Not so abstract

I know, I know, this is supposed to be a column about the arts, but how I could not write about today’s release of the Sex and the City movie? It’s the long-awaited continuation of the television series, which captured various aspects of the arts, from fashion, music, avant-gardism, architecture, and channelled itself into the arts as well.

The show did not set fashion trends, in my opinion, but rather, created pieces of fashion art with each item of clothing, shoe, accessory, etc., and styles unique to each character. A trend is just a phase that is soon forgotten, but who can forget what Carrie wore and when? What she wore became immortalized in the fashion hall of fame. I am sure the movie will have the same impact. I can’t wait to see it!

There was also great music featured in Sex and the City, from lesser-known artists to well-known ones as well. HBO’s website has a list of music featured on each episode since season four. Carrie also happened to date a musician, who introduced her to jazz, and of course, visual artist Aleksandr Petrovsky, who she leaves for Big in the series finale.

I love NYC, so I was thrilled each week to see what “New York” restaurant, event, music club, café, etc. would be featured each week. I even went to couple when I was there, in particular Magnolia Bakery! Scenes of NYC’s architecture, old and new and its museums, from MoMA to the Met, also drew my attention.

I just read a comment written by a priest in a Toronto newspaper who dissected the show excessively, criticizing the four women’s “adolescent” behaviour and the “emptiness” of the show. But, come one, what we loved about the television series was that the women didn’t take themselves so seriously. But more so, the fact that the women relied on each when things were in the pits — these were the relationships they came to depend on in the end, so that’s hardly empty or adolescent.

So, here’s to Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte - the gals of Sex and the City who lived live large and to the fullest. And now…I sip my Cosmo.

Rumours have been circulating that 70s classic rock band, Led Zeppelin, will be stopping in Toronto this August for several shows at the Rogers Centre. This was according to a MuchMusic blogger, who attributed the information to an unnamed “reliable source.” For a huge Led Zep fan like myself, I would be in groupie heaven.

If I had lived through the band’s peak years, I’d no doubt be a crazed disciple - although I would rather be the teen in Almost Famous, who follows a band on their tour for a feature story in RollingStone magazine. Tickets to the show will most likely be hard to come by, but I’ve been waiting for this moment since the first time I heard a Led Zep tune as a pre-teen. I was hooked from the first coda.

But, this may be just a dream on everyone’s part. The National Post, The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star talked to concert promoters and a spokesperson at the Rogers Centre, who suggested this was not the case, although they wouldn’t rule anything out. So is this just a dazed and confused fantasy on our parts? Or a communication breakdown? Let me know your thoughts.

After the band reunited for a one-time concert at London, England’s O2 arena in December 2007, fans and the media have been drooling over the possibility of a tour. I know I have. Those who saw the band perform before their break up in 1980, they’d relieve the good times, bad times of their past through the music. Others like me - who was only two-years-old in 1980 - would be able to witness rock royalty.

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While we wait in anticipation of possible tour dates in Toronto, there are a few things to do in the city this weekend and into early next week that will engage your interest:

Doors Open: This ninth annual event opens doors to architecture, history and culture in the city.
www.toronto.ca/doorsopen

Green Toronto Festival: The city’s annual mayhem of all things green, for two days only - May 23-24.
www.toronto.ca/greentorontofestival

Streetsville Arts Collective: Over 85 artists will be on-hand at the first annual two-week Streetsville Arts Fest. Opening night is on May 23.
www.streetsvillearts.com/artsfest.html

De Colores Festival of New Works: On May 25-26, explore works by Latin-Canadian/American playwrights.
www.alamedatheatre.com/decolores.htm

“When I was your age, television was called books,” says the pensive old man to his grandson in the movie, The Princess Bride, which I saw again over the long weekend. Sure, I like to escape to the movies, but I like to be distracted with a good book. As I write this, I’m reading Stephen Davis’ Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Saga. Before this read, I had my head buried in A Room Full of Mirrors, by Charles R. Cross — an engrossing biography of Jimi Hendrix, which kept me in a purple hazy delight.

