What Should I Read Next? Here You Go!

Twice yesterday I was asked to recommend books to read, and in that same space of time found and was referred to two separate websites to choose something to read. Behold the power of the internets,

For those wondering, my off the top off the shelf recs were: In no particular order: Gone Girl; The Table Comes First; The Poisoner’s Handbook; Pain, Parties Work; Brain on Fire; The Night Circus. I’ll add in In The Company of The Courtesan; Cleopatra; Left Neglected; Midnight at the Dragon Cafe.

I have two proposals and an RFP to write today, so I am glad my two days of look at and listen to this worked and re-inspired me.

And here are the links!

This one is serious – you type in the name of a book you liked (or its author) and it starts spitting out other things you might like. You can even just start typing letters – it starts searching the second you type anything. Its bookmarked.

 

Love this one – and hey it’s an infographic!  Before you check it out, have a happy Friday, and remember LabCab is this weekend!

 

it’s the LabCab Festival: Parkdale!

This weekend! July 27th and 28th, 2013

On Queen St West beginning near Roncesvalles Ave & ending at Dufferin St noon to 6pm ALL EVENTS ARE FREE!

From their excellent website: The Lab Cab Festival: Parkdale is a free, annual multi-arts festival. Music, dance, theatre, film, poetry, crafts, kids stuff, visual art and comedy are performed in the restaurants, bars, community centres, boutiques, cafés, parks, libraries, parking lots, hair salons, flower shops, churches, clothing stores, antique stores, book stores and businesses in the Parkdale neighbourhood. Acts range from two to thirty minutes and include a range of expertise in each field: from well established artists to those just starting. The mandate of the Lab Cab Festival is to provide a home for local artists of various disciplines to experiment with new work in a fun and risk-free environment. We offer free workshops, free childcare and a free pancake breakfast.  The Lab Cab Festival is free, family friendly and community oriented.

click here for the everything that’s going on, and here for the more specific schedule of events. See you this weekend!

art and architecture and music – paintings and places to read and listen to this

Still a little low on word inspiration, so I thought we could  use some things to look at. Sometimes doing the opposite of what you normally do takes the pressure off that thing, and hones the edge back to it.

Feel free to check out the Google Cultural Institute.

And while we’re at it – some beautiful places to read. 49 Breathtaking Libraries from Around the World. It makes me want to start a travel fund for a Grand Library tour.

And finally – isolated track – Marvin Gaye’s Grapevine. Just listen.

Live Love Art… Vive l’amour de l’art…

I’m low on inspiration so far this week, perhaps my head is too full of to-do lists for the upcoming season, and perhaps my head is full of August being on its way.

This video was released the night of the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, take a watch – it’s definitely inspirational. More later this week.

Sunday Roundup – July 21

and the heat has broken and we can all breathe again. Good.

A reminder that Best of Fringe is happening up at Toronto Centre for the Arts – it’s a great lineup and I’m especially proud that It’s Always You is part of it – three shows only so best to get your tickets!

This week –

Fringe Roundup

Why Folks are Liking Us and What We’re Using Social Media-wise

When Junk E-mail  Isn’t, or New Friends at Taipei National University of the Arts

 

A couple of summer reads to recommend – The Poisoner’s Handbook, which is a little like CSI for the Jazz Age, and Pain, Parties, Work  a great book that chronicles the month that Sylvia Plath spent as a guest editor for Mademoiselle magazine.

From a business perspective, I’ve been reading Sacred Cows Make the Best  Burgers  which I think is fantastic. (Of course she does, you say, we know how she feels about meetings.) I’m spending a lot of August focusing on my business and I am fortunate enough to have a great deal of experiences, ideas and essentially case studies to look at over the past year. I’m curious to know what, in arts and culture, are our sacred cows (paper press kits come to mind) and how they can be – burgerized. I’ll be bugging some of you at some point for your thoughts.

Not today though – it’s a beautiful summer day. Go enjoy!

 

When Junk E-mail Isn’t, or New Friends at Taipei National University of the Arts

Fun fact to start with – I always scan my spam. At least what’s visible in the subject line, or the snippet of the first paragraph.

First para of an email received a few weeks ago: “Hope this e-mail finds you well. This is Priscilla from Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA) in Taiwan. Right now I’m the teaching assistant of International Master of the Arts Program in Cultural and Creative Industries (IMCCI) in TNUA.”

Sure you are. Delete.

 

First para of an email received a few days after that. “Hope this e-mail finds you well. This is Priscilla from Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA) in Taiwan. Right now I’m the teaching assistant of International Master of the Arts Program in Cultural and Creative Industries (IMCCI) in TNUA.  I sent an e-mail on June 24th, but I’m afraid there’s some problem with my e-mail because I haven’t received any reply yet.”

Good lord what kind of spam list am I on? DELETE.

Facebook page message received shortly after:  “Hope this e-mail finds you well. This is Priscilla from Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA) in Taiwan. Right now I’m the teaching assistant of International Master of the Arts Program in Cultural and Creative Industries (IMCCI) in TNUA.”

