June 2011 - Arts and Letters Club

WHAT’S ON IN JUNEAd Lib7:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.June 3Art Songs. The incredibleBruce Ferreira-Wells hosts anevening which will feature hisvocal styling of a variety ofFrench art songs. Bruce’stalents and warm performingcharm have been the focus ofincreased attention bothwithin and without the Club over the past few years.Favourable comparisons have been made to Nat King Coleand Harry Belafonte. Bruce is really not to be missed. Allwelcome. Studio. 8:00 p.m. Come early to get a seat.June 10It’s another Ad Lib Double-Bill. In the Studio starting at7:30 p.m., Ad Lib founder Michael Symonds is proud tointroduce the writers’ group Moosemeat on the occasion oftheir eighth annual chapbook publication. Authors EdBrown, Mary Lou Dickinson, Heather J. Wood andcomedian/author/friend of Ad Lib, Jerry Schaefer, will bereading from their works. And……in the Great Hall starting at 8:00 p.m., it’s an evening ofinternational dance. First, new Club member Anita Elishawill perform a semi-classical Indian Kathak dance. Then RobPrince will once again introduce dance instructor andinternational performer Mandy Hanafi. Mandy will bedemonstrating and teaching the samba, the national danceof Brazil, so bring your dancing shoes.June 17JOTO—JAMMIN’ ON THE ONEDamon Lum (of recent Spring Revue fame) and Stevie J(Johnson) host their monthly evening of improv and standupcomedy. All members are more than welcome toparticipate. Improv workshops begin at 6:30 p.m. for thosewishing to hone their stage skills. JOTO begins at 8:00 p.m.in the Studio.June 24Hosts Andrew Sookrah and Farhad Nargol-O’Neill presenta special Outreach Exhibition—showing works by artistswho are not members, yet. The artists will be in attendance.These “outside” artists represent top new talent from the artcolleges and from in and around Toronto who have beeninvited specifically for this evening’s exposition. Allmembers are strongly encouraged to support what will bean important evening—both for the artists themselves andpotentially for our Club. Studio, 7:00 p.m.PLEASE NOTE that the planning session for theautumn/winter/spring sessions will take place in the Studioat 6:00 p.m. A new Chair of Ad Lib will be chosen thisevening.Photography GroupOur next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 8, at6:00 p.m. and as always sandwiches and a cookie will beavailable for the modest fee of $6.00. Please let me know byFriday, June 3, if you would like the snack.The topic for this meeting (with the city in full bloom) is florain all their forms. One of the photos should use the framingtechnique. You are invited to submit five images either on aCD or a memory stick for discussion.New people are always welcome to attend and contribute.We also welcome mailed-in images for discussion. Even if youcannot be there with us in person, your photographs can.Please contact Gord Fulton for further information(gordon.fulton@rogers.com).LAMPS-Lab!In 1908, Augustus Bridle spoke of: “a gathering of gentlemen(we’ve moved past the gentlemen only, obviously) who metto weigh the advantages that might result from frequentassociation of ideas, motives, temperaments, and aspirations,all, of course, tracing their sources to at least one of the higherarts—painting, literature, architecture, sculpture, music.” Aquotation from The Great Adventure by Margaret McBurney.LAMPS-Lab! is an opportunity for all LAMPS members,whether new student members or active professionalmembers, to compare notes, converse about every aspect oftheir respective careers, and learn about the workingpractices of other members. Mentor and collaborate andcreate, declaim or recite. Feel free to show works and verysimply just BE in the company of like-minded spirits.The Lab sessions are now entering their second month andhave been well attended by members. Discussions haveincluded subjects such as the state of the Toronto art sceneas well as what is happening nationally and internationallyin the visual arts; what is happening in the art colleges anduniversities; what members are making and where they areshowing; the work of member film makers; what interestingthings are happening musically and in the world of dance inthe city; the state of the Canada Council and funding for theArts; the art of the garden and the art of meditation… A newsingle-act script about the earthquake in Japan was read atone Lab and a maquette of a roof top patio was made atanother. Carving and drawing have been with interspersedwith music and singing and the reciting of poetry. The Labsessions are dedicated to all the LAMPS disciplines.All members are welcome and may invite guests whoseinterests and practice fall into the same vein. There will beno formal agenda and all present are encouraged to sharetheir thoughts and ideas. The bar will be open from5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. and $6.00 food plates will be available.The LAMPS-Lab! sessions usually take place in the Studiobut check when you come to the Club.June 2011 11