Verb
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Jun 22–28, 2012 • Pass it on
New SK Security Program
Science, Technology Research Will Inform Disaster Strategies P2
Fish & Bird
Victoria Five-Piece Talks Post-Folk Fun P12
Brave
Feisty Princess, Stunning Visuals Will Delight All P15
WakeRide
Wakeboarding Pros To Descend On City, All To Help Some Kids P10
Jill Barber
This Canadian Singer-Songwriter Is Simply Irresistible P11 Photo: courtesy of Ivan Otis
Section Local Page 2
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
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Safety, Security Program Coming To SK Science, Technology Research Will Help Inform Disaster Response Strategies Alex J MacPherson
saskatoon, SK — Emergency responders across the province and the country will soon reap the benefits of practical research conducted in Regina under a new federal program designed to lessen the effects of natural disasters. The Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) will focus on planning for and mitigating the results of natural disasters, serious accidents, crime and terrorism by linking science and technology research with policy, operations and intelligence. Part of the $43.5 million allocated to the program each year will pay for the Emergency Responder Test and Evaluation Establishment (ERTEE) in Regina. “It’s about providing a science and technology capability, in this case testing and evaluation of technologies, such that those technologies can help those that respond to events,” says Mark Williamson,
deputy director general of the DeHe cites the testing of body arfence Research and Development mour, a system to deliver deconCanada Centre for Security Science tamination foam for fire departof ERTEE. ments, and a project dealing with Williamson says ERTEE will focus inter-operability — “the ability on providing technological sup- for the tri-services [of] fire, police port for organizations involved and ambulance to [use the] same in safety and seradio communicurity, including “Part of that requires us cation system” police, fire and to … determine how best — as examples ambulance. research that to use that equipment…” of “Part of that ERTEE will con-Mark Williamson duct. requires us to basically test equipment that vendors “Believe it or not,” he says of are offering to response entities, the communication testing, “that’s but also to evaluate and determine not an easy thing to do except in how best to use that equipment Hollywood.” and those technologies in their Williamson says it’s important to daily business,” he explains. note that ERTEE will focus not only “If some of these things go on “big events,” but also on some wrong, or if they’re used in the of the more common occurrences wrong circumstances, it could members of the tri-services come mean lives.” up against, including fires. According to Williamson, reAccording to Defence Research search is focused on what he terms and Development Canada, the CSSP, “vulnerability gaps,” and is more and by extension ERTEE, builds practical than academic-style re- on lessons learned from previous search. programs, including the Canadian
Photo: courtesy of Daniel Paquet
The ERTEE program will be based out of Regina Police Research Centre, the Public and enables a better response and Security Technical Program, and the recovery should an incident occur,” Chemical, Biological, Radiological- Minister of National Defence Peter Nuclear and Explosives Research MacKay said in a news release. and Technology Initiative. “This new program provides Williamson says a number of Canada a technological advantage factors, including the presence of to cope with disasters, minimizing the RCMP Depot and the research as much as possible their impact power of Innovation Place at the on the lives and livelihoods of CaUniversity of Regina, caused De- nadians. [The program] makes our fence Research and Development communities more resilient in the Canada to settle on Regina as the face of disaster,” he added. location for ERTEE. The ERTEE will be located on the “This annual federal investment second floor of a building on 11th of $43.5 million supports the devel- Avenue. Williamson expects that opment of science and technology ERTEE will be operational in the fall. capabilities to help prevent crises, Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Section
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Local
Page 4
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
City Endorses Zoning For Adult Services
Council Eyes Restricting Escort Services, ‘Massage’ Parlours To Industrial Areas Alex J MacPherson
Saskatoon, SK — Escort services and erotic massage parlours may soon have to relocate to industrial areas — far away from schools, parks and homes. After endorsing a plan to license adult service businesses, which are legal in Canada, council has approved a report recommending that those services move to areas where residential construction is prohibited. If approved, the report will result in a bylaw restricting adult services to industrial zoning areas and requiring them to maintain a buffer of 160m from
one another. service providers to obtain a license, “What we’re trying to accom- giving police a sense of which busiplish is having land use for these nesses are operating and whether businesses without concentrating any illegal activity — chiefly underthem in any particular area,” says age sex work — is happening. councillor Mairin Loewen. The city defines adult services “The zoning as “any service of issue is the com- “The zoning issue is the an adult nature panion piece to companion piece to the appealing to or the licensing is- licensing issue.” designed to apsue,” she continpeal to erotic or -Mairin Loewen sexual appetites ues. “When council approved business licenses for or inclinations.” adult service business, we created Alan Wallace, city planning and the necessity to speak to the zon- development manager, says adult ing question.” services should be brought into the In March council approved a same regulatory framework all complan that would require all adult mercial enterprises operate under. He says the legal businesses should be treated as any other commercial enterprise: regulated, not shunned or legislated out of existence. “If the rules and regulations are unreasonable and overly restrictive, they simply operate without knowledge,” states Wallace. “They won’t come in for a license. They won’t look for legitimate locations — they’ll simply go underground.” According to Wallace, the proposed 160m buffer was modeled on the pawn shop separation distance used to prevent concentrations on 20th Street. The buffer represents the minimum distance between city blocks, he explains, meaning no block can have more than one adult service business. The report to council states: “A separation distance between adult
Photo: courtesy of Dietmar Temps
service agencies…is desirable to minimize the potential for land use conflict and provide a buffer between the operation of the adult service agency and the clients that attend these establishments.” Council was questioned about
the 500m separation distance used in Calgary, but Loewen says some industrial areas are too small to accommodate a buffer that size. Although storefront businesses would be required to move, Individual escorts could set up home business but they cannot offer incall services or multiple employees. Loewen also insists that while some people view the discussion as planning for an informal red light district, nothing could be farther from the truth. She says a red light district, which features street prostitution, is different from the adult services targeted by the proposed bylaws. “It’s not to minimize [the fact] that street prostitution is an important issue, and certainly the police continue to work on that issue, but where our current legislation and current bylaws…were not treating them as any other business, and therefore not allowing the police to go and check on the people involved,” she says. The bylaw based on the report will go to a public hearing on July 18th. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Global
Page 6
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Post-Work Screen Time Hurts Adam Hawboldt
good for anyone,” says Brendan Barber, general secretary of the London, england — Work Trades Union Congress, according can be a real pain in the neck — to the BBC. especially if you take it home with “Overworked employees are not you. only unlikely to be O r at l eas t “[P]eople are putting performing well that’s the conclu- their health at risk by at work, the stress sion to which the continuing to work at an unmanageable Chartered Society workload causes of Physiotherapy home.” is also likely to be -Adam Hawboldt making them ill.” has come. After conducting a survey of And according to those who 2,010 office workers, the Society work for the UK-based society, simclaims that people are putting their ply switching off their devices after health at risk by continuing to work work should alleviate any negative at home using smartphones, tablets symptoms. Less screen time means or laptops, causing poor posture, less of a chance to jeopardize your back and neck pain. health. “Excessive work levels are not Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Global At A Glance Super Milk — Scientists have created
a new type of milk using genetically modified cows. Researchers at the Inner Mongolia University bred a cow whose milk can be drank by lactose intolerant
people. This comes on the heels of a previous experiment where a cow was bred to produce milk high in omega 3 fatty acids, normally found in fish or nuts. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Darwin’s Theory Of Pop ‘Perfect’ Song Created Using Science Of Evolution Adam Hawboldt London, england — If someone asked you to name the most perfect pop song ever written, what would your answer be? Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” or
“The result … sounds very much like The Who’s 1971 hit ‘Baba O’Riley.’”
