Spotlight: Peterborough Artist Lyall Brownlee

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Peterborough's Lyall Brownlee—whose bio on his Twitter page reads "I like to draw pictures and paint on things and write stuff and ride skateboards"—explains to PtboCanada in his own words how he got started as an artist (scroll down to see some of his works below) and what his inspirations were growing up:

"When I was a kid, I always spent a lot of time drawing. My interest in art was first really stoked in high school though—being kind of quiet, I guess I tried to express my individuality through my 'weird' drawings. I was pretty into skateboarding and through that culture, I was introduced to a lot of the 'lowbrow' art that was going on.

Juxtapoz Magazine was founded about this time in the mid-90s and I loved it—what I was exposed to in Juxtapoz and skateboard graphics/ads, etc. formed my early ideas about art. Now that I am older, I've developed a greater appreciation for art history and such but I still read the magazine every month and my 'flat' aesthetic still hints at those graphic influences for sure.

Some of the artists that have had an influence on me are Ed Templeton, Jim Houser, Dalek, Barry McGee, Margaret Killgalen, Jeremy Fish, Chris Johanson, Mark Gonzales, Porous Walker and Matt Furie.

I've been showing my paintings for the last five years or so in Peterborough, Toronto and Vancouver. Things are busy in my studio as work is currently underway for a new solo show in Peterborough."

[Living Vicariously Through Unicorns; @LyallRB]

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They Say Wizards Can't Be Trusted - Acrylic on wood platterUntitled - Acrylic on woodStephen Sleeps Alone - Acrylic on wood panelUnicorns Lie - Acrylic on wood panelUntitled - Acrylic on canvasMy Other Ride Is A Tall Ship - Acrylic on canvas

 

 

Major Drama at Peterborough City Council Last Night

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Ode'min Giizis Festival (Strawberry Moon Festival) June 16 to 21 in Peterborough

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Public Energy and O'Kaadenigan Wiingashk bring the third annual Ode'min Giizis (The Strawberry Moon Festival)—see promo video above—to Peterborough's downtown and Del Crary Park from June 16 to 21, with more than 200 Indigenous artists participating.

 

The city of Peterborough lies on the traditionally lands of the Anishinaabe. These lands have been long known as a meeting place among the rapids where ideas and knowledge were exchanged. Hence, it’s the perfect home base for a cultural festival like Ode'min Giizis.

 

The festival takes its name from the sweet and generous strawberry, which is harvested at this time of year. It is said to also represent the human heart. As well, the festival falls on the longest day of the year: the summer solstice.

 

Ode'min Giizis is a diverse six-day festival of indigenous art which marks the beginning of summer. The festival takes its shape via a selection of multi-disciplinary arts spread out across multiple venues (Historic Red Dog, Artspace, The Art Gallery of Peterborough, Gordon Best Theatre, Kubo Lounge and Confederation Park, to name a few) in the downtown area. Featured is a cross section of disciplines, including visual art, dance, film, storytelling, music and theatre.

 

Opening ceremonies on Wednesday, June 16th, kick off with a traditional gathering and Powwow at Del Crary Park. One of the featured performers there will be Mihirangi, otherwise known as the “Queen of Loops”. Singing in both Maori and English, Mihirangi blends sultry jazz, ska and rap with her incredible vocal range. Mihirangi’s music has taken her around the world, and that experience, and energy, will be ours to witness during this festival.

 

Among the other artists taking part include the likes of musician Lester Alfonso, artist Jason Baerg, musician Samantha Crain and local musical personality Sean Conway.

 

On the Saturday night (June 19th), the stars come out to Del Crary for a night of music and dance. Featured performers include local musician Missy Knott and world renowned throat singer Tanya Tagaq.

 

The event comes to an end with a wonderful Powwow on June 21st at Del Crary Park. This gathering takes the form of a procession which makes its way from City Hall down George Street to Del Crary Park for more music and festivities. The parade will feature many dancers, large puppets and music.

 

—Jeffrey Macklin, PtboCanada contributor

[If you are interested in volunteering for the festival, call 705.740.9189 or email volunteer@okw-arts.ca. The festival headquarters are located at 400 Hunter St.]

[Ode'min Giizis 2010; Ode'min Giizis - Strawberry Moon Festival] 

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Spotlight: Peterborough Singer-Songwriter Andrea Gauster

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Singer-songwriter Andrea Gauster, who attended St. Peter's Secondary School in Peterborough, is now recording her first full length album—it's due out early August—and an Eastern Canada tour will follow in August, along with a CD Release Party at Supermarket in Toronto on August 26th.

Gauster, who is also in med school at Queen's University, explains to PtboCanada how her music career got started:

"I always played guitar and sang but rarely did so publicly (major stage fright)... until my sister asked me to sing at her wedding, for which I wrote my first song, 'I Knew', in 2008. The recording studio Euphonic Sound in Toronto was offering free studio time... I went in to record 'I Knew' so my sister could have a tangible copy of the song.

I met James Pew (my producer) at the studio and he liked what he heard, asked for more, and encouraged me to do an EP with him. My first album Reverie was born! The rest is history."
Gauster, who's back in Peterborough for the summer (when not recording or touring), says it's tricky juggling her music career with school but plans to continue to pursue both. In September, she returns to Kingston to begin her second year of med school but hopes to continue playing live shows within Ontario until next summer when she can tour again.

