OPENING CEREMONIES
7:45 to 9:10 pm
JIM SANDERS
DR. JOE HAWKINS
CREE ELDER LYNA HART
THE ANTIGRAVITY PROJECT
TIGERRR BEAT
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA
DANCE FLOOR TWEENERS / SIDE STAGE
MOMENTUM AERIAL ACROBATIC & AERIAL DANCE
ELEMENTSIRCUS ALUMNI TABLEAUX
FIREDANCE PRODUCTIONS
KRAM RAN
JOSHUA "POOR ANDY" STANTON
BELLYDANCING BY ABBY & JODY
POOR TREE
FIRE PYXIES
ATOM THE JUGGLER
BOUDICCA
Musical Chairs with THE FLAMING TROLLIES
Pinata Smash !!!
VIDEO PROJECTION / MIXING
All night long
Harvest 11:35 to 11:45 pm
BRYAN BESANT & THE IMAGE FARMERS
ELEMENTSIRCUS
SPEAKERS / PERFORMERS
WINTER 2007
1:30 am to close
(Main Stage)
www.mahoganyfrog.ca
www.myspace.com/mahoganyfrog
Mahogany Frog is a recording/touring band. The music draws influence from an array of genres: electronica, progressive rock, jazz, late 50's "ultra" lounge, ambient/experimentalism. With the use of a plethora of keyboards (both analogue & digital), feedback ridden guitars, fuzz-bass and walls of electronic samples, the group creates a tube-saturated, highly overdriven jazz-rock, usually performed at extremely high decibels and with an enormous amount of energy.
The music itself can be both challenging and soothing to the listener: stabbing riffs using unusual notes and time signatures often dissolve into lush electro soundscapes, and straightforward, rhythmic interludes can merely lay the foundation for syncopated counter melodies or sound effects.
The orchestration of the instruments are unorthodox at times: using complex modal progressions or phrases as a basis for experimentations in arrangement, the rhythm and lead sections trade roles quickly and often.
Musically speaking, the four members of Mahogany Frog have the tendency to spread themselves thin, as they attempt to tackle slicing leads and warm backdrops simuntaneously. Live, the songs all flow together, creating a steady bombardment of highly progressive, exciting music that explores countless moods and ideas.
... history
Mahogany Frog began in 1998 when Graham Epp and Jesse Warkentin, who had been honing their own sound of loud, fuzzy psychedelic rock, joined forces with the illustrious attack of bassist Nathan Loewen. Playing shows throughout Saskatchewan with various drummers, they began to develop a loyal fan base. In 1999 they acquired drummer Jean-Paul Perron, who introduced an experimental and electronic edge with the use of samplers and tape machines.
Mahogany Frog began to coordinate functions at various halls, venues and cafes throughout the Saskatoon area. The emphasis of these events was generally based on creating an intense atmosphere with the use of film projection, interactive installations, performance art, and an uninhibited spectrum of music. As a result of these performances, local established bars and venues began to recognize Mahogany Frog’s increasing popularity, and between 2000 and 2002 the band headlined regularly, playing with notable Canadian acts such as Moneen, Projektor, The Junior Panthers, and Eric’s Trip. In this time Mahogany Frog released their first full-length album entitled “Mahogany Frog Plays the Blues”.
In late 2002, as the band contemplated moving to a larger centre, they formed a six-piece, introducing horns, keyboards and synth sounds. With this lineup, Mahogany Frog performed and recorded a single hour long composition which serves as their second album (but which was not yet to be released until March of 2003).
Relocating to Winnipeg, Mahogany Frog minimized to a four-piece, introducing the expressive genius of bassist/trumpeteer Scott Ellenberger. With the release of their second album “The Living Sounds of Mahogany Frog” came recognition from an array of local artists and musicians. Again Mahogany Frog became involved in a series of multi-media events, collaborating with independent film, performance art, and musical acts such as The Absent Sound, Redsayno and Ham. After a series of short prairie tours, the group commenced work on their third album.
