Novel Suprises

Graphic novels are a great way to diversify your reading habits, and you don't even have to venture too far from your comfort zone. As with attempting anything new try reading a book that's similar to what you normally read. So, if you like biographies  then stick to those; if you like detective fiction, then don't try a romance as your first venture. You might find that you like the freedom in which the writers and illustrators are able to communicate ideas in a way that text alone cannot do.

Alan and Heidy at CIUT 89.5 FM 

Alan Harnum, from the Toronto Public Library and blogger HeidyMo (http://hyemusings.blogspot.ca/) joined me to discuss TMTM's latest Book Club selection, LUCHADORAS by Peggy Adam. Alan has an extensive knowledge of graphic books and he was happy to share a short list o books with us, and with you. As with all TMTM Book Club selection, these books are available in the Toronto Public Library System, and Alan has provided the corresponding links, so happy reading!

Alan suggests:

Fun Home

Alison Bechdel

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM174132&R=174132

American Born Chinese

Gene Luen Yang

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM171425&R=171425

Vietnamerica

G.B. Tran

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM2748392&R=2748392

Adventures of Hergé

Michael Farr

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM2466040&R=2466040

Persepolis (1 & 2)

Marjane Satrapi

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM175177&R=175177

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM188988&R=188988

Paul Has a Summer Job

Michel Rabagliati

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM228785&R=228785

Louis Riel

Chester Brown

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM928096&R=928096

Two Generals

Schott Chantler

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM2731695&R=2731695

Stagger Lee

Derek McCulloch

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM306265&R=306265

HeidyMo suggests: 

• Noche Roja by Simon Oliver and Jason Latour. 

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM2747180&R=2747180

• Recidivist by Zak Sally. You can find Recidivist 1 & 2 in the TPL copy of Sally's Like a Dog

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM2587439&R=2587439

• A Nail in the Heart by Ian Daffern. 

A Nail in the Heart (a horror collection of 3 short stories) can be purchased through Ian Daffern's website http://iandaffern.ca/ for the very reasonable price of $5 plus S&H).

donna g suggests:

• A Dangerous woman: the graphic biography of Emma Goldman by Sharon Rudahl

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM2124450&R=2124450

I second Alan's recommendation of the Paul series by Michel Rabagliati (mentioned above), and we also connected on a very twisted, dark horror, romance, action series, 

• Preacher by Garth Ennis. Not for the faint of heart or easily offended!

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM2560487&R=2560487

All three of us recommed checking out the indie  publisher Koyama Press and their variety of books and comic:  I'm adding Julia Wertz's The Infinite Wait and Other Stories (http://koyamapress.com/projects/the-infinite-wait-and-other-stories/) to my list.

Have your own favourites? Why not share them by posting a comment.

Speaking in Tongues

It was a pleasure to talk to award-winning actress, Yanna McIntosh about her roles in Speaking in Tongues.

Berkely Street Theatre
26 Berkely Street
Oct. 29 - Nov. 24, 2012

Why Do We Need a Breast Cancer Film Festival?

Michelle Rothstein (below, left) is the Artistic Director of Breast Fest. With the festival almost a week away, she took time out to answer a few questions that I (maybe you) have about this emerging event

.donna g: With all the film festivals that Toronto has to offer, why add another festival to the scene and why a film festival about breast cancer?

Michelle Rothstein: There are over 70 different film festivals in Toronto and I think for good reason. The past century has shown us the true power of the moving image. We have now had a number of generations raised in a movie theatre, or watching films at home. Using film to tell stories, different perspectives, to showcase diversity, to provide a window into others lives is extremely powerful. At Breast Fest we are doing the same thing but to educate and create awareness around breast cancer. We use these films, our speaker series and other art forms, to connect people to our cause, inspire dialogue and facilitate learning. Using a darkened theatre to open people’s hearts and minds is an extraordinary vehicle to have people come to terms with many of their own experiences.

donna g: With so much "pinking" being marketed aren't you concerned about audience fatigue and the potential for cynicism?

