Wednesday October 4, 2006: Treasures of Ancient Egypt
From mummies and hierglyphs to religion and ritual, we've long been fascinated with the rich culture of Ancient Egypt. And to help satisfy our curiosity, tomorrow the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia opens a new show called the "Treasures of Ancient Egypt".  Earlier today, the AGNS opened its doors to the media for a sneak preview.  And they also invited the Ambassador of Egypt to Canada - Dr Mahmoud El Saeed to help open the exhibit. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor was there and spoke to Dr El Saeed. [runs 1:48]

While the exhibition is underway, the AGNS will have interpretors on hand to help people navigate through the show. Kathy King is one of those interpretors. Her background is in classical history and Egyptology, AND she also can read Ancient Egyptian. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with Kathy King. [runs: 2:28]

 

Monday October 2, 2006: The Trailer Park Boys are out of jail... are they ready for Hollywood?
Arts producer Phlis McGregor chats with Bubbles, Ricky and Julian. [runs: 3:34]

 

Friday September 29, 2006: The Trailer Park Boys Movie.
Open your minds and get ready to let the Trailer Park Boys into your hearts. The boys' new feature film is about to debut on big screens right across the country. The movie is based on the popular television series, and was shot last summer in Nova Scotia.  It's directed by Dartmouth's Mike Clattenburg, and produced by Hollywood comedy director and producer Ivan Reitman. Now, in case you haven't seen the TV show yet... it features Ricky, Julian and Bubbles - three guys who live in the Sunnyvale Trailer Park. They're always coming up with get-rich-quick schemes and getting into trouble with the law.
Earlier today our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with Rob Wells - who plays Ricky, and is also one of the show's writers. [runs: 3:19]

 

Friday September 22, 2006: The Attack of the 50 Foot Reels!
If you're lucky enough to have some dusty old home movies kicking around, there's a good chance they were shot on a super 8 camera. Well, now that antiquated film format is experiencing a revival. Norwood Cheek is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker. And this week he's been in Halifax teaching a super 8 film workshop. Just last week participants learned how to make a film... and now tonight their masterpieces will be screened at the Nova Scotia Community College's Downtown Campus. Earlier this week, our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke to workshop leader Norwood Cheek. [runs: 4:03]

 

Thursday September 21, 2006: GirlMadeFilms
Next time you're at the movies, take a look at the credits - there's a good chance the film you're watching was directed by a man. Well, Andrea Richards would like to change that. She envisions a world where a lot more women are in the directors' chair.  Andrea Richards is the author of "Girl Director: A how-to guide for the first-time, flat-broke film and video maker".  She lives in Los Angeles but is in town this week to present a film screening called "Girl Made Film" - where all the films and videos are directed by girls under the age of 18. Earlier this week, our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with Andrea Richards. [runs 4:06]

 

Thursday September 21, 2006: Life Classes
Way back before Nova Scotia had much of a film industry at all, a modest feature film shot in Cape Breton was already garnering rave reviews on the international festival circuit. The film - called "Life Classes" - was directed by Nova Scotia filmmaker William MacGillivray. And opened the Atlantic Film Festival in 1987. It was also Canada's official entry into the Berlin International Film Festival that same year. Now, almost twenty years later, the film has been remastered. And to celebrate, tonight it will screen once again at the film festival. Darrell Varga is the Canada Research Chair in Film Studies at NSCAD University. He is also the person behind the remastering project. Earlier this week, our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with Darrell Varga.

 

Wednesday September 20, 2006: Norman McLaren
Norman McLaren is one of Canada's most influential and innovative filmmakers.
In 1941 he was invited to work at the National Film Board in Montreal where he stayed to the mid-1980s. In that time he made many films, including his 1952 Oscar-winning animated short called "Neighbours". To celebrate the work of McLaren, the NFB has just released a 7 DVD box set.  It features 58 of his films, as well as several documentaries about the famous animator's work. Jacques Bensimon is the chair of the National Film Board. Earlier today, he spoke with our arts producer Phlis McGregor. [3:34]

 

Tuesday September 19, 2006: The Wait
Usually a director who is making a film, follows a script and then finds actors to play the parts. But halifax director Ann Verrall followed a very different process. Her new film is called the Wait. It looks at the lives of two teenagers as they navigate their way through first love, sex, emotional distress and even violence.  To make the movie, Verrall worked with a group of sixteen year olds. Over three years they developed their own characters and story lines based around their own experiences... Then, they shot the film when they were 19-years old.   Our arts producer Phlis McGregor watched The Wait and spoke with director Ann Verrall, as well as actors Seamus Morrison and Leah MacDonald. [runs 4:29]

 

Tuesday September 19, 2006: The Wake of Calum Macleod
It may just be the first ever North American dramatic film that's shot in the Gaelic language. It's called "The Wake of Calum Macleod", and was shot earlier this year in Cape Breton. It's written and directed by Halifax filmmaker Marc Almon and screens tonight as part of the Atlantic Film Festival. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor watched the film and spoke with the director Marc Almon. [runs: 6:48]

 

Monday September 18, 2006: For the Love of Sadie
A secret romance, a gun chase and a couple who elope in the 1930s. It's all part of a new animated short called 'For the Love of Sadie'. The film is by Halifax filmmaker and theatre actor Shelley Wallace. It's based on the true story of Shelley's grandmother. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor watched the film and spoke with Shelley Wallace. [runs 3:57]

 

Friday September 15, 2006: Heads Up...
It's a dream for many boys and girls who play hockey around Halifax. They hope someday to make it all the way to the NHL...That's the subject of a documentary film that's screening this weekend at the Atlantic Film Festival. It's called "Heads Up" - and features seven up-and-coming young hockey hopefuls from all around HRM. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor watched the film and sat down with the film's director Adamm Liley, as well as hockey players Nicholas Merry and Alexis Crossley. [runs: 7:26]

 

Friday September 15, 2006: Walking on a Sea of Glass
Kingsley Tweed may not be a household name in THIS country. But in Bermuda where he was born and raised, and in the UK and the former Rhodesia - now Zimbabwe, the name Kingsley Tweed is widely recognized. Among his many accomplishments, Tweed is credited with playing a key role in the desegregation of Bermuda. He's known for his firey personality and as an unrelenting civil rights activist. He's also the subject of a film called "Walking on a sea of glass": a documentary by Errol Williams. Williams, himself, grew up in Guyana, but immigrated to Fredericton, New Brunswick, as a teenager. He now lives in Bermuda, and his documentary about Kingsley Tweed screens tomorrow night as part of the Atlantic Film Festival.   Earlier this week our arts producer Phlis McGregor watched the film "Walking on a sea of glass" and sat down with director Errol Williams. [runs 5:19]

 

Thursday September 14, 2006: Mike Jagger larger than life
What do folk art and the Rolling Stones have in common? Well, for Bradford Naugler quite a lot. Naugler is one of Nova Scotia's best known folk artists - and when he heard that Mick and the boys were heading to Halifax, Naugler knew what he had to do...   he had to create a life-sized sculpture of Mick Jagger. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor just had to see this giant Mick, so yesterday, she took a trip to Bradford Naugler's studio in Middlewood on the south shore. [runs: 3:23]

 

Friday September 8, 2006: Camille Zakharia's Division Lines
Tonight a powerful new art exhibition opens in Halifax. It's called "Division Lines" and features work by award winning Lebanese-Canadian photographer Camille Zakharia. Zakharia was born in Lebanon, but was driven away from his homeland by civil war in his early twenties. Since then, he has lived all around the world... even coming to Halifax about ten years ago to study at NSCAD University.  Zakharia now lives in Bahrain. And tonight a major exhibition of his work opens at  the Saint Mary's University Art Gallery.
Earlier today our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by the Gallery to speak with Camille Zakharia. [runs: 7:18]

 

Tuesday September 5, 2006: Pelvis Envy at the Mary Black Gallery
Crafts people in Nova Scotia have a brand new exhibition space.
The Mary E. Black Gallery has just moved from their old digs on Barrington Street to a fresh location next to the Pier 21 National Historic Site. The first show in the new space opened just last week. The exhibit is called "Pelvis Envy".  Sandra Alfoldy is the show's curator. She's also assistant professor of craft history at NSCAD University.
Our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by the Mary Black Gallery to speak with Sandra Alfoldy. [runs: 5:11]

 

Friday September 1, 2006: The Geminis: One critic speaks out
There will be some notable absences from this year's Gemini Awards for Canadian television. Earlier this week, the nominees were announced... but missing from the list: CTV Network News and our home-grown favourite TV comedy "The Trailer Park Boys". Both those productions decided not to participate this year. John Doyle is the Television Critic for The Globe and Mail.  And earlier this week in the Globe he criticized the Geminis. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor reached John Doyle in Toronto. [runs: 7:19]

 

Wednesday August 30, 2006: The 26th annual Atlantic Film Festival
In just a few weeks the Atlantic Film Festival kicks off its 26th season. In total two hundred and twenty-three films will screen over ten days - including all kinds of shorts, features and documentaries from all around the world. Earlier today the festival announced what films are on offer this year. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor was there and spoke with the festival's director Lia Renaldo.

 

Tuesday August 29, 2006: New president for NSCAD University: David B. Smith's first day on the job
Fourteen years ago David Smith graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the Nova Scotia College of Art Design. Now, at 41 years young, Smith is once again back at NSCAD ... but not as a student... He's now the University's new president.  Since his student days at NSCAD, Smith has earned a master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. And he's also exhibited his artwork throughout the US and Canada. Just before heading back to Halifax, Smith was the Chair of the Department of Art at the University of San Diego.   Yesterday, our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by David Smith's new office at NSCAD on his very first day at his new job.

 

Thursday August 3, 2006: Halifax Summer Opera Workshop
This summer a dedicated group of young opera singers are hard at work getting ready to stage Don Giovanni.  They're part of The Halifax Summer Opera Workshop at Dalhousie University. The program is only in its second year, and this summer, thirteen singers from Canada, the United States and the UK are taking part.  They've been intensely rehearsing for three weeks. And tonight, through Sunday, they're staging Mozart's masterful opera - Don Giovanni.  Our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by their rehearsal space to check in. The group will perform Mozart's Don Giovanni tonight and tomorrow and Saturday night at 7:30 PM. On Sunday, the performance is a 2:30 pm matinée. All performances take place at Dalhousie University's Sir James Dunn Theatre.

 

Thursday August 3, 2006: Theatre hopping in Nova Scotia
Theatre stages in Nova Scotia are buzzing this summer. From Chester to Antigonish, Parrsborough to Wolfville there are many plays to choose from. But why choose? You could just go to them all! That's what Maurilee Austin is doing. She's an actor and acting teacher, AND she's also on the jury of the Robert Merritt Awards - the awards that recognize outstanding achievement in professional theatre in Nova Scotia. This summer as part of her jury duties, she's traveling around the province to see plays. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor caught up with Maurilee Austin at The Bus Stop Theatre in Halifax where she'll be watching a play tonight.

 

Friday, July 28, 2006: Samaria comes to the Halifax waterfront
Imagine what it would be like to see YOUR life and YOUR memories depicted by actors on stage. That's exactly what Marianne Ferguson and David Korn experienced this week. They're survivors of the second world war. And they both immigrated to Canada from Europe and now live in Nova Scotia. Their stories have become part of a play called Samaria that's directed by a German theatre company. The work was first presented in Germany earlier this month, and this week Samaria came to Nova Scotia. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by to see the play when it was staged at Tall Ships' Quay on the Halifax waterfront.

 

Tuesday, July 25, 2006: Yes, the Rolling Stones are coming to Halifax.
It's all the buzz. After months of rumours, it's now official. The rolling stones are coming to Halifax. The show date is Saturday, September 23rd. This is just one of three Canadian dates planned for the fall. Mick Jaggar and the boys made the announcement this morning, puts to rest months of speculation. Here is a little of what Mick had to say. Tickets for the big show will go on sale on Monday at 10 AM and will be available through Ticket Atlantic Box Office and participating Atlantic Superstore Outlets, or by telephone at 902-451-1221.
The show is being brought to Halifax by concert promoters Michael Cohl AND Donald Tarlton, the Chairman of the Donald K. Donald Entertainment Group.   And earlier today our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with Donald Tarlton.

 

Friday, July 21, 2006: That East Coast Sound
The 20th annual Atlantic Jazz Festival wraps up on Saturday night. And to celebrate, an 18-piece big band of Maritime musicians will gather for a grand finale concert.  They'll perform a wide range of original compositions that make up our own East Coast sound. Saxophonist Chris Mitchell is the artistic director. And earlier this week, Chris Mitchell and the band got together to practice. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by to hear what they were up to.

 

Thursday, July 20, 2006: A Ceilidh at the Jazz Fest
Troy MacGillivary has been playing old time Scottish fiddle and piano music all his life. And now he's taking the strathpeys, jigs and reels out of the dance hall and onto the stage at the jazz festival. Today at noon at the jazz tent - Troy will be joined by Andrew Downing on bass, John Gzowski on guitar, and Dani Oore on saxophone and homemade reed instruments. The quartet gathered for a practice earlier this week. And our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by to listen in. [runs: 3:18]

 

Wednesday, July 19, 2006: Aurelia Martinez plays Halifax
Tonight the will be grooving with the soulful sounds of Honduran musician Aurelia Martinez. Aurelia Martinez is a gifted musician from Honduras who plays a traditional style of music called Paranda. Aurelia is only 27 years old - but he already has internationally acclaimed CD called Garfuna Soul, and he's performed all over the world. Tonight, he'll bring his soulful sounds to Jazz Tent on Spring Garden Road. Earlier today our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with Aurelia Martinez through a translator. [runs: 11:06]

 

Wednesday, July 19, 2006: The music of the rainforest
The jazz festival isn't just for grownups. Yesterday, about twenty-five youngsters gathered at the Halifax public library to learn how to create the sounds of a rainforest. Brazillian musician Celso Machado headed up the workshop. He created bird sounds with his hands and mouth, AND he taught the children how to make rain sticks. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by to check it out. [runs: 3:10]

 

Tuesday, July 18, 2006: Multi-instrumentalist John Gzowski
John Gwozski builds his own guitars and plays instruments from all over the world. He's also played with some of the world's most gifted experimental musicians - including John Zorn, and Elliot Sharp. This week the Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist is in Halifax for the Atlantic Jazz Festival. Tonight he'll share the stage with the Sanctuary Trio at St Mary's Basilica. And yesterday, our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with John Gzowski. [runs: 8:31]

 

Tuesday, July 18, 2006: Improv and the silent film
Back in the era of the silent film, musicians used to perform along with the moving pictures - to bring the stories to life - with sound.
Well, now musicians at this year's jazz festival have revived the tradition.
And tonight Halifax pianist Sageev Oore will come up with his own musical score to accompany silent Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton films.
Our arts producer Phlis McGregor met with Sageev Oore to see AND HEAR how it's done. [runs: 3:55]

 

Wednesday, July 12, 2006: Wilco's Jeff Tweedy
From their noisy and experimental pop music to lyrical and heart felt alt-country, Wilco is one of the most influential acts in the world of alternative music. A couple of weeks ago they set off on a Canadian-wide tour, and tonight they're in town - bringing their charged live energy to the stage in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by the waterfront on the Halifax habour to speak with Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. [runs: 19:50]

 

Monday, June 19, 2006: The Kayak Chorus
A unique experiment in sound over the water. Composer and director Sandy Moore and his latest musical project... Phlis McGregor visits Kingsport Beach in Nova Scotia and takes a trip with a troupe of singing kayakers.

 

Monday, May 29, 2006: A Sense of Wonder... A play about Rachel Carson
More than 40 years ago, Rachel Carson published "Silent Spring". The book set off a storm of controversy… and it put Carson on the map as the founder of the modern environmental movement. This week, the Nova Scotia Nature Trust is presenting a play about Rachel Carson called "A Sense of Wonder". The play has been performed in Halifax  before.  And the Rachel Carson fan who brought it here last time is Liz Crocker in Halifax.   Our arts producer Phlis McGregor talked to Liz about Rachel Carson and the play.
The play about Rachel Carson - "A Sense of Wonder" takes place in Antigonish tonight, Wolfville on Tuesday.  And on Wednesday, the play comes to Halifax.   For show times and tickets to all three performances, call the Nova Scotia Nature Trust at 425-LAND or 1-877-434- LAND.

 

Friday, May 26, 2006: St John's Anglican Church in Lunenburg celebrates its new Casavant organ
On Hallowe'en night four and a half years ago, St John's Angelican Church in Lunenburg almost burned completely to the ground after a vandal set it on fire. One of things that was lost that night, was the church's cherished Casavant organ. And this Sunday, St John's will put on special concert to celebrate its new organ -   a custom-designed NEW Casavant built in Quebec. And to help celebrate, Jacquelin Rochette from Casavant Frères will be at St John's to play the inaugural concert on the new instrument. Earlier today, our arts producer Phlis McGregor was at the church to meet Mr Rochette. She also spoke with Barbara Butler - the organist at St John's.

 

Thursday, May 25, 2006: Deep Listening Comes to Halifax
For more than fifty years, the American composer Pauline Oliveros has lead the way in electronic and experimental music. And this week, for the first time, Oliveros is in Halifax to perform with American spoken word artist Ione, electronic musician John Adams, and Norman Adams - the principal cellist at Symphony Nova Scotia. And in honour of Pauline Oliveros' visit, our arts producer Phlis McGregor prepared this piece.  

 

Thursday, May 18, 2006: The rare manuscript: The Salzinnes Antiphonal
The Scotia Festival of Music kicks off in just over a week, and all kinds of concerts are planned. But festival organizers are also already excited about something they're working on for next year. In June 2007, choristers from Australia will come to Nova Scotia to perform excerpts from a rare medieval manuscript that makes its home in Halifax.
Phlis McGregor and Don Connolly talk about the manuscript. Listen [runs: 9:26]

PHOTOGRAPHS

The manuscript: The Salzinnes Antiphonal.
Dimensions: 61.5 cm X 39.5 cm X 14.5 cm.
Weight: 16.5 kg
480 pages
(photo: Adrian Hoffman)



Page 2: The Annunciation illumination in top left corner.  (photo: Adrian Hoffman)



Close up of bottom of full-page illumination - shows nuns from two different orders, with their names inscribed beneath. (photo: Adrian Hoffman)



Detail of illumination from bottom left corner. (photo: Adrian Hoffman)



Detail of illumination from top left corner. (photo: Phlis McGregor)



Manuscript fully opened with Judy Dietz's gloved hand pointing to Latin text. (photo: Phlis McGregor)



Full page illumination. (photo: Phlis McGregor)

 

Tuesday, May 15, 2006: ArtScape: Painting group in St Margaret's Bay
Once a week for the last eight years, a group of 14 women from St Margaret's Bay have been getting together to paint and share ideas about art.   They range in age from 48 to 82.  And come from a variety of backgounds, including a hair-dressing lawyer, a sailor, a coffee shop owner and a  few teachers.  The group is called 'Artscape'.   And last friday night, they were on hand to open a group show at Argyle Fine Art in Halifax. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by the exhibition - called "Kaleidoscope" -  to speak with a few of the women. Listen [runs: 3:11]

 

Thursday, May 11, 2006: AY Jackson painting comes home to Halifax
AY Jackson is one of the best known members of Canada's Group of Seven artists. But in his early days, he was also a Canadian war records artist. And as part of his last assignment, in 1919 he painted a work called "The Entrance to the Halifax Harbour". The painting was exhibited in Toronto in 1920. It then toured throughout the United States, and on toThe British Empire Exhibition in England - where it was purchased by London's Tate Gallery. The work is considered one of Canada's most important paintings - and after more than an 80-year absence - the painting has finally come home. It's now on display at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia - on long-loan from the Tate. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor was at the AGNS earlier today and spoke with the gallery's director and chief curator, Jeffrey Spalding. Listen. [runs: 2:16]

 

Wednesday, May 10, 2006: INXS in Halifax
INXS fans were out in full-force last night at Halifax's Metro Centre. The Australian band - that's now fronted by Pictou County's JD Fortune - put on a high-energy show in front of about 9-thousand admirers. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor was back stage. And she caught up with JD Fortune and fellow bandmate Tim Farris just before the show. Listen. [runs: 2:25]

 

Thursday, April 27, 2006: Psychic tries to contact Don Messer
For about 30 years, fiddling legend Don Messer entertained thousands of Canadians on his popular radio and television shows... Now, more than three decades after his death, a Nova Scotia psychic is trying to communicate with Messer's spirit. And earlier today, he invited the media to Messer's gravesite to listen for his voice. The CBC's Phlis McGregor was at the cemetery and has this report. Listen [runs: 1:25]

 

Thursday, April 13, 2006: Shelter design for the homeless

Most architects are tasked with designing permanent structures - anything from shopping malls and museums to condos and mansions. But a group of NSCAD students have been asked to design something very different. They've been making temporary shelters for the homeless. With only twenty dollars to buy materials, they've built emergency structures for people who live on the street, and for victims of natural disasters and war. Yesterday, the group unveiled their prototypes at Granville Square in Halifax.

Our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with several students. [runs: 3:24]
Jessica Myra began by describing the structure she worked on.

(CBC photos / Phlis McGregor)

 

Monday, April 3, 2006: Highlights from the 35th annual Juno Awards in Halifax

Friday, March 31st: Bruce Cockburn received the first-ever humanitarian award. Listen to Phlis' report. [runs: 1:26]

International bands come to Juno Awards... Hear what John Brunton, Executive Producer of Juno Awards show and James Keast of Exclaim! Magazine have to say on Phlis' report. [runs: 1:50]

Hear response to criticism from the Black Eyed Peas.[runs: 0.30] (recorded in media room at Juno Awards, Sunday, April 2nd).

Saturday, April 1st: Industry and 32-music awards handed out. Also, Bernie Finkelstein received the Walt Grealis Award. Listen to Phlis' report. [runs: 1:13]

Sunday, April 2nd: The Juno Awards show… before that … Canadian music stars walk the Juno red carpet… Phlis talks to Rich Terfry (Buck 65), Kathleen Edwards, Chad Kroeger (Nickelback), Ron Sexsmith and Kardinal Offishall… . [runs: 4:09] (Features red carpet interviews, media room excerpts and a few excerpts of audio from CTV-television.)

more from the Red Carpet:
Alan Doyle from Great Big Sea
Rich Terfry aka Buck 65
Kathleen Edwards
Ron Sexsmith

 

March 22, 2006: Peter Togni - JUNO Award Nominee
If you're a CBC Radio Two listener, there's a good chance you'll be familiar with the name Peter Togni. Peter has hosted many shows on Radio Two and is currently the front man of Weekender - an early morning music program. But Peter's talent goes much beyond hosting radio shows. He's also a gifted organist and is the music director at Saint Mary's Basilica in Halifax.  He's also a talented composer - he's created music for prima ballerina Karen Kain… and he's composed countless pieces for Sanctuary - a musical trio based in Nova Scotia. And this year he's nominated for a JUNO award for classical composition of the year. Our Maritime arts producer Phlis McGregor sat down with Peter in front of the organ at St Mary's Basilica in Halifax. [runs: 6:55]

 

March 22, 2006: Soap Opera in Halifax: North/South
Love them or hate them, some of the most popular shows on television are soap operas. And now CBC-Television is getting into the daytime drama scene. The network has commissioned The Halifax Film Company to produce six episodes of a show called North-South. The program has just started production in Halifax. And earlier this week, the cast and crew  were filming at the Marquee Club on Gottingen. That's where are arts producer Phlis McGregor caught up with Floyd Kane - one of the producers of North-South. [runs: 4:34]  

 

Friday, January 2006: Christopher Pratt at Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
A major retrospective of Christopher Pratt's painting and prints opened in Halifax this past weekend. In all sixty works make up the show - most created in the past twenty years. Phlis McGregor sat down with Christopher Pratt in the gallery. [7:34]

 

Friday, January 20, 2006: Arts and Culture and the election
We've heard a lot in this federal election campaign about health care and national unity. But many artists say they haven't heard enough from the parties on where they stand on arts and culture. So, all this week on Mainstreet we're checking in with a few people who work in the cultural industry to get their thoughts about the election.

Friday, Jan 20, 2006: Andrew Steeves is the president of Gaspereau Press - a book publisher based in Kentville. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with Andrew Steeves earlier this week. [runs: 7:06]

Thursday, Jan 19, 2006: Camelia Frieberg is an internationally acclaimed film producer who lives in Mahone Bay. She's produced several films by Canadian director Atom Egoyan - including Exotica, and Oscar-nominated film "the sweet hereafter".  She was also executive producer of Deepa Mehta's "Bollywood Hollywood". And she's just about to shoot a new film, which she'll direct. As well as being a busy filmmaker, Camelia Frieberg is also the mother of two young children, aged six and eight. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with her earlier this week. [runs: 7:26]

Wednesday, Jan 18, 2006: Phlis McGregor spoke with Emmy Alcorn - the artistic director of Mulgrave Road Theatre in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia. [runs:4:36]

Tuesday, Jan 17, 2006: Artist Chris Lloyd has has just passed an important anniversary. He's been sending a letter-a-day to the Prime Minister's office for 5 years. It began as a school project at NSCAD in January of 2001, and he's continued it --- using the concept and some of the letters in art exhibits along the way. The letters include details of his own life, as well as questions and comments on government decisions or events in the House. Not surprisingly, Chris' letters have focussed on the election campaign of late. Carmen Klassen reached Chris Lloyd in Saint John. [runs: 8:12]

 

January 13, 2006: The Idea Of North
The Idea of North: An exhibition about sound and site is taking place in Halifax until February 26th. The show features 14 artists from Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Canada. Here's Mainstreet's Carmen Klassen and Maritime arts producer Phlis McGregor discussing the show. [runs:10:20]

 

January 7,14,21 and 28th: Indie Music on Atlantic Airwaves
Each Saturday in January tune into Atlantic Airwaves for a look at the Maritime independent music scene. January 7: Cape Breton; January 14: Mainland Nova Scotia; January 21: New Brunswick; January 28: Prince Edward Island. Check out Atlantic Airwaves.

 

December 23, 2005: Nova Scotia Arts in Review for 2005
Heidi Petracek and Phlis McGregor talk about some of the arts highlights from 2005. [runs: 13:12]

 

December 6, 2005: Lights, camera, and a Christmas wish list
'Tis the season… to put up your Christmas lights and make your Christmas wish list… Well, a group of women who work in film, video, and television have thought about what they want from Santa. The group includes animators, cinematographers, directors, artists and producers. And they get together once a month to share ideas about their work. At their last meeting they asked "What do we want from the film industry for Christmas?" Our arts producer dropped by their breakfast meeting to hear what made the list.

 

December 2, 2005: Paul Greenhalgh leaving NSCAD
The president of NSCAD University has announced he will be leaving his position. Paul Greenhalgh has accepted a position at the Corcoran College of art and design in Washington. Greenhalgh has been with NSCAD since 2001. During his term, the university has created new programs in both fashion design and film. And recently the school announced plans to build a new campus at Shed 21 on the Halifax harbour. Van Pennick is the chair of the board of governors at NSCAD University. Pennick says Greenhalgh will remain in the job until the spring. NSCAD University will begin the search for a new president soon.

 

December 2, 2005: The Hills of Chezzecook Nova Scotia are alive with the sound of music
We all know what it's like when life gets busy, and we have to juggle several tasks at once. Well, we'd like to introduce you to the Cruddas family. Mom, Dad and the four children have taken multitasking to a new level. Three out of four of the children are acting in Neptune Theatre's production of The Sound of Music. And mother Janice has a part-time job AND she home schools all the children. The Cruddases live in Chezzecook, about half an hour from HRM. And as you can imagine they all spend a lot of time commuting to and from rehearsals and performances. And earlier this week, our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by their house.

 

December 1, 2005: Reading on the High Seas
If you're on the hunt for a great book of non-fiction, well maybe you should ask a few  sailors what they've been reading lately! Earlier today CFB-Halifax received a large donation of some of Canada's best literary non-fiction. The books were donated by the organizers of the Charles Taylor Prize - which is of course Canada's preeminent award for non-fiction. Noreen Taylor is the chair of the Charles Taylor Foundation. And she was at CFB-Halifax Stradacona this afternoon to deliver the books to the base's library. And that's where are arts producer Phlis McGregor caught up with her.

 

November 25, 2005: Glooscap Statue Surgery
A statue in Truro Nova Scotia is getting a makeover. The 12-metre high sculpture is of Glooscap - the great Mi'k maq God of Creation. The statue was erected earlier this year, along the 102 highway. It was designed to attract tourists an Aboriginal education centre. But after it was constructed, the designers were made aware of a slight problem. When the statue was viewed from a nearby overpass, Glooscap appeared to have an appendage protruding from its mid-region. And so now, the company that constructed the statue is restructuring the "problem area." Alantex Creative Works was commissioned by Nova Scotia's Millbrook Mi'kmaq First Nation to build the sculpture.  Kevin Baker is the vice-president of the company. Kevin Baker and his company expect to complete Glooscap's alterations next week.

 

November 25, 2005: Khyber Club Closing
Halifax is losing a key venue for independent music. The Khyber Club on Barrington is expected to close its doors in the New Year. Phlis McGregor reports.

 

November 24, 2005: Merci Myra
Since May 2000, The Honourable Myra Freeman has held the position of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. In that time she's supported Nova Scotia's artistic community by hosting exhibitions at Government House, and attending hundreds of arts events throughout the province. AND just this year, she established a new prize for Nova Scotia's artists called the Masterworks award. Last night, Nova Scotia's arts community gathered at Pier 21 to pay tribute to Myra Freeman. The event was called "Merci Myra", and featured songs and many, many words of praise.

 

November 23, 2005: Jean-Guihen Queyras
From the National Orchestra of France to the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras has played all over the world. Queyras is known for his expressive playing and flawless performances of both classical and contemporary works. And this had led many critics to call him the best cellist of his generation. Tonight Jean-Guihen Queyras is in Halifax - performing at the Music Room. And that's where our arts producer Phlis McGregor caught up with him earlier today.

 

November 21, 2005: The Knitting Craze comes to Halifax
Many of us think of knitting as an activity favoured by grandmothers. But in the past few years, a younger crowd is getting in on the action. And across Canada knitting cafes and clubs are popping up. Knitting has become a new craze. And just this week in Halifax, a new knitting shop, called "The Loop Craft Café", opened on Barrington Street. The Loop sells mostly natural yarns, and offers workshops in knitting, crochet and embroidery.  Our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by to speak with one of the Loops' owners, Mimi Fautley and also heard from some of the store's customers.

 

November 16, 2005: JORUN Bombay
JoRun Bombay is one of the key players in Halifax's hip-hop scene. He's worked with Buck 65, Universal Soul and Skratch Bastid. And since 1993, he's produced ten compilation recordings featuring some of the hottest hip-hop acts in Halifax. His tremendous dedication to scene is why many people consider him one of the most influential hip-hop artists in Nova Scotia. Many even refer to him as "The Grandfather" of hip-hop. But tonight at the Khyber Club, JoRun Bombay will release his last compilation. Earlier today our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with JoRun Bombay at the Khyber Club in Halifax.

 

November 15, 2005: SOCAN
Most Canadian musicians will be familiar with the acronym "SOCAN" - It stands for the society of composers, authors, and music publishers of Canada. SOCAN is in business to make sure Canadian musicians get paid when the public hears their music. While that may sound like a good idea, some say the way SOCAN collects money for musicians doesn't always make sense. Phlis McGregor has more.

 

November 14, 2005: Musical Junkyard
A group of Halifax activists and artists is pushing the old adage "one person's junk is another's treasure" to whole new level. They're taking junked car parts and appliances and using them to make music. And they're also challenging an HRM by-law that prohibits anyone from removing garbage set out for pick-up. The collective is called the Halifax Scavenger Society. And recently they gathered in a vacant lot in North end Halifax for a "CONCERT". Our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by to take in the junkyard music. [runs: 3:36]

 

November 11, 2005: Veterans' Portrait
2005 marks the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. And in commemoration, a series of paintings of Canadian, British AND German world war two veterans has been touring across Canada. The paintings are now in St. John's. But just before their Newfoundland stop, the series was at Nova Scotia's province house. Phlis McGregor has more.

 

November 9, 2005: How The East Was Won
MCs from all across Atlantic Canada are getting together at Club 5171 in downtown Halifax to duke it out in a war of words. The event is called "How The East Was Won". And it's hosted by MC Jin - who's considered by many to be THE top freestyle rapper in the world and the Hall of Fame champion MC on Black Entertainment Television's popular music show "106 & Park". In all twenty-eight contestants will compete tonight. And the first-place winner will walk home with a prize of one-thousand dollars. Earlier today our arts producer Phlis McGregor met with two of the competitors - Matt Johnson also know as Mr Matt Johnson AND Matt Arab also known as QUAKE. [runs: 3:02] **note: Performances shortened in this item.

 

November 8, 2005: Dancing In The Streets
If you were wandering the streets of Halifax this afternoon, you may have witnessed a rather strange sight. A group of dancers have, well, sort of taken over city parks and sidewalks. The group is part of a modern dance project called "Citizens". And you didn't catch them today, beware! Tomorrow, the troupe will be back again to converge on the city. Veronique Mackenzie is the choreographer behind the project. And earlier today our arts producer Phlis McGregor met with Veronique Mackenzie in Victoria Park - just before the first performance was about to begin. [runs: 4:57]

 

November 7, 2005: Gala des prix Eloises
Every year, the Acadian arts community gets together to hand out awards to its most outstanding artists. The awards are part of an event called Gala des prix Eloises.Artists are honoured in a variety of categories: from dance and the visual arts to music and literature. And earlier this afternoon organizers announced the nominees for this year. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor was there. And to begin with, Phlis spoke to Carmen Gibbs - one of the producers of the event.  [runs: 1:44] Francois Gaudet is a photo-based artists from La Baie Saint Marie. And he's nominated as artist of the year in the visual arts category. Francois Gaudet spoke with Phlis McGregor earlier today. [runs: 2:35]

 

November 3, 2005: Art & Activism
Guatemala has a history of human rights abuses. A three decade long civil war officially ended in 1996. During that conflict, some estimate that 250-thousand people were killed, and another 44-thousand disappeared. HIJOS is the Spanish acronym for an organization called, in English, "Sons and Daughters of the Disappeared". Filiberto Selada  is a member of the group. And for the past two weeks he's been touring the Maritimes speaking to youth groups. Just last night he took part in a panel on art and activism at the One World Café in Halifax. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor was there and spoke with Filiberto Selada. [runs: 4:19] Also speaking last night was Dave Ron. He's the Atlantic representative a group called the "Uberculture Collective". Phlis McGregor spoke to Dave Ron. [runs:3:31]

 

November 2, 2005: Mini - Gallery Deluxe Gallery
Normally when you walk into a gallery, you just open the door and, well, WALK in. But at one Halifax gallery, getting in to see the art, is not quite that easy. To get into the Gallery Deluxe Gallery, you must climb up a ladder and jump through a trap door. The gallery is located in a private residence on Willow Street. Last night, our arts producer Phlis McGregor visited the unique gallery, and was guided through the space by resident and gallery organizer Francesca Tallone. [runs: 4:14]

 

October 28, 2005: Shelley Niro at Mount Saint Vincent University Art Gallery
In the name of art, Shelley Niro has impersonated Elvis Presley, Marilyn Munro, and even Santa Claus. Niro is a member of the Turtle Clan of the Mohawk Nation. She works in film, sculpture and photography. And last night an exhibition of her work opened at Mount Saint Vincent University Art Gallery. The show is a series of photographs produced in 1992 on the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Columbus to the Americas. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor was at the gallery and spoke with Shelley Niro.

 

October 27, 2005: Dance takes a spin
Some Halifax cyclists are peddling just a little differently these days. A group of serious racing and endurance bike riders are working with a dance choreographer. Their goal is to bridge the athleticism of dance with the art of sport. And the team of five cyclists and one dancer is performing this weekend at the Saint Mary's University Tower. And earlier this week our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by their practice space at the tower to find out more.

 

October 25, 2005: Sobey Art Award Criticized
One of Canada's most lucrative prizes in the visual arts is facing criticism. In today's Globe & Mail, art critic Sarah Milroy slammed the Sobey Art Award. The show accompanying the award just opened in Toronto. She called the exhibition "flat." And referred to the prizewinning work as "bleak and unpoetic."  Phlis McGregor and Carmen Klassen discuss the criticism.

 

October 19, 2005: Dance on wheels
We've all watched skateboarders soar through the air, race down sidewalks and sometimes even crash-land… But while we see daring stunts, a Halifax dance choreographer perceives something more. For the past two months Sally Morgan has been working with a team of dancers and skateboarders from Germany, Switzerland and Canada. They're converted a community church into a practice space - With a goal to create a performance that marries the art of dance with the sport of skateboarding. Phlis McGregor reports.

 

October 17, 2005: CKDU - Power!
For 20 years campus-community radio station C-K-D-U   F-M has been broadcasting from Dalhousie University. But all this time, they've been operating with only 33 watts of power - That's less power than an average light bulb! And so, very often it's difficult to tune into the station no matter where you are in the Halifax area. But earlier today, CKDU-FM announced that next month it will increase its broadcasting power to 32-hundred watts. This means most H-R-M residents from Sackville to Spryfield will be able to hear the station. Along with the power boost, CKDU's frequency will change from 97.5 to 88.1 on the FM dial. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by the station and spoke with station coordinator Michael Catano.

 

October 14, 2005: Barbara Pritchard's piano solos
Poetry often inspires music. But maybe not quite like this. Barbara Pritchard is a Halifax-based pianist - who's well-known for her innovative approach to comtemporary music. She's asked composers from across canada - and the world - to compose piano pieces in response to a poem. The result is fifty-one miniature compositions for solo piano. And on Saturday night Barbara Pritchard will perform all fifty-one of them at Saint Mary's University Art Gallery. Earlier today, our arts producer Phlis McGregor met with Barbara Pritchard to hear the  ideas behind the project.

 

October 14, 2005: Just My Imagination: Drawing show at the Dalhousie University Art Gallery.
When you think about drawing, what may come to mind are sketches in pencil or charcoal… or maybe pen and ink. But an art show that's all about drawing has just opened at Dalhousie University. And what's on display may surprise you. There's video, embroidery and even sculpture. The show is called "Just My Imagination" and features work from fourteen artists from across Canada. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by the opening last night, and spoke with one of the show's curators, David Merritt. In conjunction with this show, the Dal art gallery will present FREE screenings of animated films most Wednesdays until December. For more information go to www.artgallery.dal.ca

 

October 11, 2005: The Death of Yazdgerd opens at Neptune Studio Theatre
The Death of Yazdgerd is considered one of Iran's most important plays. It uncovers the truths and lies surrounding the death of "king Yazdgerd the third" who ruled Persia in the seventh century. The play is now on stage at Neptune's Studio Theatre. And is produced by Halifax's One Light Theatre. Iranian born Shahin Sayadi is One Light Theatre's artistic director. And Maggie Stewart is the company's managing director. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor caught up with both Shahin Sayadi and Maggie Stewart to talk about the play.

 

August 12, 2005: Christo and Jeanne-Claude Show at the AGNS
Did you ever wonder how Christo and Jeanne-Claude make their gigantic outdoor art installations? They're the force behind such massive works as the "The Gates", where they installed more than seven thousand panels of orange fabric in New York City's Central Park. They've also wrapped an island with pink fabric, and hung a huge drape between two mountains... all in the name of art. As you can imagine, work on this scale requires a lot of resources and lots of planning... And now an exhibition of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's sketches, architectural drawings, models and photographs is touring North American. The only Canadian stop on the tour is Halifax - at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor visited the show, and spoke to the gallery's director, Jeffrey Spalding [runs: 4:36] - the director of the AGNS. The show runs until October.

 

August 12, 2005: Robert Pope's paintings on exhibit at the Mayo Clinic
In 1992, a talented Nova Scotia artist by the name of Robert Pope, a NSCAD graduate, lost his battle with cancer at the age of 35. Pope was diagnosed while he was in his 20's and at one point experienced a five year remission period. It was during this time that he painted a series of about 100 paintings that depict what it's like to live with cancer, from the patients' perspective.  And now, more than a decade after his death, Robert Pope's paintings tour the world, touching patients and health providers where ever they go. Phlis McGregor reports. [runs: 1:38]

 

July 29, 2008: Get ready to take the gospel challenge!
Well, first there was American idol and then Canadian Idol… and now wannabe singing stars can compete for a role in a new television show called Gospel Challenge! Next Saturday August 6th, the show's producers will be in Halifax to audition singers for the program… with the aim of putting together a gospel choir. They are not necessarily looking for professional singers, but you do have to be able to sing!  People selected to sing in the choir will then practice for a big public concert in Toronto… And the whole process: the auditions, the choir practice and the grand finale will be filmed for television and broadcast in a six-part series for Vision-TV. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor caught up with the Jason Charters   [runs: 5:28]- the show's producer to find out more. You must pre-register to audition for the show. The deadline for pre-registration is August 5th. Auditions take place in Halifax August 6th at Neptune Theatre.

 

July 28, 2008: Halifax Regional Municipality developing a cultural plan
The Halifax Regional Municipality is working on the region's first-ever cultural plan. A few months ago, a Cultural Advisory Committee was set up.  And earlier this summer, the group met with HRM residents - picking their brains for ideas about what to include in a cultural plan. Yesterday, they met with members of the arts and culture community to get their input. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor sat in on the meeting and spoke with Information Morning's Bob Murphy. [runs: 5:20]  For more information visit their website at www.halifax.ca/boardscom/cac/.

 

July 26, 2005: Altantic Film Festival announces opening film
This September the Atlantic film festival will celebrate its 25th year.
And earlier today organizers announced some of the festival's highlights, including the festival's opener. Here is festival director Lia Renaldo. [runs: 1:34] Stay tuned to Mainstreet... the festival's full lineup will be announced at the end of August.

 

July 26, 2005: Atlantic Film Festival update
A few months ago Atlantic film festival organizers were very concerned when a new film festival in Montreal decided to run its event on the same dates.
The AFF was concerned it would find itself competing with the Montreal festival for film prints and sponsorships, and even special guests who could only attend one of the two festivals.
To see how this issue has played out, our arts producer Phlis McGregor checked in with Gregor Ash [runs: 2:50] - executive director of the Atlantic film festival.

 

July 25, 2005: Farewell to Shakespeare By the Sea Founder
The theatre community celebrated one of its most spirited and provocative leaders today.   Patrick Christopher-Carter was the founder and director of Shakespeare by the Sea.  He died suddenly last Monday at the age of 60.  Point Pleasant Park, the stage for so many of his performances, became the stage for his memorial today. Laura Graham was there and prepared this piece. [runs: 3:25] (Features: Sue Uteck, Tom Smith reading a letter from Adam Waxman, Christopher Carter's daughter Zoe Carter and his wife, Elizabeth Murphy, and Sandy Crawley singing Leonard Cohen's Take this Waltz.)

 

July 25, 2005: Theatre that really cooks... Zuppa Circus's Open Theatre Kitchen
Zuppa is Italian for thick porridge-like soup. So, it's fitting that they're serving up soup as part of their latest production called Open Theatre Kitchen. Arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by their practice space to see what's cooking at the Zuppa Circus kitchen. They're performing tomorrow night in Halifax, at Needham park. Then it's on to Dartmouth, Eastern Passage, Bedford and Moser River. Check out the Zuppa Circus website for details. Performances are weather permitting. To make sure the show is on, call the Zuppa Circus hotline at (902) 489-9872.

 

July 22, 2005: Mastodons and music... three trombonists take the stage
Jazz musician, Doug Riley, is a favourite performer at the Atlantic Jazz festival. But his performance tonight will be just a little different. He'll share the stage with three trombonists. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor caught up with two of the trombonists Phil Gray and Danny Martin yesterday afternoon at a patio in Halifax.   [runs: 2:27] The fun starts at 11:30 pm at Stayner's Wharf.

 

July 19, 2005: The Norma Bernard Endowment for the arts
The late Norma Bernard of Cape Breton dedicated her life to helping young people realize their dreams. For most of her career she worked with the school boards of both Inverness and the Strait Region. She died two years ago at the age of 59. And now the Bernard family and Strathspey Place Association have set up an educational fund in her name. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor reached Norma Bernard's daughter Chantal by phone. Donations to the "Norma Bernard Endowment for the arts" will be accepted at the East Coast Credit Union in  Mabou or by calling Strathspey Place. And that number is 902-945-5300.

 

July 18, 2005: Patrick Christopher-Carter: Nova Scotia's theatre community has lost one of its most passionate leaders.
Patrick Christopher-Carter died this morning at a Halifax hospital. He was 60. Christopher-Carter's acting career began after attending the National Theatre School in Montreal. He went on to perform in productions across Canada, including at the Stratford Festival. In 1994 Christopher-Carter co-founded Halifax's "Shakespeare by the sea" with his partner Elizabeth Murphy. He had just retired from Dalhousie University's theatre department, where he taught acting and directing.

Comments:
Christopher Shore, head of Theatre Nova Scotia. [runs: 0.30]
Jesse Maclean, assistant artistic director at Shakespeare By the Sea. [runs: 0.27]

A celebration of Patrick Christopher-Carter's life will take place on Monday July 25th at 11 o'clock in the morning. And fittingly, it will take place at the Shakespeare By the Sea Building just off the lower parking lot in Point Pleasant Park.

 

July 18, 2005: Phlis' picks for the Atlantic Jazz Festival July 18, 19, 20, 21st!
Autorickshaw - Monday Neptune Studio Theatre, 6 p.m.
LaConnor - Tuesday Neptune Studio Theatre, 8 p.m.
Queen Mab - Wednesday Neptune Studio Theatre, 6 p.m.
Bill Frisell - Thursday Atlantic Jazz Festival Tent, 8 p.m.
Listen
[note: music has been removed from this item.]

 

July 18, 2005: David Tronzo - master of the slide guitar!
Musician Magazine ranks David Tronzo as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. And this week, Halifax audiences will get to see the guitar maestro in action as part of the Atlantic Jazz Festival. Tronzo plays bottleneck slide guitar. He's known for his unique sound and ability to play music from many different genres. Tonight he's playing at the Khyber Club. And last week he was at Dalhousie University teaching a slide guitar workshop. That's where our arts producer Phlis McGregor caught up with him. Slide guitar virtuoso David Tronzo performs at the Khyber Club on Saturday, July 23. Show time is 10 p.m.

 

July 15, 2005: Christof Migone, audio art installation - Intervals
A series of speakers have been set up the Anna Leonowns Art Gallery at NSCAD University... and out of each speaker a different voice - each voice repeating the number of their age… over and over again… It's all part of an annual audio art show called Sound Bytes. Listen

 

July 15, 2005: Phlis' picks for the Atlantic Jazz Festival July 15, 16, and 17th!
Listen
[note: music has been removed from this item.]
Salsa Celtica - Friday at the jazz tent, 7 p.m.
Sandhills Reunion - Saturday at the Neptune Studio Theatre, 8 p.m.
Keren Ann - Sunday at Holiday Inn on Robie St., 9 p.m.

 

July 11, 2005: Filmmaker Fitzgerald opens his own art gallery... "Emotion".
Most people probably know Thom Fitzgerald as Halifax filmmaker - his credits include the award-winning feature films "The Event" and "The Hanging Garden". And these days he's is just about to wrap up his latest feature film "3 Needles", starring Lucy Liu, and Stockard Channing among others. But, along with all the film action, Thom has also just opened Halifax's newest art gallery. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor dropped by the busy opening of Emotion Picture Gallery on Friday night and spoke with Thom Fitzgerald and photographer Sandy Caines. [runs: 4:11] The gallery is located at 5182 Bishop Street in Halifax. Hours are Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

 

July 8, 2005: Sermons: Artist Christopher Webb and his uplifting art opening.
When you picture an art opening, maybe you think of a subdued room of showy people quietly sipping wine, and whispering among each other about the artwork. Well, if that's your vision, you probably weren't at Pier 21 last night, where Halifax artist Christopher Webb opened his exhibition of new oil paintings.  Christopher's work is based on the sermons of Lennett Anderson - the senior pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Upper Hammonds Plains. And the art opening was a lot like being in church - the Emmanuel Baptist Church choir sang, Pastor Anderson preached, and actors took the stage to interpret the sermons…

Our arts producer Phlis McGregor was there… [runs: 6:40] [music removed from this item.]

 

July 7, 2005: Dancing in the garden
This Sunday afternoon several gardens around Metro will come alive with music and dance. Eight gardeners are opening their cherished backyard sanctuaries to the public. And not just to see the flowers… but to take in dance performances that have been especially choreographed for the space. The event is a fundraiser for Kinetic Studio - an organization that offers training and support for contemporary dancers in Nova Scotia. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with Christopher Majka of Kinetic Studios, and Jane Reid, one the gardeners taking part in the weekend. [runs: 5:30].

 

July 6, 2005: Fiddlehead turns 60!
With the challenges of funding, and the changing reading habits of Canadians, it's no small feat for a literary magazine to survive for even a few years… So, it's definitely cause for celebration when a literary journal turns 60 years old. Well, Canada's oldest professional literary publication has done just that! "The Fiddlehead", based in Fredericton New Brunswick, celebrates its 60th birthday this year.  Over its six decades of publication, many of Canada's literary greats have published in the journal… including Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, Carol Shields, Rohinton Mistry and Alistair McLeod.

