Luminato Festival 09!

Carmen the Ballet: Jessica

The new Ballet Carmen, which debuted at this years Luminato festival, is an extremely controversial story. Escamillo, played by Kevin D. Bowles, is a bull at some points of the ballet. The show itself is very sex forward, filled with public displays of affection, as well as extreme costume and make up use to inhance the performance. To play the role of Escamillo can be quite challenging, due to the fact that the bull must be tough and powerful, and at the same time graceful and weightless. The choreography itself is hard to grasp, but Kevin pulled it off.I got the chance to interview Kevin and what his thoughts and feelings were towards the ballet. Here is what he had to say:


1) When did you first start dancing?


I started ‘late’. My first ballet class was at the age of 14! I had a lot of music training before that, piano and oboe, but no dance until I was 'duped' into the high school musical in the ninth grade. I started in tap and moved into jazz then -- to better my technique-- I took a ballet class.

2) Describe your favourite moment on stage?

Creation, for me, has always been far more rewarding than interpreting what has already been done. I think that doing a role that is 'ready-made' and reinterpreting it is more difficult and highly rewarding, but my most recent favourite moment on stage would have to be dancing Beaujolais from James Kudelka's An Italian Straw Hat.

3) Which ballet was your favourite to dance and why?

My "favourite" ballet is one that most people have never seen: Colin Connor's Streets and Legends. Genius! I wish you would publish this in the hope that someone would look him up! On a more familiar note I would have to say The Green Table by Kurt Joss. In Canada, I would have to say Swan Lake by James Kudelka. It is untouchable.

4) What ballet pose, move or exercise is your favourite and why?

Ballet is a form of communication. Instead of one pose or movement in particular, it is the whole system that makes it beautiful. The nuances and playfulness of the system are what defines it. What I say, or dance, is not in any singular 'step' or 'movement' but is a product of the whole.

5) How do you like the National Ballet?

The National Ballet of Canada is among the best in the world. That is a bold statement! We are respected, admired and coveted by ballet dancers around the world. Most artistic companies dream of attracting the kind of calibre we turn away. We are the best but we don't apologize; we just offer better and longer! We are the standard the the rest of the world is struggling to achieve.

6) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

No question! I can't imagine my life without The National Ballet of Canada.

7) What advice do you have for aspiring dancers?

I will quote one of my former teachers: "le veux peut tout", which means whatever you want, whatever you dream, can happen and will happen, everything is possible!



8) How did you find the experience transforming yourself into the character for Carmen?
A lot of fun! The costume for Escamillo includes body paint from the waist up. I've never had to put on that much make-up! It took about 45 minutes to get into the costume the one time we tried it -- we will probably be faster the next time but it will be quite an experience every time!


9) Did you try to do anything specific to make your own twist on the character?

The choreographer for Carmen did not make a literal interpretation of the opera. Escamillo is only seen at the end of the ballet and is kind of metaphorical. (It was suggested during a rehearsal that the entire scene might even be a figment of another character's imagination!)



Escamillo is not the bull fighter from the opera but rather ‘an embodiment of the masculine’. The result is that the three of us dancing the role of Escamillo are each totally different. We all do the same steps but watching my co-workers dance the role is almost like seeing them dance a different part!



10) How do you make your character connect with the rest of the characters as well as the audience?

Escamillo is different from all the other characters in the ballet because he is almost fictitious. Whereas the other characters are supposed to be real people doing real things, Escamillo sort of explodes onto the stage in a very surreal scene. There is a lot of humour involved but the scene is ultimately disquieting. The connection to other characters is therefore not the point of Escamillo, he is rather a force that happens and then leaves.



Not unlike an act of nature like a hurricane or an earthquake, the result of his passing is more important than what was actually happening during the event. Connecting with the audience, on the other hand, I don't think will be a problem because the role is so over the top you can't help but have fun with us while we tear up the stage!

