The Scope

Blood drive a key part of this year’s Pride Week

It’s Pride time! A long way from the local annual gay rights marches of yesteryear, this year’s Pride celebrations comprise ten whole days of fun and education, ranging from boat tours to seminars to the annual Pride parade down Water Street.

“It’s all just fabulous,” says St. John’s Pride Chairperson and Organizer Suzanne Gulliver.

The key events this year for Gulliver? The blood drive, without hesitation.

“We have this blood drive because we disagree with the policy that MSMs, men who have sex with men, cannot donate blood,” explains Gulliver. “We feel it’s discriminatory. It’s just based on sexual orientation, as opposed to sexual practices such as unsafe sex and lack of monogamy. They don’t ask those questions to heterosexuals, and they really should. They’re looking to help get this policy changed by asking MSMs who are excluded from giving blood to find someone to donate on their behalf. “This way we can show Blood Services that they would have actually had twice as much blood, had they not had this ban,” she says.

Anyone who supports this position is welcome to come by and donate blood. A guest book will be available so donors can write down their own names and the names of the people they donated for. The guest book will then be sent to Canadian Blood Services to show them how much blood they’re missing out on. The blood drive happens on Thursday, July 22nd, from 12-4pm at the blood donation clinic on Wicklow Street. They’re also looking for volunteers to help out with refreshments and donor cards and the like.

New to Pride this year is the LGBTQ Person of the Year Award. “We’re giving the award to Susan Rose, who has been an amazing champion of LGBTQ rights throughout her life,” says Gulliver. “Presently, she’s working with EGALE (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere) on eliminating homophobia in the schools by bringing LGBTQ material into the curriculum, so that kids are taught about different families and family structures, and protecting youth who are being bullied because they are LGBTQ or they have been percieved as such.”

Gulliver is also really looking forward to this year’s Pride parade. And, really, who isn’t? “We want to emphasize that it is family friendly, and we would love everyone to come march with us, not just LGBTQ people, but their friends and their families, just anyone who supports equality,” says Gulliver. “And that invitation to extends to all of our events.”

This weekend’s events

Saturday, July 17th:

All Ages Photo Scavenger Hunt, 11:00am, meeting at the Colonial Building.
Big Gay Boat Tour!, 6:30pm – 9:00pm, meeting at Pier 7 at 6:00pm. Excellent party to follow.

Sunday, July 18th:

Planned Parenthood Walk/Run For Respect, 9:00am, meeting at the Mews Centre. There’s still time to put together a team, like the Pride crew did, and enter!

Pride Picnic at Bannerman Park, 1:00PM, you supply the blankets and baskets, they supply the face painting and free swims.

Check out their website at www.stjohnspride.ca for the full rundown.

Saturday is nuts. We’ve got your day planned.

Have you made your Saturday plans yet? No? Is that maybe because this is the craziest, most jam-packed Saturday EVER and you just can’t decide? Yeah, thought so. Here, let us help…

By Sarah Smellie and Elling Lien

9:00am: Wake up. This is important.

9:30am: Head over to the Georgestown Bakery, try and snag yourself one of the last croissants. You might want to stock up on just about everything, because this is their last day of operation before their annual summer holidays. They’ll be back in baking action after Regatta Day.

10:00am – noon: Hit up the annual Georgestown Flea Market. There are people selling homemade rocking chairs, plants, macramé owls (okay, avoid those), baby toys, big area rugs, baseball gloves, whatever. It’s impossible to leave without arms full of loot. Living Planet on Barnes Raod are having a crazy cheap t-shirt sale at that time too.

Noon – 2pm: Duck on over to the Lion’s Club Chalet to catch the tail end of this week’s St. John’s Farmer’s Market. There’s not too many farmers selling yet, save for the Seed To Spoon folks on the front lawn. Local author Kathleen Winter will be signing copies of her book new Annabel, and there are crafts all over the place, but the main attraction (for us anyway) is the whole whack of people selling decadent baked goods of all sorts — vegan, gluten-free, vegan and gluten-free, whatever. Last week there was even a genuine pastry chef. Come tear-down at 2pm, people are basically sliding out the door arse-first on a slick of butter. Perfect after a breakfast of croissants.

2pm – 5pm: You’ll probably be in a fat- and/or sugar- and/or consumerism-induced coma. Enjoy it.

5pm: Have a strong coffee. You will need it.

5:30pm: AWWW YEAHH!! The coffee is hitting you now! Get on your going-out clothes.

