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Behind the Scene – Studio A, Academy of Performing Arts

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Behind the Scene – Studio A, Academy of Performing Arts

When Abbey Girard graduated with a Performance Arts Degree in 2015, she moved back home from Vancouver to Brantford, with the hope to come home and open a performing arts academy, but with the intent of working at a local studio or even the YMCA first. After taking a “very short break” she told me, “I don’t know what I’m waiting for. Why don’t I do it now? It’s my dream.” So, instead of looking for work she put together a business plan. Then with the help of her father they found a location at 128 Nelson Street and began to lay the groundwork for what is now Studio A Academy of Performing Arts. Taking full advantage of the Brantford-Brant Business Resource Enterprise Centre‘s Starter Company Program she laid it all out and put it all on the line. The BRC helped her organize her business model, secure funding, and provided invaluable advice on getting started. She then built the studio from the ground up, installing mirrors, flooring, lights, and everything else the studio would need.

Starting out with only 15 students; networking, positive reviews, and social media promotion, helped the studio quickly and expand to over 70 students. In the first few months they also had a very successful, yet inexpensive summer camp program that helped spread word of the growing academy. Abbey is the sole instructor, offering dance and acting classes for youth aged 2 to 18. She’s happy to be able to do it herself, building bonds and relationships with students that helps foster growth academically. Studio A has anywhere from two to five classes a day, Monday to Friday, with toddler-specialized classes and birthday parties on Saturdays.

With plans to expand into a newer and larger location within the next year; a larger stage, five dance rooms and more gymnastics options are top priority. Studio A has continued to improve and expand their classes, beginning with simply dance and acting, they now offer: acro, jazz, ballet, hip hop, musical theatre, acting, yoga, barre-fit, and teen dance fitness programs. When they expand, they will offer even more.

Abbey shared with me one of her favorite quotes, “You were once wild here. Don’t let them tame you.” from Isadora Duncan. She then shared with me one of her own, “Dance cannot be constricted to a preconceived set of finite movements. It is the freedom to give yourself to your body and your emotions, to outwardly release passion without worrying about upholding society’s guidelines for appropriate movements. Dance is for you. For your soul. Dance is for anyone and everyone.” It is Studio A’s goal, through arts and fitness, to educate youth to accept themselves and be brave enough to make mistakes, get messy, and be silly. Working with children to vocalize their thoughts and emotions through movements, helping them create their own works, and perfecting their artistic voices, is paramount at Studio A. They have many, very exciting summer camps beginning in July and are always accepting new students for its weekly classes. Make sure to Be Seen at Studio A Academy of Performing Arts.

Submitted by: Joshua Wall

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Sandra on Scene: Whimsical Players’ Princess Review at Eagle Place

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Sandra on Scene: Whimsical Players‘ Princess Review at Eagle Place

BScene was happy to be seen at Whimsical Players’ DREAMS COME TRUE, A PRINCESS REVIEW held at the Doug Snooks Eagle Place Community Centre
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The new theatre troupe made up of seasoned Brantford area performers, moved from a smashing debut of their first production, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the last weekend of February to this Disney Review March 12. This free event was a fun romp through the Animated feature Disney songbook with colourful costumes and a cast of 15. It covered several years of Disney princess classics from Snow White’s “I’m Wishing” to Elsa’s “Let It Go”. Host narrators throughout the evening were Whimsical’s president Meghan Graham as Snow White and the troupe’s Vice President Jessica Crowley as Cinderella.

“I am very pleased with the way everything went,” says Graham. “Everyone did a wonderful job…it was magical!” She says Whimsical Players hopes to revive the review in the future. Meanwhile, several of the actors are available for children’s birthday parties dressed as various characters.

A special shout out goes to Jessica Hamilton and Ichthys Theatre for the curtains, projection screen and sound equipment. Hamilton doubled as Tech and performer leaving the board briefly to be Ariel from The Little Mermaid.

The audience, full of both children and adults, all left with smiles.

Check out Whimsical Players on FaceBook and Twitter.

Submitted by: Sandra L. Anderson
Photography: Joshua Wall

To see more of Sandra’s Work please visit: Sandlyn Publishing

 

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Classic Albums Live – Elton John Greatest Hits

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Classic Albums Live – Elton John Greatest Hits

The auditorium of the Sanderson Centre was filled with amazing sounds as Classics Albums Live presented Elton John’s Greatest hits on Friday, March 11th.

