The Peace Region’s Arts and Culture Magazine
APRIL 2010
FASHION in FSJ
ON THE ROAD WITH JODY PECK AND JODIE PONTO SHANNON BUTLER’S KILNHOUSE ON DISPLAY TALKING TO ANGELA DE SMIT: FORT ST JOHN’S NEW HOSPITAL AND THE COMMUNITY LIVE THEATRE & ORIGINAL MUSIC: A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY
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WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE? CONTRIBUTORS Bettyanne Hampton, Chantelle Bourgeau, Dave Tolley, Deb Butler, Henry See, Jodie Ponto, Jody Peck, Mark Bodner, Peter Mozola, Richard Zienkiewicz, Russell Eggleston, Shannon Butler, Sue Popesku
Cover Photo - Peter Mozola
THE NORTHERN GROOVE TEAM Publisher - Russell Eggleston russell@northerngroove.com Editor - Jodie Ponto jodie@northerngroove.com Advertising - Dave Tolley dave@northerngroove.com
COVER STORY: FASHION IN FSJ PAGE 6
Northern Groove Magazine Published by Russell Eggleston Creative Services | RR1 Site 16 Comp. 30 | Fort St. John, BC | V1J 4M6
4 - Upcoming Local Events Arts 10 - Kilnhouse on Display Culture 6 - Fashion in Fort St. John: Redkarr Clothing 14 - Infusing Latin Culture in FSJ Food 12 - Welcome to my N.A.I.T.mares Maps 16 -17 - MAP OF FORT ST JOHN Music 8 - On the Road with Jody Peck and Jodie Ponto 26 - House Concert: Rick Fines at Retro Relics 30 - Peter Katz at Whole Wheat ‘n Honey Photos 19 - 23 - Photo Recaps of: The Spring Thing, RocKIN the Peace 2010, Kick the Winter Blues, Spring Activity Fest, Leonard and Jordan, Toby, and Naughtlia Theatre 28 - Stage North Upcoming Plays 29 - Live Theatre & Original Music: A Journey of Discovery Community
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24 - New Executive Director for North Peace Cultural Centre 30 - Talking to Angela De Smit: Fort St. John’s New Hospital & The Community FOR MORE LOCAL ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT VISIT NORTHERNGROOVE.COM
APRIL 2010
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UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS THIS MONTH Thu, Apr. 1 - Wed, Mar. 31 “Rainbow Owl and the Spring Collection” - Peace Gallery North Fort St. John
Thu, Apr. 1 7:00pm - 9:00pm - “Rainbow Owl and the Spring Collection” Opening Night - Peace Gallery North - Fort St. John
Thu, Apr. 1 Sat, Apr. 3 - 8:00pm - 11:00pm Cease & Desist - JD Fitzgerald’s Pub - Fort St. John Sat, Apr. 3 7:00pm - 9:00pm - HELIX in Concert - Lido Theatre - Fort St. John Sat, Apr. 3 8:00pm - 11:00pm - Crash Karma feat. Soul Side In and Wauntid - On The Rocks - Fort St. John
Tue, Apr. 6 7:00pm - 10:00pm - Strawberry Jam - Lido Theatre - Fort St. John Thu, Apr. 8 - Sat, Apr. 10 8:00pm - 11:00pm - OneManRock - JD Fitzgerald’s Pub - Fort St. John Fri, Apr. 9 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Aaron Lines North Peace Cultural Centre - Fort St. John
Sat, Apr. 10 7:30pm - 10:00pm - Home Routes Concert Series: Rick Fines - The Rabbit Hole - Fort St. John Sat, Apr. 10 8:00pm - FSJ Arts Council’s Toga Party - On The Rocks - Fort St. John Mon, Apr. 12 7:00pm - 9:00pm - FSJ Film Society Presents: The Damned United Aurora Cinema Centre - Fort St. John Tue, Apr. 13 7:00pm - 9:00pm - PRSA Songwriters’ Circle - Under the Willow - Dawson Creek
Tue, Apr. 13 - Sun, Apr. 18 8:00pm - 11:00pm - Presidio with
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Ken & Yvonne Dawson Creek
- Alaska Hotel
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Wed, Apr. 14 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Bassoon As You’re Ready: George Zukerman North Peace Cultural Centre - Fort St. John Thu, Apr. 15 7:00pm - 10:00pm - Home Routes Concert Series: Ken Whiteley - The Round House - Chetwynd Thu, Apr. 15 - Sat, Apr. 17 8:00pm - 11:00pm - Jason Greeley - JD Fitzgerald’s Pub - Fort St. John
Fri, Apr. 16 9:00pm - 11:00pm - Comedy Night with Cyrus from Trailer Park Boys On The Rocks - Fort St. John Sat, Apr. 17 - Wed, Apr. 21 - Peace River South Festival of the Arts - Dawson Creek
Sat, Apr. 17 8:00am - 3:00pm - Stage North Garage Sale - Fort St. John
Sat, Apr. 17 7:00pm - 10:00pm - Peter Katz Whole Wheat and Honey - Fort St. John Tue, Apr. 20 - Sat, May. 8 - Dawson Creek Art Gallery Presents: “Mixed Media” - Dawson Creek Art Gallery - Dawson Creek Tue, Apr. 20 2:00pm - 4:00pm - “Art That Moves You” Bookmark Party - FSJ Public Library - Fort St. John
Tue, Apr. 20 - Sun, Apr. 25 8:00pm - 11:00pm - Great Escape with Jeff & Laurie - Alaska Hotel Dawson Creek Tue, Apr. 20 9:00pm - 11:00pm - Sean Ashby Fynnigan’s Pub - Dawson Creek Thu, Apr. 22 - Sat, Apr. 24 7:00pm - 10:00pm - Stage North Presents: I, Claudia - North Peace Cultural Centre - Fort St. John
Thu, Apr. 22 7:00pm - 11:00pm - Wild-T & The Spirit - Lido Theatre - Fort St. John
Thu, Apr. 22 7:00pm - 10:00pm - Sean Ashby Whole Wheat and Honey - Fort St. John
Thu, Apr. 22 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Kevin Fox Trio - Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre Dawson Creek Thu, Apr. 22 - Sat, Apr. 24 8:00pm - 11:00pm - Way Cool Band - JD Fitzgerald’s Pub - Fort St. John
Sat, Apr. 24 4:30pm - 6:30pm - PRSA Songwriters’ Circle - Under the Willow - Dawson Creek Sat, Apr. 24 7:00pm - 10:00pm - PRSA Monthly Coffee House - Under the Willow Dawson Creek
