friends of dufferin grove park
Arts Archives - 2005

Sunday February 27, 2005: Puppets On Ice

posted February 1, 2005

See the Puppets on Ice Flyer >> for information about the event, including special music.

On Sunday, February 27, 3-5pm, Clay and Paper Theatre's puppets [website] will come to the rink looking for skaters, for their yearly mummer's ice play. Last year they came on St. Valentine's Day, and Cavan Young made a film of the puppets for the National Film Board (we'll show the video this year). This year there will be community workshops at the rink house to make additional puppets on Friday Feb.18 and Friday Feb.25 from 1 to 4 p.m., everyone welcome, including kids, of course. Clay and Paper Theatre's director David Anderson says there will be marimba music inside the rink house during "Puppets on Ice". There will also be special medieval recipes cooked in the bake oven (to mark the medieval nature of mummer's plays). An old English peasant beverage called "lamb's wool" will be served from the campfire. Bring your skates, don a puppet, and help the story play out, in the old mummers' tradition. (For more information, call Clay and Paper at 416 537-9105.)

posted March 3, 2005
Tuesday March 22: March Break Kids' Art class

Tuesday March 22, 1-4 p.m.: March Break Kids' Art class : Mosaic workshop at the rink house, with artists Gillian Tremain and Jeannie Soley. "The kids will each create a beautiful tiled panel, using glass and ceramic tile pieces, as well as any favourite pebbles, beach glass or broken ceramics they'd like to incorporate. Design, composition and technique will all be discussed. We'll have a break halfway through the afternoon for hot chocolate and cookies (while the glue dries on the mosaics), then the kids will learn how to grout their own artwork as a final step in the process." Twelve children maximum, ages 6 to 12 ; cost will be $30 plus a $10 materials fee, with payment in full by cash or cheque the day of the class. To register, e-mail Gillian at : gabhangi@ca.inter.net or call 416-532-0773 and leave a message.

posted March 3, 2005
Saturday March 26: Elder Sages, Spiritual Guides and Guardians of the sacred Otomi and Indigenous Drums

Saturday March 26 at 12 noon: at the fire circle by the small oven: "Elder Sages, Spiritual Guides and Guardians of the sacred Otomi and Indigenous Drums will appear and play their Sacred Drums to the Four Directions of Mother Earth, thereby attaining unity in diversity and communally receiving the Healing Energy of the Great Spirit and the Cosmos. In order to take part in this Indigenous Ceremony, bring your Sacred Drums, your Native Nation, Indigenous People or Community; bring the Sacred Drum from your Ceremonial Cultural or Educational Center or the Sacred Drum of your Family, Group, Council, Collective or Association; you may also bring the drum of your heart."

Laura Repo at the Park in the Spring.

posted November 12, 2004
Laura Repo and the Blue Healers

From Laura Repo, a singer/songwriter friend of the park, tells us that she and her band, the Blue Healers, will be playing at the Gladstone Hotel, at their CD release later in November. Laura writes:

"starting to get the hang of things/like how to put a new battery in my guitar/ they run out after a year or so/like remembering how the songs go, kinda/ and what the band looks like/and how to leave the house and call a babysitter/ but i'll sing sami a lullabye/from the stage of the gladstone hotel."

Laura is planning an open air concert featuring women's bands at Dufferin Grove park when the weather warms up, in late spring. It will be in the daytime so the park kids, including the newest crop like Sami, can run and dance around. Before that, Laura has agreed to perform a few songs at the December 3 rink celebration (see "Friday Night Supper" in this newsletter). Wonderful. But even before then, park friends can listen to Laura's truly fine band at the Gladstone Hotel: Wednesday November 24 at 8 p.m.: $10. There will be other musicians too: Chris Coole, Erynn Marshall, and Joanne Mackell with her band the Paradise Rangers. And lots of other friends of the park, no doubt.

posted April 21, 2005
Volunteer sign-up April 28 3:30-8 P.M. for The Little Folk Festival

For details about this festival, Sunday June 5, noon to six pm., see below.

Laura Repo is the producer of this festival, and she says they need volunteers to help on that day. So during the farmers’ market on Thursday April 28, the park staff will be ready to give more information and take names, phone numbers etc. of people who want to help on June 5.

