February 2024 Donald Andrus
Page 2 The BUZZ February 2024
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ACTIVITIES, 27 JANUARY – 29 FEBRUARY 2024
JAN. 27
FEB. 7
FEB. 14
SOCIAL MEDIA
BHM 2024 OPENING CELEBRATION GALA
BLACK BUSINESS JAM SESSION
BLACK ARTIST JAM SESSION
MONDAYS
BCS will host an opening celebration where we introduce the upcoming month of activities. This gala event will feature local performing artists and a three-course meal will be served to attendees.
BCS will host the first of many gatherings for Black entrepreneurs and business owners to openly discuss the business ecosystem here in PEI and to share about their challenges, successes, and goals.
BCS will host the first of many gatherings for Black artists to openly discuss the art world here on PEI, and to share about their challenges, successes, and goals for their respective art practices.
VENUE: The Delta
VENUE: BCS Theatre
VENUE: BCS Theatre
6PM-8 PM
7 PM-MIDNIGHT
6 PM-8 PM
FEB. 1-6
FEB. 8
FEB. 15
RAISING OF THE PAN-AFRICAN FLAG
UPEI PANEL DISCUSSION
COMMUNITY PANEL DISCUSSION
BCS members will travel across the Island to raise the Pan-African flag in various locations including Charlottetown, Borden-Carleton, Cornwall, UPEI.
BCS will host a Panel Discussion featuring students and faculty from UPEI. Executive Director, Tamara Steele, will moderate a discussion around the experiences of the Black post-secondary student population.
FEB. 4
VENUE: UPEI Fox & Crow
BCS’ Executive Director, Tamara Steele, will moderate a panel discussion with four Island residents representing different demographics within the African diaspora. The discussion will be based on this month’s theme: “Community as the Way Forward”. Panelists TBD.
5 PM-7 PM
TIMES TBA
COUCH TALKS a community-driven talk show that aims to invite members of the community to a roundtable and converse on topics relating to Black history, community, and the future. Join us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube on Mondays @2pm
THURSDAYS TRIVIA, FACTS & QUOTES BCS will be hosting trivia sessions every Thursday as well as sharing facts about, and quotes by some legends in Black History. Be sure to engage as there are prizes to be won! MUSIC PERFORMANCES BCS will highlight local Black musicians in a colorful themed display of great music and beautiful visuals. Thursdays @4pm
VENUE: Charlottetown Library Learning Centre
2 PM-4 PM
BHM LECTURE BCS will host the annual BHM lecture. Lecturer and topic TBD. VENUE: Charlottetown Library Learning Centre
FEB. 3, 10, 17 & 24
11 AM-2 PM 12 PM-3 PM ( YOUTH LUNCHEON ) LUNCHEON SERIES BCS will host the fourth annual Black Women Empowered! Luncheon, the third annual Black Men United Luncheon, and the second annual Black, Queer & Here! Luncheon. BCS will also introduce the first annual Black Youth Engaged! Luncheon for ages 12-16. Participants at each luncheon will have the opportunity to share and relate experiences, knowledge, and ideas. Events will be facilitated by BCS members and will each feature a special guest as the keynote speaker. VENUE: Haviland Club
6PM-8 PM
BLACK CANADIAN CHANGEMAKERS BCS will highlight and share stories and legacies of Black Canadian Changemakers every day @10am. Stay tuned to our Instagram and Facebook stories as we remember the legacies of our heroes.
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BCS Theatre (youth luncheon)
FEB. 25 6:30-9:30 PM
FILM SCREENING BCS will host a screening of short and feature-length films created by Black filmmakers from PEI and beyond, followed by a short discussion and Q&A. CURATED AND HOSTED BY: Loïc Niyonsenga VENUE: City Cinema
FEB. 29 6:30-9:30 PM
FAMILY MEETING BCS will host a town hall style gathering for PEI’s Black community. Conversations will be held around the general well-being of the Community; the month’s theme, Community as the Way Forward; and, this year’s BHM events and activities. Community members will converse with the BCS Team about what they enjoyed, what can be improved upon, and ideas for next year’s celebration. VENUE: BCS Theatre
TUESDAYS
FRIDAYS
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS Members of the Black Cultural Society will recommend books that have made significant impacts on them, and relate to the theme of this year’s Black History Month, “Community as the way Forward”
SOCIAL MEDIA TAKEOVERS Stay tuned to our Instagram and Facebook Lives all day on Fridays as creative members of PEI's Black community will take over our pages and share stories about their day-to-day activities, creative processes, and personal tips. It promises to be a fun & creative insight into the lives of some shining stars in our community.
COMMUNITY CRAFTED A documentary-style series that highlights members of the Black community in PEI who, through their work, are of service not only to the Black community but to everyone. We aim to celebrate not just the past, but the present we build; celebrating not just heroes past, but those among us. Showing on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube every Tuesday @2pm
WEDNESDAYS WAGWAN WEDNESDAY BCS’ social team will be going around Charlottetown to interview members of the community about themselves, their roots, and fun facts. Stay tuned on Wednesdays @12pm
The BUZZ February 2024 Page 3
Your chance to WIN a Spa Gift card, Dining Voucher, or up to
in Free Play Prizing!
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FEBRUARY 4TH - 28TH
SUNDAY - WEDNESDAY • 3PM - 8PM
Enjoy a romantic evening with your sweetheart at Top of the Park. Featuring a buffet dinner, live entertainment, a chance to win our SWEETHEART PRIZE PACK , and more!
Wednesday, February 14TH
$
50
+ tax & gratuity (per person)
Seatings Available from 5:30 – 8:00pm
RESERVATIONS: 902-620-4264
Reservations: 902.620.4264 | Visit Us Online: redshores.ca
Know Your Limit. Play Within It.
Page 4 The BUZZ February 2024
Profile: Dawn Ward-Dames & Joe Dames by Julie Bull
also vast and impressive, and too long to list here. “Last year we also had the opportunity to perform on the Canada Games stage and that was an incredible experience for us!”
The joy of dance
Dawn and Joe both have day jobs outside of dance, but their dynamic dance duo was the emphasis of our conversation. While dance is also the primary focus of their business, it is not the sole focus. They also sell merchandise of their inspiring brand and from time to time, Dawn offers Bahamian baked goods for sale. “A little taste of home goes a long way.” Dawn and Joe are deeply committed humans with big dreams and even bigger hearts. Their work and their dance are community-oriented, and they are passionate about representation. “Representation matters and we help cultivate safer spaces for people who may not necessarily see themselves represented.” Dawn says that “it is important to me to be a voice for people like me in spaces where our voices aren’t generally heard.” As doors open for them, Dawn and Joe eagerly and readily keep the door open for others. “Someone needs to be the person to open the door. If you want something to exist that doesn’t already exist, then you need to make it!”
JULIE BULL
Their ambitions and actions are paired with playful and joyful demeaners. “Despite all the hard things happening in the world all around us, we really focus our energy and attention on playfulness and joy.”
Hailing from Freeport, Bahamas, Dawn Ward-Dames and Joe Dames are partners in business, in dance, and in life. “We met at a dance studio in Freeport and have been dancing ever since.”
is for everybody and all bodies. “There is often a misconception that a dancer has to look a certain way or have a certain body type and we want to keep showing people that this isn’t true.”
Dawn first came to PEI in 2014 as a student at Holland College. Since then, she has been an active member of the arts and culture scene and welcomed her partner Joe a little while later.
With a growing dance crew comprised of people with many shapes, sizes and cultural backgrounds, Dawn and Joe are leading the way for inclusive dance. The courage and confidence that these two demonstrate continues to inspire others to be courageous and confident. “Beyond dance, we are building performance artists.”
As leaders of Xclusiv Crew, a hip hop dance group based in Charlottetown, Dawn and Joe are passionate about dance and inclusion. Dawn says, “the power is in bringing various cultures together.” Xclusiv’s motto is “create, motivate, inspire” and those words live in Dawn and Joe’s actions. “We help people feel like they belong.” Their dedication to and passion for dance was evident throughout our conversation. They believe that dance
Proficient in many dance styles, Dawn and Joe are continuously learning. “We get to learn new styles of dance as new members join the crew and teach us from their backgrounds.” Xclusiv has performed at the Island Fringe Festival, Confederation Centre of the Arts and DiverseCity, to name a few. Dawn and Joe’s individual credits are
With that optimism in their pocket and their dreams leading the way, Dawn and Joe have their eyes set on big stages like the NBA. “My first love was basketball,” Joe says, “So, it would be really amazing to have the opportunity to dance at an NBA game.” Knowing there may be a few steps between now and the NBA, Dawn and Joe hope to make their way to a variety of local and regional festivals in the seasons to come. Along with these festivals and events, Xclusiv has a big show coming up in April called Project X and details will be released soon. Not only did I have the pleasure to meet Dawn and Joe, I also had the great honour of meeting their daughter. She insisted that she sit next to me for the interview which was definitely a highlight! “When things get hard, she [daughter] helps keep us grounded and motivated. And when things are going well, she helps keep us humble and reminds us not to take things for granted.” Their kid has grown up in the dance studio and “the whole Xclusiv crew is like one big extended family to her and to each other.”
The BUZZ February 2024 Page 5
Black History Month
Call to artists Submission for lightbox exhibit
On January 27, the Black Cultural Society of PEI (BCSPEI) launched Black History Month 2024, a celebration of the rich tapestry of cultures that form the Island’s Black community. Black History Month, observed every February, is a time to honour Black heritage, achievements, and pivotal events in the timeline of Black populations throughout history. This year’s theme, “Community as the Way Forward,” underscores the importance of unity, collaboration, and shared aspirations within the Black community on PEI. The theme aims to inspire reflection on the collective strength that the community brings, forging a path forward guided by a shared commitment to progress. BCSPEI Executive Director Tamara Steele expressed the significance of the theme: “‘Community as the Way Forward’ symbolizes our commitment to collective growth and empowerment. We acknowledge the strength derived from community ties and recognize the pivotal role it plays in shaping our shared future.” The community-centric approach aligns with “Sankofa,” last year’s theme, and continues the journey of looking back to guide the future. In the spirit of Sankofa, “Community as the Way Forward” emphasizes the importance of harnessing the collective wisdom and power within the community. Reequal Smith, the Program Coordinator responsible for planning events and activities throughout the month, highlighted the flagship events: panel discussions, lectures, and community group meetups. These gatherings will provide community members with a platform to discuss their lived experiences, focusing on emerging topics related to the theme, history, culture, and aspirations for the future. “We are collaborating with community members to address themes such as mental health and wellbeing, skills development, educational excellence, support for local Black businesses and artists, and advocacy for representation in PEI,” Smith explained. Reequal will also lead educational sessions in Island schools for Black History Month. These sessions aim to enhance collaborations and create a space for Black individuals to teach their histories and share their stories in their own words. Flag raisings will occur at city and town halls in Three Rivers, Cornwall, Borden-Carleton, and in multiple locations in Charlottetown. President of the BCSPEI Board of Directors Claire Byrne emphasized the importance of the Pan-African Flag as
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Community as a Way Forward—events to Feb 29
BCSPEI Program Coordinator Reequal Smith
a unifying symbol for members of the African Diaspora. “Raising the PanAfrican Flag in municipalities across PEI signifies our unity, acknowledging our history, celebrating today, and fostering hope for our future.” Other activities will include lunch conversations, talks, and presentations on Black history, activity kits and storytelling for children, and a film screening. The Black Cultural Society of PEI is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for the growing Black community on PEI and the descendants of Black Islanders. BCSPEI’s vision is to shape the future by preserving heritage, promoting racial equity, and creating partnerships for the development and success of the Black community in PEI. The full schedule of Black History Month activities can be found on page A2 of The Buzz. Follow @blackculturalsocietypei on FB and IG, or visit bcspei. ca for updates.
The City of Charlottetown invites artists to submit images or copies of original art for a temporary lightbox exhibit that will be installed in downtown Charlottetown from March 5–May 6. This spring, Charlottetown will come alive with music as the city plays host to several events including Music PEI Week and the East Coast Music Awards. The lightbox exhibit will add to the vibrancy of the downtown during these activities, illuminating the work of local artists who are encouraged to creatively interpret and submit work based on the theme of Music and Sounds of the Island. A peer selection panel will review all application materials through a single-stage competition process and recommend artworks to be included in the exhibit. Successful artists will receive an artist fee, and the city will be responsible for producing and installing the lightboxes. The deadline to submit work for consideration is February 5 at 12 noon. Visit charlottetown.ca for full application details and guidelines. Any questions regarding this opportunity can be directed to Doug Dumais, culture and economic coordinator, at ddumais@ charlottetown.ca.
EXHIBITS Acadian Museum of PEI
Ten Million Steps / Dix millions de pas is on view until March. Visit the permanent exhibit and video The Island Acadians: The Story of a People. Acadian genealogy resources are available to researchers and a new artifacts exhibit area opened last year. 23 Main Dr. E, Miscouche.
Breadalbane Gallery
A new show will open February 9 with a reception from 6–8 pm. The evening will include an art talk with Sabine Nuesch. Works by Patricia Lush, Xin Liu, Joan Sutton, Vian Emery, Zoe Novaczek, Denise Livingston, Will Baker, Haley Lewis, Marianne Janowicz, Silver Frith, Laura Bain, Adrianna Chandler and Erin Veitch will also be on view. 4023 Dixon Rd, Breadalbane.
Charlottetown Library Learning Centre
Canvas & Cosmos: A fusion of Science and Art by Chester Hewlett is on view in the TD Art Corridor until February 16. Circulations by Doug Dumais will be on view from February 27–May 25. The exhibitions are presented by this town is small. 97 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation Calamity: A Torrent and a Trickle by Lisa Theriault, one of four Climate Artists-inResidence, is on view until March 4. The gallery is open weekly on Fridays from 9:30 am–4 pm in St. Peter’s Bay.
Confederation Centre Art Gallery
Common Collective: 40–Tonne Viewfinder closes February 24 and a special event for this exhibition, Poetry from the Grain Bin: A New Work from Tanya Davis will be held on February 8 at 7 pm (register in advance). Currently on view are Gestures: Traces of Embodiment
galleries and museums
and Arctic Visions, Arctic Life. Donald Andrus: A Retrospective opens February 10 and The Sweet Spot opens March 9. 145 Richmond St, Charlottetown.
Cornwall Library Art Gallery
Ventures with the Paintbrush, a new solo exhibition by Barry Bain is on view until February 9. Christine Thibaudier-Ness’s exhibit, Life Turbulences: the test of time, space and colours opens with a celebration on February 13. The show runs until March 22. Contact the library via phone at 629-8415 for info on displaying work in the gallery. 15 Mercedes Dr, Town Hall, Cornwall. cornwall@gov.pe.ca; library.pe.ca
Eptek Art & Culture Centre
On view: Aquaculture: Farming the Waters until February 16; AquaVision by members of the Summerside Art Club until February 16; Oyster Art by Debbie Brady to February 29; and Of Growing Concern: 40 Years of Textile Creation Amid the Havoc of Climate Change, a retrospective of Jane Meredith Whitten, opens March 3. Visit the permanent exhibition on the history and architecture of Summerside. Eptek is one of seven PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation sites. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside.
Hilda Woolnough Gallery
The Young Masters, a group exhibition featuring the work of Grade 12 art students from Charlottetown Rural and Colonel Gray High Schools is on view until February 5. A Home in My Heart by Sion Irwin-Childs will be on view from February 9–March 10. An opening reception will be held February 9 from 6–8 pm. 111 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Lefurgey Cultural Centre
The Culture Summerside exhibition Views of the Farm, featuring works from members of the Summerside Art Club, will be on view until March 28. 205 Prince St, Summerside.
New Exhibitions at CCAG Three new shows for the winter New exhibitions are on view this winter at Confederation Centre Art Gallery in Charlottetown. Newly opened in January, Arctic Visions, Arctic Life is a selection of works made in Inuit Nunangat, which refers to the land, water, and ice of the Inuit homeland in Canada. The exhibition focuses on Inuit Art, including historical and contemporary work, but also includes some works created by visitors. Curated by Pan Wendt, the exhibition features works from Sobey Art Award winner Annie Pootoogook, internationally renowned printmaker Kenojuak Ashevak, and more. Also on view now in the Frederic S. and Ogden Martin Concourse Gallery, Gestures: Traces of Donald Andrus, ICARUS No. 21, 2016, mixed mediums on canvas, 121.9 X 91.4 cm Embodiment is drawn from the Confederation Centre Art Gallery collection and highlights works that display the physical involvement of the artist in their making. Curated by Pan Wendt, these works demonstrate the visual language of bodily movement, the traces in a finished artwork of touch, gesture, and action. In each case, evidence of the living person having been there, active, alive, involved, committed is central to the artistic statement. Holland College—Feb 28 Opening February 10, Donald The Holland College Student Union Andrus: A Retrospective looks at the is hosting an Art Show & Sale on career of an artist known for experFebruary 28 from 6–9 pm in the lobby imentation with the materials, proat Florence Simmons Performance Hall cesses, and ideas that underpin the in Charlottetown. making of images. Curated by Ihor Students will be displaying and Holubizky and Pan Wendt, the exhiselling their artwork, including postbition is drawn from over 30 years of ers, paintings, bookmarks and more. his work. All are welcome to attend. confederationcentre.com
Student Art Show & Sale
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Fix Your Plate by Tara Reeves
Chocolate’s charm
Chocolate, beyond its delectable taste, surprises with remarkable health benefits. Dark chocolate, often hailed as a superfood, is rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, championing heart health and stress reduction. Indulging in a bite or two not only provides a serotonin boost, fostering a warm, fuzzy feeling but also establishes chocolate as the ultimate comfort food. This delightful treat offers more than just flavour; it significantly supports cardiovascular well-being by enhancing blood flow and reducing blood pressure. The mood-boosting effects, stemming from the release of endorphins and serotonin, contribute to stress reduction. Studies hint at cognitive enhancements, including memory, while essential minerals like magnesium support overall bodily functions. In today’s world, chocolate’s popularity knows no bounds. From Swiss masterpieces to Belgian pralines, to Mexican cacao ceremonies, each corner of the globe adds its unique twist to this delightful confection. Whether it’s a gooey brownie, silky truffle, or a classic chocolate bar, there’s a treat for every palate. Around the world, the sweet scent of chocolate wafts through cities, drawing people in with its irresistible allure. But there’s more to chocolate than just its taste. As February rolls around each year, sharing and gifting chocolate becomes a special way to express love on Valentine’s Day. Each piece of chocolate is like a sweet message, saying things that might be hard to put into
Artwork (left) by Climate Artist-in-Residence Lisa Theriault
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Derived from the cacao bean, chocolate has a history as fascinating as its flavour. Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, like the Aztecs and Mayans, revered cacao as divine, using it in ceremonial drinks. Fast forward to the 16th century, when Spanish colonisers brought this heavenly elixir to Europe. Chocolate swiftly conquered the hearts of the elite, earning a place in royal courts and becoming synonymous with luxury.
Solo exhibition by Lisa Theriault at Centre for Climate Change
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Indulging in the sweet, velvety world of chocolate is a universal joy that transcends time and borders. Let’s explore the rich history, surprising health benefits, and the irresistible charm that makes chocolate the sweetheart of treats.
Calamity
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words. It turns a simple box of chocolates into a lovely symbol of affection. Yet, chocolate isn’t confined to romantic rendezvous alone. It’s a trusted companion during lonely movie nights, a mood lifter in times of stress, and a silent celebration in moments of joy. The versatility of chocolate is akin to a good friend, always ready to lift your spirits, no matter the occasion. In the grand tapestry of culinary delights, chocolate stands out as a masterpiece woven with history, health benefits, global appeal, and a touch of romantic magic. So, whether you’re treating yourself to a quiet moment of bliss or sharing a box of chocolates with a loved one, remember that each bite is a celebration of centuries of flavour evolution and the enduring joy that only chocolate can bring! Maca Hot Chocolate Serves 2 Ingredients 2 cups almond milk 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 tablespoon unsweetened cacao powder 1 teaspoon maca powder ½ teaspoon turmeric (optional) 1 tablespoon maple syrup 4 dashes cinnamon 1 dash sea salt 1 dash cayenne pepper (optional) Directions 1. Heat almond milk and coconut oil in a saucepan. 2. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until frothy. 3. Serve and enjoy!
Calamity: A Torrent and a Trickle, a solo exhibition by Lisa Theriault, is currently on view in the gallery at the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation in St. Peter’s Bay until March 4, marking the debut of the first of four distinguished Climate Artistsin-Residence to exhibit in 2024. Lisa Theriault’s captivating colour pencil drawings depict the nuanced emotional reactions to environmental challenges, blending reality with escapism. A standout piece in the exhibition is The Observation Lab, a large-scale drawing installation that will evolve over two months and span an entire wall. This artwork will depict an imagined research laboratory, encapsulating natural elements, furnishings and equipment found within the campus, along with nods to the research that supported Theriault’s residency. Theriault is a visual artist and arts
worker based in Brookfield, PEI. She primarily works in drawing, meticulously creating detailed landscapes that are imaginative, playful and architectural. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Mount Allison University and has most notably presented artworks at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Galerie Sans Nom, Galerie d’art Louise-et-Reuben-Cohen, and Artch Montréal. Her work has been collected by the Confederation Centre Art Gallery, the PEI Art Bank, and in private collections. Calamity is presented in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation and curated by Alexis Bulman. Stay tuned for additional events and a reception to be announced. The gallery is open weekly on Fridays from 9:30 am–4 pm.
Seeking artist input
survey asking artists how The Friends can best bring their voices to The Guild. The survey will also be shared on other social media platforms. “It’s only our first baby steps, but we know that giving artists a say in how arts centres are run is crucial,” says Dave Stewart, an Island writer and copywriter. In the meantime, artists can email friendsoftheguildpei@gmail.com if they are interested in joining The Friends. “Since it came into being in 1994, The Guild has created a truly amazing legacy of performance and visual arts,” adds Pendergast. “We aim to see that continue well into the future.” She adds, “The challenges facing the arts and culture sector will continue, and our group is focused on supporting stewardship of The Guild as an asset over the long term.” To fill out the survey and for more information, follow @ The Friends of The Guild on FB. Artists are asked to submit their responses by February 14 at midnight.
The Friends of the Guild host survey for artists With so much discussion taking place about the future of The Guild, the arts hub on the corner of Queen and Richmond Streets in Charlottetown, a group of invested artists has joined to form The Friends of The Guild. “Our aim is to support and secure The Guild’s future and to act as a collective voice for artists,” says Norah Pendergast, a visual artist and teacher in the public school system. “We realized that what was missing from the structure of The Guild as it currently stands is the input of artists, the people for whom this building was intended.” To achieve their initial goals, The Friends of The Guild have created a Facebook group that will host a short
Bring needlecraft paraphernalia and join knitters, crocheters, rug hookers and other fibre and textile makers at the Summerside Rotary Library for some crafting and social time. All skill levels are welcome. The next sessions are January 29 and February 26 at 6 pm. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Seniors Art Activities
Seniors Arts Activities at Confederation Centre of the Arts are held on the first Thursday of the month from 10 am–12 pm. Come to the Gallery for an introduction to current exhibitions followed by an art-making activity in the Schurman Family Studio. Tea, coffee and snacks are provided. The next sessions are February 1 and March 7. To register, visit confederationcentre.com or contact the box office.
