Whistler Film Festival

On the heels of the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) comes the Whistler Film Festival (WFF). Not that anyone needs an excuse to go to Whistler; but while you’re waiting for ski season to start (soon enough) film buffs might want to take in this unique little (but getting bigger) festival. Also; while there, make sure to check out the Audain Art Museum (housing the private art collection of Michael Audain) which is amazing in itself.

Art, Music, Movies, Documentaries….it’s all here!

Whistler Film Festival (WFF) has announced the full lineup for its 22nd edition taking place in-person from November 30, to December 4 2022 in Whistler, BC, and online from December 5 to January 2, 2023.

Selected from over 2,000 submissions, the lineup includes 86 bold and inspiring films curated into nine program strands. There are 41 features and 45 shorts from 19 different countries, including award-season contenders, new breakthrough Canadian features, heart-stopping extreme adventure films, and previously unseen projects from around the globe.

”With a particular emphasis on Canadian content creators and distinct and emerging voices, Whistler Film Festival continues to fill a valuable niche within the film festival ecosystem,” says Paul Gratton, WFF’s Director of Programming. “WFF has evolved into a premium showcase for exciting new motion pictures not previously shown at other film festivals. With our strongest lineup ever of Canadian gems, coveted international festival titles, and an inspiring selection of award-hopefuls, our 22nd edition hums with the energy and creativity that result when new voices mix with established filmmakers in one of the most awe-inspiring settings for a film festival.”

WFF is pleased to present an exciting line-up of documentaries, with a strong focus on sports and music.

A little sneak preview:

Acclaimed actor and director Jason Priestley returns to WFF for the World Premiere of OFFSIDE: THE HAROLD BALLARD STORY. Big money, big headlines, and a long list of enemies – Harold Ballard made them all during the two decades he owned the crown jewel of Canadian sports – The Toronto Maple Leafs – down the road to ruin. This not-to-be-missed feature-length documentary explores one of the most controversial figures in Canadian sports history. Directed by Priestley, this world premiere marks the star’s return to the festival for the first time since the release of his critically-acclaimed film Cas and Dylan – the opening night selection at WFF in 2013.

Music has a large presence in the WFF doc mix this year. A special screening of BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON, with a live-streamed and in-theatre Zoom conversation with the iconic singer, songwriter, and activist, takes place on December 2. The documentary is directed by Madison Thomas, an alum of the Whistler Film Festival Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship (2017).

WFF will screen the too-crazy-to-be-believed behind-the-scenes concert doc REVIVAL ‘69: THE CONCERT THAT ROCKED THE WORLD. Coined “the second most important event in rock & roll history,” the Toronto Rock & Roll Revival was a one-day event held at Toronto’s Varsity Stadium.

It features John Lennon in his first post-Beatles appearance, as well as Yoko Ono, Klaus Voorman, Eric Clapton, Alice Cooper (and the infamous chicken incident that put him on the map), Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and The Doors, plus a couple of hundred bikers used to provide Lennon with a motorized escort from Pearson Airport to Varsity Stadium to make the concert in time. A must-see for any rock historian.

Music fans will love BOY CITY, a funny throwback to the era of boy bands and those who loved them, directed by Sean Cisterna and featuring Jonas Chernick. Chernick is also the co-lead in the comedy THE END OF SEX directed by Sean Garrity, a sort of spiritual successor to MY AWKWARD SEXUAL ADVENTURE which won the Audience Award at WFF in 2012.

This all sounds amazing!

For tickets + info:

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music

All I Wanna Do

Is have some fun What I really wanna do is introduce you to exciting new recording artist Austin Jay and his debut single which is climbing up the Worldwide Hits 2022 charts!I met Austin Jay in Palm Springs just before covid hit and he immediately made an impression on me with his personable manner and good looks. I didn’t realize the scope of his talents until later. We were part of a group for an impromptu wine tasting at local hangout Bouschet where he was sitting with a woman whom I misidentified as his girlfriend. Turns out it was his mom. It’s not the first time I’ve put my foot in my mouth. But Oh well…she looks young so it was an understandable mistake and hopefully a compliment, and since then she’s become a friend. So getting back to Jay…

I’ve since become very impressed with his resume. Austin Jay writes music, has studied classical piano and voice, has done community theater, and can act. He’s on his way to being signed by a record label.

