...my life, and what interests...
The Steve Report is published whenever I feel like it. Comments welcome. Call 604-788-8340 or email. If you are having trouble viewing this read it online here >>> http://stevenrduncan.blogspot.com/.
Top Story Lucky to be alive!
The last month-and-a-half have been trying for me physically, to say the least. Had a great trip to Winnipeg and back (and all parts in-between) with Theatre in the Raw on it's tour of one-acts, but you may not realize that i had a bit of a fall while I was in "the Peg". I tripped while walking along one of that city's notorious ramshackle sidewalks (comparable only to Spain's El Camino del Rey), and landed on my left arm, pushing my elbow in and up under my rib.
This "lifted" rib was painful the first couple of weeks, but i only had two incidents where i really suffered. The pain for me was much like holding an electric fence - like the kind used for cattle, etc. - through a few jolts, pain that lasted a good three hours. Thank god for the troupe's chanteuse, Michelle A. Richard, and her Ibuprofen!
Aside from a little back pain now and then while bending (the ribs are connected to the spine and a lot of muscle tissue back there), THAT INJURY is mostly forgotten.
My newest escapade, however makes my original fall a pale concern in comparison:
Friday morning i was hurrying to catch a bus and taking out the trash to the curb, when, par for the course, i tripped over a crack in the sidewalk out front of my house and plunged headlong into the path of a street-cleaner trundling along against the curb.
Truthfully I can't remember what actually happened at that point. As i landed, I barely recall looking over and seeing the metal brushes spinning and spitting debris at me.
The next thing i know I'm lying on my side in an oily, smelly, filthy febox, disoriented and feeling extremely nauseous. The noise was deafening and the wash of filth sloshed back and forth and ran continually over me. The only light in the box came from the drain that let the water out the back of the sweeper.
I found a woman's shoe and tried banging to get the driver's attention but he couldn't hear me. It wasn't until he stopped for coffee at Blenz on Broadway that he cut the engine and heard me banging.
I'm not sure how long I rode along to tell the truth. The gas fumes were making me sick and dizzy.
The driver and another man who had been waiting for a bus pulled me out and stayed with me until the firemen and cops finally came.
I got a ride to VGH, was checked over and let go. I'm still recouping, but am doing much better. I have to say, I was pretty shaken up. Amazingly, i came out of the whole ordeal with only a scratch on my shin that i probably got from the initial fall. Aside from that, my glasses were scratched a bit.
Thanks to everyone who saw me on the newsclip via the link on the Commercial Drive blog and who sent me their good wishes and concern. I watch it and still can't believe it happened. No wonder I don't like to take out the garbage.
I hope you are all enjoying the summer and weather!
Until next time,
Play safe!
Steve.
Commercial Drive - Live!
I'm happy to report that by the end of this month Commercial Drive - Live! will have had 25,000 visitors. That means over 1000 visitors a month are checking out the blog to see what's happening on the Drive, and about a quarter of you are repeat readers. As a matter of fact, CBC Radio even called me the other day, asking me if I had any info about a story they were considering (that was before my street-cleaner episode). This tells me that people are starting to take notice of the Drive. Are you?
By the way, I'll be live on the Drive on Sunday, at the first Artful Sunday of the season. Drop by and say hi! There is always great music and interesting things to see! More details here. >>>
Thanks again to Charlie Kiers for his generous support which helps keep the blog running and you entertained and informed!
Fearless Festival August 24th is going to rock!
Just like last year, I'm back hard at work on what will be the 2nd Annual DTES Fearless Festival in and around Pigeon Park.
This year we are proud to feature local band Pawnshop Diamond and are putting together a great line-up of musicians and spoken word artists to entertain and inspire. I'll be posting the complete line-up online in the next couple of days. We are also working with the Constant Arts Society to put together an exhibit featuring photography about the DTES by At-Risk First Nations youth at the InterUrban Gallery.
We are currently looking for volunteers to help us out both on the day of the event and prior to the event to do some community outreach, i.e. postering and flyering.
We've made it simple to sign up by creating a handy link on our blog that will tell you more about it.
Oh yeah, did I mention the afterparty?
If you can't help out in the flesh, then consider doing so in spirit - by making a tax-deductible donation, to help increase artist fees and cover some necessary production costs.
But most importantly, come on down and have some fun! The event officially starts at 3pm and goes until 9pm. Performer and volunteer party to follow!
WOTS Poet's Corner Saving the best for last!
It is with great sadness that Randy and I have come to the decision to make this our last year as hosts and organizers of the Poet's Corner. I, myself have been involved for about 7 years, since poet Justin McGrail first asked me to be a part of it. I've been very fortunate to have RC (Randy Jacobs) Weslowski, Sue McIntyre and Jody Spink on board for the last several years, making my job soooo much easier.