Mon, Apr. 26 - Fri, Apr. 30 4:00pm - 8:00pm - Circus North Workshop - Dawson Creek Tue, Apr. 27 - Sun, May. 2 8:00pm - 11:00pm - Great Escape with Jeff & Laurie - Alaska Hotel Dawson Creek
Wed, Apr. 28 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Peace River South Festival of the Arts Honours Show - Unchagah Hall - Dawson Creek Thu, Apr. 29 - Sat, May. 1 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Stage North Presents: Toronto, Mississippi North Peace Cultural Centre - Fort St. John
Thu, Apr. 29 - Sat, May. 1 8:00pm - 11:00pm - Karac Hendrix - JD Fitzgerald’s Pub - Fort St. John
LOOK OUT FOR
Tue, May. 4 - Sun, May. 9 7:00pm - 10:00pm - Peace River Zone Theatre Festival - North Peace Cultural Centre - Fort St. John Fri, Jun. 25 6:30pm - 10:00pm - The Offspring EnCana Events Centre - Dawson Creek
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SEND US YOUR EVENTS If you have an event, we want to hear about it! Please email us at submit@ northerngroove.com
This listing is accurate as of presstime. It is always advisable to call ahead to make sure the event details are correct.
proud supporter of local arts & community Mon-Thu: 11:00am - 10:00pm Fri & Sat: 11:00am - 11:00pm Sun: 4:00pm - 10:00pm
#1 9016 100th Avenue Fort St. John, BC (across from Ming’s Kitchen)
APRIL 2010
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CALL TO ORDER
250.262.3282 www.oliospizza.com
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FASHION IN FORT ST. JOHN: REDKARR CLOTHING Photos by Peter Mozola Chantelle Bourgeau, Fort St. John’s very own aspiring fashion designer, is surfacing in the eyes of the cultural and artistic enthusiasts of our community as she is bases her new clothing line right here in her hometown and forges forward with her life’s goal. Chantelle has always had a “thing” for sewing and creating beautiful works of art, and that is exactly how she looks upon her pieces – as works of art. She says that every single piece that comes out of her sewing room is made from the very bottom of her heart with sheer love and joy. “ I can’t even go in there unless I’m absolutely inspired. And it’s pretty close to impossible for me to find inspiration without being totally happy.” A brief interview with the young Fort St. John native reveals a few tid-bits about her line. What is your clothing line called? And when did the idea of starting a clothing line strike you?
Redkarr clothing. It was established last year, just after I turned seventeen, but I’ve been positively obsessed with the idea of being a designer since before I really even knew what it was I was obsessed with. The idea became solid around grade nine, when I sat down one day and thought to myself, this could really be my calling. Tell us about the launch of your line.
I am currently in negotiations with Scoop Clothing where my line is set to be released this spring.
What has the process of preparing for the debut been like? Well, that whole stage is definitely still in progress, but I can tell you this ... it’s a rush! Every day is a whirlwind of stress and adventure, I constantly feel like I wish there were more than twenty-four hours in a day, and it’s hard to mentally prepare myself for all that is happening. And yet, I have met some wonderful people and have been truly blessed with the help and support of community members and leaders. What are your future plans for the line?
Well, Fifth Avenue New York is an understatement! I know it’s going to take a lot of time and work, but
Valerie Schmidt
I’m going to take my line as far and as big as I possibly can. Where do you find your inspiration?
Everywhere and in everything I see. Some beautiful person walking down the street, the scarf half hidden in a stranger’s collar, the color of a friend’s eyes, the way a ruined piece of clothing comes to life in a completely new and wonderful way. When I open my eyes and look around me at our beautiful world and all the beautiful people, it all combines to form this creative drive I can’t resist, and then I can coop myself up for days and just sketch my heart out. What’s your next step?
To get my clothes out there, and beautiful people in them. What message are you relaying with your clothing?
Being native to Fort St. John I have a very deep rooted respect for strong women, who face all the setbacks of accomplishing status in a very male based industry. Combining that with my so far adventurous life of travel and new experiences, I would say my clothes are a reflection of the impressions made in me by my life - very free and diverse, and yet with every deliberate stitch showing the warrior in every woman.
Andrea Ryan
Do you have a “signature” style?
I wouldn’t necessarily say I have a signature. Each piece is a reflection of the mood I am in when the design enters my imagination. Tell us what it has been like starting your own company so unlike the mainstream of this town.
I have found, to my extreme pleasure, that when one is willing to step out and brave the odds for a dream like my own, our community is “the first to know” so to speak, and the quickest to help out, especially with young people such as myself.
