Soap operas are an easy target for ridicule. Originally envisioned as a subtle way to advertise household products to housewives through the radio, the format evolved into what it is today — an overly-dramatic, ridiculously shallow attempt to fill daytime programming. It’s no wonder that the Calgary’s own Dirty Laundry improv group have decided to… Continue reading Soap operas provide a laundry list of material
Results for "Al Williams"
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Boats set sail for Calgary
When talking to indie bands in Canada, it’s always interesting to hear how supportive the local communities are. Neighbourhoods can play such an important role in the development of a band and, obviously, some are more conducive to development than others. Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto are all seen as Meccas of indie music in Canada… Continue reading Boats set sail for Calgary
Festival of words passes to new hands
In a time when digital publishing and the internet have made the future of books uncertain, Wordfest festival director Anne Green is remarkably confident. “I wouldn’t say it’s affected us in a negative way at all. This is the tangible dimension. You still want to go to a concert even though you can download somebody’s… Continue reading Festival of words passes to new hands
An autumn TV line-up you’ll fall for
If there’s one thing I know, it’s TV. I’m the kind of person that can devour a 13-episode season in two days (for the record, I’m talking HBO hour-long episodes, not that wimpy 43-minute garbage that airs on cable providers). I pick up shows at an alarming rate and once I’m a season deep, I… Continue reading An autumn TV line-up you’ll fall for
Sometimes all it takes is a Sketch
By Andy Williams and Brent Constantin
People don’t often realize the monumental amount of preparation that goes into making a feature-length film. Scouting locations, writing and editing scripts, storyboarding, casting, wardrobing — the list goes on and on. That’s why it’s so impressive to see Science Bear — a group of local comedians – tackle the medium with a 75-minute comedic… Continue reading Sometimes all it takes is a Sketch
What’s left? The Gauntlet guide to August festivals
It’s been a tough year for festivals. The all-women Lilith Fair had to scale back a few events and in some cases even cancel shows due to weak ticket sales. The fear of low ticket sales also forced Canada’s Virgin Festival– the event that brought Pearl Jam, Tokyo Police Club and Metric to Calgary’s Olympic… Continue reading What’s left? The Gauntlet guide to August festivals
Military buff/folk musician takes shots at Calgary
Chris Gheran describes himself as a “hard folk” musician. It seems like a strange distinction to make, but once you hear his music, it makes sense. The influences of old-school folk musicians like Woodie Guthrie and Bob Dylan resonate in his insightful lyrics and meaningful music. “It’s funny, because both my parents are executive white-collar,”… Continue reading Military buff/folk musician takes shots at Calgary
Klassen calls Calgary home despite the hard winters
Calgary gets a bad rap on the cultural front. Despite being the fifth-largest metropolis in the country, touring musicians often skip the city in favour of the greener pastures of Canadian cultural juggernauts Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. Critics also frequently posit that the infamous boom-town economy of Calgary has left the city devoid of any… Continue reading Klassen calls Calgary home despite the hard winters
Online Exclusive: Girl Talk: eclectic is an understatement
Gregg Gillis- more commonly known as Girl Talk- doesn’t have a problem with challenging paradigms. He produces tracks entirely from samples of popular songs, deftly biting drum beats, pianos, vocals and anything else that catches his ear and weaving all of the pieces together in a meticulous and methodological way. The songs are often short,… Continue reading Online Exclusive: Girl Talk: eclectic is an understatement
Fourth annual Sled Island promises to be a good time, again
Sled Island organizers have taken a page out of headliner Girl Talk’s liner notes with this year’s programming choices. The notes to Girl Talk’s 2006 album, Night Ripper, contain a who’s who of popular musicians — from Hall & Oats to Outkast and Tears for Fears — and represent a diverse appreciation for many different… Continue reading Fourth annual Sled Island promises to be a good time, again