SARNIA-LAMBTON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
snuggle up with
a huron union December, 2009 • Volume 1.9
Complementary • $4.50 with subscription
Fix Magazine 105 S. Christina St.
P.O. Box 111 Sarnia, Ontario N7T 2M6 519•384•3491 www.fixmagazine.ca
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I was recently honoured to be a guest at the Annual Goodwill Appreciation Luncheon. The theme of Goodwill Industries for 2010 is simply “thank-you.” I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in this community for their support of Fix through 2009. From advertisers, to readers and volunteers I extend my gratitude. Each month, dozens of people write, edit, take photographs, deliver magazines, cover events and submit story ideas. Every submission, no matter how big or small, is greatly appreciated. Without the generosity of others, this publication would certainly not be in print. I would like to give a most sincere thanks to my family and friends for their support, patience, understanding and words of encouragement.
Thank-you for keeping me motivated, bringing coffee, working late into the night to ensure that things are done in time for deadlines and getting me through seemingly ever-present computer problems. I hope that you will take the time to think of at least one individual who has impacted you greatly over the past year and thank them with a phone call, a card or a visit. Little tokens of gratitude are not soon forgotten. Yours truly,
Jessica Pedlar, Publisher/Editor
Our Contributors: photo fix 3 - 4 in the gallery 5 - 7 write fix 8 - 10 music fix11 - 21 fix reviews20; 22 reel fix 22 calendar of events23 - 24 theatre fixation25 - 26
Graphic Design and Layout CCI Studios Darryl Graham Annette Hovey Kevin Murphy Bryan Reid STiRLING Melissa Upfold Photography Richard Brown Scott Clarke Melissa Upfold Cover Art Melissa Upfold Sales Jessica Pedlar Kristin Ray
Writers Margaret Bird J. Cole E. Ebbs Adam Miner Debbie Okun Hill Jessica Pedlar Lily Plumtre Melissa Upfold Norma West Linder Administration Kristin Ray Special thanks to Melissa Upfold for her writing and photos
Justin Bedard
for his technical support
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1 - 2: Fall Colours Show at the Lawrence House 3 - Romney Getty at Paddy’s 4 - Remembrance Day parade, Sarnia 5 - Green Go at Empty Spaces 6 - First Friday at the Lawrence House 7 - Executive Monkey at Cheeky Monkey 8 - Pop art on First Friday 9 - Pret A Porter at Artopia on First Friday 10 - The Sarnia Scene’s Horrorfest 11 - Harmony Music on Open House day 12 - The O’Darling at Empty Spaces 13 - Miss Emily Brown at Empty Spaces 14 - 15: Spiral Beach at Empty Spaces Melissa Upfold
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Scott Clarke
from photography to forensics and back again
Jessica Pedlar Scott Clarke Originally hired by the police department to photograph crime scenes after completing three years of Advanced Photography at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, Scott Clarke has made his way from forensics to the fine art gallery. Scott decided to become a full-fledged police officer after his experience at the department. 12 years in Forensics and 12 years on the road led him to a recent promotion to Sergeant (congratulations!) and with just seven years left on the force, Scott is looking forward to spending his retirement working as a photographer. Last year Scott celebrated the win of the Mayor’s Award at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts Fall Colours Show for his photo of Sarnia resident Harry “Happy Harry” Kewley. Scott and local film-maker Danny Alexander collaborated on a video project about Harry and are hoping to screen the film at Trinity Lounge in Sarnia soon. Scott recently took the photo of Harry Kewley and 24 other portraits collectively called Pride to the Contact Photo Festival in May of this year in Toronto and hopes to participate in more shows like this in the future. For the month of December, Scott’s exhibit Buddy will be on display at Artopia Gallery and Framing in Sarnia. Buddy showcases what would appear to be one amazing day with a friend’s dog. In fact, the photos of the chocolate lab who loves the snow have been taken over the course of three years. The show features 30 photographs on canvas of Buddy in winter, all for sale. Scott originally started photographing Buddy in the water but decided the winter had a better effect. Buddy will be present at the show opening on First Friday December 4, 2009. As will the artist. Art lovers can check Scott’s website at www.scottclarkeimages.com for updates and more of the photographer’s work.
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Clock-wise from top right: Sunset, Pride, Buddy, Police Funeral.
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creativity
is allowing yourself to make mistakes.
artis knowing which ones to keep
~Scott Adams
Trena Thompson
9-11 inspired artwork showcased this month
Jessica Pedlar Scott Clarke Trena Thompson, a stay-at-home mother of two, will be bringing seven to 10 pieces of her mirror and stained glass work to Artopia Gallery and Framing in December. The collection consists of mostly tables and one trunk. Pieces have been designed to raise awareness and commemmorate the lives of those lost on September 11 at the World Trade Centre in New York City. The trunk titled The Forgotten Heroes is a tribute to police officers and firefighters. A table adorned with poppies stands in remembrance of Canadian soldiers. The Hero-To-Hero table features the organization’s logo on top and the words “troops don’t choose their battles any more than firefighters and police” on a lower level. Trena originally became interested in raising 9-11 awareness when she heard the story of James Corrigan, a retired firefighter with 25 years of service who time spent as a police officer prior to that. He worked across the street from the Trade Centre as the World Trade Centre Fire Safety Director and wrote the manual on how to get people out of the towers if ever there was an emergency. As the terror of 9-11 played out, James rescued an entire daycare full of children before he tragically perished. While his heroic efforts resulted in his reinstatement onto the fire department after his death, his name has not yet been added to the memorial wall with the rest of the firefighters and police officers who lost their lives. When his name is added, he will be listed as a civilian. The surviving families of World Trade Centre casualties who passed away in the line of duty were all given boxes containing medals but James’ family received an empty box. Trena hopes that her art will assist in bringing this and similar stories to light and help grieving families of heroes in ensuring their lost loved ones are properly honoured for their ultimate sacrifice. Trena would like to donate the pieces of art she has created to celebrate the lives of those lost so that they are never forgotten. She hopes that some of her art will end up in the museum that is currently under construction at the World Trade Centre site and will continue to increase awareness. This show opens on First Friday, December 4. To contact the artist, email trenadthompson@ hotmail.com.
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The aim of every artist is to arrest motion,which is
life,
by artificial means and hold it fixed so that a hundred years later, when a stranger looks at it,
it moves again
since it is life.
~William Faulkner
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Interplay: Art, Technology, Man who doesn’t love robots?