His song “All I Wanna Do” is taking off on Spotify. After 3 1/2 weeks, it has over 30,000 streams! There are 17,000 monthly listeners and thousands of followers with almost the same numbers as the top recording artists Lizzo and Justin Bieber’s monthly stats. Austin has also debuted on the public playlist Top 50 in the UK, was featured in Crowns – the industry Music Magazine (see below).

Speaking on ‘All I Wanna Do’, Austin Jay says:

“This is the song that got me through the pandemic, the reason why I kept on pushing and continued with my music. I believe in it with my whole soul. I want this to be my introduction to the world stage.”

Have a Listen:

https://austinjay.lnk.to/alliwannado

Good work Austin Jay! Look forward to tracking your success and listening to lots more HITS!

FUN

Feel Good Feelin’ Music

I’ve been meaning to post something about my talented, beautiful singer/songwriter friend Jenni Doyle ever since I first met her in Palm Springs the last time I was there. She and her husband live in Vancouver and also have a home in Palm Springs.

I feel like I’ve known Jenni a lot longer than I have because I’ve heard so much about her through two friends that we’ve both known forever, although these two other friends have never met. Our mutual friend Susanne has written lyrics to some of Jenni’s songs, while our other mutual friend Michael, wrote music for her album “Night Angles.”

Talk about a small world and having something in common aside from our love for dogs and Palm Springs.

Her single “**Only One Cook**” was filmed at philanthropist Joe Segal’s breathtaking waterfront mansion in Vancouver and directed and edited by Dave Benedict. Jenni’s make-up by Safina Kataria. Photo from her website.

Jenni has been entertaining people since the ripe age of two, when she donned her first pair of tap dancing shoes. After her early years in musical theatre and dance, she was accepted into Canterbury High School for the Arts in Ottawa, which then led her to Vancouver where she studied acting at Vancouver Film School. In the years to follow, Jenni was one of the top 25 finalists out of 4,000 girls, to make it onto the Global T.V. reality show “Popstars.”

This experience propelled her into the music industry, where she worked with producer/songwriter John Dexter (Carly Rae Jepsen, Bif Naked, D-Cru). She recorded two songs on the D-Cru album “Into the Future” which was released in stores across Canada. She went on to sing in a duo called “JeLL” where they performed their “Night Angles” songs and “The Star Spangled Banner” live on ESPN in Los Angeles.

Jenni has also had the honour of singing “Oh Canada” and performing her Shania Twain act in front of thousands of people at B.C. Place.

With **Gloria Macarenko**, longtime host of CBC Vancouver’s supper-hour television newscast at 6:00, and **Tina Turner and George Michael lookalike** performers. Jenni does a **tribute to Shania Twain**. That’s her up on the screen.

Jenni also shared a heartwarming story about meeting her cute little Shih Tzu named Bella. This is her second Bella. Her first Bella passed away from cancer at a fairly young age. Jenni loved the dog and was completely heartbroken. About two years after Bella’s passing a friend suggested it was time Jenni get another dog. She wanted another Shih Tzu. When she went to look at a litter of pups one got very excited, ran right up to her and jumped into her arms. The owner said the dog’s name was “Bella.” On her birth certificate was written “Bella Comes Back.” True story!

I just heard this song Feel Good Feelin’ for the first time yesterday. I thought since the title has Feel Good in it, how appropriate for an uplifting Friday note. Hope you enjoy it even if you’re new to country music. Be sure to check out the Kelowna, B.C. scenery (and the tattoo on her arm in the very beginning).

Have a great weekend! The last one before Christmas.

https://www.jennidoyle.com/

Film Reviews

Feel-good Friday: Echo in the Canyon

This is the most feel-good I’ve felt ALL WEEK

(left) **Tom Petty** gives his last film interview to **Jakob Dylan** (son of Bob) in **“Echo in the Canyon”**, (right) **David Crosby** recalls the neighborly “social network” that made **Laurel Canyon** special – images **The Argonaut** (by Bliss Bowen).

This is music history in the making with a loving look at Laurel Canyon and the California Sound back in the day. ENTERTAINING to say the least.

This NETFLIX rocdoc is a must for all music and rock fans in general. It’s a well thought out documentary about the history of music in L.A. with interviews going back and forth with some of music’s greatest. Uplifting, funny and most of all, fantastic music. You won’t want to miss it.

Art + Culture

“Amazing Grace” – Amazing Aretha

The Gospel according to The Queen

Imagine uncovering lost footage of a young Aretha Franklin making a live recording of gospel music which turned out to be the best selling gospel album of all time? Music that was deeply rooted, because of her upbringing with having a baptist minister father.

