Arts & Entertainment Markham - Issue 8

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Playful and evocative dance

Fujiwara Dance Inventions present Eunoia at the Flato Markham Theatre on April 16 at 8 pm.

Choreographed dancing as an art form dates back, as best we can deduce, to about 3300 BCE. Throughout history it has enjoyed periods of great popularity among audiences and other times less so. Currently, dance is commonly part of other types of popular artistic expression such as musical theatre, while being less popular as a genre unto itself.

Whether this is fair or not, dance professionals are looking for new and innovative ways to connect with potential audiences and expand the reach of their creations. With Eunoia, director and choreographer Denise Fujiwara may have done just this.

“It’s really something that anyone can feel a part of and really enjoy,” says Adina

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Herling, Fujiwara Dance Inventions’ general manager. “I’ve known people who have never seen dance before who come out of this show loving it.”

Eunoia is the shortest English word to contain all five vowels and it also happens to mean ‘beautiful thinking’. Christian Bök’s Eunoia is a conceptual poem built on the notion of constraining language to one vowel per chapter. His intent was to prove that each vowel has its own personality and demonstrates the flexibility of the English language.

Inspired by Bök’s work, Fujiwara, herself one of Canada’s most diverse dance professionals for more than four decades, has created a work that applies similar constraints to each artistic choice. As these

choices play out on stage, the audience is invited to discover them too. The intent is to immerse the audience in the understanding of the piece.

“She’s created a dance theatre piece,” explains Herling. “There’s dance, there’s spoken text, there’s visuals, and even live sound that embeds the poem’s constraints in its storytelling. The audience starts to play along after the whole thing starts with a game of hangman enacted for their benefit.”

The show features six performers, supported by two understudies, who carry the piece through five chapters of physical storytelling, each inspired by one of our language’s vowels. The show’s presentation is further aided by projections and live sounds being manipulated offstage.

“The audience gets directly involved in the performance too,” said Herling.

“No one is forced or anything, but each audience so far has not been able to contain themselves.”

The piece had its world premiere in 2014, as part of the Harbourfront World Stage Series. After that, the show toured across Canada from St John’s Newfoundland

to The Yukon. Then, in a rare move for a dance show, Eunoia ran for a second sold-out series of shows in Toronto due to popular demand.

The 70- minute performance was also nominated for three Dora Mavor Moore Awards with nods for outstanding production, outstanding performance by an ensemble and outstanding sound design.

“It’s really a full, very enjoyable evening,” says Herling.

The show’s stop in Markham is of special significance to Herling. As a Markham native, she studied dance at Unionville High School’s Arts York program and performed many times on the Markham Theatre stage as a young performer.

Bringing this show to Markham is something of a homecoming for her.

“It’s really cool, really great,” says Herling. “It’s great to be back. I’m inviting everybody I know and it’s really kind of special.”

Visit markhamtheatre.ca for more details.

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Anda Union brings their and brotherhood to Flato

Anda Union perform at the Flato Markham Theatre on April 17 at 8 pm.

If you are inclined to think that folk music is either something for aging relics of the sixties or exclusively sold by the cash register at a Starbucks, worldwide folk music sensation Anda Union just might be the surprise you’re looking for.

The members of the group are from Hohhot, the capital of the Inner Mongolia region of northern China, but their roots are out in the empty grasslands where many of their families still live. Their aim is to rework the region’s traditional music, with its stories of herdsmen and ancient nomadic customs and beliefs.

Of course, if your knowledge of Mongolian history is limited to Genghis Khan, this musical tradition might seem unusual or out of place. Anda Union are

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happy to confound this expectation with their passionate intensity and music designed to shatter cultural barriers.

“We’ve been trying to bring this ensemble to our diverse community for many, many years,” says Eric Lariviere, Flato Markham Theatre general manager.

“They’re an authentic and exciting Chinese-Monglolian folk group that features multi-phonic throat singing and authentic instruments.”