(standing l-r) Andrea Ryan, Valerie Schmidt, (seated) Chantelle Bourgeau
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Miss Quincy (aka: Jody Peck) outside the cabin she recorded her new album in this winter. Photo by Jodie Ponto
ON THE ROAD WITH JODY PECK AND JODIE PONTO By JP Squared Jodie Ponto, Northern Groove’s own Countess of Content and Photographer Extraordinaire, is taking a hiatus from these duties over the next few months to embark on a journey with a talented Peace Region musician who coincidentally shares her first name and last initial - Jody Peck (better known onstage as Miss Quincy). You can keep up with their adventures by checking Miss Quincy’s website or Jodie’s website (and corresponding photoblog): www.missquincy.net and www.jodieponto.com
and I just try to get out of the way and let her do just that.
PONTO: This winter you recorded your second album in a little log cabin on the banks of the Peace River. Tell us about the inspiration for the album and the recording process.
PECK: My cabin was essential to the concept and the making of this album .... and if I do recall the idea for this album came out of a conversation in an empty sushi restaurant on a road trip that the two of us took last fall. I wanted the feel of the cabin and a northern Recently Miss Ponto sat down with Miss Peck to talk winter to come through in the record and I wanted to about her endeavors and adventures. Stay tuned for create a record that sounded like real musicians playing next month’s issue of Northern Groove when the tables together in a room ... something exciting to listen to. I are turned and Miss Peck talks to Miss Ponto. knew that if I could bring the right mix of musicians together we could make some great music and get that PONTO: So, Jody P, we don’t always share a first live feel. So, I bribed musicians from far and near with name and last initial. On stage you’re better known the promise of simple cabin living and horse riding in as Miss Quincy. Who is this Miss Quincy, exactly? the beautiful Peace hills and I asked my good friend Ben Nixon (mossyrockproductions.com) to engineer PECK: Well Jodie P, thanks for asking. Miss Quincy is a the album. We managed to find all lady who always wears a great the recording gear that Greyhound hat. She’s a character from a lost, turned the cabin into a statewestern movie, she’s a saloon of-the-art recording studio, and the madame, she’s a blues lady, she -40 degree temperatures helped has some rough edges, she has us stay inside and be productive. I some soft ones, she’s fair, she guess I should mention here that knows a good horse when she we consumed an unhealthy amount sees one, she’s a bootlegger, a of whiskey, but it was all for the moonshiner, and she’ll tell you sake of the album. The mix of when you’re acting like an ass. musicians on this album is one of So, you see, Miss Quincy is a my favorite things about it. Reno character that can’t help but Fitch and Josh Giesbrecht are just play music and sing her stories two of the great Peace Country Jodie Ponto, stealing souls as usual. Photo by Peter Mozola.
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musicians all over the album, and Peter Mynett (from Victoria’s Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra) and Craig Korth (bluegrass banjo master from Widow Maker) also play key roles. It is a unique experience to get cabin fever with a bunch of great musicians. PONTO: Your album has a pretty catchy and cheeky title - “Your Mama Don’t Like Me” - care to divulge?
PECK: Oh, this is the part where you’re asking the songwriter to get personal ... I actually don’t care to divulge, but, thank you for asking. The song is track #1 on the album. PONTO: How would you describe your music?
PECK: Oh this is such a tedious question, really Jodie P, you know how artists dislike this one! But, because you have such a great name, I’m going to give this one a go. My music is heavily influenced by my backwoods upbringing and my musical interests. Right now, I would say my greatest influence is from those ass kicking ladies who sang their souls out at turn of the last century and inadvertently created the blues. So, what I hope for my music is that it has the attitude of the blues, solid musicianship, a little gypsy flair, and a genuine tone that people can connect too. If you want my official description though, I call it ‘grass roots gypsy blues’. PONTO: What are your Spring and Summer tour plans?
Jody P: In April and May I will be embarking on my first solo international tour (in the UK). I set most of the tour up myself, but for 10 days I will be teaming up with a UK based agency, CME Artist Services, to jump onboard their UK Spring Tour Working with CMEAS
APRIL 2010
will really lay a foundation for future UK tours and connections. Immediately after the UK tour (it was also really exciting that they had a position open for tour photographer, wasn’t it Jodie P?) Immediately after the UK tour I’m doing a cross-Canada tour - this time with a band. PONTO: When can we hear the finished album and catch you on stage?
PECK: The official release date for Your Mama Don’t Like Me is June 15th (that’s when you can get it on itunes etc). But ... if you see me around town before I head out on tour, I just may have a copy. Also, check www.missquincy. net for a free download of the record’s first single, “Dead Horse”. As for shows ... well Jodie P, we have a very special idea in mind for a CD release/photo exhibit/all out party in July, don’t we? Anyone who wants to be kept in the loop about this and other sweet shows that will be happening this summer should become a Miss Quincy Facebook Fan or sign up for my email list on my website. My whole cross-Canada tour is an Album Release tour, but my CD release show here in Fort St. John is the real release as this is where the album was made and so many people here are a part of it. PONTO: Look in the crystal ball - what do you see in Miss Quincy’s future?
PECK: I see Miss Quincy aging gracefully, perhaps with a young cowboy on a ranch, or maybe running a fine drinking establishment, and she will have a large collection of vintage hats. But, before that wonderful retirement dream, I will be touring non-stop, playing music in every bar-room, festival stage, street corner, and living room that will have me.
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SHANNON BUTLER ARTICLE
KILNHOUSE ON DISPLAY By Deb Butler Just two short weeks before her show at Peace Gallery North, Shannon Butler finally got her brand new 10 cubic foot Bailey electric kiln fired up. Every shelf and table in her studio was covered in unfired work for the April 1st opening called, “Rainbow Owl and the Spring Collection”.