Melissa Upfold Melissa Upfold On November First Friday, Gallery Lambton launched a group exhibition by visiting artists Jeremy Bailey, Michael Waterman and Reva Stone entitled Interplay: Art, Technology, Man. The show, whose opening brought out hundreds on November’s First Friday, provided patrons with an opportunity to see the interplay between humans and the technology that exists around them through the eyes of artists. Guests were enthralled by the combination of robotics, computers, video, and sound that is representative of contemporary practicing artists in this field. Human interaction plays a vital role in many of the pieces and allows viewers to achieve a new experience in the Gallery. Robots that follow people around the room, casting shadows high up into the walls, soundscapes and noise that play when viewers move around the machines and satirical software programs whose designers intentions are “to find better ways for humans to dance,” provide a fascinating and unique trip to Gallery Lambton. The exhibition runs from November 6, 2009 through the New Year. The Gallery will also host an intensive series of Art & Ideas including talks with the artists and other workshops throughout January. Contact Gallery Lambton at (519) 336-8127 or visit their website at www.lambtononline.ca.
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Anne Beachy
Welsh-born story teller
Margaret Bird Richard Brown Anne Beachey was born in Cardiff, Wales and immigrated to Canada in 1955. Anne’s short stories and novels have the delightful lilt of the Welsh tongue and remind all those who listen to her readings, of a modern-day Jane Austen – true character development, without too many props. Her work has been published in High Profile Magazine, the Canadian Messenger, Living Message, Angles, The Gazette and The Sarnia Observer. Her poetry has also been broadcast on CBC Radio. Ms Beachey has won honourable mentions in international short story competitions, has been a guest at Writers’ Union of Canada activities on two occasions, and is a member of WIT (Writers in Transition). Anne has a tremendous sense of humour that is reflected in her amusing fairy tales. “As a child, I told my elder brother, bedtime stories. This wasn’t
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Rex Murphy
Melissa Upfold Melissa Upfold After being privy to the mind of Canadian political commentator Rex Murphy in his new book Canada and Other Matters of Opinion, having a chance to watch him speak in November at the Sarnia Library Theatre provided the perfect icing on an already tasty cake. The evening began with awards for their supporters as well as the winners of a writing contest reading excerpts from their prize winning entries. Following this, Canadian author Rex Murphy gave a talk to a sold out crowd. Murphy, known for his droll parlance of the Canadian government on his weekly CBC The National spot and column in The Globe and Mail, proved not only to be a witty critic but also an extraordinarily
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as easy as it sounds. We had separate rooms and I used to shout my stories out to him. My brother used to laugh so hard, our parents could hear him downstairs. And, during World War II, I used to write faithfully to my uncle who was busy chasing Rommel in the desert.” Anne now lives with her husband Jim Beachey, on the shores of Lake Huron, near Forest, Ontario. She has four grown children and five grandchildren.
articulate speaker. His passion for both the written word as well as the spoken was highlighted in his lecture about the significance of proper oration. Focusing on a country such as the United States of America whose national identity has gone from such famous speeches as the Gettysburg address to the Martin Luther “I have a dream…” speech, Murphy discussed the political landscape of today in which politicians do not participate in their country and instead are mere figure heads with hordes of speech writers moulding their words into the perfect dull gray sheen. Interweaving stories about his work and life in Newfoundland and quips about his position with the CBC, Murphy kept the crowd spell bounded. In a quote summing up his position as a member on the fringe of the news media, Murphy stated, “as much of a relationship to journalism as a streetwalker has to the highway patrol.” In the future one can only hope that more events like this will take place here and satisfy the ever increasing political and intellectual appetite of Sarnia-Lambton, and as importantly, may they be as funny and animated in doing so as Rex Murphy was.
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book reviews E. Ebbs • Books generously provided by The Book Keeper.
Generation A
Douglas Coupland (Random House)
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Readers who enjoyed previous novels of Douglas Coupland will probably expect Generation A to be packed with fun characters who share witty and satirical views on society and pop culture. These readers won’t be disappointed. Others may have read him before and expect to be nonplussed with his narrative style and odd ideas of plot. These readers won’t be disappointed either. Generation A is the same Coupland we have come to know and love … or not love, as the case may be.
In the very near future life on earth goes on much as it does now, only more so. People are linked more by technology than by geography. They have “friends” half a world away whom they have never actually met, or they play online games for days at a time. But there are some differences from today. Bees, for instance, are thought to beextinct. Or were thought to be until each of the story’s central characters gets stung. Each is stung in a different country: the United States, New Zealand, France etc. They are all swiftly packed off to sterile labs to be studied and the incident locations cordoned off and combed, fruitlessly, for more bees. We follow the thoughts of the five unfortunates as the tale unfolds in a rotating first person narrative. This changing viewpoint and Coupland’s sharp dialogue and clever insights make Generation A very engaging. This may be his best yet.
And Another Thing Eoin Colfer (Penguin)
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This book is intended for fans of the late Douglas Adams’s Hitchhikers series. Adams himself, who died in 2001, had apparently no plans for any more of the darkly comic books. Mostly Harmless, the fifth book, published in 1994, ended in an utterly final and uncompromising fashion. There really seems no where to go after it. Penguin Books has decided to risk publishing a new title. For the gamble to pay off they must satisfy the fans of Adams. If they alienate this crowd the book will be a financial and credibility failure. Eoin Colfer, an Irish writer best known for his Artemis Fowl books, was chosen to take on the task. Did he succeed? Most of Colfer’s work is in a comic vein, though far lighter than Adams’s, and he has done a fair job of recreating the morbid humour of the original books. In And Another Thing he brings back the expected characters and they seem, by and large, much as they should. While it would be easy to point out various spots where the tone, dialogue or plot points seem to be different from “how Adams would have done it” it is worth noting that the original five books are hardly consistent. After all, the first was originally a BBC radio script and the books only came about because of its very positive reception. In the end Colfer is a little wide of the mark. The plot is less inventive and original than any previous and the witty dialogue and asides a little flat. And Another Thing is, unfortunately, merely okay.
