ARTS EAST

The finalists have recently been announced for the 2012 Sunburst Awards, prizes given to the best of Canadian speculative fiction. Included in the adult category is Blackdog by K.V. Johansen, a sci-fi/fantasy author, journalist, editor and medieval history-phile based in New Brunswick. The Sunburst jury described Blackdog as “everything high fantasy should be: a tale of wars among gods, demons and wizards that also works as an oddly compelling social-cultural coming-of-age novel”. Arts East caught up with Johansen shortly after the shortlist announcements were made. What was the inspiration behind Blackdog? For me, stories usually start off with a character in a situation. The plot and even the whole world grow out of that. Blackdog began with the idea of a man in an alleyway, in a town under attack, being possessed by some sort of demonic dog-spirit. Now there’s no alleyway, and the spirit isn’t a demon (there are demons in this world but they’re nature-spirits and the Blackdog i...

Musique Royale presents La Tour Baroque Duo in six locations in Nova Scotia - July 16 – July 21. The La Tour Baroque Duo brings together Michel Cardin and Tim Blackmore, two outstanding early music performers who combine their talents to present inspired programs of duos and solos for recorder, theorbo and harpsichord from the 17th and 18th centuries. Formed in 2009, the La Tour Baroque Duo of Tim Blackmore (recorders and harpsichord) and Michel Cardin (theorbo) has performed throughout the Maritime Provinces, Quebec, Ontario, the far north, in France and in the USA, receiving accolades such as “exquisitely played” and “spellbinding” from audiences and critics. Their début CD ‘Les caractères de la danse’ (2011) has received critical acclaim in Canada and the US. In 2012 the Duo will perform at the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival and the Toronto Early Music Centre, tour Nova Scotia for Musique Royale, and release a new CD of Scottish baroque music entitled ‘The Last Tim...

Pictou, Nova Scotia isn’t the first place one might consider as a hotbed of culture. For the next five days, however, the quiet north-shore community comes alive with art for the first annual W(here) Festival. Mary MacDonald is the festival’s founder and curator. On the festival's origins and mandate This year's W(here) Festival is the first of its kind for Pictou County. It is a collaboration between myself and the Pictou Renaissance Society as well as the many artists, residents and businesses in the local community. Together we hope that this festival or parts of it will be built upon and continued in the future. The W(here) Festival seeks to bring together local artists, diverse communities and visiting artists in a rich program for all ages. The festival's theme - an investigation of how place, art and community intertwine - was selected through discussions with the local community including studio visits with artists, meetings with community members and network...

"I got into photography in 2004, more so as a hobby than anything else. Since then I’ve been lucky enough to have photos displayed in different galleries and magazines throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. I’m fortunate to live in a province which provides such a scenic landscape and amazing photo opportunities. " www.photosbytombrett.com

The Drowsy Chaperone June 21, 2012 The Pond Playhouse, Halifax A capacity crowd took in the fun and frolic at The Pond Playhouse in Halifax this past Thursday night, as The Drowsy Chaperone kicked-off its 2-1/2 week run with the promise of ‘Mix-Ups, Mayhem and a Gay Wedding.’ Sure enough, laughter filled the petite Purcells Cove theatre for most of the 100 minute production, thanks to a solid script and a strong cast. And while community-based theatre isn’t Broadway by any stretch of the imagination, the Theatre Arts Guild chose well with the campy Chaperone – the multi-award winning tale of wedding bells gone awry - making the most of its modest modus operandi and bringing out the best in its volunteer players. Indeed, there is a lot to love about this ‘sprightly little show’; the charismatic Karen Myatt shines as Janet Van De Graaff, the sultry 20’s-era starlet (fans will want to check Myatt out at the Chester Playhouse next month); Brian Hart’s vocals paired well as her flaky ...

Compañía Azul has a heart split between the coasts of Atlantic Canada and the dry earth of Andalusia. Drawn to the beauty of the music, movement and rhythms of flamenco, Compañía Azul creates a passionate, stunning display of emotion, sound and colour. Founded by dancer Megan Azulita Matheson, the company premiered at Neptune Studio Theatre in September 2010. Since then they have appeared at numerous festivals and events in Nova Scotia and are garnering interest across the country. Recently, AE spoke with Matheson about her passion for Flamenco and the troupe’s upcoming show in Halifax. How, when and why did you get involved with Flamenco? My Spanish teacher told the class about a flamenco group that was going to be performing at the Neptune Studio Theatre  "El Viento Flamenco". I went to the show and was mesmerized. The group eventually moved to Halifax and eventually, with a lot of hard work, I became part of the group. I was studying Neuroscience at the time at Dalhous...

Acclaimed singer/actress Karen Myatt  has appeared on stages in Toronto, New York, Mexico, and throughout Canada. The spicy 20-something starlet has trained at the Randolph Academy in Toronto and is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. She stars in the lead role of Janet Van De Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone , which runs from June 21-July 8 at The Pond Playhouse in Halifax. What inspired you to start performing?  For as long as I can remember, my Grandmother has been the main musical influence in my life. From a very young age, I was exposed to the American Songbook that she played by ear on the piano, and we spent many evenings watching the Lawrence Welk Show. I am pretty sure I was the only 10 yr old in the neighborhood rushing home to watch Bobby and Cissy or the Lennon Sisters. This led to my discovery of movie musicals, and thus musical theatre, and I fell in love with the merging of the crafts of acti...