Culture – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

A NEW SPIN ON A TIMELESS COMEDY

Father Tartuffe: An Indigenous Misadventure is playing at the Arts Club Theatre in Vancouver until March 24th, 2024.

Every now and again I may invite a guest reviewer on this site. Today it is Paul LeMay who I’ve asked to give his take on “Father Tartuffe” from the opening night at the Arts Club Theatre.

The arts (theatre, poetry, music, painting, sculpture, literature, dance) done with skill and imagination, are an essential part of life.

Paul’s Review:

“Father Tartuffe: An Indigenous Misadventure“ is built around a play called Tartuffe, or the Impostor, originally written by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, who is better known as Molière. Molière, who lived during the reign of France’s King Louis XIV, is often described as France’s Shakespeare. However, unlike the Bard, Molière preferred comedic plays.

And comedy is the operant word here, which is important when one considers the times in which the play is being performed. I refer here to several world headline grabbing allegations made in recent years by certain First Nations spokespeople about the abuses and yes, possible crimes indigenous students allegedly suffered at the hands of unscrupulous clergy in Canada’s various denominational native residential schools. So, given the huge social controversy these stories sparked, what could possibly be considered comedic diving into that terrain?

And perhaps that’s the inescapable point worth mentioning here. Many of European settler ancestry might be inclined to believe this play might be all about pointing many accusatory fingers at the perpetrators of cultural genocide against first nations peoples, and the legacy of harm it unleashed in its wake. And who would want to squirm in their seats for two hours in some in unrelenting guilt fest? I have to admit, these were some of the thoughts that crossed my mind before attending the performance.

Well, I am here to tell you that’s not what indigenous playwright Herbie Barnes did. Rather, the play took a much more light-hearted aim at the immoral character of an exploitive Montreal priest by the name of Tartuffe, which was entirely in keeping with the original Molière play title. Tartuffe had been invited to live in the home of an extended first nations family, that was itself already in the process of trying to find out what it meant to be an “Indian” in 1967 Canada. Sure, in some respects one could argue that the Tartuffe character was a symbolic stand-in for the duplicitous white man who speaks with forked-tongue. But for many, that allusion might completely escape their immediate recognition.

Yet both the play, and its performers, did not disappoint. In fact, on both counts, both exceeded my original expectations; and it accomplished what it set out to accomplish, namely, to make people laugh. And laugh we did, even at jokes filled with all manner of culturally riské inuendo, that tastefully never quite crossed the line into taboo land. From my eyes, the play was part situation comedy, part farce, part inside jokes among native people, and together, the mix proved cathartic, if not, therapeutic.

And as the ancient Greeks knew long ago, this can help audience members (society’s members) both explore and release pent up guilts and/or mental tensions around almost any topic, in the hope they realize that we are all flawed individuals trying to make our way through life the best way we can…even screwing up on occasion despite our best of intentions. And this alchemy succeeds because such is the universal human condition. In this respect, this play and its performers, proved both healing and entertaining. What more can one ask of a play? In this regard, it was an evening well spent.

February 28 to March 24:

To book:

https://artsclub.com/shows/2023-2024/father-tartuffe-an-indigenous-misadventure

Art & Culture

Modernism Madness: The Shag House

My first home tour for Modernism week 2024 was a home I wanted to visit for a long time;

which turned out to be a fully immersive experience which felt like climbing into a 3-D painting. One painted by the artist known as Shag (Josh Agle), who reimagined this mid-century modern, tiki-inspired privately owned home to fit with his original designs.

If you’ve ever visited Palm Springs, you more than likely stopped by the Shag store on Palm Canyon. It’s a must-see on the visitors list as it contains an array of well curated limited-edition merchandise, original paintings, and fine art prints that span over 30 years of Shag’s career. I feel like it was all condensed into one home.

For this home, Shag drew upon his architectural studies and the aesthetic of his artwork to reinvent this classic 1958 home.

Modernist fans will recognize the core of the house, where Shag has preserved much of the original layout including the familiar 3-bedroom, 2-bath floor plan, as well as the tongue and groove ceilings.

While the centre of the home’s layout remains the same, everything else has been updated, expanded, and transformed, for the current homeowner, Brandon McBurney; who enjoys hosting philanthropic events.

In collaboration with Brandon and John-Patrick Flynn of Brandtopia, the Shag team has created an entirely new exterior offering grand curb appeal.

The front entry has been expanded and the original breezeway has been converted into a swank party lounge. Beyond the lounge, the addition of a casita offers a quiet retreat with a unique vantage point of the pool’s and surrounding areas.

