[cross-posted at Swallow-a-Blogcycle]
I'm a bit behind the times - until recently, I had never seen a TED lecture.
TED stands for "Technology, Entertainment, Design" and, at its core, it is a series of conferences that brings together "the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers" to give a wide variety of presentations. Videos of these presentations are available online at www.ted.com.
One video in particular has been doing the rounds in my artistic circles for quite a while: Ken Robinson on creativity.
http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
I've watched it a couple of times now, and I think it's a tremendously intelligent and important topic. (I wasn't a huge fan of his comments about gender difference at the end, but nobody's perfect.) It's only 20 minutes long; I highly recommend that you set aside the time!
Watching it today, I was immediately reminded of the University of Calgary's recent decision to merge the faculties of Communication and Culture, Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences into a single Franken-faculty.
Over the next little while, I'm going to work my way through the vast library of past TED talks, and I will post links to those that I find particularly compelling. I would love to start a conversation, so if anything sparks you in these videos, please feel free to comment!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Hopkins Happenings - June 2009
Hey everyone -
June is off-the-hook crazy. Off. The. Hook. At least we won't be bored! My month is full of adventures, including:
ALS Fundraising 2009
My 2009 fundraising campaign for the ALS Society of Alberta is entering the homestretch, culminating in Betty's Run for ALS (see below) on June 14th! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far - as of this e-mail, I've raised $5,988 of my $10,000 goal.
This cause is very important to me: my great-uncle, uncle and father all passed away from ALS, and I have a 50% chance of someday being diagnosed. All the money raised will go toward support and care for victims of ALS, and toward research for a cure. The ALS Society of Alberta was an enormous help to my family during my father's illness, and I hope that my fundraising efforts will help them to support other afflicted families.
I am still gratefully accepting donations! You can donate online at this website:www.als.ca/events/mysite.aspx?fid=2704 . I can also accept cash or cheques - just contact me at 403.710.0093 or mark.c.hopkins@gmail.com.
For more information about my fundraising efforts and my family's history with ALS, please click these links:
Calgary arts 'phenom' leads fight against ALS - Calgary Herald
Mark's Run - ShawTV Calgary
Choosing Hope over Helplessness - U Magazine
Time and Love - Melanie Jones
POST
About a month ago, Strangebird Theatre commissioned seven artists in each city to create a short show - theatre, music, dance, whatever - and then send the show to our counterparts in the other city. Their job, in turn, is to adapt and perform the piece they receive. Simple and fun!
The two shows will happen simultaneously, with some crazy Skype action so that we can see what's happening across the country. Alongside musician Brendan McGuigan, I'm performing an adaptation of a Canada Post-inspired song by Toronto artist Marko Panzda... and I have no idea what the other performances will be! It promises to be a wild, diverse and exciting evening of original performance. Hope to see you there!
Matadora
Trepan Theatre's latest creation, Matadora, opened last week, but you still have six more days to catch the insanity!
June is off-the-hook crazy. Off. The. Hook. At least we won't be bored! My month is full of adventures, including:
- ALS Fundraising 2009
- Post
- Matadora
- Markapalooza 2
- Betty's Run for ALS
- NextFest Nightclubs
- Did I mention MARKAPALOOZA 2???
... and just to see who actually reads these things, there's a contest at the end! What fun!
This cause is very important to me: my great-uncle, uncle and father all passed away from ALS, and I have a 50% chance of someday being diagnosed. All the money raised will go toward support and care for victims of ALS, and toward research for a cure. The ALS Society of Alberta was an enormous help to my family during my father's illness, and I hope that my fundraising efforts will help them to support other afflicted families.
I am still gratefully accepting donations! You can donate online at this website:www.als.ca/events/mysite.aspx?
For more information about my fundraising efforts and my family's history with ALS, please click these links:
Calgary arts 'phenom' leads fight against ALS - Calgary Herald
Mark's Run - ShawTV Calgary
Choosing Hope over Helplessness - U Magazine
Time and Love - Melanie Jones
POST
June 1, 2009
Pay-What-You-Can
Facebook event page
Calgary, Alberta - 8:00 pm
Auburn Saloon (163 - 115 9th Ave SE)
Toronto, Ontario - 9:00 pm
The Cameron House (408 Queen St West)
June kicks off with a crazy Calgary-Toronto theatrical experiment, which includes a performance by yours truly!Pay-What-You-Can
Facebook event page
Calgary, Alberta - 8:00 pm
Auburn Saloon (163 - 115 9th Ave SE)
Toronto, Ontario - 9:00 pm
The Cameron House (408 Queen St West)
About a month ago, Strangebird Theatre commissioned seven artists in each city to create a short show - theatre, music, dance, whatever - and then send the show to our counterparts in the other city. Their job, in turn, is to adapt and perform the piece they receive. Simple and fun!
The two shows will happen simultaneously, with some crazy Skype action so that we can see what's happening across the country. Alongside musician Brendan McGuigan, I'm performing an adaptation of a Canada Post-inspired song by Toronto artist Marko Panzda... and I have no idea what the other performances will be! It promises to be a wild, diverse and exciting evening of original performance. Hope to see you there!
Matadora
May 27-June 6, 2009
8:00 pm nightly (no show on Sunday, May 31)
2:00 pm matinee on Saturday, June 6
Joyce Doolittle Theatre
Pumphouse Theatres (2140 Pumphouse Ave SW)
Adults $16, Students/Seniors/Equity $12
403.263.0079 - tickets.pumphousetheatre.ca
8:00 pm nightly (no show on Sunday, May 31)
2:00 pm matinee on Saturday, June 6
Joyce Doolittle Theatre
Pumphouse Theatres (2140 Pumphouse Ave SW)
Adults $16, Students/Seniors/Equity $12
403.263.0079 - tickets.pumphousetheatre.ca
Trepan Theatre's latest creation, Matadora, opened last week, but you still have six more days to catch the insanity!
Juanita Cruz dreams of becoming a bullfighter, but no one will train her. No one except La Reverte, a transvestite master of the bullring who has fallen into security. Witness the triumphant return of the Gender-Bending Bullfighter in Trepan Theatre's trademark style of tour-de-force physical hilarity. Starring Aaron Coates, Cheryl Hutton and Alice Nelson.
Markapalooza 2
June 6, 7:00 pm-2:00 am
Wild Ginger (115 - 414 3rd St SW)
$15 at the door, or in advance at:
www.swallowabicycle.com/markapalooza2.html
Rockin' party. Fundraiser for the ALS Society of Alberta. Be there.
- - -
After all that, in the early days of July, I'll be participating in the Calgary Blow-Out Festival. Watch for more info in the next newsletter!
(There's talking bulls, testicle injuries, cross-dressing and a foppish royal family. What more could you want?)
Markapalooza 2
June 6, 7:00 pm-2:00 am
Wild Ginger (115 - 414 3rd St SW)
$15 at the door, or in advance at:
www.swallowabicycle.com/
Rockin' party. Fundraiser for the ALS Society of Alberta. Be there.
The second annual Markapalooza has an incredible line-up of performers, includingBalleronster, DJ Noah York City, Dragon Fli Empire, The Fast Romantics, Garter Girls Burly-Q Revue, Gina Dragpiper, The Human Statues, The Shagbots andURBANdivide . Plus, there will be bodypainting, film screenings, a silent auction, a prize raffle and more!
(There's also the rumour of an after-party at Charles Netto's house, but you'll have to ask him about that.)
The party is getting a really good buzz, and it's going to be featured in Swerve Magazine on Friday, so I'd really encourage you to buy your tickets in advance... which you can dohere!
It will be a ridiculous, awesome night of partying, and all the proceeds benefit the ALS Society of Alberta. I promise, this will be one of the best parties of the year. Don't miss it!
Betty's Run for ALS
All the fundraising, all the Markapalooza-ing, it all leads up to this: Betty's Run for ALS!
All the fundraising, all the Markapalooza-ing, it all leads up to this: Betty's Run for ALS!
This will be my third time participating in Betty's Run, which is a major fundraising event for the ALS Society of Alberta, and it will be my first time actually training for the run. (Five miles! Eek! That's, like, eight kilometers!)
You're absolutely welcome to come along, either to run, walk, or just cheer us on. And hey, I'm still fundraising...
Nextfest Niteclubs
Nextfest is Edmonton's gigantic, 14-year-old festival for emerging artists, with over 50 events and over 400 artists... including Swallow-a-Bicycle!
Nextfest is Edmonton's gigantic, 14-year-old festival for emerging artists, with over 50 events and over 400 artists... including Swallow-a-Bicycle!
The fine folks at Catch the Keys Productions are curating Nextfest Nite Clubs, a series of late-night, multi-disciplinary performance parties. Each night has a different theme, and Swallow-a-Bicycle will perform in The Hurly-Burly Time-Traveling Vaudevillian Serial Comedy Show (June 19) and The SMUT Cabaret: Fetishism (June 20).
