Musical Day brought the country together

Lively City column by Dan Hilborn
Published May 7, 2005


Music students from Burnaby South secondary were part of an extraordinary nation-wide event when Music Monday came to the Michael J. Fox Theatre.

Students in the school bands joined with dozens and possibly hundreds of other elementary and high school bands from across the country in playing the song, A Little Music, at the same time.

But Burnaby South had more than just the music going on. The high- tech theatre was one of five sites across the country that participated in a live videoconference, with the Burnaby event featuring Vancouver Symphony Orchestra conductor Bramwell Tovey.

Other cities participating in the videoconference included Montreal, Ottawa and St. John's, Nfld.

THE MUSIC MAN TRULY IMPRESSES

My 12-year-old, trombone-playing son and I had a great time at the Royal City Musical Theatre production of The Music Man, which wrapped up its run at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster last weekend.

It was the first time I'd taken in an RCMT production, and frankly, I was blown away by the awesome show. From the opening scene, where the backdrop changed half a dozen times, to the wondrous voices of their talented cast, the entire event was a spectacle.

Peter Jorgenson was terrific in his role as Harold Hill, the fast- talking shyster who woos the folk of River City, while Burnaby's own Mandana Kamazi gave an exuberant portrayal of Maud Dunlop.

Of course, our favourite moment in the show was when the town's newly suited marching band broke out into the chorus of Seventy-Six Trombones.

Next spring, the company will present Peter Pan: The Musical as its 17th show at the Bell Centre for the Performing Arts in Surrey.

A SCOTTISH POET

One of Great Britain's most promising new authors will be at the Burnaby Writers' Society ReVisions reading at the Myles of Beans coffee house on May 18.

Jen Hadfield received a Scottish Arts Council bursary to complete her first collection of poetry, titled Almanacs. In 2003, she received an award from the British Society of Authors to spend a year living in residence in Canada, where she was expected to write and give readings from coast to coast.

She'll be on stage at 8 p.m., May 18 at the cafe, 7010 Kingsway. For more information on the Burnaby Writers' Society, contact Sheila at 604-522-7272 or by e-mail her at srfearless@shaw.ca.

THRASHING ABOUT

Burnaby NOW practicum student John Kurucz expects to be hitting the road this summer with his 'heavy music' band Gross Misconduct, which originally came out of Nanaimo.

Kurucz, a recent graduate of the Langara journalism program, said the band has been together for about six years.

At the end of May, they have their first summertime gigs booked in Kamloops and Kelowna, and on June 18 they'll liven up the Astoria Hotel in Vancouver.

"We have a pretty limited audience," said Kurucz, who bangs on the drums at a steady rhythm of about 180 beats per minute. Other members of Gross Misconduct are Dave London on guitar and lead vocals, Jesse Brint on guitar and backing vocals and bassist Ryan Shepard.

CIRCUS FOR THE KIDS

Burnaby native Peter Boulanger and his Underground Circus will be among the featured performers at the Vancouver International Children's Festival taking place in Vanier Park from May 16 to 23.

Boulanger, the son of Burnaby NOW arts columnist Annie, and his wife Ninon Parent are the creative genius behind the Lower Mainland's only fulltime circus troupe, and they will be joined in this show by his guitar-slinging brother, Bernie.

The Underground Circus' new show is titled Backstage Circus and it will offer festival-goers a behind-the-scenes look at what might happen during the creation of a circus act.

Other children's festival performers include the Kahurangi Maori Dance theatre from New Zealand, the National Acrobats of Taiwan, and musicians Tom Chapin, Al Simmons and Charlotte Diamond.

REDHEADED SONGSTRESS

I had a chance to hear New Westminster native Camille Miller's new CD, Carnarvon Street, this week and was thoroughly impressed by her incredible voice and fine music-writing abilities.

Produced by the British-based Sugar Shack Records, the 10-song first release shows great potential for this young singer/ songwriter. She's been getting repeated airplay and many accolades on the influential Radio Bandcouver program on Coop radio, 102.7 FM at 9 p.m. Friday nights, and she's clearly one of the best up-and coming musicians in the Lower Mainland scene.

You can hear this redheaded songstress perform live every Wednesday night in The Orange Room, 620 Sixth St., New Westminster. And I'll bet she'll even have a few of her CDs available for sale, too.

MYZTERY CD RELEASE

A Christian rock band whose lead guitarist used to play with Brian Adams will be holding a free CD release concert at the St. Francis de Sales Church hall in South Burnaby on Saturday, May 28.

Myztery takes its name from the mystery plays that were popular religious teaching tools in the 15th century. A press release describes their shows as presenting a combination of "inspiring Christian music with abstract, ethereal and soundtrack-like qualities with special lighting effects, interpretive dance, colourful costumes and a variety of theatrical masks and set designs."

The band features founder and Burnaby native Peter Mason, a solo recording artist who studies religious history, keyboard player Cyndie Grozelle and lead guitarist Vic Gagnon, who once played in a band with Bryan Adams.

Some of the instruments that will be on stage include a Kinnor harp - "the kind King David played" - psaltery, lyre, dulcimer, mandolin, acoustic and electric guitars, a fretless bass, electric piano, synthesizer, a variety of ethnic drums, wind instruments, cymbals, and other percussion instruments.

Myztery's Flood of Mercy Tour comes to St. Francis de Sales Church hall, 6610 Balmoral St., - behind the Tim Horton's on Kingsway - at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 28.

ENTERTAINING EDMONDS

The Edmonds Entertainers are returning to the stage when they present Musical! A Grand Tour on May 18 and 19.

The group of singers and actors from the Edmonds community centre, including one who is 84-years-old, will perform their favourite songs and dances from Broadway during the show.

Musical! A Grand Tour will be presented at 7 p.m., May 18 and at 2 p.m., May 19 at the community centre, 7282 Kingsway. Tickets are $7 adults or $3.50 for children under 12, and are available at all Burnaby community centres, or by calling 604-525-1671.

FULL FIGURES ON STAGE

A feminist play with a twist is coming to Shadbolt Centre this month when the fill figure theatre company presents the "f" word written by Susan Bain on May 19, 20 and 21.

The play stars Tammy Bentz, Sharon Heath and Courtenay Dobbie as three neighbours who come to terms with their ideals, their work and the imminent birth of a child.

Described as having "snappy songs, hilarious situations" and "clever, witty dialogue" the play won an Award of Excellence at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and the Best of the Fest Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

For tickets, contact the Shadbolt at 604-205-3000.

CALL FOR ARTISTS

Artists who want to participate in one of the most fascinating events on Burnaby's cultural calendar are being sought for the Night of 2005 Lights Lantern Festival taking place in Deer Lake Park on Sept. 17.

The Night of Lights is a collaboration between the City of Burnaby and the Public Dreams Society, that celebrates the dramatic qualities of fire and light.

In addition to a lantern procession and drum circle, the Night of 2005 Lights features fire dancers and other performers who create whimsical and fascinating installations.

Artists with a project, piece or other idea that would fit into the fiery theme are asked to call Patti Macdonald at 604-205-3003.