It’s amazing what people can create with a vision, a team, some cash and cachet. Bravo for a job well done!

Photos: d. king

Modernism is on from February 15-25, 2024

For Modernism Tickets:

https://modernismweek.com/

Art & Culture

Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”

AKA: DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE

Had the pleasure of attending the season opener of “THE MAGIC FLUTE”at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Saturday night with my friend Rosa.

Opera is a rare art form that inspires and exhilarates all of the senses, and more often than not; procures life-long aficionados, also referred to as fanatics. Rosa is one of those, whereas I used to be more familiar with Broadway-type shows and musicals.

Kirsten MacKinnon and Owen McCausland – **Emily Cooper Photography**

Opera is trying to make sense of the nonsense. No good opera plot can be sensible because no one sings when they get stabbed or bitten by a dragon. It’s just an imaginative fairy tale set to music with romance (usually a damsel in distress and some bad or misunderstood guy), dancing, tragedy, comedy, special effects and a little supernatural. If they throw a king or queen and a crazy bird man into the mix; all the more magical.

There were bits and pieces of all of that in the Magic Flute. If you’re not already aware; this is considered a timeless classic; one of the greatest operas ever written. It concerns the search for truth and reason (I never did get the reason though), love and enlightenment. It follows the adventures of Prince Tamino and this silly bird-catcher called Papageno on their quest to rescue Pamina – daughter of the Queen of the Night.

Audrey Luna as The Queen of the Night with Kirsten MacKinnon – **Emily Cooper Photography**

Prince Tamino plays the Magic Flute and discovers it has the power to calm the most savage of beasts. Tamino and Pamina finally meet and pledge to endure the trials of initiation into the Temple of Wisdom together; trials that have their basis in the Freemasonry movement of the 18th century, of which Mozart was a member – a sneaky way of putting that in there without even realizing it. I knew there was some trial because they kept referring to it, but didn’t understand why, or where it was going to take place. Anyway, freemasonry is one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the world. More on that later…as I try not to go too off topic.

There’s lots going on in this 3 hour opera, including some monsters and 3 damsels that keep showing up out of nowhere. However, I must give special mention to the costumes and set design which were breathtaking. It is a fantasy after all I keep reminding myself.

And let’s remember that Mozart wrote it over 230 years ago.

“THE MAGIC FLUTE” was the last opera Mozart composed. It premiered on September 30^th, 1791 – roughly three months before he died at the age of 35. Mozart is perhaps the greatest composer in history. In his short creative lifetime he wrote more than 600 works, he redefined the symphony, composed some of the greatest operas ever written and lifted chamber music to new heights of artistic achievement. That’s some resume!

SECRET SOCIETY: Both Mozart and the opera’s librettist, Emanuel Schikaneder, were devoted Freemasons, a fraternity famous for secret rites and rituals, at a time when the Masonic order was frowned upon by the authorities and mistrusted by the public. Its meetings were mysterious to outsiders and the order was believed to be connected to the principles of the Enlightenment, so established political leaders were a little nervous about it. The emperor of Austria even restricted the number of Masonic lodges allowed to operate in the country.

So, while Mozart’s drama fell into the general category of “magic opera” — works based on folk tales, with plenty of stunts, scene changes and spectacular stage effects — it was also a political statement in disguise, filled with veiled Masonic symbolism, including an homage to a Masonic initiation ceremony in Act II balancing four elements (earth, air, water, fire) in perfect harmony of the universe.

“The happy medium – truth in all things – is no longer either known or valued; to gain applause, one must write things so inane that they might be played on barrel-organs, or so unintelligible that no rational being can comprehend them, though on that very account, they are likely to please” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

You don’t say…

Now until October 29^th. For tickets:

https://www.vancouveropera.ca/whats-on/magic-flute/

Header Photo: The Magic Flute full stage – Emily Cooper Photography

Art & Culture

Monday Mood – Modernism

Palm Springs is getting ready once again to celebrate all things Modernism.

Modernism Week’s signature February Event is an annual celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture. Modernism Week features more than 350 events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show, Signature Home Tours, films, lectures, Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours, nightly parties and live music, walking and bike tours, tours of Sunnylands, fashion, classic cars, modern garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, and more.

The mission is to celebrate and foster appreciation of midcentury architecture and design, as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging education, preservation and sustainable modern living as represented in the greater Palm Springs area.

