bev davies

VIFF - White - South Korea 2011, 106 minutes

2011-10-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

I really had no idea what to expect from this movie when I sat waiting for it to come on. I had already taken photos of the poster, and uploaded this one photo to Facebook and setting it as my profile photo. It is an endlessly fascinating photo of section of the poster. There even is Vancouver reflected into my photo on the right had side.

I will talk a bit about the film, and then the effect on me. The film starts with a girl group driving the fans, young girls crazy. The girl group is a signing group like Spice Girls, not a band like The Runnaways. Next the Pink Dolls came on and the audience was bored, texting, standing quiet, while these impossibly cute girls in pink lace performed. There career was tanking, management was getting ready to cut and run. They did not win the contest. Being the lead, standing centre rather than in the back is very importand to these young women, we Mick Jagger would understand.

These young girls, who quite often look alike all strive for the position on lead, even though as a band they have to the bottom of their career. They move into a news studio to record their last chance recording. Then luck changes, they find a song on a VHS tape, and hear a song, the video is blurry but the sound is a song, they song they need, with a beat so fresh, so unusual they know it will take them to heights they have never been to.

What is the price they pay?

I will not give the blood parts away. As I left the theatre I had no desire to look for tapes behind mirrors but I did wonder into a few shops looking for the pink lace and leather I had seen so often in this South Korean film.

Vancouver International Film Festival

2011-10-03T12:18:00.000-07:00

I have decided on my first movie to see and blog about for the 2011 film festival, and again I find myself picking a movie by the photo in the online booklet. In 2004 I picked a movie to see from a photo ad for the movie 'DIG!' directed by Ondi Timoner and that movie changed my life. I may not have that expectation here, nor did I have it then however.

The first movie will be: http://filmguide.viff.org/tixSYS/2011/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=3323
Patience (After Sebald)
[PATIE] (Feature)
Nonfiction Features: Arts and Letters
(UK, 2011, 80 mins, HDCAM)

I will keep you posted on this adventure.

Well the images, filmed in black and white on a out of production Kodak film stock gave this film another wordily feel, time and space, a calm controlled palate to introduce other forms of colour film. This was used in a way so that at times my mind did not know if I was looking at colour or black and white and it did not mater.

I watched this film the way I would watch a butterfly in my yard. The trails through East Anglia, mapped are based on the walks in W.G Sebald (The Rings Of Saturn). It is not a story based on a book but a story about the book.

The slow deliberate pace of the movie contrasted with the fast passed walking colour footage taken by the director Grant Gee of his feet walking. This colour footage centred in the movie from time to time, was not jarring but more a tap on the shoulder to wake you from a dream of landscapes and places.

There are secret, and sacred places, and this movie lets us travel there with no feeling we would be hurt or shocked. All is calm, a treat to the eyes and our busy lives.

Yes it would have been nice to have read the book that he is travelling through, but the journey is wonderful, the book will be next. I will look at my photos of East Anglia and if any of my black and white photos have the feel, I will add them to this review.

You might be thinking were might the music connection be, has bev given in to her photography. The director Grant Gee has made two previous impressionistic documentaries, such as Radiohead's "Meeting People is Easy" and his 2007 documentary, Joy Division.

film is showing Oct 6 at 11:30 at GR2 and Oct 13 at 11AM at Vancity Theatre

Mom and Dad

2011-07-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

My dad on the right and me beside him.

I am sitting on my front porch this morning feeling a bit better from this cold and sickness that seems to have lasted a bit too long. I was looking at the street and parked cars. I remember the red car, Mazda 323 that my mom and dad bought me when I started my job at the government. It was a nice red, dad used to always ask me if the car was still red. He loved that red, and yet when they bought their Mazda, they bought green. I asked them why. Dad said red was to much for Belleville, it was too much a young person's car.

Today there were 2 red cars parked across the street, and several going by. Times may have changed from the mid 90's or there are more younger people living on my street, or parking their cars on my street.