Joining forces with recording technician/musician Mike Petkau, they spent the summer months of 2003 creating what would become “Mahogany Frog Vs Mabus”. Released in February of 2004, this five-song hour-long collection demonstrates the increasingly complex compositional aspect of the group, as well as the expanded use of synthesizers and analog keyboards.
In spring of 2005, the band released their fourth album “Mahogany Frog on Blue”. Available on CD and vinyl, the album takes influence from the sounds and textures of “…Vs Mabus”, but the songs are faster, shorter and more concentrated. The album’s intensity reflects the method in which it was recorded; explosive feedback-ridden guitars indicate sheer volume, driving sporadic drumming suggests a sense of urgency. While “…Vs Mabus” explores composition and orchestration, “…on Blue” puts forward a challenging array of sounds and melodies, all projected with a raw, forceful energy.
Since the release of “Mahogany Frog Vs Mabus” the band has toured incessantly, sharing stages with groups such as Caribou, Tokyo’s Green Milk From the Planet Orange, Montreal’s The Besnard Lakes, Ottawa's As the Poets Affirm and Winnipeg's
D Rangers. With "...Vs Mabus" and "...on Blue" charting on campus and community radio stations nationwide, Mahogany Frog has received enthusiastic audiences and industry interest. Both albums are currently available through Vancouver's Scratch Distribution. Mahogany Frog is currently recording their fifth album (to be released in autumn 2007).
“Seven years and three albums into their eclectic, psychedelic space-rawkin’ career, the four wizards of Mahogany Frog have fully realized their far-out sound.”
John Kendle, Uptown Magazine, Winnipeg
"To describe Mahogany Frog is to nail Jell-o to a wall. The bands music is a melange of water sounds, computerized voices, beeps, boops all without singing a single note. From a soft sound, to hard full out rock, to horns — my mind was blown at each turn."
TorontoIndie.Com, Lidia Vila
“The frog fashions music that displays compelling melodies, brooding soundscapes, startling timbres and tight arrangements.”
Hally Southgate, Muzik Etc Magazine
1:00 to 1:30 am
(Dance Floor)
Pinata Smash !!!
Musical chairs with THE FLAMING TROLLIES
I study the intersection of technology and nature in the Post-Human era. I dig up the artifacts of earth-based religion and attempt to interweave them with the Religion of Science and the dominion of Sky Religions. I am probing cosmologies for it’s ripest fruits, and then interspersing them with the PostModern cocktail to even further obscure and render ambiguious, in order to restore the original anarchy of Art, past the commodity exchange. Art is the language of freedom and also of servitude. It is how we all began.
I aim to occupy the piracy of enchantment, to seduce and to teach. My performance work spans a vast array of avenues : from traditional theatres to public spaces, to site-specific locations or in purely single-channel video or film. Exploring the multitude of opportunities for placement of work I allow each work to design it’s own effect : an anarchy of creativity. Utilizing a variety of media, including sound, text, voice, drawing, painting, sculpture and photography, I often indulge a variety of media in meditations upon each project. A Performance, slated to show in a theatre, will render often a series of drawings, original sound and music work, written text, a live performance and then video and photo documentation which then function as independent works.
I feel it valuable to explore the variations each project manifests, an ability to look at things from as many sides as possible. Searching is of constant interest to me, both as a metaphor embedded in my work and as an integral aspect of my process. Mining my subconscious, media, human and animal behavior, history, anthropology, philosophy myth and religion I explore the layers of thoughts and concepts and seek to unravel it’s myriad costumes : how and wear it appears in the body, in nature, in conversation, in intercourse :
i am atom i juggle art to music with my eyes closed.
12:45 to 1:00 am
(Patio)
The Fire Pyxies Performance Art Collective consists of a group of three women firedancers from Winnipeg. They perform all year long for a variety of events and festivals. They learned to spin fire while travelling abroad in Thailand, India and Mexico. The collective began around 2002 when they decided to start busking around the city and perform together. Their choreography and creativity continues to grow and evolve. The more they learn, the more they try to come up with new ways of moving. They really enjoy playing for people and their audiences are always energizing and encouraging. The Fire Pyxies thank everyone who has helped them along the way... they couldn't have done it without you!
