Elton: Behind the Scenes of the Ballet

Jean Grand-Maitre presents a complex, toe-tapping portrayal
of the legendary Sir Elton John

Half a dozen couples stand, stiff and silent as mannequins, on the hardwood floors of a large dance studio. They seem to be embracing; their faces close to each other as if whispering a secret.

The room is hushed as rollicking gin-house piano music fills the air. There is a clap, and a sharp voice begins to count, yelling: “One! Two! Three!” in time with the music’s beat. With each shout and clap, the dancers move swiftly into a tightly controlled pose of classical ballet: one woman is lifted high above her partner, another’s leg is resting above a shoulder, and another is angled away from her mate, tango-esque. The process is repeated; every clap of hands and shout reveals a new pose.

It is, purposefully, a tableau reminiscent of the opening scene in Bob Fosse’s Cabaret: mechanical and slightly disjointed, yet performed with the stunning agility and grace of highly trained dancers. There is something both beautiful and tragic in this sequence, like watching over and over the moment a carefree child is struck frozen by fear. And then, bizarrely, there is a man on roller-skates weaving his way between the partners. The music is almost deafening; familiar but new as well. Behind him struts a sinister, bowler-capped fellow, clicking his heels like a hedonistic jazzman. It is a captivating scene.

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Published in Avenue Magazine (Calgary & Edmonton editions) April 2010

New Works and New Workers Welcomed in Calgary

Vincenzo Calli, an Italian painter, has brought a collection of his latest work to the Art Gallery of Calgary, where the work and the artist were celebrated on Wednesday April 22. The paintings depict moments between dreaming and awake, and the suspension between heaven and earth. Some of them portray figures in shadow with placid expressions, while those in the sunlight stare forward anxiously. Others feature tarot cards, clouds, wolves on the hunt, and tiny brushstrokes to simulate watery ripples. The exhibit is on display until Saturday, June 27.

The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada (ICCC) co-hosted the event, attracting a large contingent of guests from the local Italian community. Remarks from the artist, and Marina Mason, vice president of the ICCC, were made in Italian and translated.

Guests included Jean Merriman, executive vice president of White Iron Productions, Omar Channan, founding world president of the World Organization of Building Officials and the president of United Nations Association in Canada-Calgary, Dr. John Lacey, honorary consul-general of Thailand, Jennifer Hames, of CTV Television, Lorenzo Lecce of A Touch of Italy, and Jessica MacLeod of Vendemmia International Wines.

Viable Calgary, a workforce program designed to connect employers and persons with disabilities, launched on Thursday, April 23 with a cocktail reception in Teatro’s Opera Room. A keynote speech was delivered by Elsbeth Mehrer, manager of workforce development at Calgary Economic Development. Other speakers included Lisa Thompson of Bank of Montreal, and Peter Pilarski of the Retail Council of Canada.

“When I went to job interviews,” Thompson recounted, “A lot of people thought I had a cognitive impairment, just because I’m in a wheelchair. I had to fight to show them there’s nothing wrong with my brain. It was very discouraging. Luckily BMO was more than open-minded during the hiring process.”

Viable Calgary offers “integration studies” upon request, showing local business how easy - or how difficult - it would be to welcome an employee with a disability. Other services include staffing support, research, and best practices workshops on hiring disabled workers. Funded by local industry, the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada, these services are provided free of charge.

Guests of the event included Pat and Sherrold Moore, Bryce Roblin of Placement Group, Jim McLaughlin of Alberta Employment and Immigration, Robert Hansen of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Jenny Cruickshank of The Home Depot, and Linna Morgan of Calgary Counselling Centre.

Wallace Galleries welcomed the work of two new artists this week, Camrose Ducote and Rachel Ovadia. At the opening on Saturday, April 25, guests wandered in for a sip of wine and a look at the fresh pieces. Abstract, eggshell-coloured mixed media make up Ducote’s work. Ovadia on the other hand, with bold colours on giant canvas, lights up the room. Ode to Mozart is made up of deep, grandiose swirls of red overlaid with broad strokes of orange, pulsing from the centre of an electric blue and green border.

The joint display lasts until May 10.


Published in National Post, May 2 2009

Green Business Series & Photo Gala

Photographers Jeremy Fokkens and Robert J. Scott hosted a gala benefiting the Children’s Wish Foundation at the Art Gallery of Calgary last week. Over three hundred hipsters and well-wishers turned out to peruse the duo’s first joint exhibition and indulge in a few glasses of fine wine. Picture This: a photography gala was not only a fantastic showcase for their work - haunting images of Prairie life and vibrant pictures of their independent travels through Southeast Asia, mostly - but raised approximately $15 000 for the charity. Every piece on display was sold that night; a total of fifty photographs.

