Category for community events.
Actors Harrison Smith and Jonathan Schiller joined me for a chat about KWMP’s Into the Woods – one of the most beloved Stephen Sondheim musicals. I saw the show at The Regsitry Theatre and it was great. Kudos to Amanda Kind as The Witch! I hope all of Sondheim’s music resonates in our cultural consciousnesses Ever After! – Tee Hee Coral FM.
Um-diddle-diddle-diddle um-diddleye,Um-diddle-diddle-diddle um-diddleye ….
Broadway actor Mark Ledbetter plays the role of Bert, the lovable chimney sweep, in the Drayton Entertainment production of Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins. Audiences may remember the affable character as made famous by movie star Dick Van Dyke in the original 1964 film starring Julie Andrews.
Mark Ledbetter is a well-established actor, having been on Broadway in the recent productions of A Christmas Story and Anything Goes. He also understudied and frequently performed the role of Bert in Mary Poppins on Broadway for almost two years.
Ledbetter’s distinguished career also includes roles Off-Broadway including The Tin Pan Alley Rag with the Roundabout Theatre Company, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Of Thee I Sing with City Center Encores. His first national touring credits include Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone and Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
The accomplished performer also originated the roles of Jimmy and Scooter in the world premiere cast of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and in subsequent years was seen in the Danny Kaye role, Phil Davis, in the San Francisco, Detroit and St. Paul companies. He can also be heard on the show’s cast album.
Regional theatre highlights include Leo opposite Patti LuPone in The Kennedy Center production of Marc Blitzstein’s opera, Regina, both Tony and Riff in West Side Story at The Human Race Theatre Company and the Pioneer Theatre Company, respectively, CosMo Brown in Singin’ in the Rain at NSMT, and Romance, Romance at Paper Mill Playhouse.
In addition to his stage work, Ledbetter’s also appeared in the movie version of The Producers with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick among other film and television credits.
Prior to Mary Poppins, Ledbetter recently participated in a workshop of the new musical The Honeymooners adapted from the classic television series.
How sweet it is! Mark truly is a triple threat!
Mary Poppins is playing at The Dunfield Theatre Cambridge to April 28 2013.
For more info about Mark Ledbetter check out his website at www.markledbetter.com. For more about the Dunfield Theatre go to www.draytonentertainment.com.
*** This was very wide ranging chat. Mark spoke about his role as this lovable chimney sweep, and the fun he’s having with the cast of Mary Poppins at the Dunfield, to working in New York opposite a Broadway legend. Was it fun? Innnnnduuuubitably! – *** Coral FM
Peter Padalino Major Hooples Boarding House
The three original founding members, Richard Howell (Rocky), Peter Padalino and Gail Selkirk have been
working in the music field honing their skills as musicians and performers for over 30 years. Their powerful and
extraordinary vocals are captivating. Audiences that loved their performances are welcoming them back with
standing ovations throughout their shows.
Major Hoople’s Boarding House also performed to sold-out audiences with the KW Symphony Orchestra and
Orchestra London.
Turn on your radio any day and you will hear their hit songs like “I’m Running After You”, “You Girl”, “Beautiful
Morning” and “Someone” on stations across the country.
Rocky, Peter and Gail – The original founding members of Major Hoople’s Boarding House along with their
star “boarders”, Ralph Hetke bass, synth, vocals and Ron Duke on drums and vocals, will have you coming
back for more!
This concert was in support of The Children’s Wish Foundation, and Clarky’s Kids. I am happy to say it sold out and LOTS of monies were raised. – Coral
Check out http://www.majorhooplesboardinghouseband.com/
Pete Oldridge of the Urban Monks has been a guest on Coral FM mat least three times. And the Beatles Numus concert radio advance was downloaded almost 2000 times. Iwas astounded.
He is a great musician and has worked with Numus on several projects. Here are a series of chats that we have done over the years.
Pete and Ciel have moved out West with Pete’s loevely daughter Sophie. We miss you. On the last segment of Peter and Coral FM, Pete and Ceil (armed with her divine vintage mandolin!) played Urban Monks song Hook live and also premiered several new Monks CD Tracks! Pete also talks about Numus Concert project called The Art of Bob Dylan: Blonde and Blonde and Beyond with Glenn Buhr’s Broken Songs Band.
Look for an Urban Monks new release coming soon – Coral FM.
KWLT’s Macbeth takes the Thane of Cawdor to whole new dimension with a Kabuki inspired theme through the vision of director Jonathan C. Dietrich.
Jonathan and actor Kevin White who plays the morally conflicted monarch dropped by Coral FM this week to chat more about The Scottish Play aka “Mackers” – one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies and a favorite with today’s audiences through its grueling tale of politics and murder entangled with fate. Performances of KWLT’s Macbeth begin January 24-26 & 31, February 1, 2 & 7-9 at 8:00PM at KWLT located at 9 Princess St. E, Waterloo, ON.