The nine musicians on stage play traditional acoustic instruments that include the morin huur fiddle, fixed with a horse head; the tobshur Mongolian lute and moadinchur flute, along with percussion and a box-shaped double bass. However, their brotherhood is sealed when they all sing,

Mongolion folk music Markham Theatre swapping lead vocals and harmonies easily, as if to share the music equally among themselves.

The meaning of ‘anda’ is ‘blood sibling’.

In Mongolia a blood brother or blood sister is often considered more important than a birth brother because you choose a person to become an anda. It’s a fitting name as the band’s success lies in the tight instrumentation and the closeness of the musicians. Most of band’s members have been playing together since childhood, but they formed Anda Union in the year 2000.

Since then, the group describes themselves as music gatherers. They are on a mission to stimulate their culture, digging deep into Mongol traditions and unearthing forgotten music.

“In the music world, they have huge credibility,” explains Lariviere. “There’s huge respect for the music that they make.”

The band’s sound combines different traditions and styles of music from all over Inner and Outer Mongolia. That mix creates

a style that has literally never been heard before. Still, it somehow sounds like home to them, where Anda Union leads a musical movement that is finding inspiration in old and forgotten songs, drawing on a repertoire of magical music that had all but disappeared during China’s recent tumultuous past.

Fans of western music shouldn’t be scared away though, their songs are based on melodies that are as memorable and accessible as any great western folk songs.

The music and arrangements rapidly change in volume and complexity too: quiet drones give way to vigorous melodies, frenzied bowing and guttural throat vocals in a hurry.

It’s not hard to hear why they’ve managed to tour the world many times over.

“It’s a very unique musical experience,” says Lariviere. “They are fantastic artists. I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed, they’re so good.”

Visit markhamtheatre.ca for more details.

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SUN. MAR. 24 I 1 & 4 PM

The World Famous Popovich is a fifth-generation Russian circus performer who learned early on how to develop strong bonds with animals. Popovich Comedy Pet Theater has been voted “Best family show in Las Vegas” and were finalists on America’s Got Talent. Comedy Pet Theater features an amazing cast of housecats, dogs, parrots even geese and mice! Critics describe it as a unique blend of comedy, world-champion juggling, and the extraordinary talents of

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more than 30 performing pets. Gregory Popovich has rescued the animals from shelters all over the country and transformed them into Las Vegas stars, using positive reinforcement and working with the animal’s natural abilities to create a fun, one-of-a-kind show.

In 1992, Gregory was invited to Las Vegas as a featured performer at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. While practising for the show, Gregory and his wife, Izolda,

who was also a performer, decided to use their family kitten, Snowbird, in Gregory’s clown act. The audiences’ responses to the kitten act were consistently so great that Gregory began to think about building an entire routine based on performing cats.

Now, it was just a matter of finding the right cats.

A friend encouraged Gregory to visit an animal shelter to look for cats that could become the additional performing pets. Since there were no animal shelters in Russia, Gregory decided to follow his friend’s advice and look for new animal talent at the shelter. Upon his visit, Gregory was dismayed and stunned to see so many animals without a home or a loving family, animals that had so much potential, but had been discarded. He began to adopt and train cats from the shelter, and when they were ready, he introduced them as a part of his show. This venture eventually became the amazing “Cat Skills” act.

GREGORY’S PHILOSOPHY:

Gregory’s goal is to educate people to the concept that every animal is unique and that people have a great responsibility to their pets. Both professionally and personally, Gregory strongly supports and promotes adopting an animal from the shelter and increasing participation in the practice to spay/neuter cats and dogs. Through his show and personal endeavours, Gregory hopes to enlighten people and increase awareness of the important role that humans play - the huge difference that one caring person can make to the animal world.

To show his support for animal shelters, sanctuaries, and organizations, Gregory has and will continue to participate in fundraising events, community awareness initiatives/programs, and cooperative opportunities in the local and national communities.

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Markham Little Theatre gets cheeky with Skin Flick

Just in time for spring to have sprung, Markham Little Theatre (MLT) brings some heat to the stage with their final show of the current season. Skin Flick, which means exactly what it sounds like, is a play by the Canadian legend Norm Foster. It promises a unique story, lots of laughs and even some naughty fun when it opens on May 1.