Fire dancing originated from the Maori tribe of New Zealand whose warriors performed certain movements in order to improve their sense of balance and coordination. The fire dancing that this group does is somewhat different in that it incorporates dance, martial arts and gymnastics. Musical accompaniment allows the dancers to move more freely and the various fire tools they use gives them the chance to explore different ways of dancing with fire.
12:00 to 12:45 am
(Main Stage)
www.wearebtilc.com
www.myspace.com/bigtroubleinlittlechina
11:45 to 12:00 am
(Side Stage)
POOR TREE
www.myspace.com/poortreed
poor tree started in may of 2003 when christoff engbrecht, david streit, and michael goertzen were invited to put something together to open for a band at the collective cabaret in winnipeg. we did put something together, having no idea that it would live beyond that show:
what would become poor tree: typewriters, writing, reading out what was written, other variables:
sampling vinyl off dave's portable, and often collaborating with musicians: Darcy (of Big Trouble in Little China and Prague) plays with us most, also musicians Ian La Rue, Dave Sweatman (of Sortie Real), members of Canoe Head, and recently Rob Taite (Rest Assured) has been sampling with us.
"we have performed in bookstores, studios, art galleries, cafes, bars, churches, festivals (ie. winnipeg folk festival), theatres, anywhere... otherwise we just type on dave's porch"
in the summer of 2005 michael departed for vancouver, then montreal, and is now travelling south america. dana landry joined us soon after his departure, and after two years she has left now to pursue her masters at concordia in montreal (miss the pony).
"we type where ever and whenever. we have books for sale and are currently in the process of putting together a cd in collaboration with a number of musicians and sound artists. contact us if you're wondering (here or at poortree@gmail.com)."
IMAGE FARMERS' HARVEST
11:35 to 11:45 pm
(All Screens)
leave a message on the board !!!
Bryan Besant is a local Media Artist based out of Video Pool Media Arts Centre. Creating from primarily a subconscious perspective and the recognition of beauty in all things both natural and sapien made, he is inspired by the spirit which inhabits the natural landscape and the people of his home.
Bryan has been creating with various performance groups across the province. His most recent collaboration "Wa Wa Tey Wak", a piece produced with Camerata Nova for the 2007 New Music Festival, was released on DVD in November 2007.
Bryan also worked with The Absent Sound and Winnipeg dancer/choreographer/artist Freyja Olafson who premiered a new dance piece, "New Icelanders Project" at Nuna, a showcase of young Icelandic and Icelandic-Canadian talent held in Winnipeg April 22 to April 29, 2007.
Mike Germain is a musician, audio artist, and technician based in Winnipeg. His work ranges from improvised, electronic music and rock’n’roll performance to film soundtracks and installation projects.
He has played with numerous bands, most notably Winnipeg’s beloved Banned from Atlantis and MIKIMOTO, where he exhibited his unique approach to the three minute pop song. He continues his popular music activities as a core member of the Greg MacPherson Band as well as the Hummers.
As Video Pool’s Audio Artist in Residence in 2004, he developed custom-built software to convert brain-wave data into sound. He is co-programmer of the Rossbrook House Music Program and a Video Pool Media Arts Centre technician.
Greg Hanec has been involved with film and video in Winnipeg since 1980. As a member of the Winnipeg Film Group he took the 1980 film production workshops and then went on to make 3 short films and 2 feature length films. "Downtime '84" was accepted into the Berlin Film Festival in 1986.
In the 90’s Hanec did 7 experimental films and began his next feature (due to be completed in spring of ’08) “Think at Night”.