I was thinking of mom and dad today, and how neither of them saw the house that they helped me buy. Dad passed away Sep 1989, and mom Oct 2002. Mom saw photos of my house and was very happy to see me 'settled' as she called it.

Sometimes I walk around my house talking to her, and I have head her mother's voice in this house. When I sweep the floor, and do a quick into the corner, across the boards, I hear my nana's voice 'sweep with the boards not across them' in her instructive voice. they used to call the broom the 'old cedar broom.' That might have been a brand from a long time ago. I will add some photos of mom and dan, nana and grandpa and my son with his nana and nana nana. My nana said for him not to call he great grandmother, she said she was not great anything so from that day she was called nana nana. I will put these photos as I find them and scan. This is for you dear readers, and for my son and I. It is nice to have some things sorted out in one place.

Vancouver's viaduct or shopping for a freeway

2011-04-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

Other blogs on this subject and the meeting of April 7, 2011

* http://stephenrees.wordpress.com/

'In September 1965, Vancouver ratepayers were asked to vote on a $ 10 million money by-law authorizing City Council to replace the structurally unsafe Georgia Viaduct. Assuming this meant simply putting up a new viaduct, voters passed the by-law.

There was no indication that the viaduct would be part of a freeway system, since Vancouver had yet to adopt (as far as the public knew). However, City Council had refused to accept the City Engineer's proposal for the Viaduct. Instead, they decided to approach the province and see if financing could be arranged for Phase One of the original 1959 freeway plan. They were flatly refused by the Provincial and federal government.

Undaunted, the city hired Phillips, Barratt and Partners in late 1965, to study a new alinement for the Georgia Viaduct and to advise council on street planning in the urban renewal area to consider certain "freeway components" when designing a new viaducts - eg 1) an east/west freeway along Venables and/or Prior Street; 2) a waterfront freeway and a Brockton Point Crossing; and 3) a north/south freeway along Main Street. None of these were officially adopted by city council.

The first Georgia Street Viaduct was built between 1913 and 1915. The narrow structure included streetcar tracks that were never used. It was a poorly built structure which, over the years, threatened pedestrians below with falling pieces of concrete. At one point, every second lamppost was removed to remove weight. It was replaced in 1972 by the current viaduct, which is structurally separated and contains three lanes for each direction of traffic.

Nothing seems right

2011-04-05T19:03:00.000-07:00

Today is April 5, 2011.

Early this morning, I was awoken from sleep and came down stairs into the living room.

Almost every other night I take my laptop to bed, but last nite I was fretting about an email I did not get so I closed it and left it behind.

I usually leave the laptop open on the bed to Deadtv, waiting for Anton's project to start where he plays some of the best music in the world.

This interview with Bobby from the Warlocks being interviewed by Anton used to come on when he was not broadcasting, and it could be turned off. Now we have an interview with Jon the artist.

This morning at 1:20 AM something woke me and called me to the computer. I know it was Anton, not that I had too, he was just saying.

This is a photo of me watching Deadtv last night.

My New hat

2011-03-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

I have known about these Dead hats for a while. I am not sure when I first saw one of these hats on Anton Newcombe, but he was in Iceland I am sure. The hats are made of Icelandic wool. This hat is an art piece by Nonni Dead from Dead Skeletons. Here is a connection to their Dead Mantra on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsyrOGRxF0E

The phrase being said over and over is 'those who fear death can not enjoy life.'

I went to the Vancouver International Airport to meet Spliffriff when she was flying back to Germany. She gave me a Blue Angel Lounge LP # 255 out of 300 and I gave her a print of one of my photos of Anton Newcombe. We had talked on Anton's ustream show, Deadtv and this was the first time we met, only the 2nd person from that art project I have ever met, not counting Anton himself.