At Dusk the Angel Flies
Debbie Okun Hill
Festival of Lights in Sarnia Norma West Linder December comes and it’s a Toyland treat to see two big bay horses plod down a city street to see the wide-eyed children riding high atop great mounds of hay Mixed with excited voices now I hear the age-old sound of jingling harness bells and though I left its portals long ago just for a moment or two I’m able to step into Victor Herbert’s Dear Little Boy and Girl Land
A loner in holiday crowd you fist fought Santa’s sugar dad image ripping off your angel wings dressing in Christmas shadow standing on street corner before evening parade starts long black cape of leather shielding your identity dark lambskin mitts pulled collar over neck your blonde kinked hair free from knitted head gear haloed by natural highlights From guardian post you scanned faces gathered to see lit floats colored icicle lights families with children in powder blue snowsuits red antlers on heads teen boys tossing a ball of white hockey tape a couple cocooning in wool afghan sweet aroma of hot chocolate weaving marshmallow wisps from Styrofoam cups And when you faced loud blaring trumpets last band marching left, right, left, right, down street towards you your inner soul sought signs faith, hope, and charity a silver charm no one offered as you stood alone, cheeks cold beneath white beam of street light the cool reception making you shiver turning you to angel dust before the Big Dipper flicked on the twinkling starlet of his marquee and Santa’s plastic reindeers appeared clip clop applauding the spiritual emptiness
Poetry winter months. melissa upfold I. Snow crowds the sidewalks, weighs heavy on windshields. A waste of time to shovel flurries as they fall from the sky, no way to keep anything at all clean. Hopeless to make it from pub to car without tripping over the flooring, tripping over my tongue. and you too are flooded with snow, caked with it. 2. another day [not, so dreary] when the rain or snow ceased to excuse us we will wander through downtown to the underground parking lot & i’ll talk your ear off.
Melissa Upfold
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David Cavan Fraser
singer, songwriter, full-time musician
J. Cole From a young age, David Cavan Fraser was musically gifted. Even as a baby, his mother recalls him laying in his crib singing. “My mom loves to tell stories about how I would just sing little baby songs,” said David. “I was forced into piano lessons as a young child and dreaded each lesson, mostly due to my lack of practice throughout the week. I also played drums at church sometimes and always played guitar and sang at home.” Now qualified to teach at a high school level, David chose the teaching route for a few reasons. “I always wanted to be a camp counsellor for life, but when I discovered the lack of benefits and pension plans, I opted for the next best option: teacher,” he said. “When I started out as a high school supply teacher I taught everything under the sun: Math, Physics, Computers (things I took in school) as well as French, Auto, English and even Girls Phys Ed.” While in school, David played a few gigs here and there for fun but nothing professionally. A career in music was always in the back of the teacher’s mind. “One day, likely inspired by multiple viewings of Dead Poet’s Society, I decided that I would live my life, really live it, or I would die in the attempt. I don’t think I’ll go back to teaching in the conventional sense but I’ve started speaking at schools as a motivational/educational speaker.”
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MUSIC
The musician has been influenced by many including authors John Steinbeck and C.S. Lewis, musicians Ben Folds and John Mayer, comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Dane Cook and bands Coldplay and Dave Matthews. Life on the road for the musician, he says, “is exciting, lonely, constantly changing, exhausting, exhilarating, a young man’s game.” Booking his own shows and promoting himself has not always been easy for the singer/songwriter. “(Having to promote myself was difficult) at first. Now I’ve got a product that I genuinely believe in so it’s less difficult. One thing that is noticeable about the solo act is his excellent stage presence. “I started out doing Who’s Line is it Anyways?-style improvisational comedy in high school and that’s become a big part of the show in between songs. Also being a camp program director during the summers in high school helps you learn some crowd techniques. Speaking of crowds,” said David, “one time a girl had a seizure at a show. Luckily she was okay. That was a bit of a scary fan moment. Then of course, you have the typical fan stalker types, but that’s par for the course.” David has learned a lot over the past few years. He’s happy that he now knows it is possible to make a good living playing music and that music isn’t just a hobby unless you want it to be. He is quick to say “there’s an old saying: ‘for every overnight success, there’s ten years of work that no one sees.’ I’m not afraid to work for what I want even if it takes me 20 years.” David says the hardest part of his job is “part-time musicians, masquerading as full-time musicians playing for peanuts and bringing prices down for people like myself who make a living in music.” That said, he is happy to help anyone who is hoping to make a fulltime career in music. He encourages others to get advice from people who are actually making a living performing music full-time. “I’ll help whoever I can in any way I can, call me anytime,” adds David. You can contact the singer at www.davidcavanfraser.com or by phone at 416•800•0326.
Laura Oliverdiscusses her classical album Earth Song Jessica Pedlar
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Fix: When did you get the idea to produce Earth Song? Laura: It was actually an idea that had been bouncing around in my head for about 4 years. I went to school wanting to record and perform but my experience was quite different from what I expected. But what I did learn allowed me to go out on my own and compose things I never thought I’d be able to before.
Laura: The only piano music I wrote was the second track Whirling Dream. I’ve only written two other songs with piano in them – I find it a challenge as I’m not the most accomplished pianist but this song just poured out of me one night and still sometimes I have a hard time getting the tune out of my head. All of my flute compositions on this album are performed on one of two Native flutes.
Fix: Have you ever been involved with/featured on any other albums? Laura: Apart from Wind Symphony recordings done during University – produced by CBC at McGill, this is the first album I’ve done. The recording process is still somewhat new to me but it’s an exciting medium to work with and I’m anxious to get back in there and improve.
Fix: What inspires you to write music? Is it something that comes easily for you or do you really have to sit down and think about things before you come up with something you like? Laura: I admit that the vast majority of my music is inspired by little moments of clarity while jamming with other people! I was watching an interview with Béla Fleck about 6 months ago and he said the very same thing, not that I’m comparing myself with Béla Fleck, but he did one smart thing that I had never thought of and never tried until recently. He said that when those themes and motives come to you, they leave your head very quickly, so you either have to write them down right away, which is rather inconvenient most of the time during a rehearsal or jam session, so he calls himself on the phone and leaves himself a voicemail and goes back to it later. I’ve only done that twice but it worked both times! Simple genius!
Fix: How many songs do you think you’ve written? - Do you think you will write and record another album in the future? If so, when can we expect something new? Laura: There are only about 20 songs that I’ve actually finished but if you count the little nuggets of unfinished ones, about 45. Most of them however are for the Orchestral flute, not the Native flutes heard mostly on the album. The Katherine Hoover track – Reflections, is a major source of inspiration for me – a piece that explores mood and colour while telling a story. My next album will be wholly original and is focusing on the idea of the first kind of storytelling; that of creation stories from around the world.
Fix: Are your songs available for sale in sheet music format? If not, is this something you would consider doing in the future if others showed an interest in having your sheet music? Laura: I’d consider printing sheet music if there was an interest but – I think it’s a little pre-mature for that step as of now.