Life drawing sessions
Life drawing sessions are held on Sundays from 2–4 pm at the Gertrude Cotton Art Centre (unless otherwise posted @LifeDrawingPEI on FB; ie storm cancellations). Arrive early for set up. Doors open at 1:30 pm. All skill levels are welcome at the drop-in drawing sessions with nude model. Participants must be age 18+ or have parent/guardian written permission. Easels are provided but participants must bring their own drawing material. Email lifedrawingpei2022@ gmail.com if interested in being a model. 57 Bunbury Rd, Stratford.
Fibre Arts Club
Drop in to the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre anytime between 1–3 pm on Tuesdays in February for Fibre Arts Club. Bring supplies or a current project and join other knitters, crocheters, rug hookers and fibre and textile makers for some crafting and social time. 97 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Crafty Kids Charlottetown
Kids ages 6–12 explore new challenges, crafts or robots each week at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. Crafty Kids takes place on Wednesdays from 3–4:30 pm. 97 Queen Street, Charlottetown.
Creative PEI Art Night
Drop in at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre on Wednesdays from 5–8 pm for Creative PEI Art Night. Make art and chit chat. Supplies are provided or bring a current project. 97 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Maker’s Session
Eptek Art & Culture Centre is hosting a free Maker’s Session on February 11 from 1–3 pm. Gather up the latest project and drop in for an afternoon of making. Catch up with friends, make new ones, and see what others are creating. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside.
Crafternoon
Crafternoon Wednesday takes place on February 14 at 1 pm at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. This month’s activity is heart shaped rope coasters. All supplies are provided. Register in advance via phone at 368-4642 or in person at 97 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Arts & Crafts: Bird Feeders
Kids are invited to the Summerside Rotary Library to create feeders for their feathered friends on February 17 at 10:30 am. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Crafty Kids Summerside
Kids are encouraged to visit the Summerside Rotary Library on February 17 from 1–3 pm to enjoy the multiple crafting stations and use their imaginations to create their own art. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Beaded Bookmarks
Create beaded bookmarks during a crafting and social hour at the Summerside Rotary Library on February 21 at 2 pm and February 26 at 6 pm. Register in advance by calling 436-7323. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Basketry workshops with Jane Whitten
Knitter, basket maker and tinkerer Jane Whitten will host a series of basketry workshops during her exhibition Of Growing Concern at Summerside’s Eptek Art & Culture Centre in March. The free, drop-in Opening Reception, Meet the Maker and Maker’s Session will run from 1–3 pm on March 3. Whitten’s workshop program includes: Plaited Basket on March 6 from 10 am–4 pm; Coiled Basket on March 20 from 10 am–4 pm; and Upcycled Plastic Strapping Basket on March 24 from 12:30–4 pm. Observing the live demo is welcome, but registration is required to participate and space is limited. Info/register: 888-8373; peimuseum.com, @eptek.centre.
Cricut Tech Help
Get help with a cricut project at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. See a staff member to book an appointment (times vary). Bring project supplies and learn how to get started. 97 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Views of the Farm Summerside Art Club exhibition at Lefurgey Cultural Centre The Culture Summerside exhibition Views of the Farm, featuring works from members of the Summerside Art Club, will be on view in February and March at the Lefurgey Cultural Centre. With the richness of PEI’s rural vistas, Summerside Art Club members had a lot of subjects for fodder. Visitors can expect to see farm architecture, livestock, field views and more. A rich taste of techniques will be on display, including acrylic, oil and watercolour, as well as mixed media, fabric and other art expressions. Formed as a painting circle, the Summerside Art Club has been providing support and encouragement to local artists for over 60 years. The Club has regular meetings, provides educational opportunities for its members, and over the years, has promoted the careers of many local artists.
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Nifty Knitters & Needlecraft
A series of monthly workshops will begin in February at the Breadalbane Gallery, starting with the Paint Your Feelings workshop led by Laura Bain on February 11 from 2–4 pm. Working with abstract watercolours, participants will be encouraged to let the water flow and try a new style of painting in a supportive environment. This workshop is accessible for all artist levels ages 12+. A pay-what-you-can option is available. Space is limited. Email breadalbane.gallery@gmail.com to register. 4023 Dixon
Horse Power by Shelia Forsyth
Organizers are planning a Meet the Artist event. Visit culturesummerside. com for details. The exhibition is open on weekdays from 9 am–4:30 pm until March 28. Admission is free. The Lefurgey Cultural Centre is located at 205 Prince Street, Summerside.
Breadalbane Gallery Art show opening and art talk with Sabine Nuesch—Feb 9 The Breadalbane Gallery will open its next art show on February 9 with a reception from 6–8 pm. The evening will feature an art talk with Sabine Nuesch, an accomplished painter and highly trained artist known for her glasswork. The Gallery will host a series of monthly workshops beginning in February, starting with the Paint Your Feelings workshop led by Laura Bain on February 11 from 2–4 pm. Space is limited; email breadalbane.gallery@ gmail.com to reserve. Artists interested in showing at the Gallery may submit photos of their
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CREATIVE
Monthly workshop series at Breadalbane Gellery
Acrylic painting by Sabine Nuesch
work to breadalbanegallery.com. Located at 4023 Dixon Road, the Breadalbane Gallery is open Tuesday from 11 am–3 pm, Wednesday from 9 am–1 pm, Thursday from 4–8 pm or by appointment (303-8333; mjanowicz@ hotmail.com).
Oyster Art Debbie Brady exhibit at Eptek The Eptek Art & Culture Centre’s lobby exhibit for the month of February features Oyster Art by PEI photographer Debbie Brady. Brady’s artistic vision and specialized macro photography techniques uncover the never-before-seen abstract beauty hidden in small sections of an oyster shell. The result is a series of
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captivating abstracts that inspire curiosity and imagination. Eptek is located at 130 Heather Moyse Drive on the Summerside waterfront. Admission is by donation.
ARTS CAMPS
Circulations Doug Dumais photos at Charlottetown Library Learning Centre
Visual Arts and Performing Arts PD Day Camp
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Presented by this town is small, Circulations by Doug Dumais will be on view in the TD Art Corridor at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre from February 27–May 25. From 1933 to 1936, Nora Bateson, a librarian hired by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, journeyed across Prince Edward Island to establish the foundations of a Doug Dumais, Souris Public Library, digital image, 2022 regional library system. Before 1933, PEI had only three librarhighlighting their significance ies. Thanks to Bateson’s advocacy and within their respective communities. the significant community support she Transformed into visual narratives received, by 1936, there were 22. resembling book covers, Dumais’ Nearly 90 years later, artist Doug photographs compel viewers to look Dumais repeated Bateson’s travels, beyond surfaces, suggesting that photographing all 25 PEI libraries. The libraries are not just places but texts exhibition Circulations presents seven that reflect the history and community images from these journeys overlaid they serve. with text, stickers, and labels from Dumais is a photographer based in scans of book jackets borrowed from Charlottetown. He has exhibited at The the library system. The pairings are Guild, this town is small, Eptek Art & either thematic (W. G. Sebald’s Austerlitz, Culture Centre, the City of Ottawa Art 2001), historical (Morell: It’s History, Gallery, Fais moi l’art, ARTCH, and 1980), or political (Nora Bateson’s Rural Galerie La Castiglione. His work has Canada Needs Libraries, 1944). been acquired by the City of Ottawa These images unveil the uniqueand the PEI Art Bank. ness and adaptability of each library, dougdumais.com/circulations
The BUZZ February 2024 Page 9
Nurture a child’s interest in visual arts or performing arts by signing them up for the combined Visual Arts and Performing Arts PD Day Camp at Confederation Centre of the Arts on March 8. Through a combination of guided and open-ended activities, your young artist will explore painting, drawing, singing, dancing, and more. To register, visit confederationcentre.com or contact the box office.
Winter Break Camp
Registration is open for the winter break camp running March 25–28 at Confederation Centre of the Arts. This camp will lead children ages 6–12 through a full day of activities, from drawing to painting to music to dance. Alongside these activities, campers will get guided tours of the Gallery and a backstage tour of the Sobey Family Theatre by Centre staff, giving students a unique opportunity to explore the arts through both hands-on and observational experiences. To register, visit confederationcentre.com or contact the box office.
Richmond Street, EXPLORE THE GALLERY 145Charlottetown, P.E.I. NEW WINTER EXHIBITIONS UPCOMING EVENTS
Gestures: Traces of Embodiment
CONCOURSE GALLERY
Arctic Visions, Arctic Life
Poetry from the Grain Bin:
LOWER EAST GALLERY
A New Work from Tanya Davis THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8 AT 7 P.M.
Join PEI Poet Laureate Tanya Davis as she performs a new work inspired by Common Collective: 40-Tonne Viewfinder.
Lise Gervais, Regatta, 1970, oil on linen, 122.2 x 182.8 cm Gift of Michel Huart, Beaconsfield, Quebec, 1988, CAG 88.7
Annie Pootoogook, The National, 2003, graphite, ink and pencil on paper, 50.9 x 66.2 cm, Purchased, 2007, CAG 2007.3.2
Donald Andrus: A Retrospective
The Sweet Spot
UPPER WEST GALLERY AND SOBEY GALLERY, FEB. 10
UPPER EAST GALLERY, MAR. 9
Secure a space for the intimate performance at confederationcentre.com or by calling the Centre box office at 1 (800) 565-0278.
Common Collective: 40-Tonne Viewfinder Common Collective: 40-Tonne Viewfinder, grain bin, 2023
CONTINUES UNTIL FEBRUARY 24
Seniors Art Activities THURS FEB 1 & THURS MAR 7 FROM 10 A.M. - 12 P.M.
COST IS $10. Visit confederationcentre.com or contact the Centre box office at 1 (800) 565-0278 to register. Don with LABRYS (2004) in progress, Flat RiverStudio, PEI
Graeme Patterson, The Mountain, 2013, multimedia, dimensions variable, Purchased, 2020, CAG 2020.6
confederationcentre.com/artgallery
WINTER HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. • Monday closed
Movie Monday
Watch a movie on the big screen in the auditorium at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre on the last Monday of each month at 6 pm. The film on January 29 is Fargo (1996) rated R. On February 26, the film is Mr. Malcolm’s List (2022), rated G. 97 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Eptek Lunch Film Series
The Friends of Eptek Centre’s lunchtime film series runs weekly to the end of April. The films, mostly travelogues (some new and some from late Friend Blanche Hogg), are screened on Thursdays at noon in the main gallery. There is no charge for the film presentation. Upcoming screenings include: Bluefin on February 1; Can Seaweed Save the World? on February 8; Rick Steves’ European Art of the Modern Age on February 15; Decoding da Vinci on February 22; and Planet Earth: Shallow Seas on February 29. Eptek Art & Culture Centre is a site of the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside.
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
The PEI Adventure Initiative will present Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour screenings on February 2 and 3 at the Carrefour de I’Isle Saint-Jean in Charlottetown. The World Tour brings the spirit of outdoor adventure with films for all ages and interests, carefully selected from over 400 entries submitted into the Festival, which is held each fall in Banff, AB. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Showtime is 7 pm. Tickets and passes are available at Sporting Intentions or peiadventureinitiative@gmail.com. Info: @banfffilmfestivalpei on FB; @banff_ film_fest_chtown on IG.
Adult Sunday Matinee
The Summerside Rotary Library’s matinee film screening this month is Loving (PG–13) on February 4 at 2 pm. The Library is located at 57 Central St.
Family Movie Night, a fun activity for the whole family at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre, will feature a screening of the PG–13 rated film Soul (2020) on February 5 at 6 pm. 97 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Filmworks Summerside at Harbourfront
The Filmworks Summerside at Harbourfront Series continues with Anatomy of a Fall on February 5 at 7 pm. Customers can book advance tickets via phone at 888-2500, online at harbourfronttheatre.com/shows/ filmworks-summerside, or in person at the box office, 124 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the screening. Upcoming screenings will take place on March 4 (Past Lives), April 8 and May 13.
Afternoon Movie
Visit the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre for an afternoon movie on February 6 at 1 pm. This month they will screen Do the Right Thing by Spike Lee. 97 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Film screening at Elmsdale Community Centre
The short documentary film Evelyn will be screened at the Elmsdale Community Centre at 4 pm on February 10. The film follows five visits over the course of a year between filmmakers Millefiore Clarkes and Davy Weale, and Evelyn Christopher in her home in Alberton, PEI. The screening will include a reading from the book Evelyn: Last of Her Kind by author David Weale. 1006 Dock Rd, Elmsdale.
Anime Club
Watch and discuss an episode of anime at Anime Club (ages 18+) on February 13 at 6 pm at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. Anime is shown in original Japanese with English subtitles. 97 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Black History Month film screening for teens
Teens are invited to join the staff at the Summerside Rotary Library in celebrating Black History Month with a screening of the film Soul (PG–13) on February 18 at 2 pm. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Pop-up Theatre
Kids are invited to the Summerside Rotary Library on February 24 at 10:30 am to enjoy popcorn and watch Bao and Chicken Little (rated G). 57 Central St, Summerside.
Theatre Thursday
This month’s film for Theatre Thursday at the Summerside Rotary Library is Harriet (PG–13). The film will screen on February 29 at 2 pm. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Banff Mountain Film Fest 2023–24 World Tour returns to Charlottetown—Feb 2 & 3 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is coming to Charlottetown with screenings on February 2 and 3 at the Carrefour de I’Isle Saint-Jean. Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world. Hot on the heels of the Festival—held every fall in Banff, Alberta— Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour hits the Slides on the Mountain by Blake Jorgensen road. With stops planned in over 600 communities and more Tour is an exhilarating and provocative than 40 countries across the globe, the exploration of the mountain world and Banff World Tour celebrates amazing outdoor culture. achievements in outdoor storytelling Hosted in Charlottetown by the PEI and filmmaking worldwide. Adventure Initiative, the Banff Centre From over 400 entries submitted Mountain Film Festival World Tour into the Festival each year, award-winbrings the spirit of outdoor adventure ners and audience favourites are with films for all ages and interests. among the films that are carefully Doors open at 6:30 pm. Showtime is 7 selected to play in theatres around the pm. Individual tickets and passes are world. Traveling to remote vistas, anaavailable at Sporting Intentions or conlyzing topical environmental issues, tact peiadventureinitiative@gmail.com. and bringing audiences up-close and Follow @banfffilmfestivalpei on FB personal with adrenaline-packed and banff_film_fest_chtown on IG for action sports, the 2023–2024 World any updates.
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SCREEN
Family Movie Night
Evelyn Short doc film screening and reading—Feb 10 The short documentary film, Evelyn, about the original spirit who was Evelyn by PEI filmmakers Millefiore Clarkes and Davy Weale Evelyn Christopher, will be screened at the time when time had a different texture. Elmsdale Community Centre at 4 pm A place where pace was in step with on February 10. the seasons. She understands the land, The film follows five visits over the the sea, and the air. She doesn’t have course of a year between filmmakers much use for the goings-on of contemMillefiore Clarkes and Davy Weale, porary society. She is one of the last and Evelyn in her home in Alberton, of her kind, and with her goes a way PEI. Evelyn has since passed away, but of being in the world: dirt under your when the film was recorded, she was fingernails, chores every morning at 94 years of age and living fiercely indedawn, knowing just how to grow a turpendent. The screening will be accomnip, stacking every stitch of firewood panied by a reading from the book, for the lean winter months... there will Evelyn: Last of Her Kind, by author never be another Evelyn. David Weale. Evelyn screened at the Halifax Evelyn (the documentary) enters Independent Film Festival, the the world of the wise and wry human Charlottetown Film Festival, the that is Evelyn Christopher, and offers Lunenburg Film Festival and the a little window into what we have lost Atlantic International Film Festival with all our rushing around. Evelyn where it won Best Score in an Atlantic Christopher is 94 years old and still Film for composer Devon Ross. grows enough food to give surplus The trailer for Evelyn can be viewed away to neighbours. She comes from a online at onethousandflowers.tv/
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The BUZZ February 2024 Page 11
TV Romance by Sean McQuaid
Small screen, big hearts I’m not an overtly emotional humanoid—asked for her one-word first impression of me from when we met, my wife said “robotic”—but a surprisingly sentimental heart beats somewhere deep beneath my eerily lifelike exterior. As such, I’m a sucker for TV romances, especially relationships developed over time. With Valentine’s Day looming, I’m reliving my top ten favourite multi-episode TV love stories… 10. Spock & Chapel Star Trek/Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (1966–1969/2022–present) Often a mopey lovelorn wet blanket on the original series pining for icily aloof science officer Spock, Nurse Chapel is much more fun in the SNW prequel series that reveals an early Spock-Chapel romance complete with musical numbers (see SNW’s superb “Subspace Rhapsody” episode). 9. Green Lantern & Hawkgirl Justice League/Justice League Unlimited (2001–2006) One of the best inventions of the 2001– 2004 Justice League cartoon was the slow-building, star-crossed romance between teammates John Stewart & Shayera, culminating in a tragic series finale. The JLU sequel series did the duo further justice, including a lively love triangle with new recruit Vixen. 8. Luke & Lorelai Gilmore Girls/Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2000–2007/2016) For much of Gilmore Girls, the long-gestating romance of wacky innkeeper Lorelai Gilmore and grumpy diner owner Luke Danes was one of the witty dramedy’s most charming assets; alas, the show spent its last two seasons artlessly torching all that, though the 2016 revival made welcome repairs. 7. Chuck & Sarah Chuck (2007–2012) Watching awkward computer nerd Chuck Bartowski and frosty super-spy Sarah Walker grow as people while they grew closer together—Chuck toughening up and Sarah slowly softening as they evolved into a one-of-akind espionage duo – was the beating heart of this underrated action-comedy romp. 6. Veronica & Logan Veronica Mars (2004–2007/2014/2019) Noir detective masterpiece Veronica Mars, revived briefly twice since its original run, often broke the hearts of viewers and characters alike; and much of the breakage stemmed from the volatile romance between
cynical-beyond-her-years girl gumshoe Veronica Mars and moody bad boy Logan Echolls. 5. Kermit & Piggy The Muppet Show and its many sequels (1976–present) Can an uptight amphibian entertainment impresario and a violently unstable porcine scene-stealer find happiness together? Hard to say. Can they make generations of viewers laugh along the way? Absolutely. Here’s hoping for many more decades of the perfectly mismatched Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. 4. Root & Shaw Person of Interest (2013–2016) Techno-thriller Person of Interest blended espionage, sci-fi super-computers, mysteries and more, often exploring personal redemption arcs— including ruthless hacker Root and ice-cold assassin Sameen Shaw, whose oddball, unlikely mutual chemistry evolved into something compelling and surprisingly moving. 3. Kira & Odo Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999) With the biggest, richest ensemble of characters in all of Star Trek, oft-overlooked gem DS9 had many watchable romances; the best being the late-blooming friends-to-lovers arc of first officer Kira Nerys and security chief Odo, two disillusioned yet diligent survivors finally finding some happiness. 2. Wanda & Vision WandaVision (2021) Rooted in Marvel Comics’ classic Vision and Scarlet Witch romance (1970–1989) and adapted for Marvel’s movies circa 2015–2019, the sweetly bizarre pairing of android Vision and mutant mystic Wanda Maximoff bore bittersweet fruit in the couple’s darkly quirky 2021 WandaVision streaming series. 1. Luz & Amity The Owl House (2020–2023) All-ages animated Disney show The Owl House was packed with humour, heart, complexity, weirdness, 2SLGBTQIA+ representation and lots of romance. The “Lumity” pairing of young witches Luz Noceda & Amity Blight was a popular series highlight, adorably cute and funny but also handled with commendable tenderness, intelligence and sensitivity. Romantic runners-up: Jadzia/Worf, Wesley/Fred; Oz/Willow; Superman/ Lois; Superboy/Ms. Martian; Marceline/Bubblegum; Sheldon/Amy, Harley/Ivy; Dani/Jamie; Velma/Hot Dog Water; Fred/Daphne and more.
A Home in My Heart Multi-media exhibition by Sion Irwin-Childs A Home in My Heart by Sion IrwinChilds will be on view in the Hilda Woolnough Gallery at The Guild from February 9–March 10. The solo exhibition is composed of photographic images, video installations and soundscapes that explore the abstract, intangible concepts of home and belonging. “Several years ago, I discovered an old, abandoned house that contains within it elements that may once have belonged to a ‘home,’” shares Sion. “I have explored and attempted to connect to the energies that persist within the space, channelling them directly into my work. I focused on the metaphysical and ephemeral elements of ‘home’ instead of the bricks and mortar realities of ‘house.’” Sion says his job has been to occupy the space and document the minutiae of what remains. “I have in effect created a ‘live film set’ that has captured more than I could ever anticipate.” Film contains silver, gelatin and other organic compounds, “Film, as a medium, is alive,” says Sion. “Ethereal qualities of light, layered multiple images, movement and ambient soundscapes have been explored as well as new, hybrid analogue/digital partnerships that digitize film negatives and create a host of new output possibilities.” Almost every image in
Jie Qi’s Dragon Mobile exhibition during the Lunar New Year PEI creator Liu (Leo) Xin is working on a new project titled Jie Qi’s Dragon. Initially motivated by Hurricane Fiona, the contrast between extreme weather and fragile ecosystems prompted the artist’s reflections, and in 2023 Leo organized his first solo exhibition of paintings in Canada, The story of Fiona. Subsequently, his thoughts turned to how to use art to awaken people’s attention to the environment and climate, and Jie Qi’s Dragon (The Dragons of the Season) was born. Ancient Chinese divided the circle of the annual motion of the sun into 24 equal segments; each segment was called a jie qi or solar term. “Since the next month is the Lunar New Year, I’m bringing together 24 young artists, kids and my students, to draw an assemblage of cartoon dragons made up of ‘jie qi,’ the climatic nodes throughout the year,” said Leo. The project aims to create a multicultural feast by blending local PEI culture with elements of Eastern
Artwork (detail) by Sion Irwin-Childs
the exhibition was created on a film negative and printed exactly as it emerged from the camera. Sion is a multidisciplinary artist, primarily focused on creating dancebased work alongside photography, illustration, writing and sculpture. He uses a variety of photographic mediums including, but not limited to, medium format film, 35mm film, and digital capture. An opening reception will be held on February 9 from 6–8 pm. 111 Queen Street, Charlottetown.
mystique. Participating young artists were encouraged to unleash their creativity and collectively paint a dragon brimming with vitality and cultural richness. Jie Qi’s Dragon will be on display in a mobile exhibition across PEI during the Lunar New Year. Visit jieqi.ca to view a video, some of Leo’s early work, and more details about the project. To learn more about the artist, visit liuxin.ca.