Well now you’ve found me in two places. And your name is Priscilla, and that’s kind of a cool name. Okay, I’ll bite. Abridged version of conversation below:

Hello Priscilla,  I am glad you found me – I do not run a physical office space but would be happy to have an afternoon chat at a cafe with Mr Lu sometime during the time he is here. Please go ahead and confirm that, and we can make arrangements. What sort of information is Mr. Lu looking for?

Hi Sue, Thanks for your reply and offer. For the afternoon chat, July 18th may be the best option for Mr. Lu. If it doesn’t work, July 16th is also ok.  Please let me know your preference, thank you. Mr. Lu from IMCCI will visit Canada art organizations. He would like to visit Sue Edworthy Arts Planning and know how art consulting companies help young artists.

Hi Priscilla,The 18th will be fine, I’ll book some space.  3 pm works perfectly.  I suggest we meet at the restaurant at the Gladstone Hotel, it’s one of my favourite places to work. www.gladstonehotel.com thank you Sue

So 3 pm yesterday found me at the Gladstone Hotel, sipping an iced tea and awaiting the arrival of the mysterious Mr. Lu from Taipei.
And arrive he did, with his EA Catherine. And we talked for two hours straight.

We talked about Charles Landry, about TAPA, Day at the City and Day on the Hill, about marketing and PR for artists and organizations, the billboard tax, tag graffitti vs murals,  They expressed amazement and delight about how we’ll put art anywhere we can, that the Fringe Club is in a parking lot and sometimes shows take place in a car or a shed, that empty convenience store across the way is home to an art show as we speak.

We talked about how neighbours sometimes don’t want artists around, the issues Artscape went through with the Barns, the issues TaiPei was having with their Artist Village. Same issues a world away.  We spoke about common language, how to figure out what someone would value about art and then speak to them on that level.

We talked about the students he is teaching, and how experience, contacts and love for art is indeed universal when it comes to getting a job in the arts. We talked about Expect Theatre, Theatre Rusticle, Obsidian Theatre, contemporary dance and visual art.

We had a fantastic time. They loved the Gladstone, and the staff  were their usual awesome selves, taking us to see a couple of the artist-designed rooms, giving history of the building, the elevator and more (thanks Gladstone!).

And then off they went  – they’d spent the time before meeting me walking along West Queen West, and now they were off to the Island, and the Distillery tomorrow.  If I’m ever in Taipei, I’m to let them know so I can come talk to Mr. Lu’s students.

Hi Priscilla,  A thank you to let you know what a pleasure it was to meet with Mr. Lu and his EA Catherine – we had a wonderful chat about art and culture and support for these things in a city.
Many thanks for your determinedness in setting up this meeting – also please thank him for the lovely gift, it was very kind of him.
Sincere best regards,
Sue
PS the link below might be of interest to Mr. Lu as an excellent example of community projects that embrace the arts.
Call For Artists – Council Endorses Pan-Am Path 37-1

Hi Sue, No problem! I’ll forward this website to Mr. Lu and let him know you love the gift. I’ve just done my job and what I have to do. It’s you who is willing to offer this opportunity to meet with Mr. Lu! I really appreciate your help and kindness
Best wishes to you and everything.
Priscilla

Sometimes SPAM – isn’t.

Fringe Roundup

I couldn’t say it better myself – straight from the Fringe Newsletter.  I hope all the Fringers are asleep. Much deserved.

The 2013 Toronto Fringe: Our 25th Year of Unforgettable Theatre Comes to a Close

Last night, the 2013 Toronto Fringe Festival wrapped up a truly unforgettable 25th anniversary. Audiences came out in droves, with the first four days of the festival being the highest grossing in Fringe history. The record breaking ticket sales led to nearly 200 sold-out performances, with 57,182 tickets sold and $433,027 returned to artists. The Toronto Fringe is proud to announce it has now returned over $6 million to artists since its inaugural festival in 1989!

Triumphs and Torrential Downpours

On Monday, record rainfall and flash floods caused a number of our venues to lose power, and a total of 22 shows were canceled over two days. The community rallied around our artists, and many audience members generously donated the price of the canceled tickets back to the companies. Even with a few toppled tents, patrons came out to support the Visual Fringe and over $10,000 was earned by artisans, painters and creators in the Fringe Club. You made our Fringe Club busier than ever – thank you for keeping the Fringe spirit alive during a difficult couple of days. This year’s Toronto Fringe also featured celebratory programming for its 25 year anniversary, including an Underground Dance Party at Honest Ed’s, a 25 Second Video Contest, a 25 Hour Playwriting Contest, and a special 25th Anniversary Alumni Party at the Tranzac Club. On July 10th, the Toronto Fringe proudly announced the winners of the annual Patron’s Pick, featuring some of the most sought-after tickets of the summer, including Polly Polly, Stealing Sam, 2 for Tea, and The Musical of Musicals: The Musical! After 25 years of unforgettable theatre, the Toronto Fringe is stronger than ever. With this momentous festival behind us, we will look to the future of Fringe: ongoing programming and amazing subsidized rental rates in the Creation Lab; accessible and supportive artist outreach programs like the New Play Contest; the 2014 Next Stage Theatre Festival (line-up announced in the fall); and – of course – the 2014 Fringe Festival Lottery. May the odds be ever in your favour!

