ARTS EAST

Words and Visuals Works by Allison Prior The Newfoundland Arts Scene is alive and thriving. Local artists come together to share their talents, ideas, create and learn from each other through such avenues as artist workshops; and through support from the Art Association Newfoundland and Labrador, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Eastern Edge Gallery, artists are able to display and sell their art. There are so many venues and events in my hometown of St. John’s it's hard to keep up with all the excitement. For example: The Christina Parker Gallery takes great pride in representing serious Newfoundland artists. St. Michael's Printshop is an artist-run print studio which provides professional fine art printmaking facilities for established and emerging artists. The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery is Newfoundland and Labrador's largest public cultural space. It's the place where it all comes together - our history, heritage and artistic expr...

Jean Pierre Andrieux is a St. John’s–based businessman and author of numerous books. Recently we spoke with him about his latest work, The White Fleet, a pictorial history of the centuries-long relationship between the Newfoundland and Portuguese fisheries. What motivated and/or inspired you to write this book? The book is the result of a chance meeting more than 30 years ago with a Portuguese fishing vessel owner who invited me for dinner on board his vessel. The Vimiero had once been a proud member of the Portuguese White Fleet. After a marvelous four hour dinner where the Captain told endless stories on the White Fleet, the seed had been planted. My personal interest in all marine related stories coupled with the desire of preserving these stories for future generations were the main motivations of writing this book. Did the work come together quickly or did you really need to work at it? Since this chance meeting of more than...

The Gale of 1929 by Gary Collins Flanker Press (2013) https://www.flankerpress.com/product/the-gale-of-1929/                                      Review by Roger Douglas Bursey Author Gary Collins is no stranger to the publishing world. This award winning and prolific author from Newfoundland has penned his latest manuscript entitled, The Gale of 1929. Published in 2013, the book tells the incredible and gripping story of survival on the high seas when 11 schooners set sail from the protection of St. John’s harbour on November 29 th , only to head directly into the clutches of hurricane force winds. All eleven vessels, brimming with Newfoundlanders, unsuspectingly weighed anchor to set sail, making way for their respective ports, like Bonavista, Trinity, and Wesleyville.  Followi...

Moncton-based photographer AnnTroop has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Allison University. During her studies, she loved being surrounded by artists.  She was especially inspired by the works of Thaddeus Holownia.  These photographs are from her “I’ve Got the Blues” series with the majority of them having been shot in Asia and edited for effect.  Ann credits her Gemini personality with her tendency to see the world in black and white and she is currently trying to see the nuances in color as in life. Editor’s Note: This week Ann Troop has been featured by various news media, including CBC News and Moncton’s TIMES & TRANSCRIPT, about her  vertical banded gastroplasty procedure, losing 200 pounds and her ongoing battle to have skin removal surgery. H er bravery for sharing her story while raising awareness is profoundly applauded. ~ MB Learn more about Ann Troop's story at: http://anntroop1.blogsp...

Did you know that January 25 th is Opposite Day ? This Saturday, if you so choose to partake, maybe you’ll have roast chicken for breakfast and scrambled eggs for supper. Or perhaps you’ll speak and write in antonyms all day, or walk backwards or drive through red lights!?! Photo by Dennis Jarvis http://www.flickr.com/photos/archer10/ Or you could challenge yourself on Saturday, or any day this week, to do something completely out of your comfort zone—something you have never done before. In honour of Opposite Day, maybe you could ask out that cute barista who’s been serving your morning lattes, or visit an art gallery you’ve never set foot in before, or even try for the very first time to pick up a paintbrush and create… This is starting to sound like a daily horoscope, so let’s get on with some of the things going on in Atlantic Canada this week. ♫ Songs of the Week ♫ Last week, Pictou County, Nova Scotia born Dave Gunning, along with co-songwriter David Fr...

Actress Katie Lawson plays the lead role of Carolyn Bingham in Neptune Theatre’s adaptation of David S. Craig’s smash-hit Having Hope at Home , which runs until February 9. Recently, we caught up with the actress in between rehearsals for her thoughts on the production. How long have you been involved in theatre, and in what capacity? KL: I’ve been involved in theatre most of my life. I was an avid fan and an aspiring actor in many school and community productions as I was growing up.  I decided to pursue a professional career and I got my training at the University of Victoria and then George Brown Theatre School.  I’ve been acting professionally for almost ten years now. How did you get involved with Having Hope at Home ? KL: I auditioned for the role and I was so thrilled when I was cast, because I was already in love with David S. Craig’s script and the family portrayed in his story. What are the challenges of the role? KL: Probably the most obvious ch...

Starting tonight, theatre lovers in Halifax can beat the winter blahs with Neptune Theatre’s production of the hilarious hit comedy Having Hope at Home, the side-splitting story of one pregnant women’s determination to make a positive domestic impression on her parents over family dinner. Recently we caught up with actress Sherry Smith, who plays the role of Carolyn’s mother Jane. How long have you been involved in theatre, and in what capacity? SS: I started acting in Grade 3. My teacher called me Carol Burnett the 2nd and that was it. Professionally, I got my first paying gig in 1980 and have been working ever since, so 34 years. Mostly as an actress, but I have dabbled with writing and directing and I am a co-founder of LunaSea Theatre, a local company, which required a lot of producer work. How did you get involved with Having Hope at Home ? SS: Marcia Kash, the director, had hired me to do Sexy Laundry at Neptune a couple of years ago. She generously offered m...

Call for Submissions Taboo Theatre is accepting submissions for its annual Grang Guignol show. This year’s theme is envy . Chosen plays will be workshopped late spring-early summer and then final working drafts will be incorporated into the Festival of Fear later this year. Deadline for submissions is March 15, 2014. https://www.facebook.com/events/590336104376101/ www.tabootheatre.wordpress.com ♫  Listen  ♫ In honour of  Alzheimer Awareness Month , every week in January,  Christina Martin  is releasing a song from her Remember Me: Songs and Stories Relating to Dementia  series. Today (January 13) released “There Is A Light” plus an enlightening story by Sara Jewell: http://www.christinamartin.net/category/rememberme/ New Brunswick By Ann Manuel Now at Gallery 78 Gallery 78 in Fredericton Currently on display ~ Ann Manuel’s paintings exploring surface tension AND starting January 17 ~ Printmaking (A Group Exhibitio...