Volunteers eat free at the festival, and at the community dinner afterwards, so sign up on April 28. To contact Laura directly: repogirl@sympatico.ca.

posted April 12, 2005
Register for APRIL ART WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS, Saturday and Sunday APRIL 23 AND 24

Artists Jeannie Soley and Gillian Tremain did some children’s art workshops on two beautiful days last spring, outside on the grass. During March Break they did a mosaic tile-making workshop inside the rink house, and they say the park location just fits their style. It certainly seemed like it to us. Pictures of those sessions are posted on the park web site, www.dufferinpark.ca, click on "arts" to see some of the astonishing work the children did. Now Jeannie and Gillian are offering two new classes: one on Saturday, April 23 and one on Sunday April 24. They’re from 2- 5p.m. at the rink house, for kids aged 8-12. The children will be making monoprints on paper and fabric. Gillian writes:

"Come and explore this beautiful printmaking technique, performed on a sheet of plexiglass. Glass-plate printing is a wonderful method of producing a unique and spontaneous image, for quick application to paper or fabric. The kids will first become familiar with the basic technique of inking the plate and the differing nature of the inks and metallic mediums.

During this process we will experiment with a variety of papers and effects, such as drawing into the colour, twisting 2 plates together before printing, creating a series of colour layers on one sheet of paper, etc. The children will then have the opportunity to try the same experiments on fabrics of various weights and colours.

We'll need a minimum of 10 kids for the class to go ahead, and will take a maximum of 12. Cost will be $30 plus a $10 materials fee, to be paid in full by cash or cheque the day of the class. Please wear appropriate art-making clothes ! Excellent snack included. To register, call Jeannie at 416-533-6430 or e-mail thomc@sympatico.ca."

pictures from their tile classes in March, 2005
 

click to read the brochure

posted May 22, 2005

Schedule for the 10 acts at the Little Folk Festival

Sunday June 5, 11am to 6pm, followed by a community dinner 6pm to 7:30pm
  • Georgie Donais 11:00-11:30
  • Arlene Bishop 11:45-12:15
  • Blair Packham 12:30-1:00
  • Rancho Misterio 1:15-1:45
  • Zari 2:00-2:30
  • Mia Sheard 2:45-3:15
  • Break 3:15-3:30
  • Leah Salomaa 3:45-4:15
  • Tasa 4:30-5:15
  • Laura Repo & The Blue Healers 5:30-6:00
  • Karen Light and friends during the community dinner
posted May 18, 2005

About the Little Folk Festival From Laura Repo:

Named The Little Folk Festival for its size - one stage only - and in honour of the little people who inhabit the park, this FREE festival is for folk of all sizes! The festival features musical performers who are also parents, most of whom consider the park a second home.

The Festival offers musical styles ranging from the dark melodies and poetic lyrics of Mia Sheard; the passion and offbeat sense of humour of singer-songwriter Arlene Bishop; Blair Packham's refreshingly "unpopular pop"; the exquisite harmony of Zari, a trio who specialize in music from the Georgian Republic; Ravi Naimpally's tabla-led Tasa; the conjunto music of Max Metrault's Rancho Misterio - dance band music from Texas and Northern Mexico; Leah Salomaa's traditional music for kids; laid back edgy pop from Georgie Donais and a band of family members (Georgie is building a Cobb Structure in the playground - check the parks website for details). And finally, the whimsical country-folk of Laura Repo and The Blue Healers.

The festival winds up with one of the park's well-known community dinners, cooked in the wood-burning community oven ($5.00 for the main plate - bring your own plate/cutlery or pay an extra$1.00) The music continues unplugged with old timey/ irish music played by Karen Light and friends - Karen is a mother and grandmother in the neighbourhood and Laura Repo's aunt.

In the event of EXTREME weather, the Festival will relocate to The Gladstone the same day and time. Kids are welcome and the sound will be kind to small ears. The Dufferin bus can shuttle people back to the park afterwards for a community dinner inside the rink house.

The Little Folk Festival is made possible through the support of the Friends of Dufferin Grove and the park staff; the many volunteers, including all the musicians; the generous support of local businesses: Long and McQuade, Front Door Organics, Goo Factory Design and Kwik Kopy Printing. The event is FREE but donations are very welcome - expect a hat to be passed your way!

posted June 5, 2005
NO ONE IS ILLEGAL COMMUNITY FAIR AND REFUGEE CAMP: Saturday June 18th Noon - 8pm.

From organizer Mac Scott:

"Come out and enjoy great music and food, and learn more about the struggle for justice for immigrants and refugees in Toronto."