I always find that if you have some amazing tunes blasting, you take a lot of photos. Although some might be a bit blurry as you can’t focus and sing at the same time. What an amazing show CAL put on last night with Elton John’s Greatest Hits. It’s amazing that you can’t remember what you came into a room for, but as soon as you hear the first few notes of a song, you remember every single lyric. What a fun night at a gorgeous theatre.

Make sure to Be Seen attending some more amazing shows at the Sanderson Centre.

Submitted by: Heather Cardle
To see more of her work, please visit: Heather Cardle Photographer

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Behind the Scene – Health & Wellness Expo

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Behind the Scene: Health & Wellness Expo 
 On March 6th 2016 at the Woodman Park Community Centre in Brantford,Twin Flames Design launched their first ever Health & Wellness Expo.

The goal of this event was to promote the importance of living healthy and balanced lives by introducing our community to the diverse network of alternative health practitioners, psychic readers and health related product vendors available locally.

There was also guest speakers along with complimentary yoga and zumba classes. The show was well received by the community with over 500 guests in attendance. Andrea and Eli are planning another Health & Wellness Expo in early fall this year.

Photography by: Belinda Bee J. Stap-Clements

To see mroe of her work please visit Belinda J. Clements Photography

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The Crawford Collective – First Anniversary

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The Crawford Collective – First Anniversary

Nearly one hundred people came and went the evening of March 4th for the first anniversary of The Crawford Collective. Located at 4 King Street, inDowntown Brantford, this home of 16 local artists celebrates the first Friday of every month with an event dubbed “First Friday”. Guests are welcomed into the gallery to meet and greet with artists, admire, and hopefully purchase, new pieces displayed.

This “First Friday” Honourable MPP Dave Levac was in attendance to present a scroll honouring the anniversary of The Crawford Collective and to partake in a special announcement. He proudly exclaimed that from now on October 23rd would be declared ‘Lawren Harris Day”. A celebration of the arts and its impact on the City of Brantford. He stood by the statement that all three levels of government: municipal, provincial and federal; would be working together to promote arts and culture in Brantford and striving to make this an officially celebrated day.

“All humanity has to celebrate and embrace the arts, because it does not make us whole people when we remove it. You can not be a whole person without exposure to the arts.”

MPP Dave Levac

Guests who attended were treated to incredible conversations about art and various other topics, light appetizers, as well as featuring the musical stylings of artists Kay’la Fraser and Previs Davidson, and Metronōm. The event ran well into the evening before the festivities ended and guests headed out to celebrate “First Friday” in our beautiful downtown.

Make sure to Be Seen at The Crawford Collective, you never know what piece will speak to you.

Submitted by: Joshua Wall
Photography by: Dean Ellis
To see more of Dean’s work please visit:https://www.facebook.com/DellisartPhotographix/?fref=ts

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Twiztid Bring Their Brand Of Horrorcore To Brantford

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Twiztid Bring Their Brand Of Horrorcore To Brantford

Detroit hip-hop duo Twiztid are about to invade Brantford, as they kick off their Canadian tour at Club NV on Friday, March 25th, 2016. The group, which consists of rappers Jamie Madrox and Monoxide, are a theatrical rap group that incorporates elements of horror and rock with their motor mouthed raps. Twiztid has toured all over the world and even collaborated with Canadian hip-hop legends Swollen Members, but are coming back to the Telephone City for the second time.

Twiztid just released their new album “The Darkness”, through their own label Magik Ninja Entertainment, and BScene caught up with the group to talk about their performance in town and what fans can expect.

BScene: This is your second time playing Brantford, Ontario. What did you think of the city and what brings you back for another show?

Monoxide: Well, the first time we played Brantford was because we wanted to play anywhere that would have us. The second time is because we’re looking for Wayne Gretzky and what better way to find him then start snooping around his old stomping grounds. We have prepared an amazing gift basket in case we run into him. Summer sausage, weird cheeses, and I think a pack of ink pens were some of the things included in said basket.

Madrox: Much like any other city we get to play, we never really get a chance to see any sights so to speak, or get to partake in local goings-on. That said, we promised the #FAM that came out to see us before, that we would be back again and we keep our word; and we in fact are coming back!