We're creating some brand-new performances for this event, so if you're in Edmonton, join us for an evening of performative mayhem!
After all that, in the early days of July, I'll be participating in the Calgary Blow-Out Festival. Watch for more info in the next newsletter!
I promised a contest, and here it is! The fine folks over at Hole in the Wall Studios have given me several free tickets for the midnight showing of Repo! The Genetic Opera on June 13. The first three people to e-mail me with the word "Repo!" will get a pair of tickets!
Of course, June is full of many other delightful events, and I'll be hitting twenty-five, The Piper, Neruda Nude, Michael Bernard Fitzgerald's Love and Manners CD launch,Tuesdays with Morrie, the IGNITE! Festival, Something to Do with Death, Sled Island andImaginary Ordinary.
And, y'know, hopefully spending some time out in the sun.
Have a great month!
Of course, June is full of many other delightful events, and I'll be hitting twenty-five, The Piper, Neruda Nude, Michael Bernard Fitzgerald's Love and Manners CD launch,Tuesdays with Morrie, the IGNITE! Festival, Something to Do with Death, Sled Island andImaginary Ordinary.
And, y'know, hopefully spending some time out in the sun.
Have a great month!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Bag
I've embarked on a new writing project with my dear friend Colin (more on that later), and it got me rooting through some of my old stories. I found this tidbit skulking on my hard drive, and there's something about it that still charms me.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Bag
Katie was sitting really still, just like she was supposed to, but the car kept bumping and that made her move. She bounced almost right out of her seat when it bumped big, but her seatbelt was on so that helped. Except for the bouncing, she was almost all still, except she kept turning her head. The bag was sitting on top of the cup holes between the seats and it was staring at her.
“What’s in the bag, Mommy?”
Mom looked over really quick. She didn’t have much time to look over because she was driving and that took concentration.
“Nothing.”
She looked back out the front window, and Katie looked out too, but there was nothing fun, just cars and trees. The car rolled over a bump. The bag rattled.
“But why would there be a bag if there’s nothing?”
Bags don’t have nothing. Bags come with stuff. Mom looked away from the road and looked back fast and wiggled the steering wheel.
“It doesn’t have nothing, just nothing important.”
Katie pulled at her bottom lip. The car bumped and the bag rattled and it was still looking at her.
“What’s not important?”
“Don’t worry about it, Katie.”
Rattle rattle.
There were eyes on the side of the bag, big open circle eyes, looking right at Katie. She pulled at her bottom lip and waited. When Mom turned her head to turn the car, Katie reached really sneaky into the bag and her fingers grabbed a plastic and pulled it up far enough to see.
“Don’t touch that!”
She pulled back her hand and started to cry. It was just medicine, vitamins like Katie chewed in the morning with her cereal, nothing important.
“Katie, honey, just sit still, alright?”
Katie was sitting really still.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Hopkins Happenings - May 2009
Hey everyone -
Every month, I start off this newsletter by talking about how busy I am. It's time for a change, because... this time I'm not going to talk about it.
Here's what I've got cooking:
I'm delighted to once again be working with the Shakespeare Company, whose elegant presentations of the Bard's work are consistently excellent.
This famous comedy begins as Duke Theseus prepares to wed Hippolyta, the Queen of Amazons. On the eve of the royal nuptials, forbidden lovers Hermia and Lysander escape into the enchanted wood to elope under the full moon, but the wood's mischievous fairy-folk have other plans in store for the two lovestruck couples.
This production utterly transforms the Arrata Opera Centre into a twilight wonderland, where the forces of nature come to life. Welcome the first days of summer with one of Shakespeare's most enchanting creations!
Matadora
Trepan Theatre is back! I worked with them on last year's catacomb comedy La Mexicaine de Perforation. Now, they turn their slapstick sights on a historical figure from 1920s Spain - La Reverte.
Juanita Cruz dreams of becoming a bullfighter, but no one will train her. No one except La Reverte, a transvestite master of the bullring who has fallen into security. Witness the triumphant return of the Gender-Bending Bullfighter in Trepan Theatre's trademark style of tour-de-force physical hilarity. Starring Aaron Coates, Cheryl Hutton and Alice Nelson.
Should be a rollickin' good time. Hope to see you on opening night!
ALS Fundraising / Markapalooza 2
Wow. You are a tremendously generous and supportive bunch of people.
I started my 2009 fundraising efforts for the ALS Society of Alberta less than two weeks ago, and with your help, I've already raised over $4,000. That's a huge start toward my $10,000 goal, and I'm blown away by the response. I will still be fundraising until Betty's Run for ALS on June 14, so it's not too late to check out my fundraising site. Your support is enormously appreciated!
(Also, watch for me in the Calgary Herald on Monday, and on ShawTV later this week. The media has picked up on my fundraising efforts! Neat!)
Oh yeah, and I'm throwing a massive birthday party / fundraiser on June 6th.
Markapalooza 2 will be "off" the "hook". I'll be starting my full-blown publicity later this week, and you'll also be able to pre-purchase tickets, but here's a preview: The Human Statues. The Garter Girls Burly-Q Revue. Dragon Fli Empire. Gina Dragpiper. Not to mention bodypainting, merchandise (that's right - more t-shirts), a silent auction and more surprises.
So. Um. Save the date?
POST
The crazy kids at Strangebird Theatre have concocted a Calgary-Toronto collaboration for a group of adventurous emerging artists - myself included! Our task is to create a show - theatre, music, dance, whatever - and then send the show to our sister city counterparts, who will adapt and perform it. The Calgary and Toronto performances (and subsequent parties) will happen simultaneously.
So, to re-cap: I write something, send it to Toronto, they adapt it in some crazy way, then it's performed out East. Meanwhile, I perform some poor sucker's piece here in Calgary. Wild!
---
I'll be spending my spare time this month checking out an abundance of brilliant events, including the Calgary International Children's Festival, Studies in Motion: The Hauntings of Eadward Muybridge, Art on Art, Essay and the Russian Play, Carmen & Bolero, Imaginary Ordinary, Jump/Cut, Letters from the WhimsyState, the Flemish Eye Ball, and Evil Dead: The Musical.
Phew.
Have a great May!
Mark Hopkins
Every month, I start off this newsletter by talking about how busy I am. It's time for a change, because... this time I'm not going to talk about it.
Here's what I've got cooking:
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Matadora
- ALS Fundraising / Markapalooza 2
- POST
May 7-29, 2009
Tuesday to Saturday @ 8:00 pm
May 16 and 24 @ 2:30 pm
Arrata Opera Centre
1315 7th St SW
Adults $25, Students/Seniors $20
www.shakespearecompany.com
Tuesday to Saturday @ 8:00 pm
May 16 and 24 @ 2:30 pm
Arrata Opera Centre
1315 7th St SW
Adults $25, Students/Seniors $20
www.shakespearecompany.com
I'm delighted to once again be working with the Shakespeare Company, whose elegant presentations of the Bard's work are consistently excellent.
This famous comedy begins as Duke Theseus prepares to wed Hippolyta, the Queen of Amazons. On the eve of the royal nuptials, forbidden lovers Hermia and Lysander escape into the enchanted wood to elope under the full moon, but the wood's mischievous fairy-folk have other plans in store for the two lovestruck couples.
This production utterly transforms the Arrata Opera Centre into a twilight wonderland, where the forces of nature come to life. Welcome the first days of summer with one of Shakespeare's most enchanting creations!
Matadora
May 27-June 6, 2009
8:00 pm nightly (no show on Sunday, May 31)
2:00 pm matinee on Saturday, June 6
Joyce Doolittle Theatre
Pumphouse Theatres (2140 Pumphouse Ave SW)
Adults $16, Students/Seniors/Equity $12
403.263.0079 - tickets.pumphousetheatre.ca
8:00 pm nightly (no show on Sunday, May 31)
2:00 pm matinee on Saturday, June 6
Joyce Doolittle Theatre
Pumphouse Theatres (2140 Pumphouse Ave SW)
Adults $16, Students/Seniors/Equity $12
403.263.0079 - tickets.pumphousetheatre.ca
Trepan Theatre is back! I worked with them on last year's catacomb comedy La Mexicaine de Perforation. Now, they turn their slapstick sights on a historical figure from 1920s Spain - La Reverte.
Juanita Cruz dreams of becoming a bullfighter, but no one will train her. No one except La Reverte, a transvestite master of the bullring who has fallen into security. Witness the triumphant return of the Gender-Bending Bullfighter in Trepan Theatre's trademark style of tour-de-force physical hilarity. Starring Aaron Coates, Cheryl Hutton and Alice Nelson.
Should be a rollickin' good time. Hope to see you on opening night!