“The characters are everyday people in a typical situation,” says the show’s director, Nicky Marsh. “The only difference is they choose an insane solution to fix their problem.”

Truthfully, knowing the play is written by Foster should assuage any potential audience member’s fears that the play would ever drift toward inappropriate. Instead, you can be guaranteed that you’ll have ordinary characters stuck in unusual situations, facing moments of truth and showing lots of heart.

“The subject matter may seem a little taboo to some,” explains Marsh. “But at the core of this play is a zany bunch of individuals at different stages of their lives who try to make it through, one day at a time.”

The plot of Skin Flick is simple enough, Rollie and his best friend Alex, who is a news cameraman, find themselves out of work at the same time. When Rollie accidentally rents a pornographic video for his wife Daphne to “review” for an upcoming job interview she has, Alex explains to the couple just how much money a good porn video can generate despite being cheap to make. Consequently, the straight-laced middle-aged couple, with no money coming into their home and few prospects on the horizon, decide to go into the pornography business.

“The play is more about love and relationships than it is about making an X-rated movie,” says Marsh.

The show is rounded out by a kooky failed actress named Jill and mild-mannered bookie Byron, who join the couple in executing their

unlikely plan. Of course, along the way, deep lessons are learned about love, life and getting by.

Like all of MLT’s productions, Skin Flick relies on the talents of local creators. Marsh is debuting as the show’s director after appearing onstage for a few years, including memorable turns in Calendar Girls, Perfect Wedding and Arsenic and Old Lace. The show’s cast of five features three MLT veterans and two newcomers.

“Each of the actors will bring a slightly different take, as some of their own personality and experiences creeps into the role,” says Marsh.

The would-be entrepreneur couple is played by MLT veterans Randy Kirsh and Beverly Sortropa. Dave Kouhi makes his first appearance with the company as the cameraman best friend, Alex. Alanna Stewart also joins the company for the first time as Jill, while Tristan Stansfield returns to MLT as Byron.

“It’s only once the actors get into rehearsals that you see what works,” explains Marsh. “This collaboration is what I’m looking forward to the most.”

As Skin Flick is the last show of a 2018/19 season that has seen a range of shows from dramatic to nearly farcical, the company intends to finish on a high note. They see it as a chance to showcase its commitment to producing quality theatre and local talent, while hopefully inspiring the audience to join them again next season.

“Norm Foster’s plays always deliver,” says Marsh. “Expect an entertaining night filled with side-splitting, laugh-out-loud comedy.”

MLT’s Skin Flick runs at the Flato Markham Theatre from May 1 to 4. Tickets are available by calling 905-305-7469 or online at markhamtheatre.ca.

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2019 Flato Markham Theatre Advisory Board Mayor Frank Scarpitti, City of Markham Stephen Timms, IBM, Theatre Advisory Board Chair Aleem Israel, AFINA Capital Management Inc. Vice-Chair Anne Gilligan, Weins Canada Deborah Jestin Diane Lai Ronald Minken, Minken Employment Lawyers Justin Reid, Troilus Gold Corp

Sophia Sun, Phoenix Financial Inc. Srinka Wallia Amy Woods, Allstate Suelyn Cheong, Principal, Unionville High School Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Growth, Culture and Entrepreneurship Eric Lariviere, General Manager

Honourary Patron

Shakir Rehmatullah, President, Flato Developments Inc.

Flato Markham Theatre Team Eric Lariviere, General Manager Scott Hill, Rental Business Manager Andrew Rosenfarb, Production & Facility Manager Lia Baird, Client Services Coordinator Chris MacBride, Theatre Technician/Team Lead Helen Mah, Business Coordinator

Monica Pain, Discovery Program Coordinator Gary Restoule, Theatre Attendant Vince Rotondi, Theatre Technician Linda Stott, Marketing Assistant Terry Tice, Box Office Debbie Watson, Theatre Administrative Clerk

Box Office: 905.305.SHOW (7469) Order tickets online at www.markhamtheatre.ca

House Programme Editor: Nicole Fletcher For advertising rates, call 416-884-4343 or email nicolefletcher@rogers.com

Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of printing.