SIMULATOR NOW OPEN
JANUARY - MARCH 2024 Contact us at (902) 569-4653 or management@foxmeadow.pe.ca
Page 12 The BUZZ February 2024
The 2023-24 New York Cat & Dog Film Festivals until February 1 PG, most films in English, other languages are subtitled. Dir: Various. International, 2023.
Welcome to City Cinema from The Charlottetown Film Society City Cinema is owned and operated by our non-profit Society. We will continue to present a diverse mix of films and welcome your suggestions and support. Become a member, bring friends, and share feedback!
Advance Tickets Please visit our website at citycinema.ca, we accept all major credit cards online and both debit and credit at the cinema. Seating may be limited, advance tickets are strongly recommended.
Subject to Change Film availability and showtimes are subject to change. Please check our website and book tickets in advance.
Rent City Cinema City Cinema is available for rent for private film viewings! We provide the projectionist and will have the canteen and bar open for your group. Please fill out the form under Venue Rental on our website and we’ll respond with information and rates.
10% of Box Office will be donated to the P.E.I. Humane Society. All new! “Some of the major figures in these movies have been known to jump on their directors, fall asleep on the job, drool on camera and chew the scenery… But that’s no surprise: They’re among the four-legged performers in the sixth annual NY Cat Film Festival and the eighth annual NY Dog Film Festival. Each offers short documentary and fictional works illustrating how people affect the lives of animals, and how animals affect the lives of people... ‘I try to keep them to films that are lighter and that simply uplift you,’ said Tracie Hotchner, the founder of both festivals… The dog festival features Nepal Arslan’s 47 Seconds, his haiku-like response to discovering decades-old footage of a couple with a dog eerily resembling his own… Neither festival, however, has a shortage of serious documentaries. Michelle Williams’s Bear the Courthouse Canine explores the pivotal role that a gentle Labrador retriever plays for the Contra Costa County, Calif., district attorney. Trained to lie under the witness stand during trials, Bear comforts traumatized victims who are testifying, especially children… What struck Hotchner most about the festivals’ submissions this year was how much they tried to capture the inner lives of animals…. The filmmakers’ speculations are often comic, as in Insomnia, by Kim Best, who provides subtitles detailing a cat’s ruminations on this most unlikely of feline problems: ‘Embarrassingly, I considered sleeping with a dog.’” —Laurel Graeber, The New York Times
Annual membership - $25.00
Losing Sight of Shore February 11, 2 pm PG. Dir. Sarah Moshman, US/Austrialia/ Samoa/UK, 2017, 92 min. Presented by team Free From the Harbour. Ticket price: $11. Donations at the door welcomed.
February 4 14A, language, violence. Dir: Spike Lee, US, 1992, 210 min. Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo.
The story of the controversial and influential Black Nationalist leader, Malcolm X, from his early life and career as a small-time gangster, to his ministry as a member of the Nation of Islam, and his eventual assassination. Spike Lee’s magnum opus.
Smoke Sauna Sisterhood February 9–13 14A, mature theme, nudity. Dir: Anna Hints, Estonia/France/Iceland, 2023, 89 min. Kadi Kivilo, Maria Meresaar, Elsa Saks. In Estonian with English Subtitles. Sundance Festival Winner, Best Director; European Film Awards Winner, Best Documentary.
Losing Sight of Shore is the story of four women who set out to row across the Pacific Ocean from America to Australia. Witness the awe-inspiring landscapes and heart-stopping moments of their incredible journey and be inspired by their relentless pursuit of a dream that stretches far beyond the horizon. PEI’s own ocean rowing team, Free From the Harbour, is undertaking a journey to row 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 2025. This is a great opportunity to meet the team and learn about the extreme sport of ocean rowing. Proceeds from this event will help them buy the boat they will use during the crossing. Visit www.freefromtheharbour.ca to learn more and follow their journey.
Amélie February 14–18 14A, mature content. Dir: Jean-Pierre Jeunet, France, 2001, 122 min. Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus. Restored version. In French with English Subtitles.
February 2–8 14A, mature theme. Dir: Jonathan Glazer, US/UK/Poland, 2023, 105 min. Sandra Hüller, Christian Friedel, Freya Kreutzkam. In German with English subtitles. Winner, Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival; #1 on 25 Critics’ Top 10 Lists for 2023.
$11.00 $8.00 $8.00 $8.00
We now accept credit cards online and both debit and credit at the cinema
Malcolm X
The Zone of Interest
Admission Regular Member 65 and over 14 and under
beyond the Höss’s manicured garden. Yet these characters have no such perspective; for them this is the dawn of a sparkling new age… we perceive the coming night; they perceive an endless dawn. The tension between the two gives this film its uncomfortable power.” —Dave Calhoun, Time Out
“British director Jonathan Glazer’s Germanlanguage The Zone of Interest, adapted from Martin Amis’s novel portraying the family life of Auschwitz’s commandant Rudolf Höss and his wife Hedwig is… careful in deciding what it does and doesn’t show, and it seeks a way of addressing this story that honours the facts while not treading over old ground formally or dramatically. It’s provocative in a deeply intelligent way. Is a lovely garden still a lovely garden if it’s a stone’s throw from Auschwitz?… The Zone of Interest runs with the nauseating truth that for Rudolf the extermination programme at Auschwitz was a fantastic career opportunity… Our hindsight brings heavy historical knowledge to the sight of a smoking, fiery chimney in the background
“There’s a comforting, velvety quality to the light inside the smoke sauna, a wooden shed in a forest in the southeast of Estonia that’s the location for this beguiling documentary. It’s as though the hard edges of the outside world are softened by the woodsmoke, steam and the sweat of the women who gather here throughout the seasons… The smoke sauna tradition of Estonia’s Võro community, a practice so arcane and specific to this region that it has been granted a Unesco listing, is not just about sweating out impurities, it’s also about purging the soul. The smoke sauna tradition was a part of Estonian filmmaker Anna Hints’s childhood. Now she shares her knowledge of the rituals: the sawing of the lake ice to make a winter plunge pool, the chopping of wood, the smoke-curing of neat parcels of meat when the sauna is unoccupied. But mostly, she captures the stories. The women… bare their souls, exploring sex, motherhood, sickness, grief, trauma and, in one uproarious segment, unsolicited dick pics. It’s an intense watch; at times infectiously hilarious, at others wrenchingly sad. For the film’s brief running time, there’s an emotional osmosis at play, in both sauna and cinema alike.” —Wendy Ide, the Guardian (UK)
“Jean-Pierre Jeunet is better known as a purveyor of nightmarish excursions into the fantastic - Delicatessen, City of Lost Children… But this romantic comedy drama enchants and beguiles with a nostalgic optimism thanks to its glorious visuals and ceaseless invention. Audrey Tautou is guaranteed iconic status as Amélie, the Montmartre waitress whose selfless joie de vivre leads her to improve the lives of her friends and neighbours. She only takes a break from her role of good fairy to pursue Mathieu Kassovitz, the handsome loner who collects rejected photo-booth snaps for his album of forgotten smiles… Filmed at locations all around Paris yet retaining the stylised magic of a movie set - this is as deliciously romantic and ingeniously mischievous as cinema gets.” —David Parkinson, Radio Times
Valentine February 14 14A, violence, mature theme. Dir: Jamie Blanks, US, 2001, 96 min. Denise Richards, David Boreanaz, Katherine Heigl.
The BUZZ February 2024 Page 13
Five women are stalked by an unknown assailant while preparing for Valentine’s Day. My Bloody Valentine meets Scream in this relic of the early aughts slasher revival.
Shaft February 18 14A, violence, language. Dir: Gordon Parks, US, 1971, 100 min. Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn, Gwenn Mitchell.
A crime lord hires private eye John Shaft to find and retrieve his kidnapped daughter. The film that launched both Roundtree’s career and the blaxploitation genre to new heights.
The Taste of Things February 20–25 14A, mature content. Dir: Trân Anh Hùng, France/Belgium, 2023, 135 min. Juliette Binoche, Benoît Magimel. In French with English subtitles. Cannes Festival Winner, Best Director.
“A gastronomic feast so rich and romantic, it’ll leave you woozy… It takes us back to 1885, the heyday of classic French cooking, and a sun-drenched Anjou château that’s home to Dodin Bouffant and his cook, Eugénie (Juliette Binoche). He’s a renowned chef searching for new inspiration… she’s his muse and the object of all his desires. Her cooking can reduce garrulous men to hushed silence and her salty good sense and directness serves
as a pin in his balloon-sized ego. Magimel is a delight as the pompous but devoted Dodin. And Binoche is luminous even as Eugénie is ailing from an undiagnosed condition. Deep emotions bring a palpable charge to this poised, patient film… Anyone who thinks eroticism in cinema is dead needs to witness Dodin sitting to watch the woman he loves eating a dinner he’s prepared for her… Food is a gift of love here - and romance courses through this delightful film.” —Phil de Semlyen, Time Out
city cinema schedule JANUARY 29 Mon 7:00 NY Cat Film Festival
SALES Craft Supply Flea Market
1
Thu
7:00 NY Dog Film Festival
February 26–March 3
2
Fri
7:00 Zone of Interest
14A, sexual violence, strong language. Dir: Molly Manning Walker, UK/Greece, 2023, 91 min. Anna Antoniades, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Lara Peake.
3
Sat
2:00 Zone of Interest
A Flea Market selling new and gently used art and craft supplies will be held from 9 am–12 noon on February 3 at the Hillsborough Community Centre. Vendors will be selling yarn, papercrafting supplies, fabric, rug hooking, stamps, quilt supplies, sublimation and much more. There is plenty of parking and admission is free. 199 Patterson Dr, Charlottetown.
7:00 Zone of Interest
Tool Swap
How to Have Sex
30 Tue 31
7:00 NY Dog Film Festival
Wed 7:00 NY Cat Film Festival
FEBRUARY
4
Sun
Cannes Festival Winner, Prix Un Certain Regard.
2:00 Malcolm X 7:00 Zone of Interest
5
Mon 7:00 Zone of Interest
6
Tue
7
Wed 7:00 Zone of Interest
8
Thu
7:00 Zone of Interest
9
Fri
7:00 Smoke Sauna Sister…
10
Sat
2:00 Smoke Sauna Sister…
7:00 Zone of Interest
7:00 Smoke Sauna Sister… “How to Have Sex starts out as a freewheeling party movie about three English girls on holiday in Crete, but it takes a gutting turn when a fun encounter with a cute guy becomes something much darker. The blurry lines of consent, and the way that ‘good guys’ manipulate them, is the subject of How to Have Sex. But it avoids simple didacticism with Walker’s kinetic direction and appealing performances, particularly from lead Mia McKenna-Bruce, whose pain is easily shared. How to Have Sex is all too authentic and believable.” —Alissa Wilkinson, Vox. “Smart and provocative, this Brits-abroad drama offers a sensitive take on sex and consent… It’s an absorbing watch that’s given added authenticity by the shifting tone: this doesn’t just go dark and stay there. Like the girls’ moods, or a real holiday, it ebbs and flows between fun and serious, uplifting and troubling, exciting and mundane. Cinematographer-turned-director Molly Manning Walker captures what it’s like to be a teenager with sensitivity and compassion, refusing to judge characters or fall into cliché. She mines her giddy teens for laughs, but also with affection and an eye for detail… How to Have Sex is a wild and fun ride, whose sober moments are as important as they are uncomfortable. Through thick and thin, you’ll want to join the girls on this trip to remember.” —Anna Smith, Time Out
City Cinema presents
11
Sun
2:00 Losing Sight of Shore 7:00 Smoke Sauna Sister…
12
Mon 7:00 Smoke Sauna Sister…
13
Tue
14
Wed 6:30 Amélie
7:00 Smoke Sauna Sister…
9:15 Valentine 15
Thu
7:00 Amélie
16
Fri
7:00 Amélie
17
Sat
2:00 Amélie 7:00 Amélie
18
Sun
4:00 Shaft 7:00 Amélie
19
Mon ——— CLOSED
20 Tue 21
7:00 The Taste of Things
Wed 7:00 The Taste of Things
22 Thu
7:00 The Taste of Things
23 Fri
7:00 The Taste of Things
24 Sat
2:00 The Taste of Things 6:30 The Taste of Things
25 Sun
7:00 The Taste of Things
26 Mon 7:00 How to Have Sex 27 Tue
Be sure to follow us on our social media pages for up-to-date reminders and updates to our schedule.
28 Wed 7:00 How to Have Sex 29 Thu
Email info@citycinema.ca to sign up for our newsletter and stay in the know with all the goings on!
citycinema.ca
7:00 How to Have Sex
7:00 How to Have Sex
MARCH 1
Fri
7:00 How to Have Sex
2
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2:00 How to Have Sex 7:00 How to Have Sex
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Sellers can bring tools they no longer need and shoppers can find those they do need at the Tool Swap on February 10 from 9 am–1pm in the gym at Spring Park United. Connect with other handy folks and learn about plans to establish a community shed/shared workshop. Daniel from the Charlottetown Tool Library will be onsite. Email Mark Nicoll at marktnicoll@gmail.com for more details. 65 Kirkwood Dr, Charlottetown.
Clothing, furniture and household items sale
Betty Begg-Brooks and the volunteers at Gifts from the Heart offer free food, clothing, furniture and houseware to qualified low income families and those experiencing temporary hardship from the 10 Maple Hills Ave office in the Charlottetown Airport Business Park. Donations of new and gently-used items can be dropped off on Monday and Wednesday from 10 am–4 pm. Monetary and food donations are gratefully received throughout the week. Betty’s end of month sales are held from 10 am–3 pm on the last Saturday of each month (February 24) when the public is invited to thrift shop her inventory. The monthly sales help to defray Gifts From The Heart operating costs so they can offer a free store for their clients. Betty and her volunteers also manage three community fridges (10 Maple Hills Ave in Charlottetown; West Royalty Community Centre; Stratford No Frills parking lot). Food donations can be dropped off directly at the nearest fridge during operating hours, Monday–Friday from 9 am–5 pm. Volunteer shifts at the community fridge locations are from 9 am–1 pm or 1–5 pm. Training is provided for those who are interested in volunteering. Call Betty at 393-0171 for after hours dropoffs, to volunteer, or to register as a client. 10 Maple Hills Ave, Charlottetown.
Fabric & Yarn Sale
The G’Ma Circle of PEI will be holding its annual Fabric & Yarn Sale in the Charlottetown area again this spring. All proceeds from this event will go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation to support African communities and grandmothers raising children orphaned by AIDS. Donations of yarn, fabric and notions are gratefully appreciated. Volunteers to help with various aspects of the sale (publicity, sorting donations, setting up and working at the sale) are also needed. Call 892-2837 to arrange for pickup or delivery of goods, or to volunteer.
Page 14 The BUZZ February 2024
Poetry from the Grain Bin
DISCOURSE
lectures, presentations, info sessions…
Concussion & mild traumatic brain injury rehabilitation In honour of Psychology Month, registered clinical psychologist Dr. Christine Beck will present a discussion about concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries at 1 pm on February 3 at the Summerside Rotary Library, 57 Central St, Summerside.
Black History Month lecture series & panel discussion
As part of its Black History Month programming, the Black Cultural Society of PEI is hosting a Lecture Series on February 4 at 2 pm and a Panel Discussion on February 15 at 6 pm at the at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre (97 Queen St). Stay tuned for
more details to follow at bcspei.ca and @blackculturalsocietypei on FB and IG.
French Conversation Group
A French Conversation Group is held on Mondays at 4 pm at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. Individuals ages 12+ who are interested in practicing their French skills are encouraged to join for some casual conversation, games, and books. All skill levels are welcome. 97 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Seniors Café
Visit the Seniors Café at the Summerside Rotary Library at 11 am on February 9 for a cup of tea or coffee and an information session. 57 Central St, Summerside.
MARCH BUZZ DEADLINE Thurs, Feb 15
General tax awareness
Join representatives from the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program at the Summerside Rotary Library on February 13 at 6:30 pm. Learn about topics such as Canada’s tax system, Canada Child Benefit (CCB), GST/HST credit, ways to do taxes, CRA scams, digital and other CRA services. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Psychology Month presentation series A Psychology Month Presentation Series with the Psychological Association of PEI will run at 6 pm on select Wednesdays in February at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre (97 Queen St). The presentations are: Concussion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation on Febraury 14; Supporting Youth and Adults with Tic Disorders and Tourette’s Syndrome on February 21; and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): How psychologists use CBT to make sense of our thoughts, feelings and behavior on February 28.
SUBMITTED
BIS Winter Lecture Series
The Benevolent Irish Society’s 2024 Winter Lecture Series, “Diversity and Reconciliation,” features guest lecturers on select Monday evenings at the Irish Cultural Centre. All lectures begin at 7 pm. Julie Pellissier-Lush, actress, Mi’kmaq storyteller and former Poet Laureate for PEI, will present “The Story of the Seven Generations of Women in My Family”on January 29. Honorable Diane Griffin and Dr. Kathy Martin will present “From Child Farm Workers to the Academe and the Senate”on February 5. Tamara Steele (Gough), executive director at the Black Cultural Society of PEI will present “Building the Black Community: Past, Present & Future” on February 12. Admission by donation. 582 North River Road, Charlottetown.
Tanya Davis performs new work inspired by exhibition
Common Collective, 40-Tonne Viewfinder, 2023, grain bin; PEI Poet Laureate Tanya Davis
Be sure to catch Common Collective: 40-Tonne Viewfinder before it closes on February 24. There will be a special event for the exhibition, Poetry from the Grain Bin: A New Work from Tanya Davis, on February 8 at 7 pm. Join PEI Poet Laureate Tanya Davis as she performs a new work inspired by the exhibition Common Collective: 40-Tonne Viewfinder at Confederation Centre Art Gallery. Members from Common Collective will be in attendance. This immersive
multimedia installation, constructed within an abandoned grain bin, examines how a patch of rural land is shaped and reshaped at various scales by agricultural practices. Environmental sounds and projected visuals transport the viewer back to the farmland the silo inhabited for over 50 years. The event is open to the public but to secure a space for the intimate performance, register in advance at confederationcentre.com or by calling the box office at 1-800-565-1267.
Family Law presentation
Visit the Summerside Rotary Library on February 27 at 6:30 pm to learn about Family Law Essentials. The informative presentation will cover family law topics such as separation, divorce, parenting/ contact orders, resources for resolving conflict, relocation, international travel, spousal support, and child support. The storm date is March 5 at 6:30 pm. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Island Lecture Series and book launch
Presented by the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI, the Lecture Series on February 27 will celebrate the launch of The Bridge Effect: Critical Reflections in the Age of Technological Solutionism co-edited by Laurie Brinklow and Andrew Jennings. This event will feature a discussion of the effect of bridges—be they physical or digital—on island life and culture. The lecture and launch will be held from 7–8:30 pm in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building, UPEI campus. Brinklow will present a humorous look at ferry crossings and how the various stages of the journey from the race to the dock to chatting with neighbours in the lineup can define Island life. Jennings, beaming in from Shetland, Scotland, via a technological bridge, will discuss the long-lasting impacts of two small bridges on island populations in the Scottish archipelago. PEI contributor Janice Pettit will share her interviews with Island residents on how the Confederation Bridge has affected “the Island way of life” 26½ years later. The event is free and all are welcome to attend. Books will be available for purchase.
On hiatus Literary Awards focus on innovation and improvement The PEI Writers’ Guild (PEIWG) has decided to pause the Island Literary Awards (ILAs) this year in order to embark on a journey of innovation and improvement. This hiatus is meant to allow the Guild time to focus on three key pillars to enhance the Island Literary Awards and, in turn, the Island’s literary community. The three pillars are: to create a more exciting and celebratory Island Literary Awards that not only honours the outstanding achievements of its writers but also captivates and inspires all who participate; to work towards a more sustainable sponsorship model, ensuring the longevity and prosperity of the ILA tradition, and enhancing the involvement of their sponsors while contributing to the enduring success of the Awards; and to create a more wide-reaching Island Literary Awards that are more inclusive and accessible than ever, reaching a broader audience and fostering a sense of community across PEI. The Island Literary Awards play a vital role in PEI’s writing community: they encourage emerging writers; provide credentials for those climbing the literary ladder; and raise the profile of established authors. This
brief interlude is a strategic step toward ensuring the ILAs continue to fulfill these essential functions in an ever-evolving literary landscape. The PEIWG will share the fruits of this endeavour in 2025, when they return with a renewed sense of purpose and a celebration befitting the literary excellence that defines the Island Literary Awards.
Beans, biscuits and politics NDP celebrates IWD—Mar 8 The Island New Democrat Women’s Committee will host an International Women’s Day supper at 5 pm on March 8 at the Haviland Club in Charlottetown. NDP PEI Leader, Michelle Neill will welcome Kofoworola Williams, the recipient of the Hilda Ramsay Bursary. Karen Morton, NDP candidate in the District 19 Borden-Kinkora by-election (February 7) will share her experience of running against three men in this rural PEI community. Enjoy beans and biscuits and celebrate women in politics. Admission is by donation and the event is open to all. Accessible location. For more information call 330-2248.
A gift of Island poetry ORIGIN by Judy Gaudet
The BUZZ February 2024 Page 15
READERS/ BOOK WRITERS LAUNCHES Poet-in-Residence
It was a primordial soup where the stuff of atoms swam but atoms could not yet exist, he explains. Without form, and void. Hydrogen and helium met. It was the right time. The time when the match was lit. I entertain myself with the science of the past. I eat grapes with cottage cheese and pepper. Perhaps these things aren’t equal to that large event, but let me bang off a theory of the equality of matter. Protons, neutrons, and electrons swam in the heat before they met to begin the increase. Then this and that and finally, here we are, all of these layers of being that reflect other larger and smaller layers, the infinite and the infinitesimal saying Now. The baby before she can form the words she’s learned. The dog when she brings home the dead one’s spine. The man who had to leave behind an empty place. A poem in which I scatter sense as nonsense, inarticulate thought heard before words are known. Elements attract and begin creation. Darkness opens into Light. And light to life. It’s good. Judy Gaudet’s collections include Conversation with Crows (Oberon Press), Her Teeth Are Stones (Acorn Press), and 150+: Canada’s History in Poetry (Acorn Press). In December 2013, Judy Gaudet had the idea for a column for The Buzz: a poetry column with a poem each month by an Island poet. For three years she selected poems, and then in February 2017 she handed the enjoyable task to Deirdre Kessler. Now, seven years later, Deirdre passes the mantle to Bren Simmers.
PEI Poet Laureate Tanya Davis is the Poet-in-Residence at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre on the second Thursday of each month. Davis will be writing, reading, and happy to speak one-on-one with Island writers about a specific project of theirs, or the writing life in general. The next Poetin-Residence day is February 8 from 3–5 pm. Contact the library in advance (or day of) to set up an appointment via phone at 368-4642 or in person at 97 Queen Street, Charlottetown.
