Archive for the ‘AOTAES News’ Category
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
Courageous triumphs at Edmonton’s Sterling Awards
Play about tolerance shares top honours with The Drowsy Chaperone
By Liz Nicholls, edmontonjournal.com June 29, 2010
EDMONTON — A combative and witty play about that contradictory Canuck quality we call tolerance took home Monday evening’s top honours as outstanding production as the theatre community put on its party pumps to toast the past season on Edmonton stages.
Michael Healey’s Courageous, a coventure between the Citadel and Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre, shared top billing at the 23rd annual Sterling Awards gala with another venture by Edmonton’s biggest playhouse. Jurors awarded the outstanding musical Sterling to The Drowsy Chaperone, a bona fide Canadian hit in its first major post-Broadway incarnation. The fizzy musical-within-a-show, seen through the eyes of Man in Chair, is an homage to the time-honoured impulse to sing, dance and be entertained. In fact, leading man John Ullyatt gave a brief demo of the urge to tap dance Monday night — and we, the collective men in chairs, loudly approved.
The season’s best new play, jurors decided, was David Belke’s The Science of Disconnection, which premiered at Shadow Theatre. Protagonist Lise Meitner, the pioneer physicist who lent mathematical proofs to Einstein, may have been robbed at Nobel time. But Cathy Derkach’s star performance garnered her the leading actress Sterling, not to mention the season’s only mention onstage of the term “nuclear recoil.”
Curiously, the Citadel’s Sweeney Todd, which cut a swath through the Sterling field with seven nominations, didn’t end up with a single Sterling. Unlike some other years, no one theatre or production took home an overwhelming armload of the 24 Sterling Awards this year. The weight bearing was dispersed, but didn’t extend to either Workshop West or to Northern Light Theatre, the latter unaccountably absent altogether from the nomination list.
Literature’s most famous libertine, sporting the biggest chastity belt ever to be seen on a Canadian stage (I’m guessing here), had himself a night out. The Old Trout Puppet Workshop’s The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan, part of the Theatre Network season, got Sterlings for its star (human-sized actor Duval Lang), for its Jen Gareau costumes and for Cimmeron Meyer’s lighting of old Seville’s nightspots. The fourth of Theatre Networks Sterlings honoured Marianne Copithorne’s direction of the hit thriller The Woman in Black.
Of Teatro La Quindicina’s three Sterlings, the Fringe new work prize went to Stewart Lemoine’s wistful, funny ode to the blurred, and correctable, vision, The Oculist’s Holiday. The new Teatro musical Everybody Goes to Mitzi’s!, which lent the evening its Act II opener and is actually set in Edmonton, received Sterlings for its score, by the team of Ryan Sigurdson and Farren Timoteo, and its musical director (the former).
Theatre for young audiences had heftier prominence at this year’s gala. Concrete Theatre’s production of Routes, Collin Doyle’s new play about the roots and escalation of urban violence, was deemed outstanding in this category. And the exquisitely convincing, life-sized birds of the Green Fools’ Project: Whooping Crane, in the Fringe Theatre Adventures season, got the nod for “outstanding artistic achievement.”
Catalyst Theatre’s administrator Brenda McNicol, whose services have enriched matters theatrical across the city, was recognized with the Margaret Mooney award in administration (on the eve of her company’s departure, with Nevermore, for the Barbican Festival in London).
And the late Tim Ryan, founder and presiding muse of Grant MacEwan University’s musical theatre program and Leave It To Jane Theatre, was saluted with an “outstanding contribution to the theatre in Edmonton.” His death in November represents the season’s most dramatic single loss.