This is link to Anton's art project Deadtv

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/dead-tv-berlin

This is a link to Anton and I talking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdC298yGyWc

This is a link of me and Spliffriff doing a Deadtv ad at the airport

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bevdavies/5509982105/

When you look at this video you will see me wearing a white with black skulls Dead hat. This is the first time I was ever able to touch one of these soft excellent hats. I got to wear this wonderful hat. I decided to get one as soon as possible. This is me tonight, it came in the mail from Iceland yesterday.

In Canada we call this a toque.

Time goes by slowly when you look at it

2011-03-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have not wrote here for a long time.

Time seems slow to me.

I lost my Grinder The Cat to cancer in January.

My friend Anton was very kind to me and keep in touch and helped raise my spirits.

Grinder became ill very quickly, thought it was dental, vet said either an ear infection or worse. It was worse.

He became very sick, but never lost his appetite, ate like a horse he did.

I blocked off the house so that he would not go off to die.

He slept his last 3 nights in my arms heart to heart. Deadtv playing in the background, and skyped messages.

I took him to the vet on a Thursday, I have blocked out the date.

He did not die in my arms. He was given a small shot to go to sleep naturally, and then he was put on the table to be given the

lethal shot.

I have his ashes, in a little white earn. He sits on the shelf with things that belonged to my friend Keith who died Jul 2007 and I

blocked that date too.

This is the last photo session Grinder the Cat posed for. I took no further photos of him, I miss him with all my broken heart.

single and some good reasons

2011-02-12T10:09:00.001-08:00

This one photo has two good reasons.

Size 7 - 8 now what the fuck is that, small small and small.

Value Village tag $ 1, 299.99 + 12 % tax. Ha

blogging about sex, including sexual experience in your blogs

2011-02-09T21:12:00.000-08:00

I went to an interesting blogging discussion group this evening. The topic tonight was sex, including the subject of sex within your blogs, or creating a separate blog. There was a panel of 3 women who have blogs about themselves as sexual beings. I learned some interesting things.

They all speak in blogs in the 1st person about their experiences, fantasies, and opinions. They all fiercely protect the identity of the other person and still ask permission when ever possible.

I learned that women and gay men make up the majority of this type of blogging. Straight men not so much. Some straight men work reviewing porn movies and blog reviews but for money it seems. The blog as a tool for a writer to explore their own sexuality, feelings, and sex life is an area where women and gay men are finding some satisfaction (yes I know) in the process of blogging and sharing their opinions and feelings and experiences.

I understand I am lucky to live in a country where I am not afraid to blog about sex because of the government but that does not take the fear away for me. I am trying to share more of me with people that I do not know so this would be a good place to start, sex.

Yup a good place to start, now just to start, one foot in front of the other right foot forward fist. Yup need to think a bit more, listen to my inner voice, clear my head and start in a while. Now love I could write about that until the morning.

Bev Davies photo essay part 1

2011-01-06T20:04:00.000-08:00

Jeremy Fisher

2010-11-03T20:11:00.000-07:00

The first time I head Jeremy Fisher was on CBC radio in 2007. I was late to find his music, he was not on any of the paths I was listening to. However like almost all music I love, it is an instant reaction. Yes I can learn to like some music, but love is instant and this song by Jeremy Fisher stole my heart. I added to my Myspace and listened often. Here is a link to it on Youtube. Close your eyes, the video is done by Jeremy, but the first few times it may distract you from the true centre of this song. ♥

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8hOPs0g2nk

One day I was looking at listings of up coming concerts. There it was Jeremy Fisher at St. James Hall in Kitsilano. I sent a message though Myspace and asked Jeremy for a pass to take photos. The show was a friendly, amazing concert, with the audience participating from time to time, and Jeremy with his warm friendly stage presents refreshing.

I found him harder to photograph, my eyes saw softness, my camera saw hard edges. I tried different setting and still the same. It was not until Hannah Georgas, who had opened, returned to the stage. They sang together. The images were softer, I have no answer to why, I just know what happened.

