend like nobody ever asks your opinion, because I'm askin' . . .

Arts Forum: Towards a United Voice Developing a Provincial Arts Organization

DATE: Thursday, April 24 TIME: 7:00PM LOCATION:NBCC Woodstock Theatre, 100 Broadway St.

For more information contact: Mandy Ginson 392-6769, mginson@yahoo.ca Over the years, there have been several discussions around creating a provincial arts organization complimentary to l’Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du N-B (AAAPNB) that would serve the Arts Community by providing a network of resources, information and support. Artists, by the nature of their work, tend to be isolated in their communities and may lack the opportunities for professional development, networking, sharing of best practices and promotion.

The purpose of a new provincial organization would be to further the interests of the arts in New Brunswick by unifying arts organizations and artists. Thepotential opportunities generated by the development of a provincial organization are: advocacy for arts issues promotion of the Arts in education creation of a community culture, milieu and environment that acknowledges the Arts profession with worth and respect public awareness of the arts in communities and in the province promotion of the value of arts in society guidance, resources and assistance for artists and their organizations connection for individual artists in their communities, regions and province growth and prosperity socially, economically, artistically and culturally.

In the Spring of 2007 the Adjustment Committee for the Creation of a Provincial Arts Organization was created. It is comprised of Arts Representatives from different regions of the provincial who also represent various arts disciplines. It also has several advisors including l’Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du N-B (AAAPNB). The purpose of this committee is to assist in the development of the new association. One of the jobs of the committee, with the help of a consultant, is to conduct a needs assessment. The process involves gathering information from two main sources; individual artists and arts groups. Two different data collection methods were suggested in order to ensure a broad scope of the target audience is involved; surveys and community forums.

There will be an Arts Community Forum in Woodstock designed to discuss the development of a NB Provincial Arts Organization. The organization’s proposed intent is to operate in the English language, represent professional artists from all cultures, all disciplines and focus on their needs, be inclusive of emerging artists, amateur artists and friends of the Arts and work in partnership with the sister francophone provincial organization, AAAPNB (association acadienne des artistes professionnelles du Nouveau-Brunswick).

Following the Provincial Arts Association meeting there will be a discussion regarding the possibilites of a civic centre expansion and arts centre. Members of the Needs Assessment Committee will be present to gather feedback from the community.

Refusing the quarter life crisis

The people in my church choir laughed the other day when I mentioned the quarter life crisis. Apparently it seems absurd that those of us just beginning careers, looking for mates, struggling with debt, and wandering aimlessly could experience an existential crisis as a result. Not so, I say...

Here's a video clip of my friend Jessica Wise's opera debut at McGill. I can remember the days we ate oatmeal together at 6:30 a.m. so we could be at the conservatory to practice at 7:30. Come to think of it, not that different from teaching public school...

Anyway, give it a look-it's what happens when a person deals with the angst and keeps working for her goal. Well done, Jessica!!

Celebrating NB Artists

The NB Arts Board has awarded prizes for top artists in the province. Read about them here. It's heartening to see that other people believe we are having an artistic renaissance. This is something I have felt for the last year or two, and it's heartening that someone in a different part of the province agrees.

New Brunswickers are privileged to a lot of beautiful literature, poetry, and craft. And some good NB musicians on the rise, although less well-known. It's great to see them recognized - leave a comment and let me know who else we should be checking out!

The carrot recorder, and other curiosities.

Thought you couldn't play your supper? Think again!

Musicians Without Borders

Where will YOU be June 28th?

dreaming of real tomatoes

I've been thinking a lot about my food consumption, and how much I miss good food from the garden. Came across this website for International Kitchen Garden Day - looks neat.

Also, link to an audio interview with Jeannot Volpe and the chief forester for JD Irving. I don't know what Irving has done to rub Volpe the wrong way, but he has been very vocal in his criticism of them this year.

The best part of the interview is the Irving forester's failure to directly answer the question "How would cutting more wood off of Crown lands solve the current problems with forestry?"

I'm not convinced he even supports JDI's position that we need to cut more wood.

Food-it's what's for dinner

Awesome link to NFB documentary about dumpster diving.

Wastefulness.
Creativity.
Recycling.

One man's trash is another man's treasure...

Thanks, Julie!

Call for submissions

Some friends and I are putting together a zine - a 'cultural mosaic' of perspectives from creative writers, grapic artists, poets and commentators. The deadline is July 1st-any topic is welcome. We can't pay you but the warm fuzzy feeling will last forever, I promise.

for more info, email me: amandrs@mta.ca

Monday round up

The liberal government has cancelled public consultations on forestry. Perhaps they've read the writing on the wall - New Brunwsickers think there is too much corporate control of the woods.

Or maybe they just don't feel like taking the tongue-lashing that a lot of angry men in wool plaid are bound to give them.