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Star Gazers $75 Isabel Hirlehey Suzanne & Dave Murphy Hector & Teresa Paz-Soldan John & Rebecca Taylor Ed & Sheryl Taylor Darryl & Gail Thompson Roger Todd Marg & Gord Tonkin Dave & Bonnie Trumphour

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Shining Stars $125 Barbara Aldridge David & Jo-Anne Blinn Mary Lou Busato Peter Brown & Millean Kung Bill & Judy Carnaghan Jack, Kelly & Judy Chen Denise & Andrew Chong Elizabeth & Harrie Cleveland Erma Collins Ferro Corrente Christine Cozens Jean Cutherbertson Marla David Holo Devani Susanne & Bob Eastwood R J Eberhardt Doug & June Ford

Mary Bell & William Graber Karen L Grimshaw Suraj Gupta, CPA Susan and Winfried Heim Wilma Inkpen Barbara Holmes & Joe Seigel Loretta Hopkins & Robert Silk Rick & Liz Lightfoot Teri & Ron Lyons Gordon & Elaine McInnis Marianne MacBride Ann & Ed Martin Glenda & Ken Metrick Brian, Debbie & Martin Mitgang Robert Moore Dean E. Moratz & Janice E. Franklin

David & Sonja Murphy Sasvart Musliyan James & Joanne Nearing Lissandra & Rogerio Oliveira Brian & Donna Reeve Carol & Bruce Roberts Darius Dubash & Cristy Spencer Jim Stewart Gloria Tellis Their Family John & Michelle Tidball Toscano Technology Inc. Donald Ure Vermeer Engineering Missy Yano

Super Stars $250 Helen & Tim Aubrey Dave & Toinette David & Jo-Anne Blinn Denise & Andrew Chong Bill & Morven Crother Jim & Karen Doak Mary Haffey

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Shooting Stars $500

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‌and the many other Anonymous donors Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of printing. If we have misspelled or missed your name in the listing, please call 905-415-7537 ext. 5700

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Moving through Darkness into the Clearing exhibit at the Varley

Visitors examining tree specimens after an in-gallery “nature walk” with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Liana D’Andrea, who discussed the trees represented in the exhibition Moving Through Darkness into the Clearing. Photo credit: Louis Li.

“An important part of the gallery’s mandate is not just to research and display the art of F.H. Varley,” says Varley Art Gallery director Niamh O’Laoghaire, “but to keep it relevant to new audiences. A key way of doing that is to place works by Varley and his peers in conversation with contemporary objects. Curator Anik Glaude has done an excellent job of this by pairing Greg Staats with the Group of Seven in the exhibition “Moving Through Darkness into the Clearing.”

The exhibit explores the ways in which artists return to the land in search of subject matter and how these repetitive actions are informed by their understanding of place and identity.

Inspired by a new acquisition, Gothic Arches at Doon, by F.H. Varley, circa 19481949, trees are a common subject and motif

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in works by the Group of Seven. Landscape paintings by A. J. Casson, F. H. Johnston, Arthur Lismer, Franklin Carmichael and Varley are united to consider the different ways in which trees are depicted in painted form.

Also included are photographic works

by Greg Staats, an Indigenous artist, who both complements and challenges the Group of Seven’s work on display.

Staats has been exhibited throughout North America, has received the Duke and Duchess of York Prize in photography and served as a faculty member for two Aboriginal visual arts residencies at the Banff Centre for the Arts.

Visit varleygallery.ca for more details.

WED. APR. 3 I 8 PM

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Just For Laughs is thrilled to bring more of its funniest and favourite alumni to Markham with the Just for Laughs Road Show! Don’t miss four of the best stand-up comedians from the world’s largest and most prestigious comedy festival when the 16th edition of the Just for Laughs Road Show takes the Flato Markham Theatre stage. Mo Mandel hosts an international line-up of Just For Laughs favourites starring Tom Thakkar, Courtney Gilmour and ISMO.