lnicholls@thejournal.canwest.com
—
AND THE STERLINGS WENT TO …
Outstanding production of a play: Courageous (Citadel/Tarragon Theatres)
Outstanding production of a musical: The Drowsy Chaperone (Citadel/National Arts Centre)
Outstanding new play: The Science of Disconnection by David Belke (Shadow Theatre)
Outstanding performance by an actress in a leading role: Cathy Derkach, The Science of Disconnection
Outstanding performance by an actor in a leading role: Duval Lang, The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan (The Old Trout Puppet Workshop/ Theatre Network)
Outstanding performance by an actress in a supporting role: Nadien Chu, Titus Andronicus (Free Will Shakespeare Festival)
Outstanding performance by an actor in a supporting role: George Szilagyi, Hockey Stories For Boys (Aarrggh! Productions)
Outstanding director: Marianne Copithorne, The Woman In Black (Theatre Network)
Outstanding independent production: Folie A Deux (The Maggie Tree)
Outstanding set design: Bretta Gerecke, Rigoletto (Edmonton Opera)
Outstanding lighting design: Cimmeron Meyer, The Erotic Anguish Of Don Juan
Outstanding score of a play or musical: Ryan Sigurdson and Farren Timoteo, Everybody Goes To Mitzi’s! (Teatro La Quindicina)
Outstanding musical director: Ryan Sigurdson, Everybody Goes To Mitzi’s! (Teatro La Quindicina)
Outstanding choreography or fight direction: Dayna Tekatch, The Drowsy Chaperone
Outstanding Fringe production: Victor and Victoria’s Terrifying Tale Of Terrifying Things (Kill Your Television)
Outstanding Fringe new work: The Oculist’s Holiday by Stewart Lemoine (Teatro La Quindicina)
Outstanding Fringe performance by an actress: Beth Graham, Victor And Victoria’s Terrifying Tale Of Terrible things
Outstanding Fringe performance by an actor: Kevin Gillese, Wisdom Teeth (Craddock Family Productions)
Outstanding Fringe director: Kenneth Brown, Spiral Dive II (THEATrePUBLIC)
Outstanding production for young audiences: Routes (Concrete Theatre)
Outstanding artistic achievement in theatre for young audiences: Dean Bareham and Jennie Esdale, production design, Project: Whooping Crane (Green Fools Theatre/ Fringe Theatre Adventures)
Ross Hill Award for individual achievement in production: Alan Welch
Margaret Mooney award for outstanding achievement in administration: Brenda McNicol
Outstanding contribution to theatre in Edmonton: Tim Ryan
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/Courageous+triumphs+Edmonton+Sterling+Awards/3213361/story.html#ixzz0sM3UivSo
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Monday, May 31st, 2010
June 19, 2010
Avenue and Alleys is an Arts on the Ave fundraiser
Register a team of 4 bowlers and come down to Plaza Bowl to complete in a classic bowling tournament. Each team commits to raising $600 (that’s only $150 each!) and the prizes donated by Bell are fantastic!
Teams must be registered by Friday, June 4th and monies by Friday, June 11th.
For more information about Avenue and Alleys, contact Katherine Huising (khuising@telus.net)
About Plaza Bowl
Located in the basement of a strip mapp, not far from the 118th Avenue traffic circle on 104 Street, this 16-lane, 5-pin bowlerama has been rolling along since 1960, and not much has changed over the years. Take a step back in time with Betty, Veronica and Archie. It still relies on the tried-and-true manual scoring, so you can brush up on your math while you bowl.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2010
Arts on the Ave 2010 annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on Sunday, April 18, 2–4 pm, at the Carrot. Members must be current (2009/10) members in order to vote. Myrna Kostash will be a guest speaker. Light refreshments and snacks will be served.
The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse is located at 9351 118th ave.
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
Carrot and Deep Freeze Volunteers:
Are you ready to strike? Believe it, volunteers CAN strike.
When: May Day, Saturday, May 1 Time: 7:00 P.M.
Where: Plaza Bowl 10418 – 118 Avenue
Come show your strikablity – it will be a great time, good exercise and a chance to chat and enjoy each other’s company. After all the Carrot and AOTA have, wihtout a doubt, the best volunteers in the city!
So we can prepare for the event please RSVP (this is really important) to Valerie Parr by either emailing at v.sparr@hotmail.com or leave a message at 780-423-0407.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Cheers!!
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Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
Not sure if you’ve noticed lately, but Alberta Avenue, and the revitalization taking place here, is ALL OVER the media.
You may have picked up Avenue Magazine this month to find Christy Morin, President of Arts On The Ave, featured as one of their “Top 40 Under 40″. You can read that article online at http://www.avenueedmonton.com/articles/page/item/christy-morin.
Or, perhaps you’ve been over to the City of Edmonton website, where The Avenue Initiative is featured with an image on the front page, linking to a story and a video about the exciting changes happening on Alberta Avenue these days. Our very own Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse and Kaleido Festival are mentioned as well.
If you haven’t caught the “Avenue Fever” yet, perhaps Thursday is your day. Here is the official word from the Avenue Initiative;
Global Edmonton is taking the News Hour On the Road to Alberta Avenue! Tune into the News Hour at 6.00 on Thursday, November 5th to see Gord Steinke, Lynda Steele and the rest of the Global Edmonton team broadcasting live from the Alberta Avenue Farmer’s Market and The Carrot Coffeehouse.
We need YOU to help show Edmonton what a great neighbourhood Alberta Avenue is. We need both the Farmers’ Market and The Carrot filled with all the great people who live in the area. Bring the whole family down, tell your neighbours, bring your friends!
Both Global News at 5 and 6 will be broadcast from Alberta Avenue but during the 6 o’clock news you see stories about things happening in Alberta Avenue, a live interview with Judy Allan on the Avenue Revitalization, as well as live footage from the Farmers’ Market and The Carrot.
At the Farmers’ Market (9210 118 Avenue) between 5pm and 7pm:
Free balloon animals
Free face painting
Free entertainment
And of course, lots of great food & gift products to buy
And don’t worry about making supper. We have a concession and grill a mean hotdog.
Global Special: hotdog, drink and chips or chocolate bar for only $4
At The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse (9351 – 118 Avenue) between 5pm and 7pm:
Global weather live from The Carrot!
Live Entertainment
Bring a friend and enjoy a 2 for 1 Latte!
And you’ll be happy to know the construction on 118 Avenue is over for the season. You can once again drive in either direction. Happy Driving and see you on Thursday!
