Coral Andrews is a Kitchener, Ontario based writer
whose by line has appeared in many publications...
for over three decades including national magazines – Saturday Night, Take One, Graffiti, The New Quarterly, Canplay,Performing Arts and Entertainment in Canada, and Harrowsmith.
Regional Publications include: Grand Magazine, Most Magazine, Green Magazine, Taste Magazine, Own Magazine, Proud Magazine and many others, in addition to digital publications - Start Arts and Culture, Suite 101.com and OpenFile.ca.
Favourite interviews include: Lynn Redgrave, Phyllis Diller, Cynthia Lennon, and Graham Chapman from Monty Python. She recently won the 2012 Special Jury Award from the Waterloo Reion Arts Awards
Currrently Coral contributes to weekly art magazine Nightlife for Waterloo Region Record.
Coral is the host of Interzone on CKMS-FM.
Dan Geddes is a force, plain and simple. And despite the heaps of hella-high-praise references Peace receives — to Neu!, or Orange Juice, or Edwyn Collins, or whatever — there’s no substitute for experiencing their work via headphones. Peace shines not in virtuosity or violence (despite their ties to Vancouver’s explosive Emergency Room scene), but in their command of tone: The World Is Too Much With Us swaps the verbosity of Peace’s earlier work in favour of emotional dexterity, ranging from bombastic romancers (“Your Hand in Mine”), to menacing creepers (“Free Time”), to gleefully detached absurdist romps (“Kissed Dust”). It’s subtle, eloquent and direct — all of which is why I’m so obsessed. – Mark Teo.
Dan has recently opened his own record store called Horse Records in Vancouver. And Dan’s dad CBC Producer Ash Geddes is a good pal of mine and I saw Peace when they played in TO at The Magpie a couple of years back. That was fun!
Peace plays at The Magpie in Toronto. Pic by Coral
At midnight on Friday, November 16, these brave playwrights were taken to disturbing locations to write a disturbing 10-minute play in 24 hours. Isolated. Haunted. Creepy. Uneasy. Frightening. Paddy wants me to do this …. Gulp. Maybe someday….
Write of Flight Response
Katharine Mills from Unhinged
KATHARINE MILLS is an actor, designer, writer and visual artist. She has appeared in multiple roles in KW’s annual site-specific urban theatre production, Asphalt Jungle Shorts. She is a partner in local experimental theatre company What!sInThere?! Productions; she performed in their productions of Copy Protection and Children’s Crusade, and acted as facilitator and stage manager for their recent Fringe production of Psy Co.’s Cross. Other recent appearances include JM Drama’s Tales of the Grimm, and Galt Little Theatre’s Queen Milli of Galt and, A Clean Breast, in UnHinged 12.
Paddy Gillard Bentley Artistic Director of Flush Ink Productions
PADDY GILLARD-BENTLEY- playwright,director, producer & poet has had over 60 of her plays produced in USA, Canada, England & Ireland. Two of her plays are published. PGB is the founder and Artistic Director of Flush Ink Productions, past President of The International Centre for Women Playwrights and the Chair of The Coalition of Performing Artists (COPA).Paddy has also worked with MT Space, KW Youth Theatre & The Studio Players. PGB has been involved in theatre one way or another since her mother performed in Time Out for Ginger when four months pregnant with Paddy.
Director: David Atkins Music Director: Michael Brown Choreographer: Janet Kubik
itchener Waterloo Musical Productionswas founded in 1948 as the Twin City Operatic Society. The early productions were performed in the auditorium at The Church of the Good Shepherd. As the performances grew and a larger space was needed, the stages at KCI and WCI fit the bill. In 1968, the group found a permanent home for rehearsing, set building and storage at its current location on Shaftsbury Drive and became Kitchener Waterloo Musical Productions.
Since then the group has been performing on stages around the Region.The highlight of each year is hitting the stage at Kitchener’s 2,200-seat, state-of-the-art theatre – the Centre in the Square. While many people in the region enjoy the shows presented at the theatre, KWMP is the only non-professional theatre company that provides performers the opportunity to “strut their stuff” on this glorious stage year after year. Behind the scenes, our Board of Directors – made up of dedicated multi-talented volunteers – is committed to our organization and the excellent productions that we give our community.
