A&C

Ask Amy: One-liners

Ask Amy: One-liners

Dear Readers, I have been trying to decide what to do with your endless questions about things that either I don’t know how to answer, or I have only one short sentence to say on the topic. I have come to the conclusion that even the simplest questions deserve an answer, so here you go. [...]

March 12, 2012
In depth looks at Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and American Gods

In depth looks at Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and American Gods

Jonathan Safran Foer’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is an almost perfect book. Its protagonist, Oskar Schell, is a charming, disarming, inventive, odd boy. He weaves a spell that has you speaking his dialect and hoping with all your being that he can solve his increasingly mystifying mystery.

March 6, 2012
By Scott, Seann William can fight!

By Scott, Seann William can fight!

We’re Canadians, and whether we like it or not, hockey is a big part of our cultural identity. No one understands this better than Jay Baruchel, the co-writer and co-star of Goon.

March 6, 2012
Loopy leap year

Loopy leap year

“Amy, I can’t believe you dragged me to this, I don’t even like live music!” my friend, who we’ll call Steph, said as we entered the Study for Loopy Leap Year — a show featuring Jean-Paul DeRoover and special guests Ocean City Defender, Jamie Smith of the Auditor General, and Illusions from the Bates Brothers.

March 6, 2012

There’s No Biz like Show Biz

A collection of songs by Slightly Off Broadway Amanda McAlpine Arts and Culture Editor Slightly Off Broadway is a performing arts studio run by Jacqueline McMahon and Connie Fairbrother. The studio was formed in 1995 when McMahon and Fairbrother were looking to establish Thunder Bay’s first triple threat school. For those unfamiliar with musical theatre [...]

March 6, 2012
Drop your drawers for Roman conquest

Drop your drawers for Roman conquest

You’d be hard pressed to find me in a movie theatre. My undiagnosed ADHD just won’t allow it. You see, I need to multitask during movies: laundry… pedicure… anything to keep my hands busy.

March 6, 2012
Meet Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser

Meet Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser

Amanda McAlpine Arts and Culture Editor Exceptional musical background, bright smile, and a strong passion for music… what more could one ask for in a performer and conductor? Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser is the conductor of the Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus, and Resident Conductor and member of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Arthur [...]

March 1, 2012

Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra stirs up the clouds

Stormy weather by Haydn, Brotons, and Mozart Amanda McAlpine Arts and Culture Editor The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra has always been highly recognized across the country. Under the loyal direction of Arthur Post, the orchestra continues to bloom in their 2011-2012 season. With a programmed evening of Haydn, Brotons, and Mozart, the TBSO offered an [...]

March 1, 2012
The writing on the wall

The writing on the wall

We are all familiar with it, the infamous writing on the wall. Yet whether we love it or hate it, graffiti is part of our society. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what its purpose is? Is it even art?

March 1, 2012
Album review: Gangrene – Vodka and Ayahuasca

Album review: Gangrene – Vodka and Ayahuasca

Gangrene is a duo comprised of California-based hip-hop producer/rappers Oh No and The Alchemist. The Alchemist has a deep history with rappers from both the east coast – Mobb Deep, Cormega, and Pharoahe Monch – and from the west coast –Dilated Peoples, Fashawn, Soul Assassins – while Oh No has kept the underground independent scene on lockdown.

February 14, 2012
Lakeview Church brings Joseph to town

Lakeview Church brings Joseph to town

“A crash of drums, a flash of light. My golden coat flew out of sight. The colours faded into darkness, I was left alone…” If you know these words off by heart like I do, you won’t want to miss Lakeview Church’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat on Feb. 17, 18, and 19. Let me tell you why.

February 14, 2012
A sitdown with Mister Wiggins

A sitdown with Mister Wiggins

The Thunder Bay music scene is an interesting animal. That animal analogy works, it really does: the music scene is a living, breathing thing, constantly adapting. Sometimes, like an animal, the scene gets sick, or has “died,” though that is mostly according to jaded folks who dislike its current incarnation.

February 14, 2012
“Mmmbop”‘s gone electric

“Mmmbop”‘s gone electric

Hanson’s Saturday night show was a high energy, non-stop, 100-minute rollercoaster, a tribute to the band’s enthusiasm. The interactive concert had the crowd jumping, singing, clapping, dancing, and—perhaps most significantly for a band who still boasts much of their boy band appeal—grabbing the hand of their favourite Hanson brother.

February 14, 2012
Russian composer the first of heavy metal?

Russian composer the first of heavy metal?

Who are the grandfathers of heavy metal music? Some would argue that they are Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin. Others say that Judas Priest or Ozzy are the obvious answers. But Igor Stravinsky? Up until 24 hours ago, I had never heard mention of the name.

February 7, 2012
The memories of Hanson come flooding back

The memories of Hanson come flooding back

I remember it as if it were yesterday. I was in grade six… voice just cracking, and peach fuzz just starting to grow. Girls’ notebooks covered in hearts, “mmmbopping” and talking about which Hanson brother – Zac, Taylor, or Isaac – was hotter. That’s all I heard for months – it sucked, I was jealous, and just when I thought it was over, they’re back.

February 7, 2012

Lumina: music in common

The most recent installment in the Lumina concert series, which is put on by Lakehead’s music department, showcased three accomplished performers – Heather Morrison on piano, Peter Shackleton on clarinet, and Derek Conrod on French horn.

February 7, 2012
Kakabeka beckons

Kakabeka beckons

On the Trans-Canada highway and amidst the boreal forest nestles the quintessential Canadian café and bakery: the Metropolitan Moose.

February 7, 2012

South Africa revealed right in Thunder Bay

Why do we go to the theatre? “It feels like magic,” “to be entertained,” “I have a theatre ‘bug’ in my blood; I’m addicted,” “there’s nothing more thrilling than seeing the fruits of the collaboration between the cast and crew, and a live audience.”

February 7, 2012

Jam Pak winners

MusiCounts, Roland Canada, and SiriusXM Canada have presented Burnaby, BC’s Alpha Secondary with a collection of band instruments worth over $12,000. The prize was part of the MusiCounts Roland Jam Pak contest.

January 30, 2012

Artists of the week: Matt Sellick and Jon Reid

“You! You need to play traditional flamenco, because I don’t, but you need to learn so you have to go to Spain,” said Jessie Cook several years ago, and that’s when it all started.

January 30, 2012