Please forward this information, add it to your facebook page, tweet it and spread the word anyhow you can!
Tags: alberta avenue, articles, Press, Revitalization
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Thursday, October 1st, 2009
The board of Arts on the Ave would like to send a resounding thank-you to volunteers, sponsors, artists and everyone who attended the recent Kaleido festival on 118 ave, Edmonton’s largest block party. The event was a raging success — even that wicked northerly wind couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm.
From the dancing to the music to Shakespeare being performed in the playground, Kaleido was a testament to community spirit, and to the power of art to inspire us, unite us and delight us.
Thanks, everybody. And see you next year.
The board of AOTA
Tags: festival, Kaleido
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Monday, May 25th, 2009
Title: Special Arts On The Ave Edmonton Society Meeting
Location: The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse
Description:
This is notification for a special meeting of Arts On The Ave Edmonton Society (AOTA) for the review of a motion to amend the current bylaws to be held on June 7th, 2009, 1:00pm at the Carrot
The Motion
Janice Melnychuk (AOTA board member) moves that we add a dissolution clause into our by-laws as follows:
By-law Clause 37 : Dissolution of AOTA requires any assets remaining after paying debts and liabilities to be:
a. disbursed to eligible charitable or religious groups or purposes:or
b. transferred in trust to a municipality until such time as the assests can be transferred from a the municipality to a charitable or religious group or purpose approved by the Board.
Background
In order for the AOTA to get a license to have a casino the society is required to have as part of its by laws a clause to cover the disbursement of funds in the event of the society’s disillusion.
Start Time: 13:00
Date: 2009-06-07
Tags: arts on the ave edmonton society, meeting
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
JOE BIRD
1967-2009
In the summer of 1989 I was a young theatre technician just starting out, and one of my first gigs was at Nexus Theatre working with an upstart comedy troupe called Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie. That was my first Joe Bird experience.
After that we became friends and continued to work with each other on and off in the theatre world. In the early nineties I was starting Captain Tractor, and Joe and his friends were starting another local band: Hookahman. Our two bands led the charge on Whyte Avenue, playing every venue, creating new ones, and being instrumental in making it what it is today, for good or bad. Our respective bands often played together at Folk Festivals throughout Alberta and beyond, and we all became great friends and colleagues. Captain Tractor even recorded a Joe Bird song called The Dublin Lullaby, and he would often join us on stage to perform it, just as I would often find myself on stage with Joe and Hookahman at some gig playing and singing along with them.
As the years rolled on I remained good friends with Joe. Although Hookahman eventually disbanded, Joe continued to write amazing, funny, and heart felt songs and hosted several open stages around Edmonton. He was always a charming and entertaining host that would make everyone at his stages feel welcomed and loved. Many current singer songwriters cite Joe’s warmth, wit, and encouragement as the reason that they now do what they do.
If you ever met Joe, then you were hugged by him, because he greeted everyone he met with a giant bear hug. If you ever hung out with Joe, then you have a Joe Bird story to tell, because Joe’s life was an adventure and he lived every day as if it were his last. If you knew Joe, then you understand what a huge loss his passing represents.
Most recently I was honoured when Joe agreed to be a contributor to the Songs From the Ave CD Project, a compilation of Norwood residents writing and recording songs about the area. A long time McCauley resident, Joe wrote Bumtown, and it was a pleasure to record the song for the CD, and perform it with him at the release party at last year’s Kaleido Festival. Perhaps his last studio recording, Bumtown is one of the highlights of the Songs From the Ave CD.
Joe Bird was a friend, a colleague, a brilliant songwriter, a fearless performer, a funny, gentle, carefree spirit, and someone who personally touched the lives of hundreds of people all over the world. Including mine. This world definitely needs more Joe Birds.
Edmonton is a little sadder without Joe Bird in it, but his legacy will live on through his many great songs and The Joe Bird Foundation that was quickly set up by his family to aid young performers.
Good-bye Joe. I love you.
SCOTT PETERS
Tags: artists, Joe Bird, singer-songwriter
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Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
Annual General Meeting
Arts on the Ave Edmonton Society (AOTA) announces that its 2009 annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on Sunday, April 19, 4–6 pm. at the Carrot. Members must have purchased membership 30 days prior to AGM (2008/09) in order to vote. Buy your memberships at the Carrot (9351-118 Ave).
Nominations to the Board
The AOTA Nominating Committee is looking for up to six interested members to join the Board. Meetings are held once a month.
Requirements to Sit on the Board
- You must be a member of AOTA at least 30 days before the April 19, 2009, AGM.
- You must submit a letter and phone numbers of two references to Nominations Chair, Christy Morin, by April 5, 2009, two weeks before the AGM.
- A nomination letter can contain a resume or any other information you think pertinent to a board position.
- You can be nominated by another AOTA member; self nominations also accepted.
- Nominations committee will hold an interview or phone interview with all candidates.
- Nominations committee will make recommendations for board membership to the AGM; these nominations must be voted on.
- Board membership is immediate at AGM.
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