Fiction Fundamentals: An Intro to Writing Fiction
Fiction Fundamentals: An Introduction to Writing Fiction is a five-part workshop series exploring the art of writing fiction with Island author Trevor Corkum. Designed for both beginning and continuing writers, this fun and engaging series of workshops will focus on the key building blocks of writing good fiction— character, voice, plot, and more. Through a series of exercises, small group writing and discussion, participants work through developing and editing their own short piece of fiction. Workshops will be held every second Wednesday from 6–8 pm, March 13–May 8, at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. Visit trevorcorkum.com to register.
Renée Blanchette book launch
Island poet and fiction writer Renée Blanchette will launch her collection of poetry, Monday’s Child, at Beaconsfield Carriage House on February 10 at 2 pm. Published by The Acorn Press. 2 Kent St, Charlottetown.
Book launch at Island Lecture Series event
Presented by the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI, the Lecture Series on February 27 will celebrate the launch of The Bridge Effect: Critical Reflections in the Age of Technological Solutionism with co-editors by Laurie Brinklow and Andrew Jennings, and PEI contributor Janice Pettit. The lecture and launch will be held from 7–8:30 pm in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building, UPEI campus. The event is free and all are welcome to attend. Books will be available for purchase.
Hideout residency program scholarship open
Applications are open for a writing and creative residency program in PEI. Residencies are a week in length and allow for uninterrupted time to work on a creative project. In support of Maritime writers and practitioners, one full scholarship covering residency costs is available to an emerging or established writer or practitioner with financial need. Writers or wellness practitioners who identify as BIPOC or 2SLGBTQ+ are especially encouraged to apply. The scholarship deadline for 2024 is March 1. Visit thehideoutpei.com for details.
RED Edition#4 #4 RED Special Special Edition
Booze Booze Stories Stories InIn Stores Now Stores Now
Page 16 The BUZZ February 2024
BOOKS PEI Donald Andrus:
The Shape of Desire Donald Andrus, Ihor Holubizky, Pan Wendt & Roslyn Rosenfeld
Confederation Centre Art Gallery and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, as well as the private collection of Luciano Benneton. He has previously worked as a curator at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, as a lecturer at UNB, and as a professor of art history at Concordia. Andrus now lives and works in Charlottetown, PEI. Donald Andrus: The Shape of Desire will be available at gooselane.com/ products/donald-andrus. It will be available locally at Bookmark following the official launch event in March.
New Country, New Life: A Family Memoir Chrystyna Zorych Holman
Published by Goose Lane Editions, Donald Andrus: The Shape of Desire, a collection of essays by Donald Andrus, Ihor Holubizky, Pan Wendt and Roslyn Rosenfeld, will be released February 6. Throughout his career, Donald Andrus has combined his first love— drawing—with a deep engagement with colour, a desire for experimentation, a keen interest in the physical qualities of his materials, and the sensory experience of the viewer. Donald Andrus: The Shape of Desire brings together four major essays, including one by the artist, and more than 80 full-colour reproductions to assess a body of work that extends from abstract paintings to portraits. Roslyn Rosenfeld writes about Andrus’s early abstract work, Ihor Holubizky considers Andrus’s portraits, and Pan Wendt revisits Andrus’ contemporary abstract paintings. Taken together, the essays and images take full measure of the entirety of Andrus’s career and influences—from the landscapes of Greece and the poetry of George Seferis to the cinematic works of Andrei Tarkovsky and the pioneering work of contemporary German artists Gerhard Richter and Anselm Kiefer. “An important book with contributions by three of Canada’s most significant art writers. Andrus is an artist whose paintings are meant to tease the eye and to give optical pleasure. He does this magnificently,” said Jon Tupper, former director, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Andrus has been painting for over 35 years. His work has been exhibited at Venice’s Imago Mundi exhibition and at galleries and museums in Canada, the US, and Germany. His paintings may be found in the numerous collections, including those of the
children in tow—Chrystyna and her baby sister, Kvitka—they would make the incredible crossing of the Atlantic by boat to start a new life in Manitoba, only narrowly missing the Gulags. Despite harrowing beginnings, Holman’s story is a tale of love, levity, and the beauty of community. Readers young and old will appreciate the intergenerational story she weaves as her family moves from Manitoba to Toronto to Charlottetown, recounting tales of her mother’s acerbic wit in dealing with her young students, her father’s rebuffs of her potential college beau, or her daughters bonding with her parents through the traditions they brought from home. “This is a story of friendship, success, community spirit and humorous instances that helped my parent’s generation to live successful lives here in Canada,” says Holman. czholman.com
sparking a profound love that defies societal expectations. Furthermore, Cheryl undergoes a profound religious experience. Tip the Cup of Guilt Madam weaves a tapestry of human emotions, exploring themes of loss, betrayal, resilience, and the transformative power of love. Mighton, a retired nurse, lives in PEI and is currently completing a degree in English Literature and pursuing a writing career. She has published three novels to date. Her latest book, Tip the Cup of Guilt Madam, can be purchased online at Amazon.
Inclusive Education: A Global Perspective Carla DiGiorgio
Tip the Cup of Guilt Madam Arlene Mighton
Chrystyna Zorych Holman is a Ukrainian-Canadian immigrant, author, teacher, mother and wife living in Charlottetown, PEI. Through Friesen Press, she has released New Country, New Life: A Family Memoir, now available at the Bookmark and Indigo. What is it like to leave behind everything and everyone you’ve ever known amidst terror, trauma, and war, knowing you will never see them again? How must it feel to come to a strange, new land, and have to build a community from scratch? And what, finally, does it mean to pass on this legacy to your children, and theirs? The engrossing story of Chrystyna Zorych Holman’s family touches on all these questions. As part of the third wave of Ukrainian immigration post-WWII, they came to Canada as refugees. Her parents, both writers and activists, met at a rally for a free and democratic Ukraine—a cause they would champion even after their move to Canada. With their two young
PEI-based author Arlene Mighton released Tip the Cup of Guilt Madam in November 2023. Tip the Cup of Guilt Madam is about a Nobel Laureate’s widow, Cheryl Boucher, and her struggle with depression following her husband’s death, and her eventful succumbing to dementia. While in therapy to deal with her depression, she and her two daughters discover that Karl Boucher had a secret mistress and a daughter. This sends the family into a free fall. The story becomes more complicated when Cheryl learns she has early dementia. The widow tries to outskirt the family by not going into a care facility. As Cheryl eventually finds herself in a care facility, her path intersects with the chaplain of the Manor,
February marks Inclusive Education month in Canada and a timely new book by Carla DiGiorgio offers a much-needed overview of the legislation, policies, and challenges to inclusive practices and offers recommendations for the improvement of inclusive education across many global jurisdictions. Published by Island Studies Press, Inclusive Education: A Global Perspective provides a survey of international approaches and focuses not only on disability as a separate entity but recognizes that it is closely intertwined with cultural, sociological, and economic realities of daily human life. The book divides itself into various chapters by continents and clusters of countries to help organize and contextualize the information and provide a snapshot of how inclusion operates in these settings. By looking at the global picture of inclusion, teachers, educators, and parents will gain a fuller understanding of the capability of communities to improve their policies and practices in meaningful ways. Dr. Carla DiGiorgio teaches sociology and research methods at UPEI. She has been a professor and researcher for over 20 years and specializes in social systems. Her interests lie at the
The BUZZ February 2024 Page 17
Books by Black authors
intersection of ability, society, and culture in educational environments. She is the author of four books, including Inclusive Education: The interaction of identity, Power and Practice and Field and Habitus in the 21st Century. Info: 566-0386, ispstaff@upei.ca
Three works of fiction to be discussed at Beaconsfield
Monday’s Child Renée Blanchette found, the worries seem to melt away. Pocket Full of Sea Glass introduces the mindfulness children can achieve by spending time in nature, one piece of sea glass at a time. Fullerton lives in North Lake, PEI with her husband and dog. She struggled with reading and memorized most things until the age of nine when, with the help of her grade four teacher, she realized she had dyslexia. By grade nine Fullerton loved reading. Besides writing and illustrating, she now works in schools as an educational assistant.
Renée Blanchette will launch Monday’s Child at the Beaconsfield Carriage House on February 10 at 2 pm. Published by The Acorn Press, Monday’s Child is a collection of poetry that will appeal to educators, parents and poetry lovers alike. With inventive humour and imagery, Blanchette’s poems balance expectation and hope, childhood imagination and the challenging realities of the classroom. Filled with a roster of vivid student portraits, Monday’s Child presents a metaphorical day in the life and routines of a teacher, inspired by learning but founded ultimately in love. Join Cheryl as she navigates the complex web of her past, confronts the challenges of her present, and seeks redemption in the face of doubt and uncertainty. Blanchette is a poet and fiction writer who worked as an educator in her home province of PEI. Her writing focuses on character, nature and the function of art in daily life. She lives in Charlottetown.
Pocket Full of Sea Glass Alma Fullerton The Acorn Press has published Pocket Full of Sea Glass, a new release from PEI author and illustrator Alma Fullerton. The picture book follows the day in the life of a child whose anxiety seems to fill their days. Letting go is so hard to do and worry weighs down every step. Even walking on the beach is difficult until finding a glimmer of hope among the rocks helps to make the day brighter. With a piece of sea glass
RED:
The Island Story Book Booze Stories Special Edition, Volume 4
Beaconsfield Book Club’s BIPOC Speculative Fiction Society featuring books by Black authors returns Feb 25 The Beaconsfield Book Club is back. Join culture critic and diversity specialist Evelyn Bradley and writer and historical interpreter Caitlyn Paxson as they read and chat about three speculative historical fantasy books by Black authors. The books to be discussed include The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope on February 25, The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark on March
BOOK CLUBS Radical Pages BIPOC Book Club
Sign up for the Black Cultural Society of PEI newsletter at bcspei.ca for information on how to register for the Radical Pages BIPOC Book Club. Created by and for the BIPOC community in partnership with the Native Council of PEI, the Black Cultural Society of PEI and BIPOC USHR, Radical Pages is a place to share and learn, build community, have fun and amplify the voices of BIPOC authors and their stories. The club plans to meet once per month.
Book Lovers Talk Books
Join Book Lovers Talk Books, an informal conversation-style book club where participants talk about the books they are currently reading with fellow certified book lovers. Get recommendations and share the love of reading with others at the next meeting on February 20 at 6 pm
A hearty cheers to Islanders as they ease into 2024. The folks at RED decided to start the new year off with a bang by launching their fourth special edition of RED into the world, this one is titled Booze Stories. The Island’s history includes the longest stint of prohibition in the country, rum-running lore, a pervasive bootlegging culture, and more. Find all of that in RED: The Island Story Book—Booze Stories, as well as personal tales by many Island storytellers. This brand-new volume of RED magazine will be in stores the first week of February.
31, and The Conductors by Nicole Glover on April 28. Book club meetings are recommended for ages 18+. They will be held at Beaconsfield Carriage House, 2 Kent Street, Charlottetown, running from 1–2:30 pm. Admission is free or by donation. Light refreshments will be served. Copies of the books will be available at a 15 percent discount for Beaconsfield Book Club members at Bookmark and at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. “We want to ensure accessibility and inclusivity in exploring these exceptional narratives,” says Caitlyn Paxson. “We welcome everyone to join us in this captivating literary journey.” Limited spaces available. Reserve a seat online at bit.ly/ beaconsfield-bipoc-book. Info: peimuseum.ca; @heritagepei
at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre, 97 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Summerside Rotary Library Book Club
Join the Summerside Rotary Library Book Club for a lively discussion about some of today’s most thought-provoking books. Pick up a copy of the latest book club selection at the main circulation desk. The next meeting is February 24 at 2 pm. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Bookmarked: The Read What You Want Club
Youth ages 13–18 are invited join Bookmarked: The Read What You Want Club at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. Read a good book lately? Want to chat about it? Join others for a bookish discussion, snacks and a craft on February 26 from 7–8 pm. 97 Queen St, Charlottetown.
Page 18 The BUZZ February 2024
Free income tax clinic
Individuals must file their taxes every year to access certain federal and provincial government credits and benefits such as GST/HST credit, child tax benefit, Canada dental benefit, disability tax credit, climate action incentive payment, caregiver benefit, the PEI free heat pump program, and more. Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, community organizations host free tax clinics where volunteers complete tax returns for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation. A group of community volunteers and the accounting students from Holland College have been doing tax returns for more than 40 years. This year, the free tax clinic will run on Mondays and Tuesdays from March 4–April 30 at Murphy’s Pharmacies Community Centre in Charlottetown. Call 566-9602 for eligibility criteria and to make an appointment. The phone line will be open from February 12–April 30.
Host a tax clinic or volunteer Individuals can access free tax-help clinics hosted by organizations in the community through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. Organizations looking for a volunteer opportunity can consider hosting a free tax clinic for people in need. To find out how, visit canada.ca/taxes-volunteer. A grant is available to help offset the costs of hosting free Community Volunteer Income Tax Program clinics. To see if an organization is eligible, visit canada.ca/ free-tax-clinics-grant.
Seniors Chair Yoga with Ivy
As part of its community programming, the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre at 97 Queen Street hosts a monthly Seniors Café featuring light refreshments, socializing, and an activity. Ivy Wigmore will lead participants through some gentle chair yoga at the next Seniors Café, February 15 at 1 pm.
Anti-racism grant funding
Non-profit and charitable organizations are invited to apply for the 2024 round of Anti-Racism Grant funding. Funding through this program will be used to develop and deliver anti-racism activities that benefit and impact racialized and Indigenous communities in PEI. A total of $100,000 in funding is available. The
COMMUNITY #1 Anti-Racism Grant has been designed to help promote a culture of diversity and inclusion, address racism and strengthen the link between racial equality and community cohesion. The following groups and organizations are invited to apply: Indigenous governments, bands, councils, or non-profits; non-profit organizations, institutions and associations; municipalities; registered charities; advocacy groups; and educational institutions. Eligible projects must promote anti-racism education and awareness, community support and capacity-building and improve organizational governance. Examples of anti-racism themes and priority areas include: reducing systemic racial barriers; researching and collecting disaggregated data; building organizational capacity; and enhancing awareness. The application deadline is February 12 at 11:59 pm. For more info and to apply, search Anti-Racism Grants at princeedwardisland.ca.
Commonwealth Day
The Royal Commonwealth Society of PEI acknowledge March 11, 2024 as Commonwealth Day, celebrated throughout the 56 member countries worldwide. The public is invited to attend the Charlottetown celebration at 7 pm on March 11 at the Kirk of St. James, Pownal Street. The Honourable Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of PEI will read the Commonwealth Day message from His Majesty, King Charles III. Speaker of the PEI Legislature, Darlene Compton, will read the names of the 56 Commonwealth Nations as their flags are presented by Sea, Army and Air Cadets and Navy League. Music will be provided by the PEI Regiment Band and the Singing Strings. There will be a free will offering and light refreshments will be served.
Grants to support women and girls
Applications are open for the 2024 Interministerial Women’s Secretariat (IWS) Grant, which supports projects aimed at benefitting women and girls in PEI. The IWS Grant program aims to support the mental, physical, and social
Working for healthy, thriving families after separation. 89 Hillsborough Street Jacinta C. Gallant Family Lawyer & Mediator Waterstone Law Group
(902) 367-3901 info@waterstonelawpei.ca www.waterstonelawpei.ca
well-being of women and girls while championing women’s rights and gender equality. The IWS collaborates with community organizations to advance the legal, health, social, and economic equality of women and girls in the region. The primary objectives of the grant include supporting organizations, raising awareness and building capacity. Applications will be accepted until February 16. Search the Interministerial Women’s Secretariat Grant page at princeedwardisland.ca for details about the application process.
Girls & Gender-Diverse Youth Parliament
Community leaders and the PEI Coalition for Women in Government have opened applications for the first Girls & Gender-Diverse Youth Parliament. The PEI Coalition for Women in Government is a local non-profit dedicated to advancing women’s leadership in the political, civic, and democratic life of PEI. This new event, taking place over three days and two-nights from March 7–9, aims to foster leadership skills and political engagement among girls and non-binary youth, recognizing the importance of diverse voices in shaping policies and creating a stronger, more inclusive society. Youth participants will have the chance to learn from mentors in the political sector, engage in challenging discussions, and learn how to make lasting change for their home province. The earlier girls and gender-diverse youth are engaged in democracy, the more likely they are to be leaders and engaged citizens into adulthood. A Girl’s Parliament was originally planned for March 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the Coalition is grateful for the opportunity to carry this project forward to launch in the spring of 2024. Applications close February 9. Applications can be found online at peiwomeningovernment.ca/girls-gender-diverse-youth-parliament or @ peiwomeningov. The Coalition looks forward to partnering with local organizations and current elected representatives to bring this important project into reality.
Care giver support
To register for Care Giver Support Group meetings, call the Hospice PEI coordinator in that area: Queen’s (368-4095), East Prince (438-4231) or West Prince (8593949). Learn more about Hospice PEI, their programs and services, and how to get involved at hospicepei.ca.
Grief support
Online Grief Support Group meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7 pm. These sessions use the Zoom online meeting app. To register, call the Hospice PEI grief coordinator at 330-3857. Telephone-based grief support with hospice trained volunteers is also available. Learn more about Hospice PEI, their programs and services, and how to get involved at hospicepei.ca.
Breastfeeding support
A free, in-person breastfeeding support group meeting hosted by La Leche League PEI for pregnant and new parents will take place on February 7 from 10–11 am at Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown (2 Kent St). Information and support will be provided by a La Leche League-certified peer-support leader. Topics will be based on the needs and interests of the participants, especially focusing on preparing to breastfeed and dealing with challenges. All ages welcome. Info: 316-2167
Peer support for autistic adults and seniors
PEI Autistic Adults is an online and in-person peer-support group for autistic adults/seniors on PEI to talk about autism, share experiences of navigating PEI as autistic adults, and support each other. The website, peiautisticadults.com, has a public blog where members can share their views, a private discussion forum, private chat functionality, and links to their social media. The group meets every Saturday afternoon over Zoom. PEI Autistic Adults was started by True Taylor, an autistic senior, and currently has over 100 members ranging from students to seniors. Those who wish to participate in the meetings but do not wish to interact online can email peiautisticadults@gmail.com. PEI Autistic Adults is not affiliated with any organization. Info: peiautisticadults.com
The BUZZ February 2024 Page 19
The Cove Journal by JoDee Samuelson
Poutine
Winter arrived overnight. One day the ground was bare and brown, the next it was white and sparkling. Snowploughs that had been impatiently standing by since November were out before sun-up boldly clearing the roads for hospital and nursing home workers heading into town for their early shifts. Our neighbor filled a thermos with hot coffee, fired up his big orange tractor, and went out to blow driveways. Everyone was happy. We’ve been waiting here in the Cove for cold weather and snow in hopes that the squirrels will go into hibernation instead of lounging underneath the bird feeder with the juncos and mourning doves. We’ll see. Christmas is already a distant memory. So much trumpeting, merriment, shopping, planning and rushing around… and now the coloured lights are packed away and we’ve eaten up all the fruitcake. We went to Montréal for Christmas. It was as brown, damp and snowless there as on PEI and everyone was a little put out. Québec is a province that relies on snow and ice to get its citizens through winter, with sportily attired Québécois jostling in line-ups at downhill ski slopes, cross-country trails and outdoor skating rinks. Not this year. People are being forced to get creative. So one grey morning our Montréal host looked out the window at rain dripping off the roof and announced, “Let’s drive to Joliet to eat poutine. I know just the place.” Joliet is a city an hour northeast of Montréal, and poutine is a plate of French fries and cheese curds, topped with hot gravy to melt the cheese, that possibly originated in the village of Warwick in the Eastern Townships (southwest of Québec City) in 1957.
Lunar New Year Gala
Hosted by the Chinese Culture Federation—Feb 17
That same year (1957) in Joliet, a café named Chez Henri opened for business on the banks of la Rivière l’Assomption, and for most of its 67 years this landmark diner has been serving poutine all winter long to outdoor enthusiasts skating the 4.5 km of cleared ice on the Assomption River. There’s even an indoor area where hungry skaters can clomp in without removing their skates. This winter the Assomption River has not frozen and there are no skaters, no rowdy youth. We ordered our midweek lunch in the company of retirees. But it didn’t matter! Fat, salt and starch: heaven. What’s the secret to delicious poutine? Potatoes cut in generous strips and deep fried to golden perfection; fresh cheese curds, plentiful and squeaky; and deep brown savoury gravy. Poutine is food that should be eaten slowly, thoughtfully, even sparingly. It’s a good meal to share. I think of this as I contemplate the packet of “Le Connaisseur” powdered poutine gravy mix purchased at a Montréal dépanneur (corner store)… such attractive packaging, such promised happiness… but into the cupboard it goes until the flavour of Chez Henri has completely faded from my taste buds. Outside the snow is gently falling and we might get our skis out tomorrow. Under the feeder a squirrel and a chipmunk are stuffing their cheeks with sunflower seeds. A sand truck just went down our road. Winter is here.
BUZZ DEADLINE Thursday, Feb 15
The first International Lunar New Year Gala in Prince Edward Island will be held on February 17 at the UPEI Performing Arts Centre in Charlottetown. Presented by the Chinese Culture Federation in collaboration with DiverseCity Festival and Immigrant and Refugee Services Association PEI, the event symbolizes their commitment to cultural diversity and unity. Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations in Asia. This year, in celebrating the Year of the Dragon, the Gala holds an even more special place in the hearts of organizers. It is not only the inaugural event of its kind in this province but it also marks the first in-person gathering for the Chinese community since 2019. The opportunity to reconnect in person and share in the joy of this significant cultural occasion is both thrilling and deeply meaningful. The focus of this year’s Gala is on performances, showcasing a diverse array of cultural talents. From traditional dances to musical performances, each act will be a celebration of the vibrant cultures that contribute to the diversity of PEI. This event is
Jack Frost Winterfest Two weekends of family fun in Charlottetown Embrace the magic of winter during the Family Day Long Weekend, from February 16–19, and extend the excitement with a bonus weekend from February 23–25, at the Jack Frost Winterfest. Over both weekends, the Nordic site at Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park at Brookvale will transform into Snowtopia, Jack Frost Winterfest’s new outdoor activity zone presented by Dairy Farmers of PEI. Exclusive to the Family Day Weekend, February 16–19, the Delta Prince Edward by Marriott will be home to Frosty Funland, the hub of indoor entertainment. During the second weekend, from February 23–25, Port Charlottetown becomes the site of the Seaport Snow Globe, a cozy and intimate indoor
significant for many smaller communities, as it offers a platform to share their unique cultural expressions, something they have long aspired to do. In addition, the Gala underscores a community-driven effort to enhance local healthcare services, with proceeds from ticket sales directly benefitting the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, showcasing the community’s dedication to advancing medical care. The International Lunar New Year Gala will be held from 2–4 pm. Doors will open at 1 pm. The dress code is formal or ethnic attire. Organizers have also planned a snow day celebration on February 20 at the same venue. This additional event promises extended fun and engagement for the community.
activity space. Other venues include the Warm and Glow Zone at Founders’ Hall Food & Market and Sleigh Bell Boulevard on Victoria Row. The complete schedule, tickets and hotel packages are available online at jackfrostfestival.com. The deadline for volunteers to apply is January 31 at jackfrostfestival. com/volunteer. For more info, email volunteer@jackfrostfestival.com.