And then finding out that Director Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa, Tootsie, The Way we Were, etc.) was the director of a two part evening filmed before a live audience at the New Missionary Baptist church in Los Angeles in 1972. But for technical reasons the film was never released. That is, before now.

Finally unveiled, I was excited to view “Amazing Grace,” at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, watching a 29 year old Aretha at the peak of her vocal powers. You can see Mick Jagger amongst the audience members clapping away and getting everybody to stand. They call it a documentary but this was more likely a musical of a soul-stirring experience. A powerhouse, Aretha certainly earned her title “queen of soul.”

Gospel music is unlike anything else. It’s not for the faint of heart. I wanted to experience gospel in person. So on my first visit to New Orleans I made sure to visit a Baptist church on Sunday for the sole purpose of listening to a live gospel choir. My two friends and I were the only Caucasians in the church. I’m not religious but I enjoyed immensely a room so alive and full of spirit that you rarely, if ever get to witness. It was moving.

The bottom line is that the purpose of this music is to uplift and preach the Gospel through music with the hope of bringing salvation to non-believers; and entertain all people with positive messages and values.

Uplifting and Entertaining with the most incredible voices, it was.

Art + Culture, Girl Who Would be King

Music/Culture: OPERA in the PARK

Opera unites music, poetry, drama, and spectacle in the most elaborate of all art forms.

So it was an absolute pleasure to finally attend “Opera in the Park“, the Palm Springs premier cultural event in April . This is the first time I’ve stayed here this long. Usually I’m gone by the end of March because it gets too hot here, but this time I decided to stay a little longer. The event takes place at Sunrise Park which is a very short drive from where I live (part-time of course).

I originally had a spot reserved under the big white tent but decided to sit on the grass just outside it in a shady area with my lawn chair and the lunch I packed because I wasn’t sure they’d have food. But they did have food and drinks. And souvenirs. Most people were sitting outside the tent. It was lovely.

This live concert with arias from operas by Bizet, Delibes, Donizetti, Gounod, Mozart, Puccini, Rossini and Verdi draws thousands of people from all over Southern California every April in a celebration of great music with a professional orchestra conducted by Valery Ryvkin. In addition, a special tribute to Leonard Bernstein’s Centennial featured music from West Side Story and Candide. It also marked the 20th Anniversary of Opera in the Park. Oh, did I mention that it’s free?

The Palm Springs Opera Guild Orchestra performed from 1-4 pm with famous operas including Carmen, Rigoletto, Madame Butterfly, La Traviata, Faust and more.

There were food vendors from well known establishments offering delicious sandwiches, salads, platters, wine, beer, and cocktails. You could even pre-order online from Trio restaurant.

Presenting Sponsors: The Augustine Foundation and

*Newman’s Own Foundation

Using the power of philanthropy to transform lives*Newman’s Own Foundation is all about supporting people doing great things. People whos stories inspire us.

This month there’s also Coachella, a more famous and enormously profitable music festival with a great long lineup. A lot of musicians whom I’m familiar with and many I’m not. But it was actually Opera in the Park that I really wanted to go to. Coachella maybe another time.

Have you been to either?

Opera in the Park: Music Director: Mona Lands. Artistic Director: Andrew Eisenmann.

Art + Culture, Girl Who Would be King

Monday Mood Board #12

ART Immortal – the Holy Grail of art rediscoveries to be auctioned at Christie’s. If only I had an extra 100 million dollars to spare….

Leonardo da Vinci’s “**Salvator Mundi,**” unveiled recently at Christie’s. Credit: Jewel Samad/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

In something of an auction coup, Christie’s has secured two blockbuster works for its November Contemporary sale: the last known Leonardo da Vinci in private hands, “Salvator Mundi” or “Savior of the World,” and Andy Warhol’s final silk-screen, “Sixty Last Suppers.” – The NY Times

Andy Warhol’s “**Sixty Last Suppers**,” at Christie’s New York. Credit: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Christie’s Auction House

The Leonardo da Vinci work is estimated at $100 million and the Warhol at $50 million. Each has been guaranteed by a third, undisclosed party.

