Running On Faith

Text and video by Mike Parker

A local PhD student and author has launched a theatre company to showcase the works of Irish playwrights and to encourage other residents to explore the dramatic arts.

Patrick Toner is the founding director of An Amharclann (pronounced an ork-lan), a not-for-profit theatre company that will bring the works of Irish playwrights to New Brunswick audiences. An Amharclann is Irish for theatre.

Toner says he hopes the company will also serve to encourage others to follow his lead and stage plays in the Port City.

“Theatre is something anybody can do. In a small space. It can be outdoors. It doesn’t need a lot of stuff to make it a truly meaningful experience,” he said.

Musings on Idle Rock

By Mark Leger

* Consumer demand trumps carbon tax: Many people believe that Liberal Paul Zed lost his seat in parliament last year because Saint Johners feared the proposed carbon tax would kill economic development here, threatening in particular proposed projects like the second Irving Oil refinery. In the end, it was not scuttled by environmental progressives like former Liberal Leader Stephane Dion; blame instead drivers that consumed less worldwide, killing the business case for new refineries.

* Is it a good thing the refinery won’t be built (1): The Conservation Council of New Brunswick recently released a study which showed that lung cancer rates were very high in Saint John, compared to the rest of the province and the country. The Conservation Council blames the problem on industry, though the New Brunswick Cancer Network still believes smoking is the culprit. Irving Oil would have implemented improved pollution control technologies, but air pollution would have increased nonetheless.

A Sweet Poem

Sugar
By Clyde Wray

Want an orange popsicle
that glitters in the sun
or a Twinkie
the  crystalline sweet rush
should be fun
in need of some good refined sugar
so come-on baby
pucker up!!

Clyde A. Wray
July 25, 2009
All Rights Reserved

Fred revisited

Video and text by Mike Parker

The Irish pop group Fred performed at the Blue Olive in Saint John last week. Fresh, original and tons of fun, the band rocked the tiny Italian restaurant and left the crowd hootin’ for more.

We commented on the show earlier this week so I won’t rehash old news. Instead click on the turn below and watch the band perform Damn You Hollywood from their album Go God Go.

Four Events To Attend This Weekend

Compiled by Mike Parker.

There’s a ton of events to attend in the Port City this weekend – just take a peek at our listings page and I’m sure you will agree. But if you are having trouble picking, here are four that are guaranteed to put a smile on your pasty Saint John face.

Cold Night Empty Platform

By Clyde A. Wray.

Waited for you like a broken record
waiting to be played
with knowledge
I’ll never spin your way again
waited
like some particle written song
waiting for lyrics
so in harmony I could be sung
waited
in vain
like the man that stands
alone
in the cold
the dark
on an empty platform
knowing
he missed the last train
he won’t get home

Clyde A. Wray
July 15, 2009
All Rights Reserved

Clyde Wray is a Saint John poet living in the city’s uptown. You can read more of his work on his website.

It’s time for a Parade

Text and video by Mike Parker

On last week’s show, local musician Clinton Charlton came into the studio for a chat with host Mark Leger.

Charlton, 36, is the former front man for the roots-based band Carousels. But he has released his first full length solo CD entitled Parade and is holding a release party Thursday May 28 at the Blue Olive on Rothesay Avenue. Joining Clinton will be the  alt-country queens The Reckless Sweethearts. The fun starts at 8pm and tickets are $7 at the door and $5 in advance.

You can watch a clip from the interview and listen to Charlton perform here. The full interview can be heard in our podcast section here, where the two discuss Clinton’s musical influences, the challenges of being a performing singer-songwriter and his rapidly growing obsession with collecting guitars (he has 17 in various stages and different vintages).

Be sure to listen to Serf City every Thursday evening from 6:30 to 7:00 pm on CFMH 107.3 FM, where you can listen to interviews with the city’s musicians, artists, politicians and other rebels with a cause.

Good Things from Jessica Rhaye

Saint John singer-songwriter Jessica Rhaye dropped by the Serf City studio this week to play some tunes from her new CD, Good Things, and chat with host Mark Leger. Photo credit: Kâté LeBlanc.

 

The following commentary kicked off the May 7, 2009, episode of ‘Serf City’ radio, which airs Thursdays at 6:30 pm on CFMH 107.3 FM. Listen to the commentary plus the interview with Jessica Rhaye here.

By Mark Leger

Plenty of surprises await first-time fathers like me. But none are so wonderful as watching Little Jack develop his senses. Communication is what I crave most and I expected a newborn to respond most to touch – a hug, a kiss on the cheek.

Alas, hugs and kisses mean nothing to him now. What he really likes to do is talk. I jabber away at him and he jabbers right back, smiling and laughing when I mimic his screeches and burbles.

What he likes more than anything, though, is music. We discovered this early on when his grandmother could halt his crying fits (for awhile anyway) by singing and playing the piano.

Get out: Our listing of events

By Mike Parker

Saint John singer Sean Roach performs at O'Leary's Pub on Princess Street every Friday and Saturday night (upper room). Sean, Tony Noddin and Matt Benoit also host an open jam every Sunday night at Cougar's Lounge in Market Square. Photo credit: Sean Roach.

One of the things I love about Saint John is the eclectic nature of the city. It seems something is always happening, if you are only prepared to step out of your comfort zone and embrace a new idea, a foreign culture or a new event.

Here are four days worth of events happening in Saint John. Some are new to the city – like the 54Hours Startup Weekend or the Asian Heritage Gala.  Others are popular annual events held every spring – like ACAP’s Marsh Creek cleanup or the  Gallery Hop (with the emphasis being on hops).

Home at last

Video and text by Mike Parker

Recently, Serf City host Mark Leger chatted with Luisa Montoya, the new coordinator for  the Multicultural Newcomers Resource Centre in Saint John.

Montoya is originally from Colombia but left the South American country when she was just 14 years old. Since that time, she has lived in China, the United States and France. But she choose to make her Saint John her home.