Page 20 The BUZZ February 2024
PEI Rainbow Youth Club
Members and allies of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who are looking for new pals and fun times are welcome to join the PEI Rainbow Youth Club at the Summerside Rotary Library in the Inspire Learning Centre. Each meeting provides youth with the opportunity to participate in youth-led discussions and fun activities, complete with opportunities for creativity and self-discovery. These sessions are led by trained PEERS Alliance staff and volunteers, and include a healthy snack. The Club is open to youth ages 12–18. Youth will not be asked to identify and all are welcome to attend. The next meetings are February 6 and 20 at 6 pm. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Free children’s activities
Children’s programming continues at the Summerside and Charlottetown public libraries this month. At the Summerside Rotary Library (57 Central St), programs include: Wiggle Giggle Read (9:30 am, Wednesdays); Toddler Time (9:30 am, Thursdays); Family Storytime (1 pm, Saturdays); Puppet Play (February 3, 10:30 am); and Ooey Gooey Heart Science (February 10, 10:30 am). At the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre (97 Queen St), programs include: Wiggle, Giggle, Read (2 pm, Thursdays); Toddler Time (10 am, Wednesdays; 11 am Thursdays); and Family Storytime (10:30 am, Saturdays). PEI Public Libraries offer community programming for all ages. Visit the Public Library events calendar at library.pe.ca or follow @PEI Public Library Service on FB.
COMMUNITY #2 Scavenger hunts at Eptek
Visitors of all ages are invited to test their skills (and eyesight) at Eptek Art & Culture Centre’s Scavenger Hunts. Try to find all 20 images. For upcoming activities, call 888-8373, follow @Eptek.Centre, or visit peimuseum.com. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside.
UPEI Grad Survey
A UPEI graduate student is conducting research to understand the factors that influence the decision of international students to stay or leave PEI after they graduate. They are looking for international student graduates who have completed their post-secondary program in PEI to complete a brief online survey. UPEI or Holland College graduates who are at least 18 years of age and who entered Canada with a student permit and held it for at least six months, are encouraged to reach out. Participants in this study will be asked to answer an anonymous online questionnaire that will take about 15 minutes to complete. Participants will have a chance to win a $20 Tim Horton’s gift card. People living in PEI, Canada, and across the world are eligible. This project has been reviewed by the UPEI Research Ethics Board and complies with Tri-Council guidelines for research involving human participants.
To access the survey, visit survey.upei.ca/ index.php/977597?newtest=Y&lang=en or contact Kelly Rivera (krivera@upei. ca) or Dr. Raquel Hoersting (rhoersting@ upei.ca). Note that those who did not hold a student permit for Canada during any portion of their study (began studies with as a permanent resident, refugee status, or as Canadian citizens) are not eligible for this study.
AVC Vet Camp
Youth entering grades 7–12 this fall are encouraged to apply for the 2024 Atlantic Veterinary College’s Dr. Tim Ogilvie AVC Vet Camp. The four, one-week camps are offered annually in the summer and provide an opportunity for junior and senior high school students to learn what it is like to be a veterinarian. Participants have the opportunity to work alongside faculty, staff, students and experts in the field during hands-on activities, labs, lectures, field trips, and discussions. Campers traditionally participate in small and large animal physical examinations and learn about anatomy, radiology, and pathology. They will have the opportunity to perform dissections, learn how to gown and glove like a surgeon, do pet first aid, and more. The AVC Vet Camps are highly sought after and welcome participants from all over the world. Each camp has about 50 participants who are selected through a random lottery draw. Info/apply: upei.ca/avcsummerprograms/vetcamp. The deadline for applications is March 18 at at 11:45 pm.
Intro to Coding
Community programming continues at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre (97 Queen St) with Raspberry Pi: Intro to Coding on February 24 at 1:30 pm. No prior experience is required for this hands-on learning experience.
The Push-Up Challenge
This February, the Canadian Mental Health Association PEI Division (CMHA PEI) is encouraging Islanders to push for better mental health by participating in the fitness-based mental health initiative: The Push-Up Challenge. The event runs from February 1–23. During that time, participants will take on 2000 push-ups to represent the 20 percent of Canadians who will suffer from mental illness in any given year. People from all ages and walks of life are encouraged to participate in the event, which engages people in mental health through connection, physical activity and education. The Push- Up Challenge is a free event, and fundraising is optional. Participants can choose to fundraise and support CMHA PEI if they wish. Alternatives to pushups are also encouraged, such as sit- ups, squats or other exercises. Progress can be tracked through a dedicated app which also allows participants to easily fundraise and see how their family, friends and co-workers are getting along. The Push-Up Challenge has been taking place in Australia for the past seven years, with
over 500,000 participants completing 900 million push-ups and raising over $36 million for mental health. This year marks the first time the event will take place in Canada, run by the CMHA. To register as an individual, team, workplace, club, gym or school involved, visit thepushupchallenge.ca or pei.cmha.ca.
Lymphedema education and support The PEI Lymphedema Education and Support Group meetings take place at 12:30 pm on the second Sunday of each month at Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown. The meeting are open to anyone with an interest. There are options to participate in person, online, or both. Contact Rose-Lune Goulet at 940-6780 or rlygoulet@yahoo.ca for info.
Breast cancer support
Breast Cancer Support Group meetings continue but there are some changes regarding the day and time for the next few months; the meetings will take place at 11:30 am on the first Saturday of the month (February 3, March 2 and April 6). If there is a storm or cancellation, the meeting will run on the following Saturday. Call 569-3496 or email charlottetownbreastcancersg@gmail.com for the address location and more info.
Free emergency management training
The PEI Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) is inviting all individuals and organizations interested in learning more about emergency management to sign up for free training courses. The Emergency Management Training offered through PEI EMO offers a variety of online and in-person training courses at different levels, ranging from intro level courses to more advanced training in incident command and management. Topics covered: Basic Emergency Training; Exercise Design 100; Incident Command 100, 200, 300; Emergency Operations Centre Management; and Emergency Public Information. Info/ register: princeedwardisland.ca/en/ service/register-for-emergency-management-training/
Nominations open: Award of Excellence in vet medicine The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) is now accepting nominations for the Atlantic Award of Excellence in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Care. Established in 2005, this annual award recognizes veterinarians who have made significant contributions to animal health and welfare in Atlantic Canada. The award will be presented at the 2024 Atlantic Provinces Veterinary Conference, which will be held in Halifax, NS in April. Anyone may submit a nomination. Nominees must be practicing or retired veterinarians in the Atlantic provinces to be considered for this award. Nominees do not have to be affiliated with the AVC. Completed nominations must be received by February 19 at 11:45 pm. Full details at upei.ca/avc/ community. Nominations can be emailed to avcspecialevents@upei.ca.
The BUZZ February 2024 Page 21
The Nature of PEI by Gary Schneider
More on lichens About a year ago I wrote a column about lichens—that strange family of interesting organisms that are neither plant nor animal.
They’re a strange family, and since we generally don’t eat them, or propagate them, or harvest them for fuel, we take them for granted. But as with many things in nature, we can’t really get excited, or even interested, in something if we have no understanding of it. I was recently out with friends on a bird walk, when one of them suggested that we learn more about lichens. While some can be a bit difficult to identify, lichens—unlike birds—do not flit around and generally do not change their appearance during the year. Anyone who has ever tried to identify one of the “confusing fall warblers” will know exactly what I mean. Learning how to identify flora or fauna can sometimes be intimidating. There are so many clues to look for that you might feel overwhelmed and that you’ll never be able to learn anything. Which is rubbish. I have no formal training in anything related to natural history, and if I can learn to tell a Black-capped Chickadee from a Boreal Chickadee, or a Balsam Fir from an Eastern Hemlock, then anyone can. So let’s look at one simple example of a lichen. The photo above is of a Hammered Shield Lichen. First of all, lichens often have interesting and intriguing names. “Hammered Shield” is very descriptive, but so are “Old Man’s Beard” (the long, stringy lichen hanging throughout PEI woodlands) and “British Soldier Lichen” (small lichens with a bright red cap). Want more? How about “Bushy Beard Lichen” or “Pink Earth Lichen”—whoever gets to name these species must have a ball. But back to the Hammered Shield Lichen. It is one that you will find growing in a wide variety of habitats. I’ll often find it on fence posts, wooden shingles, and occasionally on rocks
COURTESY MACPHAIL WOODS
Lichens are certainly oddities, being neither plant nor animal. They are composites made up of a non-photosynthesizing fungus and one or more organisms that are able to photosynthesize, such as algae or certain types of bacteria.
hammered sheild lichen
but it more commonly grows on trees in our forests. It is a small foliose or “leafy” lichen, with a surface that is uneven, giving it an indented or hammered appearance. The colour ranges from silvery grey to light green, sometimes with a hint of blue. When I first started finding nests of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, I was a bit surprised that they were made up of spider webs on the inside and Hammered Shield Lichens on the outside. Knowing next to nothing about lichens, I assumed that it was just a convenient building material, growing throughout the forest. Then, as I learned more—enough to become dangerous, as they say—I thought it might have something to do with the antiseptic properties that many lichens are known to contain. A recent article from The Ohio Cardinal that a friend sent me probably has a more valid reason. The authors of the report studied the nests of Rubythroated Hummingbirds and Bluegrey Gnatcatchers and found that the lichens are most likely used to camouflage the nests. The small nests are perched on branches and the lichens help keep them hidden from the eyes of hungry predators. As we all learn more about nature, one thing clearly stands out—that we are just scratching the surface of how complicated and interconnected things are. Fortunately, the accumulation of knowledge can be a very enjoyable experience.
Page 22 The BUZZ February 2024
ISSUE# 362 • FEBRUARY 2024
buzzpei.com @buzzpei Editor: Yanik Richards Editor: Michelle Ollerhead Website: Nakeesa Aghdasy Advertising: Adriane Gaudet Partners: Maggie Lillo (Ruby Square Graphic Design), Carly Martin (Hawthorne House Media) Contributors: Julien Annand, Donald Andrus, Julie Bull, Judy Gaudet, Deirdre Kessler, Sean McQuaid, Takako Morita, JoDee Samuelson, Tara Reeves, Gary Schneider, Ashleigh Tremere
Office: 160 Richmond Street, Charlottetown Mail: P.O. Box 1945, Charlottetown, PE C1A7N5 Phone: 902-628-1958 E-mail: info@buzzpei.com Social Media: @buzzpei The Buzz is published monthly by Little Kit Bag Inc. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or staff. Compensation for errors in advertising copy which are the proven responsibility of the publisher is limited to a maximum of the cost of the placement of the advertisement.
HERE TO HELP
Cover:
Makena Ambassa, mixed mediums on Meranti 129 x 106.7 cm, by Donald Andrus. Donald Andrus has been painting for over 35 years. His work has been exhibited at Venice’s Imago Mundi exhibition and at galleries and museums in Canada, the US, and Germany, and his paintings may be found in the numerous collections, including those of the Confederation Centre Art Gallery and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Andrus has worked as a curator at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, as a lecturer at UNB, and as a professor of art history at Concordia. Andrus now lives and works in Charlottetown, PEI. Donald Andrus: A Retrospective, an exhibition drawn from over 30 years of work, opens at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery in February.
Little Kit Bag Inc., operating as The Buzz, acknowledges that we are located on and operate on Mi’kma’ki, the traditional unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people who have lived here for many thousands of years, and who continue to live here.
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MARCH BUZZ DEADLINE
Submissions and advertising booking deadline for the March issue:
Thurs, Feb 15
Advertising: sales@buzzpei.com Editorial: info@buzzpei.com
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The BUZZ February 2024 Page 23
Coldest Night GAMES of the Year
Talking from Experiences by Ashleigh Tremere
Lebanese Levee
Chess Club
ASHLEIGH TREMERE
Fundraising walk for Harvest House PEI
The Bellyismas captivated and interacted with the audience
I love a good celebration of a people’s culture and the Lebanese community of PEI definitely knows how to celebrate their heritage. On January 13, I had the absolute pleasure of attending my first Annual Lebanese New Year’s Levee at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel in Charlottetown. The evening’s Emcee, Nick Tweel, called it “the most formal, informal night of the year”and I’m inclined to agree with the sentiment. Being someone who is usually found in very comfortable and mostly casual attire, with a makeup routine that’s limited to mascara and lipgloss, I found myself very excited at the idea of a fancy night out. I mean it was a New Year’s celebration after all, and from what I previously knew of the evening, borrowing a classy dress and having my teenager use her makeup skills on me, would be in order. Engaging in these acts of preparation were made even more enjoyable by putting on a little online fashion show for some friends to get their opinions on the right dress choice. They did not disappoint with their help and encouragement. The event itself is very much a collaborative effort of the Canadian Lebanese Association of PEI and its members. The delicious, traditional cuisine is always prepared and served by members of the community. I think that really adds an extra personal layer of unity to an evening that is, in its essence, one of connection to and celebration of heritage. This can be a difficult task when immersed and living in another country. The first Lebanese people came to PEI over a century ago.
They are represented now throughout integral levels of community, business and government. It’s a profound thing to see that after such an expanse of time they remain rooted in their history and are gracious in sharing it with the other communities that weave the fabric of this Island. I had never actually watched a belly dancing performance and The Bellyismas, with their captivating attire, really put on an entrancing and engaging show. Interacting with young and old alike, they enticed very willing participants to join them up on the dance floor and then seamlessly returned to an expertly executed performance. Lebanese singer Edy Bendaly similarly had no trouble encouraging the crowd out of their seats. The dance floor was full almost immediately and pretty much remained that way. My feet quickly reminded me that they had no business being in heels and are more accustomed to dancing barefoot in fields. But the music called to the crowd and hundreds answered, dancing and singing along enthusiastically. I didn’t get to see DJ Milo C’s performance, so I can only assume that based on the slideshow from previous years, the crowd continued to celebrate and dance right up to the end. The Lebanese Levee has taken place annually on PEI for 61 years, so it is very likely that there will be an opportunity for any interested persons to attend in the future. Buy your tickets early as the event is known to sell out. You’ll leave with a smile on your face, sore feet, and a full belly.
The Coldest Night of the Year is a family-friendly walk in support of Harvest House PEI, an organization that serves Islanders who are experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. Over the last 12 years, Harvest House PEI has raised on average over $50,000 annually through the Coldest Night of the Year event in Charlottetown. This is their only annual fundraising event. The Coldest Night of the Year event in Charlottetown will be held from 4–7 pm on February 24 beginning at Central Christian Church Hall (223 Kent Street). A hot meal will follow at the Hall for all to celebrate. Get a team together, fundraise, walk, and take a moment to look closer... because it is cold out there. Those who are unable to join in person at the main event are encouraged to register, fundraise and walk offsite with friends and family. To walk, volunteer, sponsor a walker, or participate at any level, register online at cnoy.org/charlottetown. To learn more about Harvest House PEI, visit harvesthousepei.org.
Free programming at the Summerside Rotary Library includes Chess Club on Saturdays at 2 pm. Visit the library and join other players for a chess match. All skill levels are welcome. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Cards, Crokinole, and Cronies
Cards, Crokinole, and Cronies runs on Wednesdays, February 14 and 28, at 2 pm at the Summerside Rotary Library. Socialize while playing games such as cribbage, crokinole, scrabble, checkers, and more. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Charlottetown Scrabble Club
Folks who love Scrabble and are looking to play can join the new Scrabble Club at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. Enjoy the game, make new friends, and maybe win a prize. All skill levels are welcome weekly on Tuesdays from 5–8 pm. 97 Queen Street, Charlottetown.
Tabletop role-playing games Tabletop role-playing games with PEERS Alliance run from 6–8 pm on Thursdays beginning February 1 at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. The weekly role-playing game program is beginner friendly, and queer and trans inclusive. Pre-register by phone via 368-4642 or in person at 97 Queen Street, Charlottetown.
Board Game Café
55+ Winter Games Annual event takes place in Stratford—Feb 26 to Mar 1 The Boyles Optical PEI 55+ Winter Games, hosted by the Town of Stratford, will run from February 26– March 1. Events include cards, badminton, bowling, contract bridge, duplicate bridge, cribbage, crokinole, curling, stick curling, darts, men’s hockey, women’s hockey, pickleball, eight-ball pool, scrabble, spin cycle, table tennis, and walking. Snowshoeing, skating and cross-country skiing will be held but are weather dependent. To register online, visit pei55plusgamessociety.ca. Paper copies of the registration form are also available at the Stratford Town Centre (234 Shakespeare Drive) or at the Boyles Optical PEI 55+ Winter Games office (House of Sport, Royalty Centre, 40 Enman Crescent, Charlottetown). Follow @pei55gamessociety on FB for updates.
Visit the Board Game Café at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre on February 28 at 6 pm. There are a wide variety of games to suit all types of gamers, including those who are not interested in traditional games or find some newer games too complicated. 97 Queen Street, Charlottetown.
FOOD Biscuit Making
The Charlottetown Library Learning Centre is offering a Biscuit Making Demonstration on February 7 at 6 pm. Join Sheila from the Women’s Institute to learn some tips and tricks on how to make the perfect biscuits. Space is limited. Register in advance by phone at 368-4642 or in person at the library, 97 Queen Street, Charlottetown.
Pancake Supper
St. Peter’s Cathedral is hosting their Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper again this year on February 13 at 5:30 pm in the Cathedral Hall. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. The hall is located at Rochford Street and All Soul’s Lane in Charlottetown.
Page 24 The BUZZ February 2024
HATE VALENTINE’S DAY? Why not celebrate YOU by finding new ways to treat yourself at our mall stores.
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EPEKWITK | PEI’S GUIDE TO WHAT’S GOING ON
Performance February 2024 Section B Cell Deth, Baba’s Lounge (Julien Annand)
MAY 01 -05
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CHARLOTTETOWN
Page B2 The BUZZ February 2024
UPCOMING SHOWS SPONSORED BY
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The BUZZ February 2024 Page B3
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6TH
FRIDAY, MARCH 8TH
MUSIC PEI WEEK KICK-OFF
TIDAL TUNES NOMINEE SHOWCASE
OPENING RECEPTION
PRESENTED BY
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6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Hilda Woolnough Gallery at The Guild | Free
WAVEFORMS NOMINEE SHOWCASE PRESENTED BY
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7:30 PM | The Guild | $20
ABSOLUTE LOSERS BRAEDENV BROOKE MACARTHUR JULIA ROBICHAUD LIAM CORCORAN
THURSDAY, MARCH 7TH SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR CONCERT WITH HOST MATT RAINNIE PRESENTED BY
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DAN ROWSWELL LUMINOS ENSEMBLE SIRENS TIFFANY LIU
MUSIC MOSAIC NOMINEE SHOWCASE PRESENTED BY
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8:00 PM | Trailside Music Hall | $20
AUBIN PI LA S.C.B GÜIZA LEFUNK THE UMBRELLA COLLECTIVE TZU-CHENG WANG
COASTAL CADENCE NOMINEE SHOWCASE PRESENTED BY
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Page B4 The BUZZ February 2024
L’nu Storytelling
LIVE @ the Centre
Stories of Love at The Guild—Feb 24
Classic Albums Live, William Prince, and Ballet Edmonton
SUBMITTED
The next edition of L’nu Storytelling will take place at The Guild on February 24 from 4–6 pm. Embark on a journey of cultural richness and connection where the L’nu Storytellers of PEI, led by Julie Pellissier-Lush, invite attendees to share the vibrant tapestry of Mi’kmaq heritage. In a warm and inviting ambiance, participants are encouraged to sign in and become part of a collective storytelling experience that transcends generations. As the majestic trees intertwine their roots, forming a silent network of connection, so do the attendees, binding together through the threads of their narratives. The gathering, open to all, aims to cultivate an exchange of wisdom, knowledge, and the living history of the Mi’kmaq people through the art of storytelling. February’s theme, “Stories of Love,” provides a focal point for the upcoming gathering. The organizers, under the guidance of Julie Pellissier-Lush, are keen to compile an anthology of Mi’kmaq tales, encouraging everyone to contribute their unique narratives. A sign-up sheet will be available during the event, ensuring that
each voice is heard, and every story finds its place in this cultural mosaic. Themes for future gatherings promise diverse and engaging discussions, fostering a sense of community and understanding. All are welcome to join for an afternoon filled with the warmth of shared stories and the celebration of the rich heritage of the Mi’kmaq people on Prince Edward Island. Registration is free (and optional) on Eventbrite, and walk-ins are welcome. Donations are also welcome at the door. theguildpei.com
NANC PRICE
Julie Pellissier-Lush
Ballet Edmonton take to the Sobey Family Theatre stage in March
program includes Le Quattro by artistic director Wen Wei Wang, set to Max Richter’s reimagined score of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and Only the Window by Zurich-based choreographer Ihsan Rustem featuring an original score by Canadian composer Davidson Jaconello. Celebrated songwriter William Prince returns to the Centre on March 18. The JUNO award-winning artist will perform his internationally acclaimed blend of folk, country, and gospel music. Tickets for all performances can be purchased online at confederationcentre.com, via phone at 1-800-565-0278, or in person at the box office.