-Adam Hawboldt perhaps “Yesterday” by The Beatles? Rest easy knowing that no matter how you answered, you’d be wrong. That’s because researchers at the Imperial College, London claim to have created the “perfect pop song” by applying Darwin’s principle of natural selection to the
music making process. These scientists believe that, much in the same way that the strongest and healthiest plants and animals pass on their genes to future generations, music evolves as musicians copy the best aspect of other artists’ works while getting rid of less popular traits. To test this theory, the research team combined a series of noises into 100 eight-second loops. From there, they asked 7,000 Internet users to listen to and rate these. A computer program then picked the most popular clips, and paired
them in a variety of combinations to produce new “offspring” loops. “That’s how natural selection created all of life on Earth, and if blind variation and selection can do that, then we reckoned it should be able to make a pop tune,” The Telegraph reports Professor Armand Leroi, co-author of the study, as saying. “So we set up an experiment to explain it.” The result is a song that sounds very much like The Who’s 1971 hit “Baba O’Riley.” Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Scientists Claim Time Will Freeze Adam Hawboldt
Bilbao, spain — A lot of people say that the older we get, the faster time seems to fly, but according to a group of Spanish scientists, time’s actually slowing down. Researchers at the University of the Basque Country and the University of Salamanca have put forth this radical new theory, and claim that not only is time slowing, it will one day stop completely. This mind-bending claim proposes that we’ve been fooled into thinking the universe is expanding. Instead, the researchers say
we’re gradually losing time, and as it continues to slow down, everything else will appear to happen faster and faster and faster until it disappears. “Everything will be frozen, like a snapshot of one instant, forever,” professor Jose Senovilla tells New Scientist. But there’s no need to worry. According to Senovilla and his team, this gradual slowing of time is not noticeable to the human eye. Furthermore, time won’t actually grind to a complete halt for billions of years. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Offbeat
Page 7
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Wingsuit Jumper Breaks Four Records At Once Adam Hawboldt
Super Pizza Tool Vending Machine Bakes Pies Adam Hawboldt
And since the pizzas are thin crust, your pie should only take atlanta, ga — Ever have about a minute and a half to bake. a late-night craving for pizza, Not only is it quick, but the Let’s but no place in town is open for Pizza machine also holds enough delivery? ingredients to make 200 pizzas. If so, a solution may be on its Needless to say, they’ve been a way. hit overseas, so now the A1 ConA pizza vending machine, which cepts distributing company in was created in Italy, will soon be America has decided to bring the making its way to North America. device to the United States, where And don’t get it will soon be it twisted, this is “The pizza in the Let’s found at “malls, no frozen pizza Pizza machine is created airports, hospimachine: the Let’s when you order it…” tals, restaurants, Pizza machine achotels, supermar-Adam Hawboldt kets, universities, tually makes you your pizza from scratch and bakes gas stations, bus stations, etc,” it as you watch. Ronald Rammers, the CEO of A1 The pizza in the Let’s Pizza ma- Concepts, says in an interview with chine is created when you order it, PizzaMarketplace.com. directly from fresh ingredients. The Each pizza will be about ten and dough is mixed and flattened in the a half inches and will retail for apmachine, before the contraption proximately $6 U.S. — though the spreads the sauce, adds your choice price may change depending on of cheese and toppings, and then location. bakes the entire thing. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Sexy Instructors Stir Up Debate Adam Hawboldt
Beijing, china — Learning a second language just got a whole lot sexier. That’s because an online language school called has bucked convention (or ran with it, depending on your view) and has opted to have lingerie-clad models do the teaching for them in an effort to make the Chinese Mandarin language more accessible. “If you go the textbook way with all these Chinese characters, it just makes you intimidated,” Kaoru Kikuchi, the architecture graduate
behind the site tells The Telegraph. Some examples include a lesson titled “Spicy Girls, Spicy Food,” which teaches students cooking phrases while a model suggestively sucks on a lime and licks chocolate. Many Youku (China’s version of YouTube) commenters have lauded the site. Nevertheless, the move has naturally created some controversy. “We are vehemently opposed to … anything that objectifies women,” a representative from Hong Kong’s Women’s Foundation told the China Daily. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Offbeat At A Glance rare blue lobster — A rare blue lob-
ster has been discovered in Maryland. Nicknamed Toby, the crustacean and his vivid blue shell occurs once every two million lobsters, thanks to a genetic
variation. Also rare: a yellow lobster (about one in 30 million oddity) and the albino lobster (one in 100 million oddity), according to the Lobster Institute. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Medellin, colombia — Four Guinness World Records, one leap. That’s the feat wingsuit jumper Jhonathan Florez accomplished in airspace over Columbia. His jump, made from a plane at a cruising
altitude of 37,265 feet, was from such a great height that Florez had to carry oxygen cylinders as he hit speeds up to 100 miles per hour. Lasting nine minutes and six seconds, Florez’s jump broke the record for longest duration wingsuit jump, as well as the record
for distance flown in a wingsuit — 17,520 miles. In that same vein, the jump set a record for the greatest horizontal distance flown in a wingsuit (16.315 miles), and, of course, at more than 37,000 feet, it was the highest wingsuit jump ever. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Food
Page 8
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Also called crayfish or crawdads, crawfish are freshwater crustaceans that resemble (and taste like) a small lobster. Like the American flag, ■crawfish can be red, white or
blue, with red being the most common colour, and white being the least common
If you care for a crawfish ■properly, they can live in captivity for up to two years
can move their ■eyesCrawfish independently of each other
These crustaceans eat fresh■water plants, snails, clams, insect larvae, small fish and even carrion
supplies roughly ■98%Louisiana of all crawfish in the United States
Mardi Gras Grill’s Cajun Creations Photos: Courtesy of Adam Hawboldt
Idylwyld Drive Eatery Brings Southern Fare To The Prairies Adam Hawboldt
Rustic: that’s the best way to describe Cajun cuisine.
First created by french-speaking Acadians in Eastern Canada, this type of cooking (which relies mainly on local ingredients) underwent an evolution of sorts after the British expelled the Acadians. With nowhere to go, these french-speaking nomads headed south, eventually settling in Louisiana. There, they adapted their food to what was available around them. Ingredients like rice and crawfish and smoked game meats became the norm, and Cajun cuisine as most of the world knows it was born. And finally — finally! — it’s made its way to Saskatoon. Located on Idylwyld Dr. South, the Mardi Gras
Grill has been open for roughly dish was outstanding. a month now. If you’re a fan of Next up were the Boudin Balls. Cajun grub or Normally served you’re new to it, “Served with the biggest as sausage, these you should drop shrimps I’ve ever seen balls consist of by because the [the fried green tomatoes beef, pork, rice, food is, simply onions, peppers put, plentiful and were] outstanding.” and seasoning. -Adam Hawboldt Crispy on the delicious. The first thing I sank my teeth outside, gooey on the inside, the into at the Mardi Gras Grill (which Boudin Balls were served with a has both Cajun and Creole food) creamy, cheesy, spicy sauce that was a plate of fried green tomatoes flatout blew my mind. — a southern staple. I followed those up with a bowl Served with the biggest shrimps of Creole Gumbo. This traditional I’ve ever seen, as well as a tart, tangy dish of New Orleans, made with and wonderful Louisiana remou- chicken and andouille sausage, had lade dressing drizzled all over, this a smokey flavour and just the right amount of spice. It was filling, the kind of meal that sticks to your ribs. Wanting to save the best for last, I ended my meal with the crawfish cakes. Topped with a cream sauce, Parmesan cheese and big chunks of meat, these crawfish cakes were velvety and rich and wildly delicious. Think crispy lobster balls with cheese, only better. The portions are enormous, so be sure to arrive with a hefty appetite in hand — I was beyond stuffed by the time I left. So if you’ve got a hankering for a little Cajun fare to warm up this damp spring we’ve been having, check out Mardi Gras Grill to give your spirits a boost. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Mardi Gras Grill
Address: 239 Idylwyld Drive South Hours: 382-1795 Reservations: Monday to Saturday —
11:00 am -10:00pm
Opinion
Page 9
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Saskatchewan! Connected Has Got To Go
Free Wireless In Downtown Areas Is A Nice Idea, But It Doesn’t (And Can’t) Work The Editors of Verb
saskatoon, sk — About half a decade ago, this forwardlooking province of ours leapt headfirst into the free Internet age when they introduced Saskatchewan! Connected. As advertised, this service was designed to bring the Internet — free of charge — to “a coffee shop, business, restaurant, study hall, hotel lobby (even a park bench) near you!” Well, we’re sorry to tell you, but we as a province have been duped. You see, regardless of what the government tells you, Saskatchewan! Connected is not free, it doesn’t work and, ultimately, something has to be done about it. Don’t get us wrong: we realize that free, government-funded Internet in city centres is a seductive, doesn’t work technically.” 21st-century kind of idea. We don’t And anyone who has seen the dispute that. service’s sticker at, say, a café downWhat we do dispute, though, is town and tried to connect knows the concept that it’s free. just how much our public wireless Sure, when we’re in downtown system does NOT work. Sask ato on we The connecdon’t have to pay “The connections are tions are patchy, a fee to use the In- patchy … and loading the service unreliternet. able, and loading websites [and] audio … But with a websites, audio s t a r t- u p c o s t takes far too long.” and especially -Verbs’s editors video takes far of $1.3 million and an annual operating cost of too long. $339,000 (all borne by us, the taxIn fact, Saskatchewan! Conpayers), this wireless public Inter- nected is so unreliable and inefnet service hardly comes without ficient that both the University of a price tag. Saskatchewan and the University of As David Seymour of the Fron- Regina, along with our main public tier Centre for Public Policy once libraries and many hotels and cofwrote in a policy paper: “Offering fee shops in “wireless” zones, have any service for free is an illusion.” opted to provide their own Internet What’s more, Seymour— in the services to clients instead of using same policy study, entitled Sas- this free public option. katchewan! Connected? — wrote So why, you may ask yourself, is that “the only way that [Saskatch- Saskatchewan! Connected so bad? ewan! Connected] can work is if it Well, because it has to be.