Michelle Rothstein: Breast Fest is exactly the place to confront that fatigue and cynicism. Our festival is a place where some of the harder question surrounding the disease and cause are brought up. For instance, this year we are showing Lea Pool’s film Pink Ribbons Inc and rather than shying away from it as a breast cancer charity, we are facing the issues head on by following up the film with an amazing nuanced and balanced conversation specifically on breast cancer fundraising. We are calling the conversation 50 Shades of Pink. It should be an interesting one!

donna g: Breast cancer is seen as a women's issue, but Breast Fest has included a very powerful documentary, which deals in part with male breast cancer. Do you plan on doing any male-targeted promotion of  Rachel Libert's Semper Fi: Always Faithful?

Michelle Rothstein: Absolutely. First of all, as a breast cancer charity we have women and men involved all the time. Our programmes may specifically target younger women, but we are bringing our education, awareness and fundraising to a large populace. It is always important to us to engage both men and women. For Semper Fi specifically, Mike Partain, the young man featured in the film with breast cancer has written a blog for us. I encourage you to check it out and repost it. It is an amazing piece about his experience. http://rethinkbreastcancer.blogspot.ca/2012/10/mikes-story-diagnosed-with-male-breast.html

We have wanted to address male breast cancer for a while now, but remarkably, this is the first film that has touched upon it. We jumped at the chance to screen it as Breast Fest is a great vehicle to highlight some of the areas of breast cancer that are forgotten or rarely addressed.

donna g:  I was surprised to see Agnes Varda's classic film Cléo de 5 à 7 (Cléo from 5 to 7) included in your film programme. It's one of my favourite films, but I'm curious as to why Breast Fest chose to include a film that was made in 1962?

Michelle Rothstein: First of all, the film is fabulous. It is gorgeous, beautifully shot and a classic. But besides all those amazing qualities, we on the advisory thought the perspective of a young woman waiting for a  cancer diagnosis was still quite fresh. Plus, it is our 5^th anniversary and we wanted to do something fun!

donna g: How does your Clutch Fund work, and how can women access it?

Michelle Rothstein: We do approach donors to help us underwrite the cost of attending Breast Fest. It is extremely important that as an education and outreach program we make the festival accessible to all. While a $10 ticket may seem very little to some people that can pose a great challenge for young women in treatment, students, those who are employment challenged. Raising those funds helps us to make sure our audience and our discussions at Breast Fest and remain diverse. To access the Clutch Fund please email hello@rethinkbreastcancer.com.

TICKETS: 

Films $10, more or special events

Buy On Line: https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TicketingCatalog.aspx?eventid=103200

Questions: 416-920-0980
www.breastfestfilmfest.com

www.rethinkbreastcancer.com

@breastfestfilm

@rethinktweet

Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West (at Bathurst)

TMTM Book Club Selection: LUCHADORAS by Peggy Adam

LUCHADORAS by PEGGY ADAM is our next Book Club selection.  Our on air discussion date: Sat. Nov. 17, 1-2pm on CIUT 89.5 FM or listen at www.ciut.fm 

Joining me in studio will be blogger, HeidyMo (http://hyemusings.blogspot.ca/) and Alan Harnum (Toronto Public Library). Read along with us (mature readers)!  This graphic book is available in the Toronto Public Library or at Comic/Graphic Book outlets.

 

The following copy about LUCHADORAS is from: 
http://www.blankslatebooks.co.uk/our-books/luchadoras/

Recommended for Mature Readers.

Chosen as part of the 2007 Sélection Officielle at the Angouléme International Comics Festival.

Since 1993, a grievous shadow has been cast over the Mexican border-city of Juárez. A tragic symbol of misogynist violence, Cuidad Juárez has been the scene of hundreds of feminicidios —the abduction and brutal murders of female victims aged between 12 and 22.

Referred to as ‘Las Muertas de Juárez’, many of these victims are found tortured, sexually abused, or disfigured – senseless atrocities that have caught international attention. With many of these cases still unresolved, some sources suggest the number of victims may even reach into the thousands.

It is in this harrowing real setting that we are introduced to Alma, a woman courageously attempting to escape her abusive gang-member fiancé. Following a violent altercation, she flees in the night, cementing her vow to never return by beginning a new relationship with a considerate stranger.