**Note** Our own ballerina/ writer Cristina got the opportunity to watch the play this past Sunday, her opinion and review will be up soon

Kensington Prairie Interview: Jessica

"We will destroy you with our soft melodies" is the bands catch phrase on Myspace, and they definitely live up to that. As soon as I started listneing to their music my jaw dropped and I instantaneously wanted to be somewhere with long grass and a warm sun above me. It's the kind of music to wind down to, pense over, read with, or any other relaxing activity for that matter. Their simple messages make the listening experience all that better, with a clear vision of what the song is trying to potray. The atmosphere and emotion they create is something quite special, and makes me realize what talent we have stored away in Canada. Here is the interview I had with Rebecca, enjoy!

1) How long have you all been together and how did you come up with the name?

Kensington Prairie has been together for two years, but KP has been going on in different forms (as Maplewood Lane) since around 1998. I (rebecca) came up with the name while driving the back country roads in Langley, BC....I drove past an old boarded up school called "kensington prairie" and I just knew it was perfect!

2) How did you decide on the genre of music you wanted to create?

I've always written "folk" style songs...even before I knew what folk music was...so, I really just wanted to make an album that felt honest and natural, with organic instruments. In our previous version of the band, as Maplewood Lane, we would take my folk songs and morph them into something a little more brit-pop...so, it was fun to try and strip the songs down again.

3) Your source of inspiration seems to be somewhat organic, what inspires the music you create?\

I am definitely inspired a lot by nature. On the west coast I was fortunate to spend hours by the mountains and oceans, and in my childhood, growing up in Africa and India, I spent a lot of time travelling and in the outdoors. I think years of road-trips, and staring out windows as the scenery flies by, evokes a lot of thinking and reflecting on life.

4) Most musicians get influenced by the places they live in. I understand that you have travelled quite a lot, did all that moving around help your musical creativeness?

Yes! In my songs, there are a lot of themes of change, moving, travelling, saying goodbye, distance, longing...and I think those are themes we can all relate to in our lives. I think, too, that the experience of isolation that one goes through when living in a foreign country spurred me to throw myself into fervently writing songs, learning guitar and spending countless hours recording those early songs on cassette tapes...channelling my experiences and thoughts into music.

5) What has been your most moving live performance so far?

I have sung at my Grandma's funeral and at both of my husbands' grandma's funerals...and I found both of those experiences very moving...it was an honour.

6) What do you want people to feel when they listen to your music? I

guess I want people to feel that longing that is in all of us for beauty...and for hope.

7) Is there any specific instrument you feel most connected to?

I would have to say slide guitar/lap-steel etc....there's something about that high lonesome sound that captures so much feeling and emotion.

8) What are your favourite things to do on your spare time besides music?

I love to spend time with our two little girls, and I like to read good english literature.

9) What is your ultimate goal as musicians?

I would like to create thoughtful art that strikes a chord with people and celebrates the wonder of the joys and sorrows of life.

10) If you could tell the world what Kensington Prairie is in one sentence, what would that be?

nathan likes to say: "we will destroy you with our gentle melodies"


Think Quick:
1) Best day of the week: Monday
2) Favourite TV Show: Seinfeld
3) Summer or Winter?: Winter
4) Favourite flower:Dahlia
5) Favourite author/book:T.S.Elliot/ Letters from the Wasteland
6) Current most played artist or song: Dennison Witmer
7) Current favourite hang out spot: the Dutch Mill, Waterdown On
8) Favourite venue to perform in: Red Rooster, Burlington On (good sound)
9) Art is: transcendent
10: Kensington Prairie is: your new friend