I noticed that Jeremy was on the list of entertainers at the Surrey Jul 1, 2009 and my son and family, who live in Surrey were going. I arranged to meet them there, and arranged for a pass through The Skinny newspaper. The day was bright, sunny. Free parking, free entry, only in Surrey I think.

Jeremy told us all about the lady bugs on his collar, the pink ones and his red running shoes for Canada Day.

I love this last photo taken from back stage, sometimes they work sometimes the don't. This one works for me.

I saw Jeremy again at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. He was traveling as part of The Malahat Revue with Said The Whale & Hannah Georgas and Aidan Knight. They were on tour on bicycles. They were doing a 2 week tour on bicycles ending at our Folk Festival.

Now there is a new C.D. and a new video, and yes please listen and look at the new video. The video is amazing, and so is the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCIIolh4ZMk

Thanks Jeremy

Night of The Undead part 4 (bands 13, 14)

2010-10-31T16:33:00.001-07:00

13) 12:00-12:13 MotorDust

14) 12:20-12:33 Ramores

Night of The Undead part 3 (bands 9,10,11,12)

2010-10-31T14:42:00.000-07:00

9) 10:30-10:53 Curious George

10) 11:00 - 11:13 Melody Pimps

11) 11:20-11:33 Grooveaholics

12) 11:40-11:53 Rexxxilos

Night of the Undead part 2 (bands 5,6,7,8)

2010-10-31T11:56:00.000-07:00

5) 9:20 - 9:33 pm Spasms/Cramps

in the 'wings' waiting

6) 9:40 - 9:53 ICKYPOP

7) 10:00 - 10:13 pm Rude Norton

8) 10:20 - 10:33 Bombshells

Night of the Undead (bands 1, 2, 3, 4)

2010-10-31T10:09:00.000-07:00

1) 8 - 8:13 pm Poxy Music

2) 8:20 - 8:30 pm Creepy Crowleys

3) 8:40 - 8:53 Lizard People

8:53 pm Ghosts at the Rickshaw

4) 9:00 - 9:13 Greenback High

The 1st four bands were on and off the stage by 9:13 pm and the place was buzzing, the next blog will have 4 more bands.

Randy Quaid part 2

2010-10-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

The crowd at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada hearing was larger today. Randy arrived walking toward the building, he stopped on the street to talk to a man drinking coffee.

Randy's next court date for Refugee hearing is Nov 8 but there are things to consider his new lawyer stated. Randy read a statement to the press after he had returned to the ground floor. He spoke with a loud clear voice, and only broke when he spoke of his friends who were dead, he asked us all how many close friends had died for us and then his voice stopped and slightly faltered, then Randy told us their names.

So we will need to wait to see what option he picks. As Randy Quaid left he walked toward the edge of the side walk, and shouted Evi over to the post office 15 minute parking and returned to walking with his lawyer.

This last photo is of a man and his boy/bear listening to Randy read his statement.

poppies

2010-10-28T11:14:00.001-07:00

This photo is of Keith, my friend who came to Ontario with me and my cat Grinder after my mother passed away. We were packing their pottery for a donation to a gallery that would take place in the spring. We also were packing the house to ship to BC. It was a sad and yet glorious time. This picture was taken at my Nana and Grandpa's farm outside of Verona Ontario. Keith is wearing his poppy.

Growing up in Canada, I had a poppy every year for Remembrance Day and it all seemed very traditional. Over the years I sometimes bought poppies and sometimes not. When I first met Keith, and the first Nov 11 came near, he not only insisted on buying us poppies but we wore them on everything when we went out. He said it was important. I had gone to some of the Nov 11 gatherings at the cenotaph but we never missed one over the years. Keith used to remind me to bring tissues 'because you always cry.' Miss him.