How Did We Do? – The 2013 Audience Survey

Want to help the Fringe become even more accessible, surprising and FUN next year? Please take 2 minutes to fill out the following Audience Survey. Your responses will help us write our grants, apply for sponsorship dollars and more – so we can keep returning 100% of ticket sales back to our Fringe artists! Click here to fill out the survey!

Best of Fringe at the Toronto Centre for the Arts

Photo credit: Brian Batista Bettencourt

Didn’t get enough Fringe? The Best of Fringe at Toronto Centre for the Arts will be running from July 17, 2013 – July 31, 2013 and is a perfect opportunity to see the shows you missed at Fringe. This year’s shows are: Adopt This! Death Married My Daughter It’s Always You: The Musical Polly Polly Stealing Sam Stop Kiss Tales Of Whoa! The Truth about Comets More info and tickets: http://www.tocentre.com/studio/bof2013

Thank You!

As always, thank you to YOU. Our volunteers, our staff, our audience members, our artists and our community members. This is your festival – and you should be very proud!

Stay in touch, apply to the lottery and keep the Fringe spirit alive!

Happy 25th everyone!

 

Sunday Roundup – July 14

Last day of the 2013 25th Anniversary Toronto Fringe Festival!

#FringeTO – July 9 – Day Seven

#FringeTO – July 10 – Day Eight

#FringeTO – July 11 – Day Nine

#FringeTO – July 12 – Day Ten and “Why Theatre?”

And – Best of Fringe Selections are up and on sale!

Big congratulations to everyone involved in the Toronto Fringe Festival this year – it was our 25th anniversary and you made it a great success. And a HUGE thank you to an amazing admin staff, technicians and volunteers – it couldn’t have been done without you. Amazing job, amazing dedication, amazing festival. Thank you.

 

 

#FringeTO – July 12 – Day Ten and “Why Theatre?”

Closing in on the final weekend of Fringe and boy are my arms tired! (you know…from flogging shows…okay fine, it’s not that good a joke. I’m tired.)

Best of Fringe and all that good stuff can be found here, and before you go charging off, please take a look in your Fringe bag, which was lovely and prepared on day one, but now – maybe not so much. So go get another Chapstick, and a fresh sunscreen, refill your water bottle and fix the pin on your tip the Fringe button (or get another one) and get on with the final weekend!

What’s Going On

Alumni Party last night at the Tranzac a lovely wonderful time, so great to see so many years of Fringe represented and celebrated. When I was leaving Ellie-Ray Hennessey stopped me to ask if I would be interviewed for a Theatre Ontario video for a minute to answer the question – “why theatre?” And of course YES I will and ran to put on lipstick and I hope I said something halfway intelligent. We’ll see.

And earlier yesterday, along with a fantastic meeting with Soheil from Modern Times,  I’d come across what I thought was a great post from Seven Sentences – “Too often we chase things that are not sacred, or we pursue our work with an unhealthy attitude AND we lose touch with the uniqueness of who we are and what we have to offer.”

Why theatre? I joke a lot, I say things like, “what else am I supposed to do? be bored? Or worse – be boring?” and threaten to go work as a claims adjuster in Scranton, and point out that we are a hit at cocktail parties – but the work we do – why we’re a hit at cocktail parties?

Because we forget sometimes that what we do is extraordinary. The making something out of nothing, the spirit of generosity, the hit the deadline, the midnight emails, the rehearsals, phone calls, do you need, can I have, yes you can, please and thank you  – we make magic on a daily basis. The, “yeah we can do that” never “that’s impossible“, the pride and the bravos not just for the arias but for the finding of the cable we need 45 minutes before show.

This is not a post of arrogance, but of truth. The joy and pride I take in that I am fortunate enough not to sell shoes or shill for body parts, which are important, I agree, we need shoes and body parts – but me? I get to shill for magic that can change your life.

I talked at length to people today about audience response, not just applause but audience members holding their breath at songs, or call and responding in a show that wasn’t audience participation, I talked about a show from ten years ago that still gives me goosebumps.

A Fringe show at Factory the day of the flooding no power madness said if they couldn’t do the show in the theatre, they’d do it in the courtyard.

Hume Baugh’s Facebook status the other day: “8 scenes of Shrew in our first preview with no power (microphones, lights, sound, cue lights) until it got too dark to play. proving once again that when everything else is taken away, what is left is theatre.”

Who DOES that?

We do.  That’s “why theatre”.

#FringeTO – July 11 – Day Nine

  Not a cloud in the sky. Let’s keep it that way.

A great day yesterday at the Fringe tent, with better weather, alley plays, fringe folks, music and awards  – thrilled that It’s Always You is part of The Best of Fringe up at the North York Centre!

I have to admit I’m not seeing any shows today – one of the challenges of running my own business is that when I worked for someone else, I’d take my two weeks paid vacation and all-Fringe, all the time.

Now it’s different. So I have two exciting meetings back to back, then I need to get some work done this afternoon  as I have to be at the Tranzac tonight for the Fringe Alumni Party !  Into the day!

 

What’s Going On