Mo Mandel has b een on fire on all fronts. Along with making recent appearances on CBS’S hit show, 2 Broke Girls, and Comedy Central’s new sitcom, Corporate, Mo just released his first hour special on Amazon to critical acclaim, and the series that he created and executive produces, Comedy Knockout, recently premiered its 3rd season on truTV. Mo is real talent and always takes the audience on a wild ride that leaves them rolling.

Tom Thakkar i s a New York-based stand-up comic, actor and writer originally from Bloomington, IN. Tom first burst onto the international comedy scene in 2015 when he was named a “New Face” by the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal. He spent the next two years working on his craft in the cutthroat New York stand-up scene and touring regularly with friend and fellow comic Nikki Glaser.

Tom has been featured on This Week at the Comedy Cellar, Doug Loves Movies, VICE, NPR and The Todd Glass Show.

A killer c ombination of sharp writing and warm likability has made Courtney Gilmour one of Toronto’s most sought-after comedy talents.

As a multiple-limb amputee, Gilmour manages to share her quips and musings about daily struggles with charming presence and extreme relatability. She delivered a breakout performance at the 2017 Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal by winning the Homegrown Comics Competition and filming a set for Kevin Hart’s LOL Network. She co-produces the hit monthly show So Fresh N’ So Clean at Comedy Bar, Toronto’s only clean comedy show and has also opened for a number of international headlining acts.

The ultimate o bserver, ISMO is able to make people see familiar things anew through his unique perspective and uses his outsider’s point of view to find the humour in the most ordinary things. ISMO started his comedy career in 2002 in his home country of Finland, and it was there ISMO wrote and starred in two seasons of his own sitcom, ISMO. He has appeared on national television; NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly, and just became the first Finnish comedian to perform on Conan in 2018.

ISMO’s clip from Conan has been viewed 65+ million times.

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presents

TUE. APR. 9 I 8 PM

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The brainchild of internationally accomplished pianists Andreas Kern and Paul Cibis, Piano Battle sees the duo go head-to-head on stage, charming and enchanting the audience with a variety of classical pieces. The two artists, with distinctly different performance styles, take turns to perform pieces by composers such as Chopin, Liszt and Debussy. They will even improvise based on the tunes you request.

PAUL CIBIS Educated in Hanover, Berlin and London, Paul Cibis has performed on five continents and established an international presence.

He has been invited to international festivals in the UK, Germany, USA, South Africa, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to his many concert appearances, he has been featured in radio and television programs around the world, including the BBC, WDR, 3Sat, ORB, HR, RTHK, and CCTV. Cibis has released several albums, including a collection of French mélodies and piano works by Berlioz, Fauré and Debussy, in collaboration with German mezzo-soprano Barbara Senator.

His latest album features a collection of solo pieces by Taiwanese composer Kai-nan Huang. A committed pedagogue, Cibis has taught at Trinity College of Music in London and frequently gives master classes in Germany, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea.

ANDREAS KERN Born in South Africa, Andreas Kern studied piano in Cologne and Berlin with Günter Ludwig and Pascal Devoyon. As a soloist and chamber musician, he has extensive experience in Europe, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Japan, India and South Africa. Keen to present classical music in unconventional ways, Kern has developed concert projects and formats that often feature unorthodox venues, or whereby musicians collaborate with artists in other fields, such as theatre and dance. Such performances have successfully drawn a much wider and younger audience than traditional classical concerts. Andreas Kern has also created the critically acclaimed “arte lounge” for the French-German TV channel Arte. As the show‘s co-host, he has performed with musicians including Mischa Maisky, Renaud Capucon, Sol Gabetta, Sarah Chang, Vadim Repin, Nils Mönkemeyer, Elina Garanca, and Jörg Widmann. He was also the architect of the Piano City Berlin Festival 2010, which featured more than 100 piano performances held in Berlin within one weekend. Since then, Piano City has branched out to other cities such as Milan, Naples and Barcelona.