ALS Fundraising / Markapalooza 2
Mark Hopkins' fundraising site
Markapalooza 2
June 6, 7:00 pm-2:00 am
Wild Ginger (115 - 414 3rd St SW)
Markapalooza 2
June 6, 7:00 pm-2:00 am
Wild Ginger (115 - 414 3rd St SW)
Wow. You are a tremendously generous and supportive bunch of people.
I started my 2009 fundraising efforts for the ALS Society of Alberta less than two weeks ago, and with your help, I've already raised over $4,000. That's a huge start toward my $10,000 goal, and I'm blown away by the response. I will still be fundraising until Betty's Run for ALS on June 14, so it's not too late to check out my fundraising site. Your support is enormously appreciated!
(Also, watch for me in the Calgary Herald on Monday, and on ShawTV later this week. The media has picked up on my fundraising efforts! Neat!)
Oh yeah, and I'm throwing a massive birthday party / fundraiser on June 6th.
Markapalooza 2 will be "off" the "hook". I'll be starting my full-blown publicity later this week, and you'll also be able to pre-purchase tickets, but here's a preview: The Human Statues. The Garter Girls Burly-Q Revue. Dragon Fli Empire. Gina Dragpiper. Not to mention bodypainting, merchandise (that's right - more t-shirts), a silent auction and more surprises.
So. Um. Save the date?
POST
June 1, 8:00 pm
Auburn Saloon (163 - 115 9th Ave SE)
Pay-What-You-Can
Okay, yes, this event isn't until June 1st... but what are the chances that I'll get my June newsletter sent out on time? I mean, c'mon.Auburn Saloon (163 - 115 9th Ave SE)
Pay-What-You-Can
The crazy kids at Strangebird Theatre have concocted a Calgary-Toronto collaboration for a group of adventurous emerging artists - myself included! Our task is to create a show - theatre, music, dance, whatever - and then send the show to our sister city counterparts, who will adapt and perform it. The Calgary and Toronto performances (and subsequent parties) will happen simultaneously.
So, to re-cap: I write something, send it to Toronto, they adapt it in some crazy way, then it's performed out East. Meanwhile, I perform some poor sucker's piece here in Calgary. Wild!
---
I'll be spending my spare time this month checking out an abundance of brilliant events, including the Calgary International Children's Festival, Studies in Motion: The Hauntings of Eadward Muybridge, Art on Art, Essay and the Russian Play, Carmen & Bolero, Imaginary Ordinary, Jump/Cut, Letters from the WhimsyState, the Flemish Eye Ball, and Evil Dead: The Musical.
Phew.
Have a great May!
Mark Hopkins
Friday, April 10, 2009
Hopkins Happenings - April 2009
Hey everyone -
It's April! Man, 2009 is just flying past. I've got another busy month, including:
Waaaaay back in May 2005, a bunch of us French Immersion veterans got together and said, "Mon français n'est pas aussi good que it used to be." We decided to get together, every Monday night, for drinks and friendly French-language conversation!
For a couple of years, the Kensington Pub was a hotspot for French conversation and our language skills increased exponentially. Over the past several months, malheureusement, Le Salon has gradually faded away. It's time to bring it back!
Si vous parlez français (even if you only speak a little bit!), venez nous rejoindre au Kensington Pub chaque lundi soir! Beer, French conversation and good company: a formula for a fabulous Monday night!
Honesty
The final show in the 2008-09 Motel Series promises to be a gem - it's a new comedy by Calgary playwright extraordinaire, Neil Fleming, author of John Doe/Jack Rabbit, Security and Gnomes!
In the year 2367, lying is impossible. Humans use their brains to full capacity and communicate telepathically. But at the Ministry of Obsolete Technologies, two officers discover a forbidden secret: a pill that can mask brainwaves. Celebrate Canada's 500th birthday with a taboo tale of seduction, deception and chocolate addiction in a play that creates the world of the future, using wit as its weapon of choice. Starring Col Cseke, Aaron Edelstein, Nicola Elson and Jessica Nottell.
Shhhh!
You've probably heard me rambling about "Swallow-a-Bicycle", that little theatre company that keeps me insanely busy. Now's your chance to meet the creative team!
Swallow-a-Bicycle consists of myself, Léda Davies and Charles Netto. For this performance, we challenged ourselves to each create a stand-alone half-hour performance using the theme Shhhh! as our starting point. The resulting pieces include a seductive femme fatale, thoughts from the monster under the bed, and an eccentric historian with a story to tell.
As the show develops, we'll post more details on our website (and blog!). In the meantime, you can book your tickets online to see original work on the cutting edge of Calgary's creation scene! (Or whatever.)
ALS Fundraising - 2009
My great-uncle, Fred, died of ALS in the 1970s. My uncle, Bob, died of ALS in 2001. My father, Doug, was diagnosed with ALS in July 2006 and passed away on June 3, 2007. I have an approximately 50% chance of someday being diagnosed with the disease.
Every year, I participate in Betty's Run for ALS, a fundraiser for the ALS Society of Alberta, an organisation that helped my family through my father's illness and that supports ALS research. This year, the run takes place on June 14, and I will once again run 5 miles in an effort to raise money toward care, research and an eventual cure.
Last year, my fundraising campaign raised over $12,000. I'm hoping to exceed that amount this year, and your support would be greatly appreciated! Donations are accepted by credit card through the website (click "Donate Now!" at the top of the page), or you can donate by cash or cheque by contacting me at 403.710.0093 or mark.c.hopkins@gmail.com. Donations for $20 or more will be issued a charitable tax receipt.
And, yes, I will be throwing another epic birthday party / fundraiser! You can expect more bands, more bodypainting, more prizes, and more general awesomeness. Markapalooza 2 will be on June 6 - save the date, and watch for more details soon!
---
Amidst all this insanity, I'll be attending a slew of other events, like Taking Flight, Re:Verb, The Calgary Underground Film Festival and The Collection, just to name a few. Hope to see you there!
And, of course, the 'We Should Know Each Other' parties are still going strong. If you'd like to meet a bunch of interesting folks on a Sunday night, drop me a line for more details!
Thanks for bearing with my extended ramblings; that's it until May! Have a great month.
It's April! Man, 2009 is just flying past. I've got another busy month, including:
- Salon de la Conversation - Re-Launch!
- Honesty
- Shhhh!
- ALS Fundraising - 2009
Every Monday night, 8:00 pm
Kensington Pub
207 10A St NW
Kensington Pub
207 10A St NW
Waaaaay back in May 2005, a bunch of us French Immersion veterans got together and said, "Mon français n'est pas aussi good que it used to be." We decided to get together, every Monday night, for drinks and friendly French-language conversation!
For a couple of years, the Kensington Pub was a hotspot for French conversation and our language skills increased exponentially. Over the past several months, malheureusement, Le Salon has gradually faded away. It's time to bring it back!
Si vous parlez français (even if you only speak a little bit!), venez nous rejoindre au Kensington Pub chaque lundi soir! Beer, French conversation and good company: a formula for a fabulous Monday night!
Honesty
April 16-25
Thursday to Saturday @ 8:00 pm
EPCOR CENTRE's Motel
225 8th Ave SE (2nd Floor, across from the Big Secret Theatre)
Tickets $12 at the door, call 403.294.7459 to reserve
www.downstage.ca
Thursday to Saturday @ 8:00 pm
EPCOR CENTRE's Motel
225 8th Ave SE (2nd Floor, across from the Big Secret Theatre)
Tickets $12 at the door, call 403.294.7459 to reserve
www.downstage.ca
The final show in the 2008-09 Motel Series promises to be a gem - it's a new comedy by Calgary playwright extraordinaire, Neil Fleming, author of John Doe/Jack Rabbit, Security and Gnomes!
In the year 2367, lying is impossible. Humans use their brains to full capacity and communicate telepathically. But at the Ministry of Obsolete Technologies, two officers discover a forbidden secret: a pill that can mask brainwaves. Celebrate Canada's 500th birthday with a taboo tale of seduction, deception and chocolate addiction in a play that creates the world of the future, using wit as its weapon of choice. Starring Col Cseke, Aaron Edelstein, Nicola Elson and Jessica Nottell.
Shhhh!
April 28-May 2 @ 8:00 pm
Lantern Community Church
1401 10 Ave SE
$15 at the door, call 403.698.3088 to reserve
www.swallowabicycle.com
Lantern Community Church
1401 10 Ave SE
$15 at the door, call 403.698.3088 to reserve
www.swallowabicycle.com
You've probably heard me rambling about "Swallow-a-Bicycle", that little theatre company that keeps me insanely busy. Now's your chance to meet the creative team!
