Wonderbolt is celebrating it’s Thirtieth Anniversary with a fundraising gala at The Majestic Theatre, Thursday April 21st.

Join in for a “Night of Wonder” with great music, comedy, circus acts and incredible auction items. Have an amazing night out and help Wonderbolt continue its acclaimed outreach programs to the youth of our province and our creation of a world class circus based right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ticket costs are Adults $25, Seniors and students $20. and children $15.

We also offer a family pass for $65. for four with a maximum 2 adults. Tickets are available at the Holy Heart Box Office Ph. 579-4424

Evoking an enchanting world populated by amazing Tricksters, Newfoundland’s own world class circus is a thrilling ride for all ages. Our show features home-grown internationally renowned aerialist Anahareo White-Malone, who has just returned from a performance in Berlin, along with Josh Oliver from Oregon on aerial straps. The talented cast include Ringmaster Beni Malone, Musical Maestros George Morgan and Bill Brennan, along with Gentlemen Jugglers David Mercer and James Burke. Alley Oop will be returning home from British Columbia for this star studded event, as well as the incredible strong woman, Zinga Zuma (Kat Finck) herself!

As if this were not enough, Wonderbolt will feature a very special guest artist, the world champion hoop dancer, Terrence Littletent, joined on stage with his brother, Jason, who will accompany him on drum.

Don’t miss “Tricksters”, a high-spirited expression of circus arts Beni Malone.

In early May, ACI approached MP Siobhan Coady about the need for an Arts and Culture Town Hall meeting at which cultural producers and audiences could gather in a spirit of cooperation to air their concerns to the Government of Canada. Coady was receptive and invited MP Pablo Rodriguez, Opposition Critic for Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, to attend.

ACI has helped plan and facilitate the June 29th meeting and encourages all of its 1200+ member and associate-member organizations and individuals, as well as any other interested parties not yet affiliated with ACI, to attend. Come voice your Arts and Culture concerns to Ottawa.

When: Monday, June 29, at 7pm
Where: Masonic Temple, 6 Cathedral Street, St. John’s
Who: MP Siobhan Coady, St. John’s South/Mount Pearl, MP Pablo Rodriguez, Opposition Critic for Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
What: Arts and Culture Town Hall

(View this event on ACI’s Cultural Calendar at http://acinl.ca/event/330)

“The cultural industries in Canada account for almost 7.5% of the GDP each year [The Conference Board of Canada]“, says ACI Executive Director George Murray. “The culture sector is a vibrant contributor to our national economic fabric. It is natural that Ottawa would want to consult with sectors in which resource and funding investments yield so much positive growth for all of Canada.”

For more information or comment, please contact ACI Executive Director George Murray at 709.738.4333

ACI is a pan-provincial, pan-cultural not-for-profit organization serving as a unified voice, acting as advocate, and performing research on behalf of professional artists and arts organizations in Newfoundland Labrador. In 2008, ACI celebrates 10 years of advocacy. ACI is continually working to provide a nexus for communications between artists and arts organizations, the government, and the public.

Tickets are available at NIFCO for just $10.00.

c2c Theatre continues its 2008-2009 season with Morris Panych’s Earshot, from February 4th to 8th , 2009. This production is the 3rd offering in ”The Basement Series,” a 4-show partnership between c2c Theatre and the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre.

Earshot is directed by Jordan Canning and features one of Newfoundland’s most talented stage actors, Charlie Tomlinson, in his first one-man show in over 10 years. Tomlinson portrays Doyle, a loner by both choice and circumstance who rarely leaves his run down one-room flat. Afflicted with extra sensitive hearing, he can hear the irritating clatter of one neighbour’s dentures on her fridge as they vibrate or the sensuous sound of another neighbour as she enters her bath.  This cacophony of sound is his world, describing and defining his relationships with those that surround him, separated only by his the thin walls of his squalid apartment.

c2c Theatre was founded in 2003, and  has produced more than 20 plays under Artistic Director Charlie Tomlinson and Associates Sandy Gow and Brad Hodder. Its mandate is to produce modern theatre from around the world, encourage the creation of new works by aspiring artists and to establish an active involvement in the local community.

Earshot runs in The Basement Theatre of the St. John’s Arts & Culture Centre at 8 PM from February 4th to 8th, 2009, with a Pay-What-You-Can matinee 2 PM on February 7th. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling 729-3900. 

Stage Manager George Robertson, Set Designer Shelley Cornick , Lighting Designer Brian Bishop and Sound Designer Jody Richardson,  round out the crew for this professional production.

This time it’s for Jenny Gear’s dad, Steve. He’s very, very sick with colon cancer that has spread. He can’t work, has run out of sick time, going to start getting a small pension. He’s only 54! and their mum is not working so she can take care of him.

Steve is one of the most generous, loving men I have ever met. I’ve seen him empty his freezer for people. And I hardly know of a single fund-raiser where Jenny hasn’t performed for free! So we’re looking for donations of items for raffles and auctions.

We’d love tickets for events, gift certificates, stuff, films, CD’s, your art, your home made whatevers, services… Anything would be appreciated!

We could pick them up or you can drop them off at The Travel Bug, 155 Water Street; phone 738-8284.

And the event is taking place on Friday, February 6th. It’s a TGIF… let us know if you can help, and hope you can come.

There’ll be live music, featuring Jenny Gear, Sandy Morris and more… raffles, live and silent auctions, libations and more… it’s gonna be fun!

* * * * *

TGIF
Friday, Feb. 6th 5pm to 9pm
The Wonderbolt Circus Space
72 Harbour Drive (same door as Eastern Edge Gallery)
Admission $10

If you can’t make it and want to donate, donations can be dropped off at The Travel Bug 155 Water St. 738-8284.

— Gerry Rogers

I’m sure, by now most of you have heard about Suits Do Codco.

It’s a major fundraiser for the LSPU Hall. Various people from the business community and politicians, lawyers, etc. have been invited to act in Codco skits.

We’re being directed by Greg Malone, Mary Walsh and Andy Jones. It’s quite mad!

The shows are Friday and Saturday, Jan 23 & 24th at Holy Heart.

It’s all volunteer work.

The Hall would love to have it video taped. So we are looking for volunteers to do that. Anyone willing and able? Peg & I can’t as we are acting in the show. (Not sure how we ended up in it, we’re NOT SUITS!!!!!!)

If you are mad enough to jump on board please call or email me 728-2161.

It would be great to have at least 2 cameras and then of course that means cutting it together. But if not possible then 1 would do. The sound shouldn’t be too big an issue as we are all going to be mic’ed individually so there’s the possibility of plugging into the board. Then of course some room would be nice!

Looking forward to hearing from some brave souls.

Gerry Rogers
grogers@nf.sympatico.ca