I had lots of fun chatting with Hairspray cast members Amber, Michela, and Reuben from the show. Brava you three.
Jeese Webber and Jack Drysdale Pender have become regulars on Coral FM – and we like to have Wild and Crazy Excellent Musical Adventures from Ja ck and Jesse Unplugged to playing all of our fave songs.
Jesse Webber and Jack Drysdale Pender dropped by the Sound FM studio to play some Pink Floyd Unplugged.
The Crazy Diamonds are a sparkling nine piece ensemble who (in addition to their eclectic choice of funkadelic, sweet soul song renditions and original works) also do The Pink Floyd Songbook proud every single time they have ventured to The Dark Side.
The Crazy Diamonds
Special Thanx to J and J for Super Big Fun on the show this week. Shine on Boyos! – Coral FM.
And the Crazy Diamonds are playing Elements Friday Aug 22. Jack and Jesse will be here once again Aug 20 for another Excellent Adventure. Here is the complete series of interviews with my pals Jack and Jeese.
Founder of Sassy Ray Burlesque and Cabaret (Kitchener) and affliate of Great Canadian Burlesque (Toronto), Miss Ray has been bringing Burlesque Revival to the masses since 2006. Known as “The Voice That Makes Ya Moist”, Sassy Ray emerged on the Toronto scene in early 2011 and her brand of music, comedy and tease quickly became a crowd favorite. She has been featured in The Record, Spin, The Spoke and Burlesque Beat publications, and was recently viewed nation wide on Global TV News Toronto. She has been fortunate enough to share the stage with such burlesque legends as Roxi D’Lite (Miss Exotic World 2010), Minnie Tonka (NYC Royalty), Burlesque Hall of Fame members Tanya Cheex and Mitzy Cream, Burlesque legends Tiffany Carter and Tempest Storm, and Toronto’s own international super star Coco Framboise.
With a lifelong passion for theatrical performance and strong 25+ year dance background under her belt, Miss Ray now focuses her creative energies on teaching and performing Classic Revival Burlesque, honoring and authentically recreating the lost Art of Tease so popular in the 1930s-through the end of the 1960s.
This chat was … very VO DEE OH DOH….. OO! – Coral FM
Phyllis Diller. Yes I interviewed her one day while I was on lunch at Maple Leaf Foods.
Phyllis Diller was the first of her kind opening the doors to many a female comic from Roseanne Barr, Ellen, and Whoopi, to Judy Greer and Kathy Griffin. But unlike her garish stage comic personna, Diller was also the quintessential creator – a visual artist and concert pianist and gourmet cook with a killer recipe for chicken chili. But no one will never forget The Big As Life GUFFAW…
In 1999, I was lucky enough to chat with Diller by phone in advance of her show at Centre in the Square just before the tragic event at Langdon Hall when she lost her chauffuer and good friend Patricia Marcella . When I met her briefly backstage after her Centre show, Diller was very sweet and remembered me because of my name. Later that year she had a heart attack, and in 2002, she retired from the road for good to pursue more of visual artwork in mixed media acrylics.
Phyllis Diller was an original – one of the classiest women I have ever met. She loved jazz and the great jazz pianist Bill Evans so the music of Evans is also interspersed in this chat. I aired part of the interview but to honour her wishes – did not air anything she said Off The Record and there was plenty. Hence this radio excerpt. This is still one of my all time favorite chats in my vast archive of interviews. Goodbye Phyllis. So long and thanks for The Guffaws.. – Coral FM.
Special Guest actor Shayne Coffin drops by to chat about upcoming roles in Elora Community Theatre’s Tom Sawyer this November and his debut in Galt Little Theatre’s Joyful Noise happening in December as part of A Christmas in Cambridge. Shane also speaks about some of his favorite roles, including Rainman in Guelph Little Theatre’s Frozen Dreams, by Ontario playwright Robert Ainsworth, and his future goals which include studying in New York!
He is currently The Elora Town Crier. But watch for him in many shows to come. – Coral FM.
This is an older chat but Rachel has taken the concept of Kaufman Arts Studio to the next level through the Kaufman Arts Initiative.