Greg has also collaborated with Campbell Martin on a series of guerilla projections of film loops on trains, billboards, and building (documented on video). His loops and videos have been showcased at numerous raves and live performances by local talent such as the Absent Sound, Vav Jungle and National Monument. He sometime uses these pieces in his own musical projects Suture and Philia
David Dalgliesh has worked with musicians interpreting their music through video feedback. He incorporates laser light to create an organic image. He creates interactive visual presentation where audience members can affect the live imagery. David has produced the 'Ideas and Methods' series of performance art and projected visuals at many rave venues.
Forever naive, from Sesame Street, to IMAX, Ed Ackerman has explored experimental cinematic language, with what is close at hand: plasticine, photocopier, typewriter or five year old children let loose on a village with disposable cameras. “Sarah’s Dream”, “5¢ A copy”, “Primiti Too Taa”,“Two Taa Too”, and “InnocentVision”.
11:00 to 11:35 pm
(Main Stage)
www.myspace.com/tigerrrbeat
www.virb.com/tigerrrbeat
Tigerrr Beat was formed at the begining of 2007 as a result of killing off a band that Mitch D. and Christopher S. deemed unfit for a good time. In comes Russell W. with his heavy metal/pop influences and thus Tigerrr Beat was formed.
Since then, they have self-recorded and released an EP entitled Tigerrr Beat...KILL! and played many many shows with many many great bands from far and wide including Japanther and They Shoot Horses! Don't They?
Currently the trio are busy writing new songs for a full length LP and are still playing shows around the city. Most of all, Tigerrr Beat stays ferocious. Can't stop won't stop.
(Dance Floor)
10:45 to 11:00 pm
(Main Stage / Dance Floor)
www.myspace.com/poorandysdogandponyshow
Joshua Stanton — fine artist, acclaimed illustrator, character-actor, and filmmaker — is a multi instrumental recording artist & producer. Instantly recognizable as Winnipeg's 'Man in Black' with the 5-foot dreads, he is also one of Canada's most dynamic contemporary sitarists, having studied with Ustad Irshad Khan--the nation's preëminent sitar mæstro. Joshua's invention, the dobro vina, presents a true common point for Indian and Western classical instruments. Stanton's Chaplinesque alter-ego Poor Andy has introduced the classic U.K. Skiffle Sound to a new generation, and starred in the one-take silents "Better Bunk" and "The Wedding Ball".
Mr. Stanton has had a long and diverse career on the Winnipeg scene, having played as a guest-soloist with bands such as Skingerbreadman, the Hummers, and Querkus, and collaborated with the likes of Finjan and the Mini Mariachi; released several CDs on his VoidHouse label including "Paradise" and the upcoming "Poor Andy's Dog & Pony Show", scored several shorts including Shannon Ottarson's "The Keys" which starred Ryan Black, and maintained creative relationships with legendary kathak-dancer/choreographer Usha Sharma and Manohar Performing Arts of Canada (Winnipeg's premiere Indian classical dance troupe) with whom he appeared in Guy Maddin's "The Saddest Music in the World". Joshua is a founding member of triOOMPH Productions film group, and a member of the Ragpickers/ElementSircus performers' collective. He has represented the classical instrumental tradition at Folklorama's India Pavilion since 1995.
Joshua remains among the last of the classically-trained pen-and-ink typographer/illustrators, and ranks among his numerous achievements Heartland Associates' "Dancing Backwards" and his countless posters, ads, and graphics for Ragpickers Anti-Fashion Emporium. A technical artist by trade, Mr. Stanton was the master conceptual modelmaker at New Flyer Research & Development.
As intense a producer as he is a personality, Joshua Stanton remains an independent, an intellectual, and an artist of integrity.
Poor Andy Artist Statement:
My dear and cherished friends, colleagues, and rather more dubious acquaintances: it is with the utmost verisimilitude of heartful sentimentalism that I bid you--welcome.