Feb 16, 2023 to Feb 26, 2023

Here’s one I’m looking forward to and it’s free:

This will be the ultimate street party celebration. Dance in the street to These Boots Were Made For Walkin’ honoring Nancy Sinatra.

For general information and tickets (many sell out fast) please visit:

https://modernismweek.com/

New activities have just been added for Modernism Week!

Click to view the new activities.

photos + commentary taken from Modernism Website. I’ll be blogging about the events I go to separately. Enjoy!

Art, Architecture, Culture

Mod day Mood: Modernism Museum

The MOD not Modest place to be

There have been many a photo taken and several articles written about the Modernism Museum prior to my visit yesterday.

The museum, which is fairly new to Palm Springs, was created by visionary artist, designer and friend Tracy Turco, so it was already obvious to me that it would be anything but mundane.

Warming up by the Fireplace. Early 70’s where mellow yellow and brown accents co exist in this eclectic environment.

Clearly, it is a fun place to visit with exceptional attention to detail showcasing all things mid-century Modern from the late 50s to the early 70s era.

The museum is not only for tourists or locals but will serve the community as a gathering place to socialize in an inspired atmosphere located in the heart of Palm Springs. There’s a glittery disco roller rink at the back of the museum and a comfy colourful seating area which can be rented out for parties. How much fun is that?

1950’s kitchens featured fiberglass, stainless steel and aluminum and done in yellow, turquoise, pink, mint green, and other colors like red, black + white.

This beauty salon contains vintage memorabilia as well as a hairdryer that Marion Davies sat under weekly in Hollywood when she was the mistress to William Randolph Hearst.

I took plenty more photos with my Samsung phone camera but think it best that you visit and take some yourself. In a place like this it’s very easy to get carried away and therefore, give too much away.

**Wouldn’t you like to take a bubble bath in this tub?** Recreated from Playboy Bunny Jayne Mansfield’s pink bathtub. She liked pink champagne too. The rest of the bedroom is an ode to Palm Springs designer Arthur Elrod, sporting his headboard and side tables, as well as Magda Gabor’s sconces, chandeliers and oil painting. It also includes a table from the Trini Lopez estate, a few frocks that belonged to the Gabor sisters and some Schiaparelli keepsakes.

Let’s not forget the store where you can buy some fun stuff:

Photo of **Paris Hilton** by a pair of shoes Tracy designed for her (when she was Tracy Stern) although hers says “*Heiress*“

**Tracy** doesn’t go “by the book” even though she’s on the cover of Palm Springs Life Magazine (hard cover version available in shop).

I couldn’t leave without having one more photo taken of myself in front of **the famous *Racquet* *Club*.**

For hours, location and more info please visit:

https://www.psmodernismmuseum.com/

Art, Architecture, Culture

Night at the Opera

On Saturday I attended the opening night of “The Pearl Fishers” – George Bizet’s 1863 opera taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver.

I went with my friend Rosa, who is an opera buff and always fills me in on what is good and what is not. The Pearl Fishers; a good Opera, is here in Vancouver until October 30^th.

The opera is an aquired taste. Going to the opera is either a love or hate relationship for most people – unlike the storyline involved in most operas where love and hate coexist. I’m somewhat in the middle. If the sets are beautiful, if the costumes are exotic and the music is wonderful (and of course the singing is always excellent) then I’m happy. But like going to a foreign film where you have to read the subtitles to know what they’re talking about, in an opera our eyes tend to wander up and down between the stage and reading the lines high above the stage to find out what exactly they’re trying to convey. Things happen fast in opera land. It’s emotionally charged and super dramatic. Obviously over the top to make sure the point gets across, but with soulful song and dance. And simply gorgeous costumes.

If you want my simple synopsis of this opera, think Popeye the Sailor Man and his old muscular navy buddy Bluto whose friendship ends due to their rivalry over Olive Oyl. Maybe this is how bullying began – on the account of a woman.

Emily Cooper Photography

If you want the real synopsis here is the overview taken from the opera website:

The Pearl Fishers returns to Vancouver Opera for the first time in nearly 30 years. Directed by Vancouver favourite Rachel Peake, this dramatic opera tells the tale of two devoted friends and the woman that comes between them. The famous “friendship duet”, Au fond du temple saint, is one of the most beautiful and recognizable pieces in the opera repertoire. Be swept away by the lush orchestration and Bizet’s trademark melodies.

Do you see the similarity but different?

To purchase available tickets please visit:

https://www.vancouveropera.ca/

Art, Architecture, Culture

Collective Chemistry

What makes an Artist tick? Saying things with color and shapes that you cannot say any other way because there are no words. Only feelings.