We have decided to take a ‘leap of faith,’ shifting our focus from a physical studio space to an incentive and vision beyond four walls.
The Kaufman Arts Studio will now be the Kaufman Arts Initiative; an incentive to promote and support both Professional and Emerging Artists. One of the fundamental principles for the Initiative will be working within the community, acting as a bridge between corporate, academic and artistic enterprises. We wish to mentor, support and fund artists, with a strong emphasis on training and development.
This will be an ever-evolving Project, as we still stand by our mandate to support this Community wholeheartedly with creative collaboration, support and yes- FUNDING! We want to hear your ideas for new, innovative study and creation, and will support all Artists and members of the Community who seek to become part of projects within a healthy, happy and creative spirit.
I would be happy to hear from you about collaboration or any ideas you have that would benefit our Community as we move forward with this amazing Project. Our Facebook page and Twitter address have not changed, so please follow us for all the exciting news! – Rachel.
On the show rachel speaks about the Robertson Davies play that the collective did as well.
Special Guest Waterloo Region Record Arts Writer Robert Reid, fresh from reviewing opening week productions at Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 60th Anniversary Season! joins me to wax theatre from Stratford to the Blyth Festival.
In Part 1 we discuss Bard’s productions Much Ado About Nothing, Cymbeline, and three count them THREE opening week musicals 42nd Street, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Pirates of Penzance, plus The Matchmaker, and new Canadian production, The War of 1812. We also discuss late season openings Shakespeare’s Henry V, Christopher Plummer’s new one man show A Word or Two, in addition to other Canadian theatre debuts MacHomer, Wanderlust, Hirsch, and The Best Brothers. Rob also brings in Grand River Blues Society CD Got Mojo 2, plus music from Fred Eaglesmith and MacHomer’s Rick Miller. We also speak about The Blyth Festival’s Season as well.
For those wanting to see Stratford shows here is Rob’s invaluable insight from his venerable Aisle Seat.
Steel Rail Sessions is Waterloo Region’s annual art party on a train.
Featuring local artists, musicians, art installations, interactive activities, great local food and craft beer on a historical train as it travels from Uptown Waterloo to Elmira and back. Each year we surprise our guest with a new and exciting experience that will entertain and push limits, all aboard the beautiful and rustic Waterloo Central Railway. I have done this and it was a lot of fun. Hilary drops by to chat about KW’s coolest Party in Motion. – Coral FM
A show from the entire ensemble, Listen, Leslie is anybody’s story.
Anybody who has ever struggled with control over their life.
Anybody who has ever doubted their fate.
Anybody who has ever forgotten to have fun.
Anybody who has ever been afraid to live.
Leslie, a young, strong-willed woman who has got her entire life planned out for her fails to realize that sometimes life is not that simple. Fate interferes with Leslie’s well planned life as she unravels into a maddening journey of acceptance and self-discovery.
Cast members Steph, Hailey, and Steve of Listen Leslie spoke about this collaborative theatre piece on Coral FM.
I was a co-presenter of this show at The Jazz Room
It’s Sex, Drugs and Spoken Word! Poetic Slam Dunkin, Blues Harpin, Hip Hoppin, Beat Boxin, Street Talkin Prose and Cons Troubadour For more info go to www.cravery.com
This is an on site chat I did with CR the first time he played The Jazz Room!
Iva Bittová (born 22 July 1958) is a Czech avant-garde violinist, singer, and composer. She began her career as an actress in the mid-1970s, appearing in several Czech feature films, but switched to playing violin and singing in the early 1980s. She started recording in 1986 and by 1990 her unique vocal and instrumental technique gained her international recognition. Since then, she has performed regularly throughout Europe, the United States and Japan, and has released over eight solo albums. In addition to her musical career, Bittová has continued acting and still occasionally appears in feature films. In 2003 she played the part of Zena in Želary, a film nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2004 Academy Awards.
I got this exclusive Canadian interview through my good pal legendary music promoter Gary Topp.
Asphalt Jungle Shorts is defined as The Intersection of Theatre and Reality. AND beginning tonight!! actors will lead the unsuspecting audience on an intriguing sojourn through the streets of downtown Kitchener – both physically and literally.