Fix: Who is featured on your album and what made you decide to collaborate with other artists? Laura: I collaborated with Aurora (Atell) Clarke partly because we’ve been playing together since we were girls, it only seemed natural, and especially because of the obvious talent she possesses. We’ve played together so much that it’s just a joy to work together. We seem to be able to get into each others’ head, and with music, that’s where the magic happens. Fix: How long have you been playing the flute? Laura: I had to think about that one! 15 years. I started with the Cathcart Music Makers when I was 11, which is funny as I am now the band director there. Fix: What formal training do you have? Laura: I was 13 or so when I first started private lessons with a fantastic woman by the name of Bonnie Barber. She inspired me, at what I think was quite a critical time, to play my best; a wonderful friend and dedicated musician in her own right. When I was 17 I traveled to London to study with Annelie Metrakos (Symphony London) who helped me get into McGill to study with Timothy Hutchins (Montreal Symphony Orchestra), Susan Hoeppner and Cindy Shuter (McGill University). I also had the amazing privilege of being under the direction of Alain Cazes, conductor of Wind Symphony McGill and Dr. Glenn Price University of Calgary. Fix: Did you write the music for both the flute and the piano on Earth Song?
Fix: Earth Song was mainly recorded in your home studio. Do you have any tips for people thinking about recording music in their homes? Laura: Keep it simple. Don’t mess around too much with special effects or I found it can end up sounding canned or grainy. I also found it crazy to try and piece things together. If I couldn’t play things perfectly in one take I figured it wasn’t ready to record. Laura Oliver can be contacted through her website, www.sarniaflute.ca and her album Earth Song can be purchased at The Book Keeper and Cheeky Monkey for $15.00 - a perfect gift for anyone on your holiday shopping list.
a painter paints pictures on
canvas
a musician paints pictures on
silence ~Leopold Stokoski
a huron union Jessica Pedlar
Melissa Upfold After two coffees each and much discussion, Danny and Cam decide that the band’s name is A Huron Union not The Huron Union. Originally slotted to be a quarter page filler, the article was expanded to half a page at this point in the interview when Cam complimented this writer on how pretty her hair looked. Jen’s strong desire for Subway resulted in a 28 Melissa Upfold Melissa Upfold minute break. Upon the band’s return, Dave turned off the television at Coffee Culture causing the inability from all band members to function on a normal level. 18 minutes passed before someone spoke. This was awkward and uncomfortable.
A Huron Union consists of (left to right) Jen Brace on guitar, korg, possibly violins and vocals, Dave Walterhouse who rocks spirit and drums, Cam Starr on guitar, vocals and storyboards and Danny Alexander who will be playing guitar and trying preliminary attempts at singing. Originally planned to be an eight to 10 person ensemble a la Jon and Kate Plus 8, the band narrowed it down to four members because they couldn’t fit more faces in the centre of Danny’s 60 pound, six-foot diameter wreath. Just one more member could have resulted in a holiday greeting card disaster. He biked across town with the wreath so he could show it off before hanging it in his parents basement confirming the band’s motto: no hassle too big.
Cam, Danny and Dave all expressed an interest in playing an ice show on Lake Chipican. Jen was fine with this provided she could stay on shore while all other band members and fans would be on the ice.
The band’s main goal is to be fridged. It’s their best promotion. In a few months, they hope to be on fridges all over the city.
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Cam was quoted to have said “my main goal in every band I’m in is to find a really good drummer I can hide behind so no one notices how bad I am.”
Cam complimented two friends of this writer (Billie-Jo Gage and Isabelle Robinson) on how nice they looked. Again, additional space in the magazine was set aside for A Huron Union.
home grown canadian talent coming to a fridge near you Three out of four band members want to please Danny’s dad. One is on the fence (Danny). Cam and Danny spoke seriously briefly. “Our approach is to step away from what we’ve played in the past. Before we made music that was complicated but now we want to tone it down and build more thought-out structures rather than just making things insane,” they recited in unison.
A Huron Union is against matching suits and for individuality. The band’s main influences are Chewy, Danielson Famile, Matt Naylor and DJ Mike Robinson’s iPod at Coffee Culture. “He’s got some sweet tunes on there, man,” said Jen.
The band all agreed that they have excellent chemistry and after failed attempts with other bands, they hope to tour southern Ontario. “We have connections,” they all said at once. This writer pointed out that it was creepy when they spoke as a group.
At the time this article was written, no band members actually knew how to play their instruments except Dave. Basically, everyone on a stringed instrument (see photo at right) didn’t know what they were doing.
Jen: None of us own cars. I have none of my own gear. Cam: I’ve never driven and I’m playing my little brother’s friend’s guitar. Danny: My amp is being fixed at Picker’s Alley right now. Dave: I’m currently in six other bands. Jen: We’ll be recording in the new year. We only have two songs but they’re so long that it will have to be a double album, maybe even a triple. All: Look for A Huron Union in your town. A Huron Union: take a lick!
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Plume
Balloon
J. Cole Melissa Upfold From left to right, Plume Balloon is Tyler Manzon, Philip Baljeu and Dustin Halliday. Absent is Sandro Manzon. It was a tough day at the office for Plume Balloon. They decided to layers two or more rhythms over top of each other,” said drummer relax at home with some blocks. Tyler who seemed most excited about the new route the band is takMade up of members Sandro and Tyler Manzon, Philip Baljeu and ing. “They sound very musical but if you were to translate and play Dustin Halliday, Plume Balloon is plays mainly experimental rock and or think about someone playing hip-hop beats live, the beats are very dance music. awkward. Straight notes are combined with something rhythmically Founding member Sandro Manzon (absent from the photo shoot) different underneath that you don’t always hear in different types of is, the group feels, the most important member of the band. Sandro music. It doesn’t sound complex when you listen to it but it’s very hard writes most of the band’s original material though they also do cover to actually play.” songs. The mechanical nature of the beats is going to be difficult for the Dustin has been playing gigs since high school. He has been involved band. Consistency and hitting the drum with an equal amount of force in everything from bar to barn shows to a surf-rock-type cover band or elastic will be trying for drummer Tyler but the human presence and with the Giresi boys of Chocolate Robot fame. discipline required to play hip-hop beats live will be a great feat both Phil has been creating electronic music consistently for eight years. mentally and physically. Much concentration is needed as the group He builds and modifies all of his own gear and toys. moves forward to create new music and ideas in their jam space ‘The “If anyone needs anything, I can usually fix or build whatever that is,” Man Zone.” he said. “We’re hoping the music will evolve and become more of a perforAt the recent November 14 Pandemonium show, the group decided mance art or sound piece,” explained Phil. “It goes back to chance to try playing dance songs. With Phil’s homemade talk box, the group music and operations. I hope that I can eventually use the computer covered Daft Punk hit Around the World much to the delight of the that’s making the melodies and Tyler can sink up to it and maybe make crowd. At other past shows, Plume Balloon has covered 90’s dance something interesting. You can manipulate the probabilities and strucsongs like Saturday Night and Better Off Alone. Both Dustin and ture the software to do whatever you want. I’ve never seen this sort of Tyler admit that Dance Mix ‘95 is one of their guilty pleasures. thing in action before. It will be hard but I think it will be interesting to “We’re down for playing a pulsating song,” said Dustin. “Rhythmically try out in the future.” these songs are simple and that’s why they get the body movin’. People music is the literature of don’t need rhythm to dance; they need a beat.” Eventually, the group would like to have live drummers emulating it commences drum machines in a strictly rap/hip-hop set. where speech ends “This is going to be very difficult to do because hip-hop generally ~Alphonse de Lamartine
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the heart;
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Boy in December
a lifetime of music together for four Goderich brothers
the notes i handle no better
than many pianists.
