ELANews
The Newsletter of the English-Language Arts Network
July 1, 2009
Executive Director's Message
L'Autre St. Jean
Two weeks ago L'Autre St-Jean burst ominously into the news. Few of us had paid much attention to the small version of the St-Jean scheduled a day before the main event. Even fewer had noticed that two English acts were invited to perform. But every newspaper and media outlet jumped on the story when Lake of Stew and Bloodshot Bill were 'uninvited' to perform because a major sponsor feared songs performed in English would provoke a violent backlash in the francophone community. The volatile concoction of Fête Nationale, language politics, and threats of violence sent shock waves through the English-speaking community. Some people reacted with defiance, others with dismay and disbelief. How could this happen at a time when so many of us feel the old grievances and stereotypes have been laid to rest?
Within 24 hours, the francophone community vigorously denounced exclusionary definitions of La Fête Nationale. Lake of Stew and Bloodshot Bill sang. A handful of protesters booed. Everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief. One letter writer to the Gazette lamented that the Francophone bands booked for L'Autre St-Jean did not refuse to play because their Anglo colleagues were excluded. In hindsight, that would have been noble, but the situation could easily have degenerated into a divisive squabble with unpleasant consequences for being on the wrong side. Instead of individual heroics, we got something much more significant: broad consensus.
Quebec has unequivocally expressed its commitment to an inclusive society. This is welcome news for the English-speaking community. We are neither adversaries to Quebec's national aspirations nor disenfranchised observers. Now we need to demonstrate that we are ready to play a constructive role in Quebec's inclusive social project.
Guy Rodgers
Executive Director
What's New
Your Art's Awesome, Now What? ELAN Launches Small Group Mentorship Program
After much interest from our membership, we are thrilled to launch our series of discipline-specific small group mentorship sessions with an event for our independent rock/pop musicians, entitled Your Music's Awesome, Now What?
We've invited a panel of music industry experts to answer all the questions you were either afraid to ask, or just never got the chance to do so! Panelists include Meyer Billurcu (concert promoter Blue Skies Turn Black), Shevaughn Battle (FACTOR), and Dave Cool (St Ambroise Sponsorship Program), with more to be confirmed.
Interested participants should RSVP via email, and send in a few questions you would like addressed. ELAN will anonymously integrate the questions into the panel interviews. The Q&A will be followed by a casual schmoozer with more opportunities for mingling.
When and Where: Monday, July 27th 6-8pm. RSVP for venue details
Cost: Free
Stay tuned for other upcoming mentorship sessions for each discipline and other sectors of the music discipline.
ELAN's Visual Artist Exchange Residency Pilot Project Is Almost Here!
This exciting new Canada Council sponsored program will support two visual artists, one from Montreal and one from the Eastern Townships Region, to participate in a month-long residency in each other's community this October. The residency will provide and cover costs for lodging, studio space and materials, and will offer opportunities for networking and public presentation of works in progress. Interested visual artists should mark the date! More details and application forms will be available on the ELAN website by mid-July, so stay tuned!
ELAN Schmoozer on the Canal - July 14th 6-9pm
It's terrace season! This month, get schmoozy with ELAN on the St Ambroise Terrace overlooking the banks of the Lachine Canal.
When and Where:
Tuesday July 14th, 6-9pm
St Ambroise Terrace
5080 St-Ambroise Street in St-Henri (a few minutes from the Atwater Market)
Click here for directions.
How does a schmoozer work?
Each month, ELAN members and their friends get together to eat, drink and be merry, while meeting new colleagues and old friends. There is a 'musical chairs' structure on the night to make sure everyone gets a chance to mingle.
Please RSVP to the ELAN office by sending an email with Schmoozer in the subject line or by joining the Facebook Event.