Flush Ink Productions Artistic Director Paddy Gillard Bentley speaks about Asphalt Jungle Shorts VIII, and its evolution. This includes the recent inaugural staging of AJS in Waterloo as the troupe performed through the nooks and cool little crannies, restos and pubs of the Uptown core. Paddy also spoke about Flush Ink’s Urban Theatre Festival Unhinged and intoxicating new novel The Unexploded Boer written by Erich Rautenbach.
For more info on AJS VIII and other Flush Ink shows including Unhinged, and She Speaks, go to Flush Ink. And because Flush Ink is “Theatre That Thinks Outside the Theater” I think it’s rather apropos that this chat was recorded live in the studio from my Edirol recorder’s digital mic, hence the edgier sound quality. So pump up the volume! – Cheers Coral FM
Rick Miller’s McHomer – a mash up of 50 Simpsons voices versus The Scottish Play – aka Macbeth! has audiences of all ages laughing from start to finish.
McHomer is currently playing at The Studio Theatre as part of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 60th Anniversary Season!
It’s there until Saturday May 26! It is fabulous! Go and see it!
And now … From his (recently autographed CD – heh heh) Rick Miller – Songs from My Shows, here is feature song Tragedy from McHomer and Queen’s Petrified Rock Anthem Bohemian Rhapsody – (also From McHomer) featuring 25 of the Most Annoying Voices in the Music Industry. AND … a special shout out to my nephew Michael, his wife Andrea, and daughter Princess Alecia – Three Beautiful People – Coral FM
People along Kitchener’s Iron Horse Trail for a number of Arts Events and Activites
The Iron Horse Trail, which connects UW with downtown Kitchener, will be the site of much conviviality with the Animate the Trailfestival Sunday, May 27 1-5 p.m. At either end of the Iron Horse Trail are two large, beautiful parks. Waterloo Park, located in between the city’s two universities, just south of University Ave. features sports field, picnic tables, a splash park, a duck pond, and a small zoo with llamas and peacocks and stuff. See that antique train? Yep, that’s where you catch it to go to the market. See that futuristic black building? Yes, that’s the Perimeter Institute. Sometimes, Stephen Hawking hangs out there. Cool, huh? Kitchener’s corresponding park is Victoria Park, a lovely expanse of gardens, water and bridges, with a really, really good playground (just in case you have a small philosopher with you). It’s yer classic Commonwealth park, complete with statue of Queen Victoria and cannons to play on.
I spoke with Waterloo Region Record columnist Martin De Groot about this new event.
Especially with Hollywood bringing the beloved “Chronicles of Narnia” to the big screen, most people are at least peripherally aware of C.S. Lewis as the creator of a beloved world of talking beasts and grand adventure. Some might even know the man behind the childrens’ books as a witty and erudite theologian and academic. Fewer still are aware of the man who found love late in life in a way that would ultimately challenge both his understanding of himself, and his faith in God.
Lewis’ deep entrenchment in the role of a quintessential Oxford don—the brilliant, slightly-absent-minded professor in the male-dominated academic world—is shaken by the unexpected arrival of an American fan. In her own way, Joy Gresham epitomizes everything that Lewis is not: brash and forward, prone to questioning everything, experienced in both love and loss. Their developing attraction to each other is a complex process that must work through his inability to understand the essence of intimate emotional connection, and through her experiences of deeply loving emotionally-unavailable men. Yet somehow these two unlikely soulmates manage to find those rare points of connection that allow love to root, and grow in such a way that when tragedy strikes, something transcendent and greater than either of them remains.
About Ten Bare Toes
We are an amateur theatre company based in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario that performs for the sheer joy of entertaining an audience.
Anita Kilgour
Anita has been involved in community theatre for over 30 years as actor, director, stage manager, producer and many behind the scenes positions. She has worked with a number of theatre companies in the Kitchener-Waterloo area for the past 20 years – KWLT, Waterloo Stage, Upstage Productions and FASS at the University of Waterloo. She has produced a number of shows with Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre and thanks them for the opportunity to learn & find her courage to start producing her own plays. Directed for TenBareToes: The Odd Couple (April 2011), The Taming of the Shrew (July 2010); for KWLT: The Three Musketeers (July 2008), What the Butler Saw (2006) .