Okay, so I can’t get enough of books on musicians and music. But, I also drown my thoughts in classic literature, books on the Elizabethan reign, mystery novels, first-person journalism, etc. I used to read a lot of fiction, but have been on a non-fiction path over the past couple of years — not self-help or celebrity biographies - but anything on history, war, stories on heroic struggles, and so on.

I am completely enraptured by the book I am reading now, the biography of Led Zeppelin — one of my favourite bands. It’s not just a regular bio of who did what and when, but a fascinating tale filled with scrumptious details and musical notes. I like biographies that are interwoven with stories, anecdotes and dialogue, such as Bob Dylan’s Chronicles Volume I, which also has some riveting time shifts — no doubt Dylan is great writer.

Is there a biography you’ve read that you enjoyed, or maybe one you want to read? What other books are on your read and readings lists? Let me share some of my other favourite reads:

-The Face of War, by Martha Gelhorn
-The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup, by Susan Orlean
-The Hours, by Michael Cunningham
-Iran Awakening, by Shirin Ebadi
-The Stone Angel, by Margaret Laurence
-The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien
-Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
-All the President’s Men, by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein

They are a couple of books on my to-read list: Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, Best American Travel Writing, by various authors, and I’m sure more will be added on. Lately, I’ve become interested in books on Arthurian legends and medieval history. If you have suggestions for possible reads, please do send them my way.

If you’re looking for next reads and book events, check out these sites:

-Chapters-Indigo community zone

-Toronto Public Library book:
Events
Recommendations

-TorontoOnline.org (by the Toronto Arts Council)

-New York Times book lists

-The Globe and Mail book lists

Escape to the arts this Victoria Day long weekend wherever you decide to spend it, in town or elsewhere.

If you’re staying in town, the city has an array of music, theatre, gallery and literary offerings that will tickle your creative palate. In the mood for a day trip, the Stratford Festival may be an option. But, even venturing down to your neighbourhood watering hole, coffeehouse or bookstore might offer up some pleasers as well.

For those eager cottage-trekkers, a song or two around a campfire can bring out artsy side in just about anyone, even if there is no one plays the guitar. Although this may sound corny, try out your silent acting skills with a little charades. Check out the nearby town as well or any local arts events as well.

If you have an arts event that people should check out this long weekend, please feel free share!

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So, if you’re staying in the city, below are just a few of the possible escapades:

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-Drake Hotel-

In Support of Living + Picturesound - electro/indie group, In Support of Living, perform soundscapes that evoke emotive music. Picturesound draw on inspiration from Brit pop of the mid-’90s, the mod ’60s and other pop sounds to create melodic music.

Get Riddim — Get connected with the roots of urban music, as Get Riddim’ DJs spin reggae, dub, and favourites.

For more go to: www.thedrakehotel.ca/events

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-Gladstone Hotel-

I am Elvis Exhibition - the collection features intimate portraits of Elvis impersonators who were part of the 2007 Collingwood Elvis Festival.

Exposed: Depictions, Discoverines, Discussions and Debate - the exhibit features the work of 39 contemporary photographers who focus on personal or social history, as well as personal and collective memory.
 
For more, go to:

www.gladstonehotel.com/events

www.gladstonehotel.com/exhibitions.cfm

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-Royal Ontario Museum-

The Black Star Sapphire of Queensland - the largest sapphires in the world will be on display, as well as a six-point black star sapphire.

Early Typewriters - the exhibit will showcase 20 antique typewriters and their unique designs.

For more go to: www.rom.on.ca/exhibitions/current.php

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-The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar-

If you’re in the mood for all that jazz, head down to the Rex, where the Dave Young Quintet, Abbey’s Meltdown Gypsy-Swing Jazz, the Laura Hubert Band and the New Excelsior Traditional Dixieland Band, among others, will dazzle the stage.

For more go to: www.jazzintoronto.com

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-Toronto Hispano-American Film Festival-

Indulge in some Hispanic-American cinema, at Canada’s well-known and longest-running Spanish language film festival, which will feature film dramas, comedies, and documentaries.
 