I am, of course, that genteel and gentle-souled, holey-soled, seldom-sober so-and-so the girls at Ragpickers call Poor Andy. I may admit myself, with some little pride, a 'man of the streets' — whether I am so much a man of the people... I have retained, for your ostensible diversion, as fine a lot of tub-thumping ne'er-do-wells as ever grubbed a nickel--and I say that with all due respect. I call these ambrosiated tootlers my Dog and Pony Show, a name which is intended neither to generate inference, nor cast aspersions, upon any persons, animals, or for that matter personable animals — who besides which are mostly chums, so what the Hell? God bless and keep you all!
Ours, dear friends, is a SKIFFLE act, in the eminently disremembered British style, featuring my pained if plaintive renditions of such erstwhile quadruple time ballads of murder and infamy as I am wont so adamantly to horse-flog. — And as to this tramp business; of course I realize it doesn't qualify as gainful employment, but what tramp is not merely an itinerant self-employed person? — Besides which I've a MySpace-page, so figure THAT on your abacus... And what IS an itinerant person, at that? Indeed, perhaps it is YOU! However this is neither a dictionary nor an abacus — though I daresay the former may prove helpful in regard to the latter.
"Poor Andy" indeed! Poor PEOPLE...
10:30 to 10:45 pm
(Side Stage)
www.myspace.com/kramran
www.woolyrecords.com
Kram Ran began when Kram (Mark Wohlgemuth) started experimenting with electronics in 2005 to digitize brutal truth.
Kram Ran has since grown into a divorcing onslaught with additional and occasional members. Kram Ran continues to develop; constantly exploring new medians to capture, express, and exorcise the humanity hidden and suppressed in the brain's back corner.
From various river-banks in Winnipeg and Cabin lofts, Kram Ran has come up with sad-core acoustics, and chaotic electronics, with an album released on Kram's own home-made label, Wooly Records, in 2006, and an acoustic album coming in the near future.
10:15 to 10:30 pm
(Dance Floor)
www.firedanceproductions.com
www.myspace.com/firedancepro
Firedance Productions is the largest rhythmic fire and light performance group in Canada. Your senses will be dazzled as dancers spin fire, glow or streamers to the tribal beats of live drummers or to edgy urban electronic music.
10:05 to 10:15 pm
(Side Stage)
9:50 to 10:05 pm
(Dance Floor)
MOMENTUM AERIAL ACROBATIC & AERIAL PERFORMANCE TROUPE
9:10 to 9:50 pm
(Main Stage)
www.antigravityband.com
www.myspace.com/antigravityproject
Antigravity was first conceived in 1998 by writer, philosopher Brad Fenwick, and artist, political activist DINAC whose musical vision was inspired by progressive rock music, conspiracy theories, and science fiction. In early 2000, the guys met up with guitar wizard, keyboard player Basil Ganglia and the newly formed band soon began performing their trippy brand of prog rock at local Winnipeg haunts. The recording of their debut concept album "Annuit Corruptus" got underway with Chris Conlin of Laundry Mat Studios in early 2001 and was to develop into an epic tale over the next few years.
In the summer of 2002, DINAC left Antigravity to pursue his art and Paulette LaFortune of Sweet Spot Productions began managing the band. By the end of the year, multi-instrumentalist, artist Peter Baureiss was recruited as the full-time beatkeeper to round out the band's current line-up... and the power trio was born.
In March of 2003, in an effort to raise some money to fund the completion of "Annuit Corruptus", Brad and Basil decided to sift through Antigravity's archives and the result was the release of the first in a series of never-before-heard live recordings of improvisational jams Phlogiston I. The disc was released under the band's newly formed label Progspiracy Music.