JUNO nominated and double Canadian Radio Award nominated singer – songwriter Wendy Lands’ newest release, ‘Mumble’ aches with a vulnerable intimacy – a jazzy undertow that sets her far apart from the pack as both a singer and a songwriter. ‘Mumble’ is made up of sparsely yet soulfully arranged songs filled with lyrical depth, a pop – jazz – rootsy sensibility and the kind of vocal stylings that raise goose bumps. Only when you hear ‘Mumble’ will you have truly heard Wendy Lands. Lands co-produced the 11 original songs with 3 of the 4 members that make up her band, Emmy winner Don Breithaupt, JUNO winner Greg Kavanagh and life-long collaborator – Jim Gillard. Each of them is heard in every breath, note, blast and refrain that is ‘Mumble’. In an age of Lady Gagas, their collective, restrained genius is like a seductive whisper piercing a world of screams…
I chatted with Wendy by phone before her concert at The Jazz Room. It was a great show.
JUNO nominated and double Canadian Radio Award nominated singer – songwriter Wendy Lands’ newest release, ‘Mumble’ aches with a vulnerable intimacy – a jazzy undertow that sets her far apart from the pack as both a singer and a songwriter.
‘Mumble’ is made up of sparsely yet soulfully arranged songs filled with lyrical depth, a pop – jazz – rootsy sensibility and the kind of vocal stylings that raise goose bumps. Only when you hear ‘Mumble’ will you have truly heard Wendy Lands
Lands co-produced the 11 original songs with 3 of the 4 members that make up her band, Emmy winner Don Breithaupt, JUNO winner Greg Kavanagh and life-long collaborator – Jim Gillard. Each of them is heard in every breath, note, blast and refrain that is ‘Mumble’. In an age of Lady Gagas, their collective, restrained genius is like a seductive whisper piercing a world of screams…
John Tutt of The Princess Cinemas visits Coral FM to chat about The 6th Annual Canada Films Days Festival at The Original Princess running from May 3 to May 10. This is a week of great Canadian films and a chance to meet directors, actors and co-producers at these screenings including Jennifer Baichwal and scorist Martin Tielli from Payback, Co Producer and Researcher Nancy Lang of The West Wind, Director Diane Whelan from 40 Days at Base Camp. And there is a very cool local connection as well with actor Paul Shull from Hard Core Logo 2!! For more info on The Princess Cinemas and the Canada Film Days Festival go to www.princesscinemas.com
Multi-talented actor / singer / arts innovator/ director Amanda Kind talks about http://www.wix.com/kwmpnews/rent coming to The Registry Theatre April 26 to May 5.
We also spoke about Amanda’s personal evolution from her acting and singing career, and becoming a musical instigator and mentor for KW Glee – to director! RENT marks Amanda’s directorial debut for Kitchener Waterloo Musical Productions.
RENT, set against the gritty Bohemian backdrop of New York’s East Village, chronicles a year in the life (1989-1990) of a group of friends. And in 2012, their challenges and triumphs continue to resonate with all audiences.
RENT’s about struggling as an artist, struggling to make ends meet, struggling with sexual identity, struggling with vices, or as many do these days, struggling with unexpected and crippling illness. But RENT is also about friendship, faith, the power of love and kick ass rock and roll as these street smart survivors rise up against the chaos and challenges in 525,600 minutes of Life’s Great Mess.
This is a wee chat I did with actor Charles Lawson who plays Jim McDonald on Coronation Street.
Charles Dawson is back on the Cobbles – as everyone’s favorite McBadass Jim McDonald.
Charles was here in Canada as part the of Coronation Street based Tales from The Street, a popular Q and A oriented show that toured across Canada also featuring Julia Howarth (Claire Peacock), Steve Arnold (Ashley Peacock) and Nick Cochrane (Andy McDonald). I spoke to Charles backstage at the University of Waterloo.