Swallow-a-Bicycle consists of myself, Léda Davies and Charles Netto. For this performance, we challenged ourselves to each create a stand-alone half-hour performance using the theme Shhhh! as our starting point. The resulting pieces include a seductive femme fatale, thoughts from the monster under the bed, and an eccentric historian with a story to tell.
As the show develops, we'll post more details on our website (and blog!). In the meantime, you can book your tickets online to see original work on the cutting edge of Calgary's creation scene! (Or whatever.)
ALS Fundraising - 2009
My great-uncle, Fred, died of ALS in the 1970s. My uncle, Bob, died of ALS in 2001. My father, Doug, was diagnosed with ALS in July 2006 and passed away on June 3, 2007. I have an approximately 50% chance of someday being diagnosed with the disease.
Every year, I participate in Betty's Run for ALS, a fundraiser for the ALS Society of Alberta, an organisation that helped my family through my father's illness and that supports ALS research. This year, the run takes place on June 14, and I will once again run 5 miles in an effort to raise money toward care, research and an eventual cure.
Last year, my fundraising campaign raised over $12,000. I'm hoping to exceed that amount this year, and your support would be greatly appreciated! Donations are accepted by credit card through the website (click "Donate Now!" at the top of the page), or you can donate by cash or cheque by contacting me at 403.710.0093 or mark.c.hopkins@gmail.com. Donations for $20 or more will be issued a charitable tax receipt.
And, yes, I will be throwing another epic birthday party / fundraiser! You can expect more bands, more bodypainting, more prizes, and more general awesomeness. Markapalooza 2 will be on June 6 - save the date, and watch for more details soon!
---
Amidst all this insanity, I'll be attending a slew of other events, like Taking Flight, Re:Verb, The Calgary Underground Film Festival and The Collection, just to name a few. Hope to see you there!
And, of course, the 'We Should Know Each Other' parties are still going strong. If you'd like to meet a bunch of interesting folks on a Sunday night, drop me a line for more details!
Thanks for bearing with my extended ramblings; that's it until May! Have a great month.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Zero Hour
"Hi, I'm looking for Mr. Mark Hopkins?"
"That's me."
"Hello, Mr. Hopkins. First, I want to thank you for being a Rogers Wireless customer."
"No problem."
"As a Rogers Wireless customer, I wanted to let you know about the Rocket Stick, a Rogers device that allows you to access the internet..."
"I'm sorry, did you just say Rocket Stick?"
"Yes, I did."
"Who came up with that name?"
"I'm not sure. That's hilarious, you're the second person to ask me that today."
"Rocket Stick. That's ridiculous."
"You don't like the name?"
"No, it's fine, it's just... Rocket Stick? Seriously? Will it blast me onto the internet?"
"Well, yes, exactly! I... don't remember if I said this already, because you started asking me about the name, but it will give you up to 500 MB of high-speed wireless internet. I can send you the Rocket Stick for free, all you'll need to pay is the monthly fee."
"You know what, I've lead a pretty fulfilling life up 'til now, so I think I'm okay without a Rocket Stick."
"Are you sure? The Rocket Stick will help you sleep better at night!"
"Now that you mention it, my sleep has been quite troubled lately."
"You see? That's exactly what I was thinking, I looked at your name and thought, 'I'm going to call Mr. Hopkins and help him with his sleeping problems.' Aren't you happy that I called?"
"Delighted, really. But you know what, I think I'm going to have to pass on the Rocket Stick."
"Well thanks for taking my call, Mark, and I hope you find something to help with your sleep."
"That's me."
"Hello, Mr. Hopkins. First, I want to thank you for being a Rogers Wireless customer."
"No problem."
"As a Rogers Wireless customer, I wanted to let you know about the Rocket Stick, a Rogers device that allows you to access the internet..."
"I'm sorry, did you just say Rocket Stick?"
"Yes, I did."
"Who came up with that name?"
"I'm not sure. That's hilarious, you're the second person to ask me that today."
"Rocket Stick. That's ridiculous."
"You don't like the name?"
"No, it's fine, it's just... Rocket Stick? Seriously? Will it blast me onto the internet?"
"Well, yes, exactly! I... don't remember if I said this already, because you started asking me about the name, but it will give you up to 500 MB of high-speed wireless internet. I can send you the Rocket Stick for free, all you'll need to pay is the monthly fee."
"You know what, I've lead a pretty fulfilling life up 'til now, so I think I'm okay without a Rocket Stick."
"Are you sure? The Rocket Stick will help you sleep better at night!"
"Now that you mention it, my sleep has been quite troubled lately."
"You see? That's exactly what I was thinking, I looked at your name and thought, 'I'm going to call Mr. Hopkins and help him with his sleeping problems.' Aren't you happy that I called?"
"Delighted, really. But you know what, I think I'm going to have to pass on the Rocket Stick."
"Well thanks for taking my call, Mark, and I hope you find something to help with your sleep."
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Factor E
Since I'm already quoting, I figured I would toss this one into the mix, from a movie I haven't seen:
Well, I have this friend Mark. Well, he buys all these clothes from Bloomingdale's. But because he's from London, everybody on the Cape keeps talking about his "fabulous English look," which really is so good.
He was at a party up there last weekend and Norman Mailer walked up and punched him in the stomach. When Mark asked him why, he just said it was for wearing a pink coat.
I know I should have been happy for Mark that Norman Mailer punched him, but all I could think was, 'Will Norman Mailer ever punch me?'
I don't even have a pink coat.
Well, I have this friend Mark. Well, he buys all these clothes from Bloomingdale's. But because he's from London, everybody on the Cape keeps talking about his "fabulous English look," which really is so good.
He was at a party up there last weekend and Norman Mailer walked up and punched him in the stomach. When Mark asked him why, he just said it was for wearing a pink coat.
I know I should have been happy for Mark that Norman Mailer punched him, but all I could think was, 'Will Norman Mailer ever punch me?'
I don't even have a pink coat.
Reverie
I recently re-discovered the fabulous, partially-defunct Calgary band, Reverie Sound Revue, and I've been reveling in the awesomeness of their 6-song album for about a week.
One line, from the song "Rip the Universe", has been haunting me with its piercing accuracy.
"Everyone is kinda lazy / When it's time to kiss a lady"
Amen to that. Seriously.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Other Things that Pissed Me Off Today:
Minister won't confirm belief in evolution.
(Followed up with 'Minister clarifies stand on evolution', which somehow failed to quell my concerns.)
Pope says condoms not answer to fighting AIDS. "On the contrary, it increases the problem."
"Unmasking Choice" on the side of a truck, driving by as I enjoy a hot chocolate in Kensington.
I mean, fuckin' hell. Can't there be a moratorium on idiocy? Just until I die. Eighty years, tops.
(Followed up with 'Minister clarifies stand on evolution', which somehow failed to quell my concerns.)
Pope says condoms not answer to fighting AIDS. "On the contrary, it increases the problem."
"Unmasking Choice" on the side of a truck, driving by as I enjoy a hot chocolate in Kensington.
I mean, fuckin' hell. Can't there be a moratorium on idiocy? Just until I die. Eighty years, tops.
Bushwacked
George W. Bush ate dinner at Osteria De Medici last night. His five dining companions ate Alberta beef, but George decided on pasta.
This was deemed newsworthy by the Toronto Star, CBC and Canada.com.
It makes me mildly uncomfortable to know that one of the world's most reviled men spent yesterday evening in my neighbourhood, at a restaurant that I walk past almost daily. On the other hand, I've always found Osteria a bit pompous. I mean, c'mon. Who has valet parking in a strip mall?
Calgary, "perhaps the only city in Canada that would have him", was the first stop on Dubya's post-presidency speaking tour, a dubious honour at best. He spoke at a $400-a-plate, invitation-only, media-barred luncheon at the Telus Convention Centre. I didn't make the invitation list.
I first heard about Bush's impending visit in the Herald, but most of the reminders came from a fabulous group of people going by the name 'People Vs. Bush'. Over the past several days, they've organised a number of anti-Bush events, including a mock trial, a memorial wall, a rally and a film festival, and garnered a fair amount of media attention in doing so. (They actually invited Swallow-a-Bicycle to take part in the mock trial, but unfortunately I got the message too late.)
The protest rally on Stephen Avenue started at about 11:30 this morning. When I had arrived at work, a few hours earlier, the street was already swarming with police and well-dressed men in shiny black cars. When 11:30 hit, Johnny and I decided to check out the action.
As we approached, we could see that Stephen Ave was packed. We stopped before crossing Macleod ("There's no way I'm jaywalking," said Johnny, staring pointedly at the police van next to us) and, as we stared across the street, it was obvious that there were two distinct groups filling the street.
First, and most colourfully, were the protestors. They had signs and banners, demanding the truth behind 9/11 and justice for the victims of a reckless regime, denouncing illegal wars and state-sponsored torture. One woman was dressed like a Guantanamo prisoner, standing next to an elastic-propelled "shoe cannon". They chanted "Go home!", "Criminal!" and "Shame on you!"