For more info www.kwlt.org or go to http://macbeth2013.tumblr.com/ – All Hail! Coral FM
Here is the complete interview series to date with Ted Harms from VOC Silent Film Harmonic on Coral FM. Featured vintage films discussed – The Man Who Laughs, Fall of the House of Usher / En Chien Andalou, Sunrise, Buster Keaton Shorts, Buster Keaton’s The General.
It’s always a pleasure to have him as a guest because Ted always brings his own playlist related to every film. These are great shows at The Registry Theatre. VOC is now about to begin its sixth season. Coral FM
To many Canadians, tenor saxophonist John Tank has been somewhat of a legendary figure in the world of live Jazz performance for the past fifty years.
His unique voice has evolved out of a modern Jazz experience strongly rooted in tradition. His playing has been described as “creative, smooth, strong, rhythmic, harmonic and melodic.”
Between 1961 and 1963 Tank travelled one hundred and forty miles weekly to study with the late
concert saxophonist Paul Brodie, founder of the World Saxophone Congress and to date the most recorded concert saxophonist in history. From 1964 to 1969 he attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston. Besides majoring in composition and arranging, the Berklee experience provided him with the opportunity to study Jazz improvisation both in the class room and especially at after hours jam sessions around town. Being in the company of so many players who also loved the music was one of his most inspiring experiences during those years.
In 1970, Tank moved to Toronto and performed as a leader and sideman with many fine Canadian jazz greats such as Bernie Senensky, Don Thompson, Terry Clarke, Sonny Greenwich, Lenny Breau, Michel Donato, Claude Ranger and Freddie Stone.
In 1974 Tank moved to New York and worked as a sideman in groups led by Sam Rivers, Paul Jeffery, George Coleman, Joe Morello, John Blair, Jack Walrath, Calvin Hill, Joe Lee Wilson, Monty Waters and others. He played with the great Charles Mingus on two recordings: “Me, Myself, and Eye” and “Something Like A Bird.”
During the late 1970s and through the mid-1990s, he performed in England, France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, and Spain. Live recordings were made for the BBC Radio, Canada House, the French National Radio and Dutch television in the Netherlands.
Tank has organized several tours of Ontario and Quebec over the decades and recorded for CBC Radio Canada’s “Jazz Beat” in 2000. Between 2004 and 2007 he played and toured in and around New Mexico, performing with local players in Tucson, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, and El Paso. Some of Tank’s stylistic influences include, Lester Young, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, Paul Desmond, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, and Warne Marsh. Other major influences are Igor Stravinsky, Bella Bartok, Charles Ives and Krzysztof Pendereki.
To many jazz music afficionados and music lovers in Kitchener Waterloo John Tank is a musical legend.
It is always my great pleasure to have him come to chat with me on the radio. In this wide ranging chat, John speaks about the actual technique of “circular breathing” which he teaches in his student workshops. He also speaks about his latest performances both in The States, and in Mexico. John also played some of his favorite jazz selections as well from bassist Ron Carter, and tenor saxophonists Joe Henderson (who John played with in Toronto!) as well as Sonny Rollins.
It’s great when John’s in town cuz things are always cookin, and I am very proud to call him my longtime pal. These are a series of interviews I conducted for John’s shows at The Jazz Room and The Registry Theatre. Thanks to The Registry Theatre’s Lawrence McNaught and John’s great fan and good pal Terry Pender, John always has a great place to play when he comes home. And it cooks everytime! Watch for him coming back to the The Jazz Room in December 2014.
Here is a series of interviews conducted at the Sound FM studios recorded in the spring of 2012 and winter of 2013.
The first four segments are from Jan 2013. And the last two segments are taken from 2012 including a live performance in the Sound FM Studios.
John also performs live in the Sound FM studios. John speaks about the evolution of the jazz scene in Waterloo Region, The Jazz Room and latest CD – John Tank Live at The Registry Theatre taken from a fabulous live concert recorded live at Kitchener’s The Registry Theatre in April of 2010.
He also plays some of personal favorites as well. It’s always great talking with John. I learn so much, from Jazz, to his culinary skills.
My good pal from NYC is also a great cook! Hence our interview Series “Cooking with Tank”
For more on John go to www.johntank.com
Michela first appeared on Sesame Street at the age of 5. In February 2002 she was showcased on the cover of Dance Teacher magazine with Gregory Hines. In 2005, she was named by Dance Spirit magazine as one of the 20 hottest tap dancers under 20 and in 2008, Dance magazine named her as the only female tap dancer in its “25 to Watch in 2008.” Michela performs annual as part of Tap City (NYC Tap Dance Festival) and the Tap Extravaganza, and is the artistic director for Cobi Narita’s Tap Extravaganza Quens. She was born, raised, and continues to live in New York City.