A variety of performances are coming to Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown this winter for LIVE @ the Centre. Classic Albums Live returns on February 22. A perennial must-see, the show presents skilled musicians recreating the greatest albums of the 60s and 70s live on stage—note for note— cut for cut. During this performance, they’ll take on Crime of the Century, the breakthrough album by Supertramp featuring hits like “Dreamer” and “Bloody Well Right.” On March 16, Ballet Edmonton will present a dynamic performance that blends classical ballet with contemporary movement. The evening’s mixed
Stories of Love
FEB 24 4 PM
03 10 17 Comedy Improv FEB 2 | 7:30 PM October
JE T’ADORE Charlottetown Burlesque performs at The Guild
Charlottetown Burlesque Presents:
JE T’ADORE FEB 10 | 8 PM & 11 PM FEB 16 | 8 PM & 11 PM
Gallery
A Home In My Heart SUBMITTED
by Artist Sion Irwin-Childs
Reception: FEB 9 | 6-8 PM Exhibition: FEB 9 to MAR 10
As winter’s chill tightens its grip, Charlottetown Burlesque is set to ignite the stage with a back-to-back burlesque bonanza this February. Partnering with PEERS Alliance, the
troupe presents the Valentine’s special: JE T’ADORE. Performances will run at 8 pm and 11 pm on February 10 and 16 at The Guild. Charlottetown Burlesque unveils a captivating blend of new musical numbers and the return of beloved fan favorites. The stage will come alive with the artistry of movement, the allure of costumes, and the charm of performers dedicated to making this a date night to remember. JE T’ADORE not only aims to entertain but also to celebrate diversity and inclusivity. Through the medium of burlesque, the performance seeks to break down barriers, promoting a message of acceptance and empowerment for all. It’s more than just a cabaret; it’s an opportunity to embrace the beauty of self-expression and revel in the joy of a shared experience. As the lights dim and the music begins, JE T’ADORE promises to be a symphony of sensuality and celebration. theguildpei.com
The BUZZ February 2024 Page B5
Becoming Dolly Island performer Jessica Gallant will return to The Charlottetown Festival this summer with a new production that pays tribute to country music legend Dolly Parton. Becoming Dolly is a cabaret show that explores the life of one of the greatest singer-songwriters of our time. Gallant takes a musical journey through Parton’s life with renditions of iconic songs like “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colours,” “Jolene,” and more. “Jessica is an exceptional talent and powerhouse vocalist who never fails to wow audiences,” says Adam Brazier, artistic director of performing arts at Confederation Centre of the Arts. “We are thrilled to be nurturing the development of this piece and continuing to put Island talent on stage.” Audiences may be familiar with a previous show, Jessica Gallant is Dolly Parton, which had three sold out runs between St. Peter’s Courthouse Theatre and Under the Spire Festival. Becoming Dolly is a new production that Gallant will debut at Confederation Centre of the Arts. “Bringing a show I created to The Charlottetown Festival is something beyond my wildest dreams,” says Gallant. “Dolly Parton is a symbol of authenticity, generosity, and power; I’m thrilled to be exploring her stories deeper and developing this piece at The Mack.” Gallant has a long history with The Charlottetown Festival—she was a member of the Young Company and continued to perform at the Festival for several seasons. Most notably, she was the second Island-born actor to play Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables– The Musical™. Other Festival credits
From the Parlour Radiant Rural Halls kickoff event—Feb 16 Radiant Rural Halls is a series of free public art events, including installations, workshops, screenings, and performances held in rural PEI community halls and organized by this town is small. To kick off the 2024 edition of Radiant Rural Halls, the Glenaladale School House will be hosting From the
RILEY MCGILL
Jessica Gallant stars in new Charlottetown Festival production
Jessica Gallant
include Mamma Mia!, I’m Every Woman, Alice Through the Looking Glass, and the world premiere of Evangeline. Gallant has performed at theatres across Canada, with credits including a Dora award-winning musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland (Bad Hats Theatre Company); Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid (Drayton Entertainment); Freaky Friday (Theatre Aquarius); and the North American premiere of Mythic (Segal Centre) — for which she won BroadwayWorld Montreal’s Vocalist and Performer of the Decade. Her film and television work includes In My Heart (CBC Gem), The Community Players (Bell Fibe TV), and Diggstown (CBC). Becoming Dolly plays at The Mack from July 4–August 24 as part of The 2024 Charlottetown Festival.
Parlour on February 16. Inspired by folk traditions and visitation rituals shaped by PEI winters, this event will feature music and storytelling performances by Julie Pellissier-Lush, Dylan Menzie, and more artists to be announced. This town is small is launching Radiant Rural Halls with this celebratory community event to encourage a feeling of warmth, gathering, and nourishment into this winter season. As with all of Radiant Rural Halls programming, this event is free of charge. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Doors at 7 pm. For full event details and registration, visitthistownissmall.com/ radiant-rural-halls.
THEATRE
sessions will run between late March and early April. The deadline to apply is February 16. Full details at confederationcentre.com/backstagetraining.
Backstage training program at CCOA
CCOA seeking summer housing for artists
Applications are now open for a backstage training program at Confederation Centre of the Arts, returning for its fourth iteration. The paid opportunity gives participants hands-on training from highly accomplished industry professionals across six production departments—video, lighting, props, sound, stage management, and wardrobe. “This program is a launching pad for people who have a love of theatre and [who are] interested in working behind the scenes,” says Andrea Surich, general manager of theatre at the Centre. “Participants will get hands-on training that will teach them skills for working in theatre that are also transferable to other industries like film or music.” No previous experience is required. The training
MARCH BUZZ DEADLINE Thurs, Feb 15
Confederation Centre of the Arts (CCOA) is currently seeking summer housing for artists involved in The 2024 Charlottetown Festival. The Centre relies on the support of the community to welcome top-tier talent to the Island. The Centre assists seasonal artists with their housing search by assembling a list of options from the community. Artists will then connect with a host directly to book, arrange payment, coordinate details, etc. There are artists coming to PEI this summer who need accommodations between mid-May and late September. The dates and lengths of their stays vary; most stay for the whole summer, but others only stay for three to eight weeks. Hosts with any availability within that window are encouraged to reach out. All types of accommodations are welcome, including houses, condos, apartments, secondary suites, spare bedrooms, etc. Places in Charlottetown are preferred but hosts in other communities can also submit. Providing accommodations for incoming artists is vital to the success of The Charlottetown Festival, and hosts will receive a few perks for making their rental space available. CCOA asks the community to help spread the word. Info: confederationcentre.com/housing; rshaw@confederationcentre.com
ARTS EDUCATION
@ THE CENTRE REGISTER TODAY P D D AY C A M P S MARCH 8 AND APRIL 19, 2024
Looking to nurture your child’s interest in visual arts or performing arts? Campers get a full day of activities, from drawing to painting to music to dance.
WINTER BREAK CAMP MARCH 25 - 28, 2024
For ages 6 - 1 2 In addition to exploring visual arts and performing arts, campers will get guided tours of the Gallery and a backstage tour of the Sobey Family Theatre.
For information or to register visit confederationcentre.com/artseducation Phone: 902-628-6134 | email: artseducation@confederationcentre.com
Comedian Jordan Foisy Bits & Bites Comedy at bar1911—Feb 24 Bits & Bites Comedy Night will feature Comedian Jordan Foisy at bar1911 in Charlottetown on February 24 at 8 pm. Foisy grew up in Sault Ste Marie, ON and currently lives in Toronto, ON. The comedian has performed as part of the Just For Laughs Festival in Toronto and Montreal, QC, was a freelance writer with Vice Canada, and is currently the Jordan Foisy head writer of This Hour Has 22 Minutes. The comedy night, hosted Doors open at 7 pm with the show by Tanya Nicolle, will also feature local starting at 8 pm. acts Britt Campbell and Taylor Carver. Visit bar1911.com for tickets.
HA Club Improv 24Strong
Weekly classes resume in Charlottetown and Summerside
HA Club Improv classes in performance fundamentals resume this month. The classes are open for ages 16+ and run through June at two locations. No previous improv experience is necessary. A positive attitude and a willingness to learn is required. Classes run weekly on Tuesdays from 6–7:30 pm in The Cellar (downstairs) at the Haviland Club in Charlottetown. Note that this location is currently only accessible by stairs (the venue is fundraising to make it more accessible in the future). Classes also run weekly on Wednesdays from 6–7:30 pm in the theatre space at Brothers Two in Summerside. For class fee info or any other questions, call instructor Laurie Murphy at 960-1735 or send an email to lauriemurphy@marram.ca.
Dance Showcases—Feb 3
24Strong will present their third annual Competitive Dance Showcase on February 3 at Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown. The upbeat and inspiring performance will feature over 90 Island dancers. Routines will be showcased in the styles of tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, street jazz, acrobatics, contemporary, and musical theatre. The students will perform two completely different competitive showcases, one at 2 pm and another at 7 pm. confederationcentre.com
SUBMITTED
Page B6 The BUZZ February 2024
The BUZZ February 2024 Page B7
Anne’s Cradle A new stage production telling a story of the special connection between Japan and Prince Edward Island is currently in development. Confederation Centre of the Arts has commissioned writer Carolyn Nakagawa to adapt the book Anne’s Cradle: The Life and Works of Hanako Muraoka into a play. The bestselling biography of the Japanese translator of Anne of Green Gables tells the complex and captivating story of a woman who risked her freedom and devoted her life to bringing quality children’s literature to her people during a period of tumultuous change in Japan. “Hanako’s story is riveting, and she played a remarkable role in promoting cultural exchange and friendship between Canada and Japan,” says Adam Brazier, the Centre’s artistic director of performing arts. “Confederation Centre of the Arts has been developing new theatrical works for nearly 60 years, and we are excited to continue sharing diverse cultural perspectives and telling the stories that shaped Canada.” After an international search, the Centre selected Carolyn Nakagawa—a Japanese Canadian poet and playwright based in Vancouver, BC—to adapt the piece for the stage. Her work addresses themes such as the nuances of identity in collective contexts, and history’s continuing impact on the present. Her plays have been presented by Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre and Ruby Slippers Theatre. She holds an honours degree in English Literature and Asian Canadian and Asian Migration Studies from the University of British Columbia. The piece is in the early stages of development, and to help with its creation, Nakagawa will partake in the Polyphonic Multilingual Creation Residency at rice & beans theatre in Vancouver. The residency provides theatre creators everything they need for focused, uninterrupted time on their work—including financial support, access to studio space, and dramaturgical feedback. “Like Hanako, I am shaped by both Japanese and Atlantic Canadian cultures,” says Nakagawa. “My father’s ancestors were from Japan; my mother has generations of ancestors from Newfoundland. I remember her reading Anne of Green Gables to me as a bedtime story. It thrills me that the person who brought this piece of Canada to Japan was also a heroine in her own right, and it is an honour for me to tell her story.” The book Anne’s Cradle tells the story of Hanako Muraoka—a novelist and translator who brought the story
JAVIER R. SOTRES
Playwright Carolyn Nakagawa awarded commission
Playwright Carolyn Nakagawa
of Anne of Green Gables to Japan. When she was offered a place at a school in Tokyo founded by the Methodist Church of Canada, she fell in love with English-language poetry and literature. After the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, the Canadian missionaries were forced to leave Japan. But Hanako found solace in a gift from a friend: a copy of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. Amidst the wail of air-raids sirens, she began translating her copy into Japanese, fully aware that she risked imprisonment and even death if caught. It was not until 1952 when a Japanese publisher took a chance on a story from an unknown Canadian author and released Akage no An. The book was an immediate success and unwittingly launched a cross-cultural literary legacy that continues to this day. This year, Montgomery fans celebrate the author’s 150th birthday.
Page B8 The BUZZ February 2024
PERFORMANCE music, theatre, dance, comedy…
Mondays | 8 pm
Rat Tales Comedy Night Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown
Jan 31 | 8 pm
Feb 3 | 7 pm
Andrea Beaton & Troy MacGilllivray
The Fiddling Fisherman, Souris
Jazz Avenue
Feb 3 | 7:30 pm
Feb 1 | 7:30 pm
With special guests Got Blues. Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside
Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
The Pack Drumline
Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown
Tightrope
Feb 3 | 8 pm
Feb 9 | 8 pm
Feb 13 | 7:30 pm
Honey, I’m Home
Movie Smash Hits
Tribute to Shania Twain. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Feb 10 | 2 pm
Island A Cappella: Gotta Have Heart Carrefour Theatre, Charlottetown
Feb 10 | 7 pm
Haus of Zhoosh: I’m Your Baby Tonight! Feat. Zsa Zsa Zhoosh, Vera Getty, Demona Deville, Chastity Smith and Rachael Lister. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Feb 1 | 8 pm
Nathan Wiley Band
Feb 10 | 7 pm
Island R&B Jazz feat. Spencer Soloduka Mercy Please
Feb 3, 4
Season opener. The Pourhouse, Charlottetown
Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown
Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
150 Years of Island Music
Feat. C’mon In: Ultimate Kitchen Party and Holy Hannah. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Feat. The Irish Scots with storyteller Alan Buchanan and dancers Janelle Banks and Molly MacEwen. Feb 3, 7 pm: New London Community Complex Feb 4, 2 pm: Afton Hall
Feb 2 | 7:30 pm
Feb 8 | 8 pm
The Guild, Charlottetown
Tribute to AC/DC. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Feb 1 | 8 pm
Ride for Trevor Fundraiser
Side Hustle Improv Feb 2 | 7:30 pm
Dr. Frances Gray Music Performance Competition
Dr. Steel Recital Hall, Charlottetown
Feb 2 | 8 pm
Poet of the Common Man Tribute to Merle Haggard feat. Lawrence Maxwell & The Fugitives. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Feb 3 | 2 pm, 7:30 pm
24Strong: Competitive Dance Showcases
Two different shows. Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown
High Voltage
Feb 8 | 8 pm
Island Jazz Quartet feat. Malachi Rowswell Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown
Winterjazz ft. Nathan Wiley
Feb 10 | 7:30 pm
Feb 15 | 7:30 pm
Heather Rankin: Sounds of Cape Breton Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside
Feb 15 | 8 pm
Island Jazz for Lovers Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown
Feb 16 | 7 pm
Radiant Rural Halls: From the Parlour
Feb 10 | 8 pm, 11 pm
Feb 16 | 7:30 pm
Charlottetown Burlesque: JE T’ADORE
Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside
The Guild, Charlottetown Performance Hall, Charlottetown
Morgan Toney
Feb 16 | 8 pm, 11 pm
Valentine’s Matinee Show
Charlottetown Burlesque: JE T’ADORE
Feat. Kelley Mooney, Catherine O’Brien and Julain Mulnar. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Feb 16 | 8 pm
Feb 11 | 1 pm
Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown
Tribute to AC/DC. Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside
Feat. Shane Pendergast, Dennis Ellsworth and Nick Doneff. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Copper Bottom Brewing, Montague
Valentine’s Special feat. Liam Corcoran, Keira Loane, and step dancer Nicole Watts. Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown
High Voltage
Valentine’s Songwriters Circle
Feat. Julie Pellissier Lush, Dylan Menzie and more. Glenaladale School House, Tracadie Cross
Feb 11 | 2 pm
Feb 9 | 7:30 pm
Feb 14 | 8 pm
Irish Mythen
Feb 9 | 7 pm
Holland College SoPA: Winter Concert Series
Feat. Holland College Community Band and TOSH R&B Band. Florence Simmons
Island Jubilee
Feb 11 | 2 pm
Fiddlers’ Sons
Souris Show Hall, Souris
The Guild, Charlottetown
The Hounds
Tribute to Tyler Childers. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Feb 17| 7:30 pm
Bboyizm: The evolution of B-boying Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside
…continued on page B12
The Evolution of B-Boying DANCE Dance company Bboyizm at Harbourfront Theatre—Feb 17
Square dancing continues at Milton Community Hall. Do-si-do together on January 30 and February 13 at 2 pm. Free for residents, by donation for others. To register, phone 368-3090 or email admin@ miltonvalepark.com.
Downstreet dance classes
SUBMITTED
The Harbour Highlights series presents Canada’s premiere street dance company Bboyizm with their new show, The Evolution of B-Boying, at Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside on February 17. B-boying, born in the early 1970’s, is a dance form that now has a significant international following and reputation. In addition to its roots in funk music and African American culture (contemporary Black history), the dynamic acrobatic aspects of B-boying (Breaking) make it one of the most unique dances in the world. The show takes the audience from the 70s through the 80s and into the 90s with dramatic costume and music changes, building up to the dance form as it is practiced today. Dancer-choreographer Yvon Soglo
Milton Hall square dancing
Bboyizm dance company
(B-boy Crazy Smooth) brings together some of the best street dancers in Canada to present an interactive show that will amaze young audiences and adults alike, while educating them on the evolution of the dance. harbourfronttheatre.com
Encore Dance
Dance workshop series at Confederation Centre
SUBMITTED
Professional step-dancing group’s launch performance
(left–right): Maggie, Libby, Maddie, Bethany and Juliette
The new, professional step-dancing group Encore will launch on March 10 with a performance at the Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre in Summerside. Encore features Charlottetownbased dancers Bethany, Libby, Maddie, Maggie and Juliette, who all grew up performing and dancing across PEI and throughout the Maritimes. When discussing the possibility of Encore, the girls realized that shows with a primary focus on dance are lacking and underrepresented. With Encore,
they aim to show that the rich culture of step-dancing is still very much alive, and they want to showcase their contemporary spin on this style of dance. Bringing the energy and the talent, this one-of-a-kind performance might leave audience members yelling “ENCORE!” after the final number. The show will also feature performances by Cameron Francis, Dominik Pineau, Megan Bergeron and Nick van Ouwerkerk. Follow @encore.dancegroup for updates on all things Encore.
Downstreet Dance offers a variety of solo and couples classes for adults ages 18+ (a partner is not needed). The studio is a full non-profit and they are always seeking volunteers to help keep things running smoothly. Learn about the duties and perks of being a volunteer at the next volunteer info session on February 6 at 5:30 pm. The February dance class schedule offers: Zumba at 5 pm on Mondays; Bellydancing at 6:30 pm on Tuesdays; 1940’s Swing For Continuing Dancers at 7:30 pm on Tuesdays; Argentine Tango at 5:30 pm on Wednesdays (except Feb 14); ConfiDANCE at 7 pm on Wednesdays; Beginner Salsa at 5:30 pm on Thursdays; Burlesque at 7:30 pm on Thursdays; Beginner West Coast Swing at 5 pm on Saturdays; West Coast Choreography at 6 pm on Saturdays; West Coast Swing Level 1 at 7 pm on Saturdays; Salsa Rueda at 6 pm on Sundays; and Dance Your You at 7:30 pm on February 25. The studio is located at 101 Grafton St, 2nd floor, Charlottetown. Info: downstreetdance.com; downstreetdance@gmail.com
Confederation Centre of the Arts continues its series of workshops led by local and nationally sourced professionals in the industry. Workshops are open to the public on a first-come first-served basis and held at the Centre. Register online at confederationcentre.com or in person through the box office. The Dalcroze Eurythmics Workshop led by Laura Ono on February 2 at 6 pm would be of interest to people working in music, dance, theatre, education, and therapy. Dalcroze Eurhythmics is an approach to music education that recognizes the fundamental role of the body and of body movement in music perception and music performance. It can be applied at all levels of education, as well as in community and therapeutic settings. The Salsa Dance Workshop with Adrián Torres on February 23 at 6 pm will teach participants salsa moves that will help them dance more fluidly with rhythm, whether they’re finding their individual or partner style. Open to all levels with a focus on beginners. The Auditioning for Musical Theatre and Dance Workshop on March 1 at 7 pm will provide participants with the tools necessary to audition with confidence, whether they are auditioning for summer intensives or professional opportunities. Instructor Allegra Wright will focus on musical and drama elements of the audition process, along with elements of the dance call. Participants are asked to bring a one-minute monologue, song, or dance that they are anticipating using for auditioning.
The BUZZ February 2024 Page B9
201 Wing Social and Dance
A Royal Canadian Air Force Association Social and Dance sponsored by 201 (Confederation) Wing will be held at the Malcolm Darrach Community Centre on February 11 and March 10 from 1–4 pm. Entertainment will be provided by We3 and a light lunch will be served. Admission is at the door. All are welcome. Info: Debbie Reid (367-0450). 1 Avonlea Dr, Charlottetown.
Valentine’s dances
Downstreet Dance is hosting two Valentine’s events on February 11, offering not only one, but two opportunities to sweep a loved one off their feet. At the first event, held from 3–5 pm, attendees will experience the sultry style of Romantic Rumba with Zsuzsa and Fred, along with a special small menu prepared by Chef Robert Pendergast featuring an elegantly dressed oyster, tartine of natural bread and savoury toppings, confit of red fruits with crispy crepe and sabayon, and herbal honey fizz to drink. The second event, from 6–8 pm, will include Salsa Rueda with Diana and Fred, a fun and fast-paced group dance style. Chef Pendergast will cater this event as well. These events will feature a surprise performance from a local dancer. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options are available to those who request this on or before February 6. No prior dance experience is necessary; the choreography is easy to follow and will be thoroughly explained. Remember to bring indoor, non-marking or dance shoes and, most importantly, a dance partner. Arrive 10 minutes before the start time to check in, change and settle in comfortably. Booking is available online at downstreetdancestudio.setmore.com/class. The fee is per couple, so only register once for a pair. 101 Grafton St, 2nd floor, Charlottetown.
Valentine’s Day solo line dance class
Embark on a dance adventure and join the vibrant community this Valentine’s Day at Downstreet Dance for their solo line dance class. The class on February 14 from 5:30–7 pm is all about individual expression within a supportive group. No partners needed—just bring a solo spirit, connect with fellow dancers, and revel in the joy of movement together. Celebrate the rhythm of community and individual flair on this special day. Admission is at the door. Register online at downstreetdancestudio.setmore.com/bookclass. 101 Grafton St, 2nd floor, Charlottetown.
Downstreet social dance
Downstreet Dance hosts a social dance with funky lights and funky music on the third Saturday of each month from 8–10 pm. Social dances are an opportunity to practice the skills and moves learned in class and to see what else the dance world has to offer. There are a variety of styles, including West coast swing, tango, lindy hop, salsa, and more. All levels and styles of dance are welcome. Classes often prepare a special demonstration performance to the delight of all attendees. The next dance will be on February 18. Info: downstreetdancestudio.setmore. com/bookclass. 101 Grafton St, second floor, Charlottetown.
Page B10 The BUZZ February 2024
East Coast Music Awards
Heather Rankin in concert at Harbourfront Theatre—Feb 15
The East Pointers lead with seven nominations
Heather Rankin is bringing the Sounds of Cape Breton to Summerside’s Harbourfront Theatre on February 15 at 7:30 pm. Sounds of Cape Breton is a musical journey of songs and stories from Rankin’s roots growing up in a musical family in Mabou, sharing her culture internationally with The Rankin Family, writing her own music and continuing to strengthen her ties to her Gaelic language and heritage. Heather is a singer, songwriter, actor, and member of Heather Rankin the six-time JUNO Awardwinning band, The Rankin Family. She is also a JUNO A Fine Line and Imagine. and ECMA Award-nominated solo Visit harbourfronttheatre.com for artist, and has released two albums, tickets and more information.
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) has announced the 2024 nominees for the 36th annual East Coast Music Awards, set to take place in Charlottetown from May 1–5. PEI’s own The East Pointers lead with an impressive seven nominations, bringing them to a grand total of 29 nominations since 2015. Followed closely by Jenn Grant (NS/PE) and Tim Baker (NL) with six nominations each, and Jimmy Rankin (CB) and Neon Dreams (NS) with four nominations each. The 2024 ECMA nominees for PEI are as follows: SUBMITTED
Sounds of Cape Breton
Children’s Entertainer of the Year Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors Choral Recording of the Year Luminous Ensemble—In the Crystalline Vault of Heaven
Morgan Toney
Classical Composer Of The Year Monica Pearce—Etiquette Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year Sirène et Matelot—Un monde de dissonance; Tara MacLean—Sparrow; The East Pointers—Safe In Sound
In concert at Harbourfront Theatre—Feb 16
Country Recording of the Year Ben Chase—That Was Then, This Is Now
Morgan Toney Mi’kmaq and features a fiddle break from Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac. “Kwana Li” is a traditional Mi’kmaq song that he added new English lyrics to, and “For the Elders” is a newly composed waltz from Toney.