Think about it: if our government set up free, reliable, working wireless in downtown cores, everyone would be using it — businesses, libraries, universities, residents. Private subscriptions would be abandoned wholesale, while bandwidth would continue to increase. And as Seymour put it: “the service would have to expand its bandwidth capacity until it had effectively nationalized Internet provision in its areas of operation.” In short, the government has entered into a venture that doesn’t work and can’t work. It’s as simple as that: Saskatchewan! Connected is a waste of money, and we think it should go. Ideally, the federal government will open up the telecom industry to more players, which will increase competition and thus drive down the prices of private internet access for people, but since we can’t do that at the provincial level we should simply scrap the program
altogether. It’s the only sensible play for the government of Saskatchewan. If we truly want to be a
21st-century kind of province, this would be a solid step in the right direction. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Feature
Page 10
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Wakeboarding For The Kids: WakeRide Extreme Sport Pros, Huge Musical Acts At Annual Event To Benefit City’s Youth Sebastien Dangerfield
— as you may have guessed — is the sport of wakeboarding. Gaining Saskatoon, SK — Do the serious traction in the ‘80s, wakenames Rusty Malinoski, Bob boarding offers explosive coolness Soven, Aaron Rathy, Shawn Wat- and jaw-dropping tricks. son or J.D. Webb ring a bell? And from July 6th-8th, there’ll be No? more jaw-dropping tricks than you How about terms like Osmosis can shake a stick at, as professionals 540, Batwing, Scarecrow, Whirlybird like Malinoski and Soven and Rathy and G-spot? (all of whom rank If not, then “The main drive of all this amongst the best m a y b e y o u is to help support the wakeboarders in should swing by community, to help make the world), take to WakeRide 2012 the water in comand find out what the community better.” petition. Whether -Mike Napper it’s catching air off that’s all about. Held at Victoria Park, this annual of the river, or hitting kickers in the event, which is now in its fourth slide pool, these athletes are sure year, is the premiere extreme sport/ to please. music festival in Saskatoon. But if wakeboarding isn’t your On the music side of things, thing, don’t worry. There’s more. the 2012 festival threatens to be “Not everybody is into wakethe best yet. With acts like K’naan, boarding” admits WakeRide orgaMSTRKRFT, Library Voices and Ju- nizer Mike Napper. rassic 5’s Chali 2na & The House of “So from the beginning we Vibe, the beautiful riverbanks of the wanted to give this more of a fesSouth Saskatchewan River are sure tival feel. Music and wakeboarding to be bumping all weekend long. have always been a part of it … As for the extreme sports, well, then last year we added free-style that’s where all the Malinoskis and motocross and skateboarding.” Bat Wings and Scarecrows come in. “The response to those new adSee, at the epicentre of this event ditions, especially the motocross, was huge,” says Napper of last year’s tweaks. “It’s such an in-your-face sport. The kids loved it, the crowd loved it.” Speaking of kids, when the mist settles and all is said and done, they’re the ones this event really serves. Sure, WakeRide gives older people a great place to see some good live music, drink some beer and watch some extreme sports, but with proceeds from the event going to programs for inner city youth, the children are ultimately the ones who win. “Everything goes back to the
Photo: courtesy of WakeRide and the artists
kids,” explains Napper. “The main drive of all this is to help support the community, to help make the community better.”
This is done by dividing the proceeds between the White Buffalo Youth Lodge, Kidsport, Dream Brokers and Big Brothers Big Sisters. What’s more, there will be a Family Zone set up at the park replete with Astro Jump, hot air balloon rides and more free activities.
For more information about WakeRide 2012 visit the website at http://wakeride.ca. Tickets for the event are available online at www.ticketmaster. ca or at the Backside Board Shop on 3rd Avenue North. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Arts One
Page 11
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Singer-Songwriter Jill Barber Is Irresistible
Photo: courtesy of Ivan Otis, Emma Lee and the artist.
This Canadian Artist Reflects On Her Love Of Jazz, And Playing For Her Fans Alex J MacPherson
most people,” she says. “For me, the jazz thing is new [but ] I’ve always Saskatoon, SK — Everyone been a songwriter — that’s pretty wants a piece of Jill Barber. unusual in the vocal jazz world. My Barber, who was born in a To- approach to the jazz world is to ronto suburb, has also lived on make a contribution through the the east and west coasts, mean- form of writing new, original songs.” ing plenty of Canadians call her Barber says she has always felt their own. The rest wish they could, like a bit of an outsider, whether she mainly because Barber is one of was performing in coffee houses or the best singers supporting rock this country has “When I write songs bands. She adever produced. I’m always consciously mits the feeling She has dabbled leaving enough space [for] hasn’t dissipated, in eve r y thin g but her latest effrom indie rock someone else’s story…” fort, Mischievous -Jill Barber Moon, has galvato standards, but her latest record, Mischievous Moon, nized minds and hearts across the is a marriage of singer-songwriter country, and solidified her position principles and jazz sounds. It’s the as an important voice in Canadian best thing she’s ever done — a wa- music. tershed and a promise of things “Mischievous Moon is a very drato come. matic, very lush, orchestral record,” “It means a lot to me,” Barber she says. “That was me just shooting says of her national fanbase. “I’m in for the stars. I know who I am as love with this country. I love Canada an artist now and I want to work and I feel so privileged to have had within the space I’ve created for the opportunity to live it from a few myself but be experimental all the different perspectives.” time — make each record sound Barber’s cross-country moves different.” don’t necessarily align with shifts Mischievous Moon takes Barber’s in her musical approach, but her lifelong fascination with jazz — old career can be divided into several movie soundtracks and the classic phases. She began playing guitar singers — to its natural conclusion. at fourteen, drawn to music by her Rich and dynamic and romantic, the desire to write — “I don’t keep a record is immersive. Listening to it diary,” she laughs, explaining that is like being catapulted to another her songs do the work. time and place. Barber’s early records, Oh Heart Barber equates Chances with a and For All Time, hint at greatness, courtship, meaning its sequel is a but her voice was still developing, full-blown love affair. It’s a change, her songwriting chops growing. but one she welcomes with open Neither record propelled her to arms. fame, but both hinted at what was “It’s important for humans to to come. constantly evolve and grow and Everything changed when Bar- push themselves, challenge thember released Chances. Recorded selves,” she muses. “Things get borand released in 2008, Chances was ing if we keep doing the same thing much more jazz-oriented. Mature over and over again, but especially and deeply sophisticated, Chances for artists: I think it’s essential that offered listeners a chance to watch we challenge ourselves and build an artist find her voice. a body of work that’s diverse and “I think that I come at the jazz representative of every chapter in world quite differently than I think our artistic lives.”
Whereas some artists take perverse delight in alienating their fans, Barber thinks about them often. She works hard to make music that is artistically satisfying yet readily accessible. Barber understands that songwriting is the key to accessibility. “I feel like I’ve done my job if a song I wrote means one thing to me and another thing to another
person. When I write songs I’m always consciously leaving enough space so someone else’s story can fit into it, no matter what that story is.” This is why Barber’s records keep getting better, and this is why her live performances feel less like a concert and more like an intimate conversation. She’s charming, she’s talented and she’s irresistible.
Which is why everyone wants to call her their own. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Event Info
Jill Barber
Where: Broadway Theatre When: June 29 Cost: $45/35 early bird (SaskJazz.com)
Bristol Rockers Get The Blessing Play With Jazz Alex J MacPherson
Saskatoon, SK — Some music is meant for the people listening to it, some music for the people playing it. But the best music makes everyone happy, and that’s where Get the Blessing comes in. Ostensibly a jazz band, Get the Blessing are in fact anything but. Sure, they look a bit like jazz musicians, and it’s true, they play jazz instruments, but don’t let appearances fool you. Get the Blessing play an endearingly strange hybrid form born from a fusion of jazz ethics, scorching rock sounds and an unquenchable thirst for experimentation. “I suppose the thing is, it wasn’t like we had some specific idea to do it like this,” muses Jake McMurchie,
who plays saxophone in the Bristol- sound. based group. “Although the band and the mu“It wasn’t a conscious decision sic has come from a jazz base, it’s to adopt a particular style,” he con- not necessarily from the jazz traditinues. tion, and the way we write music “It just came out of the process of is definitely not the traditional jazz taking four people who had played approach of writing tunes,” McMurtogether a lot, and chie explains. who have diverse “[T]he way we write music The fundabackgrounds but is … not the traditional mental difference very common in- jazz approach…” is structural. Jazz terests, and shovis built around -Jake McMurchie improvisation: ing all that into one big pot, [being] the studio.” the tune is a framework on which The band’s latest record, OCDC, to hang the solos. Get the Blessing is a blistering display of musical work differently. Their songs are proficiency and good taste coming fully-formed, and improvisational together. Both McMurchie and Pete elements are additional, not funJudge, who plays trumpet, agree damental. that the album contains elements “I think we all share a love of of jazz and rock, but neither label certain things,” Judge explains. captures the essence of the band’s “For instance, spontaneity but also structure. I think we all like music that moves us. Jazz — dare I say it? — can be a bit of an intellectual puzzle, more about technique.” Ultimately, Get the Blessing can be all things to all people. Jazz for people who like rock and rock for people who like jazz. And a blisteringly good show for people who want to experience thundering horns, pounding drums and four guys from Bristol who sometimes wear plastic bags on their heads. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
ArtsSect &C
Five Qs With Fish
Victoria Five-Piece On Experimen Alex J MacPherson Taylor Ashton sings and plays banjo in Fish & Bird. Fish & Bird may present as a prototypical indie folk group, but don’t be fooled: Ashton, Adam Iredale-Gray, Ryan Boeur, Natalie Bohrn, and Ben Kelly thrive on odd time signatures and fiendishly complicated arrangements. Fish & Bird’s latest album, Every Whisper is a Shout Across the Void, is driven by diverse influences. I caught up with Ashton to chat about labels, recording and
pushing the envelope of banjoplaying. Alex J MacPherson: Your music is highly experimental. How do you describe your sound? Taylor Ashton: That’s almost the hardest part, trying to describe it! Folk-pop works, but we’ve thrown a “That’s almos few different terms part, trying to around, potential [our music].” things that could describe it. You can get into the trap where you have a bunch of words with hyphens in between and end up with a twentyword-long genre distinction. We came up with post-folk recently, which I think is kind of cool. AJM: What do you mean, exactly? TA: I think it gives it the fact that we’re starting with the folk idea or palette — acoustic instruments. Visually onstage, when you look at us, and the sound of the instruments are definitely reminiscent of the folk conventions, and we’ve definitely got pop conventions in there. To me, it makes me think of something that comes after that, trying to take the folk thing and add whatever in. AJM: And that something is extremely sophisticated musicianship. TA: It comes from an interest in going deep into our instruments. A couple of the members of our b an d have
Culture tion Pages PH, PH PH PH–PH, ‘PH VerbNews.com
Pages 12, 13 Pages 10, Jun 22–28, ‘1211 VerbNews.com
Elliott Brood Talks Touring, Album Cycles, And Days Into Years Alex J MacPherson
sh & Bird Photo: courtesy of the artist
ntal, Post-Folk Fun
gone to music school, and that’s sort of a big part of what’s exciting about playing music for us — getting into the minor details and keeping it interesting. It means taking those kinds of turns and really working on it on a scale like that. AJM: As a banjo st the hardest player, is it about testing the limits of that o describe instrument? TA: That’s a big -Taylor Ashton part of it. There are a lot of instrumentalists on the banjo even specifically that set a great example … for me, [Béla Fleck and Jayme Stone], those are the banjo players I like to listen to, and I’m just interested to hear what kind of sounds you can get out of it. AJM: Tell me about your album. TA: We recorded it in a couple of different chunks, and as we were recording it was around the same time we were more consciously making that transition to deciding that it was going to be this fivepiece format more consistently. While we were making the record, it’s almost like a picture of us deciding to do that. Some of the songs are a little older…some of them were arranged in the studio. Some of the songs it turned out we weren’t done writing them — we play them a lot differently now. Feedback? Text it to 306881-8372.
always wanted a Telecaster Deluxe but had always said I was the type saskatoon, SK — Elliott Brood of guitar player who didn’t deserve is more interested in playing an electric guitar.” music than conforming to tradi“It seems good,” he laughs. “We tion. Besides serving up a mind- haven’t gotten that Judas-type altering mixture Dylan thing.” of folk and rock “[W]e go back to what Days Into Years and punk, Mark we always are, which is a was inspired by Sasso, Casey La- touring band.” a visit to Étaples foret and Stephen Military Ceme-Casey Laforet tery, a sprawling Pitkin are deeply committed to touring, wherever white-on-green memorial on the and whenever they can. They see north-west coast of France. Laforet touring not as a way to support a says the emotional weight required record, but as an end in itself. something beefier than an acoustic “We’ve been across the country guitar. now, I think, over a dozen times,” “I always compare everything says Laforet, who has little regard in music to Neil Young’s career,” for the conventional album cycle. he laughs. “You get all the initial reviews “Right now we’re in a Crazy Horse and press in the beginning,” he says situation but we have songs that of Days Into Years, “and then we go work in a Harvest situation. We have back to what we always are, which is those quieter, country songs we a touring band. When people book will put out.” bands they talk about the album This is the great thing about cycle, like ‘you’ve already toured Elliott Brood: Sasso, Laforet and on this record, so you’ve got to put out another one before you tour again.’ But we’re the type of band that does two or three times across Canada on one record.” And Laforet is right: there is a lot of life left in Days Into Years, a sprawling collection of heartrending rock songs rooted in time and distance and memory that is something of a departure for the band. “It’s a natural kind of evolution,” he explains. “Basically for this record we started playing the songs, and rehearsing them together, and it seemed like a lot of it needed more aggression and more volume. I had
Event Info
Get The Blessing Where: The Bassment When: June 29 Cost: $15 cover
Elliott Brood
Where: Broadway Theatre When: June 30 Cost: $32 (saskjazz.com/tickets/)
Fish & Bird
Where: House concert When: July 3 Info: krysta@reachpromotions.ca
Want some coverage for your upcoming event? Email layout@verbnews.com ASAP!
Photo: courteys of Vanessa Heins
Pitkin can play a raucous show to a bar overflowing with bodies and beer, and then turn around and fill a seated theatre with tender,
wavering songs about love and loss. It may be unconventional, but it works. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Section Movies
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Abraham Lincoln Way Too Serious
Alt-History Flick Had Promise Of Campy Fun, But Fails In End Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Runtime: 105 Minutes Rated: 14A Adam Hawboldt Some things you probably know about Abraham Lincoln: he was the 16th president of the United States, he gave the Gettysburg Address and he was assassinated in a theatre by an actor named John Wilkes Booth. Some things you may not know about Abraham Lincoln: his mom, Nancy, was a distance relative of actor Tom Hanks, he was the first American president to have a beard while in office, and he stalked, fought and kicked the ever-loving sh*t out of vampires. Okay, so maybe that last fact
Photo: courtesy of 20th Century Fox
isn’t true. But if you can get past the full-blown absurdity of the idea
for oh, say, an hour and 45 minutes, the makings for a wonderful and then maybe — just maybe — you’ll whacky B-movie. like the newly released Abraham Too bad Bekmambetov and coLincoln: Vampire Hunter. producer Tim Burton didn’t get the Based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s memo, because therein lies the novel of the same name, Abraham biggest problem with this film — it Lincoln: Vampire Hunter chronicles takes itself way too seriously. the life of Honest Abe (played by How serious? Well, at one point Benjamin Walker). I actually stopped for a moment Beginning with the loss of his and toyed with the idea that all mother in his youth (spoiler alert: the vampirism inherent in Abravampires kill her), the film chronicles ham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter was his marriage to Mary Todd (played a sly, backhanded symbol for the by Mary Elizabeth Winstead), his numerous horrors that have been burgeoning career as a lawyer and, committed in the name of America finally, his Presidency during the and freedom. Civil War. Along the way, with the Very meta, I know. And if it help of a his menhad’ve been tor Henry Sturges “[T]his is a movie about something like (Dominic Cooper), Abe Lincoln slaying Primer or MulAbe kills countless vampires … There’s no holland Dr., it’d vampires in a sebe fine to have cret, ongoing war need to be so serious.” strange, deep -Adam Hawboldt metaphors swirlwith the undead. And in certain respects, director ing around in your head. Timur Bekmambetov’s film has a But this is a movie about Abe lot going for it. Lincoln slaying vampires, for Pete’s First, here are a lot of really cool sake. There’s no need to be so seriset pieces (a fight atop a flaming ous. train, the Battle of Gettysburg with What they should’ve done was vampires, a scene in which Honest go the Billy the Kid vs. Dracula route Abe has a horse literally thrown at — make it as silly and as fun as him, and more). possible. Instead, Bekamambetov Second, the acting is pretty darn takes a straight-faced approach to good and the film, in and of itself, alternate history and, in doing so, is visually appealing. sucks life out of the entire project. Third, the vampires in this flick Going into this flick, I had high are neither love sick nor do they hopes. Vampires, Abe Lincoln, Bsparkle in sunlight. movie camp … how could they And finally, the premise of Abra- mess it up? Apparently, very easily. ham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter has all Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Section Movies
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Pixar’s Brave A Visually Stunning Treat
Photo: courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
Featuring One Feisty Princess, This Animated Flick Will Delight All Audiences Brave
Runtime: 93 Minutes Rated: G Adam Hawboldt There is no shortage of animated princesses out there in movieland. From Snow White to Ariel to Jasmine, women have long stood front and centre in the wild and lucrative world of animation. And Pixar’s new flick Brave adds to this esteemed pantheon of cartoon royalty with the introduction of Princess Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald). Like princesses before her, Merida is young, beautiful, wears a dress and, well, that’s about where the similarities end. Because unlike say, Princess Aurora, Merida kicks a tremendous amount of ass. She’s a sharp-shooting archer,
a rough and tumble ball breaker hair in Tangled? Well, what they and, wait for it … she has absolutely did with Merida’s leaves Rapunzel’s no time for princes or marriage or locks in the dust. romantic love. Turning to the S t o p a n d “Brave takes us … to a … plot, I must admit, think about that place in which swords and it was pretty darn for a moment. A spells and magical beings good. Not great princess without like, say, Toy Story a love interest. all have a party to play.” 3. But it sure as -Adam Hawboldt hell was leagues That’s kind of like a sports movie without clichés or better than Pixar’s last effort — a Tarantino flick without swearing. Cars 2. It just isn’t done. Or should I say, With a trio of directors and quar“wasn’t” done, because Brave lives tet of writers, Brave takes us back to up to its name and bravely empow- a familiar fairy tale place, a place in ers its heroine without giving her which swords and spells and magia love-interested crutch. cal beings all have a part to play. Kudos Pixar. So too does Princess Merida, And kudos for making such a who — under the tutelage of her visually stunning film. Set in the father, King Fergus (Billy Connolly), verdant wilds of Scotland, Brave is and much to the chagrin of her full of lush forests, rolling hills and prim and proper mother, Queen images so sharp and real that at Elinor (Emma Thompson) — grows times it feels as though you could up wild and strong and fiercely reach out and touch them. independent. So when Merida is Take, for instance, Princess Meri- pushed to enter an arranged marda’s hair. Remember how awesome riage, she does what any good a job Pixar did animating Rapunzel’s feminist hero would do. She flees
to the woods, meets a witch and has a wish granted that, inadvertently, turns her mother into a bear. From there the story lumbers to its inevitable conclusion. But that’s fine. This is a kid’s movie after all. It doesn’t have to been unpredictable and shocking and profound. It does, however, in my humble opinion, need a villain.
For me, that is the biggest problem with this movie: fairy tales need a bad guy/girl and, unfortunately, Brave doesn’t have one. And clocking in at only 93 minutes, it’s also a bit too short. But for the most part, Brave is an enjoyable, visually entertaining romp through the hills and dales of a magical, mythical world. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Texts
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Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
This Week: Huge Warning Labels
Last week we asked what you thought about making cigarette packages’ warning labels even bigger, and here’s what you had to say. Next week’s topic: see page 9 — what do you think about our city’s
On Topic If people that smoke don’t like the waning labels, THAN QUIT SMOKING!! You can’t cover up what will still happen if your an idiot who doesn’t care Bad smokers, naughty, dirty, gross smokers! Quick let’s make them feel even more guilty!! Its obviously working for the alcoholics and addicts! Ridiculous. Shaming smokers (or any addict) is on the
free Internet service, Saskatchewan! Connected? Text FEEDBACK and your thoughts about the topic (or anything else) to 306–881-VERB (8372) and you could see your text printed in next week’s issue!
because some picture scares me away from it. Maybe works for kids starting but doubt it’ll have any real impact on people who are already smokers.
Labels: I smoke all the time and have laughed occasionally about how disgusting it looks.Everyone thinks “this will never happen to me” So what’s the point of labels
Bigger warning labels don’t really make any sence they’re supposed to shock us smokers with there scariness but let’s be serious. We’re not stupid, we know what it does to our health, and we are choosing to smoke anyways. Making pics bigger does nothin u see worse things on tv.
Smokings gross which is why i don’t do it but i choose not to because its bad for me not
Government will never get rid of cigarettes bc they make to much bloody money off of
same emotional level as sticking a dog’s nose in his own faces. He already feels sh*tty!
ppl but feel the need to warn ppl? Nah moneys good for them pfft Smokers are desensitized to the graphic images present on the warning labels and making them bigger won’t help. I think there should be a new, more aggressive health campaign to get people to stop smoking but I don’t think this is it. Like tha smoking thing that you said on tha verb this
Off Topic Re: “Raunchy That’s My Boy Unfunny,” Movies page, June 15th issue
Hey good sandler article hahah why can’t he go back too the big daddy days! Damn Re: “Sask. To Reshuffle Child Welfare System,” Local page, June 8th issue
I have read the article SK to reshuffle child welfare. I was given the opportunity to deal with a social worker at the hospital and social services. Why is it allowed to send a new born to a known problem home verses adoption. Set up for more adoption to a caring home and less spaces will be required. The present government system in my opinion is not effective. Re: “Fetus Bullying: An Exercise In Ignorance,” Opinion page, June 8th issue
That bug that I stepped on may have more going on in itself than the ignorance in your mind but I think you still have a right to life. It’s not a matter of when life starts. We know that a zygote matures into a human life. A bug does not ever mature to the same level. It’s a matter of ethics. If it is called murder when a human has matured, it should be classified as such at any stage throughout the pregnancy. It is NOT archaic thinking. It is wrong and you know it! Re: “Fetus Bullying: An Exercise In Ignorance,” Opinion page, June 8th issue
Just because someone gets pregnant, it is still their body so people should let them make their own decisions about having an abortion or not. It’s not maybe the choice i’d make but that doesn’t mean my beliefs are right for everyone. Let’s try to understand where someone put in the position of making this decision is coming from. It’s easy to say oh just give it away for adoption, but it still puts extreme pressure on your body for nine months, assuming there’s no health issues on either the mom or baby’s end. Re: “Fetus Bullying: An Exercise In Ignorance,” Opinion page, June 8th issue
If people dont want to have a baby then
Texts don’t do anything that could end up in you having a baby. It’s pretty f***ng simple. Here’s choice for you: choose not to have sex unless you’re ready to deal with any potential consequences. I don’t want poor people banned from downtown. You misunderstood me. I don’t agree with the practice of panhandling. How are we helping panhandlers by giving handouts? We need to put these people in touch with organizations that can help them. We are not progressing as a society if we just throw money at a problem mindlessly. The problems will only continue. By helping panhandlers to get help and putting them in touch with the proper organizations, we can get panhandlers to help themselves. By the way some panhandlers do carry cell phones. I have personally witnessed that. Panhandlers need to go to the organizations that will help them. Don’t solicit the general public. I’ll sooner give to an organization and realize the money is getting spent wisely instead of on alcohol or booze by the panhandler. A demogrpahic tsunami of aboriginal population growth is going to smash this society soon. Flat part of the curve is over. Keep up the stalling and excuses. Years of stalling and feet dragging are going
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Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
to exact a very very heavy price in a few short years. It may be too late to do anything about now anyway! Brace yourself! Too late! Too late! Here we go!
Tornado watch. For saskatoon “Conditions are favourable for the development of funnel clouds and tornadoes.” Stay safe _TIM
Is the heavy nuclear industry dying dead? Has a technological lesson finally sunk in for Homo Sap? That would be something!
Tornado watch. UP GRADED TO WARNING For saskatoon “Conditions are favourable for the development of funnel clouds and tornadoes.” Stay safe !
So like when does this economic miracle of Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! for aboriginals start happening? We need 10000 jobs a year for the next 20 yrs in Sask! Its not happening this year! Its not happening next year! Its just not going to happen ever! Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! for aboriginals is just a f**king fairy tale! I couldnt let you love me and pushed you away my health scares me enough the thought of you having to deal with it scared me even more Aaaaand mosquitoes are here for the summer. All this rain sun rain sun is making them unbearble. Finished my part of the SAID application. Took a couple hours. Not sure I did it right. Hard to describe my disabilities in that limited format. Buearacrats!
Whoa tornados spotted outside the city that’s so crazy! Stay safe, everyone. Fireworks down at river tonight but don’t know what for. They were pretty spectacular though! Everyone, if you take your pets with you in your car, please remember how hot a vehicle can get if you’re stuck inside it, even if windows are cracked to get some air. I walked past two separate cars at the mall today that had warm looking puppies sitting in them. That is NOT okay! Consider leaving pets at home if they’re going to be stuck anywhere that doesn’t offer them any relief from the sun. That’s much better for them. And you won’t look like such an ass. Happy 2 year
anniversary to my sexy wife, love you! :D coryx Banana smoothies are disugsting its rotten fruit used you guys, just saying.
Crazy weather sign of the apocalypse? Global warming? same thing?
The opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily Verb’s.
Nightlife
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Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Friday @ Amigos Venue
Amigos Cantina on Friday, June 15th
Location Photos courtesy of Michelle Berg (feedback@verbnews.com)
806 Dufferin Ave
Playing on Arrival
Live performance by Ian Blurton with Junior Pantherz for MoSoFest
Music Vibe Indie rock
Regular Gig
Live music every weekend
Popular Drink
Pints of Great Western Original 16
Food of Choice
Nachos Grande — topped with all the usual fixings, along with crab, shredded chicken and ground beef. Served with salsa and sour cream.
Nightlife
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Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Saturday @ Diva’s Venue
Diva’s Club on Saturday, June 16th
Location
110 3rd Avenue South
Playing on Arrival
“Born This Way” by Lady Gaga
Music Vibe
House, top 40
Regular Gigs
Karaoke the first Wednesday of every month, and “We Are Not Pop” (a house music club night with local DJs) the last Saturday of every month
Feature Deals
$3.50 for GTL (gin, tonic and lime) or Burt Reynolds shooters
Popular Drink
Skinny b*tch (vodka and cran)
Something New
Diva’s is adding a new bar on the second floor
Photos courtesy of Michelle Berg (feedback@verbnews.com)
Music
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Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Friday 22
Austen Roadz — With over 25 years of DJ experience, Austen Roadz throws down a high-energy, top 40 dance party along with DJ Ash Money every Friday night. Happy hour 4pm, Béily’s UltraLounge. $5 cover after 9pm.
Young Empires — Fusing elements of indie rock, electo and indie dance, Young Empires play a self-proclaimed brand of “world beat haute rock.” They have rocked festivals like NXNE and SXSW, had their music appear on television shows and commercials, and have been compared by critics to acts like Arcade Fire and the Killers. 10pm, Amigos Cantina. Tickets $10.
Kashmir — Feel like climbing a “Stairway to Heaven,” then getting so “Dazed and Confused” you feel like having a “Communication Breakdown?” Well, here’s your chance. Western Canada’s top Led Zeppelin band will be in town all weekend. 10pm, Buds on Broadway. $6 cover.
House DJs — Funk, soul & lounge DJs liven up the atmosphere at 6Twelve. 9pm, 6Twelve Lounge. No cover.
(NEXT WEEK) SEPTEMBER LONG @ LYDIA’S pub — Consisting of Mathew
Bakken, Chris Loopkey, Ryan Rogal and Graham Walker, this local band has a funky, folky sound you can’t ignore. Performing a version of jam-rock, this quartet offers up a high-energy live show you won’t want to miss. Relying
Photo: courtesy of the artist
on influences from The Dave Matthews Band, Incubus and Neil Young, these guys have created some pretty darn good songs in “Bigger Than Jesus,” “The Dawn” and “Flatland’s Jam.” They’ll be playing Lydia’s on June 29th; tickets $5 at the door. -Adam Hawboldt. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Rebirth of the Cool — Featuring Greg Gatien (alto sax), Ken Gold (bari sax), Dean McNeill (trumpet), Jeff Presslaff (trombone), Will Bonness (piano), Gilles Fournier (bass), Eric Platz (drums), Brent Longstaff (tuba) and Dubrena Myroon (french horn), this show will give audiences the pleasure of hearing the seminal jazz album, The Complete Rebirth of the Cool. 9pm, The Bassment. Cover $15.
DJ Nick James — Come check out this talented DJ spin the night away. 9pm, Diva’s Club. Tickets TBD. The Nightrain — If you’re a fan of Guns N’ Roses, you’re not going to want to miss this tribute show. 9pm, The Fez on Broadway. Cover $5. DJ Eclectic — Local turntable whiz DJ Eclectic pumps snappy electronic beats. 8pm, The Hose & Hydrant. No cover. DJ Sugar Daddy & DJ J-Mats — Able to rock any party, these local crowd
favourites have always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. They are sure to have you on the dance floor in no time! 9pm, Jax Niteclub. $5 cover. DJ Big Ayyy & DJ HENCHMAN — Round up your friends ‘cause there’s no better country rock party around! 8pm, Outlaws Country Rock Bar. $5 cover; ladies in free before 11pm. Ben & Melanie — This duo plays the kind of Latin and jazz music you can’t help but like. 8pm, Prairie Ink. No cover. Transcontinental Blues Band — Formed in the spring of 2009, this local band plays a variety of eclectic blues and cover artist from Etta James to B.B. King. 9pm, Somewhere Else Pub. No cover. Jones Boys — Come check out this talented local act do their thing. 9pm, Stan’s Place. No cover. Dueling Pianos — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King belt out classic tunes and audience requests, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. 10pm, Staqatto Piano Lounge. No cover until 8pm, $5 thereafter.
Saturday 23
House DJs — Resident DJs spin deep and soulful tunes all night. 9pm, 6Twelve Lounge. No cover.
Mayer Hawthorne (DJ Set) — This Michigan-born musician is able to do something with his music. On one hand, his retro-soul sound will bring you back to the days of Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes and Leroy Hutson. On the other hand, his music is modern, hip and seductive. He’s in town to perform his first love — a DJ set. 10pm, Amigos Cantina. $20 cover. Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon — Since forming in 2010, this seven-piece has been leaving audiences in awe of their unique arrangements of Lennon and Beatles songs. 9pm, The Bassment. $15. The Jam w/The Outer Bridge Ensemble — Come out for a nightcap of improv jazz as Jazz Festival artists, local musicians and guest climb on stage and make sweet music. 11pm, The Bassment. Tickets $5. Austen Roadz — With over 25 years of DJ experience, Austen Roadz throws down a high-energy, top 40 dance party along with DJ CTRL every Saturday night. Drinks & appies 4pm, Béily’s UltraLounge. $5 cover after 9pm. Wayne Shorter Quartet — One of the most prolific, talented and wellrespected jazz musicians working today, Shorter won six Grammys while being nominated 13 times. 7:30pm, Broadway Theatre. Tickets $55, available at www. saskjazz.com Kashmir — Feel like climbing a “Stairway to Heaven,” then getting so “Dazed and Confused” you feel like having a “Communication Breakdown?” Well, here’s your chance. Western Canada’s top Led Zeppelin band will be in town all weekend. 10pm, Buds on Broadway. $6 cover.
Music
Cease and Desist, Napalm Raid, Exoskeleton, The Reeta McKneals — Come on down for a hardrocking, blow-your-hair-back kind of night. 9pm, The Fez on Broadway. Cover $10 at the door. DJ Kade — Saskatoon’s own DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm, The Hose & Hydrant. No cover. DJ J-Mats & DJ Sugar Daddy — Able to rock any party, these local crowd favourites have always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. They are sure to have you on the dance floor in no time! 9pm, Jax Niteclub. $5 cover.
Jen Lane w/ Smokekiller — These local musicians play the sort of straightahead rhythms that are infectious, and have the kind of simple harmonies you can’t resist. 9pm, Lydia’s Pub. Cover $5. DJ Big Ayyy & DJ Henchman — Round up your friends ‘cause there’s no better country rock party around! 8pm, Outlaws Country Rock Bar. $5 cover. F.E.R.N. — Interested in an evening full of awesome folk/acoustic music? Look no further. This folkster/poet has everything you need and want. 8pm, Prairie Ink. No cover. Transcontinental Blues Band — Formed in the spring of 2009, this local band plays a variety of eclectic blues and cover artist from Etta James to B.B. King. 9pm, Somewhere Else Pub. No cover Dueling Pianos — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King belt out classic tunes and audience requests, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. 10pm, Staqatto Piano Lounge. No cover until 8pm, $5 thereafter.
Sunday 24
Timber Timbre — A folk music project from Ontario, this trio (Taylor Kirk, Simon Trottier and Mika Posen) has a “swampy, ragged blues” sound that is unique and cinematic. 10pm, Amigos Cantina. $10 cover.
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Ndidi Onukwulu — Emotionally powerful: that’s the only way to describe this B.C. singer’s music. With haunting lyrics and a voice that demands to be listened to, Onukwulu is a jazz/blues singer to keep your eye on. 8pm, The Bassment. Tickets $12.
Saskatoon’s original industry night — Hosted by DJ Sugar Daddy; this crowd favourite has always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. Drinks & appies 4pm, Béily’s UltraLounge. $4 cover after 9pm; no cover for industry staff. Bill Frisell — An eclectic, genrebending, mind-expanding guitarist, Frisell has the unique ability to make his guitar breathe and swell— not unlike a saxophone. He will be presenting “All We Are Saying,” a tribute of sorts to John Lennon and Beatles. 7:30pm, Broadway Theatre. Early bird tickets $35, otherwise $45, available at www.saskjazz.com Maurice Drouin — Veteran jazz pianist has put together a group that includes vocalists Melanie Gibbs, Grant Currie, Tatrina Tai and Graham Dyck. They will be playing a musical tribute to the theme of “Summertime.” 8pm, Dakota Dunes Casino. Tickets $40, available at http://tickets.siga.sk.ca/orderticketsarea.asp?p=977&a=689&backu rl=cityperformancelisting%2Easp%3F cityname%3DSaskatoon%252C%2BS K%26pg%3D1 DJ KADE — Saskatoon DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm, The Hose & Hydrant. No cover. SUNDAY JAM — The Vangelis Sunday Jam is an institution, offering great tunes from blues to rock and beyond. 7:30pm, Vangelis Tavern. No cover.
Monday 25
Hooded Fang, Parlovr, Goose Hunt — An indie-rock extravaganza, this show features hot bands from across the country. Don’t miss it. 10pm, Amigos Cantina. $10 cover. Diana Reeves — Simply put: Reeves is
the preeminent jazz vocalist in the world today, and she has the awards to prove it. 7:30pm, Broadway Theatre. Tickets $43, available at www.saskjazz.com Eddy Robertson and the Electric Blues Band — With lightning in his fingers and music in his soul, this local musician plays the guitar like a bad mother — Shut Your Mouth! But if you dig the blues, you’re really going to dig this guy. 9pm, Buds on Broadway. $6 cover. Metal Mondays — If hard, heavy awesomeness is your thing, swing by, listen to some killer music and get in on some concert giveaways. 9pm, Lydia’s Pub.