We are putting together our "Feature" list as we speak and are very excited about the possibilities!
This is always an amazing event for me and one that introduces me to a huge number of great poets and all-around great people, many of whom end up as guests on our radio show. I still plan on making Word on the Street an annual event, but I'll be able to take it all in for a change!
We are still looking for poets to perform at the Corner and would love to hear from you. Here's the link with more information. >>>
Workshops: Chapbooks at Summer Dream Lit Fest
Special Workshop - Basic Chapbook Design and Marketing
Saturday, July 26th, 12:30pm-2pm
Lumberman's Arch, Stanley Park
Cost: $25*
What is a chapbook?
Chapbooks have been around since the first days of the printing press. Simply put, they are small booklets, usually made of 8.5" by 11" pieces paper turned sideways, folded in half and stapled or "staddle-stitched" down the middle. Even in the age of CD's and YouTube, the chapbook remains one of the most popular ways for a writer to get their words into the general public's hands inexpensively. Although the process is not a difficult one, it can be daunting to people without much desktop publishing experience.
Having produced more than a dozen of these books for myself and other people, I've developed a (pretty much) fool-proof method of creating them. I'm taking people through the basics this Saturday at the Summer Dream Literary Festival.
Plus I'll take a little time to talk about how to sell your books after you make them!
* I've introduced a new, online reservation system using PayPal, meaning that participants MUST pre-register to ensure a space (space is limited).
Simply follow this link, to find out more and register: http://smart-arts.blogspot.com/
Wax Poetic This Week: Michelle A. Richard
We are very fortunate to have this award-winning francophone songstress Michelle A. Richard, in-studio to promote her new self-titled release which is to be launched this Thursday, at Timbre on Commercial.
We're also excited to have our co-host Diane Laloge back with us after her trip up North! Tune in to Coop Radio, 102.7fm Wednesday at 2pm (PST) or check out our official blog www.poetryradio.blogspot.com for more about our show, including audio, video and links to listen to the station live via the internet.
WP will have a table at this year's Summer Dream Festival, plus we are hosting a short segment on the mainstage, where we will be conducting a mini "off-air" interview with our mystery guest, just like we do weekly on our show.
Come say hi!
Other Worthwhile Stuff Art around Vancouver
The Steve Report is published whenever I feel like it. Comments welcome. Call 604-788-8340 or email. If you are having trouble viewing this read it online here >>> http://stevenrduncan.blogspot.com/.
- Top Story: My bad accidents!
- Commercial Drive - Live!: Blog hits another landmark
- Fearless Festival: Vancouver's most courageous festival needs you!
- Word on the Street: RC and I Say Goodbye to Poet's Corner
- Workshops: Let me help you publish a book!
- Next on Wax Poetic: - Michelle A. Richard to grace Co-op
- Other Worthwhile Stuff: Vancouver's Arts Listings
Top Story Lucky to be alive!
The last month-and-a-half have been trying for me physically, to say the least. Had a great trip to Winnipeg and back (and all parts in-between) with Theatre in the Raw on it's tour of one-acts, but you may not realize that i had a bit of a fall while I was in "the Peg". I tripped while walking along one of that city's notorious ramshackle sidewalks (comparable only to Spain's El Camino del Rey), and landed on my left arm, pushing my elbow in and up under my rib.
This "lifted" rib was painful the first couple of weeks, but i only had two incidents where i really suffered. The pain for me was much like holding an electric fence - like the kind used for cattle, etc. - through a few jolts, pain that lasted a good three hours. Thank god for the troupe's chanteuse, Michelle A. Richard, and her Ibuprofen!
Aside from a little back pain now and then while bending (the ribs are connected to the spine and a lot of muscle tissue back there), THAT INJURY is mostly forgotten.
My newest escapade, however makes my original fall a pale concern in comparison:
Friday morning i was hurrying to catch a bus and taking out the trash to the curb, when, par for the course, i tripped over a crack in the sidewalk out front of my house and plunged headlong into the path of a street-cleaner trundling along against the curb.
Truthfully I can't remember what actually happened at that point. As i landed, I barely recall looking over and seeing the metal brushes spinning and spitting debris at me.
The next thing i know I'm lying on my side in an oily, smelly, filthy febox, disoriented and feeling extremely nauseous. The noise was deafening and the wash of filth sloshed back and forth and ran continually over me. The only light in the box came from the drain that let the water out the back of the sweeper.
I found a woman's shoe and tried banging to get the driver's attention but he couldn't hear me. It wasn't until he stopped for coffee at Blenz on Broadway that he cut the engine and heard me banging.
I'm not sure how long I rode along to tell the truth. The gas fumes were making me sick and dizzy.
The driver and another man who had been waiting for a bus pulled me out and stayed with me until the firemen and cops finally came.