I also did Media Relations for this tour. And I happy to say U of W seems to be new home for these Coronation Street Q and A’s. Because Owen (Ian Pulesten-Davies) and Gary ( Mikey North) were at U of W a wee while back. I ran into them on King Street in downtown Kitchener, and they were both very nice chaps! – Coral FM
Ladies Sigh No More
Director: Tim Jackson
Author: Thomas Hischak
Lady Macbeth plays Monopoly with Juliet and shrewish Kate battles Cordelia at Trivial Pursuit. Ophelia cuts out paper flowers, and Desdemona sews handkerchiefs. Who is the mysterious man who seems to be so interested in the f…ate of these ladies? Is this an Elizabethan ladies club, or a literary loony bin?
Only Dr. Wells seems to know for sure as she tries to help some of Shakespeare’s heroines figure out their personal problems and bring closure to their theatrical lives. When Juliet is asked to reenact her tragic story, matters get out of hand and all of the ladies are caught up in the act.
Ladies Sigh No More was presented KWLT with Kelly Taylor
Kelly is now part of Daisy Productions in Toronto. To find out more check out Kelly’s Facebook page or Buddies in Bad Times Theatre – http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/
Kelly has a show called Onesies running Oct 23-25th at 7pm and a matinee on Oct 26th at 2pm. All shows at Buddies In Bad Times.
Coast Kids Hip Hop. 4 guys from the suburban streets in the lower mainland spreading their words and beliefs about life through hip hop music. With all members sharing a strong work ethic and the drive to succeed. Expect big things in the future from the ” Coast Kids “
This is a little feature on Coast Kids HipHop featuring vocalists Live to See Livsey and Grizz G. It’s a little wonky in vocal levels, but hell, turn it up! Check them out on Facebook under Coast Kids HipHop.
ColinMPhoto, GrizzG, Live To See Livsey, Young Casanova
I have been playing their music for a while now starting with Live to See Livsey’s Gwaddafalla, and Wise Wondering under their former moniker Byg Country. Now as the Coast Kids Live to See Livsey and Grizz G have more new trax including Today’s The Day, Stomping Grounds, and I Say What Up.
Here are more of their latest tracks via Soundcloud – Check It! Coral FM.
FEBRUARY 4 AT THE REGISTRY THEATRE AT 8 PM.
THE VOC SILENT FILM HARMONIC PERFORMS A LIVE IMPROVISED MUSIC SCORE TO 1929 BLACK AND SILENT FILM PANDORA’S BOX.
Pandora’s Box chronicles the rise and inevitable fall of an amoral but naive young woman whose intoxicating eroticism inspires lust and violence in those around her. This 1929 Black and White silent film classic directed by G.W. Pabst made international star Louise Brooks the ‘icon’ of the Jazz Age when she starred as Lulu, the hedonistic dancer and prostitute. Pandora’s Box is based on the plays of German playwright F. Wedekind
See www.registrytheatre.com for more info ticket prices and details.
Wordsworth Books Co-Owner David Worsley with acclaimed author Lauren B. Davis at the old Sound FM Studios.
Our Daily Bread written by Canadian born author Lauren B Davis was named one of the “Best of 2011” by The Globe and Mail and The Boston Globe. Thanks to Wordsworth Books, Lauren B Davis and WW’s co owner Dave Worsley, who came to Sound FM for a chat on Coral FM
I was thrilled to have award wining author Lauren B Davis here at Sound FM. Like page turner Our Daily Bread, Lauren’s latest book The Empty Room has garnered rave reviews. Yu can find more info about Lauren at her website http://laurenbdavis.com/books/
This is Lauren’s latest book.
This is Lauren’s latest book.
In this unforgettable work, acclaimed novelist Lauren B. Davis has created as searing, raw and powerful a portrayal of the chaos and pain of alcoholism as we have encountered in fiction. Told with compassion, insight and an irresistible gallows humour, The Empty Room takes us to the depths of addiction, only to find a revelation at its heart: the importance and grace of one person reaching out to another.
Coral, Dave Worsley, and Lauren B. Davis at the old Sound FM Studios
Here is my interview with Lauren B Davis at the old Sound FM Studios on Waterloo Street. Special thanks to Dave at Woodsworth Books. (Coral the Producer’s note – the vocals are a smidge distorted. Apologies).