See their website at toronto.nooneisillegal.org

posted June 5, 2005
CITY COUNCILLOR ADAM GIAMBRONE’S Parkfest: Saturday June 18.

The councillor’s staff were not sure of the time or other details at the time of the newsletter printing. For more information call their office at 416 392-7012.

posted May 21, 2005

Clay and Paper Theatre: Day of Delight, 2005

Sunday June 19: Day of Delight: A Festival of Love & Courtship in Toronto. The troupe uses its huge puppets.

Website: www.clayandpapertheatre.org

Wed-Sun June 22-26
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Read more >>

posted June 5, 2005

The Cooking Fire Theatre Festival 2005

Wednesday to Sunday, June 22-26, 2005. Read more >>

Celebrating theatre, food and public space in the park. From the organizers: "Five innovative theatre companies from Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. Every evening, a guide will lead the audience throughout the park for performances that incorporate clowning, puppetry, physical theatre, storytelling, and song. Pay-what-you-can for performances. Delicious food served at the cooking fire and the park ovens. Normal community supper prices (read about friday night suppers)."

The Theatre Festival has lots of information on its own subsite here, including:

DAILY SCHEDULE, Wednesday to Sunday

=> 5:30 PM: Dinner outside by the oven every day of the festival (like normal community suppers -- read about friday night supper).

1. 6:30 - Number Eleven Theatre (Toronto) - "The Stolen Child"
Created and performed by Number Eleven in collaboration with 15 children from Toronto's West End. This site-specific premiere is based on the recurring mythological theme of child abduction by fairies.

2. 7:00 - Stranger Theatre (Toronto) - "The World Turned Upside Down"
In 1649, the revolutionary English Diggers took over common land held by wealthy landowners in order to build cottages and grow food. Using their original songs and manifestos, this entertaining premiere by Stranger Theatre will tell the tale of their heroic rise and eventual downfall.

3. 7:30 - A Company of Fools (Ottawa) - "Shakespeare's Interactive Circus"
Rap, improvisation, fine physical acting and other theatre traditions blend together for an exhilarating, irreverent romp through a number of Shakespeare's plays. Company of Fools recreate the atmosphere of the Globe Theatre and interact with the audience in a high-energy, fast-paced performance.

=> 8:00 PM: Break. Organic desserts from the wood fired bake ovens.

4. 8:30 - Le Petit Théâtre de l'Absolu (Montreal) - "Birds of the Coming Storm"
Drawing inspiration from the Chicago Haymarket Riot of 1886, the members of Le Petit Théâtre de l'Absolu will sketch out tragic histories of rebellion against the status quo. From intimate toy theatre to outdoor spectacle, they rely on the old techniques of puppetry to engage with the contemporary moment, to lambaste the powerful, and to remember the forgotten.

5. 9:00 - red red rose (Toronto) - "Joan"
Joan is an eclectic and curious retelling of the story of Joan of Arc, using puppets, song and "a hell of a lot of gusto" (eye weekly). While the audience will witness high drama, wild creatures and a burning at the stake, Joan is essentially about storytelling: the relationship between the story and the teller, and the impact stories have on our lives."

ADDED EXTRAS

A Company of Fools, who have been performing Shakespeare on the streets of Ottawa for the last fifteen years, will be presenting the premiere of their new show, an all ages adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew, on Thursday, June 23 at 1:00 and on Sunday, June 26 at 2:30. Both shows are pay what you can. The show will open in Ottawa the week after The Cooking Fire Festival.

On Friday, June 24, there will be a performance by Cuban Salsa band Poquito Grande, beginning at 5:30 and going through dinner.

Read more >>

posted July 22, 2005
From the revised July Newsletter:

DUSK DANCES RETURN July 19 to 24

DUSK DANCES RETURN July 19 to 24: This is the tenth year that there’s a week of dance performances, all over the park. Commissions this year are from Jenn Goodwin and Company Blonde, Heather Hammond, Malgorzata Nowacka, Lata Pada and Elena Quah. The opening band is called STOPP. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday there are post-show artist talk-backs, led by Nova Bhattacharya. This year there are also "Reel Dance" outdoor film screenings, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after the show. The projection screen is set up at the playground rain shelter pagoda.

Dusk Dances 2005 is hosted by Diana Tso. The band starts at 7:00pm, the dance starts at 7:30pm. Admission is PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN. The Dusk Dances Info-line is 416 516 4025, or go to www.corpus.ca - click on Dusk Dances.

The park food cart will be there at the Thursday to Sunday performances, and of course Friday Night Supper will be more plentiful than usual.

These dances always show the park in a different way – the trees become a backdrop or a prop, the sky provides the lighting, the park landscape becomes part of the dance. The opening band, STOPP, sets up beside the basketball court. This year some of the basketball players played along with the band during rehearsals, just drumming on the picnic tables.

As in the case of Clay and Paper Theatre for many years, and other theatre groups, musicians, and dancers more recently, the rehearsals are almost more fun for park friends than the scheduled performances. During rehearsals, people swing on tree branches, they cross the soccer field on giant stilts, they sing a capella on the hockey rink, they do their capoeira martial arts dances late at night, down in the Garrison Creek hollow, to the beat of a single drum. The park gets so many surprises from all these performers: a great gift to the neighborhood.

After the Dusk Dances are over, there will be little pause. Then at the beginning of August, the shinny hockey players will have their annual concert in the Garrison Creek hollow (near the marsh fountain). Near the end of the month, Clay and Paper will return for one more run of this year’s play The Space Between. There will be more details in the August newsletter, and on the web site: www.dufferinpark.ca , click on arts.

Dusk Dances 2005 is hosted by Diana Tso. The band starts at 7:00pm, the dance starts at 7:30pm. Admission is PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN. Dusk Dances Info-line: 416 516 4025, or go to www.corpus.ca and click on "Dusk Dances".

See pictures from the 2004 performance at Dufferin Park: Dusk Dances Gallery 2004

posted August 4, 2005

Dufferin Groove Concert, Aug 6, 2005

the Dufferin Groove concert is down in the Garrison Creek hollow on Saturday afternoon and evening, August 6, 2005 (the hollow acts as a bandshell for those electric guitars). Dufferin Groove is the yearly concert put on by our regular Monday night shinny hockey players from the winter -- many of them are also musicians. This is the fourth year for the concert.

posted June 21, 2005

All day kids' Art Camp, Aug 2 - 5

Need a creative outlet for your kids this summer?

Multi-media artist Erin Robertson (sister of Dewson St. resident Kate Robertson) will be holding an all day art camp at Dufferin Grove Park from Aug 2 to Aug. 5. Focus is on papier mache sculptures. Ideal age kids 9 to 12. Camp will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with after care if needed. Cost $110 for four days.

If interested call Gabrielle Langlois at 416-534-5317 (until July 6 -- she'll be away after that) or email feligab@yahoo.ca (even after July 6 -- she'll check her emails while away)

posted May 21, 2005

Clay and Paper Theatre: The Space Between

August 18-21, three times a day at 4, 5, and 7:30pm

July and August, 2005. The Space Between is a multi-dimensional masque (a la Ben Jonson), a giant puppet/choral speech/dance piece which tells the tale of Erysichthon from Ovid's Metamorphosis. Driven by pride and greed, Erysichthon cuts down the sacred oak of the earth goddess Ceres. In a fitting payback, the goddess calls upon Hunger herself to possess Erysichthon until he finally devours himself. The Space Between places Ovid’s ancient tale most firmly in the here and now, surrounded by Toronto's five impressive new art buildings on stilts. The Space Between celebrates the art between as well as the art that inhabits these buildings. A double chorus of masquers invite us, the audience, to contemplate the role of art, the myths that shape us and the values we live by.

Three times a day: Presented afternoons at 4 and 5 p.m., and evenings at 7.30, in the center of the park, with some new, spectacular puppets. PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN.

  • Saturday and Sunday, July 2 & 3
  • Thursday and Friday, July 7 & 8
  • Wednesday to Sunday, July 13-17
  • Thursday to Sunday, August 18-21

Website: www.clayandpapertheatre.org - Touring Schedule

posted August 12, 2005 from the August Newsletter

Clay and Paper Theatre: The Space Between

August 18-21, three times a day at 4, 5, and 7:30pm

Thursday August 18 to Sunday August 21.  Clay and Paper Theatre: This summer’s performance The Space Between  returns to Dufferin Grove Park

From artistic director David Anderson:  “The Space Between is a multi-dimensional masque (a la Ben Jonson), a giant puppet/choral speech/dance piece which tells the tale of Erysichthon from Ovid's Metamorphosis. Driven by pride and greed, Erysichthon cuts down the sacred oak of the earth goddess Ceres. In a fitting payback, the goddess calls upon Hunger herself to possess Erysichthon until he finally devours himself. The Space Between places Ovid’s ancient tale most firmly in the here and now, surrounded by Toronto's five impressive new art buildings on stilts. The Space Between celebrates the art between as well as the art that inhabits these buildings. A double chorus of masquers invite us, the audience, to contemplate the role of art, the myths that shape us and the values we live by.”

The company has been workshopping the play in various Toronto parks and David Anderson says it’s very different now than at the beginning of July. It will be presented afternoons at 4 and 5 p.m., and evenings at 7.30, in the center of the park, with some new, spectacular puppets. PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN.

Website: www.clayandpapertheatre.org - Touring Schedule

posted August 12, 2005 from the August Newsletter
The Morris Dancers' annual Labour Day weekend ALE
Sunday September 4, 3 pm. to 5 p.m

This must be the 6th or 7th year that the Morris dancers are coming to dance for one another (show off their latest dances) and drink beer and eat pizza and bread at the oven. The beer is not for sharing (their permit is just for their own group) but these Morris Dancers are always happy to share their food (including the bread we make for them) and their music and dances. On the basketball court – a wonderful spectacle.

click for full-size

posted October 25, 2005

The latest dispatch from Night of Dread -- Call for Bodies

Dear Citizens of Toronto and friends of Clay and Paper Theatre

Clay and Paper Theatre is presenting the sixth annual Night of Dread.

The Night of Dread is an INVITATION to the community, both near and far, to parade our private and collective fears through the streets of Toronto and to laugh at them, mock them, to name them, and to burn their names in a big bonfire, to waltz with Death, to eat the bread of the dead and to remember those who have gone from our midst.

It is a HUGE puppet parade, a spectacle of dance, a fire of burning fears, and a tasting of lamb and bread.

It's happening Saturday, October 29th. We start ASSEMBLING the parade at 3 p.m., so come early and get DRESSED in a lovingly made Clay and Paper puppet or costume.

The parade leaves at 5:45pm.

We need people to work the puppets. YOU DO NOT NEED PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE. If you can jump around and you think giant puppets parades blocking traffic on Bloor street are cool, you should get in touch.

This is a list of roles and their human requirements:

Giant Puppets - 7
Stilted puppets - 7
Rod Puppets - 4 ish
2 Angels of Death - 8 or more for each
Death Dancers (costumed) - 10 - 20
Angry Baboons - 10 or more
Fire Cyclists - 2
Marimba players - 2

Set up crew (12pm - 3 on Sat) - As many as possible.
Take down crew (9pm - 11 on Sat) - As many as possible
Sunday 30th Clean up crew ( 10am onward) - As many as possible

We have filled many of these roles but we need more. Especially death dancers. All you need to do it put on a costume and dance to the sounds of Samba bands, the Arythmics, or the Horny Horns.

posted October 21, 2005

THE NIGHT OF DREAD: Saturday October 29, 2005

Assemble at 5 p.m. (as early as 2pm) by the basketball court. From David Anderson, director of Clay and Paper Theatre:

"Night of Dread is an INVITATION to the community, both near and far, to parade our private and collective fears through the streets of Toronto and to laugh at them, mock them, to name them, and to burn their names in a big bonfire, to waltz with Death, to eat the bread of the dead and to remember those who have gone from our midst."

Night of Dread Workshops:

Every Tuesday from 7pm to 10pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm, at the rink house, or by the field house in nice weather.

"Our workshops are also an INVITATION - to you - to help us build those images, giant puppet masks, costumes, shrines both personal and public and much more. Bring all your talents to join us at the Dufferin Grove Park Rink House as we prepare for the sixth annual Night of Dread over the next two weeks. We need: organizers, musicians, leafleters, dancers, masqueraders, builders, sculptors, sewers (that means people who sew!), painters, people willing to learn stilt walking, puppeteers, sponsors, donors, and much more.

Help us make this the strangest, dreadfulest, most thought-provoking Night of Dread yet! No experience necessary; only a willingness to try and join with your neighbours. All materials are provided.

For more information about how you can become involved, call David Anderson at 416-537-9105 or Brian Crosby at 416-414-4931."

posted November 28, 2005

Handmade Gift Sale at the Park, Sunday December 4th 12:00-4:00pm