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kensingtonprairie

Its Here

Firefly Tonics: Cristina

Move over Vitamin Water, here comes FIREFLY! So again, I was at my local grocery store shopping for the weekly supply when I walked over to the drink section and I saw a collection of interesting looking labelled bottles. At first I just thought that they were another version of Vitamin Water and but the name of the drink made me curious! The collection of drinks was called Firefly Tonics. Every flavour had a different colour labelling and a black and white photo to depict what that particular tonic was called. They had cool names like "Love Potion", "Wake Up". "Recharge", "Chill Out", "De-tox" and "Sharpen Up". I was intrigued so I decided to grab a "Recharge" and a "Chill Out" and try them. Later on that evening, I opened up the bottle of "Recharge", took a sip and was amazed. The flavours that hit my taste buds were most agreeable! What's truly amazing is that there is no added sugar to these drinks. These drinks are amazingly compiled herbs, fruits and teas. So not only are you drinking something that tastes amazing its 100% good for you too! So guys, I'd start making Firefly Tonics a regular in you pantry! And just like the name, the drinks are natural and inspiring!

link to website:
http://www.fireflytonics.com/our-drinks/your-questions/

Calling all Fashion Bloggers!: Paige

Fashion will always be something that allows you to experiment with so many different concepts and still manage to be “Funky Fresh”.  It’s a way to express yourself, your mood, how you feel and how you see the world.  Fashion allows you to be yourself and it also allows you to mix and match your style with someone else’s.  There must have been countless times where you’ve walked down the street and saw a girl in a wicked outfit and thought to yourself “Ohhh, I gotta get a pair of those flats!” Seeing how other people put themselves together often gives us inspiration to spruce up our own looks or to try something different.  I absolutely love to see what other people are wearing especially in different parts of the world like England, L.A and Tokyo.  One of the easiest ways to access info on what others are wearing and how to get inspired by their style is through fashion blog spots! It is a daily journal of someone’s personal style.  People take pictures of their outfits and write about what they are wearing, where they bought their outfit and what inspired their look.  My friend Jamie actually introduced me to fashion blogging and I quickly became addicted spending hours online checking out other peoples cute clothes! Some of my favourite fashion bloggers are Tavi (Tavi- thenewgirlintown.blogspot.com) and Jane (Seaofshoes.typepad.com).  There are over thousands of fashion bloggers expressing their personal sense of style everyday so check ‘em out and get inspired!  

Frank and Derol Interview: Jessica

3 girls, 3 instruments, 3 personalities, booming out of the promise city  Los Angeles, California. Megan Park, Codi Caraco and Brandi Cyrus all know what it means to make simple yet effective music. I discovered them on Myspace, and got addicted to watching their video blogs. For three young girls, their sound is quite impressive, as well as their lyrical knowledge and knack for catchy melodies. I had a chance to interview Cody and Brandi, here is what they had to say: 

1) Where did the name Frank and Derol come from?
we like contradiction, anything that contradicts. and that name does. 
derol is also my dads name -codi

2) Were all 3 of you seperate artists before this collaboration?
codi was a solo artist
brandi has played with a few different bands

3) What was the first song you ever wrote together? How did you know 
your connection clicked?
a song no one has heard. we actually wrote it for the new twilight 
movie.
we just clicked.


4) Do you guys think your ever going to get a drummer? If so is it going to be a girl?
yes, probably not a girl though.

5) When do you find it hard to write?
when nothing comes out.

6) Anything in particular that inspires you?
pretty much everything. and the typical love and lust.

7) Where do you guys practice? How often?
we practice anywhere we can. sometimes at brandis, megans, and codis. 
we also practice at the gibson show room in beverly hills. we try to 
practice as often as we can.

8) Ultimate music goal?
travel the world playing our music.

9) Any dream instrument youd love to get your hands on?
oh too many

Think quick:
1) Crunchy or smooth peanut butter? Smooth
2) Private Jet or Private boat? Take a private jet to our private boat
3) Myspace or Facebook? Myspace
4) Current favorite hang out spot? The Studio
5) Favorite designer/brand? Anything that fits
6) Life is : Crazy 
7)Frank and Derol is: cool!
-brandi and codi

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/frankandderol