I got a ride to VGH, was checked over and let go. I'm still recouping, but am doing much better. I have to say, I was pretty shaken up. Amazingly, i came out of the whole ordeal with only a scratch on my shin that i probably got from the initial fall. Aside from that, my glasses were scratched a bit.
Thanks to everyone who saw me on the newsclip via the link on the Commercial Drive blog and who sent me their good wishes and concern. I watch it and still can't believe it happened. No wonder I don't like to take out the garbage.
I hope you are all enjoying the summer and weather!
Until next time,
Play safe!
Steve.
Commercial Drive - Live!
I'm happy to report that by the end of this month Commercial Drive - Live! will have had 25,000 visitors. That means over 1000 visitors a month are checking out the blog to see what's happening on the Drive, and about a quarter of you are repeat readers. As a matter of fact, CBC Radio even called me the other day, asking me if I had any info about a story they were considering (that was before my street-cleaner episode). This tells me that people are starting to take notice of the Drive. Are you?
By the way, I'll be live on the Drive on Sunday, at the first Artful Sunday of the season. Drop by and say hi! There is always great music and interesting things to see! More details here. >>>
Thanks again to Charlie Kiers for his generous support which helps keep the blog running and you entertained and informed!
Fearless Festival August 24th is going to rock!
Just like last year, I'm back hard at work on what will be the 2nd Annual DTES Fearless Festival in and around Pigeon Park.
This year we are proud to feature local band Pawnshop Diamond and are putting together a great line-up of musicians and spoken word artists to entertain and inspire. I'll be posting the complete line-up online in the next couple of days. We are also working with the Constant Arts Society to put together an exhibit featuring photography about the DTES by At-Risk First Nations youth at the InterUrban Gallery.
We are currently looking for volunteers to help us out both on the day of the event and prior to the event to do some community outreach, i.e. postering and flyering.
We've made it simple to sign up by creating a handy link on our blog that will tell you more about it.
Oh yeah, did I mention the afterparty?
If you can't help out in the flesh, then consider doing so in spirit - by making a tax-deductible donation, to help increase artist fees and cover some necessary production costs.
But most importantly, come on down and have some fun! The event officially starts at 3pm and goes until 9pm. Performer and volunteer party to follow!
WOTS Poet's Corner Saving the best for last!
It is with great sadness that Randy and I have come to the decision to make this our last year as hosts and organizers of the Poet's Corner. I, myself have been involved for about 7 years, since poet Justin McGrail first asked me to be a part of it. I've been very fortunate to have RC (Randy Jacobs) Weslowski, Sue McIntyre and Jody Spink on board for the last several years, making my job soooo much easier.
We are putting together our "Feature" list as we speak and are very excited about the possibilities!
This is always an amazing event for me and one that introduces me to a huge number of great poets and all-around great people, many of whom end up as guests on our radio show. I still plan on making Word on the Street an annual event, but I'll be able to take it all in for a change!
We are still looking for poets to perform at the Corner and would love to hear from you. Here's the link with more information. >>>
Workshops: Chapbooks at Summer Dream Lit Fest
Special Workshop - Basic Chapbook Design and Marketing
Saturday, July 26th, 12:30pm-2pm
Lumberman's Arch, Stanley Park
Cost: $25*
What is a chapbook?
Chapbooks have been around since the first days of the printing press. Simply put, they are small booklets, usually made of 8.5" by 11" pieces paper turned sideways, folded in half and stapled or "staddle-stitched" down the middle. Even in the age of CD's and YouTube, the chapbook remains one of the most popular ways for a writer to get their words into the general public's hands inexpensively. Although the process is not a difficult one, it can be daunting to people without much desktop publishing experience.
Having produced more than a dozen of these books for myself and other people, I've developed a (pretty much) fool-proof method of creating them. I'm taking people through the basics this Saturday at the Summer Dream Literary Festival.
Plus I'll take a little time to talk about how to sell your books after you make them!
* I've introduced a new, online reservation system using PayPal, meaning that participants MUST pre-register to ensure a space (space is limited).
Simply follow this link, to find out more and register: http://smart-arts.blogspot.com/
Wax Poetic This Week: Michelle A. Richard
We are very fortunate to have this award-winning francophone songstress Michelle A. Richard, in-studio to promote her new self-titled release which is to be launched this Thursday, at Timbre on Commercial.
We're also excited to have our co-host Diane Laloge back with us after her trip up North! Tune in to Coop Radio, 102.7fm Wednesday at 2pm (PST) or check out our official blog www.poetryradio.blogspot.com for more about our show, including audio, video and links to listen to the station live via the internet.
WP will have a table at this year's Summer Dream Festival, plus we are hosting a short segment on the mainstage, where we will be conducting a mini "off-air" interview with our mystery guest, just like we do weekly on our show.