Theatre Lac Brome Evening & Show in the Eastern Townships - July 17th 5-7pm
Theatre Lac Brome is hosting a 5 à 7 at the Knowlton Pub for ELAN members and artists on Friday July 17th. Guests will have a chance to meet with artistic colleagues and receive discount tickets the evening's performance of Putting it Together: A musical review with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim.
For more information on the event and performance, contact Theatre Lac Brome via email or phone 450-242-1395.
This event is a lead up to ELAN's August 22nd Schmoozer in North Hatley! Stay tuned for more details on the ELAN website.
Did You Know?
Business Skills for Creative Souls Conference & Schmoozer a Big Success!
On June 8th, two hundred local English-speaking artists took part in YES Montreal's 9th Annual Self-Employed Artists' Conference: Business Skills for Creative Souls, presented in partnership with ELAN and QDF.
The conference provided participants with a perfect opportunity to pick up the business tools to maximize their success, while taking in the networking opportunities to expand their pool of contacts. ELAN's post-conference Schmoozer was a big hit, and we welcome many talented young artists to the Network!
Calls for Submissions
Business Skills
MAI Call for Submissions - Mentorship Program
The MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) invites artists, collectives and companies from cultural communities in Montréal to submit projects for its Mentorship program.
Visual Arts
Call for Art Submissions: University of the Streets Café
The University of the Streets Café is accepting submissions from visual artists for the cover design/illustration of its 2009‐2010 print and electronic materials.
Last Call for Something Different Exhibition at APW Gallery
Each artist will have a 40(L)x30(H) space to display their artwork of choice. Artist's can have as many pieces as you want as long as it doesn't go over the 40" x 30" space. Make sure that each piece are ready to hang and is less than 2 lbs. Also, please be sure to mail in a picture/chart of how you want your pieces to be displayed.
Film
OurTvSpace New Media Fellow Program for Screenwriters with $10k Stipend
OurTvSpace just announced its 2009 New Media Fellow program for writers.
Writing
Annual John Kenneth Galbraith Literary Award Writing Contest
Open to any Canadian author. $2,000 First Prize. All entries must be in the English language.
WIRE presents: Read with the Organizers! Contest
Seeking poetry submissions for WIRE's 'The Organizers' event which will be read alongside several of Montreal's preeminent writers and event producers.
Canuckifornia Seeks Poetry Submissions
Canuckifornia, an anthology of Canadian poets writing about California, seeks submissions of individual poems or groups of up to 10 poems.
Azrieli Series of Holocaust Survivor Memoirs
The Azrieli Foundation's Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Program welcomes the submission of all first-person memoirs and diaries written by Canadian Holocaust survivors that are not currently in print with an English or French-language publisher.
This Magazine's annual Great Canadian Literary Hunt
This Magazine seeks talented Canadian writers to submit their unpublished gems for their annual Great Canadian Literary Hunt. $750 Cash prize.
Theatre
Call for Submissions from Jewish Canadian playwrights
Call for play publication submissions. A project to publish a collection of plays by Jewish Canadian playwrights is now in the works.
2010 hotINK International Festival Accepting Scripts
Script submissions now being accepted for the 2010 hotINK International Festival of Play Readings. hotINK is an annual festival of plays, presented by the Tisch School of the Arts by the Department of Drama.
Tableau D'Hôte Theatre Call for Scripts from Canadian Playwrights
In continuing with its commitment to the development of Canadian theatre in Montreal, Tableau D'HôteTheatre is calling for new scripts from emerging and published writers.
Job Opportunities
L'ATSA est à la recherche d'un(e) assistant(e) de production
L'ATSA, organisme de Recherche/Création et production d'intervention urbaine ainsi que producteur et diffuseur de l'événement État d'Urgence, est à la recherche d'un(e) assistant(e) de production pour se joindre à son équipe.
Infinitheatre seeks Assistant Technical Director
Infinitheatre is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Technical Director to work for their upcoming 2009-2010 season. This is position is to start September 28, 2009.
Centaur Theatre Seeks Assistant Box Office Manager
This is a full-time position with benefits, from 30 to 40 hours per week, including work on some evenings and weekends.