BScene: The show at Club NV in Brantford is part of “The Juggalo Invasion Tour”. Give us some insight as to what a Juggalo is and the acts that will be performing with you on this tour. Why did you choose them?

Monoxide: A Juggalo is all about individuality and the shunnings that go with it. What I mean by that is, just because we’re not considered the norm, we are judged and ridiculed without others finding what’s really at our core. Its become a brother and sisterhood that is rivaled by none. The line-up for “The Juggalo Invasion Tour” consists of some of the best examples of what this movement symbolizes. There’s different acts for different cities. It’s the first time in Canada for some of these guys and we’re glad we could get them over here. 

Madrox: To us, being a Juggalo is about embracing your individuality, and really not caring about conforming or changing who or what you are to fit in with a certain group or faction. In our #FAM we accept everyone no matter your race, sex, nationality, colour, or creed. Ya dig? As far as the acts that will be joining us on the “The Juggalo Invasion Tour” there’s Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Lex The Hex Master, and Boondox. We’re happy to bring them along with us on any tours; this one included, as they’re all just like family to us. A very important factor about touring is being able to get along well with each other. So yes, I believe we chose wisely.

BScene: You’ve toured Canada a few times now, how do American and Canadian audiences differ?

Monoxide: When it comes to “the family”, there really is no difference. The pits are still crazy, they know every word, know how to have a good time wherever we are, and you can’t ask for much more than that as an artist. I will say the set times are immensely different in Canada as opposed to here in the States. In the States, if we go on after 11 pm we consider that a late show, but in Canada we don’t go on until 1 or 2 in the am, so that’s a big difference.

Madrox: Right off the top of my head, there is only one noticeable difference. The shows are considerably later time-wise. For example: we will play a Friday in America at like 11pm, whereas in Canada we will go on stage on a Friday at like 2am, lol. The #FAM has the same energy, chantin’, screamin’, jumpin’, moshin’ and whatnot, no matter where we are. That’s just how the #FAM do and we love them for it!

Bscene: What can fans expect when they see Twiztid’s live show?

Monoxide: If you have never seen us then you will be privy to the greatest thing you’ve never heard of. If you’ve seen us before than get ready! 

Madrox: The #FAM and newcomers alike can expect to see me and my brother Monoxide give 110% when we perform live! We don’t phone sh*t in, we’re not the lame, just-standing-there-with-a-microphone, run-of-the-mill rap guys. That’s just not us! We bring the wicked sh*t and we leave it all on stage for the ones who have come out to rep with us.

BScene: What’s the biggest misconception about Twiztid?

Monoxide: That we’re evil.

Madrox: Ummm… we are space aliens from another dimension that only wear make up to cover the fact that we are not human; that and we are pagans that worship demons and drink blood. NOT TRUE. .ALL OF IT, NOT TRUE; except for the drinking blood part. Yeah… we drink blood! 


Submitted By Tyler Mitchell

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Behind the Scene: Performing Arts Roundtable

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Behind the Scene: Performing Arts Roundtable

The lobby of the Sanderson Centre was full of discussion and ideas, as members of local theatrical, choral, and instrumental groups came together Wednesday, March 2nd. The meeting was called to discuss the possibility of a new mid-sized performance venue in the City of Brantford

This meeting was one of the first steps in identifying a need for a new or restored site in our community. The role of the task force is to research the need for a 200-400 seat venue, as well as researching possible locations and various service models. A report would then be delivered to Brantford City Council.

With the arts community assembled, the task force began a break out session to discuss needs, current issues, and ideas on how to move forward. Many people in the room felt that culture is the backbone of any community and that by working together in an endeavor such as this, the local arts community could create better cultural enrichment for our city.

Having a mid-sized cultural venue would also be helpful to other segments of the community, such as: hosting business speakers/seminars, increasing local tourism, and enabling groups to share space and costs. Many people felt that it was encouraging to see the amount of connection and collaboration in the room.

The next steps for the task force will be to collect and compile all the information gathered from the meeting and analyse the results. They will also start to look at different service models and case reports, then report back to council with all the findings in June. The group is still looking to hear feedback and welcome further discussion and generation of ideas.

For more information, please contact Sara Munroe, Arts & Culture Coordinator for the City of Brantford: smunroe@brantford.ca or 519-751-9900 x5048.

Make sure to Be Seen supporting our local arts and cultural groups!