Everything Comes Next…

**Bijal Patel** showcases a personal journey of loss and trauma through mixed media art where she begins to work blindfolded, responding to music in black ink channeled by inner emotions. It results in **a complex and hauntingly beautiful display of inner reflection,** that once blindfold is removed she then turns empty spaces into color and line work. An extraordinary play on shadow and light.

I popped into a pop-up art gallery on Dunbar called “Visual Space” so say hello to my friend Bi (Bee) who graduated from Emily Carr and take in her impressive work and that of four other artists: Kier Enemark, Ann Robson, N Byrtus and Mark Yeomanthat. They all make up a group called “Collective Chemistry.” I love that name.

If you’d like to inquire about these pieces and more (not shown here) please contact: collectivechemistry1@gmail.com)

https://www.visualspace.ca/

Photos: d. king

Art & Culture

ART Vancouver

Uniting Nations through the Power of Art

As the evening starts to open up.

“The Aim of Art is not to represent the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance” – Aristotle.

Art Vancouver, Western Canada’s most prestigious art fair is back this year at the Vancouver Convention Center West. Featuring reputable galleries and artists from across Canada and around the world. May 5 – 8^th 2022.

I attended the opening with my friend Megan last night. It was an overwhelming feast for the eyes as we wandered around and visited all the exhibitors. There is truly something for everyone’s taste – well almost. No booth is alike.

**Reinvent by David X** – Mixed Media of Elon Musk

What I realize from having visited various art shows and galleries is that we can appreciate a painting, sculpture, photograph and other mixed media works of art for the sheer ingenuity each of these artists put into their work as well as the power of a message, whether you like the piece for yourself or not.

Maybe you don’t find a work visually appealing or perhaps it doesn’t go with your décor, but we can still try to accept and welcome all the different styles, imagination and heart put into the work – and as this show went to prove, there’s plenty of inventiveness out there, and overall…that goes to create an incredible event.

Industrial Design Artist German Aguirre Reder

Lisa Wolfin – Director’s Foreword:

“Whether it be with a piece of clay, brush, or pencil, we all have the capacity to create love. To say something through a full scale of colour or none at all, it is art which gives a voice to anyone who wishes to use it. And it is only when you have the courage to share and admire these gifts that an event like Art Vancouver is made possible. Surrounding ourselves with original art in our homes, the loving energy used to create the art emanates into our space.”

I took tons of photos so as I’m sharing some today, I’ll post more next week. Let me know what you think.

We loved a lot of what we saw

Still; if you’re focused on a very specific style for a set area of your home, you may or may not find what you’re looking for, even at a show of this calibre. Art is so subjective. You have to fall in love with your personal choice and it has to evoke some emotion. Art for art’s sake is not enough.

I highly recommend Art International Vancouver – this weekend.

Photos: d. king

https://www.artvancouver.net/

**Sky Lilah** and her wonderful collages and sparkly dress.

James Darin Corbiere Waabshki Makwa (White Bear) – Cowichan Bay, B.C.
Bones & the Residential School of Doom.

Marc Hazel (in mask) with Quynh Nguyen in artistic dress.

Erik Markovs, Portland, USA. Using vintage wallpaper and other materials to create unique and beautiful mosaic wall art.

Wine is an art unto itself and I might add very personal too. I’ll sample this one at the upcoming International Wine Festival (May 16-22) – also at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see” – Edgar Degas.

Art & Culture

There’s Something about Mary Woronov

Back at the Factory…or in this case the cultural center…

Ramona, Mary in the middle and Me.

A group of us attended an art/film/book signing event for Mary Woronov; former muse to Andy Warhol. A muse by definition is a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist. However, Woronov has since become her own creative artist as actor, figurative painter and author. But getting back to Andy…

I’ve always had a fascination with Andy Warhol, going so far as once trying to locate him (at a relatively young age) at his studio in Manhattan that everyone referred to as “the Factory.” Unfortunately he wasn’t there and I’m not even sure what would have happened had I found him. Perhaps he’d have hired me as an assistant, perhaps he would have put me in one of his underground movies and I would’ve become his muse or maybe he would have just told me to scram…but I didn’t see it that way.