Altera Vitae Productions Holding Auditions
Altera Vitae Productions will be holding auditions for a children's show. This is a slight change from their "normal programming". They strongly encourage artists of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds to apply.
Infinitheatre Seeks General Manager
Infinithéâtre seeks a dedicated and dynamic individual for the position of General Manager.
Seeking Director for Tchekhov Play
Looking for a director for a Tchekhov play to be put on in 2010.
L'USINE C est a la recherche d'un(e) ADMINISTRATEUR(TRICE) GENERAL(E).
Veuillez faire parvenir votre curriculum vitae accompagné d'une lettre d'intérêt d'ici le 3 juillet 2009.
Seeking Non-Actra actors for comedy short
Looking for non-Actra actors for Dog Training, a comedy short about a woman who uses dog training techniques on her unsuspecting fiancé.
Talk Management System seeks Internet Marketing Manager
Provider can be located anywhere, could be in the TMS offices. 12$/h. Hourly charged. Start immediately. Estimated Workload: Full time or part time - 30-40 hrs/week. Job requires a test period of 1x month at 10$/h.Duration: Minimum of 4 months, probably 6 months.
Volunteer Opportunities
ELAN Schmoozer Committee is Looking for Members
If you like hosting events or think you have a brilliant idea for our improving our schmoozers – we need you on our Schmoozer Committee! The committee will meet every month (usually just prior to the month's schmoozer) to plan upcoming events and assist with hosting duties (such as working the door, set up, securing door prizes, promotion, signage, etc). It's a great way to get involved and meet people.
The first committee meeting will take place this July 14th at 4pm at the St Ambroise Terrace. For location details, see the schmoozer announcement above. Please email Ann-Marie if you are interested in joining the committee. Looking forward to hearing from you!
The McGill Savoy Society Seeks Volunteers as part of Creative Team for Pirates of Penzance
Ahoy, ya scurvy dogs, renegades, swashbucklers, adventurers and sea-lovers, the Pirate King calls for your allegiance! The beautiful port of The McGill Savoy Society will provide you with lots of grog and merriment as reward for taking on its latest journey: Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, bound to arrive on stage at Moyse Hall in February 2010.
Workshops
Business Skills
YES Montreal: Jump Start Your Art/Artists' Grants & Loans
This orientation session will tell you about the support services YES offers and will provide you with the basic skills you need to get started as a self-employed artist. Topics covered include grants, loans, and other funding options.
Artists' Business Coaching Sessions at YES Montreal
This orientation session will tell you about the support services YES offers and will provide you with the basic skills you need to get started as a self-employed artist. Topics covered include grants, loans, and other funding options.
Artists' Business Coaching Sessions at YES Montreal
YES Montreal offers FREE* one-on-one coaching services for self-employed artists, and those who are seeking to earn an income through their artistic abilities.
New opportunities announced for Artscape's Creative SpaceMaking Workshops
Creative SpaceMaking is a comprehensive learning experience developed by Artscape that demystifies the complexity of cultural facility planning, development, management and operations
Writing
Intro to Blogging at Atwater Library
Computer Workshop on Introduction to Blogging.
Canadian Authors Association Summer Writing Series
Summer Writing Series with Author Ken Kalman. Series includes study of Style, Dialogue, Characterization, and Conflict in Prose or Poetry.
Canadian Authors Association Summer Writing Series with Author Ken Kalman
Westmount Library 4574 Sherbrooke West at 7 PM Sharp, July 13th.
Performing Arts
Mama dances in the Park
Mama dances is a dance class which brings mothers together with their babies in a temporary community of music, playful physical exercise, creative dance expression, exploration and connection.
3rd Annual PIE Festival of Contact Improvisation and Alternative Dance, Montréal
The bilingual workshop includes Contact Improvisation & Scores, Skinner Releasing and Alexander Techniques taught by Eryn Dace Trudell, Catherine Lessard, David Flewelling, Stephanie Goudreau and Robert Schweitzer.