Read the whole New York Times article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/arts/design/christies-leonardo-da-vinci-and-warhol.html

PICASSO’S OLD ART SCHOOL

At the unchanged atelier of L’Académie de la Grande Chaumière, you might find yourself sitting in the very same chair where Pablo and a few of his friends, such as Manet and Cezanne, sat sketching their model a century ago. It’s open to the public for sketching workshops in the afternoon, Monday to Saturday, except on Wednesday when there’s an evening session from 7-10pm. No reservations are necessary, just show up with paper and pencils, no teacher, just the model. (14 rue de la Grande Chaumière, 6eme; See the ‘Free Workshop’ and ‘School’ sections of the website for all prices and timetables: grande-chaumiere.fr/en). Oh by the way, this is in Paris.

Channel Gabrielle, the eternal rebel (new Chanel perfume teaser) with a message

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxYRrb7nJ9M

It’s madness out there

“The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four people is suffering from a mental illness. Look at your 3 best friends. If they’re ok, then it’s you.” – Rita Mae Brown

There is no great genius without some touch of madness – someone said.

FUN, Girl Who Would be King

Feel-good Friday: Listen up

My friend went to Cuba and all she brought back was this fine bunch of Cubans. They’re called Brisas del Palmar.

If you live in Vancouver you have the opportunity to watch them perform this evening. I’ve seen them before – they’re amazing! In Vancouver for one concert only before returning back to Cuba for Fall/Winter is EL GRUPO CUBANO – BRISAS del PALMAR.

Fresh from engagements in Victoria: these Cuban musical ambassadors have performed for the Pope and granted diplomatic passports to represent Cuba in international music competitions. Their traditional music and danceable tunes are featured daily on the nationally broadcast Radio Taino. Their winter engagements include Bodequita del Medio, the Havana bar made famous by Ernest Hemingway! Yes, I’ve been there too. And yes, I had a daiquiri (a temporary departure from mojitos). Havana little more:

Where: St. James Hall – 3214 West 10th Ave., Vancouver, B.C.

When: Friday, October 13th at 8 pm. They start on time. Doors open at 7:30.

Cost: $20 at the door

Sampling: 5 years ago at the Vogue Theatre:

PURE FEEL GOOD MUSIC

Art + Culture, Girl Who Would be King

Culture/Art/Film: Landfill Harmonic

This is the best feel-good movie I’ve seen in a long time.

I just watched it with my film buddy who I met at VIFF. This film is not about garbage, it’s about making the best of the junk that surrounds you.

The reason it’s uplifting is that it points out that no matter what your living conditions are like, through the power of hope and dreams you can build on becoming what you desire and we realize that music is that unifying force that binds all people. It’s pretty powerful. It’s actually a film on the power of music through very unusual circumstances. landfil5 landfil4

These kids play everything from the BIG THREE (Mozart, Bach, Beethoven) to heavy metal (play heavy metal with heavy metal) favourites.

Land Fillharmonic was showcased last year at various film festivals but was recently re-released in many cinemas worldwide (you’ll have to check in your hometown). If so, I highly recommend seeing it. WATCH TRAILER:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCjbd21fYV8

Landfill Harmonic follows the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, a Paraguayan musical youth group who live next to one of South America’s largest landfills. This unlikely orchestra play music from instruments made entirely out of garbage. When their story goes viral, the orchestra is catapulted into the global spotlight. With the guidance of their music director, Favio Chávez (a most amazing man), they must navigate this new world of arenas and sold out concerts. However, when a natural disaster devastates their community, the orchestra provides a source of hope for the town.

Photo: d. king – one of the instruments taken in the lobby of VanCity Theatre Tuesday night.

Instruments Beyond Borders...harnessing the power of music to better children’s lives. Many schools have now very unfortunately cut music from educational programs. It’s good to give back.

An entirely volunteer, charitable Society dedicated to delivering donated musical instruments and funds to music education programs in disadvantaged communities at home and abroad. In Vancouver instrument donations can be made at Tapestry Music (3607 West Broadway). Tax receipts for donated instruments are available upon evaluation.

Music heals the world. So will recycling.

Art + Culture, Girl Who Would be King

Shaking things up – prose and cons

Bob Dylan was just awarded the Nobel prize for Literature “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.”

What’s so wrong with that?

To the person who asked “does this mean that I can win a Grammy?” No! It just means that people are taking more notice of great songwriting and poetry which have their place (or prose) in the writing world. If so, then in my opinion Rodriguez (of searching for Sugarman fame) & Leonard Cohen should be next in line.

Maybe they should open it up to noteworthy artists who paint for a living. They are like literature for the soul. Open up a new category? Something to think about? I think so!

CHECK THIS OUT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sh05PyTURs&list=PLlOu5-_qNR9BYLoZCLPfAkejwn1EP7Ee_