Shannon said, “Until now I’ve been getting by with an old manual 3 cubic foot hobby size kiln, and firing at the North Peace Potters Guild. But to keep my own studio full of work I just had to take the leap so I ordered a professional potters size kiln from New York”.
The 700 pound package was delivered to kilnhouse, and with help from 8 strong men it was put in place in her studio. At 35 inches across, the kiln is unusually wide to allow for large sculptural pieces that Shannon has become well known for. She carefully measures and squeezes in as many pieces as possible before setting the digital controller to the desired firing schedule.
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The show “Rainbow Owl and The Spring Collection” will run for the month of April at Peace Gallery North.
SHANNON BUTLER’S “RAINBOW OWL AND THE SPRING COLLECTION” Artist Statement
The show “Rainbow Owl and The Spring Collection”, showcases my most recent ceramic work. I have a hard time making just one type of ceramic art, so to keep inspired I like to change it up in the studio, hence the two separate veins of work in this show.
Rainbow Owl is a character I have been developing over the past few months who is a tell-it-like-itis type of owl who speaks about northern culture, and continues to be highly ironic. For example, rainbow owl is a therapist whose dream is to be a
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welder! He speaks his mind authentically from his unique corner of the world, and somehow people seem to relate to him.
The Spring Collection aspect of the show is a continuum of work I’ve been making for the past 2 years, which involves creating vessels for plants and flowers. I love to create pots that serve a specific purpose, i.e. orchid planter, and I enjoy imagining unruly plants growing out of these one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces. There is an obvious mixture of old and new influences in this hand-built porcelain work. By juxtaposing vintage
lace stained rusty brown against contemporary commercial bright glaze a mixture of rustic elegance is achieved.
The surface of the works isn’t conventionally glossy as you might find many pieces of pottery out in the world. Instead there is a mixture of raw stained clay and glazed details along with visible fingerprints proving the handmade nature of the work. It is with these things in mind that my aim is to create works that represent an authentic type of beauty.
Award Winning Canadian Country Artist NORTH PEACE CULTURAL CENTRE
AARON LINES
Friday April 9 ~ 7pm
27th Annual Art Auction
SATURDAY MAY 1
An incredible evening showcasing a wide variety of fine art.
Buffet dinner, complimentary wine and live entertainment. Bid on original works of art by local and national artists, in our main and silent auction.
Proceeds support Peace Gallery North
APRIL 2010
special guest Christopher Baumiester The Eddie Van Halen of the Bassoon
GEORGE ZUCKERMAN
Thursday April 14 ~ 7pm
Tickets for these and other events on sale now at North Peace Cultural Centre Box Office or by phone at: 250-785-1992, toll free 1-877-785-1992 or online at www.npcc.bc.ca
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WELCOME TO MY N.A.I.T.MARES By Richard Zienkiewicz Executive Chef, Uptown Grill When I signed up for my cooking apprenticeship I knew things were starting to get serious for me. I wouldn’t be just a line cook anymore, I was an apprentice on my way to becoming a Red seal chef ! I was living in Edmonton at the time so I would be learning professional cooking skills at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (N.A.I.T.). In the beginning of my first year I was learning the basics of professional cooking and everything was exciting and new. I was taught how to make a great mother sauce out of basic quality ingredients and then turn it into more complex sauces. I learned about cutting and cooking high grade meats and how to prepare fresh seafood and vegetables. Then it was time to learn some much needed pastry skills. Like most of the other students in my class, my pastry knowledge was limited, but with some trial and error I became more familiar with the ingredients and picked up a lot of new techniques. Occasionally some of the students would feel anxious or nervous about a recipe we would be making the next day or how well we were measuring up with our chefs. With the amount of stress we felt we would occasionally have trouble getting a good night’s rest and would often have unsettling dreams which we dubbed N.A.I.T.mares. Making bread can be intimidating if you haven’t made it before, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare, if you follow this simple no knead bread recipe and roasted garlic and maple butter.
No Knead Bread Recipe
3 cups white flour 1 teaspoon dry active yeast .5 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon white sugar 2.5 cups warm water
.5 pound salted butter (room temperature) 1 teaspoon parsley 1 teaspoon minced garlic 3 tablespoons of maple syrup 3 cloves minced roasted garlic (roast garlic wrapped in tinfoil with a little olive oil at 400 F for 25-30 min) - Mix together all ingredients well. Spread on fresh baked bread and enjoy.
The Music
Alice Cooper – Welcome to my Nightmare
- Mix together all dry ingredients in a bowl then mix in warm water (do not knead). Cover dough with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 18 hours. Punch down dough and place in greased bread pan or shape into rolls. Cover and let dough rise for 40 minutes then bake for 20 minutes in a preheated 400 F oven.
Roasted Garlic and Maple Butter Recipe
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READ PAST ISSUES OF NORTHERN GROOVE ONLINE Northern Groove Magazine is available online! If you missed any of the past issues, or want to pass the magazine along to friends or family... Click the “Read The Magazine” link at the top right corner of the northerngroove.com homepage. The webpage is updated with new articles daily about upcoming local events and local artists, so make sure to check those out too! www.northerngroove.com
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APRIL 2010
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10421 100th Street 250.787.7591
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LISETT GODOY: INFUSING LATIN CULTURE IN FSJ By Jodie Ponto
It’s St. Patrick’s Day and I’m in Lisett Godoy’s Latino Aerobics class. All around me hips are a-shakin’ and all around me are full length mirrors reminding me that I am not blessed with the gift of the swivelling hips. I’m sweating and feel like an awkward lump of white girl, but looking in those full-length mirrors I can’t help but notice I’m smiling. The hour whizzes by, and as Lisett promised me before the class, I experience an hour of fun where I don’t worry about anything else at all. Every so often visions of the work I have to do or the green beer waiting for me at the pub try to dance in my head, but as soon as they do I find I’ve lost my rhythmic place and am tripping all over my feet. As Lisett put it, “If you think you can’t follow me. And you have to follow me to keep up!” Lisett has been dancing since she was 4 years old and has been teaching Latin Dance and Latino Aerobics for over 10 years - first in her home country of Venezuela and now in Canada. Lisett is proud of her roots and is passionate about teaching the community about them. She says Venezeula has a long history and tradition of beautiful dance and that it’s a big honour for her when people are interested in learning.
Lisett moved to Fort St. John in 2006. When she first moved to the city she spoke no English. She says it made her feel “deaf and blind” not being able to communicate with people and as a result she became depressed. A good friend convinced her that she could make a difference in the community if she learned a little English. So, she began taking classes at Northern Lights College and it was through those English classes that Lisett got her start teaching Latin Dance in Fort St. John. Her first Latin Dance class in Fort St. John was held at NLC’s mall campus - a whopping 96 people attended, and the rest is history!
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WWW.NORTHERNGROOVE.COM lisett godoy at her latino aerobics class
Ever since that first historic class Lisett has been infusing Latin culture into the Peace Region. She has taught classes at Northern Lights College, North Peace Cultural Centre, Sisters Pace Fitness Club, Today’s Techniques, Maximum Fitness, and the Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre (Dawson Creek). She has choreographed and performed routines for Flavours of the World 2006 & 2007, Canada Day 2008, Evening of Sensuality 2009, International Women’s Day 2008, 2009, & 2010, as well as private parties. Lisett has no plans of taking away Fort St. John’s Latin spice either. She jokes that when people ask her when she is going home she always replies “half an hour”. “I love Venezuela, but Fort St. John is my home,” she states. She says that although she’s a big city girl there is something different about the people in Fort St. John. There is a big sense of community and she feels the members of the community are open to and really try to understand people from other cultures. She sites events such as the Black History Month Dinner & lisett godoy Dance (held in
February) where people from all cultures were in one room all having fun together.
Lisett’s story and her passion and enthusiam for everything she is involved with is an inspiration to others. For anyone who is experiencing the same sort of struggles she did when she first moved to Fort St. John she offers a hearty and encouraging “You can do it!”. She says that English is a hard language to learn, but to work hard at learning it and to share what you know because every culture is beautiful.
If you’re interested in learning about Latin culture and dancing make sure to drop by one of Lisett’s classes. They are currently held at Maximum Fitness and run every Friday from 7-8:30pm for Latin Dancing (salsa and merengue) and MondayWednesday from 6:30-7:30pm for Latino Aerobics (salsa, cumbia, merengue, reggaeton, bachata, vallenato, pop latino, and much more). You can contact Lisett for more information at 250-787-8637 or latindancefsj@hotmail.com.
The Welcoming & Inclusive Communities & Workplaces Program (WICWP) is a special collaborative community initiative aimed at supporting and celebrating cultural diversity through community events, workshops, articles and special initiative. This program is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. For more information about the WICWP in Fort St John please contact Leslie at 250.785.5323.
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VENUES & SUPPORTERS This map of Fort St. John is intended to help visitors and residents better find venues, restaurants, supporting businesses, and other places of interest. If your venue or business is interested in getting on our map please contact us at info@ northerngroove.com
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1 EVANGEL CHAPEL
10508 98 ST. PH. 250-785-3386
2 SYSTEMS BY TRAIL
10421 100 ST. PH. 250-787-7591
3 IMAGE BUILD TEAM
10520 101 AVE. PH. 250-663-8839
4 UPTOWN GRILL
9924 - 101 AVE. PH. 250-787-9085
5 OLIO’S PIZZA
1-9016 100 AVE PH. 250-262-3282
6 RETRO RELICS / THE RABBIT HOLE 10140 100TH AVE. PH. 250-787-8822
7 WHOLE WHEAT ‘N HONEY 10003 100 ST. PH. 250-787-9866
8 NORTH PEACE CULTURAL CENTRE 10015 100AVE PH. 250-785-1992
9 TIM AND TYC’S
10403 100TH AVE. PH. 250-785-2525
10 SIMPLY MUSIC
9013 100TH AVE PH. 250-785-7070
11 MACENNA STAFFING
2ND FLOOR, 10139 - 101 AVENUE. PH. 250-785-8367
12 CASEY’S PUB
8163-100 AVE. PH. 250-787-1661
13 ISABELLE’S BOUTIQUE 9916 101 AVE. PH. 250-785-8070
14 ON THE ROCKS NIGHTCLUB 5-10440 100TH ST. PH. 250-261-6942
15 FSJ WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTRE 10051 - 100TH AVENUE. PH. 250-787-1121
16 EGAN’S PUB
9404 ALASKA ROAD10051 - 100TH AVENUE. PH. 250-2639991 16
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MAP OF FORT ST. JOHN PRESENTED BY
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E L O H T I B B A R / S C I L E R O R T RE OKS BO ¥ S E P I P ¥ E R U T L U DETOX¥ALT C ALITY ¥ VINYL U
IT IR P S ¥ S T IR H S T POSTERS ¥ : RICK FINES HOUSE, ACprOilN10C,E7:R30Tpm . Saturday
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20, 7pm.
$15 at the door FREE WWW.NORTHERNGROOVE.COM
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THE SPRING THING @ LONESTAR NIGHT CLUB, MARCH 20, 2010 | Eargasms abounded at The Lonestar Night19 APRIL 2010
club on March 20, 2010 as local DnC Productions and TDF Recordz presented “The Spring Thing”.
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ROCKIN THE PEACE 2010 @ NPCC, MARCH 13, 2010 | Plenty of Peace Country talent was onstage at this year’s
RocKIN the Peace, but it was Lorissa Scriven, who took top honors and the $1500 Grand Prize. The top five finalists for this year were Paul Apelo, Christ’s Sindicate (2.), Celeigh Cardinal (1.), Lindsay Pratt (3.), and 20 WWW.NORTHERNGROOVE.COM Lorissa Scriven (4.).
KICK THE WINTER BLUES @ THE FORT ST JOHN FRIENDSHIP CENTRE, MARCH 17, 2010 | Art Napoleon (top left)
hosted an open stage for local aboriginal youth.
SPRING ACTIVITY FEST @ NORTH PEACE SECONDARY SCHOOL, MARCH 20, 2010 | The community celebrated the APRIL first day of 2010 spring with a multicultural afternoon of fun featuring live music, dancing, great food and21more!
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LEONARD AND JORDAN @ THE RABBIT HOLE, MARCH 5, 2010 | Leonard Podolak (left) & Jordan McConnell
(right), of Winnipeg’s legendary folk-rock band The Duhks, took the plunge down The Rabbit Hole for another Home Routes House Concert at Retro Relics/The Rabbit Hole. www.jodieponto.com
TOBY @ JACKFISH DUNDEE’S, FEBRUARY 25, 2010 | FSJ’s favorite Australian phenom, Toby, got her roots 22 at Jackfish Dundee’s (Gavin Arnold on melodica bottom right). www.jodieponto.com WWW.NORTHERNGROOVE.COM groove on
NAUGHTLIA @ FYNNIGAN’S PUB, MARCH 13, 2010 | Ben Marsh (guitar and vocals), Cam Davidson (sound23 APRILvocals), 2010 scapes and Derek Skauge (drums), and Jake Hebeisen (bass). www.jodieponto.com
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NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR NORTH PEACE CULTURAL CENTRE Comox Valley arts administrator slash producer & presenter, Bettyanne Hampton, was recently appointed as new Executive Director at the North Peace Cultural Centre (as of March 1st), replacing former long time lead, Gordon Grant.
Northern Groove caught up with her during her first week here, swapped stories over lattes and banana bread, discovered common ground, shared goals and experienced positive energy in action – the latter having the potential to have a lively impact on the Cultural Centre and the community. Bettyanne says that in her short time here she’s met many engaging and engaged individuals, business owners, arts and culture providers, artists, and musicians who have worked together to create a vibrant arts and culture base in Fort St. John and who are focused on making Fort St. John’s arts and cultural community a vital part of today’s regional economy. “I’m excited to contribute and look forward to working and living in such an artistically rich community.”
Bringing serious music industry creds as founding President and former co-Artistic Director of Vancouver Island Musicfest (now ranked in the top 3 festivals in Canada) and owner/operator of music agency Off the Couch Productions, Hampton’s additional successes as former Executive Director of CYMC, an
BettyAnne Hampton - Photo by Jodie Ponto
Proud Supporter of
LOCAL ARTS
in Our Communities
Fort St. John (250) 787-0361 24
Hudson’s Hope (250) 783-5217
Fort Nelson (250) 774-5215
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internationally recognized youth performing arts school (with alumni Dianna Krall) and Executive Producer of it’s accompanying 4 week festival, all point to new artistic and development opportunity for the Cultural Centre. “Bettyanne brings a unique tool kit of strengths – one that the Cultural Society Board of Directors feels is a good fit for taking the Cultural Centre to the next level”, says Board President, David Batterham.
“I’m excited to contribute and look forward to working and living in such an artistically rich community.”
The next level includes boosting energy, interest and engagement in the Cultural Centre. “Bums in seats...” music workshops, ArtSpace opportunities, gallery showcases, activity in the meeting rooms, dancers in the studio ... movement. The facility is superb, staff are excellent – it’s all here for the community, ready to thrive as an accessible and inviting cultural heart. Bettyanne says she’s pleased to be a part of it and to drop by the Cutural Centre as her door is always open.
too. “Longtime musician friend Jason Butler has introduced us to some of the musicians in town and we’re looking forward to fitting into the music scene”. Her thoughts after two weeks? “It feels like a good fit. I think I’m going to like this northern groove”.
There are lots of events happening at the Cultural Centre in April, including 2 Stage North plays, country sensation Aaron Lines, and classical bassoonist George Zukerman. Look in the events listings in the front of the magazine or visit northerngroove.com for more info.
As for the move from the coast, she says she enjoys the challenge of working in a new environment. “I’m working with all new people. I’m being pushed out of my comfort zone and it feels great”. She’s quick to add that ‘it’s not all work”. As musicians, Bettyanne and her husband Doug also look forward to doing some playing
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HOUSE CONCERT: RICK FINES AT RETRO RELICS By Henry See April 10 - 7:30 pm $15 at the door (all proceeds go to the musicians) Retro Relics/The Rabbit Hole 10140-100 Ave FSJ 250-787-8822 Echoes of Mississippi John Hurt and Reverend Gary Davis can be heard in the guitar, but this is no mere imitation. The sound of foot tapping and the intimate vocal brings the listener right inside the little cabin in the Kawartha Highlands, where a master storyteller spins yarns and plays guitar. At 47, Rick Fines is a veteran of the folk and blues circuits in North America, and there is no better venue to hear him than a house concert down at Retro Relics/The Rabbit Hole - the intimate atmosphere of a private concert! In October 2005 Rick went to Alabama where he took first place in the Sweetgum Bottom Acoustic Blues Competition. His song “Riley Wants His Life Back” won first place in the blues category of 2003 International Songwriting Competition, with B.B. King as one of the judges!
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He won the MapleBlues Award for Songwriter of the Year last year, Acoustic Act Of The Year twice (98, 99), and has received eight additional nominations.
His work with Jackson Delta (for 15 years) brought nominations from both the Juno and the Handy Awards. He has played for legendary blues piano player Pinetop Perkins, songstress Colleen Peterson, folk icon Penny Lang and many others. He toured from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic, from B.C. to NYC last year alone, bringing his understanding of blues, finger-style, and bottleneck guitar.
In addition to a busy touring schedule, Fines conducts classes and workshops. For several years now he has taught fingerstyle guitar at the Haliburton School of the Arts and blues guitar at Kincardine Summer Music Festival in Ontario and Hornby Island Blues Workshop in British Columbia. He also works with kids as part of the Blues In The Schools programs in Ottawa, Saskatoon, Toronto, and Fredericton. House Concerts at Retro Relics/The Rabbit Hole I can’t do better than Jodie Ponto in presenting the house concert experience down at the store, so
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I’m just going to quote Jodie’s comments on last month’s show: “I, for one, have been buzzing around the office all day in anticipation of this show.
First of all, house concerts freakin’ rock my music world and are one of my favorite concert experiences. They are intimate and memorable shows that allow you to get up close and personal with the artists. Everyone who is there is there for the music and often times the nights end up with late-night after-jams or parties - mostly because many of the attendees are your friends, family, and local musicians themselves. Retro Relics/The Rabbit Hole is a great venue for a house concert (imagine listening to a concert surrounded by shelves and shelves of books and walls and walls of music posters) and Henry and Beau are fantastic hosts. If you haven’t been to one of the shows they’ve hosted do yourself a favour and take a plunge down The Rabbit Hole....” ‘Nuff said. Be there!
April’s house concert is the last Home Routes show of the season. We’ll be back in September with another series, and we’ll have a few surprises over the summer!
FRIDAY APRIL 23 . 7PM
GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY
APRIL 2010
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I, CLAUDIA … April 22, 23, 24 Karleigh Smith plays the single actress in Stage North’s I, Claudia by Kristen Thomson. Karleigh is an accomplished dancer at the young age of 15 years old. She has won many dance awards with Studio to Stage along with her two sisters who also dance competitively. She attends Bert Bowes School and is learning to skateboard in her free time. She is determined to get her driver’s licence as soon as her birthday arrives so she is studying the drivers’ manual during breaks in rehearsals. Director Oliver Hachmeister is directing Karleigh in 5 different character roles in I, Claudia. With use of masks and a total change of character, Karleigh changes from a precocious 12 year old girl into her grandfather, her father’s new fiancée, the immigrant school teacher and a theatre director. The audience will get up close and personal during this performance in a unique seating arrangement designed just for this show. Original music for I, Claudia will be featured in the play. Dayna Manning, a well-known musician with 3 albums to her name, will premiere some of the music from her new album soon to be released.
TORONTO MISSISSIPPI ... April 29, 30, May 1
STAGE NORTH UPCOMING PLAYS By Sue Popesku Stage North features two young actresses in the leading roles in two full length Canadian plays opening on stage at the North Peace Cultural Centre at the end of April. Two teenage female roles, one mentally handicapped and the other conflicted, are played by very talented young ladies from Fort St. John.
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Melanie Truscott plays a mentally handicapped teenage girl in Stage North’s Toronto Mississippi by Joan MacLeod. Melanie is a student at Northern Lights College. She makes jewellery and quilts in her spare time. She has a unique sense of style and is a veteran to the stage even at 17 years old. She has worked backstage and on stage for many productions of Stage North, elementary school and NPSS. Directed by Terry Boyle in this comedy-drama, Melanie, as Jhana, steers the family through a path of self destruction and creation.
Jhana is mentally handicapped and working her first job when her father (Blair Scott) returns to the family after a long absence. Her father, an Elvis impersonator and her Mother (Dawn Ljuden), a teacher, along with the boarder Bill (Gilles Francoeur), a poet, weave a story of loneliness and heart ache which reveal that handicaps are not always obvious to the ey. The characters are emotional, driven, loving, funny, and passionate. They yearn for the same things that most people want in life.
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LIVE THEATRE & ORIGINAL MUSIC: A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY
THEATREEATRE
By Sue Popesku
Original music created for movies wins Academy Awards. Fort St. John will have to make its own Oscar category for a local talent creating original music for Stage North’s upcoming theatre production of I, Claudia. Linking live theatre with an original music score is new in Fort St. John and it is no surprise that well known local musician, Dayna Manning, is up to the challenge.
The director of I, Claudia asked Dayna to do original music for the theatre production because, he said the contents of the play and Dayna’s music have the same vibes. Director Oliver Hachmeister said, “Dayna’s music is fresh, vibrant and thought provoking. It matches the play’s energy that revolves around a pre-teen girl of divorced parents who is funny and intelligent.” Linking these two art forms brings out the best in this Canadian play by Kristen Thomson that has a single actress playing four roles and a solo Canadian musician creating her fourth album. Karleigh Smith, a 15 year old student at Bert Bowes School, is the single actress who will play four characters in I, Claudia. She changes roles with the help of masks and a surprising strength in acting talent she has acquired at such a young age. In the basement of the school, where she is hiding, Claudia relates the numerous pitfalls that populate the difficult journey of discovery to adulthood; the journey, not unlike the journey of a musician in becoming a songwriter and launching a musical
career, according to Dayna.
At thirty two, Dayna has successfully completed 3 albums. She says that music is a hard way to make a living and the North does not have all the elements necessary to launch a famous career in music. However, she enjoys Fort St. John and its energetic arts scene. She feels free to create music, jam with other people and help with events that she would not otherwise be able to do in a larger centre. For her next album, Dayna is writing all her own material and producing and recording most of it here at home. Her album, Dayna Manning Songbird, will be launched later in November of this year.
Dayna is no stranger to the theatre. She was born and raised in Stratford, Ontario. Her father was a music teacher with a long history in stage productions. She has been involved with various aspects of theatre all her life. Living in Stratford, with its exciting, world renowned Shakespeare Festival, taught her many things. Dayna said, ”the most important thing it taught me was that dwelling on the past can slow down progress toward new and creative ideas.” She encourages everyone to support the arts scene in the North and is thankful for the designation of Fort St. John as the” Music Capital”. Stage North’s I, Claudia plays on April 22, 23, and 24 at the North Peace Cultural Centre in Fort St. John. Shows begin at 7:30pm and tickets are available at the NPCC box office.
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TALKING TO ANGELA DE SMIT: FORT ST. JOHN’S NEW HOSPITAL & THE COMMUNITY
The Fort St. John Hospital and Residential Care project is set to be complete in 2012. The new FSJ Hospital and Residential Care Facility will include a 55-bed acute and ambulatory care hospital and a 123-bed residential care facility for seniors. The project
will be delivered via a Public Private Partnership with ISL and the facilities will be constructed on a new 40-acre site, with land donated by the City of Fort St. John. Site size allows for future expansion of healthcare facilities.
Angela De Smit is the Health Services Administrator for Northern Health. This means that she oversees all working user groups for the new FSJ Hospital & Residential Care Facility. This also means that she’s helping staff think differently about the floor print of the facility itself and trying to ensure that the design allows for a flowing, onestop shop of patient care. The new facility’s focus is on patient centred care and creating a welcoming facility for the area that provides a high level of service. Northern Health has a strong commitment to the community and aims to create a great facility for that community while also remaining fiscally responsible (i.e. building the facility within reasonable means). The new facility will not just provide top-quality services for Fort St. John though, but for residents all over the region. It is the hope that these new facilities will also help attract and retain staff in our community.
her children are active in the community’s arts and sports programs – so you can imagine the draw and connection of knowing that you’re working on a facility that your children, family, friends, and you yourself will use.
Angela herself is one member of Northern Health that the community has attracted and retained. Originally moving to Fort St. John in 1976 with her family, she returned to the community 13 years ago after going to nursing school and working in Alberta. “I worked in 3 or 4 places in Alberta, but none of them had the draw and connection for me that Fort St. John does. It’s home”. Her parents have a ranch North of Fort St. John, most of her brothers still live and work in the community, and
Angela stresses that this is a community-oriented project. Even the architechts are being encouraged to keep the foundations of Fort St. John (agriculture, forestry, and oil & gas) and build a facility that really reflects the community. They recently spent 2 days touring the city - visiting the museum, local cafes, etc. - and will return in the future to ensure they have a strong sense of the town. There is also potential to include and celebrate Fort St. John’s arts & culture community in this project. Angela says they are currently working on developing an Arts Committee and one of the concepts they are considering it to display local artwork (perhaps even with rotating shows) on the expansive wallspace in the main lobby and corridors.
FSJ Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament held at the Lakepoint Golf Course last August with sponsorship by ISL. Left to right: Kathy Peters, FSJH Director of Care; Angela De Smit; Health Services Administrator; Gareth Hurlbut, General Manager ISL; Betty Morris, NE Chief Operating Officer
Northern Health is committed to keeping local organizations, user groups, and other members of the community involved in the project and it’s progress. As Angela says, “It’s their project as much as it is ours”.
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One of Fort St. John’s most loved musicians is back at Whole Wheat n’ Honey once again. The show is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. You can buy advance tickets online at www.northerngroove.com or at Whole Wheat n’ Honey.
Peter Katz, one of Canada’s most well-loved singersongwriters, is bringing his folk, roots, and pop music to Whole Wheat n’ Honey on Saturday, April 17 for an intimate show. Fort St. John’s own Ryan Hennessey will be opening the night (fun fact: Peter sang harmonies on ‘Simply Beautiful’, a track from Ryan’s new album Every Word You Say). Peter Katz recently released the album First of the Last to Know, and the first day of itunes sales for Peter (March 16), the album rose to the #1 position on the itunes singer-songwriter chart. The album was produced by Rob Szabo and features Academy Award Winner Glen Hansard (The Swell Season, Once), Canadian Folk darlings The Good Lovelies, and steel-town siren Melissa McClelland. Peter is the winner of the CBC Galazie Rising Star Award and the Grand Prize Winner of Toronto’s IndieWeek. He plays 150+ dates a year, and this remarkable grassroots
effort has resulted in him independently selling over 10,000 copies of his discs from the stage and landing support spots with such notable artists as Bedouin Soundclash, Tokyo Poilce Club, The Cat Empire, Jeremy Fisher, Danny Michel, Craig Cardiff, Tomi Swick, Murray McLachlan, among others. Recent activity for Peter includes 5 successful national tours of Canada, a tour of the UK and Ireland, a tour of the Netherlands, with Dutch star Lucky Fonz III, a tour of Germany, the re-release of his record More Nights on Cure/Universal Music, a special invitation by the National Arts Centre to play in Vimy, France as part of the 90th anniversary rededication ceremony of the Vimy Monument, as well as the invitation to perform alongside the legendary Garth Hudson on his upcoming tribute to ‘The Band’. Visit www.northerngroove.com for more info.
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