Submitted by: Jason Freeze
Photography by: Joshua Wall

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YAMATO the drummers of Japan at the Sanderson Centre February 29th and March 1st 2016.

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YAMATO the drummers of Japan at the Sanderson Centre February 29th and March 1st 2016.

I have spent Monday and Tuesday this week at the Sanderson Centre listening to 倭 -Yamato The drummers of Japan. My ears are ringing and my internal organs at one point were probably well on their way to turning into a gelatin like substance, but I just had to be there. One patron was heard to say that the drums were a visceral massage; the beat just went right through you.

I am an artist and photographer in my day to day life, but I’m also a percussionist as well. Listening to these men and women from Japan is something that I couldn’t resist and I’ve been looking forward to this event since the Sanderson announced the show a few months ago. I’ve been in love with this style of Japanese percussion since I first heard it way back in the 70s and will listen to it wherever I can.

The audience was small for both performances but everyone was enthusiastic and appreciative at each show. The performers are trying to bring the traditional Taiko drumming into the 21st century and they are succeeding admirably in my opinion. The performers as individuals engaged everyone through various comedic antics and expressions. The Monday night show was a little more sedate, with the audience being a more mature one (the older crowd), but the performers still managed to get people up on their feet with hands clapping and voices raised. The Tuesday matinee bunch however was something else again; here the majority of the audience was of a much younger age, most from various schools in the area including W. Ross Macdonald School. This audience really got into the whole performance from start to finish and the performers loved it. The enthusiasm was extraordinary by the end of the performance, and when the children were invited onstage to “play” the drums the enthusiasm went through the roof. Even the students unable to make it on stage were able to play because drums were brought to them.

Although the performances were more than I expected, it was something that I’ll never forget, I think the highlight for me was watching the children walking up to drums that outweighed them 10 to 1, picking up drumsticks that were almost as long as they were tall, and start with that first tentative tap on the skin of the drum.

Thanks to the Sanderson for hosting these performances. There are a lot of people who aren’t going to forget what they experienced listening to the drummers of Japan.

Submitted by: Dean Ellis

To see more of his work please visit: DellisartPhotographix

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Sandra on Scene: Whimsical Players presents Beauty and the Beast: A Success!

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Sandra on Scene: Whimsical Players presents Beauty and the Beast: A Success!

The new Whimsical Players drama troupe’s debut onto Brantford’s theatre scene with its production of Vera Morris’ BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was a resounding success.

Beauty and the Beast, with its cast of 20 ranging in age from 8 to 60 plus, from Paris, Brantford and beyond, drew full audiences and hailed standing ovations.

“You guys worked really hard and I’m really proud of you and thank you for being part of this,” the show’s director Meghan Graham told the cast after the three-show weekend. “Thanks to you we got our name out there and everyone knows the quality of show we can put on.”

The production took over the TB Costain/SC Johnson Community Centre at the corner of Grand River and Morrell Streets, February 26th through the 28th and drew approximately 250 people for the entire weekend. Despite illness plaguing the actors, one even had to have a stand in on Saturday night, the months of hard work paid off.

The Vera Morris version, differs from Disney’s rendition, in that Beauty lives on a small farm with her widowed mother, two older married sisters and two brothers-in-law and the family dog Brutus. It is the mother played by Sandra L. Anderson that gets lost in a bewitched forest, chased by a talking wolf (Garry Graham) and happens upon the castle of the Beast (Keith Chambers) with its animated household goods including a walking talking clock, chair, masterpiece painting and magic looking glass. The mother takes a rose from the Beast, is condemned to be a prisoner and when she returns home to say goodbye having become very ill from the journey, Beauty (Jessica Crowley) insists on taking her place. She and the Beast then discover what love can truly do. We see more of the selfish prince and his life before he is turned into a Beast as well, played by Zach Miller.

A highlight of the show is a fight scene with swords and some acrobatics by the skilled Keith Chambers and Ralph Tutin. A disclaimer was announced at the beginning of each show warning the people in the front row to stay put while the “professionals” do their thing.

The audience all left with smiles on their faces and offered high praise for the show.
Beauty and the Beast made a profit for the non-profit community theatre group, which will allow Whimsical Players to bring more quality family entertainment to Brantford.

Make sure to Be Seen at the next show performed by Whimsical Players!

Submitted by: Sandra L. Anderson
Photography by: Heather Cardle
To see more of her work, please visit: Heather Cardle Photographer

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Sandra on Scene: Ichthys Theatre AGM & Theatre Venues

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Sandra on Scene: Ichthys Theatre AGM & Theatre Venues

Brantford’s Community Theatre companies are Gypsies. At least that is the word that ICHTHYS Theatre’s Artistic Director Lorna Stratton fondly uses to describe the current situation of the “homeless” groups.

ICHTHYS is in the same boat as the others as it struggles to find suitable venues that are affordable and have all the amenities they need to perform their work. Most situations such as, schools, churches, community centres, outdoor venues, are not ideal because they are not dedicated specifically to the performance arts.

The City of Brantford & City of Brantford Arts & Culture has created a Task Force to assess the need for a 250-300 seat community performance space in the city.

This space would be multi-purpose for Theatre, Concerts, Dance Recitals, Presentations and more. The first round table was planned for March 2nd from 4-6 pm in the Sanderson Centre Lobby. They are looking for input from the community in terms of company and individual usage along with potential audience needs.
Stratton is a member of this Task Force and invited vice chair City Councilor Cheryl Antoski, and Cultural Advisory Committee chair, Vern Payne, to ICHTHYS’ Annual General Meeting, (AGM) the morning of February 20, Glenhyrst Art Gallery, 20 Ava Rd, Brantford, ON, to have an Open Forum with those in attendance. Refreshments were provided by The Golden Teapot Tearoom.

Antoski said although she is not from a theatre background she requested to be part of the Task Force because she noticed an unbalance in the City. “Not everyone is a sports person,” she says.

Payne, a retired educator says he is part of it because, “I understand that Drama plays an important role for economic development.”

The Task Force is meeting with all performance groups in the city so they can present the need for a mid sized performance facility to City Council.
There was talk about whether a petition would be effective and all were urged to write to their city councilor.

Marion Smith, a member of the Western Ontario Drama League for 38 years had some important questions on behalf of the theatre community:
“Is this venue to be for the use of Amateur community theatre? Will it include amateur choirs, band and dance groups etc.
Who will own the building? The City? Theatre members? A private company?
Who will run the business of this facility? A board of directors or the membership? Paid theatre facility manager? Paid business manager? City employee?
How will the funding for the purchase of the building and theatre facilities be raised? Which art companies will be officially included in the partnership?
If owned by the city, how much say will the member theatre companies have in the running of the venue?”

Bruce Farley, a member of ICHTHYS and lead in its first play of the 2016 season, The Other Noise, suggested that when the Task Force makes a presentation to council, all the politics are taken care of first. “We need to get them to believe that there is so much interest in this that you get their attention,” he says.

One thing that became clear from the discussion is that the Task Force needs to go to city council with all questions answered before they can be asked and that all of the City’s Community Theatre groups need to work together in order for this much needed mid-sized theatre to become a reality.

The Task Force, besides theatre groups, also needs to hear from choral, instrumental, spoken word, taletelling, dance, and other performing arts groups currently operating in the area.
After the Open Forum discussion, ICHTHYS took care of business with its treasurers reports, artistic director reports and more.

The Theatre group’s 2016 season began with The Other Noise written and directed by Martin Smith performed at the Gord Paynter Theatre the last weekend of February and first weekend of March.
It is followed by the School Touring Show, which will be written by the cast and directed by Lorna Stratton in a performance window of April 11 to 21.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and Jeff Hatcher, Directed by Kate Elwood, June 3-5 and 10-12, Gord Paynter Theatre.
Drama Camp (new this year) Directed by Lorna Stratton and Jess Hamilton, August 8-12 and 15-19 Friendship House of Brant.
The Left of Centre Festival, August 26-28, Friendship House of Brant.
And the big fall show Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, November 18 to 20 and 25 to 27, 2016.

ICHTHYS Partner Participation Projects are:
Brantford Scare in the Square
Glenhyrst Arts Day
Brant Performing Arts Season Launch during Culture Days Canada
2016 ICHTHYS Memberships are $30.

The group also has a new sponsorship strategy called The Stand-Out Kids Scene (SOKS) that defines different sponsoring level opportunities for the School Touring Show and the Drama Camp.
www.ichthystheatre.com
FaceBook: Ichthys Theatre
Twitter: @ICHTHYSTheatre

Submitted by: Sandra L. Anderson
To see more of her work, please visit: Sandlyn Publishing

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