but the
pauses between the notes ah, that is where the
art resides.~Artur Schnabel Jessica Pedlar Melissa Upfold Because we were so many years apart [members’ ages span a decade] Coming from a family of nine musically-inclined siblings, brothers we came together as a band gradually as we all grew up. Growing up, Manny, Mark, Matt and Micah Hussey began playing together as Boy In December several years back. While they once travelled to Toronto Mark was always in a band and we were his groupies. Eventually we joined him and the process was quite natural.” a lot to play venues like The Horseshoe Tavern, Reverb and the El The band plans to try something new coming up soon through their Mocambo and opened for Def Leppard at Sarnia’s Rogers Bayfest, they now find that they play more shows at small venues close to their website. Boy In December will be doing a weekly live show online out of their practice studio space. hometown of Goderich, Ontario. “We will really save on travel costs,” said Matt. “Before we were “We had to take a break from travelling around as a band for a few years. Not a break from creating music but a break from the touring,” basically paying to play. This new way of doing things gives people the said Matt. “Now we play a few local bars, Boston Pizza and we’ll often chance to sit in and participate on the song writing process with our instant chat option.” find ourselves on the back of a flatbed truck when the weather’s nice The band recently celebrated the release of their debut album. The playing the Harvest Festival or the Strawberry Festival. self-titled disc features 11 tracks all recorded over a period of three “We used to tour around the New York and Boston scene with our years in a hundred year old church. The band is in the process of putband In Silence,” said Mark. ting together an EP that will be available next year. This band featured all the same members the band currently boasts “We used to do cover songs,” said Mark. “Now time is so precious but also starred one of their sisters on lead vocals. when we get together that we just focus on originals. But it sometimes “It came to the point,” explained Mark, “when we realised we had two great bands so our sister, who is a very powerful performer, much feels like we’re doing covers just because we’ve played our own songs so many times. While the album was just released, some of these songs like Matt, broke away to do a solo project. It worked out great for us because it gave Matt the chance to be the frontman and gave her that are three years old for us.” Visit Boy In December online at www.myspace.com/boyindecemspace too.” bermusic and www.boyindecember.com. Check the band out live at “One thing that we think is really neat” explained Matt “is how it Fix Magazine’s Pandemonium Six - Festivus for the rest of us show on worked out that we all happen to play different instruments. It was December 19 at the Polish Hall in Sarnia. completely unconscious that we all chose to learn different things. Individually, the boys line up something like this (left to right): Manny, Mark, Matt and Micah Hussey.
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brace yourself for the
of
Fans
S
Sound
J. Cole Melissa Upfold Sarnia favourites Sound of Fans can be seen playing the bar scene around town. From open mic nights to charity fundraisers, the band always draws a crowd out to watch and listen to unbelievable guitar techniques and vocals from acoustic duo Nick Lewis and Trevor Rogers. The two have been playing together for two years now and the chemistry on stage between them is undeniable. Such was not always the case. The duo didn’t always see eye to eye when they went to high school together but a last minute gig that Trevor needed an extra guitar player for struck a friendship that now goes beyond music. “I knew Nick was great on guitar and I gave him a call and asked if he’d fill in. He agreed and we played a terrible show but realised that there could be something good in the two of us forming a band.” “We jammed a few times and haven’t looked back,” smiled Nick. At Fix’s November 14 Pandemonium, the pair rescued the evening when another band backed out at the last minute. An 11:00pm phone call asking for a set at the end of the night was no problem for the duo. They showed up and played for an impressed crowd, over half of whom asked where they could buy the boys’ album. “Our album is in the works right now,” Nick explained. “We’re currently recording a five song EP that we hope to release in the spring.
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We’re aiming for April but we really want to take our time on this and do it right.” “The disc will feature all original tracks,” Trevor added. “We’re really happy with the way things are turning out.” The 21 year olds are recording the tracks themselves. “I bought Pro Tools and I’m learning how to use it,” said Nick. “I’m capable of learning how to use the software so I figured we should just do the first album this way. We’re actually recording all the tunes in my bedroom that I’ve converted partially into a studio. At some point I’d like to do more producing so this is a great learning experience for me.” Nick has been playing guitar since he was seven or eight. Inspired to play by his father, also a guitar player, Nick has always wanted to have a career in music. “There’s no other option at this point,” said Nick. “This is going to be my full-time job. When I’m not working at my job at the call centre, music is all I do. My parents are very encouraging of my career choice. I think they’ve always known that this is what I would do. My dad has always pushed me towards it.” Rightfully so. Nicks riffs on the guitar, similar to that of John Mayer and raspy voice have drawn the attention of a slew of other area musicians who were heard complimenting he and Trevor on their set at a recent fundraiser at Trinity Lounge in Sarnia. Trevor Rogers has been playing guitar since high school (about seven years now). He also has a very supportive family and looks
Sound of Fans is (left to right) Trevor Rogers and Nick Lewis.