Fokkens and Scott, childhood friends, are both teachers and have volunteered extensively with children and youth at risk. After travelling separately through Asia as photographers and ESL instructors, they reconnected and began to brainstorm ways to give back.

“We really wanted to convey to people here how fortunate we are to live the way we do,” said Fokkens, “I never expected this kind of response; it’s thrilling.”

The event was the product of an informal conversation between the two artists only three months ago. After the success of Picture This, plans are already in the works for several similar events across the region.

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The Down to Earth Sustainable Living Festival began on March 28 with multiple Earth Hour events and local menu tastings, which continue throughout the city until Saturday, April 4. During the week, noon-hour business lectures took place at the downtown public library, kick-started by the presentation of a report recently drafted by Calgary Economic Development’s Katie Emond and Stephanie Jackman, president of REAP [respect for the earth and all people). The Green Business Report highlights four key actions available to small and medium sized enterprise to reduce their carbon footprint. It is available on the websites of both organizations.

Jackman says that an increasing number of business-owners in Calgary are looking to “go green” - and she should know. REAP is an association for businesses concerned with creating sustainable lifestyles, and organized Down to Earth week with support from the Calgary Herald, Bullfrog Power, Calgary Public Library, and Creative Factor. The turnout for events like the business lecture series was impressive. In attendance for the Green Business Report release were Richard Pootmans, business development manager for real estate at Calgary Economic Development, Sarah Newman of Vibrant Communities Calgary, Nancy MacKenzie of Calgary Public Library, and Gary Fredich-Dunne of Bullfrog Power.

Published in National Post, April 4 2009

Fun and fashion celebrate AGC

Beauty hung on walls and dripped off shoulders at the Art Gallery of Calgary [AGC] last week. An exhibit of George Webber’s photography, curated by newcomer Marianne Elder, provided the backdrop for a cocktail reception prior to ArtWear, the sixth annual fashion runway show organized by the AGC.

The affair delighted every sense. Striding down a red carpet, VIPs were overwhelmed by “paparazzi” snapping photos and shouting provocations. Inside, taste buds were tickled – but not exactly inspired - by Chef David Ly, who served his usual shrimp and scallop canapés, as well as beef tataki and teensy-tiny potato skins covered in cheese. Crisp mojitos flowed freely.

Artist and educator Dee Fontans showcased a gorgeous, daring collection of ‘wearable art’, produced by seventeen of her students from the Alberta College of Art and Design. The collection focused on the relationships between objects, audiences, and the body. There were some stunning garments, and the students gave an energetic, confident performance. Chelsa Mossing, a fourth year student, modeled a dress made out of Barbie dolls. She describes the piece as “addressing natural curiosities – and manufactured answers – about gender roles.” Others were inspired by the natural environment, with replicas of birds, salamanders, and woodland creatures as part of their outfits.

Recently criticized in local media for its role as hipster party venue rather than respectable institute, the gallery is trying hard to prove itself to the artistic community, and donors. Decisions like hiring Elder and new president Valerie Cooper seem to be doing just that.

“Valerie is an amazing force for this gallery,” said one member of the AGC board, “She’s got the artistic intuition and the business training to bring us forward."

After two hours of cocktails and gossip, the party moved to Hotel Arts. There, 400 additional guests joined in watching hot new styles on the runway and bidding in a silent auction. The ballroom was crowded but, happily, VIPs were given priority seating and complimentary bottles of Moët et Chandon.

On display were fashion-forward pieces, available at Renfrew Furs, Blu’s, Boutik, Primitive, and many other retailers. The show was coordinated by Marie Louise Kapp, and (in true boom-town style) focused on boutiques over brands. One special guest, however, was all about the labels. Wensa imports designer handbags, some of which are sold through Renfrew Furs. Versace, Dior, and Prada have a space in her closet.

Not often billed as a fashion capital, nor recognized for its staggering talent in female executives, Calgary proved to be much more than cowboy meets couture that night. Stylish and sophisticated guests included: Kelsey Schiavon of Holt Renfrew, Terri MacLeod of Suncor, Charlene Dorey of EnCana, Claire Fern of Long View Systems, new mom Tiffany Yip, jet-setting fashion maven Linda Amelia Hearst, Jelena Molnar of Canadian Natural Resources, Colleen Gray, AGC board of directors, Phyllis Groten of RBC, and Naomi Lacey.