ELAN Classified
Studios Available at Red Bird
There are some studios available at the Red Bird... all pretty cheap and shared with a couple other great artists and people.
For Sale: Stainless Steel Sink
Stainless steel sink with 2 faucets, one drain and a stainless steel backsplash. 29 inches by 98 inches. Its in excellent condition. $400.00.
Office Space for Rent at Apathy is Boring
Apathy is Boring (www.apathyisboring.com) is looking for quiet and responsible creative professionals to rent office space on the second floor of its St. Denis & Roy office.
Theatre & Dance Space Available for Rent
Black Theatre Workshop's Rehearsal Hall is available for rent for the 2009-10 season.
Studios for artist
Loft space available now. 500f2 for only 360$/month or 650f2 for 500$/month.
Studio Sublet for September - December
800 sq. ft sublet studio for a 3-4 month period. The studio is part of a collective studio space that includes 4 other studios.
Galerie PUSH for rent in August
Galerie PUSH is a storefront space located at 5264 boul. Saint Laurent (north of Fairmount) in Montreal Québec.
Advocacy
ELAN Supports the 'I Am We Are' Campaign for the CBC
Community leaders came together in Montreal on Wednesday to promote the I Am We Are for a Quality Public Broadcaster, a movement responding to budget cuts to both the CBC and Radio-Canada across the country. The effort builds on the French-language Je Suis Nous Sommes campaign that is collecting signatures online to approach the federal government for more stable financing of both broadcasters in Quebec.
Community Events and News
QDF setting up Theatre Awards for Professional English Language Theatre in Quebec.
The Quebec Drama Federation has created a Theatre Awards Steering Committee to undertake a project in setting up Theatre Awards for the Professional English Language Theatre Community in Quebec.
Board of Trade of Montreal and Conseil des arts de Montréal launch 2009 Prix Arts-Affaires de Montréal
This year's competition targets Greater Montréal cultural and artistic organizations that received support from a large enterprise, an SME, or an individual member of the business community between September 1, 2008, and August 31, 2009. These organizations have until September 28, 2009, to nominate their business partners.
QCGN launches Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Distinguished Community Service Award
The deadline for nominations is July 15th. More details on the award on how to nominate candidates can be found on the website of the QCGN at www.qcgn.ca.
New Entertaining Networking Website for Actors
Newstarz.net is a brand new international entertainment networking website that caters specifically to artists aspiring to a career in the entertainment industry.
Readings from the 2009 QWF Mentorship Program
The four-month QWF mentorship program pairs experienced professional writers with emerging writers who are deemed ready by an independent jury to bene fit concretely from one-on-one, intensive mentoring.
Member News
Great contest to win valuable NIA classes, fitness outfits, CDs, DVDs, etc.
In October, leading Nia trainer Martha Randall will be in Montreal offering a special, weeklong White Belt Intensive training session. There are a number of contests around this exciting event, including a chance to win 50% off the price of the White Belt Intensive.
Whitehorse artist Mario Villeneuve to act as spokesperson for visual artists in Canada
Whitehorse artist Mario Villeneuve was elected to be the spokesperson for visual artists in Canada at the Canadian Artists' Representation's (CARFAC) Annual General Meeting in St. John's last weekend.
New York/Montréal musician Eleanore Altman releases new album produced by ELAN member Aaron Saloman
Eleanore Altman, an artist who splits her time between New York City and Montréal, is releasing her new album "Degrees of Freedom" on RCM records. ELAN member Aaron Saloman produced, engineered, mixed and mastered the album, as well as contributing bass, guitar, background vocals, and programming. You can hear some music from the album at Eleanore Altman's MySpace page.
The Art of Alchemical Transmutation
ELAN Member Chloe Metz invites interested participants to try out the first art of alchemical transmutation workshop in Canada.