As time passed, Antigravity realized that the undertaking of recording and writing a concept album was a much bigger task than anticipated as well as one that was important considering its scope and subject matter. The band wanted a sound that reflected the nature of the ideas, lyrics and music on the CD and so decided to revisit the original recordings of "Annuit Corruptus" over the summer of 2003. The services of Howard Klopak of Groove Jungle Recording Studio and Allen Hunnie Audio Inc. were enlisted to remix and master the entire album. The band also decided to change its name to 'The Antigravity Project' and on September 26th, 2003, "Annuit Corruptus" was released with an art music concept video co-produced by Sweet Spot Productions and local video collage artist Richard Altman in true prog rock style. With a two-story movie screen behind them and guest violinist Kristjanna Oleson and didgeridoo player Jason McLean, TAP wowed enthusiasts at the 1st Annual Autumn Art/Music Expo at the Ramada Entertainment Centre in downtown Winnipeg.
Since then, the CD has had favourable reviews by The Winnipeg Free Press, The Uptown, Stylus Magazine, The Winnipeg Sun, and the Uniter.
"When The Moody Blues released Days of Future Passed in 1967, it signaled the birth of a delightful little genre known as "prog" rock. During the golden years of prog, bands like King Crimson, Yes and the Mothers Of Invention made a living by crafting epic albums with 10 minute guitar solos and experimental instrumentation based on classical scores. By the 80s, it had all but disappeared from the musical landscape. Enter Winnipeg's Antigravity Project. With conspiracy theories on the mind and multiple instruments in their hands, the boys in The Antigravity Project have managed to record an album that would fit in nicely with Dark Side of The Moon and Red... While Annuit Corruptus is fantastic, brilliant rock, the band puts on an even better live show."
John Symons, The Uniter
Jon Symons was so impressed with TAP's live show, that he named the band's show at The Royal Albert Arms on January 17th, 2004 as one of the top 5 live shows of 2004 in Stylus Magazine placing third between R.E.M. and Metallica!!!
Other projects on the horizon... the band will be releasing a single and video on DVD co-produced by Brad Fenwick, Sweet Spot Productions and Richard Altman called The Story of Metronomicon. Fans in Winnipeg had a chance to see a sneak preview at the 2nd Annual ArtSonic Art/Music Expo back in October 2004.
While The Antigravity Project plans to release another studio album of epic progressive rock songs like "Babies On The Moon", "Metronomicon", and "Shoulder of Orion", some of their newer material would be considered straight ahead rock and roll like "Rock Star Crap" and "What You Don't Know". Their funky jams on songs like "Life Is Like That" (lyrics by Paulette LaFortune of Sweet Spot Productions), are an integral part of their current live show and are reminiscent of the early exploration by the original line-up into 'jam land' which spawned 'Phlogiston I'. Recording projects for the future... the possibilities are endless.
7:45 to 9:10 pm
(Dance Floor)
Lyna Hart is a Cree Elder based in Winnipeg. She is a trained nurse and advocate of food security issues.
Lyna is an original member of the American Indian Movement and has been a Sundancer for 35 years. She is also a Moondancer in Mexico and is now charged with bringing the ceremony back to Canada. She is currently a spiritual advisor for The Sharing Circle TV series produced by Eagle Vision Productions.
Dr. Joe Hawkins is a doctor of Chiropractic that has run a multi-discipliary healing clinic in Winnipeg for nine years.
He initiated the Winnipeg 911 truth chapter, part of a growing world wide movement and the alternative media website www.STOPLYING.CA. In June 2007, Dr. Hawkins spoke at the international conference in Vancouver on 911 and the New World Order.
Dr. Hawkins has studied spiritual and conspiracy teachings for the last 15 years. His focus is on the psycho-spiritual aspect of healing and society.
These days he listens to the great spirit.
www.dwdtv.org
www.mayantuyacu.com
www.youtube.com/dadaworlddata
Jim Sanders is a filmmaker, writer and community organizer based out of Winnipeg. He is co-founder of Dada World Data Productions and a founding member of the Harvest Moon Society.
He is currently developing a feature documentary film with Eagle Vision Productions and the National Film Board about the role indigenous spirituality and metaphysics can play in unifying the world and healing the earth and its people.
Jim is also apprenticing as a healer of medicinal plants under the guidance of the Ashaninkan Shaman Juan Flores Salazar of the Peruvian Amazon.