Then, outnumbering the protestors almost 10-to-1, were the luncheon's attendees, stretched out in a line that started at the Convention Centre doors and went all the way down the block, then around the corner. Due either to massive oversight or sadistic planning, the luncheon's security measures had slowed entrance to a crawl. Access to the building was limited to a single door, and guests were subjected to searches so intimate that, when they were proved weaponless, they went scrambling for the wine bar to help forget the ordeal.
As a result, several hundred of Calgary's wealthiest citizens were left outside, single-file, waiting in the cold, being heckled, chastized, jostled and booed by passionate objectors.
Walking down that line was a surreal and somewhat terrifying experience, like walking past a living chain of cut-out dolls. The attendees were almost completely demographically homogenous: the vast majority were Caucasian men, between the ages of 40-70, and wearing identical navy-blue business suits.
If these are the people tugging on Calgary's political puppet strings, it's no wonder this city sometimes drives me fucking insane.
The reports say that over 1,500 people paid $400 a head to attend the luncheon, a fact that makes me ashamed and disgusted to call Calgary my home. Where is that money going? What about that man makes him worth a $400 ticket, makes him worth standing in the cold, being heckled by two hundred protesters?
In Johnny's neighbourhood, people had glued Bush's face to the soles of old shoes, tied them together and tossed them over phone lines. For the past several days, whenever he looked up, there was an unmistakable statement: "You're not welcome here."
This morning, Johnny opened his door to discover all the shoes had vanished. "They can't clear the snow off our streets," he grumbled, "but heaven forbid they offend George W."
Apparently Aldermen John Mar and Ric McIver were inside the luncheon, while I spotted Druh Farrell and Joe Ceci outside with the protestors. It occurs to me that the alderman I like (Farrell, Ceci, Pincott) must have a pretty damn hard job. Thank you, councillors, for your ongoing work.
In fact, Farrell and Ceci were among the only familiar faces in the crowd. I ran into Karen Ball from CADA, but... that was about it. I didn't even see Grant Neufeld! (though I'm sure he was there)
I was surprised. I had expected to see throngs of my artist friends, outraged that this war criminal was being welcomed in our hometown.
Now, granted, I was hardly committed to the protest myself. I wandered through the crowds, made some snide comments as I walked past the luncheon line-up, grabbed a breakfast wrap at Jugo Juice, and went back to work. As I walked back to the OYR office, I wondered, why wasn't I there in the midst of it? Why wasn't I hoisting a placard, yelling "Criminal!" with the rest of the crowd?
I don't know.
I hate the actions that Bush took while in office. I hate that he deemed Calgary to be the friendliest place for his first post-presidency appearance. I hate basically everything he represents. But somehow, the appeal of Excel spreadsheets and final reports overpowered my righteous outrage.
So that's me. What about you?
Why weren't you there?
This was deemed newsworthy by the Toronto Star, CBC and Canada.com.
It makes me mildly uncomfortable to know that one of the world's most reviled men spent yesterday evening in my neighbourhood, at a restaurant that I walk past almost daily. On the other hand, I've always found Osteria a bit pompous. I mean, c'mon. Who has valet parking in a strip mall?
Calgary, "perhaps the only city in Canada that would have him", was the first stop on Dubya's post-presidency speaking tour, a dubious honour at best. He spoke at a $400-a-plate, invitation-only, media-barred luncheon at the Telus Convention Centre. I didn't make the invitation list.
I first heard about Bush's impending visit in the Herald, but most of the reminders came from a fabulous group of people going by the name 'People Vs. Bush'. Over the past several days, they've organised a number of anti-Bush events, including a mock trial, a memorial wall, a rally and a film festival, and garnered a fair amount of media attention in doing so. (They actually invited Swallow-a-Bicycle to take part in the mock trial, but unfortunately I got the message too late.)
The protest rally on Stephen Avenue started at about 11:30 this morning. When I had arrived at work, a few hours earlier, the street was already swarming with police and well-dressed men in shiny black cars. When 11:30 hit, Johnny and I decided to check out the action.
As we approached, we could see that Stephen Ave was packed. We stopped before crossing Macleod ("There's no way I'm jaywalking," said Johnny, staring pointedly at the police van next to us) and, as we stared across the street, it was obvious that there were two distinct groups filling the street.
First, and most colourfully, were the protestors. They had signs and banners, demanding the truth behind 9/11 and justice for the victims of a reckless regime, denouncing illegal wars and state-sponsored torture. One woman was dressed like a Guantanamo prisoner, standing next to an elastic-propelled "shoe cannon". They chanted "Go home!", "Criminal!" and "Shame on you!"
Then, outnumbering the protestors almost 10-to-1, were the luncheon's attendees, stretched out in a line that started at the Convention Centre doors and went all the way down the block, then around the corner. Due either to massive oversight or sadistic planning, the luncheon's security measures had slowed entrance to a crawl. Access to the building was limited to a single door, and guests were subjected to searches so intimate that, when they were proved weaponless, they went scrambling for the wine bar to help forget the ordeal.
As a result, several hundred of Calgary's wealthiest citizens were left outside, single-file, waiting in the cold, being heckled, chastized, jostled and booed by passionate objectors.
Walking down that line was a surreal and somewhat terrifying experience, like walking past a living chain of cut-out dolls. The attendees were almost completely demographically homogenous: the vast majority were Caucasian men, between the ages of 40-70, and wearing identical navy-blue business suits.
If these are the people tugging on Calgary's political puppet strings, it's no wonder this city sometimes drives me fucking insane.
The reports say that over 1,500 people paid $400 a head to attend the luncheon, a fact that makes me ashamed and disgusted to call Calgary my home. Where is that money going? What about that man makes him worth a $400 ticket, makes him worth standing in the cold, being heckled by two hundred protesters?
In Johnny's neighbourhood, people had glued Bush's face to the soles of old shoes, tied them together and tossed them over phone lines. For the past several days, whenever he looked up, there was an unmistakable statement: "You're not welcome here."
This morning, Johnny opened his door to discover all the shoes had vanished. "They can't clear the snow off our streets," he grumbled, "but heaven forbid they offend George W."
Apparently Aldermen John Mar and Ric McIver were inside the luncheon, while I spotted Druh Farrell and Joe Ceci outside with the protestors. It occurs to me that the alderman I like (Farrell, Ceci, Pincott) must have a pretty damn hard job. Thank you, councillors, for your ongoing work.
In fact, Farrell and Ceci were among the only familiar faces in the crowd. I ran into Karen Ball from CADA, but... that was about it. I didn't even see Grant Neufeld! (though I'm sure he was there)
I was surprised. I had expected to see throngs of my artist friends, outraged that this war criminal was being welcomed in our hometown.
Now, granted, I was hardly committed to the protest myself. I wandered through the crowds, made some snide comments as I walked past the luncheon line-up, grabbed a breakfast wrap at Jugo Juice, and went back to work. As I walked back to the OYR office, I wondered, why wasn't I there in the midst of it? Why wasn't I hoisting a placard, yelling "Criminal!" with the rest of the crowd?
I don't know.
I hate the actions that Bush took while in office. I hate that he deemed Calgary to be the friendliest place for his first post-presidency appearance. I hate basically everything he represents. But somehow, the appeal of Excel spreadsheets and final reports overpowered my righteous outrage.
So that's me. What about you?
Why weren't you there?
Monday, March 16, 2009
Feminesque
Over at the Facebook page for Kabuki Guns Burlesque, a discussion about burlesque and feminism has arisen. After all the attention that my last burlesque post received, I figured there might be some interest! The post can be found here.
I'll be taking in quite a bit of burlesque in the next little while, starting with the KGB's Burlesque Fest on March 20, and then the Garter Girls at a fundraiser for the ACAD Feminist Book Club on March 27. Perhaps you can join me?
I'll be taking in quite a bit of burlesque in the next little while, starting with the KGB's Burlesque Fest on March 20, and then the Garter Girls at a fundraiser for the ACAD Feminist Book Club on March 27. Perhaps you can join me?
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Dudes
This weekend is insane.
Leaving aside the usual batch of Swallow-a-Bicycle insanity (Sexual Outlaws party tonight, Spark a Revolution rehearsal tomorrow), I'm performing in a staged reading of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde tomorrow and Monday with Maple Salsa.
I'm acting. Ahhh!
This all started a few weeks ago, when Elan Pratt of Maple Salsa sent out an e-mail, saying that they were in search of nine (count 'em, NINE) male actors to do a staged reading in March. I hadn't acted in a while, and this sounded like a nice low-pressure, low-commitment way to get back into the game, so I signed up on the spot!