In this story of survival by any means necessary, Peggy Adam explores the complex issues surrounding the murders through the humanity of her characters. Truly a graphic novel of substance, Luchadoras asks the reader to consider where exactly the extents of morality lie in a corrupt society.

“Luchadoras is like watching a piece of great world cinema… It’s a series of reminders that comics are made by people other than white male nerds, that comics don’t need high concepts, and that comics don’t require misanthropic navel-gazing to be gripping and important.”
- Danny Djeljosevic, Comics Bulletin (4 1/5 stars)

“Luchadoras is a concise, focussed gem that deserves to sit up there alongside epics like Los Bros Hernandez’ Love & Rockets and Jessica Abel’s La Perdida as another empathic, perceptive portrayal of troubling aspects of contemporary Mexican society.”
- Paul Gravett

“Brilliant, brutal, and infused with the raw grace of a wounded panther, Luchadoras is so good, it hurts.”
– Jason Wilkins, Broken Frontier

Toronto Consort Off To a Rousing Start With "The Tudors"

Happy 40th Anniversary Toronto Consort!

The Toronto Consort: (top row) David Fallis, Alison Melville, Michelle DeBoer, John Pepper, Paul Jenkins,
(bottom row) Katherine Hill, Terry McKenna, Laura Pudwell, Ben Grossman.
Photo Credit: Paul Orenstein

Last night was my first experience seeing the Toronto Consort. They kicked off their 40th Anniversary season with The Tudors: music from the Fairfax Manuscript, Henry VIII Manuscript, music recorded for the television series (The Tudors) as well as music their new double-CD All in a Garden Green: A Renaissance Collection, as well as an earlier CD, The Queen.

The first half of the evening included a lovely solo, Madame d'amours from soprano, Katherine Hill, backed by Alison Melville on flute, and Terry McKenna on baroque guitar. David Fallis, Paul Jenkins and John Pepper performed a wonderful a capella of Ah Robyn, a song best known as being performed by Feste in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. The only non-vocal piece in this first half was a splendid collaboration on Consort VIII & If love now reigned (music by Henry VII) featuring viol, recorder and baroque guitar.

The Tallis choir joined Toronto Consort on the last sections before intermission in performing music by Thomas Thallis. Divided into eight sections, the entire group was dispersed into several aisles in the upper balcony of Trinity-St. Paul's Centre. Spem in alium, written for 40 voices, should have been the highlight of the evening, however, I was sitting in the balcony, much too close to a vociferous soprano. Each time that particular choir sang, I lost the experience of being enveloped by music. Had I been listening from the orchestra level, I would have been impressed by the staging as well as the unique surround sound experience; instead, I could only listen with half an ear to the choirs farthest away from my seat.

The second half of the evening showcased all the instruments: baroque guitar, flute, harpsichord, hurdy-gurdy, viol and mandolin. Alison Melville plays a mean recorder, and her talent was well-showcased on her solo piece, Waltham Abbey. Piva alla Venetiana was a toe-tapping little number, as was the funky Bellamira & Emperor of the Moon. I don't know how Ben Grossman makes the hurdy-gurdy sound as good as it does on Boate Man, but I definitely wanted to hear more! David Fallis showed his talent for characterization on Willy prithee go to bed, and mezzo-soprano Laura Pudwell had me tearing up with the dolorous, Essex last good-night. The rousing applause she received was well and truly deserved, and was a memorable highlight of tonight's programme. Brava!

You have one more opportunity to hear Toronto Consort perform, The Tudors, tonight at 8:00 pm at Trinity-St. Paul's Centre.

The Toronto Consort
Trinity-St. Paul's Centre
427 Bloor St. West (1 block west of Spadina)
Toronto, ON  M5S 1X7
Box Office:
Phone Number: (416) 964-6337
In person (subject to availability)
info@torontoconsort.org
http://torontoconsort.org/index.html

Donating to The More the Merrier: What's In It For You?