Come say hi!
Other Worthwhile Stuff Art around Vancouver
Michelle A. Richard CD Launch
Thursday, July 24, 2008
7:30-9:30pm
Timbre Restaurant (2068 Commercial Drive)
Francophone blues/jazz artist Richard releases her first album after about 1 1/2 years of planning and creating. Copies will be on sale at the event.
Richard claims she had a great experience working with some of our most talented musicians, and recording engineer/producers.
Check out their handi-work on Thursday night.
More info here >>>
Artful Sundays
A multi-media, outdoor, visual arts market takes place in Napier Square (Napier and Commercial) starting Sunday, July 27, from Noon - 5pm.
The first Artful Sunday on July 27 will include: "Vancouver Cooperative Radio: Annual Books and Records Sale and Fundraiser".
By the way, Commercial Drive - Live! will also be on hand that day that day to say hi and give stuff away.
Find out more here >>>
A multi-media, outdoor, visual arts market takes place in Napier Square (Napier and Commercial) starting Sunday, July 27, from Noon - 5pm.
The first Artful Sunday on July 27 will include: "Vancouver Cooperative Radio: Annual Books and Records Sale and Fundraiser".
By the way, Commercial Drive - Live! will also be on hand that day that day to say hi and give stuff away.
Find out more here >>>
Summer Dream Literary Arts Festival
The 5th Annual Summer Dream Literary Arts Festival will take place on Saturday July 26, 2008 from 12-8 pm at Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park. Bring a picnic and blanket and stay for the whole day!
This event is an annual, engaging outdoor festival established to raise public awareness regarding the on-going literary events, programs and resources available in the community. We will be incorporating 20 literary groups, including multi-cultural readings in various languages, a poetry slam and a story slam competition. Entertainment will also included dancers, musical performances, panel discussions, open mics and a children’s area with puppet shows, music, story tellers, face painting and craft tables. There will also be workshops and information tables showcasing community groups and resources such as the Vancouver Public Library and The Federation of BC Writers. Author and poet, Evelyn Lau will open the festival with a twenty minute reading on the Main Stage and Vancouver Poet Laureate George McWhirter will open the Community Stage. Further schedule details are on the website: http://www.pandorascollective.com/sdrfestival.html
I'll be there facilitating a chapbook workshop and representing our weekly poetry show Wax Poetic. Plus, we are hosting a short segment on the mainstage, where we will be conducting a mini "off-air" interview with our mystery guest, just like we do weekly on our show.
Super Patriots and Morons
Amnesty International is pleased to present the Canadian premiere of Super Patriots and Morons, August 8 and 9 at the UBC Frederic Wood Theatre. Showtime is7:30 pm each night, and tickets are $15 in advance for general admission, $10 for students, seniors, and underemployed persons, and may be reserved by calling 604-294-5160 or by e-mail to pro@amnesty.ca. Both performances will be followed by a talkback session featuring members of the cast and other guest speakers.
Amnesty International is pleased to present the Canadian premiere of Super Patriots and Morons, August 8 and 9 at the UBC Frederic Wood Theatre. Showtime is
Super Patrons and Morons was written by Raisedon Baya and Leornard Matsa, and originally produced in
After several performances in
“The play challenges audiences to think about how and when to take personal action to bring about political change, especially in the face of economic and political violence,” said executive producer and local AI staff member Don Wright.
The
Director Pasi Gunguwo is a multi-talented Zimbabwean native who started as an actor and later received theatre training at Amakhosi Theatre Productions from Cont Mhlanga, one of the most fearless theatre directors in Zimbabwe, and widely know in that country for his Theatre for Community Action. Pasi has created and performed music for live presentations and worked in theatre and film in Zimbabwe, South Africa, the US and Canada. Locally he has served as Artistic Director of the award-winning Britannia World Music Society. His African opera Muti Usina Zita (Tree with no name) is scheduled to premiere at Vancouver Children’s Festival 2009.
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of “ordinary” people who work together to achieve extraordinary results. Each day we stand in solidarity with–and help protect–individuals and communities around the world whose human rights are under attack. We appeal for the violations to stop. We mobilize public pressure to prevent human rights abuses from taking place. And we support Amnesty’s campaigns through our financial contributions. Amnesty members come from many different cultures and backgrounds. What unites us is our determination to build a world where all people live in dignity, security and freedom.
604-313-4069 / dwright@amnesty.ca
Pasi Gunguwo, director
778-565-1047 / pasigunguwo@gmail.com
For information on Amnesty International concerns about the current political violence in
http://www.amnesty.ca/zimbabwe
This is only a handful of the great events that happen in this city every day. Be sure to check out http://thedriveisalive.blogspot.com for so many more.
A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal facility in the port city of Mombassa , officials said The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean, then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.