... and that's why I've spent about twenty-five hours over the past three weeks in the Theatre Calgary Rehearsal Hall with nine other dudes. Under the expert direction of Javier Vilalta, we can now read out of binders like nobody's business, and I'm confident that we will kick some serious Victorian ass on Sunday and Monday.
It's a long play, and there are long stretches where I have nothing to say or do, which has given me plenty of time to contemplate. And at some point I realised... I don't spend a lot of time with guys.
It's been months since I've had a "boys' night" of video games and beer. I don't watch hockey or soccer or (insert organized sport here). And when I do get together with buddies, it tends to be one-on-one catch-up time.
While a nine-man cast doesn't do much for Calgary's plentiful community of talented and underworked female actors, it certainly creates a unique environment.
The rehearsal hall isn't really representative of your typical male bonding experience (well, maybe it is... we spend a lot of the time half-dressed and stroking each other), but I've been delighting in the opportunity to spend time with dudes. Every time Brad asks me to check the hockey scores on my Blackberry, I mentally pump a fist in the air. As I convey the third-period stats of the Penguins vs. whoever, I am part of the inner sanctum of male-ness. I follow sports! I am man!
Then I nibble on one of Brad's bakery-fresh peanut butter cookies and squeal at its yumminess.
After one of our rehearsals last week, a few of us ended up at the Auburn (where we accidentally caught the first rehearsal of the Calgary division of the Sons of Negus, which pretty much ruled!) and, over the course of two beers and some unsatisfying hummus, we talked about comic books and movies and assorted nonsense. It was rad.
I socialise a lot, but I don't tend to hang out very much. After this show is over, I think I'm about due for a full-on guys' night.
Any takers?
Leaving aside the usual batch of Swallow-a-Bicycle insanity (Sexual Outlaws party tonight, Spark a Revolution rehearsal tomorrow), I'm performing in a staged reading of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde tomorrow and Monday with Maple Salsa.
I'm acting. Ahhh!
This all started a few weeks ago, when Elan Pratt of Maple Salsa sent out an e-mail, saying that they were in search of nine (count 'em, NINE) male actors to do a staged reading in March. I hadn't acted in a while, and this sounded like a nice low-pressure, low-commitment way to get back into the game, so I signed up on the spot!
... and that's why I've spent about twenty-five hours over the past three weeks in the Theatre Calgary Rehearsal Hall with nine other dudes. Under the expert direction of Javier Vilalta, we can now read out of binders like nobody's business, and I'm confident that we will kick some serious Victorian ass on Sunday and Monday.
It's a long play, and there are long stretches where I have nothing to say or do, which has given me plenty of time to contemplate. And at some point I realised... I don't spend a lot of time with guys.
It's been months since I've had a "boys' night" of video games and beer. I don't watch hockey or soccer or (insert organized sport here). And when I do get together with buddies, it tends to be one-on-one catch-up time.
While a nine-man cast doesn't do much for Calgary's plentiful community of talented and underworked female actors, it certainly creates a unique environment.
The rehearsal hall isn't really representative of your typical male bonding experience (well, maybe it is... we spend a lot of the time half-dressed and stroking each other), but I've been delighting in the opportunity to spend time with dudes. Every time Brad asks me to check the hockey scores on my Blackberry, I mentally pump a fist in the air. As I convey the third-period stats of the Penguins vs. whoever, I am part of the inner sanctum of male-ness. I follow sports! I am man!
Then I nibble on one of Brad's bakery-fresh peanut butter cookies and squeal at its yumminess.
After one of our rehearsals last week, a few of us ended up at the Auburn (where we accidentally caught the first rehearsal of the Calgary division of the Sons of Negus, which pretty much ruled!) and, over the course of two beers and some unsatisfying hummus, we talked about comic books and movies and assorted nonsense. It was rad.
I socialise a lot, but I don't tend to hang out very much. After this show is over, I think I'm about due for a full-on guys' night.
Any takers?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Hopkins Happenings - March 2009
I don't know how it happened, exactly, but March is BUSY! There aren't enough hours...
(Also, how is it March already? We're three months into 2009? Geesh.)
Here's a taste of what's keeping me occupied in the next several weeks:
For a couple of years, I was the curator of filling Station magazine's flywheel reading series, which takes place on the first Thursday of each month. Now, I'm coming back as a performer!
flywheel puts the spotlight on local writers, and always features an eclectic mix of poetry, prose and... well, in my case, "miscellaneous". Hosted by ryan fitzpatrick (on his birthday!), the March edition of flywheel will feature readings by Patrick Horner, Stuart Ian McKay, Brent Schaus... and me! My performance will involve cake and wackiness. You don't want to miss out on cake and wackiness, let me tell you.
'We Should Know Each Other' - Silver Jubilee!
In February 2008, I started hosting 'We Should Know Each Other' parties at my apartment. Now, a year later, we have reached WSKEO #25! Twenty-five freakin' parties... that's a lot.
I'm going to be in a celebratory mood, so if you've been meaning to attend a WSKEO but just haven't gotten around to it, maybe this is your moment! And if you don't know what the hell I'm talking about, but you're intrigued, drop me a line and I'll give you more details.
Networking and hummus! Hooray!
There will be games, prizes, face-painting, hot dogs, hot chocolate, and a special reading of Neil's play, Gnomes, performed by Trevor Reuger, Karen Johnston-Diamond and Andy Curtis. And if you really want to get into the spirit, you can gather a team of four and compete in a series of games for the legendary Golden Finklebottom Trophy! The entry fee for a team is only $50, and there are some fantastic prizes to be won.
For more info, you can contact Neil at foilcup@telusplanet.net. It'll be good fun for a good cause!
Gross Indecency
Okay, so it's actually a staged reading, but I'm pretty psyched to try out my "actor" hat for a while. This month (March 3-22), Theatre Calgary is producing The Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde. As a bonus for Wilde fans, they invited Maple Salsa to perform a reading of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde by Moises Kaufman. The play interweaves actual courtroom testimonies with excerpts of Wilde's writing (notably his letters and parts of The Picture of Dorian Gray) and the words of his contemporaries. Sodomy, poetry and Victorian rivalries - what more could you want?
I'm thrilled and intimidated to be working with a kick-ass cast of local gentlemen: Peter Aitchison, Mathew Glessing, Braden Griffiths, Kevin MacDonnell, Derek Paulich, Michael Rogers, Brad Simon and Geoff Woods, under the direction of Javier Vilalta. It's a really interesting script, I'm quite proud of the work we're doing in rehearsal, and all the proceeds benefit Maple Salsa's next show. Winning combination!
To reserve seats, call 403-294-7440 ext. 1344 or email jkinch@theatrecalgary.com.
The third instalment in the 2008-09 Motel Series! Highway 63 delves into life in Fort McMurray, the heart of the oilsands and a centre for global controversy. Six theatre artists (of a rather all-star variety: Georgina Beaty, Layne Coleman, Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman, Greg Gale, John Popkin and Jonathan Seinan) have spent three weeks living in Fort Mac, meeting its residents and soaking in the reality of Northern Alberta. Based on this experience, they will perform an original creation that spotlights the people of Fort McMurray, from waitresses to riggers, social workers to labour leaders.
I'm tremendously excited about this highly topical show from a group of incredibly talented artists. It's a one-week run with a limited capacity, so make sure to snag your tickets early! To reserve, call Downstage at 403.294.7459.
Spark a Revolution
Swallow-a-Bicycle has been invited to create an original performance for the event - our Edmonton debut! If you're going to be up in E-Town, this promises to be an utterly rockin' party. And hey, you can get a tax receipt for part of the ticket price. Bonus!
You can get tickets here or by calling 780-409-1910
Even aside from all the stuff I'm personally involved in, March is simply crammed with awesomeness. There's Factory Party 5, Blitz Weekend at the playRites Festival, the premiere of Watchmen, Ayla Stephen's one-woman show Tree Hugger, the $100 Film Fest, the Improv Brier, a Francophone Poetry SLAM, Burlesque Fest, and the Curvilicious fundraiser, just to name a few. There's certainly no excuse for boredom!
Then, coming up in April, I've got Honesty with the Motel Series and Shhhh! with Swallow-a-Bicycle... ah, but those are topics for another newsletter.
Have a great March!
(Also, how is it March already? We're three months into 2009? Geesh.)
Here's a taste of what's keeping me occupied in the next several weeks:
- flywheel reading series
- 'We Should Know Each Other' - Silver Jubilee!