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forward to playing music full-time. Trevor’s breathy vocals paired with the notes that crash out of this musician’s guitar make for a phenomenal combination. Then of course, add Nick’s talents to the mix and the result is unreal. Think classic rock played on acoustic guitars. Instead of bellowing distorted sounds, Sound of Fans strums a pair of acoustics. The two are very 70’s influenced and songs range from sounding like Blind Melon to guitar greats Michael Hedges and Tim Reynolds (you might remember him from his touring days with Dave Matthews). The two spoke briefly about touring. “I would love to tour with Sound of Fans when we release our album but we’re not sure if that will happen yet,” Trevor said. “It would be nice to tour across Canada,” Nick added. “I would love to head out to the east coast. I hear it’s beautiful out there and I know we’d meet some amazing musicians along the way.” “Five years from now, I see us playing any venue, big or small. As long as people were there to listen and enjoy the music, that’s all that would really matter to either of us,” Trevor said. “We would love to get a record contract. Our main goal is to go all the way with this - to make it big. Of course, we always want to be able to express ourselves through our music but yes, the main goal is to be accomplished and famous musicians. I would love to live in New York or California and try out the big city life for a while. Big cities have so much character.” Absent from the interview and photoshoot was bass player Derek Vye who plays with the duo when he’s home from school in Ottawa. “Derek is an amazing bass player. We wish he lived closer and could play shows with us more,” said Nick. “Derek’s really easy to work with. He’s talented but he’s got the worst bass in the world,” added Trevor. “I can’t imagine how good he’d be on a good bass,” he laughed. Trevor is currently playing an Ovation Celebrity. “I’ve had it for probably three or four years,” he explained. “It’s made of mahogany. It’s very aesthetically pleasing but I’m not a fan of the noise that comes out of it. I don’t like the tone. I’d like to get a new Taylor 4-Series in the next couple of months. “I recently purchased a Limited Edition Taylor,” said Nick. “it’s made of cocobolo and koa wood from Hawaii. It sounds amazing and it’s definitely the nicest guitar I’ve ever owned. It plays well and
looks nice. Taylor’s are the best guitars in my opinion.” “My favourite Sarnia pastime,” said Trevor, “is hanging out in Nick’s garage not drinking beer and always jamming. Call centres are definitely not on my top ten list of favourite places to be. Our favourite meal is filet mignon with an assortment of steamed veggies. I never eat dessert unless I’m at a birthday party or something and feel obligated to eat cake but I never actually want it. Nick likes anything chocolate after dinner.” Look for their album this spring but for now, you can get a taste of what’s to come from their myspace page at www.myspace.com/soundoffans. Expect big things from Sound of Fans. We haven’t heard even a fraction of what these boys can and will do. music is
forever music should grow and mature with you right on up until you die.
~Paul Simon
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Pandemonium! 4 & Melissa Upfold
Sound of Fans
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Plume Balloon
Playing before a packed Trinity Lounge on Hallowe’en night, Executive Monkey, Wild Domestic (as Kid Skeleton), Impulse and The Chocolate Robots wowed a crowd of over 150 people. No one was without a costume and bands were decked out as everything from KISS members to characters from our favourite movies. Guests donned get-up like Superman/Clark Kent, Raggedy Ann and The Black Widow just to name a few favourites. Feature artist Denise Fortin’s Tim Burton-esque style painted a lovely backdrop for musicians. Special thanks go to the bands for their energetic performances, staff at Trinity for their hospitality, all of our guests, Adam Miner at DNA Music for donating the sound gear for the night, Sean Smit for working all the sound equipment, Melissa Upfold Photography for capturing the event through the lens and Rocketship Productions for catching it all on film.
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On November 14 at the Sarnia Banquet and Conference Centre, we were honoured to hear the sounds of Plume Balloon and (a last minute and much appreciated fill-in after another band was unable to play) Sound of Fans. Our featured artist for the night was Annette Hovey and sound gear was provided by Adam Miner at DNA Music. Thanks to everyone who attended to support Fix and compliments to the chef at the Centre for her hard work on the catering.
The Chocolate Robots
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Executive Monkey Wild Domestic Impulse
Recording Kicking Soulsa three part series Adam Miner
Part one
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This August I did sound for Adrenaline Fest. Held at the Hiawatha horse park, it was an event that hosted multiple food vendors, standup, a bartending competition and a battle of the bands during which I did sound for Kicking Souls; a power-trio from Sarnia. Shawn Hawke’s songwriting speaks about the daily drudgery of work routines and people whose lives have run off the rails. His voice and his writing have a no nonsense blue-collar ethic that you would recognize in bands like AC/DC while guitarist Don Beckett is influenced by Scotty Moore and George Harrison (guitarists for Elvis/Beatles respectively). I could hear this melodic counter-balance in their sound and by the end of their set was intrigued about working with them. Introductions were made and after a few phone calls we decided to make a record. My preproduction process for this record was short. I knew that I wanted to record this album faster than usual to maintain a high level of enthusiasm for the material. I wasn’t going to push for many changes as the material didn’t call for it. In this respect bands are a lot different than working with a solo artist: due to internal politics most groups do a lot of self-editing that doesn’t take place with a person who isn’t accountable to anyone. The biggest task was to help them sort through their catalog and select the best songs to tackle. At DNA we own a couple of drum kits so if the drummer brings something that isn’t working for the moment I can offer an alternative. The Kick (or Bass drum) and the Toms are the most forgiving pieces
of a drum set, if they have good skins that are tuned appropriate for the genre then they’ll work for you. Snare drums and cymbals are less forgiving as they have a personality that can’t be altered as easily. It’s important to get this right before you hit record because the microphones and room treatment can’t help an uninspired drum sound. Fortunately Sean Rickey brought good sounding drums that had been recently tuned by Gary McCracken. It was a Mapex six piece kit with a beautiful wooden snare from the 50’s. After adjusting the snare tuning I had Sean play as I listened in the live room and then in the control room. The drums sounded beautiful before I turned the mixing console on. Music like this highlights the importance of a large recording room that can allow the drum sound to develop in a way that artificial reverbs and echoes can’t recreate. To capture that sound I used several room mics in addition to the microphones you would normally see at a concert. I also recorded Don and Shawn with the intent of rerecording their parts later. Having people play together in close proximity where they can make eye contact raises the energy level of everyone involved, which in turn fosters performance over perfection. Perfection usually sounds dull.