Well yesterday was the 1st poppies I saw for sale (donation) so I bought one and the seller pinned on my jacket. There is some crap about not wearing one this year, you can look that up if you want, I really can not be bothered to do that. Here is a photo in my kitchen with the poppy on my coat, to be worn proudly and with gratitude.

10.11.11

Public or Private

2010-10-22T22:01:00.000-07:00

Yes I had things to do today, I was to be taking photos for Hardcore Logo live, at a rehearsal today and yet I forgot. How could I forget, well being old can not be blamed, having no calendar or pen can not be the cause. I forgot.

What I did do today - I went to an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing in Vancouver for Randy Quaid and his wife Evi Quaid. There was every publication and TV station represented there, waiting in the hall, all those press and me. I was the only non press person there. It was a long wait, the Quaids came into the court through a back door and the 1st hearing was to decide if the court would be open or closed to the public and press. The Quaids said yes to an open court room.

I took notes and listed to the court proceedings. I noticed when Evi reached out and held Randy's hand, then she reached and held his arm. They wrote notes to each other on the same piece of paper, writing with a yellow pencil with and eraser on the end. They did not use the eraser. When Evi became upset Randy reached for her. The signs of tenderness amid the proceedings touched me as I watched. Their puppy being at the city pound while they were in jail seemed so ordinary but touching.

The note from the Quaids says: 'Thank you for coming. Yes we are requesting asylum from Hollywood "Star Whackers" Evi & Randy Quaid.'

Yes the Quaids wanted us there, they watched each of us walk in the court and may not have wanted to go through this hearing alone. They are public figures and yet this is such a private moment, their requests to be released, Evi's health issues, Randy's mother's health. I was there, I heard their stories, their plight, I took notes, I took some photos when allowed, but it was the simple reassuring quiet touches that was too private for me to be there. I do not understand the life of stars.

Grinder & I are waiting for DeadTV

2010-10-21T14:02:00.000-07:00

DEADTV - Anton Newcombe

2010-10-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

Anton Newcombe is the singer and creator of the Brian Jonestown Massacre. His music and the movie Dig are the stuff legends are made of. I missed several years in the history of this band while they were making history. They started playing about 1990 and the 1st time I came across them was this photo in the Vancouver International Film Festival film booklet 2004. The photo above was all I had to go on and decided to take Keith to see this movie Dig.

Anton lives in Berlin and is recording in a studio and broadcasting music on live TV from his living room. Anton is building a loyal base of watchers. I watch, I get up in the middle of the night sometimes to catch some of the broadcast (time difference from Berlin). The current link is http://www.ustream.tv/channel/brian-jonestown-massacre.

There have been many truly wonderful moments watching DEADTV but one of the best so far is when Anton took us to The Black Angels live on his macbook. We heard and saw them play, then we went backstage into the dressing room. The photo below was taken of my computer and posted on Flickr. That is Alex singer from the Black Angels in the middle and Anton on the right taken from the live broadcast.

well it was taken down today, but you can't kill the dead tv, it will rise again. I think I can hear the rock moving now. Updates soon.

Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields

2010-10-10T21:50:00.000-07:00

This photo above is from the film site: http://stereogum.com/113301/strange_powers_stephin_merritt_and_the_magnetic_fi/video/

I saw this movie today at the Vancity Theatre at 11 AM. This was the first movie of 2010 VIFF that I have gone to this lovely theatre at Seymour near Davie. The theatre is a real treat, lovely red velvet seats and a curtain to match.

This is the 6th movie that I have seen at this year's VIFF and by far this was the hippest and funniest of the lot. This year I tried to stick to the theme of music, and decided on this movie without ever having heard Stephin Merritt and his band the Magnetic Fields. I will be fixing that for me and for you. This movie is a gem, a laugh out loud. However this is not a comedy, the comedy comes as our reaction to Stephin's cantankerous quick witted view of life. He is not an easy man to get along with I hear in the movie but he has life long friends which is not an easy way to live for anyone. His wit is dry, his talent boiling over.

