The La Source

The Source finds its raison d’etre in Vancouver's vibrant and rapidly growing cosmopolitan culture.  With its primary focus on the artistic and cultural events taking place within various communities, no publication informs and celebrates the city's unique cultural mosaic better than The Source. The Source is a locally published bi-weekly free newspaper with offices in the heart of Vancouver’s entertainment district.  It is the only local bilingual paper in the lower mainland.  It is a non-profit organization run by hardworking employees, all of whom come from the various communities throughout the city. The idea of the paper originated in 1999 when the founding publisher, Mamadou Gangué, decided to create a paper that would discuss and promote Vancouver’s diverse and unique cultural make-up. As a forum for diversity – the very foundation of the paper – it encourages the development of new ideas and ways of thinking.

With ease The Source plays a leadership role within Vancouver’s complex intercultural communication network, as nowhere else in the world can you find a city more inclined to experiment with the idea of multicultural harmony.  Genuine in its wish to assist communities, whose origins are often wildly different, to understand and communicate with one another, The Source actively participates and sponsors major events throughout the city. The Source not only promotes diversity, but our team itself represents the many cultures found in Vancouver. Over the last 8 years of publishing, 600-700 volunteers from all over the world have brought their histories, perceptions, experience and talent to the offices of The Source. From the founding publisher, community members, the wonderful team of volunteers and the many readers of The Source, we thank you for your continued support and readership.

“We invite all people from various walks of life to share their stories, ideas and comments”- Your local diversity newspaper that thrives on the passion of making people belong.

ABOUT US [ +/- ]
Audacious festival brazenly shows off talent Print E-mail
User Rating: / 1
PoorBest 
Feature Story
Written by Kerry Hall   

Chutzpah is a Hebrew word that can be used to express admiration for non-conformist but gutsy audacity. The Lisa Nemetz International Showcase of Jewish Performing Arts—commonly known as Chutzpah!—demonstrates that notion of extreme originality by presenting an eclectic repertoire of cutting-edge dance, music and theatrical acts from around the world.

Mary-Louise Albert is the artistic managing director of the festival and Vancouver’s Norman Rothstein Theatre.

“One of the strong points is the consistent high standard of artists whether they are local, national or international,” said Albert in a telephone interview, adding that the mix of shows come from a wide interpretation of Jewish culture. “[Yet], it appeals to the whole community.” Many of the productions are collaborations with other arts organizations so they can benefit from each other’s strengths and provide opportunities for artists.

Canadian Aszure Barton returns from New York to the showcase for the third time, this year bringing her full company of nine artists. “Her works is exploding internationally,” said Albert. Barton will present two dance works—Busk with original music by Russian and a selection of world music as well as Blue Soup a mosaic created from her most notable past performances also choreographed to world music.

Also from New York, Gallim Dance will perform work created by Andrea Miller, choreographer and artistic director, which explores in kinetic fashion the self and its inner workings of weakness, desires, and struggles. Special guest Sidra Bell Dance New York will open for them. Sidra Bell is known for her sensual, unconventional, forward-looking work that pushes the boundaries of dance.

On the theatre front, Albert noted the world premiere of Donald and Lenore, by internationally renowned playwright Tom Cone who is based in Vancouver, which is a wild, seductive play about survival set in an underground Tahitian lounge. Glen Berger’s Underneath the Lintel is a historical journey by a Dutch librarian to solve the mystery of a library book returned after 113 years.

Montreal band Sagapool is also a first for this year’s festival. Alexis Dumais and the other five musicians have never performed west of Toronto before, despite playing together for the last 10 years and releasing their third album a couple of years ago.

“It’s joy for us to play,” said Dumais by telephone. “There’s a lot of happiness and it’s really a time when we all need that.” The band employs keyboards, a double bass, violin, clarinet, accordion, guitar, and percussion whiel on stage with the musicians switching up the roles amongst themselves. Dumais said it’s a unique sound, a little hard to describe, but it is a contemporary folk instrumental mix with a touch of world music. The band draws from musical genres around the world, especially those cultures that can be found throughout Montreal.

Also on the musical front, France’s Les Yeux Noir will perform at the festival’s 10th anniversary closing party. The band blends equal parts gypsy and klezmer music with dashes of jazz drawing on musical traditions from Central and Eastern Europe.

Chutzpah! runs March 4 to April 8, details at www.chutzpahfestival.com.

 

 

Copyright © 2008 The La Source - English. All Rights Reserved.
Developed by: Mahdiyar Biazi | Axiom Media Lab