Here's a promo video that looks at the making of the new album:



And here's this cute song, "Follow Me", Gauster wrote about Twitter that we're totally digging:



[Andrea Gauster back in the studio; Follow Me - Andrea Gauster's Twitter Tune; Andrea Gauster on Twitter; Andrea Gauster on Facebook; Andrea Gauster on MySpace; Andrea Gauster - CBC Radio 3; YouTube - andreagauster's Channel]

[Related: Peterborough's Music & Arts Scene Rocks (Exhibit A: Bear Trees)]

PtboCanada Review: Sarah Harmer's Gig at Gordon Best Theatre

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Sarah Harmer
Gordon Best Theatre
June 11, 2010

Intimate shows are a real treat for fans, especially when they happen as a warm-up to a bigger tour. It's a sneak peak which affords fans the chance to see new songs performed, old songs rekindled and personal connections to be formed between artist and fan.

Last night, Canadian roots-rocker Sarah Harmer took the stage with a full band for the first of two live shows at the Gordon Best Theatre, just days before the release of her new album Oh Little Fire. Since this was Harmer's first live gig in a while, the night was a chance for presenting all her new songs in a live setting. And I can tell you, the new songs didn't sound the least bit unpolished.

The lively lead single from the new album, "Captive", was very well received. Other new songs of note from last night's show included the brooding "The Marble In Your Eye" and the self-confessed most political new track on the collection, "Washington".

New songs might have been the order of the day, but it was the older songs generously peppered throughout the two-hour long set that garnered the best response from the enthusiastic crowd.

Harmer opened the show with "The Hideout," a gem of a song culled from her early album You Were Here. Others which seemed to pull people from their seats included the bluegrass flavoured "I'm A Mountain" and fan favourite "Basement Apartment". 

The closing of the main set had the entire centre portion of the floor filled with couples sashaying to the lovely and lilting song "Open Window". It was a summertime moment to behold and one I will cherish.

Harmer wasn't going to go out so sweetly though. A bang was in order. Responding to what had to be the most requested song of the night, Harmer and her band launched into a smoldering take of her classic track "Lodestar", finishing the show in real rock and roll style.

—Jeffrey Macklin, PtboCanada contributor

[Related: Sarah Harmer's New Album "Oh Little Fire" Is Coming Out (And She Plays Peterborough This Weekend!; Sarah Harmer performs to sold-out crowd at Gordon Best Theatre]

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What is this strange van driving around our city?

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Big Brother is watchingThere is a van that has been driving around the Patch that has numerous cameras mounted on the roof (we took this photo of it at left).

So we checked out the Twitter link that's displayed on the back of the van—@iLOOKABOUT—where they recently tweeted this:

Peterborough, ON - We are currently driving in this area and have been contracted to do so.

iLOOKABOUT's Twitter page lead us to their website, iLOOKABOUT, which states: "We’re iLOOKABOUT and our business is geo-spatial imaging. Simply, that means we produce and deliver geo-coded images to businesses and governments that rely on accurate, integral visual data for their operation."

Maybe we'll all find out soon who iLOOKABOUT has been contracted by locally.

[iLOOKABOUT website; iLOOKABOUT Twitter]

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Peterborough's Sean Cullen Playing Smee in Stratford's Peter Pan

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As the Examiner reports, actor/comedian/singer/author Sean Cullen—who was born here in the Peterpatch August 29th, 1965, and is a graduate of PCVS—is playing Smee in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of Peter Pan, which is opening this Saturday at the Avon Theatre. Here's some production clips with Cullen from the play:

 



And below is a great interview conducted with Sean where he talks about his idea of perfect happiness, his greatest fear and more:

[Peter Pan with Sean Cullen opens at Stratford Saturday; Sean Cullen's website; Sean Cullen on Twitter]

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PtboPics: Kruz FM's Pete Dalliday and Catherine Hanrahan in the Studio

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[photos submitted by @KruzFM]

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Sarah Harmer's New Album "Oh Little Fire" Is Coming Out (And She plays Peterborough This Weekend!)

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Sarah Harmer's new album Oh Little Fire is coming out June 22, and she's starting her new tour in—where else!?—Peterborough, with gigs here this Friday and Saturday (June 11 and 12th) at the sold-out Gordon Best Theatre.

For those lucky enough to have tickets to hear her play her new and old material, enjoy!

 


Here's an excellent YouTube video where she talks about the making of Oh Little Fire :

  

And here's some of her music!



[Sarah Harmer's website; Sarah Harmer on Twitter]

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Peterborough Weather Nerd Jay Scotland Rocks

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We're big fans of CHEX Newswatch weather anchor Jay Scotland, who makes local forecasts fun and educational. Jay is entertaining, self-deprecating and informative all at once, and he's obviously passionate about his work. And crafty. On his TheWeatherNerd's channel on YouTube, his latest video (see below) teaches us about downbursts using flour, water and toothpicks. You can also follow him on his blog and get his regular weather updates on Twitter @jayscotland.

[Jay Scotland; Jay's Weather Blog; All About Downbursts; TheWeatherNerd's Channel]

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