ARTS EAST

When Abby and Ella Hanson sat down with Arts East at the beginning of May, it was the start of Gaelic Nova Scotia Month and the siblings had just wrapped up a presentation at the Halifax Central Library. Although young (Abby 16, Ella 14), the sisters are having an important impact on Gaelic education in their home province. As the founders of Up With Gaelic, the pair visit schools around mainland Nova Scotia, promoting the preservation of Scottish Gaelic culture and tradition. “Both our parents are in the education system,” says Abby. “We had heard a lot about how Gaelic culture was on the social studies curriculum in grade schools, but there were almost no resources to actually teach it. So, with the help of our mom and what we had learned from our Gaelic teachers, we put the presentation together.” At first, one of the biggest challenges was getting people to take them seriously. “A couple of times in the beginning we would go into classes and people would say, ‘...

Award-winning comedian, editor and speaker James Mullinger first turned to stand-up comedy as a way to cope with childhood bullying. “I was a shy kid growing up in England and listened to stand-up comedy as a way to cheer me up,” remembers the 41-year-old. “I watched Frank Skinner, Alan Davies and Eddie Izzard videos over and over. I laughed like a drain and wondered how these people could amble on stage, act so natural and be skilled at making two thousand people laugh, when I was too shy to talk to another kid in my class. Comedy saved my life, but I never thought I could do it.” These fears and insecurities continued into his twenties. However, in 2004 - while on holiday in Saint John, New Brunswick - Mullinger was inspired to the plunge.   “I was watching a dinner theatre production with my wife and her family. The performers had us all laughing and dancing and singing. I was very entertained, but completely overcome with profound jealousy. These performers were...

This weekend, three talented and lovely ladies grace the stage at the Neptune Theatre in Halifax for five fabulous performances. Maureen Batt, Laura Caswell and Sarah Richardon are Diva Station. Recently we spoke to the trio about what audiences can expect to enjoy. How did the group first get together? We had been hosting varying song interpretation and vocal workshops at Neptune Theatre. Each one of us leading with our strengths: Laura with a bright Broadway belt; Maureen with a classical background, and vocal pedagogy experience; Sarah with a modern-day/rock/pop vocal edge. Eventually, we had the opportunity to all lead a workshop together. Later that evening, we started chatting about how much fun working together was, and, with our range of styles, that we should sing together sometime…find some reason to do so. And so, Diva Station was born. Tell us about your style & sound. Each of us has our “happy place” - the style in which we are strongest and most familia...

Founded in 2002 by Victor Quijada, RUBBERBANDance Group (RBDG) immediately established itself as an explosive one-of-a-kind troupe. Audiences in Halifax are in for a treat this weekend, as the company brings its latest production - Vic’s Mix - to the city for two shows at the Sir James Dunn Theatre. Recently we spoke with Quijada about the new work. When and why did you first become interested in dance? As a young boy in the early eighties - I saw breakin’ and popping in films, videos and in the neighborhood and fell in love with Hip Hop Culture: the music, graffiti, and especially the dancing. It felt amazing to do, and I would get a lot of attention through dancing...it made me feel alive! Are they the same reasons that you continue to be involved today? My relationship with dance has been many things; it has changed and grown over the years to include many facets and roles besides performer: choreographer, director, teacher, coach, adjudicator. Life is movement...

Until February 24, Neptune Theatre in Halifax presents Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells), Rose Napoli’s gripping exploration of sex, power and control between a high-school teacher and his protégé-turned-lover. Recently we spoke with Assistant Director (Chrysalis Apprentice) Andrew Chandler about what audiences can expect. When and why did you first become interested in theater? I adapted, directed and starred in a grade 5 production of "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" at lunch time, but after that, it took until mid-way through a music degree at Mount Allison to discover that theatre was calling. I was playing percussion in the pit band for the school musical, and found myself thinking "those folks on stage sure look like they're having a lot of fun"... the following year, I auditioned for the show, and shortly thereafter, I moved away from classical percussion, and more towards theatre.   Are they the same reasons that you continue to be involved today? ...

Peter Moreira comes by his gift of storytelling honestly. “Biologically, I am 25 per cent Portuguese and 75 per cent British,” he shares over fish ‘n’ chips at a downtown Halifax eatery. “But culturally, I am from Nova Scotia. I am also a member of the Presbyterian Church, attended St. Andrew’s College, attended Queen’s University (home of the Gaels) - so there is a heavy, heavy Scottish influence there.” A seasoned journalist with several books already under his belt, Moreira counts Ernest Hemingway, Michael Connelly, Wallace Stegner and Thomas Wolfe among his literary influences. “I have learned a thing or two about writing over the years,” he smiles. “I have become more disciplined. I know that what you delete is as important as what you write, and that great writing means leaving out good writing. “In fiction, using plot to bring out the traits of a great character, and using the actions of your characters to drive a great plot is what makes a great book. There ...

Though we knew one another quite well, I only met Ray Fraser once; in 2009, at Westminister Bookstore in Fredericton, New Brunswick - Ray’s home town - while on a speaking tour to promote my debut literary effort, Atlantic Canada’s 100 Greatest Books. After I had finished reading and answering a few questions from inquisitive readers, Ray saddled up to me in his brown leather jacket and old fisherman’s cap, sunglasses shielding his eyes from the overhead lighting. With an extra-large coffee in hand, he looked at me with a wide smile and said simply, “Howdy partner…” He was exactly as I imagined him to be; physically slight, lanky, even a little disheveled in places. Intellectually, he was on his game and for the next several hours we mused over the merits of region’s writers, many of whose works appeared in my aforementioned anthology. Five of Ray’s books made that list, and he was deservedly in the company of some of the finest scribes that Atlantic Canada, and the cou...