She won first prize in the Harlem Jazz Dance Festival’s, “Hoofer’s Challenge” in both 2002 and 2003. In 2002, Michela performed with Jennifer Holliday on Broadway in Nothing Like A Dame and also in 21 Below at Town Hall. In 2003, she was inducted into the famed tap dance fraternity “The Copasetics” as their first and only female lifetime honorary member. In 2004-2006, Michela toured Spain and Japan with Rafael Amargo’s Enramblao. In the fall of 2005, her choreography was featured in the tap section of the opening number for the Bermuda Music Festival with UDP, starring Al Green, Angie Stone, and Patti LaBelle.
Michela began her touring career at the age of 14, when she travelled with the Cab Calloway Orchestra throughout the Northeast and Florida. At the age of 19, she was commissioned by Dixon Place to create and direct her own show, entitled AM+bu$h+ED.2007 saw Michela tour Europe for 3 months as a lead dancer in the show Magic of the Dance. In 2008-2009, she was featured in the show “Wonderland,” an all tap show set to Stevie Wonder’s music choreographed by Ayodele Casel and Sarah Savelli.
In 2008 she appeared on CBS’s Secret Talents of the Stars with Grammy award winning singer Mya, performing the choreography of Emmy award winner Jason Samuels Smith. From 2007-2008, Michela was a featured lead performer at NYC’s hottest nightclub, The Box. She also has performed with the Roy Hargrove Big Band and Quintet at the Jazz Gallery and the Village Vanguard. Over the past several years, Michela has performed throughout the West Coast and in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Greece, and Turkey in addition to tap festivals in Canada, New York, and Flint, Michigan.
The American Tap Dance Foundation commissioned Michela to produce and direct her second show, entitled Tapsploitation, which was presented a second time by HarlemStage. Recently she has been co-creator in forming the tap dance company The Tap Messengers who performed at the CareFusion Jazz Festival with Talib Kweli and Nicholas Payton with the Revive Da Live Big Band, Joe’s Pub, and HarlemStage opening for Marcus Strickland. Her newest group is Sole Society, which has just debuted at Matthew Garrison’s ShapeShifter Lab in Brooklyn, collaborating with the Marcus Strickland Quartet, and appeared at the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival with Revive Da Live. For the past 4 years, Michela has hosted the only weekly tap jam in NYC at Smalls Jazz Club, collaborating some of today’s most gifted young jazz musicians including Joe Sanders, Ben Williams, Justin Brown, Harold O’Neal, Sullivan Fortner, and Burniss Earl Travis, to name just a few. Michela also hosts monthly tap jams at Fat Cat.
Michela is grateful for the mentoring and guidance given to her by Buster Brown, Gregory Hines, and Leroy Myers. She has taught in numerous schools, studios, programs, and festivals throughout the globe. As a performer, teacher, director, and choreographer Michela is dedicated to spreading the art of tap around the world.
Michela was the first interview I did when I went down to New York. I met her at the legendary jazz club Smalls! in Greenwich Village. Tap Jazz is cooolomundo! – Coral FM.
WRITE OR FLIGHT/WRITE OR FLIGHT RESPONSE
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.
For more (if you dare) – http://www.flushink.net/index.html
Kitchener • Centre in the Square • November 2012
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.
Kive our community.
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.
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.
Sassy Ray of Sassy Ray Burlesque
Burlesque performer, vocalist, comedian, teacher, motivational speaker,producer, hostess, bombshell.
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
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.
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
Director: Trisha Villanueva
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.
Asphalt Jungle Shorts Players
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
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.
Shadowlands The Story
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 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.
For more about Wendy – http://www.wendylands.com/
Wendy Lands Bio
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 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
Here is my wee chin wag with Charlie Lawson!!!
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.
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.
The Jazz Room is a sizzling night club dedicated to the best in jazz music presentation. Home to the Grand River Jazz Society (GRJS), the club has a dual mandate—to support exceptional musicians from our own community and to invite talent from elsewhere for local audiences to hear.
Located at the Huether Hotel in Uptown Waterloo, the Jazz Room presents live music on Friday and Saturday nights on a continuous rotation of professional musicians.
Now in its third season, The Jazz Room is a hot commodity in Waterloo Region as it continues to bring in acclaimed Canadian jazz players and some of the hottest new players from the States including landmark jazz spot, Smalls in New York City.
For more info on their 3rd season go to http://www.kwjazzroom.com/
Here is a podcast from Coral featuring Jazz Room instigator Stephen Preece and some of featured artists from this great new venue during its inaugural season.