music is
love
in search of a word
~Sidney Lanier
REVIEWS The Chocolate Robots Purr Quality
Melissa Upfold The Chocolate Robots’ Purr Quality is by far a standard in the great tradition of Sarnia musicians. If you do not already own this album (which I am expecting you do), then you need to rush right out and find it anywhere you can. Not only does it represent some of the finest and most dynamic song writing that can be found in Sarnia, but quite frankly, anywhere. The music, which is comparable if not superior to any indie band practicing their art today, is so catchy that it literally can not be shaken from ones head for many days after listening, much to the listener’s pleasure. Influences of many low-fi indie rock bands can be found in Purr Quality. The songs bring to mind such bands as The Unicorns and The Elected with their playful nature, utilizing instruments such as the xylophone and the drums to attain the perfect pop song. Other interesting elements such as circuit bent children’s toys add a new dimension to the traditional three man ensemble. The music of late eighties/early nineties bands such as yo la tengo demonstrate how a unique blend of simple lyrics and complicated instrumentation can create some of the best music, and influences such as this and others can also be heard weaved throughout Purr Quality. The Giresi Brothers take the trials and tribulations of life and slim them down into the perfect track to bob your head and dance to. So if you are one of the few who have not heard this album, borrow it from a friend, find it somewhere, throw on your headphones and get ready to be surprised. There is life here.
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CrowJane
J. Cole Melissa Upfold The story of Crow Jane is an old one dating back many years. It tells the tale of a murderous woman who cons her boyfriend into committing a series of crimes with her. In the end, he kills himself. Of course, singer/guitarist/harmonica player Leigh Coltman didn’t know the whole story before he named his folk/bluegrass band Crow Jane. “Even when we learned the whole story, we decided to stick with the name because we like the way it sounds,” said Leigh. The band is comprised of millwright Leigh, millwright Dan O’Connor on guitar, Lanxess employee Steve Mullen on stand-up bass, millwright apprentice Greg Drope on drums and florist Christine Storey on vocals and fiddle (that she’s been playing for 30 years). Leigh and Dan have been playing together for about a year and Steve joined the duo shortly after they started. Greg and Christine are more recent additions to the band and things are working out well. “Our style and instrumentation are original,” said Leigh. “No one else in town has a fiddle player and I feel that gives us a unique sound. Our songs are truthful, perhaps moreso than some songs that are on the radio.” Crow Jane has celebrated success playing shows around town at Blackwater, Coffee Lodge, The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, Trinity Lounge and Norms just to name a few locations. They hope to play at festivals and more unique venues rather than bars over the next year. The group is currently recording a full-length album at Shiloh Sound (Dan’s studio). With the patience (and tolerance) of family members who started out supporting two guitar players but now listen to a full band practice, the band hopes to have their album out by the spring. A CD release party is in the planning stages and the group hopes to have their website launched when the album comes out. For now you can check them out on their myspace page at www.myspace.com/crowjanecanada or email them at crowjane@mail.com.
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music produces a kind of pleasure
which human nature cannot do without ~Confucius
Rise Over Run
REEL
sarnian jibby films J. Cole Melissa Upfold When the opening credits of Rise over Run appear on the screen with their surreal, slow motion shots of skateboarders literally floating over cement and beautiful cinematography, one gets the impression that this film is going to be something other than the regular run of the mill Jackass/skate-video knockoffs, unfortunately it is not. The film, a cumulative two year project by follows local skateboarders and other ‘extreme sports’ enthusiasts as they perform tricks, joke around, light fire crackers into cars, dress as pandas and flip into trees. While watching this film one often thinks why people would want to put a video camera in their hands while they slip and slide naked or moon the street from their car. With choppy clips, no storyline and absolutely nothing new about this film at all, there are still a few moments that you can’t help but being impressed by. Tricks are landed, surprising camera angles are used and once in a while you enjoy the banter between friends. There is no doubt about the talent in the Sarnia skateboard and extreme sports scene however this film rarely demonstrates the tension and excitement of the sport. It is not horrible, but the juvenile nature of most of the film reminds me of Jackass and Jackass makes me angry. Frankly, it’s just not exciting anymore. One of the only interesting parts in this film was watching a man in a panda suit doing ridiculous things and wondering to oneself where a group of guys got a panda costume.
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Confusion music video Impulse
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A montage of historic news footage depicting scenes of war and violence, well-known quotes and video of the band performing live all come together for the Confusion music video from Toronto-based, Sarnia favourite Impulse. Drum beats over explosions are spot on. Perhaps not as heavy as some of the bands other tunes but unquestionably still falling into the hard rock category, Confusion is catchy and well thought-out and the footage of the band reaffirms their energetic stage presence. While the song is for everyone, the video perhaps is not as scenes shown are sometimes horrifically graphic. Atomic bombs, shots of the terror of burning cities during the Nazi reign, bodies strewn on sidewalks and the panic in a child’s eyes as child soldiers point guns at his head are certainly alarming. Confusion certainly gets the point across and while not for the faint at heart, it’s worth a watch (or two) and will bring home the message quoted at the end of the video from Havelock Ellis: “We have failed to grasp the fact that mankind is becoming a single unit and that for a single unit to fight against itself is suicide.” Expect more great videos from this band and check out the Confusion video on their myspace page at www.myspace.com/impulsehardrock.