6pm – 8pm: Psst! Do you live in Georgestown? Do you have a good friend who does? Tag along back to G-Town for their annual barbecue. FYI: It’s a bring-your-own-food-plus-something-to-share kind of event.

Musically you’ve got lots to choose from after this…

8:30pm: Mopaya bring the Angolan, Congalese and Newfoundland funk your way, thanks to the Wreckhouse Jazz and Blues Fest. Oh yeah, there’s also a jazz and blues festival going on, did we mention that? Buy a wristband for 30 bucks and float from event to event, because it’s all going to be awesome.

10pm: Rinsethealgorithm were founded “with the purpose of taking a modern approach to the idea that Jazz was the original dance music,” so dancing will be required at their show at Martini Bar.

10:30pm: Awesome Montreal-based group H’sao will be also hitting the stage at the Majestic performing afro-pop with vocal percussion and harmonies. Meanwhile, Morgan Davis will be at the crossroads (Fat Cat) making deals with the devil (playing mean ol’ dirty blues)…

1am: Take a break with a pizza slice from somewhere. You’ve still got work to do.

1:30am: Back at ‘er! You have plenty of options, from plenty of different genres, right here in our listings.

2:00am: WE HAVE NO IDEA. We can’t decide for you at this point. You’re hopeless/on your own.

Closing time: Make sure you end the night by hugging at least seven complete strangers, without getting beat up.

Tomorrow may be rough, but what is life without a little pain? Saturdays like this will make up for it.

Looking through Windows on the West End

Saturday, June 19
Community
So, you know Riverhead, the oldest neighbourhood in St. John’s, right? Never heard of it? Yeah, us either. But it exists, and it’s full of stuff! Like the Railway Coastal Museum, the George Street United Church, the Newman Wine Vaults, the Christina Parker Gallery, and some pretty wicked second-hand furniture stores. Yeeeaaah, right, that area actually has a name other than the West End. Anyways, as part of the City Of St. John’s Birthday celebrations, you can learn all about it via a free informative scavenger hunt and tour, called Windows on the West, on June 19th. Just pop by any of those locales, except the furniture stores, and they’ll set you up.

More info at http://windowsonthewest.wordpress.com/

Shanneyganock, live on disc

Think your jig is film worthy? Shanneyganock are recording a live album and accompanying DVD at The Rockhouse over two shows on May 28th and May 29th. The band will be givin ‘er, so these shows should be barn-burners. Your big chance to be background noise is finally here! Tickets are $22.60 and available at www.admission.com or The Mile One Centre Box Office.

For more information, hit up the Facebook page for the event here.

Artistic Fraud’s AfterImage

Photo by John Launer

What do you get when you a cross an accidental electrocution with an accidentally forged family? Well, first you get a short story by Governor General’s Literary Award shortlister Michael Crummey. Then you get a theatrical adaptation of said short story written by Governor General’s Drama Award shortlister Robert Chafe. Throw in Siminovitch Prize in Theatre-winning director Jillian Keilly, a few brilliant Berni Stapleton- and Petrina Bromley-grade actors, and you’ve got yourself a little play known as Afterimage, or a “relentlessly inventive” “marvel to hear and watch,” if you’re a reviewer for the Globe and Mail or NOW magazine.

May 26th to June 5th at the LSPU Hall, 8pm. Pay-what-you-can matinees on May 30th and June 6th at 2pm. Presented by the Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland.

Hot tickets for Feb 11 – 25, 2010

Some of our picks of the fortnight…

Benefit shows for Haiti happening in St. John’s

Photo by Marcello Casal, Agência Brasil.

Want to donate to earthquake relief in Haiti and not sure how to go about it? Here are a few benefit shows on the go over the next few weeks, arranged by organization.

Organizing a benefit show that isn’t listed below? Drop us a line at listings@thescope.ca and we’ll do our best to add it quickly.

Donations going to the Red Cross

The Canadian Red Cross is mobilizing to support relief efforts in Haiti—providing medical support, clean water, food and shelter to people who have lost everything.

The provincial government donated $1 million on behalf of all the people of the province to the Red Cross.

If you can’t make it to a benefit and would still like to support Red Cross relief efforts by making a financial donation to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Earthquake fund. Donations can be made online at www.redcross.ca/helpnow, by calling toll free 1-800-418-1111, by sending the text message “REDCROSS” to 30333 to make a one-time donation of $5*, or at any Red Cross office. Cheques should be earmarked Haiti Earthquake.