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TUE. APR. 16 I 8 PM

Poet: Choreographer: Voice Director: Composer and Musician: Video Designer: Lighting Designer:

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Christian Bรถk Denise Fujiwara Gerry Trentham Phil Strong Justin Stephenson Roelof Peter Snippe

Technical Director and Production Manager: Stage Manager: Costume and Props Designer:

Nick Andison Jennifer Lee Andjelija Djuric

Created with and performed by: Sylvie Bouchard Claudia Moore Lucy Rupert Miko Sobreira Rebecca Hope Terry Gerald Trentham Lacey Smith Understudies: Brodie Stevenson Voice Coach: Cindy Block Dramaturg: Philip Shepherd CONSULTANTS: Kathak: Salsa: Street Dance: American Sign Language Translators: Fight Director: Costumes/Props:

Bageshree Vaze Miko Sobreira Ofilio Portillo atherine MacKinnon, C Amanda Hyde Simon Fon Cheryl Lalonde

Thank you to Eric Lariviere, Monica Pain and the staff at the Flato Markham Theatre, John and Michelle Tidball, and Miller Thomson.

A NOTE FROM CHRISTIAN BÖK ABOUT EUNOIA Eunoia is a univocal lipogram—a text written under a constraint, in which each vowel appears by itself in its own chapter (so that, for example, the letter A appears only in the first section; the letter E, appears only in the second section, etc.). Each vowel expresses its own personality through the limits of this restricted vocabulary: A is courtly; E is elegiac; I is lyrical; O is jocular; U is obscene. The word “eunoia,” is the shortest word to contain all five vowels, and the word quite literally means “beautiful thinking.” The text cripples its own language in order to demonstrate that, even under such improbable conditions of duress, language can still express an uncanny, if not sublime, thought.

A NOTE FROM THE CHOREOGRAPHER: In the spirit of Christian Bök’s Griffin Poetry Prize-winning book, we created this performance applying the one vowel constraint to all aspects of the choreography, music and design elements.

The movement, for example, is initiated from body parts that contain only the appropriate vowel; in Chapter A, from the jaw, back, palm, calf, etc. The choreography takes inspiration from the verbs found in the poems and avoids the nouns. The music features vowel specific songs and instrumentation. The constraints, terrified us at the outset because they prevented us from using our usual methodologies and pushed us to innovate with precision and specificity.

Nothing in this work is random. The performance is rather like a large puzzle performed live in four dimensions. The clues to what we’re doing at any moment in this work are in the constraints, and the solutions are in the poem, the dance, music, video and design. We hope you will enjoy engaging in the work as much as we have enjoyed creating it for you.

FOR FUJIWARA DANCE INVENTIONS Artistic Director: Denise Fujiwara General Manager: Adina Herling Board of Directors: J ulia Grant, Chair, Dr. Paula Ravitz Adair Hope Fujiwara Dance Inventions acknowledges the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Lifford Wine and Spirits, John Campbell, Lindy Green & Sam Chaiton, Bruce Batler & Julia Grant, Paula Ravitz & Steven Campbell, and Adair & Ian Hope. www.fujiwaradance.com

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WED. APR. 17 I 8 PM

Anda means “blood brother” or “sister”.

For Mongolians an “Anda” is more important than a birth brother as you choose a person to become an Anda, a life-long blood brother. Anda Union is a brotherhood of Andas. One of the musicians, Nars says, “Most of the band members have been playing together since childhood. As adults, we studied professional vocals and instruments together. We are like a family. Anda Union was forged and we haven’t looked back.”

MEMBERS OF ANDA UNION:

Tsetsegmaa is a long-song singer descended from the Buriat people. She grew up near Hulun Buir in the northwest of Inner Mongolia, one of the remotest areas of the region and home to both Ewenke and Buriat people. An award-winning singer, she recently sang on the blockbuster 2015 film Wolf Totem.

Chinggel grew up in Ongniud Chi in a traditional herding family. He is one of only four musicians in Inner Mongolia who can play the moadin chor, an ancient flute instrument made from a single reed. This

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special reed grows only in the Altai mountains of Northwestern China. Chinggel is an accomplished flute maker and crafts all his own instruments.