Being a bit of a mystery, his work appealed to me and he was way ahead of his time having eventually predicted what is now happening with social media where an average person can become famous through avenues like YouTube or tik tok. It’s fascinating actually; the world is wide open and yet; it’s not really “real.” Reality TV, influencers and Art is everywhere. I remember Warhol’s “Interview Magazine”, nicknamed “The Crystal Ball of Pop”, featuring interviews with celebrities, artists, musicians, and creative thinkers. In 2018, the publication ‘folded’ and ended both its print and web publications. Times have changed. But sometimes it’s important to hear significant stories from the past.

with Claudia Reid of Palm Springs POV + variety show entertainer.

Which brings me to my recent meeting with former Warhol muse and cult star Mary Woronov. It was at the closing reception of her art series “the mystery of the red shoe” and a movie she starred in called “Rock ‘n Roll High School,” at the Palm Springs Cultural Center last Saturday night – the closing night of a MARY WORONOV MEGASPECTIVE presented by The Ebersole Hughes Company – the same documentarian duo who did “House of Cardin,” “My Name is Lopez,” “Mansfield 66/67,” “Dear Mom, Love Cher,” and others. I’m a huge fan of their work.

Sponsored by HELLTOWN Whiskey & The Cheetah Hotel (links below).

with Roy; creator & co-founder of Helltown Whiskey

Gathered around was an eclectic bunch, to say the least: An “in-the-know” crowd of documentarians, entertainers, musicians, whiskey makers and the odd blogger who remains curious.

L-R (Me, Mary Woronov, Ramona Huth, Roy Rogers Oldenkamp, P. David Ebersole, Kitty Joselle Gilvezan.

It’s clear that not everyone knows who Mary Woronov is. A major cult figure as an actress for her work with Andy Warhol and Roger Corman films, she is also an accomplished painter and writer, having published three books —Wake for the Angels: Paintings and Stories, her autobiography Swimming Underground: My Years in the Warhol Factory, and the novel Snake.

Woronov joined Warhol’s entourage after a class trip to the Factory and starred in a number of his underground films (Chelsea Girls for one), and she appeared as a go-go dancer in the Velvet Underground’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable shows. She left the Factory in the late 1960s and, after recovering from a heavy methamphetamine addiction, spent two years in Europe with a friend. It was during this time, Warhol was shot by Valerie Solanas, and thanks to the now altered Factory dynamic, “there was nothing to go back to.” She then supported herself with work in off-Broadway theatre, got married to director/producer Theodore Gershuny, appearing in three of his films.

Woronov is most famous for her role as Mary Bland in Paul Bartel’s black comedy Eating Raoul (1982).

She’s also funny as hell. It was a pleasure being in her company.

Speaking of hell….there was Helltown Whiskey where co-founder Roy Rogers Oldenkamp (an L.A. Art Dealer) gave my friend Ramona and me a little education on the making of whiskey as we sampled whiskey sours which turned out to be pretty darn tasty. The evening ended with us getting a lift to another bar called Truss & Twine with an entertainer who plays piano and sings Dean Martin tunes while his wife sings Dinah Shore oldies. The show is appropriately called “Dino and Dinah.”

Welcome to Palm Springs!

Cheers!

Cheetah Hotel:

https://www.cheetahhotelps.com/
Helltown Whiskey

Home

Art & Culture

Maison Bleue Moderne

Oh, just another magnificent modernism maison.

I love observing how other people live. Very nice of the owners to open up their homes and let others take a peek inside and make them feel terribly envious by doing so. I was feeling very Bleue in this home…but in the most positive way.

This home is like stepping into a vacation. It’s a nod to the owners’ appreciation of beauty and being by the ocean with a modern nautical theme (despite being in the desert) as variations of water colors flow throughout, from vibrant turquoise to rich navy blues. It’s just gorgeous. I’m aware that I overuse this word but I just can’t think of another better word to describe this house and many others on the modernism open home tours.

Michelle Boudreau (pic below) recently re-designed the 1958 William Krisel originally designed Alexander Company home. She seamlessly merged materials and new spaces with modern technology while respecting the existing mid-century cherished design details.

“***The philosophy of the renovation was to establish a good relationship with the existing structure as it had beautiful bones***.” Boudreau states. I did notice that she herself has beautiful bone structure. Just had to add this tidbit of info.

To create a poetic home that embraces the Palm Springs lifestyle, Boudreau selected from brands such as Brizo, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting, Hunter Douglas & Tidelli.

The 2,400 square foot artful interior space boasts four bedrooms & four bathrooms. And lots of ~~gorgeous~~ attractive coffee-table books which I adore. The home and the books are inspired by the owners’ colorful personalities and passion for sailing and travel.