Tuesday 26
Eddy Robertson and the Electric Blues Band — With lightning in his fingers and music in his soul, this local musician plays the guitar like a
(NEXT WEEK) DJ QUESTLOVE @ THE ODEON events centre — Born Ahmir
Khalib Thompson in Philadelphia, this drummer/DJ/record producer is the drummer/joint frontman for The Roots, as well as producing for artists such as Jay-Z and Erykah Badu. He’ll be jumping behind the decks to get your feet
Photo: courtesy of the artist
moving after The Roots concert, and with the kind of big, groovy, soulful beats this guy drops, that shouldn’t be a problem. They’ll be playing the Odeon on July 1st. $5 cover with a wristband from The Roots concert; $15 otherwise. -Adam Hawboldt. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Music
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Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com bad mother — Shut Your Mouth! But if you dig the blues, you’re really going to dig this guy. 9pm, Buds on Broadway. $6 cover. DJ SUGAR DADDY — Able to rock any party, this crowd favourite has always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. 9:30pm, The Double Deuce. $4 cover. VERB PRESENTS OPEN STAGE — The open stage at Lydia’s has hosted many of Saskatoon’s finest performers, and is a chance for bands, solo artists and even comedians to showcase original material. 9pm, Lydia’s Pub. No cover.
(COMING UP) NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND @ THE ODEON events centre — Icon-
ic. Profoundly influential. Downright amazing. Those are the best ways to describe country/folk rock band from Long Beach, California. Not only were they the catalyst for the entire movement in country rock and American
Photo: courtesy of the artist
roots, and with songs like “Mr. Bojangles” and “Fishin’ in the Rain,” the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an act you won’t want to miss. They’ll be at the Odeon on October 16th; tickets are $39.50+, available at www.theodeon. ca -Adam Hawboldt. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Open Mic — Come out to show your talent. 7pm, The Somewhere Else Pub. No cover.
Wednesday 27
HUMP WEDNESDAYS — Resident DJ Chris Knorr will be spinning all of your favourite songs and requests, every Wednesday night! Doors at 7pm, DJ takes requests at 9pm, 302 Lounge & Discotheque. No cover until 10pm, $3 thereafter. Mederic Collignon — Coming all the way from France, this eclectic performer is a bit of a jazz celebrity in his home country. Never afraid to push the boundaries, Collignon is rough around the edges but has flashes of genius that make him irresistible. 8pm, The Bassment. Tickets $15. DJ Quadrant Khan — Come down and watch as this local DJ tears up the dance floor. 9pm, Diva’s Club. Tickets TBD. The Avenue Recording Company presents Open Mic — Hosted by Chad Reynolds. Sign up and play at
this weekly event. 10pm, The Fez on Broadway. No cover. DJ Kade — Saskatoon DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm, The Hose & Hydrant. No cover. Dr. J ‘Souled Out’ — Dr. J spins hot funk and soul every Wednesday night. Doors 9pm, Lydia’s Pub. No cover. WILD WEST WEDNESDAY — This is Saskatoon’s top industry night, hosted by DJ Big Ayyy & DJ Henchman. 9pm, Outlaws Country Rock Bar. $4 cover; no cover for industry staff. WHINE UP WEDNESDAYS — A night dedicated to promoting the best in reggae, roots, dancehall, African beats, Kwaito & hip hop. Hosted by Scott Turner & DJ Heywood. 10pm, Scratch. $5 cover. Dueling Pianos — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King belt out classic tunes and audience requests, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. 10pm, Staqatto Piano Lounge. No cover. EPIC BASSOLOGY — This is, without a doubt, the biggest drum n’ bass tour of the year. 8pm, Tequila Nightclub. Tickets $25, available at Tequila or online at www.ticketmaster.ca
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Five Alarm Funk — A high-powered party funk orchestra from Vancouver, this talented and energetic 10-piece is guaranteed to get your feet moving. 10pm, Amigos Cantina. $10 cover.
Woody Holler & His Orchestra — With some of the finest folk/jazz musicians Winnipeg has to offer, this band plays an infectious brand of “gypsy jazz from the saddle” that is sure to tickle you in all the right musical places. 9pm, The
Bassment. Tickets $15. The Jam w/The Outer Bridge Ensemble — Come out for a nightcap of improv jazz as Jazz Festival artists, local musicians and guests climb on stage and make sweet music. 11pm, The Bassment. Tickets $5. DJ Aaron Paetsch — This local DJ will get your head bobbing, your feet moving and your butt up on the dance floor. 9pm, Diva’s Club. Tickets TBD. Throwback Thursdays — Come experience the best in retro funk, soul, reggae and rock provided by Dr. J. 8pm, Earls. No cover. Hip Hop Night — Hosted by Ease, this is a night of live performances, rap battles and DJs, with $150 in prizes to be won. Don’t miss it. 9pm, The Fez on Broadway. No cover. DJ Kade — Saskatoon DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm, The Hose & Hydrant. No cover. DJ Sugar Daddy & DJ J-Mats — Local DJs J-Mats and Sugar Daddy will be rocking the turntables to get you dancing on the dance floor! Every Thursday night will be filled with passion parties, pole dancing, shadow dancers and much more! 8pm, Jax Niteclub. $5 cover, free cover with student ID before 11pm. Bones Malones w/ BCASA — This band from Quebec plays a raw, in-yourface and hard-hitting brand of alternative/experimental music. Come down and give ‘em a watch. 9pm, Lydia’s Pub. Cover $5.
Want your show listed? Email layout@verbnews.com!
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Remember: the future is always just out of reach, so if you want your dreams to come true, you can either sit around and wait or take matters into your own hands, so go get chasing your dreams. Now.
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Pisces (Feb 20–Mar 20)
If you look around and see nothing but madness and chaos, remember: it’s a wild world out there. Try to see the absurdity in it all. An ounce of laughter beats a pound of worry any day.
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Virgo (Aug 23–Sept 22)
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Refusing to doubt anyone — that is excellent advice for you, dear Aquarius. Remember to consider how your words and actions can make the other person feel.
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Aquarius (Jan 20–Feb 19)
If you are searching for answers this week, dear Leo, check your past. You may be surprised at how often solutions to current problems reside in previous lessons learned.
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Leo (Jul 23–Aug 22)
Don’t wait around for someone to tell you who to be or what to do next, dear Capricorn. Remember: you’re your own person, and only have to answer to yourself.
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Capricorn (Dec 22–Jan 19)
You could experience love at first sight this week, though the object of your affection could be a person, or even a pair of pants you just have to have. Keep your eyes and mind wide open this week.
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Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 22)
You might find that things get a bit rocky for the next few days, and may even knock you off balance. But it ain’t no thing: if you get knocked down, get up and dust yourself off.
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Sagittarius (Nov 23–Dec 21)
You may find this week a tad bit confusing, dear Gemini. Many things may go over your head and under your feet, but don’t fret. As the days progress, your confusion will abate.
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Gemini (May 21–Jun 20)
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This is going to be a day-to-day kind of week, dear Scorpio, so don’t worry too much about making concrete, long-term plans. If you live in the moment, good things will come.
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Scorpio (Oct 24–Nov 22)
You are most certainly the hero of your life, dear Taurus, so this week it’s time for you to act accordingly. Dare to take risks — you may be surprised at what happens. Think carefully before you act.
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Taurus (Apr 20–May 20)
In Henry James’ The Wings of the Dove, the author tells us, “We shall never be again as we were.” Wise words, dear Libra. You are who you are, not who you were, so don’t get bogged down in what was.
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Libra (Sept 23–Oct 23)
“I am an invisible man,” wrote Ralph Ellison. Whether you’re a man or a woman makes no difference — at times we all feel invisible. Remember: when the universe is ready, people will take notice.
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Aries (Mar 21–Apr 19)
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Horoscopes
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com 7 6 9 4 8 3 1 5 2
Time Out
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Sudoku
Directions: Fill each box with a digit from 1-9, following these conditions: - Each row must contain every digit from 1-9 once and only once. - Each column must contain every digit from 1-9 once and only once. - Each of the nine 3x3 boxes must contain every digit from 1-9 once and only once.
1 4 2 8 7 5 4 7 9 6 2 1 5 7 1 9 3
6 9 1 4 5 3 2 1 8 2
2 3 7 4 2 6 3 7 5 9 6 1 7 1 8 9 6 3 9 5 7 4 8 5 8 4