Stephin site is here at this http://www.houseoftomorrow.com/

All my Little Words

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo8vW_0H_Kg

The clip below was added to the movie, in a slightly shorter form. I author Lemony Snicket (American novelist Daniel Handler) who sent Stephin Merritt in his place to the morning show in Atlanta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Ob9TJueBQ&feature=more_related

The last words are Stephin Merritt, the track list to his 8th album Realism.

01 “You Must Be Out of Your Mind”

02 “Interlude”

03 “We Are Having A Hootenanny”

04 “I Don’t Know What To Say”

05 “The Dolls’ Tea Party”

06 “Everything Is One Big Christmas Tree”

07 “Walk a Lonely Road”

08 “Always Already Gone”

09 “Seduced and Abandoned”

10 “Better Things”

11 “Painted Flower”

12 “The Dada Polka”

13 “From a Sinking Boat”

The Yellow Bittern: The Life and Times of Liam Clancy

2010-10-07T19:07:00.001-07:00

Today I just had one movie to see at 2:30. I decided to read nothing about the movie, and just in error, maybe, wore an Irish knit cardigan to keep warm. A part of this movie, a documentary on The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makemthe centres around the stage attire, Irish white fisherman's knit sweaters as well as The Clancy's and Tommy's wonderful relaxed stage presents, and Irish Folk ballads from the rich history of that Isle.

Director Alan Gilsenan films an almost empty soundstage with Liam Clancy, on a stool, guitar on his lap, talking about his life. The story starts at his childhood and takes us on his trip from a small village in County Tipperary, Ireland to the heights of fame in America, and Ireland. Listening to Liam speak was like sitting at a party listening to the most interesting person talk, with a wonderful soundtrack, the Clancy Brothers with Tommy Makemthe playing on the stereo.

The footage of the brothers on stage is from different eras. One very interesting interview was Bob Dylan from about 1962 speaking of how, their ballads influenced him.

However there is a dark choky under taste to this movie, it builds and for me it is what I have taken home. There was more to tell and more voices to hear, but that is for another movie.

STAY at the end after to credits to hear Liam recite The Yellow Bittern. I think it is important enough to print it here.

This poem is a translation of the 18th-century poem translated by Thomas MacDonagh.

The Yellow Bittern

The yellow bittern that never broke out
In a drinking bout, might as well have drunk;
His bones are thrown on a naked stone
Where he lived alone like a hermit monk.
O yellow bittern! I pity your lot,
Though they say that a sot like myself is curst -
I was sober a while, but I'll drink and be wise
For I fear I should die in the end of thirst.

It's not for the common birds that I'd mourn,
The black-bird, the corn-crake, or the crane,
But for the bittern that's shy and apart
And drinks in the marsh from the lone bog-drain.
Oh! if I had known you were near your death,
While my breath held out I'd have run to you,
Till a splash from the Lake of the Son of the Bird
Your soul would have stirred and waked anew.

My darling told me to drink no more
Or my life would be o'er in a little short while;
But I told her 'tis drink gives me health and strength
And will lengthen my road by many a mile.
You see how the bird of the long smooth neck
Could get his death from the thirst at last -
Come, son of my soul, and drain your cup,
You'll get no sup when your life is past.

In a wintering island by Constantine's halls
A bittern calls from a wineless place,
And tells me that hither he cannot come
Till the summer is here and the sunny days.
When he crosses the stream there and wings o'er the sea
Then a fear comes to me he may fail in his flight -
Well, the milk and the ale are drunk every drop,
And a dram won't stop our thirst this night.

Wed - Rejoice and Shout at VIFF

2010-10-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

This movie traces American Gospel music that began in the 1800's as plantation music in the southern USA to the present day with a large amount of rare, never seen footage, recordings and we hear entire length gospel songs, not short clips. Very few of these early groups such as Golden Gate Quartet, Dixie Hummingbirds, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Utica Quartet, and the Blind Boys of Alabama were part of my music education as a child. However Staple Singers, yes, were a large part of my 60's. I even went to a recording studio in 1967 in Newark New Jersey were I was told they had recorded and there were enough photos on the walls to confirm the fact.