CALENDAR OF
vents
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brought to you by
December
• Karaoke/Guitar Hero at Two Amigo’s, Sarnia • Name That Tune at Puck Around, Sarnia • Sound Jam at Gallery Lambton, Sarnia (7:00pm) • Bob Kerrigan Acoustic Wednesday at Paddy Flaherty’s, Sarnia • Live entertainment at Puck Around, Sarnia • Jim Chevalier at Cupper’s Cove, Sarnia • Sound Jam featuring Micheal Waterman at Gallery Lambton, Sarnia (7:00pm) • Country Christmas with The Walters Family at The Imperial Theatre (2:00pm) • K106.3 CD Release party featuring Daylight for Deadeyes and The Waxbills at Paddy Flaherty’s, Sarnia (9:00pm) • Karaoke at Two Amigo’s and Puck Around • Playfair Music Open Jam at Boomerangs • First Friday Cultural Walkabout in downtown Sarnia • Karaoke at Picadilly’s and Two Amigo’s • Live entertainment at Boomerangs and Puck Around • Singles Dance at the Polish Hall • Staylefish at Paddy Flaherty’s, Sarnia (9:30pm) • The Dudes at Patty Flaherty’s, Sarnia (10:00pm) • Live entertainment at Boomerangs and Puck Around • Karaoke/Guitar Hero at Two Amigo’s • Open Mic at Ups N’ Downs and Puck Around • Guitar Hero at Puck Around • Marty Oblak at Paddy Flaherty’s Sarnia (9:00pm) • Karaoke/Guitar Hero at Two Amigo’s, Sarnia • Name That Tune at Puck Around • Finding Christmas: The Nighingale Chrous at The Imperial Theatre, Sarnia (7:30pm) • Nic Swales Acoustic Wednesdays at Paddy Flaherty’s Sarnia (9:00pm) • Karaoke/Guitar Hero at Two Amigo’s, Sarnia • Live entertainment at Puck Around • Sound Jam featuring Douglas Wylie at Gallery Lambton, Sarnia (7:00pm) • Finding Christmas: The Nightingale Chrous at the Imperial Theatre, Sarnia (7:30pm) • Karaoke at Two Amigo’s and Puck Around • Playfair Music Open Jam at Boomerangs • Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat at Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia (8:00pm) • Finding Christmas: The Nightingale Chrous at the Imperial Theatre, Sarnia (7:30pm) • The Waxbills at Paddy Flaherty’s Sarnia (10:00pm) more listings online • Stealin’ Third at Roxxy’s • Teen Dance at the Kiwanis Centre • Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat at Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia (8:00pm) • Finding Christmas: The Nightingale Chrous at the Imperial Theatre, Sarnia (7:30pm) • Matt Good with Mother Mother at The Industry Theatre, Sarnia (8:30pm) • Stealin’ Third at Two Amigo’s • Daylight for Deadeyes at Paddy Flaherty’s Sarnia (10:00pm) • Live entertainment at Boomerangs and Puck Around • Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat at Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia (2:00pm, 8:00pm) • The Rankin Sisters - A Maritime Christmas at the Imperial Theatre, Sarnia (2:30pm) • Open Mic at Ups N’ Downs and Puck Around • Karaoke at Two Amigo’s, Sarnia • Guitar Hero at Puck Around • Karaoke/Guitar Hero at Two Amigo’s, Sarnia • Name That Tune at Puck Around • Karaoke/Guitar Hero at Two Amigo’s, Sarnia • Art and Jeff Acoustic Wednesdays at Paddy Flaherty’s, Sarnia (9:00pm) • Live entertainment at Puck Around
of
Fans
S
Sound
myspace.com/soundoffans For event details and updates, visit www.fixmagazine.ca To submit a listing, email calendar@fixmagazine.ca
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• Karaoke at Two Amigo’s and Puck Around • Playfair Music Open Jam at Boomerangs • Rock The Tree Jim Stokley Scholarship fundraiser with Wild Domestic & Sound of Fans at The Industry Theatre (8:00pm) • Singles Dance at the Polish Hall, Sarnia • Karaoke at Picadilly’s and Two Amigo’s • Justin Hines in Concert at the Imperial Theatre, Sarnia (8:00pm) • Live entertainment at Boomerangs and Puck Around • Ray Whaling Band at Paddy Flaherty’s, Sarnia (10:00pm) • HOSTS Pandemonium 6 - Festivus for the rest of us! Featuring A Huron Union, Boy In December, Nicholas Doubleyou McKinlay and Crow Jane at the Polish Hall at the corner of Front and Exmouth Streets, Sarnia (7:00pm) • Almost Floating at Paddy Flaherty’s, Sarnia (10:00pm) more listings online • Bobnoxious at The Industry Theatre, Sarnia (8:30pm) • Ballet Jorgen: The Nutcracker; Group of Seven at the Imperial Theatre, Sarnia (7:30pm) • Open Mic at Ups N’ Downs and Puck Around • Karaoke at Two Amigo’s • Guitar Hero at Puck Around • Karaoke/Guitar Hero at Two Amigo’s • Name That Tune at Puck Around • Karaoke at Two Amigo’s and Puck Around • Lovely, glorious Christmas around which the entire kid year revolves • Wrestling Day? No no. Boxing Day. That’s the one. • Live entertainment at Boomerangs and Puck Around • Empty Spaces concert series at Trinity Lounge, Sarnia • Karaoke/Guitar Hero at Two Amigo’s • Open Mic at Ups N’ Downs and Puck Around • Guitar Hero at Puck Around
Hero at Two Amigo’s Name That Tune at Puck Around 29 •• Karaoke/Guitar
• Acoustic Night at Paddy Flaherty’s • Live entertainment at Puck Around • Karaoke/Guitar Hero at Two Amigo’s • New Year’s Eve • Running Red Lights at Paddy Flaherty’s, Sarnia • Karaoke at Two Amigo’s • New Year’s Eve parties at Dallas City Limits, Puck Around and Boomerangs
January 1 2
Acoustic Night at Paddy Flaherty’s entertainment at Puck Around 23 ••• Live Karaoke/Guitar Hero at Two Amigo’s
• New Year’s Day • Live entertainment at Boomerangs and Puck Around • Karaoke at Picadilly’s and Two Amigo’s • Live entertainment at Boomerangs and Puck Around
Details may change. Before you travel, please check with venues to confirm events are still taking place.
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The Imperial Theatre on
November First Friday The Imperial Theatre came alive on November First Friday as members of the cast of 42nd Street in full costume kept everyone entertained. Music flooded from the theatre and passers-by had photos taken with the cast. Expect to see similar activites on future First Fridays at The Imperial.
Lola’s Lounge
Melissa Upfold
you got me spinnin’ round & round
110 Christina St. S. • Sarnia • 519-336-8088
xoxo
Ballet Jorgen
The Group of Seven Nutcracker
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On December 20, come to The Imperial Theatre, Sarnia for the magical story of The Nutcracker. This will not be just any performance. Ballet Jorgen will be on stage to tell the traditional tale of Klara and the Nutcracker Prince but will put an interesting spin on things as they travel through Canadian scenes with backdrops by The Group of Seven. Collaborating with Kleinburg’s world-renowned McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the production of The Group of Seven Nutcracker features stunning backdrops by landscape artists Franklin Carmichael, Tom Thomson and L.L. FitzGerald set to Tchaikovsky’s well-loved score. Ticket are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and $20 for students. A night at the ballet makes for a classic family holiday outing or an early Christmas gift for everyone on your shopping list. For more information on this performance, visit www.imperialtheatre.net.
Give the gift of theatre to friends and loved ones at Christmas by visiting www.imperialtheatre.net
Tickets at Stokes Bay & Inland, theindustrysarnia.com & at the door.
DECEMBER 18 SARNIA-LAMBTON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT