Pearl Chan at Impressment Gang Celebration & Open Mic Reading

Pearl Chan, writer and editor, is one of the founders of literary magazine The Impressment Gang (IG). Tonight, June 15, will see a celebration marking the publication’s final issue after four years of publication.

Pearl studied at University of King’s College and was awarded the Talent Trust RBC Emerging Artist Award for literary arts in 2014.

The party is a free all-ages event that includes an open mic for anyone who would like to sign up to read. Back issues of IG will be available on a pay what you can basis.

The celebration takes place from 7:00 -10:00 p.m. at the Khyber Centre for the Arts at 1880 Hollis Street in Halifax. For more details, visit the IG Facebook event page.

Violinist Marc Djokic to Perform in Cecilia Concerts 30th Anniversary Season

Halifax classical violinist  Marc Djokic joins the notable Cecilia Concerts lineup for their 30th anniversary season. 

Marc recently won the 2017-2018 Prix Goyer, the biggest music prize in Canada, and one of the largest in the world for a collaborative artist emerging in classical music. He's performed as a soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, and The National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Marc's ensemble Trio Tangere teams him with two of the most respected classical guitarists on the continent, Jérôme Ducharme and Louis Trépanier. The concert takes place February 24, 2019.

For ticket information, visit the Cecilia Concerts website.

Dancers Ellery Jackson, Vivian Macnab, Maggie Oates-Johnson, Mollie Oates-Johnson Perform in KiDanCo Spring 2018 Season

A talented group of choreographers and emerging dancers hit the stage when KiDanCo, the resident pre-professional company for emerging dance artists at the Leica Hardy School of Dance present their 7th annual Spring Season of contemporary dance repertoire.

When and where:

May 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Matinee May 13 at 2:30 p.m.

DANSpace-On-Grafton 

1531 Grafton Street, Halifax

Among the twelve engaging young dance artists from the Leica Hardy School of Dance who comprise the company are KiDanCo's 2018 spring poster gal (pictured above) Mollie Oates-Johnson, and (left to right, below) Ellery Jackson, Vivian Macnab, and Maggie Oates-Johnson.

  

Tickets are $23 for adults, $16 for students (12+) and seniors (65+), and $11 for children. 

To purchase, please contact info@leicahardyschoolofdance.com or phone 466-0101. Tickets at the door are cash only.

A Big East Coast Thank You and a Big Secret 75th Anniversary Project

As most people in this region are aware, there was a huge celebration of East Coast music in Halifax this past weekend. 

The Talent Trust has some people to thank (but we can’t tell you why — not just yet).

• The crew from Bell Aliant: Drew Domokos and Brian Fisher.
• The Marquee Ballroom
• And especially the good folks from the East Coast Music Awards: Andy McLean, Jeff Lawton, and Gregor Ash.

We’d also like to thank Reeny Smith, for the shout out to the Talent Trust from the stage. That was definitely not confidential, and neither are her abilities. Reeny’s a powerhouse.

The secret project? Well, we can tell you it has something to do with our 75th anniversary, which happens in 2019. You can probably guess at least some of it has to do with music. But that’s call we can say for now. Because it isn’t ready yet.

We’re pretty sure you’ll love it.

Choreographer Ruth-Ellen Kroll Jackson Presents To Pulsate in KiDanCo's 2018 Spring Season

KiDanCo, the resident pre-professional company for emerging dance artists at the Leica Hardy School of Dance present their 7th annual Spring Season of contemporary dance repertoire.

When and where:
May 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Matinee May 13 at 2:30 p.m.

DANSpace-On-Grafton 
1531 Grafton Street, Halifax

Performances include pieces by Kendra Armstrong, Ruth-Ellen Kroll Jackson, Darryl Tracy, Anastasia Wiebe, and Artistic Director Leica Hardy in this dynamic program of original works.

Ruth-Ellen Kroll Jackson
photo by Holly Crooks

Ruth-Ellen Kroll Jackson's To Pulsate is an athletic, fast-paced piece with urban vibe for six dancers to the music of Frank Bretschneider. 

Ruth-Ellen earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the North Carolina School of the Arts. Her performing career took her to New York where she danced with such companies as The Martha Graham Dance Ensemble and the Parsons Dance Company. 

Ruth-Ellen continues to work in the region as a choreographer, performer and instructor.

Tickets are $23 for adults, $16 for students (12+) and seniors (65+), and $11 for children. 

To purchase, please contact info@leicahardyschoolofdance.com or phone 466-0101. Tickets at the door are cash only.

Opening May 4, 2018 - Ascension: New Drawings by Charley Young

Ascension: New Drawings by Charley Young opens May 4, 2018 at Studio 21 in Halifax. 

The drawings explore "ascension and proximity to make visible rock faces, scree slopes, tree lines, striations, and mountain contours.” The works are based on helicopter travels through the Rocky Mountains, tracing the artist’s passage through the physical landscape as well as her memories of the place.  

The opening reception is from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Ascension runs to June 6. 

For more information or to view the work online, visit the Studio 21 website: http://studio21.ca/exhibitions/ascension-new-drawings/

Dance Nova Scotia Presents Dance Class with a Difference for Men and Boys

Our friends at Dance Nova Scotia are presenting a dance class for men and boys regardless of experience. But it might not be what you’d expect.

BrainDance (Brain Compatible Dance Education), a set of eight developmental movements, forms the basis of the session. These techniques are beneficial for the central nervous system. Practitioners can experience improved mood, reduced stress and increased concentration.

The session will be led by Vincent E. Thomas, dancer, choreographer and teacher, who holds an MFA in Dance from Florida State University and is a research fellow at Jacob’s Pillow in Beckett, Massachussets.

The class takes place Tuesday, May 8 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., St. George’s Parish Hall 2222 Brunswick St. Halifax

Suggested Donation: $5

RSVP or questions: Call (902) 422-1749, or visit the event Facebook page.

Congratulations to Mimisu Lee - Graduation Recital

French horn player Mimisu Lee is performing her graduation recital on Tuesday April 17th at 7:30pm at St. Andrew's United Church in Halifax. 

Since her musical debut at the age of 10, Mimisu has become an award-winning musician who is completing her studies at the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University. She's performed with Symphony Nova Scotia, Scotia Festival Orchestra, Dalhousie University Symphony, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Institute at Whistler Orchestra, and the San Diego International Youth Orchestra.

Please join us in congratulating Mimisu, and be sure to mark her recital date on your calendar!

Join Jane Archibald, soprano for her recital on Sunday, April 29, 2018 in Halifax

Cecilia Concerts presents Jane Archibald in a one of a kind recital on 

https://www.ceciliaconcerts.ca/product/jane-archibald-recital/

Sunday, April 29, 2018
at 7 p.m.
Lilian Piercey Concert Hall
Maritime Conservatory of the Performing Arts
6199 Chebucto Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jane Archibald has generated excitement across Europe and North America, debuting many coloratura roles which she continues to perform. Renowned for her extraordinary technical abilities, Jane won the JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year for her debut solo album. Jane is joined by esteemed pianist Liz Upchurch.

More information about the concert can be found at https://www.ceciliaconcerts.ca/product/jane-archibald-recital/

Christianne Rushton, Jennifer Jones perform with Jeff Joudrey's Halifax Camerata Singers on March 10, 2018

Christianne Rushton

Jeff Joudrey's Halifax Camerata Singers presents Memories of the Heart on 

Saturday, March 10, 2018 
at 7:30 p.m. 
at First Baptist Church, Halifax.  

From their press release:
The choir is joined by mezzo-soprano Christianne Rushton and pianist Lynette Wahlstrom in a romantic program of songs and memories of childhood, of loves lost, forbidden or foolish, and songs of times gone by.
 
Mezzo-soprano Christianne Rushton and Camerata open the program with a challenging choral composition by Aaron Copland titled In The Beginning.  Christianne will also perform works by Gaetano Donizetti, Franz Schubert, and Ola Gjeilo. 

Guest violinist, Jennifer Jones, of Symphony Nova Scotia and Rhapsody Quintet, is featured in Eric Whitacre’s beautiful Five Hebrew Love Songs.  Christianne will also perform Whitacre’s arrangement of Goodnight Moon, whose text is from the famous children’s book by Margaret Wise Brown.

Music featured by the Camerata Singers includes Only in Sleep by Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvald, Chant for a Long Day by Canada’s Stephen Hatfield, and songs from the American folk and gospel traditions.

Tickets are on sale now through Ticket Halifax.

Emily Vey Duke's 'The Illumination Project' with Shary Boyle will open at the Art Gallery of NS on February 3, 2018

SHARY BOYLE & EMILY VEY DUKE: 

THE ILLUMINATIONS PROJECT

l-r: Emily Vey Duke and Shary Boyle (video still)

Opening 

February 3, 2018

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

1723 Hollis Street, Halifax, NS

The exhibition will continue until April 29, 2018

The AGNS notes:

Through their respective individual practices, artists Shary Boyle and Emily Vey Duke have long been committed to exploring the relationships between feelings, drives and fantasies and…read more

A video about their collaboration can be found on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/HwRH9kNVwD0

Heemin Choi, violin recital on Sunday, February 4, 2018 in Halifax

Cecilia Concerts presents violinist Heemin Choi on

https://www.ceciliaconcerts.ca/product/heemin-choi-recital/

Sunday, February 4, 2018
at 7 p.m.
Lilian Piercey Concert Hall
Maritime Conservatory of the Performing Arts
6199 Chebucto Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Multi-award-winning violinist Heemin Choi has performed extensively and has appeared as soloist with Symphony Nova Scotia. Presently on a full music scholarship in Texas, he brings a bit of southern warmth to this mid-winter recital.

Heemin Choi has received multiple scholarships from the Talent Trust and won the 2016 and 2010 Raymond Simpson Award and the 2014 NSTT's Lieutenant Governor's Award. 

For more information and tickets please visit the Cecilia Concert's website at https://www.ceciliaconcerts.ca/product/heemin-choi-recital/

Pianist Jennifer King in concert on Sunday, January 21, 2018 in Halifax

Cecilia Concert's presents Jennifer King for a refreshing afternoon 

Sunday, 
January 21, 2018
at 2pm
Lilian Piercey Concert Hall 
at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts
Halifax

Jennifer King will perform two centuries of Nocturnes featured on her first solo album “O Mistress Moon”.

O Mistress Moon Programme

 

Nocturnes (1929) Nos. 1, 4 and 7  /  Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

Deux Nocturnes (1890) Op.5, Andante- Allegretto  /  Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915)

In der Nacht - Fantasiestucke Op.12  /  Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

Nocturne in e minor, Adagio  /  John Field (1782-1837)

Nocturne Op.27 #2 in D flat major, Lento sostenuto  /  Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)

Nocturne Op.33 (Homage to John Field)  /  Samuel Barber (1910-1981)

In the Falling Dark 1- dedicated to Barbara Pritchard  /  Derek Charke (b. 1974)

La Soirée dans Grenade- Estampes  /  Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Et la lune descend sur le temple qui  fut- Images 2

Noctuelles- Miroirs  /  Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

Night-Piece (Notturno) - 1963  /  Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Notturno  /  Ottarino Respighi (1879-1936)

In the Falling Dark 2- 2014 dedicated to Jennifer King  /  Derek Charke (b. 1974)

1. Sunset Glow 2.Entre Chien et Loup 3. The Witching Hour

For more information go to https://www.ceciliaconcerts.ca/pianist-jennifer-king/

Buy your ticket at https://www.ceciliaconcerts.ca/product/jennifer-king-o-mistress-moon/

Soprano Janice Jackson and Lukas Pearse perform in the Cyborg Song on Sunday, Jan 7, 2018 at the Sir James Dunn Theatre, Halifax

See sounds and hear images in new and exciting ways!

 

Vocalypse Productions presents

http://www.upstreammusic.org/

 

CYBORG SONG

and

time:space:

 

Sunday 7 January 2018 

at 7:30PM

Sir James Dunn Theatre, Dalhousie Arts Centre

6101 University Avenue, Halifax NS

Musicians:

Etienne Rolin (France) – Conductor, bass clarinet

Dirk Johan Stromberg (Singapore) – Music technologist, composer, and improviser

Janice Isabel Jackson – Singer, producer (former scholarship and Portia White Award recipient

Toni Pigot – Singer

Geordie Haley – Electric guitar

Jerome Blais – Piano

Lukas Pearse – Double bass (former scholarship recipient)

This concert is a part of Upstream Music Open Water's Festival 

more information can be found at http://www.upstreammusic.org/ or http://www.vocalypse.ca/

Join us to celebrate the 2017 Special Award Recipients on December 12, 2017 at 2 p.m. at the Halifax Central Library

The Talent Trust will recognize the 2017 Scholarship and Special Award recipients at 

2:00 p.m. on 

Tuesday, December 12 

at Halifax Central Library 

We are looking forward to host the ceremony in a space that is open to the public and to celebrate the recipients' achievements with all Nova Scotians. 

We hope to see you there too. (smile)

This year’s Special Award winners were chosen from a field of 48 scholarship recipients representing the artistic disciplines of music, literary arts, visual arts, film, new media, design, dance, and theatre.

Come on out and meet these wonderful emerging artists. 

India Gailey, cello to release new CD Dec 2017 with compositions by former scholarship recipients and Ellen Gibling, harp

India Gailey CD release

December 14, 2017
Manning Memorial Chapel, Wolfville at 7:30 p.m.

December 16, 2017
The Townhouse, Antigonish at 8 p.m.

December 18, 2017 
1313 Hollis, Halifax at 7:30 p.m.

India Gaily and Sam Wilson will release their new CDs at the same time. 

India collaborated on her CD with three former Talent Trust scholarship recipients. They are composers Lucas Oickle and Adam Langille, and harpist Ellen Gibling. 

More information on all three performances can be found on Facebook at

Wolfville: https://www.facebook.com/events/1863488610647762/

Antigonish: https://www.facebook.com/events/2029779267306089/

Halifax: https://www.facebook.com/events/141927126532432/

Invitation to Portia White Gala Concert on Dec 8, 2017 in Halifax

We hope you join us for the 

Portia White Gala Concert

Friday, December 8, 2017

7: 30 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle 
6225 Summit Street, Halifax

Tickets are $15 for all.
Use our Eventbrite online ticketing service: http://tiny.cc/Portia2017
 or printed tickets can be obtained from chorale and band members, or reserved
through the Medical Humanities office at (902) 494-1533 or at medhuman(at)dal.ca.

The Portia White Gala concert will feature the Dalhousie Health Professions Choral and Ensembles and the Sackville Concert Band. Our 12th Portia White Gala showcases a repertoire that includes a special Passchendaele remembrance piece, a final tribute to Canada 150, and a  selection of seasonal favorites.

A part of the proceeds of this concert will support a young Nova Scotian musician through the Talent Trust. The NSTT was started in 1944 to assist the career of Portia White and has continued in its support of talented Nova Scotian artists in their formative years. The Dalhousie University Humanities-HEALS Program is pleased to be able to make a yearly contribution to this worthy cause.

We would like to thank Dr. Wendy Stewart, Ana Bela Sardinha, David Elliott, Bryan Crocker, Jim Forde, the choir members, the Sackville band members, and the many volunteers that will make the concert yet another memorable event.

During the intermission you will be able to treat yourself again to Bill Chaddock's fine fudge in support of the NSTT's Scholarship Program. Portia White's family has donated 100 CDs of 'Portia White - First You Dream to the NSTT. The CD is a compilation of three concerts featuring contralto Portia White. They can be purchased for $20 with all proceeds going towards the Portia White Award. Thank you Bill Chaddock, Chris White and the whole White family for your generous support.

Win a Basket filled with Art experiences and support emerging NS artists at the same time. Raffle Tickets can be purchased at the Craft Nova Scotia Christmas Show Nov 17-19, Cunard Centre, Halifax

Symphony Nova Scotia contribution

Do you like to support emerging Nova Scotia artists through our Scholarship Fund and get a chance to win a Basket filled with art experiences?

Raffle tickets can be purchased in person at the NSDCC's Christmas Show at the Cunard Event Centre, Pier 23 in Halifax from Nov 17 - Nov 19. 

Our friendly board members and volunteers will be happy to chat with you about Talent Trust recipients and all the wonderful donations by local art organizations and artists. (List attached below.)

This year we are dividing the donations up into three baskets. Your chances to win are bigger.

Raffle tickets are 1 for $5 or 5 for $20. We accept cash and cheques. (There is an ATM in the Cunard Centre). 
All proceeds will go in full towards our Scholarship Fund. 
You can only enter the draw if you live in Nova Scotia.
Licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Authority: AGD-103528-17

Where and When:Cunard Event Centre at Pier 23
961 Marginal Road, Halifax

• Friday, Nov 17: 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov 18: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov 19: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

We thank Susan Hanrahan and Julie Rosvall of Craft Nova Scotia Designer Craft Show for their support. The Christmas show is a juried craft event of Maritime artists. 