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Hearts for Haiti: Multiday event taking place at the Masonic Temple featuring a host of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Visual, Literary and Performing Artists of all genres and influences. Spirit of Newfoundland presents Stucco in the 80s on Thursday Jan 28. An assortment of musicians and bands on Friday, Jan 29 starting at 4pm. Wonderbolt Circus, Terry Reilly, arts & crafts and live music on Saturday, Jan 30 from 1pm-4pm. Comedy, musicians, DJs, cabaret, creative dance & dance band Saturday night startign at 6pm. MUN Music presents work by Schumann, plus gospel music, and an exhibit by visual artist Allain Portel Sunday afternoon. Grand finale of musicians and bands on Sunday night, line up tba. All events are five bucks for kids and ten bucks for adults, except for the grand finale on Sunday night which is $25. Tickets are available by calling 579-3023. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross in aid of the Haiti Disaster Fund.

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Help Haiti!: Featuring bands Overlay, The Sellouts, Dodgeband, The Living Daylights, Dave Walsh & The Worst Kind and The Crooks at Junctions. Cover is 10 bucks, and all money will go to the Red Cross. Saturday Jan 30, doors open at 9pm

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In Heels for Haiti: That Time of the Month Show featuring performances by Doris Anita Douche, Bianca Boheme and Felicia Cox plus prizes and dancing. There is no cover for this event, but there will be a donation box at the coat check. Friday Jan 29. Doors open at 11pm and happy hour is on till 12am.

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Donations going to the Humanitarian Coalition

The Humanitarian Coalition is a network of Canadian NGOs dedicated to a united response in cases of humanitarian crises. Includes CARE, Save the Children, Oxfam Quebec & Oxfam Canada.

If you cannot make it to a benefit and would still like to support Humanitarian Coalition you can donate by phone at 1-800-464-9154, online at www.humanitariancoalition.ca or by sending a cheque to Humanitarian Coalition, PO Box 65035, Ottawa, ON, K2G 5Y3.

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Harmony for Haiti: The Philharmonic Choir, Bill Brennan, Les Ms, Graham Wells, Billy Sutton, Duncan Cameron & Dave Clarke, STEP Fiddlers, QVE’s Afterglow and hosted by Ramona Dearing, CBC Radio Noon. Suggested donation is 15 dollars, with all money going to the Humanitarian Coalition. The concert will be at Gower Street United Church on Sunday Jan 31 at 3pm.

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Haiti Relief: Oxfam Canada, St Thomas’ Church and The Sheraton have teamed up with The Instigators for a night of live music and dancing under the palms in the Sheraton atrium on Saturday Jan 30 starting at 8pm. Admission is free but dontions to accepted with all proceeds will go to Humanitarian Coalition.

Donations going to the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund

The Anglican Church of Canada, as part of Action by Churches Together International is providing food, temporary shelter, water purifying materials and expertise to the Haitian capital via the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund.

If you can’t make it to the show and would still like to donate call 1-866-308-7973 for credit card donations or go online to www.pwrdf.org. By mail, make cheques payable to “PWRDF,” mark them for “Haiti earthquake” and send them to 80 Hayden Street Toronto, Ontario M4Y 3G2.

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Benefit Concert: Avalonia, 4 for Song and Jacob’s Passage perform pop, folk and gospel songs at St Augustine’s Church at 1 Westerland Road on Sunday Jan 31 at 2:30pm. A free will offering will be taken with 100 per cent of proceeds will go to the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund Haiti Relief.

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Organizing a benefit show that isn’t listed above? Drop us a line at listings@thescope.ca and we’ll do our best to add it quickly.

Hot tickets for Dec 3 – 17, 2009

Hot tickets Nov 19 – Dec 3, 2009

Hot tickets for Oct 22 – Nov 5, 2009

Oct 16: Rah Rah at The Rock House

Sometimes the unexpected can happen when you’re on tour.

Like, for instance, your appendix needing immediate surgical attention.

That’s what happened to guitarist and vocalist Johnny Turbo of Halifax’s Tom Fun Orchestra recently. According to Facebook, he is recovering well.

But it left his band and the Carmen Townsend Trio grounded in Nova Scotia. And there was no way they could play their scheduled gig here in St. John’s tonight.

“We tried damn hard to get another vehicle,” writes Carmen Townsend on the Facebook event page, “but at the final hour we realized it just wasn’t possible, money-wise. We could not afford the trip on our own.”

“Totally bummed,” she writes.

…But! But! But!

Regina, Saskatchewan’s Rah Rah are still coming. The Canadian epic indie-pop darlings are determined to make it — probably because they had a blast and a tremendous positive response when they were here earlier this year.

How do I know this?