Saikhannakhaa is from Horchin grasslands, a region rich in Mongolian culture. As a young student she won a prize as the most talented female Morin Hor player and was invited to join the Inner Mongolia Song and Dance Troup where she met other talented musicians, who formed Anda Union.

Urgen grew up in the grasslands of Ar Horchin close to his childhood friend Nars.

His family are traditional herders and as a boy his job was to take the sheep into the fields to graze. When he was 10 his older brother, Bagana, a music student was tragically killed by a drunk driver. Urgen, deeply affected by this loss, determined to fulfil his brother’s dream to become a top musician. He lives in Hohhot with his wife and 2 daughters.

Uni grew up in Ar Horchin and met Nars and Urgen at high school, where they became close friends and went together to Chifeng Music College, where they met Chinggel. He later became a member of the Inner Mongolia Music and Dance Troupe and was a founder member of Anda Union.

Biligbaatar is from the grasslands Heshigten. He is an award winning long-song singer and learnt to sing as a boy from his mother. An expert horseman, Billigbatar loves to roam the mountains like a Mongolian cowboy.

Chinggeltu is from the Ar Horchin region from a herding family. The youngest in the band, Chinggeltu studied the Morin Hor from a young age, later going on to study the bass Morin Hor at University in Ulanbaatar, Mongolia.

Aurgen grew up in Ar Horchin with his parents, both teachers. His father is director of Mongolian music at the Mongolian University in Hohhot and is

responsible for Aurgen’s passion and virtuosity. Not only an excellent drummer, Aurgen also plays Morin Hor, guitar and piano.

Nars grew up in the Horchin grasslands with his grandparents who were traditional herders. His grandfather, also a musician, playing many instruments including the accordion, morin huur, and other stringed fiddles, became his teacher and mentor from an early age. At aged 12 he went to live in Chifeng to study music and met other students, four of whom would become members of Anda Union. After graduating, Nars joined the Inner Mongolia Music and Dance Troupe where he met the rest of the band and in 2000 Anda Union was born.

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FRI. APR. 26 I 8 PM

Kevin Nealon sets himself apart from other comedic performers with his unique sense of humour, dry wit and likeable demeanour. Nealon is best known for his nine-year stint as a cast member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live and has received critical acclaim for his role in the Showtime series, Weeds. Nealon is currently seen as one of the stars on the CBS-TV comedy series Man with a Plan.

Weeds, which recently completed its eighth and final season, has been honoured at the 2006, 2007 and 2009 Golden Globes with nominations for “Best Television Series Comedy or Musical.” In 2007 and 2009, Weeds was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.”

Nealon recently hosted the AOL series Laugh Lessons with Kevin Nealon. Nealon’s second standup special for Showtime, Whelmed…But Not Overly, debuted in August 2012 and is available on DVD.

Nealon has found great comedic success in his extensive film career. In Anger Management, he played opposite Jack Nicholson and fellow Saturday Night Live comedian, Adam Sandler. He and Sandler also teamed up in Blended, Eight Crazy Nights, The Wedding Singer, Happy Gilmore, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, and Just Go with It. Nealon has also joined another Saturday Night Live alumnus David Spade in the film Joe Dirt. Kevin’s other film credits include Daddy Day Care with Eddie

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Murphy, Good Boy with Molly Shannon, Roxanne with Steve Martin and the cult hit Grandma’s Boy with Jonah Hill and Nick Swardson.

Nealon provided the voice for the title role in the Nick at Nite stop-motion animated series Glenn Martin, DDS. He starred opposite Catherine O’Hara and Judy Greer in the series that followed the adventures of a travelling dentist and his family.

As one of the longest running cast members on NBC’s Saturday Night Live (1986-1995), Nealon created some of the show’s most memorable characters, including ‘The Subliminal Man’ and ‘Hans and Franz.’ Nealon’s reoccurring role as an anchor on ‘Weekend Update’ helped make the sketch a show staple. In 1988 Nealon earned an Emmy Award nomination as part of the SNL writing team.

Currently, Nealon resides in Los Angeles with his wife and son.

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