SUBMITTED
Music is an almost alchemical force to Canadian Mi’kmaq fiddler and singer Morgan Toney, who Harbourfront Theatre will welcome to their stage this winter for his Summerside debut on February 16. In just a short amount of time, Toney has invigorated both the Atlantic music communities and Mi’kmaq communities by bringing together the fiery fiddling of Cape Breton Island with the old songs of the Mi’kmaq, some dating back up to 500 years. He calls this fusion, Mi’kmaltic (Mi’kmaq + Celtic), and it’s his way of celebrating his language and heritage. “There are two worlds of Mi’kmaq music,” Toney explains, “song and fiddle. They had never come together before. People knew of each, but never had I ever seen a collaboration between Celtic and Mi’kmaq cultures before.” Toney’s debut album First Flight, nominated for three ECMA Awards and a Canadian Folk Music Award, showcases this unique combination, both in the way he transforms traditional songs like “Ko’jua” and “Mi’kmaq Honour Song,” but also for the new songs he’s creating. “Msit No’kmaq” was written partially in
Album of the Year Jenn Grant—Champagne Problems The East Pointers—Safe In Sound
Dance Recording of the Year Alex Byrne—“In My Head;” DeeDee Austin—“Stay Dancin’;” Lee Rosevere—“Needed you feat KINLEY” Electronic Recording of the Year Lee Rosevere—Samplextra Folk Recording of the Year Jenn Grant—Champagne Problems; Sirène et Matelot—Un monde de dissonance Global Recording of the Year Tzu-Cheng Wang—Hello, PEI!; Yanan Liu (Tiffany Liu)—Riding the Waves
Valentine’s Kitchen Party
Group Recording of the Year The East Pointers—Safe In Sound
Jack Blanchard Hall—Feb 14
Pop Recording of the Year KINLEY—Daylight; The East Pointers—Safe In Sound
The Brain Injury Association of PEI is hosting a Valentine’s Kitchen Party on February 14 from 6–9 pm at The Jack Blanchard Hall in Charlottetown. Music provided by We3 and Friends.
Instrumental Recording of the Year Inn Echo—Hemispheres
Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year The Umbrella Collective—WELCOME TO STUDIO UC!
Rising Star Recording of the Year Noah Malcolm—“Feel The Same” Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year Inn Echo—Hemispheres Solo Recording of the Year Dennis Ellsworth—Modern Hope Song of the Year Jenn Grant—“Judy;” Tara MacLean— “Sparrow;” The East Pointers—“We Will Meet Again” Songwriter of the Year Jenn Grant; KINLEY; The East Pointers Fans’ Choice Awards presented by TD Lennie Gallant The East Pointers Public voting at ecma.com Fans’ Choice Video of the Year DeeDee Austin—“Buried Truth” (Director: Michael Reid Boyd); Jenn Grant—“Judy” (Director: Tessa Fleming); Lennie Gallant—“On the Minnehaha” (Director: Patricia Richard and Lennie Gallant) Public voting at ecma.com Artist Management of the Year Faye WilliamsWood Event of the Year 2023 Canada Games IllumiNATION Festival; Under the Spire Innovator of the Year Lindsay Connolly Tara MacLean Media Person of the Year Doug Gallant Producer Of The Year Andrew A. Melzer Jenn Grant & Daniel Ledwell Venue of the Year The Arts Guild PEI Under the Spire Video Director of the Year Noah Malcolm Visual Artist of the Year Ashley Anne Clark The performers have also been announced for the ECMA 2024 Awards Show taking place at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel. They are The East Pointers (PE), Tara MacLean (PE), Rum Ragged (NL), Morgan Toney (CB), Maggie Andrew (NS), KAYO (NS), Jenn Grant (NS/PE), Emilie Landry (NB) and Lennie Gallant (PE). For more info about the East Coast Music Awards visit ecma.com.
The BUZZ February 2024 Page B11
Page B12 The BUZZ February 2024
PERFORMANCE music, theatre, dance, comedy… …continued from page B8 Feb 17 | 7:30 pm
Morgan Toney
Kings Playhouse, Georgetown
Feb 17 | 8 pm
Brooke & Brad: Country Classics Feat. Brooke MacArthur and Brad Milligan. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Feb 18 | 2 pm
Fiddlers’ Sons
Kings Playhouse, Georgetown
Feb 18 | 8 pm
Dan Doiron Band
Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Feb 21 | 7:30 pm
The Jack Pine Folk Club Feat. Mike Ross, Cam MacDuffee, Sadie McCarney and Shane Pendergast. The Pourhouse, Charlottetown
Feb 22 | 7:30 pm
Classic Albums Live: Supertramp: Crime of the Century
Feb 23 | 8 pm
More Soul
Mar 1 | 7 pm
Holland College SoPA: Winter Concert Series
Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown
Mar 1 | 8 pm
Southbound
Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Tribute to Carrie Underwood. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Feb 23, 24 | 7:30 pm
Mar 3 | 2 pm
Yuk Yuk’s Comedy: Derek Seguin Feb 23: Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside Feb 24: Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Feb 24 | 7:30 pm
Songs for a Winter’s Night Celebrating the music of Gordon Lightfoot feat. Shane Pendergast and Nudie. Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside
Feb 24 | 7:30 pm
Logan Richard & His Band
Copper Bottom Brewing, Montague
Feb 24 | 8 pm
Comedian Jordan Foisy Bits & Bites Comedy Night feat. Britt Campbell, Taylor Carver and host Tanya Nicolle. bar1911, Charlottetown
Feb 25 | 2:30 pm
PEI Symphony Orchestra: Green Pastures
Guest conductor Juliane Gallant. Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown
The Bad Hoss, Whitecap Drive PEI Bluegrass & Old Time Music Society fundraising concert. Beaconsfield Carriage House, Charlottetown
Mar 6–10
Music PEI Week
Various locations, Charlottetown See ad on page B3 of The Buzz. musicpei.com
Mar 7 | 8 pm
Island Jazz: Women in Jazz feat. Carlie Howell Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown
Mar 7–9, 14–16, 21–22 | 8:30 pm
Still Standin’—A Night of Elton John & Billy Joel Presented by Craig Fair Music Productions. PEI Brewing Company, Charlottetown
Mar 9 | 7:30 pm
Old Man Luedecke
Feb 27, 28
Feb 22 | 8 pm
Feb 27, 8 pm: Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown Feb 28, 7:30 pm: Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside
White Room
Feb 29 | 8 pm
Mar 10 | 2 pm
Island Jazz Tribute to Vulfpeck
Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown
Feb 22 | 8 pm
After Hours Band
Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Island Jazz Leap Year Show & Other Oddities Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown
Encore Dance: Launch Show
Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside
Mar 10 | 7:30 pm
Music PEI Awards Gala Feat. Tara MacLean, Inn Echo, Jenn Grant, Sirène et Matelot, Noah Malcolm and a 9-piece house band led by Craig Fair. Hosted by Mathias Kom and Ariel Sharratt Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown
Mar 10 | 7:30 pm
David Myles
Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside
Mar 12 | 7:30 pm
Darcy & Jer: The No Refunds Tour Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown
Mar 14 | 8 pm
Island Jazz Tribute to Mingus featt. Adam Hill Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown
Mar 15 | 7:30 pm
Nathan Wiley Band
Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside
Mar 15, 16 | 8 pm
Dancing Queen
Tribute to ABBA. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown
Copper Bottom Brewing, Montague
Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown
Guy Davis
Mar 10 | 7 pm
Mar 9 | 7:30 pm
Celebrating the music of Cream. Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside
Island Jubilee
Feat. Ashley Condon. Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown
…more at buzzpei.com
The BUZZ February 2024 Page B13
Guy Davis
The Jack Pine Folk Club
Charlottetown and Summerside get the blues
Season opener with Nathan Wiley—Feb 10
Nathan Wiley
Winterjazz returns on February 10, opening its 16th season with special guest Nathan Wiley. The winter concert series offers a dinner and jazz, with an early show from 7–9:30 pm at The Pourhouse in Charlottetown. Summerside, PEI’s Nathan Wiley first earned acclaim for his 2002 debut Bottom Dollar, which won the East Coast Music Award for Alternative Album of the Year, and was chosen by Billboard Magazine as one of the top ten albums of 2002. His blend of classic sounds with a modern, slightly world-weary perspective struck a chord with listeners, as songs full of
Music and poetry at The Pourhouse—Feb 21
subtle melodies and lyrics addressing those unquenchable yearnings inside wormed their way into their ears. In the years that followed, Wiley made good on the promise of Bottom Dollar with the ECMA award-winning sophomore album High Low (2004), the Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) produced effort, The City Destroyed Me (2007), Bandits (2015) and most recently, ECMA nominated Modern Magic, which took home Music PEI’s Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Wiley has shared the stage with artists like Blue Rodeo, Sarah Harmer, Steve Earle, Billy Bragg, Matt Mays, Ron Sexsmith and many more. He recently scored the feature film Nightblooms and his work has appeared on television, film and stage. The Winterjazz series has raised thousands of dollars in scholarships for Island students heading off to study jazz. The Winterjazz house band includes Deryl Gallant, Glen Strickey, Ian Toms, and Max Gallant. This group has been busy hosting the Winterjazz series and performing regularly across PEI. Some highlights for the group include winning Music PEI awards for both Best Jazz Recording and Achievement in Classical or Jazz. The Pourhouse is located at 189 Great George Street in Charlottetown. A portion of admission proceeds got toward a scholarship fund for Island students entering a jazz program. Reservations are strongly recommended, as tables fill early. For reservations, call 892-5200. For more information, call or text 393-4536 or email glenstrickey@yahoo.ca.
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(left–right): Eddy Quinn, Keelin Wedge and John B. Webster
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His background in theatre is pronounced through the lyrical storytelling of songs “God’s Gonna Make Things Over” about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, “Welcome to My World,” and “Got Your Letter In My Pocket.” His storytelling is sometimes painful, deep and real, an earthy contrast to modern-day commercial music, meant to create thought, underlined by gentle tones from his guitar or banjo fingerpicking. For tickets visit trailside.ca and harbourfronttheatre.com.
Mike Ross
Take a step back in time with some fantastic folk music and poetry at the Jack Pine Folk Club on February 21 at 7:30 pm. Host Shane Pendergast will welcome musicians Mike Ross and Cam MacDuffee. Poet Sadie McCarney will read a selection of poems to round off the evening. The event takes place at The Pourhouse in Charlottetown. Admission is at the door.
PEI folk music group Fiddlers’ Sons will play at the Souris Show Hall on February 11 at 2 pm. The band features storyteller, author and three-time Music PEI Male Vocalist of the Year Eddy Quinn, singer-songwriter and guitarist John B. Webster, and multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and step dancer Keelin Wedge. Together the group plays a mix of Island music at its best with local stories, ballads and a few laughs. Presented by Silver Threads Seniors Club, this special Warm up with Music concert will feature some music from the band’s recordings as well as some traditional selections. Eddy Quinn will share some stories from his book Island Characters Volume 2. Info/tickets: 687-2652
Home-Grown Harmony Jo-Anne Ford and Michael Buell host new show in Montague Hosts Jo-Anne Ford and Michael Buell will present their new show, HomeGrown Harmony, in the Hambly Room upstairs at the Cavendish Wellness Centre in Montague on Thursday evenings. Home-Grown Harmony will include a variety of music, delving into old school country to rock, folk to gospel, Celtic to originals and everything in-between. Each week the evening will feature new headliners along with special guest entertainers, and small open mic portion. Musicians, singers, authors, poets, storytellers, dancers, comedians… all are invited to attend. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Show starts at 7 pm. The stage and show are open to all ages. A free light lunch with tea and coffee will be provided. There will be a 50/50 draw and the canteen will be open. Admission is cash only at the door. Cavendish Wellness Centre is located at 21 Sullivan Lane and offers
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Winterjazz
Folk music at Souris Show Hall
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Grammy-nominated blues artist Guy Davis is coming to PEI this month with concerts in Charlottetown at Trailside Music Hall on Febuary 27 at 8 pm and in Summerside at Harbourfront Theatre on February 28 at 7:30 pm. Guy Davis is a musician, actor, author, songwriter, and two-time Grammy nominee for Best Traditional Blues (2017, 2021). He has won the Keeping The Blues Alive Award, and has been nominated nearly two dozen times by the Blues Foundation. Davis uses a blend of musical genres, including roots, blues, folk, rock, rap, spoken word and world music, to comment on and address the frustrations of social injustice, touching on historical events and common life struggles.
Fiddlers’ Sons
Michael Buell and Jo-Anne Ford
air-conditioning, cabaret-style seating, row seating, and well lit parking. The Hambly Room is accessible by elevator. Visit @joanne.ford.and.michael. buell on FB and message Jo-Anne to be an entertainer.
MARCH BUZZ DEADLINE Thurs, Feb 15
Page B14 The BUZZ February 2024
ONGOING MUSIC Green Pastures A ceilidh is held on the third Sunday of each month from 2–4 pm at Assumption Parish Centre. The afternoon, hosted by Assumption Catholic Women’s League and Assumption Knights of Columbus, features the music of Leo “The Young at Heart” Gallant, Randy Cheverie, Norman LeClair, Dave Shephard, Paul Chandler, Robert Cain and Dave Moore with special guests. Admission is at the door. A 50/50 draw, tea and light refreshments are included. Proceeds go to Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. 145 Stratford Rd, Stratford.
Blues Jam at Baba’s
Plain Dirty Blues band plays at Baba’s Lounge on the last Saturday of each month (Feb 24) from 5:30–8 pm. Admission is by donation. Follow @Plain Dirty Blues on FB for updates. 181 Great George St, Charlottetown.
Dunstaffnage Ceilidh
A ceilidh takes place on the first Sunday of each month at 7 pm at the Dunstaffnage School Centre. Hosted by Road Masters Band and guest entertainers. There is a 50/50 draw. Admission at the door. 13529 St. Peter’s Rd, Dunstaffnage.
Got Blues Matinee
Got Blues Matinee with Chris Roumbanis, Reg Ballagh, Mike Robicheau and special guest(s) is held at the Salvadore Dali Café from 2–4 pm. The second set is always an electric blues jam. Special guests in February include: guitarists/singer Chris & Nick Gauthier (Feb 10); singer Theresa Malenfant from NB (24). 155 Kent St, Charlottetown.
Home-Grown Harmony
Jo-Anne Ford and Michael Buell will host Home-Grown Harmony in the Hambly Room (upstairs) at the Cavendish Wellness Centre on Thursdays at 7 pm. The weekly, all-ages show will feature variety of music, including old school country, rock, folk, gospel, Celtic, originals and more. There will be new headliners each week along with special guest entertainers and a small open mic portion. A free, light lunch, tea and coffee will be provided. There will be a 50/50 draw and the canteen will be open. Tickets are available, cash only, at the show. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The venue has cabaret-style and row seating, well lit parking, and the Hambly Room is accessible by elevator. Visit @joanne.ford. and.michael.buell on FB and message Jo-Anne to be an entertainer. 21 Sullivan Ln, Montague.
Island Jazz
Jazz on Thursdays at Baba’s Lounge features top local musicians performing original music, standards, jazz and pop
favourites. Each show features a different group and two sets starting at 8 pm. Admission is by donation. The February lineup includes: R&B Jazz feat Spencer Soloduka Mercy Please (Feb 1), Island Jazz Quartet feat Malachi Rowswell (8); Jazz for Lovers (Feb 15); Tribute to Vulfpeck (22); Leap Year Show & Other Oddities (29). 181 Great George St, Charlottetown.
Parkdale Sherwood Lions Open Mic Session
Open mic is held on the first Monday of each month (Feb 5) at the Lions Den. Doors open at 6:30 pm with music from 7–9 pm. 56 Maple St, Charlottetown (next to Cody Banks Arena). Info: 314-7177
Schooner Sessions
Sessions with Mark Douglas and friends take place weekly on Thursdays at 7 pm at The Old Triangle, 189 Great George St, Charlottetown.
Stratford and Area Lions Club Ceilidh
A ceilidh takes place at the Robert L. Cotton Centre on the second Sunday of each month (Feb 11) from 2–4 pm. Coffee, tea and light lunch is provided. 57 Bunbury Rd, Stratford. Info: 569-3956
Summerside Kitchen Party
A Kitchen Party at the Summerside Legion is held on Saturdays from 2–5 pm with a different entertainer each week. 340 Notre Dame St, Summerside.
The PEI Symphony Orchestra (PEISO) will present its third concert of the 2023-24 season, Green Pastures, featuring guest conductor Juliane Gallant on February 25 in the Sobey Family Theatre at Confederation Centre of the Arts. Known for her dynamic conducting style and deep connection with the music, Gallant is a finalist in the PEISO’s search for a new music director. She brings her exceptional artistry to PEI, where audiences will be treated to a thoughtfully curated selection of works, including Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 “Pastorale,” Emily Doolittle: Green/ Blue for Orchestra, and Stravinsky: Pulcinella Suite. Gallant, a New Brunswick-born Acadian conductor, has emerged as a vibrant force in the classical music world, participating in the inaugural cohort of Tapestry Opera’s Women in Musical Leadership Fellowship. Her diverse conducting experiences include guest roles with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, Kingston Symphony Orchestra, and Symphony New Brunswick. Additionally, she has served as an assistant conductor for the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, Regina Symphony Orchestra, Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Gallant’s initial career as a collaborative pianist, répétiteur, and vocal
Guest conductor Juliane Gallant
coach transitioned into opera conducting in London, leading productions across the UK and culminating in a debut at the Royal Opera House in 2021. She is a graduate of prestigious institutions including the National Opera Studio, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Conservatoire de musique et d’art dramatique de Montréal, University of Ottawa, and Université de Moncton. PEISO season subscribers gain not only access to performances, but also a chance to shape the orchestra’s future by having a say in PEISO’s search for a new music director. Season subscriptions and individual tickets are available in person at the Centre’s box office, by phone via 566-1267, and online at confederationcentre.com. peisymphony.com
Sunday Session
An afternoon Tune Session featuring traditional music and craic with host fiddler Roy Johnstone takes place weekly on Sundays from 2–4 pm at The Old Triangle. 189 Great George St, Charlottetown.
Trad Night at Village Green
PEI’s smallest brewery, specializing in traditional and modern beer styles, hosts a Trad Night every Thursday. Enjoy free, live music from 7–9 pm in the cozy taproom. Space is limited. Located at 30 Church St in the old post office/dental clinic (turn at Church St and Cornwall Rd), Cornwall.
Winsloe United Winter Ceilidh Series
A ceilidh with host Jacinta MacDonald, weekly special guests and the Winsloe United house band is held at 2 pm every second Sunday at Winsloe United. Upcoming guests are: Blake Crockett, and drummer and vocalist Billy Matthews with Steven Perry (Feb 4); Ricky and Sandra Jones, and Billy Matthews (18). Admission is at the door, which opens at 1:30 pm. 121 Winsloe Rd, Rte 223.
Gotta Have Heart Island A Capella’s first public performance of the year—Feb 10 PEI’s only women’s chorus singing a cappella music in the barbershop style is ready to warm up the hearts of Islanders with its Gotta Have Heart show this February. The chorus will hold its first public performance of the year at Charlottetown’s Carrefour Theatre on February 10 at 2 pm (storm date February 17). “We wanted to host a show featuring music to warm the soul,” says Jamie Feinberg, chorus director. “We’ve chosen tunes ranging from well-known barbershop standards to new songs we’ve added to our repertoire in the last year.” Quartets Harmonix and Quad Goals will be joining the lineup as well
PIERRE TURNBULL
Assumption Parish Ceilidh
PEISO with guest conductor Juliane Gallant—Feb 25
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ceilidhs, dances, sessions…
Island A Capella
as Music PEI nominee, singer-songwriter Rick Sparkes. Tickets are available online through Eventbrite. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door on the day of the performance. A portion of the show’s proceeds will be donated to Anderson House. islandacappella.ca
The BUZZ February 2024 Page B15
Music PEI Week 2024
Trailside Music Hall
Awards Gala and performance lineups announced
A few of the many upcoming performances
Music PEI has been busy organizing and making some big changes to their flagship event: Music PEI Week 2024. PEI has an enormous amount of musical talent and Music PEI Week gives Islanders an opportunity to celebrate and support that talent. A full week of shows to celebrate the Island’s diverse musical landscape begins on March 6 with the Kick-Off party at The Guild in Charlottetown. The reception will get underway at 6 pm followed by the opening show featuring Absolute Losers, BraedenV, Brooke MacArthur, Julia Robichaud and Liam Corcoran. The popular SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Concert will be held at St Paul’s in Charlottetown on March 7. Hosted by CBC Mainstreet’s Matt Rainnie, this year’s concert will include performances by nominees Lennie Gallant, Dylan Menzie, Lawrence Maxwell and The East Pointers. Tidal Tunes on March 8, a night of music at the Souris Show Hall will showcase Ava & Lily, Emily MacLellan, Pearly Gates, Heather and Richard Wood. On the same night in Charlottetown, an eclectic night titled Music Mosaic will take place at Trailside Music Hall with performances by Güiza, Aubin pi la S.C.B., Tzu-Cheng, Lefunk and The Umbrella Collective. The Reprise! afternoon returns on March 9 with classical and jazz music at The Guild. Performing are Sirens, Tiffany Liu, Dan Rowswell and Luminos Ensemble. The evening lineup for Coastal Cadence on March 9, also at The Guild, will feature performances by Rick Sparkes, Rightflow, Brad Milligan, Nadia and Brandon Howard Roy.
Nathan Wiley Band
PEI Waltz First single from Benny Von
Valentine’s Day with Dennis, Shane and Nick Feb 14
Inn Echo are one of the performers at this year’s Awards Gala
The most significant change this year involves PEI’s music industry association reverting to a previous model, combining their Awards Party with their Festival Finale concert into one Awards Gala. Open to the public and held at Confederation Centre of the Arts in the Sobey Family Theatre for the first time in a decade, this red carpet event will feature performances by Tara MacLean, Inn Echo, Sirène et Matelot, Jenn Grant and Noah Malcolm. Led by PEI’s grand impresario Craig Fair and a nine-piece house band, the Awards Gala will be hosted by Mathias Kom and Ariel Sharratt of The Burning Hell. Join PEI’s biggest celebration of Island music on March 10 as the 2024 Music PEI award winners are revealed. Tickets are on sale now at confederationcentre.com. Tickets and festival passes are on sale now. Full details on page B3 of The Buzz. Visit musicpei.com and follow @musicpei for updates on all things Music PEI Week.
Benny Von, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter based in Charlottetown, PEI, released his first single “PEI Waltz” on January 10. Inspired by City and Color, Marcus Mumford and hip-hop artists like Watsky and Shad for their introspective and commentative lyrics, Benny’s first single is a dance across his home province of Prince Edward Island, visiting three locations with significant meaning. Though the lyrics briefly touch on a lost romance, the thread of “PEI Waltz” is one of growth and a resignment to the knowledge that life barrels ahead at 60 minutes an hour whether one is ready for it or not. The single artwork was designed by AnnaMaria MacDonald. Follow @BennyVon for updates.
Nick
Shane
Dennis
This Valentine’s songwriters circle will showcase three of the Island’s premier songwriters— Nick Doneff, Shane Pendergast and Dennis Ellsworth.
Nathan Wiley’s blend of classic sounds with a modern, slightly world-weary perspective strike a chord with listeners. The songs are filled with subtle melodies and lyrics, addressing the unquenchable yearnings within them. Joining Wiley for this show are band members James Phillips on electric guitar, Tom Desroches on bass, and Neil Wiley on drums.
Dan Doiron Band Feb 18 Dan Doiron, Deryl Gallant, Max Gallant and Todd MacLean will mix electrified blues and classic rock influences for this energetic and interactive show—featuring some familiar classics and songs from Dan’s four albums.
Honey, I’m Home Feb 9
More Soul Feb 23
Dust off those boots and get ready to kick, turn and stomp with Bridgette Blanchard singing all of Shania’s greatest hits. The tribute act includes members from local bands like More Soul, Sunday Punch and The Motones.
Kelley Mooney & Friends Feb 11, 1 pm Join Kelley Mooney, Catherine O’Brien and Julain Molnar for an afternoon of love songs, stories and three-part harmonies, backed by local musicians. Bring a loved one and sit back and listen to some favourite love songs and maybe some not heard before.
Annual music competition Dr. Steel Recital Hall—Feb 2 The Dr. Frances Gray Music Performance Competition will take place on February 2 at 7:30 pm. on the SDU Stage at Dr. Steel Recital Hall. This annual competition showcases five of the UPEI Department of Music’s
PEARL TANADA
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PAMELA DELTOR
Feb 3
Get ready to boogie the night away on the dance floor to More Soul’s oldschool soul and funk all night long. Expect hits from James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Sam & Dave, Charles Bradley, Otis Redding and many more. Trailside Music Hall is located at 155 Kent Street in Charlottetown. Showtimes are 8 pm with doors opening at 6:30 pm (unless otherwise noted). For tickets and info visit trailside.ca or call 367-3311.
outstanding young artists performing their specially selected repertoire on a variety of instruments. The top awards include a cash prize, and are chosen by a diverse adjudication panel consisting of distinguished members of PEI’s music community. The Dr. Frances Gray Music Performance Competition is being offered free of charge, though donations to the Department of Music will be gratefully accepted. Visit upei.ca/music for updates on all the UPEI Department of Music’s upcoming recitals and events.
PEI Bluegrass concert
Next episode at Florence Simmons Performance Hall—Feb 11
Two new bands at Beaconsfield Carriage House—Mar 3
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The Island Jubilee
The Island Jubilee Old Time Radio Music Show on February 11 will showcase singer-songwriters Liam Corcoran and Keira Loane, and step dancer Nicole Watts. The Valentine’s special will begin at 2 pm at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall in Charlottetown. Liam Corcoran is the co-founder and lead singer of the indie-pop group Two Hours Traffic. The touring band recorded four full-length albums, won ECMA and Music PEI Awards, and was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize (2008). As a solo artist, Corcoran released ROM-DROM (2015) and continued to develop his blend of folk and indie-rock on Nevahland (2017) and Giving Tree and Other Songs (2020). His latest album Hints and Traces was released in July 2023. Keira Loane was raised in Cape Breton, NS and found her roots in Kilmuir, PEI in 2014. She performs as a solo act, as well as with her band Keira Loane & the Commons. She also has two tribute bands, Quittin’ Time, a tribute to Zach Bryan that formed in 2023,
and Southbound, a tribute to Carrie Underwood which debuts in March. Nicole Watts of Hampshire, PE, inspired by her older sister started dancing at very young age. Together they danced with Charlottetown’s Havenwood Dance Studio, where Watts also worked as a dance assistant for many years. She has competed at dance competitions on and off PEI, winning many awards. Co-hosted by Nudie, Janet McGarry and Serge Bernard, the show’s house band includes Bernard, Thomas Webb, Bobby McIsaac, Courtney HoganChandler, Johnny Ross and Nudie. Performances are recorded for broadcast on Tantramar 107.9FM CFTA and previous recordings are available at tantramarfm.ca. Tickets are available at ticketpro. ca, in person at the box office, or by phone at 1-888-311-9090. Proceeds from the 50/50 draw and guitar raffle are donated to the QEH Foundation at the end of the season. Visit islandjubilee. com for updates and watch for special Valentine’s contests on their FB page.
The PEI Bluegrass & Old Time Music Society fundraising concert scheduled for 2 pm on March 3 at Beaconsfield’s Carriage House in Charlottetown will feature two new Island bluegrass bands, The Bad Hoss and Whitecap Drive. Members of the group The Bad Hoss are Blake Crockett, Denise MacLeod, (left–right): The Bad Hoss are Sarah Cummings, Denise Sarah Cummings and Robin MacLeod, Blake Crockett and Robin Ettles Ettles. Crockett plays guitar and sings. He has played previously the West End Blues Band. Saddle River with Old Stone Station and Janet String Band won PEI Music Awards McGarry and Wildwood. MacLeod and an ECMA Bluegrass Album of the plays fiddle and sings, and has been a Year Award in 2008. He’ll be playing member of Bluefield Grass, Bluegrass banjo with the group. Revival and Janet McGarry and Tuplin, who plays guitar, is known Wildwood. Cummings plays banjo to audiences as a singer who shared and has played with Rising Tide and the stage with popular Island enterBluefield Grass. Ettles is an experitainer, the late Roy MacCaull. This duo enced touring and freelance musician. released four recordings with original Their sound combines folk, country material by each of them. and bluegrass elements. Harold Noye sings lead and plays Four seasoned Island musicians mandolin and guitar while his wife have recently formed as Whitecap Marnie Noye plays the upright bass. Drive, a band specializing in country, They have been performing for over bluegrass, and oldtime music. The 30 years with A Touch of Grass, Jericho members are Troy McArthur, Kim Road, Dusty Roads and Dunromin. Tuplin, and Harold and Marnie Noye. During those years, their bands reMcArthur is a multi instrumentalist, leased seven recordings with Harold’s singer and songwriter who is known solo album, Dusty Roads, being nomto Island audiences from Rattlesnakin’ inated for Country Recording of the Daddies, Saddle River String Band and Year by the PEI Music Association.
150 Years of Island Music Two shows of music, storytelling and dancing—Feb 3 & 4
Winter Concert Series Intimate musical experiences at Beaconsfield Carriage House Beaconsfield Historic House is hosting a Winter Concert Series in February. This exclusive fundraising event promises an intimate musical experience, with only 15 tickets available for each show. Proceeds will directly support Beaconsfield Historic House’s ongoing commitment to preserving history and promoting the arts in Charlottetown. Tours of Beaconsfield will be available from 6–6:30 pm. ECMA-nominated guitar virtuoso Rob Drew teams up with the smooth, alto vocals of Harmony Wagner to bring an intimate version of famous classic jazz and blues of the 20th century on February 2.
A special Valentine’s Day performance (19+) hosted by BILF and Lottie Max will be held on February 16. This show will feature a variety of jokes, songs and other material from these two talented performers. Kelley Mooney is the featured performer on February 23. With three albums, a Music PEI award and numerous Music PEI and ECMA nominations, Mooney is best known for her powerhouse vocals, emotional interpretations, and quick wit and humour on stage. Visit peimuseum.ca for tickets and details. Parking is available and the venue is wheelchair accessible.
The Irish Scots, with storyteller Alan Buchanan and dancers Janelle Banks and Molly MacEwen, are bringing their new show, 150 Years of Island Music, to the New London Community Complex on February 3 at 7 pm and the Afton Hall on February 4 at 2 pm. The lively celebration of Island folk music, folklore and storytelling, commemorates the 150th anniversary of PEI joining the Canada. The Irish Scots are made up of Norman Stewart, Maxine MacLennan, and Courtney Hogan-Chandler. Along with lively vocals, audiences will be treated to tunes on guitar, fiddle, bodhran and mandolin, guaranteed laughs at the humour and stories, and a cameo “appearance” by Don Messer and the Islanders, along with the legendary Buchta Dancers. “We try to showcase all the great musical contributors of the past 150 years of amazing Island
music, covering material from Larry Gorman and Dan Riley to Stompin’ Tom Connors, Gene MacLellan , Lennie Gallant, and everyone else in between,” says singer-songwriter Maxine MacLennan. PEI storyteller Alan Buchanan narrates the show. Using his knowledge of Island history and his enormous collection of humorous stories and folklore, Buchanan honours the value and persistence of the oral tradition in PEI. His narration gives context to the show, highlighting the various themes and events that influenced Island songwriting through the decades. World champion dancers from Charlottetown’s Havenwood Dance Studio, Janelle Banks and Molly MacEwen, complete the performance with a variety of folkloric steps. Tickets available (cash only) at the door, or reserve in advance by phone at 314-1800 or online at irishscots.ca.
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Page B16 The BUZZ February 2024
MUSIC LIVE bars, lounges, cafés…
Albert & Crown Pub
Live music from 8–11 pm (unless otherwide noted): Joey Doucette (Feb 8/15); DanaLee Veinot & Steve Perry (9) @ 6 pm); Jamie Matthews (10); Valentine’s Dinner with Louise & Jonny Ray Arsenault (14 @6 pm); Alyssa & Corey (17); Joey Doucette (22); DanaLee Veniot (23 @ 6 pm). 480 Main St, Alberton.
Baba’s Lounge
Open Mic w/KINLEY on Wednesdays at 8:30 pm. Island Jazz on Thursdays at 8 pm. Live music at 10:30 pm (unless otherwise noted): Afrohouse with Chevron and Alfrred (Feb 2); Life Left, Record Year, Josh Arran (3); Todd Wilfrid King (6); Pantera Tribute (9); DJ Novah (10); Trevor and the Barn Beat, Pavel Stroke, Customer Service (16); Azulov (Mtl) (17); 20-Beatty (20); Nameless Friends Takeda Takeda, Sweet Darts (23); Blues Jam with Plain Dirty Blues (24 @5:30 pm); Broke 182 (Blink 182 Tribute) (24); Vinyl Night with Phil Homburg (27). 181 Great George St, Charlottetown.
Bogside Brewing
Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30–9:30 pm: Brian Dunn (Feb 2); Jon Matthews (3); David Woodside (9); Keira Loane (10); Stephen Szwarc (16); Margarita Wayne (17); Taylor Johnson (23); Carter MacLellan (24).Blizzard Goat Band on Saturdays from 3–5 pm. 11 Brook St, Montague.
Brothers 2
Thursdays and Fridays at 7 pm: Lawrence Maxwell (Feb 1); Steve & Page (2); Logan Maddix (8); Nick Hann (9/29); Steve Zaat (15); Alyssa & Corey (16); David Woodside (22); Chris & Eric (23) Nick Hann (29). 618 Water St, Summerside.
Charlottetown Legion
Saturdays at 9:30 pm: Rustlers (Feb 3); Hache (10); Powerhouse (17); Kim Albert (24). All are welcome. 99 Pownal St, Charlottetown.
Craft Beer Corner
Adam MacGregor (27). 192 Water St, Summerside.
The Factory
DJ Method on Thursdays. 2 DJs/2 Dance Floors on Fridays and Saturdays*: Douce (Feb 2); Derek/Method (3); Method/ Douce (9); Josh Hood /Derek (10); Derek/Novah (16); Method/Douce (17); Douce/Derek (23); Novah/Method (24). *Live music with Denton Fender (Feb 2). 189 Kent St, Charlottetown.
Snow Socials on the patio from 6–9 pm: Jeffrey Morris (Feb 3); Jordan Cameron (9); TBA (17/23). 15 Milky Way, Charlottetown.
Lone Oak at Fox Meadow
Fridays from 6–8 pm: Jordan Cameron (Feb 2); Adam MacGregor (9); Nathan Carragher (16); Brad Milligan (23). 167 Kinlock Rd, Stratford.
The Lucky Bean—Stratford Open Mic with Robert McMillan every Sunday 1–4 pm. 17 Glen Stewart Dr, Stratford.
Marc’s Lounge
Nathan Carragher (Feb 3 @6 pm); Steve Zaat (10 @6 pm); DJ Skate with DJ Loopie (16/23 @5:30 pm); Live Music Skate with Ryan Merry (17/24 @1 pm/19 @3 pm). 6 Prince St, Charlottetown.
Gahan House
Montague Legion
Acoustic music on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 pm: Adam MacGregor (Jan 30); David Woodside (7); Ryan Merry (14); Nathan Carragher (21); Adam MacGregor (28). 126 Sydney St, Charlottetown.
Hunter’s Ale House
Main Street Bullies (Feb 2); Copycat (3/17); Lieutenant Dan (6/13/20/27); The Love Junkies (16); Adam and the Foes (24). Corner of Kent & Prince Sts, Charlottetown.
John Brown Grille
Fridays at 10 pm and Saturdays from 2–4 pm: Adam & Liam (Feb 3); Kim Albert Band (9); Richie Bulger (10); Stratton & Kays (14); Chris Ahern (17); Wanabeez (23); Kim Albert (24). Late night DJ on Saturdays: Josh Hood (3/17/24); MoJo (10). 96 Kensington Rd, Charlottetown.
Lions Den
Open Mic on the first Monday of the month from 7–9 pm. Parkdale Sherwood Lions Club, 56 Maple St, Charlottetown
The Local Pub & Oyster Bar
Evermoore Brewing
Lone Oak Brewing Co
Tuesdays from 6–8 pm: Jason Burbine (Jan 30); Nick Doneff (Feb 6); David Woodside (13); Geoffrey Charlton (14, *Wed); Brooke MacArthur (20);
Lone Oak Brew Pub
Fridays and Saturdays at 9 pm (unless otherwise noted): Nathan Carragher (Feb 2); Dave Woodside (3); Steve Zaat (9 @8 pm); Jordan Cameron (10); John McLaren (14 @7 pm); Fraser MacCallum (16); Mike Stratton (17); Adam MacGregor (23); Brooke MacArthur (24). 125 Sydney St, Charlottetown.
David Thompson (Feb 2/9/17 @6 pm); Got Blues Matinee (10/24 @2 pm); Craig Fair & Logan Richard (17 @10 pm); Craig Fair & Joce Reyome (24 @10 pm). 155 Kent St, Charlottetown.
The Dalí Café
Carragher (15); David Woodside (17). 103 Abegweit Blvd, Borden-Carleton.
Founders’ Food Hall & Market
Live music at 7 pm (unless otherwise noted): Vintage 2.0 (Feb 2); Carter MacLellan (3); Johnny Ross (4 @4 pm); Jacob Hemphill & Braeden Woods (8); TBA (9); Alyssa & Corey (10); Luka Hall (11 @6 pm); Todd MacLean & Justin Simard (14); Thatcher MacKay (16); Gypsy Soul Duo (17); Cole Brioux (18 @5 pm); Stratton & Kays (23); Dennis Dunn (24 @1:30 pm); Jacob Hemphill and guest (24); Kelley Mooney (25 @5 pm). 202 Buchanan Dr, Charlottetown.
Saturdays at 10 pm: Javier (3); Diego Birthday Bash (10); Dekz with D.R.O.K (17); DJ Andy with vibecheck (24). 156 Great George St, Charlottetown.
The BUZZ February 2024 Page B17
Live music on Thursdays from 6–8 pm and Saturdays from 6–9 pm: Jon Matthews (Feb 1); TBA (3/22); Moe & Darcy (8); Brad Milligan (10); Nathan
Joe Hynes (Feb 3 @7 pm); Nick Doneff. (9 @8 pm); Carter MacLellan. (16 @8:30 pm); Joe Hynes (17 @7 pm). 15 Douses Rd, Montague.
Olde Dublin Pub
Live music at 10 pm (unless otherwise noted): Brian Dunn (Feb 2 @7 pm); Brad Milligan Band (2); Saul Good (3); Gypsy Soul (9); Main Street Bullies (10); Lawrence Maxwell (13 @7 pm); TBA (14 @7 pm); Adam MacGregor and The Foes (16); Down With Darby (17); The Wrecking Crew (23); Wannabeez (24). 132 Sydney St, Charlottetown.
Piatto Pizzeria + Enoteca Fridays from 6–9 pm. 45 Queen St, Charlottetown.
PEI Brewing Company
Acoustic Fridays from 5–8 pm: Stephen Szwarc (Feb 2); Soul Filter (9); Brothers MacPhee (16); Lawrence Maxwell (23). 96 Kensington Rd, Charlottetown.
RCAF Wing Summerside
Live music on Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 pm. wingpei.com. 329 North Market St, Summerside.
Red’s Gold Cup Lounge
Fridays and Saturdays: Will McGonegal (Feb 2 @10 pm); Keira Loane (3 @8 pm); Margarita Wayne (9 @10 pm); Breakwater Acoustic (10 @8 pm); Billy White (16 @8 pm); Roger Stone (17 @8 pm); Lisa Birt (23 @10 pm); Lawrence Maxwell (24 @10 pm). Red Shores, 21 Exhibition Dr, Charlottetown.
The Silver Fox
Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 pm: Roundabout (9); Valentine’s Disco Party with DJ Biggar Beats (10); Powerhouse 16); Bandaoke with Roundabout (17); Neon Country (23); Punjabi and Bollywood Dance Night with DJ Sahil Sally (24). 110 Water St, Summerside.
Page B18 The BUZZ February 2024
TRIVIA
Evermoore Brewing
Tuesdays at 8 pm with Will MacDonald. 192 Water St, Summerside.
Baba’s Lounge
The Factory
Feb 17 at 7 pm with Greg Webster. 181 Great George St, Charlottetown.
Entertainment Trivia on Thursdays at 7 pm with Darcy Campbell; Fridays at 8 pm with Doc. 189 Kent St, Charlottetown.
Ch’town Firefighters Club
Hopyard
Fridays at 7:30 pm. 89 Kent St, Charlottetown.
Churchill Arms
Tuesdays at 8:30 pm with Henry; Saturdays at 2 pm with Wade. 89 Kent St, Charlottetown.
Coach’s Restaurant & Bar
Thursdays at 7:30 pm. 345 Mt Edward Rd, Charlottetown.
Wednesdays at 8 pm. 151 Kent St, Charlottetown.
Hunter’s Ale House
Name That Tune Trivia on Sundays at 9 pm with Andrew Rollins and Entertainment Trivia on Thursdays at 9 pm with Darcy Campbell. 185 Kent St, Charlottetown.
Lone Oak at Fox Meadow
Fridays at 7 pm with Kirk MacKinnon; 167 Kinlock Rd, Stratford.
MUSIC Meet and Squeak
For those intrigued by the idea of playing a band instrument with a group— whether it’s a clarinet tucked away in the closet, an alto sax in the attic, or a trumpet stowed in a trunk—this is their opportunity. Continuing the legacy of the Miscouche band, individuals are invited to attend a Meet and Squeak session with their instruments to investigate the possibility of establishing a community band in the East Prince area. The inaugural meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on January 31 in the band room at Summerside Intermediate School (247 Central Street). For more info, email Kim Knight-Picketts at raxawa7@yahoo.ca.
Adult Guitar Lessons
Olde Dublin Pub
Thursdays at 7:30 pm with Cone. 131 Sydney St, Charlottetown
The Summerside Rotary Library is offering a six-week beginner guitar course starting February 6 at 6:30 pm for adults who would like to learn to play guitar. Register at the circulation desk. Guitars can be borrowed for this program. 57 Central St, Summerside.
Quizzing Queer Trivia at 7 pm on Feb 2 and 16 with Katie Perry. 156 Great George St, Charlottetown.
The Silver Fox
Informal Jam Session
Crapaud Curling Club
Upstreet Craft Brewing
Copper Bottom Brewing
Fridays at 7 pm with PEI Beer Guy. 567 Main St, Montague.
Craft Beer Corner
Feb 23 at 8:30 pm with Dan Casely. 20573 Rte 1, Crapaud
Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in The Lounge. 110 Water St, Summerside.
Feb 6 and 23 at 7 pm with Ross. 41 Allen St, Charlottetown.
The next Jam Session for adults at the Summerside Rotary Library will be held on February 12 at 6:30 pm. Bring an instrument or borrow one from the library and join other musicians for an informal evening of playing music. 57 Central St, Summerside.
PEI Independent Songwriters Circle
Songwriters of all levels and genres are welcome to share their original songs and, if desired, receive feedback in the supportive setting of the PEI Independent Songwriters Circle. Alternatively, individuals can just attend and watch. The next Circle takes place on February 17 from 2–4 pm at the The Lucky Bean, 17 Glen Stewart Dr, Stratford. Info: june@junemorrow.com
Kings County Music Festival
The Kings County Music Festival is preparing for 2024 and invites young musicians who enjoy performing to consider participating in the festival scheduled for May 6–10. The Kings County Music Festival is one of the four local divisions of the PEI Kiwanis Music Festival Association whose purpose is to promote and encourage growth in music through local festivals in competitive and non-competitive classes. Competitors may be recommended to the provincial music festival by adjudicators at the local festivals. Classes in piano, voice, instrumental and choral (school and community) are offered for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Visit peikmfa.ca/kings-county for the guidelines, a list of classes, and online entry forms. The deadline is February 29. Contact Lynda Sharp (651-2560, flynda240@gmail.com) or Anne White (838-2681, dawhite@pei.sympatico.ca) with any questions.
The BUZZ February 2024 Page B19
BUZZ IFIEDS
Ruby SQUARE graphic design
PERFORMANCE VENUE FOR RENT. Brackley Beach Community
Centre has openings for summer ceilidhs and entertainments. Seats 100-120, air conditioned, wheelchair accessible. Contact ellencudmore4@gmail.com or b.vandi18@gmail.com
PRIVATE VOICE LESSONS for
non-classical singers with JUNO nominated recording artist Teresa Doyle. For shy beginners to touring musicians. Contact teresa@teresadoyle.com
TEXT ONLY BUZZIFIEDS
30 words = $25 (+tax). Buy in bulk to save—6 months for $100 (+tax). Text and payment due by mid-month deadline.
Page B20 The BUZZ February 2024
Cozy Culinary
Snow Yoga
Learn to Curl
Cosmic Bowling
RIDE IT Festival
Stellar Somm Pop Ups
January 29 – February 18 • CUP Nordic Spa Pop Up • Moonlit Snowshoe Walks • Birdie Blizzard Golf Tournament • • Field of Winter Fun • Wine Tasting • Samuel's After Dark • Live Entertainment • • Learn to Winter Bike • Summerside CAPS Games • CHOPPED Summerside Edition • and more! For full festival details and registration info, visit exploresummerside.com /exploresummerside
@exploresummerside
CRAIG FAIR MUSIC PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
A NIGHT of ELTON JOHN & BILLY JOEL
STARRING
Craig Fair & Ben Aitken
and a 16-piece orchestra!
PEI Brewing Company | TICKETS $55-$75 MAR 7, 8, 9 | 14, 15, 16 | 21, 22 | DOORS 8 | SHOW 830 WHITECAPENTERTAINMENT.CA