With my meagre knowledge of this music, in this wonderful movie, I found myself swept away by the true brilliance and enthusiasm, moved in a way that most documentaries about music do have to try much harder to reel me in. This one had me in the first 2 minutes as that little girl sang Amazing Grace, sitting in a church with aunts and family around her. Yes it had me there.

I was able to see Mavis Staple at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival in 2009, and this is one photo I took of her at that time. I will hunt up links to reviews and songs as I find them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zxfQmtIlNk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ex2g848W-8

Wed - Baby Arabia at VIFF

2010-10-06T13:44:00.000-07:00

I was up at 6:30 this morning for no particular reason so I saw the pink sky and the day come on. My 1st movie, Baby Arabia was not until 11:30 AM. Today has turned into a nice sunny fall day. I walked through China Town to the VIFF on Granville Street. Colours of China town could have foreshadowed the bright dense colours of the clothing of the women and children in Baby Arabia, a band that has been playing Central Thailand's Muslin Community for over 30 years. All of their last names are Baby, sounds familiar to this Ramones fan.

Baby Arabia, the band is a top 40 band, and covers classical Arab and Malay music. Their sets are from 2 to 6 hours, the movie was 80 minutes. The members are Thai and do not speak the language of the songs but they try to get the emotions, one of their signers, Jameelah Boonmalerd, explained in the movie.

The film takes us into the small boats and larger ferries with Baby Arabia as the go to weddings, fairs, and events where this tribe of musicians play. Baby Arabia's music is often in minor keys, as those keys inspire sadness & melancholy and I would add mystery. We travel with this band and near the end we are with them at a funeral that turns out to be Imron Baby, a member of Baby Arabia who passed away during the filming of this documentary.

This movie will be sold by the band on DVD and shown at festivals. You can see the trailers online at these links.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR38vsrgF7U

http://ko-kr.connect.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=130995943610543

I am not sure that I want to run away with this tribe, Baby Arabia, but I will add some photos of the clothing.

VIFF 2nd movie is A Drummer's Dream

2010-10-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

I walked down town again to the VIFF. The afternoon on Monday turned sunny. I walked down Hastings Street into downtown. It is not always my route for many reasons, but today was sunny after rain and I felt like it. There is a new gallery the Gam at 110 East Hastings directly across from the building that was the Smilin' Buddha. The Gam is a gallery, boutique and artist studio located in Vancouver’s downtown east side and fronts an artist-only building. The link is here http://gamgallery.com/

I stopped into the gallery at 156 West Hastings Street to pick up my pocket size art piece 'Vancouver Punk Stamps' from The Pocket Show that ran from Sep 5 to the 18. Yes it is 4 inches by 4 inches so fits in pocket just fine.

There was a part of me that seemed to be wondering why I was going to a movie about drummers. Yes I had picked it but I was wondering. The show was at 6:30 on Monday night and there is one more showing of this Canadian film directed by John Walker. I had watched the trailer before I left home. Looked lovely.

This movie is a Canadian documentary about a drumming camp with 7 of the best drummers in the world, Nasyr Abdul Al-Khabyyr, Dennis Chambers, Kenwood Dennard, Horacio 'El Negro' Hernandez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Mike Mangini, Raul Rekow and 40 students in an idyllic Canadian setting. This film is an NFB movie that should be seen by all of us with our original drum, our heart beat.

This photo of John Walker was taken at the Q&A after the show. He had been a drummer many years ago, and making this movie has brought him full circle back to drumming.

Next showing of A Drummer's Dream is Wed, Oct 6th 3:00pm Visa Screening Room @ Empire Granville Th7

next movies on Wed, none for me today