Comment from Ross Leckie, the Fiddlehead's editor. [runs: 1:37]

 

July 5, 2005: Masterworks - a new art award for Nova Scotia
Nova Scotian artists received some good news today. A new arts prize - called "The Masterworks Award" - was announced at province house. The award is worth 25-thousand dollars, and will be handed out annually to an artist or artistic group who has created Nova Scotia's most significant artwork in the past year. Now, the person behind the award is the honourable Myra Freeman, Lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia. And she put together a volunteer foundation to oversee the creation of the award - And to secure money for the prize, which will come from private and corporate donations. Each year, five artists will be short listed for the masterworks award. Organizers hope to announce the first winner in early 2006. Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, the honourable Myra freeman; chair of the foundation Constance Glube; and artist Dawn McNutt spoke earlier today at province house. (runs: 1:55)

 

June 30, 2005: Stanfest 2005
Tomorrow night the annual Stan Rogers Folk Festival kicks off in Canso Nova Scotia.
And this weekend organizers expect more than ten thousand people to make the trip to Stanfest - to camp out and take in lots of great music. Artistic director, Troy Greencorn, dropped by our studio to speak with our arts producer Phlis McGregor. (runs: 5:11) Tickets for Stanfest are available at various locations throughout Nova Scotia.
You can also call the festival office toll free at 1-888-554-7826. For more information go to www.stanfest.com.

 

June 30, 2005: Invitation: the Quilt of Belonging
If making a regularly-sized quilt is a big undertaking, just imagine what it would be like to make a quilt that's 36 metres long and three and a half metres high. Well, Esther Bryan has done just that. She's a Canadian artist, and with a great deal of help, she's created a gigantic work called "Invitation: the quilt of belonging". Her idea was to represent all of Canada's diverse nationalities and ethnicities together. The giant tapestry is touring Canada, and earlier this week it arrived at the Pier 21 National Historic Site in Halifax. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor caught up with Esther Bryan (runs: 5:13) at Pier 21, and began by asking her to describe the quilt. The giant work of art will be on display at the Pier 21 National Historic Site until November. More from Phlis on the arts report. [runs: 1:51]

 

June 28, 2005: Leonard Paul's Mi'kmaq myth and legend
Shape-shifters, dragons and fairies. Welcome to the world of Mi'k maq artist Leonard Paul. Until now, Leonard Paul has been primarily considered a wildlife artist. But in his latest exhibition at the Mount Saint Vincent University art gallery he explores Mi'kmaq myths and legends. Maritime arts producer Phlis McGregor caught up with Leonard Paul at gallery, and began by asking him to describe a drawing called "The Ogre". (runs: 4:49) Leonard Paul's drawings will be at the Mount Saint Vincent University art Gallery until mid-August.

 

June 28, 2005: Classic comic artist Owen McCarron dies
Canada  has lost one of its most significant classic comic book artists. Owen McCarron died this weekend at the age of 76. For 32 years, McCarron worked as an artist at the Chronicle Herald newspaper in Halifax.  He also created "Marvel Fun Books" for Marvel Comics, and Super Spidey Stories for the creators of Spiderman. Chronicle Herald editorial cartoonist Bruce Mackinnon first met McCarron (runs: 0:25)in the late 1980s. As well as working for Marvel and the Herald, McCarron wrote and designed an online docu-comic on the Halifax explosion for CBC-Television. [click on "Historical Docu-drama"]
Phil Latter is a Halifax comic book collector, and a huge fan of Owen McCarron.
Our arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke to Phil Latter earlier today.

 

June 27, 2005: All art on deck... Skateboard art
Skateboards are built to take a beating. They fly through the air, smash into walls, and grind across concrete. But a select group of new skateboards in Halifax may never ride a handrail, or even bump along a city sidewalk. These boards are much more likely spend their time hanging out on a living room wall…That's because these skateboards are works of art …created by local artists. And on Friday night Halifax's skateboarding community was out in full force to bid on the boards at a live auction - With all proceeds going to the Halifax skate park coalition. The auction took place at Argyle Fine art gallery. And our arts producer Phlis McGregor was there. About five thousand dollars was raised from the auction for the Halifax skate park coalition. (runs: 5:03)

 

June 23, 2005: Plumtree's Scott Pilgrim inspires a comic... and now a film
Back in the 1990s Halifax's independent music scene was buzzing. And one of the bands that developed a cult following across Canada was an all-girl teenage band called Plumtree. In the mid-1990s, the foursome released a song called "Scott Pilgrim". The band has long since broken up. But as Phlis McGregor reports, the song has taken on new life. (runs: 1:47)

Maritime arts producer Phlis McGregor spoke with Brian Lee O'Malley earlier this week at his home in Halifax. (runs: 6:02)

 

June 13, 2005: The Measure of a Man: A tribute to Alex Colville
There's nothing new about famous artists lending their names to social causes. In most cases, it's rock stars, but now Canada's most famous living painter is using his celebritity to help with a cause in his hometown. Alex Colville agreed to take part in a fundraising event over the weekend where he was the guest of honour. It was a fundraiser for a pallative care hospice in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley. Phlis McGregor reports. (runs: 4:46)

And the community was out in full force (runs: 4:46)  - both to honour Alex Colville, and to support the hospice.

 

June 07, 2005: Landscape painter April Gornick: Exhibition opens at Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and runs until August 7th.
April Gornick is one of North America's most prominent landscape painters. She was born in Ohio and now lives in New York City. But, in the late seventies she graduated from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax. And this weekend a major exhibition of her work opened at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Gornick is known for her drawings and large scale paintings of land, sea and sky - works that are sometimes extremely realistic. Our arts producer Phlis McGregor caught up with April Gornick at the gallery. (runs: 4:46)

 

June 08, 2005: Venice Biennale: Canadians protest at the largest art show in the world
Thousands of artists and members of the arts community will be in Venice over the weekend to take in the celebrations at the world's most prestigious arts show. And an international group of artists, including Canadians, will also be there - not to show their art, but to raise awareness about how international trade agreements affect artists. Phlis McGregor reports. (runs: 1:55)

 

June 07, 2005: Andrew David Terris: Elected new president of Canadian Conference of the Arts
For the past sixty years, the Canadian Conference of the Arts has been advocating for artists and arts organizations in Canada - mostly working at a national level to influence federal policy on arts and culture. Earlier this month, the CCA elected a new president. Andrew David Terris is from Nova Scotia, where he is well known for his work in several arts and cultural groups. Terris says this year the CCA's main focus will be to push for a single federal cultural policy. One of the components of this policy will be foreign ownership of Canadian media. (runs: 0:32)

 

June 01, 2005: Sarah McLachlan accepts award in Halifax
Superstar Sarah McLachlan was performing live in her hometown of Halifax June 1st at a luncheon held in her honour. The East Coast Music Association presented the internationally acclaimed musician with "The Directors' special achievement award". This is the ECMA's most prestigious award. It recognizes an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to music on a national or international level. And it has only been presented twice before - to journalist Peter Gzowski in 1997 and to singer Anne Murray in 2001. And now to Sarah McLachlan - who accepted the award in Halifax on June 1, 2005. (runs: 0:41)

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CBC Radio: Maritimes (NS, NB, PEI) arts stories for the National Arts Report News

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