The draw will be held on December 12, 2017 at 3:45 p.m. during our annual Special Awards Ceremony at the Central Library in Halifax, NS. 

Thank You to all our friends from the arts community for their generous contributions.

Alan Syliboy, small art work alansyliboy.ca

Alex E. Pierce, book: Vox Humana ealexpierce.com

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia: Complimentary Family Membership for 2018  artgalleryofnovascotia.ca

Blue Engine String Quartet, 3 CDs blueenginestringquartet.com

Cecilia Concerts: 2 tickets to O Mistress Moon on January 21, 2018 with Jennifer King stcecilia.ca

Charlotte Wilson-Hammond RCA: small original painting charlottewilsonhammond.net

Dawn MacNutt RCA: small sculpture dawnmacnutt.com

Debut Atlantic: ticket for two valid for the 2018 concert season debutatlantic.ca

Easternfront Theatre: ticket to 2018 season easternfronttheatre.com

FIN Atlantic International Film Festival: 2 complimentary tickets for 2018 finfestival.ca

Jacqueline Steudler SCA: small original art work jacquelinesteudler.com 

Jenni Blackmore: book jenniblackmore

Live Art Dance: 2 complimentary tickets liveartdance.ca

Memory Lane Heritage Village: Lake Charlotte: Family Pass for Heritage Village Tour  heritagevillage.ca 

Rose Vaughan: CD rosevaughantrio.com

Sheree Fitch: book / reading / trip to new book store in River John shereefitch.com

Symphony Nova Scotia: 2 tickets to Rhapsody in Blue and West Side Story on April 21, 2018  symphonynovascotia.ca

Tangled Garden Gift Shop: Wolfville: Dazzling Damson Plum Liqueur tangledgardenherbs.ca

Wayne Boucher: original small painting wayneboucher.ca

Will Fisher (2008 NSTT Chico Berardi Award): CD Portage willfisher.ca

You can only enter the draw if you live in Nova Scotia.

Licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Authority: AGD-103528-17

Molly Johnson, Aliah Schwartz, Georgia Skinner and Jacinte Armstrong at Kinetic Studio's Season Launch on Nov 4 and 5, 2017 in Halifax

KINETIC STUDIO LAUNCHES SEASON WITH OPEN STUDIO SERIES

(text and images below from their press release)

November 4 and 5, 2017 at 8 PM

DANSpace, Halifax

Open Studio will showcase four dance pieces by Molly Johnson, Aliah Schwartz, Georgia Skinner and Dustin Harvey. A post-show discussion on Saturday will be facilitated by Kinetic Artistic Director Jacinte Armstrong.

http://thisismollyjohnson.com/

Toronto-based, Cape Breton raised, Dora Award winning choreographer Molly Johnson will present Me and the Patriarchy. A finalist for the 2013 Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Artist Award, Molly also dances for Montréal’s Le Carré des Lombes, performing the work of Danièle Desnoyers nationally and abroad.

Blunder Blunder. Photo by Willie Wilson.

Canning’s Aliah Schwartz, 2015’s Lieutenant Governor's Award and 2014 Canada Games Young Artist of Excellence Award, is in the beginning stages of creating and developing an aesthetic with Montreal’s Guillaume Loslier-Pinard.

Together they are Blunder Blunder and will show their first piece No Need for Blue Jeans Here is “situated in a limbo between life and death, the line between humour and tragedy.” Schwartz is currently completing her BFA in contemporary dance at Loslier-Pinard’s alma mater Concordia University.

Georgia Skinner + Joel LeBlanc. Photo by Joanna Bryson

No stranger to the Open Studio Series, Halifax’s Georgia Skinner’s Clench working title) is an exploration of how particular emotions manifest in the body with a focus on anxiety, stress. Isolated, intuitive, and palpable, Clench is a tribute to habitual motions of  bodies under stress, the trickery of panic attacks and the struggle to feel content. Recently seen at the Bus Stop Theatre in Votive Dance’s EAST MEETS WEST, Georgia is a member of Halifax’s Nostos Collective and The Woods Hip Hop Society.

Tickets $8 student, seniors, artists, $10 regular. ( http://www.kineticstudio.ca/boxoffice or at the door)

Location - DANSpace-on-Grafton, 1531 Grafton St, Halifax NS.