For more go to: www.thaff.com

Do you have a favourite musician in the city who you think deserves a lot more recognition? Or do you have a much-loved venue in town, where you go to listen to up-and-coming talent? I would love to hear what you think. People have such strong opinions about music; what they like, what they don’t like, but it has a way of bringing us together. So, share away!

Now, let me tell you about my favourite musician in the city.

Poetic, luminous, imaginative, lush and inventive are some of the words used to describe the music of Toronto-based singer-songwriter Lori Cullen. Her reflective voice has garnered much praise in the local and national music scene. Cullen has played at various local venues across the city and will open for Ron Sexsmith at his October 23 stop at Massey Hall. She’ll also be performing at Hugh’s Room on May 17 and 23.

I first saw Cullen perform at WinterCity in early 2003, with the Ron Davis Trio. The trio has just released their jazz-influenced CD, So Much, in the fall of 2002. I was completely blown away by her incredibly crisp and lyrical voice. She definitely wasn’t just another vocalist singing jazz tunes — what was great about his CD though was that it had a mix of standards, rock and pop tunes, infused with jazz sensibilities.

So Much was a bit of a departure from her debut album, Garden Path, which was more folk derived, featuring Cullen’s honest voice, her acoustic guitar and depth for songwriting. Her unique sense for harmonies and movement was carried through her 2005 release, Uneven Hill — an art-pop record.

She returned to the jazz vibe with Calling for Rain, which was nominated or a 2007 Juno Award for ‘best vocal jazz album.’ She also sang at the ceremony the night before the awards, performing with two other nominees in the category. “The best part was being able to connect with other musicians and people I knew. It was very much an industry thing,” Cullen said, when we spoke in late-November 2007.

Her new album, Buttercup Bugle, only has three covers on this album, the rest are original songs written by Cullen. “I wanted to get back to my songwriting and remind people and myself and I am a songwriter; it’s where I come from,” she said. Cullen noted that Uneven Hill was “very intricate; there’s lots of chords, lots of movement.” With her new CD, she said she was “trying to write things that were optimistic…upbeat and lighter than I normally write.”

Cullen is in a company of superb musicians across the city, artists who are true to their craft and contribute to a vibrant local music scene. So, what are your thoughts on music in the city?

More information about Cullen:

Cullen’s site:
LoriCullen.com

Music samples:
MySpace.com

CDBaby.com

Not so abstract arts; no frills, no fuss, no muss. That’s how accessing the arts should be.

The arts are everywhere; in concert stadiums or concert halls, at art galleries or photography exhibits, in the park or on the street, at your nearby coffeehouse or bar, in libraries or bookstores, at comedy clubs…well, you get the picture.

Forget the stereotype of the arts being this hoity-toity, froufrou, think-they’re-too-good-for-me, snooty, form of expression that is out of your reach.

To me, the arts include the music of Led Zeppelin or Toronto singer-songwriter, Lori Cullen, Susan Orleans’ colourful short-stories, the synchronized “Jet Song” dance sequences in West Side Story, a 13-year-old’s journal capturing the angst of teenage-dom, a young child’s first attempt at finger-painting, silent or horror movies – even the original Friday the 13th flick, although honestly, the rest of the franchise’s series is up for debate – a trapeze artist or contortionist performing mind-boggling stunts. The list goes on.

But, I’m not saying that you have to love everything the arts have to offer. Maybe you prefer one form of dance to another, or find the spoken word non-sensical; while you might prefer the sounds of classical music to rock anthems, or have visions of watercolours dancing in your head – to each their own; explore what you want. The arts should not be preachy.

That’s what my column is set out to accomplish – dishing out the arts, whatever medium it may channel itself into – old and new music, book launches, gallery openings, arts and street festivals, off-the-wall plays, local arts programs, artist profiles, up-and-coming artists, new art-forms, poetry-on-the go, not-so-mainstream movies…so much to talk about, many entries to follow!