- Sexual Outlaws
- Loony Winter Carnival
- Gross Indecency
- Highway 63: The Fort Mac Show
- Spark a Revolution
Thursday, March 5, 7:30 pm
Pages Books on Kensington
1135 Kensington Rd NW
For a couple of years, I was the curator of filling Station magazine's flywheel reading series, which takes place on the first Thursday of each month. Now, I'm coming back as a performer!
flywheel puts the spotlight on local writers, and always features an eclectic mix of poetry, prose and... well, in my case, "miscellaneous". Hosted by ryan fitzpatrick (on his birthday!), the March edition of flywheel will feature readings by Patrick Horner, Stuart Ian McKay, Brent Schaus... and me! My performance will involve cake and wackiness. You don't want to miss out on cake and wackiness, let me tell you.
'We Should Know Each Other' - Silver Jubilee!
Sunday, March 8, 7:00-11:00 pm
Chez Mark
In February 2008, I started hosting 'We Should Know Each Other' parties at my apartment. Now, a year later, we have reached WSKEO #25! Twenty-five freakin' parties... that's a lot.
I'm going to be in a celebratory mood, so if you've been meaning to attend a WSKEO but just haven't gotten around to it, maybe this is your moment! And if you don't know what the hell I'm talking about, but you're intrigued, drop me a line and I'll give you more details.
Networking and hummus! Hooray!
Sexual Outlaws
Wow! Swallow-a-Bicycle has a brand-new website! How great is that?
*ahem*
It's been a while since the Swallow-a-Bicycle crew last got our party on, and we're due. Join us for an evening of eroticism, debauchery and dancing! The evening has a killer line-up - Kris Demeanor, The Firm Handshake, Seven Story Redhead and DJ GoodWord - not to mention some other surprise performances, sexy hosting by AJ Demers, body painting by Reia Lance and Aga Bona, and a prize raffle for sex toy packages ("His", "Hers" and "Couples").
We're going to rock the Palomino in sensual Swallow-a-Bicycle style. Hope you can be there!
Loony Winter Carnival
Saturday, March 14
Palomino Smokehouse
109 7th Ave SW
Doors at 9:00 pm, Show at 9:30 pm
Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door
Wow! Swallow-a-Bicycle has a brand-new website! How great is that?
*ahem*
It's been a while since the Swallow-a-Bicycle crew last got our party on, and we're due. Join us for an evening of eroticism, debauchery and dancing! The evening has a killer line-up - Kris Demeanor, The Firm Handshake, Seven Story Redhead and DJ GoodWord - not to mention some other surprise performances, sexy hosting by AJ Demers, body painting by Reia Lance and Aga Bona, and a prize raffle for sex toy packages ("His", "Hers" and "Couples").
We're going to rock the Palomino in sensual Swallow-a-Bicycle style. Hope you can be there!
Loony Winter Carnival
Sunday, March 15, 11:00 am-6:00 pm
Tuxedo Park Community Hall
202 29th Ave NE
$20 per family, or $5 per head
In April, the final show in the 2008-09 Motel Series is Honesty, a new script by Calgary's acclaimed playwright, Neil Fleming, co-presented by his new comedy company, Two Sheds Theatre. Because he's fabulous, Neil wants to pay his actors; hence the Loony Winter Carnival, an afternoon of fundraising and good, clean fun!
There will be games, prizes, face-painting, hot dogs, hot chocolate, and a special reading of Neil's play, Gnomes, performed by Trevor Reuger, Karen Johnston-Diamond and Andy Curtis. And if you really want to get into the spirit, you can gather a team of four and compete in a series of games for the legendary Golden Finklebottom Trophy! The entry fee for a team is only $50, and there are some fantastic prizes to be won.
For more info, you can contact Neil at foilcup@telusplanet.net. It'll be good fun for a good cause!
Gross Indecency
Sunday, March 15 @ 6:00 pm and Monday, March 16 @ 7:30 pm
Theatre Calgary Rehearsal Hall
EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts
Pay-What-You-Can
Mark Hopkins? Performing in a script-based play? Shocking!
Okay, so it's actually a staged reading, but I'm pretty psyched to try out my "actor" hat for a while. This month (March 3-22), Theatre Calgary is producing The Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde. As a bonus for Wilde fans, they invited Maple Salsa to perform a reading of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde by Moises Kaufman. The play interweaves actual courtroom testimonies with excerpts of Wilde's writing (notably his letters and parts of The Picture of Dorian Gray) and the words of his contemporaries. Sodomy, poetry and Victorian rivalries - what more could you want?
I'm thrilled and intimidated to be working with a kick-ass cast of local gentlemen: Peter Aitchison, Mathew Glessing, Braden Griffiths, Kevin MacDonnell, Derek Paulich, Michael Rogers, Brad Simon and Geoff Woods, under the direction of Javier Vilalta. It's a really interesting script, I'm quite proud of the work we're doing in rehearsal, and all the proceeds benefit Maple Salsa's next show. Winning combination!
To reserve seats, call 403-294-7440 ext. 1344 or email jkinch@theatrecalgary.com.
Highway 63: The Fort Mac Show
March 24-28 @ 8:00 pm
Thursday, March 26 @ 11:00 pm
Saturday, March 28 @ 2:00 pm
Motel (across from the Big Secret Theatre)
EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts
Tickets $12
www.downstage.ca
The third instalment in the 2008-09 Motel Series! Highway 63 delves into life in Fort McMurray, the heart of the oilsands and a centre for global controversy. Six theatre artists (of a rather all-star variety: Georgina Beaty, Layne Coleman, Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman, Greg Gale, John Popkin and Jonathan Seinan) have spent three weeks living in Fort Mac, meeting its residents and soaking in the reality of Northern Alberta. Based on this experience, they will perform an original creation that spotlights the people of Fort McMurray, from waitresses to riggers, social workers to labour leaders.
I'm tremendously excited about this highly topical show from a group of incredibly talented artists. It's a one-week run with a limited capacity, so make sure to snag your tickets early! To reserve, call Downstage at 403.294.7459.
Spark a Revolution
Saturday, March 28 @ 7:00 pm
Westbury Theatre, TransAlta Arts Barn
10330 84 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
$100
Fringe Theatre Adventures, the fine folks behind the Edmonton Fringe Festival, have put together a high-energy performance party/fundraising event, celebrating revolutionary creativity! There will be raffle prizes, live auctions and a wide diversity of theatre, music, dance and film performances.
Swallow-a-Bicycle has been invited to create an original performance for the event - our Edmonton debut! If you're going to be up in E-Town, this promises to be an utterly rockin' party. And hey, you can get a tax receipt for part of the ticket price. Bonus!
You can get tickets here or by calling 780-409-1910
- - -
Even aside from all the stuff I'm personally involved in, March is simply crammed with awesomeness. There's Factory Party 5, Blitz Weekend at the playRites Festival, the premiere of Watchmen, Ayla Stephen's one-woman show Tree Hugger, the $100 Film Fest, the Improv Brier, a Francophone Poetry SLAM, Burlesque Fest, and the Curvilicious fundraiser, just to name a few. There's certainly no excuse for boredom!
Then, coming up in April, I've got Honesty with the Motel Series and Shhhh! with Swallow-a-Bicycle... ah, but those are topics for another newsletter.
Have a great March!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Silver
Wow. I am really bad at daily blogging.
I will soon write a post about last week's crazy-ass dinner, and a follow-up to my burlesque rant. In the meantime, I found out today that an article I published in a recent issue of U Magazine won a silver award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. I don't exactly know what that means, but it made me re-read the article. I'm kind of proud of how it came out.
If you have a moment, take a peek. Here it is.
I will soon write a post about last week's crazy-ass dinner, and a follow-up to my burlesque rant. In the meantime, I found out today that an article I published in a recent issue of U Magazine won a silver award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. I don't exactly know what that means, but it made me re-read the article. I'm kind of proud of how it came out.
If you have a moment, take a peek. Here it is.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Thinning the Competition
In writing the previous blog post, I discovered that the illustrious Dr. Mark Hopkins has moved to Nova Scotia.
Calgary is mine!
Calgary is mine!
The Globe and Mark
I was at work this week, busy doing something, when I got a call on my cell from an unknown number. I ignored it, probably a credit card company or a stalker.
That afternoon, I checked my voicemail.
"Mark, it's Corinne calling from Harvey Weingarten's office at the University of Calgary, and I'm calling with a very late invitation. My fault, I've been away on the Christmas break, and I returned just this week.
"The editor-in-chief of the Globe & Mail, Ed Greenspon, is going to be here in Calgary on January 19, next Monday, and Harvey is taking him out for dinner. We were wondering if you would like to join them.
"There are a few other people attending as well. If you're available, can you let me know? I can also let you know who the other attendees are. Thanks Mark! Bye."
Guh?
It was almost 5:00 on Wednesday. I called back immediately, and caught Corinne before she left the office. I thanked her for the invitation and accepted. She was delighted.
After I hung up, I took a moment. Why the hell was I being invited to dine with Harvey Weingarten and Ed Greenspon?
I called my mom. She thought it was pretty cool. "What if they've got the wrong Mark Hopkins?" I asked. "So what?" she replied.
See, Mark Hopkins is a pretty common name. There's a hotel in San Francisco, a sculptor in Colorado, an American railroad magnate... and Dr. Mark Hopkins, a conductor and music instructor at the University of Calgary.
The next morning, I got an e-mail from Corinne that invited me to a seminar, featuring Ed Greenspon, for the "senior leaders and emerging leaders here on campus". It also listed the dinner attendees: a couple Associate Vice-Presidents, a Provost (?), the Dean of the Haskayne School of Businesss... and no mention whatsoever of Mark Hopkins. Further convinced that they had the wrong guy, I shot an e-mail back:
"I have to admit, not being an Associate Vice-President of anything, that I feel somewhat out of my depth in that list of names. I guess I fit into the "emerging leaders" category!"
I thought this was my out. If they had the wrong guy, this would definitely clue them off. Then I got an e-mail back from Corinne, two minutes later:
"That's great news. I will be at the seminar, so don't hesitate to come and introduce yourself to me."
Guh?
Finally, on Friday, I received the full, final list of highly Google-able attendees. We've got:
Mr. Greenspon's Wikipedia entry reveals a long history of investigative journalism (starting with unveiled corruption in the residence student government at Carleton University!). He's the co-author of Double Vision, a book about the Liberal government of Jean Chretien and Paul Martin. He's been EiC of The Globe and Mail since 2002.
Dr. Harvey P. Weingarten is the U of C's seventh President and Vice-Chancellor, a position he's held since 2001. He is a doctor of psychology, with a PhD from Yale.
Ms. Bagnell Styles worked in marketing with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Canadian Airlines and Wardair before landing the External Relations gig at U of C. She's the current President of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks.
Ms. Turner is the editor over at U Magazine, which kind of makes her my boss.
Dr. Waverman holds a PhD from M.I.T., was awarded the medal of Chevalier dans les Ordres de Palme Académique by the Government of France, and came to the U of C from the London School of Business. He is apparently a "world-renowned expert in international telecommunications and resources management". Neat.
Provost! What a great, and slightly ambiguous, title. It refers to a "senior academic administrator" at an institution of higher education. Dr. Harrison (PhD in economics from the University of Essex) is a Provost twice over, first at Carleton and now at U of C. He has two kids and enjoys jazz music.
Dr. Reid is the U of C's first Tamaratt Teaching Professor in Geoscience, and is the star of an "Innovators" video produced by U of C External Relations. (Catherine Bagnell Styles, was this your doing?) She knows the difference between "using" and "utilizing", which has always mystified me.
Dr. Flanagan is senior fellow in the Fraser Institute, a "free-market think-tank", and a member of the Calgary School, which Dr. Radha Jhappan has referred to as the "department of redneckology". He's been called "The Prince of Darkness" by CBC's Ira Basen for the views expressed in his book First Nations? Second Thoughts, and "The Man Behind Stephen Harper" by The Walrus for his role as Harper's national campaign director.
Mr. Love was the Executive Assistant to Mayor Ralph Klein, and remained hitched to that wagon until he became Chief of Staff to Premier Ralph Klein. He ran unsuccessfully in a Calgary-Buffalo provincial by-election in 1992 and created Rod Love Consulting Inc. in 1998. He's a recipient of the Governor General's Medal for Outstanding Community Service, and sits on the board of governors of the University of Calgary and the Canada West Foundation.
... and ...
I've heard of this guy... doesn't he have a pompous t-shirt with his name on it?
So. Should be an interesting meal.
I still have no idea why I was invited to this event, though I suspect I'm meant to represent Calgary's "leaders of tomorrow" or something. Regardless, I'm going to print me some business cards and try not to spill any wine!
That afternoon, I checked my voicemail.
"Mark, it's Corinne calling from Harvey Weingarten's office at the University of Calgary, and I'm calling with a very late invitation. My fault, I've been away on the Christmas break, and I returned just this week.
"The editor-in-chief of the Globe & Mail, Ed Greenspon, is going to be here in Calgary on January 19, next Monday, and Harvey is taking him out for dinner. We were wondering if you would like to join them.
"There are a few other people attending as well. If you're available, can you let me know? I can also let you know who the other attendees are. Thanks Mark! Bye."
Guh?
It was almost 5:00 on Wednesday. I called back immediately, and caught Corinne before she left the office. I thanked her for the invitation and accepted. She was delighted.
After I hung up, I took a moment. Why the hell was I being invited to dine with Harvey Weingarten and Ed Greenspon?
I called my mom. She thought it was pretty cool. "What if they've got the wrong Mark Hopkins?" I asked. "So what?" she replied.
See, Mark Hopkins is a pretty common name. There's a hotel in San Francisco, a sculptor in Colorado, an American railroad magnate... and Dr. Mark Hopkins, a conductor and music instructor at the University of Calgary.
The next morning, I got an e-mail from Corinne that invited me to a seminar, featuring Ed Greenspon, for the "senior leaders and emerging leaders here on campus". It also listed the dinner attendees: a couple Associate Vice-Presidents, a Provost (?), the Dean of the Haskayne School of Businesss... and no mention whatsoever of Mark Hopkins. Further convinced that they had the wrong guy, I shot an e-mail back:
"I have to admit, not being an Associate Vice-President of anything, that I feel somewhat out of my depth in that list of names. I guess I fit into the "emerging leaders" category!"
I thought this was my out. If they had the wrong guy, this would definitely clue them off. Then I got an e-mail back from Corinne, two minutes later:
"That's great news. I will be at the seminar, so don't hesitate to come and introduce yourself to me."
Guh?
Finally, on Friday, I received the full, final list of highly Google-able attendees. We've got:
Ed Greenspon (Editor-in-Chief, The Globe and Mail)
Mr. Greenspon's Wikipedia entry reveals a long history of investigative journalism (starting with unveiled corruption in the residence student government at Carleton University!). He's the co-author of Double Vision, a book about the Liberal government of Jean Chretien and Paul Martin. He's been EiC of The Globe and Mail since 2002.
Harvey Weingarten (President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Calgary)
Dr. Harvey P. Weingarten is the U of C's seventh President and Vice-Chancellor, a position he's held since 2001. He is a doctor of psychology, with a PhD from Yale.
Catherine Bagnell Styles (Associate Vice-President, External Relations, University of Calgary)
Ms. Bagnell Styles worked in marketing with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Canadian Airlines and Wardair before landing the External Relations gig at U of C. She's the current President of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks.
Colleen Turner (Associate Vice-President, Communications, University of Calgary)
Ms. Turner is the editor over at U Magazine, which kind of makes her my boss.
Len Waverman (Dean, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary)
Dr. Waverman holds a PhD from M.I.T., was awarded the medal of Chevalier dans les Ordres de Palme Académique by the Government of France, and came to the U of C from the London School of Business. He is apparently a "world-renowned expert in international telecommunications and resources management". Neat.
Alan Harrison (Provost and Vice-President Academic)
Provost! What a great, and slightly ambiguous, title. It refers to a "senior academic administrator" at an institution of higher education. Dr. Harrison (PhD in economics from the University of Essex) is a Provost twice over, first at Carleton and now at U of C. He has two kids and enjoys jazz music.
Leslie Reid (Faculty of Science)
Dr. Reid is the U of C's first Tamaratt Teaching Professor in Geoscience, and is the star of an "Innovators" video produced by U of C External Relations. (Catherine Bagnell Styles, was this your doing?) She knows the difference between "using" and "utilizing", which has always mystified me.
Tom Flanagan (Department of Political Science)
Dr. Flanagan is senior fellow in the Fraser Institute, a "free-market think-tank", and a member of the Calgary School, which Dr. Radha Jhappan has referred to as the "department of redneckology". He's been called "The Prince of Darkness" by CBC's Ira Basen for the views expressed in his book First Nations? Second Thoughts, and "The Man Behind Stephen Harper" by The Walrus for his role as Harper's national campaign director.
Rod Love (consultant)
Mr. Love was the Executive Assistant to Mayor Ralph Klein, and remained hitched to that wagon until he became Chief of Staff to Premier Ralph Klein. He ran unsuccessfully in a Calgary-Buffalo provincial by-election in 1992 and created Rod Love Consulting Inc. in 1998. He's a recipient of the Governor General's Medal for Outstanding Community Service, and sits on the board of governors of the University of Calgary and the Canada West Foundation.
... and ...
Mark Hopkins (local arts enthusiast, columnist for several Calgary publications, and U of C young alumni)
I've heard of this guy... doesn't he have a pompous t-shirt with his name on it?
So. Should be an interesting meal.
I still have no idea why I was invited to this event, though I suspect I'm meant to represent Calgary's "leaders of tomorrow" or something. Regardless, I'm going to print me some business cards and try not to spill any wine!
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