Exhibit A:
Rah Rah really impressed the audience with their high-energy show at The Ship earlier this year, and people really haven’t stopped talking about them. (Most definitely part of it had to do with their ability to knit woolen toques with their fingers.)

Here they are performing one of their best-known tracks from their full length album, Going Steady:

Exhibit B: They had fun off stage when they were here. Here is a clip of them moaning and hooting like ghosts in the old bunker at Cape Spear. It’s really spooky:

Rah Rah will be performing tonight at The Rock House. Quiet Elephant and the Pathological Lovers have since been added to the bill for the show, and tickets are available at the door. Saturday, October 17 they will be performing alongside Texas Chainsaw at The Ship.

Oct 15: Curtis Andrews returns with more world jazz niceness

Curtis Andrews, everyone’s favourite upbeat, boubou-wearing Newfoundland percussionist with a school named after him in Ghana is back for a gig at this year’s World Sound festival.

He relocated to Vancouver this summer, but he’s returning tonight to whip up some “world jazz niceness” at The Ship, similar to his work from his album released earlier this year.

The two nights after that (Friday and Saturday) he’ll be reuniting with the Idlers as their drummer for shows at the Dock on George.

Then shortly after that he’ll be jetting over to Japan (seriously!) to drum with another local reggae band, The Discounts.

Anyway, all that to say the guy’s in demand, and that you should definitely check out his original music tonight.

World Sound is presented every two years by the Sound Symposium. In addition to Andrews, this year the three-day festival is bringing in a dance band from Louisiana and an Indian music virtuoso. You can learn more about the three-day festival at the Sound Symposium website.

Hot tickets for Sept 24 – Oct 8, 2009

Hot tickets for Sept 10-24, 2009

Hot tickets for July 30 – Aug 13, 2009

Some of our picks of the fortnight.

St. John’s Pride Events

A family friendly parade affirming LGBT pride begins at the Colonial Building on Military Road on July 26 at 1:30 and winds through downtown streets at 2pm. To follow, both amateur and professional cross-dressers will run a race around Scotia Centre on Water Street entitled, appropriately enough, the Drag Race. Afterwards, “BBQueer” at Eastern Edge Gallery at 72 Harbour Drive bridges the day to night.

Links:
- Parade info
- Drag Race info
- BBQueer info

Victoria Park Lantern Festival

Photo by Jon Hayes

Colourful lanterns made by community members light up Victoria Park accompanied by percussionists, musicians and fiery demonstrations. Last minute lantern building, food and live performances of many kinds.

(Saturday, July 25, Victoria Park, Water Street West, free.)

Susie Burpee: The Rolling Parlour Cabaret

Photo by Debbie Hickey.

Festival of New Dance presents a cabaret-lounge style collaboration featuring dancer and choreographer Susie Burpee of Toronto and songwriter / composer Christine Fellows of Winnipeg.

(A1C Gallery, 8 Clift’s-Baird’s Cove, 579-4424, Friday, July 24 & Saturday, July 25 at 9:30pm. $10, www.neighbourhooddanceworks.com.)

Aimée Dawn Robinson: From Here to There

Festival of New Dance presents this Torontonian’s experimental dance video and a travelogue involving a camper van trek from Toronto to St John’s.

(Eastern Edge Parking Lot from Thursday, July 23 to Saturday, July 25 at 10:30pm, free. www.neighbourhooddanceworks.com)

Folk Night with Kirk Penney and Darren Browne

Da super-talented b’yes from The Subtitles put on their cowboy hats (pictured below) and get all rootsy on you as part of the three week countdown to the big kahuna: The NL Folk Fest on August 7-9.

(July 22, The Ship, 9pm, $5. www.nlfolk.com)

Big Queer Bonfire

The get-to-know-you St John’s Pride 2009 warm-up, open to all LGBT folk and allies. “Feel free to bring whatever you feel necessary to have a good time,” they say, “including but not limited to good friends, guitars, flutes, and food.” Hotdogs and marshmallows will be provided. Buses leave Bitters at 7:30pm and return on a load and go basis after 11. Bus fare is a non-perishable food item.

(Middle Cove Beach, 8pm.)

Tunes n’ Tales at the Crow’s Nest

Carrying on with family tradition, Kelly Russell performs the classic tales of Pigeon Inlet—a legacy created by his father Ted Russell in the 60s and 70s. Features music penned by the legendary Newfoundland fiddlers Rufus Guinchard and Emile Benoit.

(Mondays at 8:30pm, Crow’s Nest, $10/$5, 687-3791.)