Read this morning that Jeff Healy died of advanced lung cancer. Carleton County connection: Healy's first teacher was Doug Harten, who lived in Richmond Corner. We have lost so many great musicians lately.

Despite the bad news, I'm soldiering on. Planning for concerts and summer and plays is underway - finally, a chance to do things instead of talking about them (which is hard with 4 feet of snow outside).

Here's a charming book to keep you going. I don't read many novels, but this one really comes to life.

Also: newgrass, anyone? He's playing in Fredericton Thursday, 10pm at the Capital.

In like a lion

March has arrived. Hopefully it will lead to melting snow, although according to the Farmer's Almanc, it might not be for a while.

Anyway, read this ridiculous story about the Harper government, and how they've decided the government can put the kibosh on film or tv funding not deemed 'in the public interest' or 'of educational value.' What I'd like to know is who in Ottawa decided that freedom of expression is no longer 'in the public interest.'

In China, my sister can't access youtube, wikipedia, or cbc.ca. All these are deemed not 'in the public interest.' It seems we have taken a small step in that direction as well. Boo.

On the upside, a bunch of people have decided to do something creative every day, whether it sucks or not, and then post it/blog about it. What a great idea~only boring people get bored...

The value of an education

Here's what they have to say about that in Finland, the top-ranking country in the world on the latest math/science testing. The best part: they don't standardize-test the heck out of everyone, every year.

Also, a link to the talented Geoffrey Allen Stairs' photos. If you haven't heard, he's running for town council in Woodstock. Vote for him, support heritage, arts and a fresh outlook on the town council.

New link

Check out the link on the right to Michael J. McEwing's website. Beautiful photos, prints, painting, more. Another NB'er doing great work...yessir.

Poverty: a state of mind?

Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's acceptable that anyone has to struggle to feed and clothe him or herself. But oftentimes I hear people complain about being bored, or a lack of good media, or how nobody is engaged anymore.

And then I wonder- how much external 'stuff' is really necessary for us to enjoy ourselves? Call me old school, but I think our imaginations, and 'the social fabric' have suffered as a result of too much technology. It's so easy to be distracted in this "i-universe."

In ages past, people had to entertain themselves. Director Michel Gondry elaborates on why we should still be doing this, saying:

I find it particularly shocking that people work all week long, and then on the weekend they give their money to another big corporation. I remember reading an interview with Walt Disney, and he said how he got the idea to create Disney World. He saw his grandson playing in the sand in a little park, and he assumed he was bored. And he said he could provide him a better alternative. But what you get is, you go in this park and you spend time to queue, you have a little bit of entertainment, and then basically they try to get your money. And I truly believe his grandson was having a great time when he was playing with the sand.

Read the whole interview here...

Must See

Check this out.

Arts or Cops?

No, really, the city of Saint John thinks they can't co-exist in the same building. Boo on them, if they think artists belong anywhere other than downtown.

Case closed.

Keeping the Home Fires Burning

The walls have a funny way of closing in this time of year. By that, I mean that I always get the urge to be outside, make plans, feel the sun on my t-shirted arms. Wearing three layers all the time wears me down after a while.

I attempt to ward of the psych ward with plans and more plans, keeping myself busy. Right now I am preoccupied with how to plan a summer concert series, and eventually a festival in 2009 that will turn people's heads around.

I don't know if it will work, or if it will be the last nail in my Carleton County coffin (metaphorically, of course). The arts are seriously undervalued here, and to me that goes hand in hand with our collective identity crisis as New Brunswickers. We can't say for certain who we are because we don't appreciate the uniqueness and value of our history, or our current lives.

Some friends and I remarked that any other province would be fiercely proud to be officially bilingual. Very European, one might say. New Brunswickers of my generation have accepted the fact that half the province communicates in a different language, and lives a different culture. But our population is so 'scattered and small,' to quote one songwriter nominated for an ECMA, that isolation often seems inescapable.

Still, I wish people would stop being so apologetic about being rural, not swimming in a sea of vinyl and concrete. We should celebrate our close families and communities, our compassion for others and the beauty of of the landscape. And I wish our politicians would raise the bar a bit more, get creative with real solutions, and start being proud of the things we have to offer.

The arts have a vital role in calling attention to the fact that we are have a lot of blessings here. Can you identify a song, story, movie or poem that speaks to us as a people? What are the cultural experiences that unite us?

Sometimes I think NB is ready for its own 'quiet revolution' - the realization that lives here are just as valid as someone in "Upper Canada" or 'out west.' And if history is any indication, cultural revelations like that usually start with works of art that voice feelings people didn't realize they had.

Sorry to ramble but this is the kind of stuff that preoccupies me. There I go, being all apologetic again...