Me with writer/director, Ruba Nadda
 (Inescapable, Cairo Time, Sabah).
I love supporting Canadian Talent!

CIUT's Fall Fundraising Campaign is in full effect and I've got a few goodies to sweeten the pot if you donate to The More the Merrier on or before October 20th.

Ways to Donate:

Call: 416-946-700 Toll Free 1-888-204-8976

On line (secure server): http://www.ciut.fm/ (be sure to include The More the Merrier)

In Person at 7 Hart House Circle (3rd Floor

What You Could Win by Donating to The More the Merrier!

BOND, JAMES BOND! I've got several pairs film of tickets to Shaken, Not Stirred: Bond on Film. See Classic Bond films on the big screen at the TIFF Bell Lightbox at King and John Street. Value $24/pair (courtesy of www.tiff.net).

image courtsey of www.tiff.net

1 pair of tickets to The Spy Who Loved Me  (Sunday, November 4 at 12:00pm)

2) 1 pair of tickets to For Your Eyes Only (Tuesday, November 6 at 9:00 PM)

3) 1 pair of tickets to Live and Let Die (Saturday, November 10 at 12:00pm)



Art Gallery of Ontario Passes

image courtesy of
http://www.ago.net/4854

• 2 complimentary general admission/exhibition tickets to FRIDA & DIEGO: Passion, Politics, and Painting at the Art Gallery of Ontario. 

Value $50.00 (anonymous donation) 

• 2 complimentary general admission tickets to the Art Gallery of Ontario. Value $39.00 (anonymous donation)

Why You Should Donate?

• I called my show The More the Merrier to INclude not EXclude people. 
• As a child I couldn't afford to go to a lot of arts events. I relied on radio and television shows to take me to places I couldn't attend, and to introduce me to things I wouldn't have the opportunity to learn about. I'm paying that forward with The More the Merrier. Every show that I do, I'm talking directly to listeners so that we ALL learn and, most importantly, feel included in what's happening on the arts scene. 
• I also enjoy giving air time to guests who have no marketing/publicity budget. Air time for the arts has steady disappeared over the years. Many of the shows I used to watch/listen to as a kid are GONE! It's harder and harder for emerging as well as established artists to get air time to showcase their talent/work.
• Whenever possible, I try to get giveaways to foster audience participation. Sometimes, all we need is someone to say, here are some tickets, try something new/different for us to step out of the house and experience the arts. 

I listen for free, so...

Like Big Bird, The More the Merrier can be killed if there isn't enough community support (aka donations) to justify having a time slot on CIUT. If feathers fly, are you okay with less talk on CIUT, and no talk about the arts on community radio?

If you've read this far, thank you so much for hearing me out. Fundraising is a necessity that CIUT does only twice a year, the other 50 weeks are for YOU!

Walk Good,

donna g

Movie Review: Stories We Tell

Image courtesy of www.mongrel.ca

In Stories We Tell, director, Sarah Polley interviews her family and friends to learn more about her mother, Diane, who died of cancer when Sarah was eleven years old. Polley plays cinematic detective, drawing forth stories from each subject and tracking down information about Diane's roles as wife, mother, and actor. Through these stories, a portrait develops of a charming, vivacious, hummingbird of a woman with an infectious laugh and personality. As the interviews ripple beyond Sarah's relatives to friends and acquaintances, a mysterious side of Diane also surfaces. What is the real "truth" about Diane?

Just as you can never really see yourself from the back, you can never really see the truth. Others might tell you what you look like, and you can see yourself in mirrors, but a constant 360 is never possible, and that is simply how life manifests itself--especially when trying to understand the truth about someone else's reality. In searching to understand her mother, Sarah Polley reveals to herself, and to us, that every family has secrets, and that no matter how deep we dig, the truth of whatever is unearthed is always subject to interpretation.

Stories We Tell could easily have been derailed by bad writing and editing, but this hybrid gem of a docu-film with its blend of period re-enactments and home movies,  its one-on-one sessions and studio-recorded text, has been reigned in so that only the beauty of family brilliantly shines through, complete with occlusions, passion, and clarity. A marvellous contribution to cinema.