David, then and now

Good old existentialism, it sneaks up on me precisely when I've forgotten about it.

Jean Paul Sartre thought that 'existence precedes essence.' In other words, we are born and then grow into who we are, instead of being pre-programmed for any certain fate.

Check out this photo essay on David(s), photos of the same people taken ten years apart. Are we always the same?

Is the 10 year old me still me when I'm 80?

Maybe.

All the News That's Fit to Print

Apparently that includes this whole Langdon-Brunswick News affair. In the New York Times. Wow-Carleton County is in the "paper of record." (Thanks for the link on FB, Geoff.)

I'd like to know what people thought of the first edition of the Carleton Free Press. I saw it last night and thought it looked good, if a little tabloid-y because of the layout.

I was very encouraged by the number of local advertisers congratulating the new paper. The fact of the matter is, if people believe a non-Irving paper is valuable, they need to support it with their money.

And if the paper can provide similar or better quality coverage than the B-O, why not support an enterprise that makes the local economy a priority? It's the farmer's market of papers, you might say.

Jeannot who?

Jeannot Volpe, leader of the conservative party, has stated that the Irvings control too many of the messages in our media. This was a bit of a shocker, as he was very pro-industrial forestry during his time as Natural Resources Minister. The Langon-Brunswick News trial continues this week in Woodstock. It will be interesting to see what the court has to say about all of this.

Met Opera simulcasts

Here's the schedule of performances for the Metropolitain Opera's upcoming season. The performances will be broadcast live into movie theatres across Canada. Definitely worth checking out, assuming you are unable to jet to NYC for the weekend...


Venues
Empire Studio 12, St. John's
Empire 10 Cinemas, Fredericton
Empire 8 Park Lane, Halifax
Empire Studio 10, Saint John
Empire Studio 10, Sydney
Empire 8 Trinity Drive, Moncton
Empire Theatres Dartmouth Crossing
Empire Studio 8, Charlottetown

Gounod: Romeo et Juliette
Sat Dec 15/07
1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT


Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel
Tues Jan 1/08
1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT


Gounod: Romeo et Juliette ENCORE PERFORMANCE
Sat Jan 5/08
1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT


Verdi: Macbeth
Sat Jan 12/08
1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT


Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel ENCORE PERFORMANCE
Sat Jan 26/08
1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT


Verdi: Macbeth ENCORE PERFORMANCE
Sat Feb 9/08
1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT


Puccini: Manon Lescaut
Sat Feb 16/08
1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT


Puccini: Manon Lescaut ENCORE PERFORMANCE
Sat Mar 1/08
1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT


Britten: Peter Grimes
Sat Mar 15/08
1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT


Wagner: Tristan and Isolde
Sat Mar 22/08
12:30pm ET / 9:30am PT


Britten: Peter Grimes ENCORE PERFORMANCE
Sat Mar 29/08
1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT


Puccini: La Boheme
Sat Apr 5/08
1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT


Wagner: Tristan and Isolde ENCORE PERFORMANCE
Sat Apr 12/08
1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT


Donizetti: La Fille du Regiment
Sat Apr 26/08
1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT


Puccini: La Boheme ENCORE PERFORMANCE
Sat May 3/08
1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT

Donizetti: La Fille du Regiment ENCORE PERFORMANCE
Sat May 10/08
1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT

no TV for you . . .

It turns out that in 2011, most television in Canada will be digital. Which means if you don't buy the receiver, no more Mansbridge or HNIC for you.

I never thought I would be defending the right to television in this blog: however, I can't decide whether this will be good for very poor people (the only ones likely to go without) or whether tv, in this day and age, vaguely qualifies as a human right. Strange...

One thing's for sure, this is the end of 'country cable' as we knew it.

Langdon, the Bugle and media in NB

An unbelievable story is unfolding here in Woodstock-Ken Langdon has resigned from the Bugle to start a competing paper. To put this in perspective, only 2 English language papers in the entire province are not part of the Irving media empire (and one in French, I believe).

In the words of Senator Joan Fraser "we didn't find anywhere else in the developed world a situation like the situation in New Brunswick."

You can read the background info from CBC here and here. Robert Jones' audio report on the rare legal order used to search Langdon's home at is posted cbc.ca/nb (down on the right).

To me, the most telling aspect of the case is that J.K Irving's rep, Victor Mlodecki, has basically refused to comment, only reiterating the arguments made in court documents. The Irving companies are normally agressive and spin everything as positively as possible. The fact that they are silent on this one probably means they want it to blow over quickly, with a minimum of controversy over the rare use of a private (ie. non-criminal) search warrant.

Regardless of all the mud-slinging, the fact remains that New Brunswick faces a very serious problem with media concentration (not to mention the concentration of political power). It is not healthy to have all the media in one province towing the same line. We need a diversity of viewpoints. Debate is at the heart of democracy, and good debate depends on freedom of information.

Last week mayors in Northern NB complained that the Irving papers no longer maintain offices to cover their communities. They are left without a voice, like many communities whose coverage comes 'from away'. Why shouldn't people have access to good quality local news? Because it's not good for the corporate bottom line?

The right to speak freely and be heard is essential. I sincerely hope the Carleton Free Press is successful, and at very least encourages people to think, discuss and take action to ensure we have access to all viewpoints.

Housing

Interesting article on housing artists and development in Toronto. The most important factor in developing an artistic enclave is affordable rent.

http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/1295

Art and the working class

I've been busy, I've been working, and I've been thinking about all these fabulous artists who are dying. First Bradshaw, then Doug Riley (jazz musician), then Pavorotti. It seems to me my generation is sorely lacking in such experienced people, who have such a passionate love for their work. Maybe we just aren't old enough yet, but maybe we're not prepared to make the sacrifices, either.

In any case, came across a wicked article about David Adams Richard's writing and critical opionions of his work. Turns out some people don't have a lot of patience for art 'from away.'

http://www.antigonishreview.com/bi-128/128-tremblay.html

A sad morning

Got up today feeling really good from the final Music on the Meduxnekeag last night. A nice crowd and a fabulous mix of musicians. Plus there's something really special about playing out in the woods with no power. Warms my little New Brunswick heart.

Then I read that the director of the Canadian Opera Company, Richard Bradshaw, died suddenly of heart failure. He was 63. This man was a real architect for the arts in Canada. He basically was a one-man army who spoke very passionately about the potential for Canada to be a world leader in the arts.

From CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2007/08/16/richard-bradshaw-obit.html

True visionaries, who are not cowed by criticism and doubt, exist very rarely and it will be along time before Canada has another like him.

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.