INNER SCHOOLS VOCAL ACADEMY

“Best news I’ve heard all year so far:” from Canadian Soprano Simone Osborne http://www.SimoneOsborne.com

The Toronto District School Board unveils inner city vocal academy http://t.co/FFKhgaQG

Toronto Star Music Critic, John Terauds, http://bit.ly/zhjlsc writes about this forward thinking and, in my opinion, well thought out music education initiative.

WOW, I am impressed and this is the best news I have heard in 40 years!

So Vancouver School Board – listen up and take a cue from the Toronto District School Board.

After all Canadian Soprano Simone Osborne’s hometown is Vancouver! Think about all the possible collaborations!

This is so exciting Toronto School District – you have certainly hit the high note! BRAVO!

And just for your info and delight follow Canadian Soprano Simone Osborne on Twitter: http://bit.ly/zOqSlh – Young soprano currently spending her days and nights singing with the Canadian Opera Company

Looking to favourably invest in the Arts in British Columbia is a smart move – even in tough times!

I will add my two cents to the Provincial Budget process.

You can add yours too!

Have your say in the 2012 Budget Consultations! It’s your money! Here is a link:  http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/mybcbudget/

http://bit.ly/twvkzm

This, in my opinion, was a huge gaff on the part of the Mayor Gregor Robertson, and the past Vancouver City Council – (not the current one just sworn in), to destroy a cultural heritage of our city.

I mean if you can remodel another theatre that will be managed – and we hope well, by the Cultch, why not do the same for the Pantages in a neighbourhood that can desperately  use a breath of culture – DTES?

Mayor Gregor Robertson and former council members excuses not to attempt to save the Pantages were “lame”, ill-informed and just plain stupid.

Merry Christmas and Bah-humbug!

And, I predict she will become Canada’s next opera superstar!

Get out there Vancouver and go and see her while she sings in her hometown Vancouver!

Brava, bravissima Simone!

Spotlight on Simone Osborne  

Be sure to catch UBC Opera alumni and rising star Simone Osborne singing the role of Juliette in Vancouver Opera’s wonderful production of Gounod’s romantic Roméo et Juliette. Gounod’s gorgeous version of Shakespeare’s tragic story is graceful, dramatic, and supremely melodic. Famous for its deeply emotional love duets, its exquisite orchestral colours and its heart-stirring choruses, Roméo et Juliette beautifully portrays the most iconic elements of Shakespeare’s classic.

“Soprano Simone Osborne soars in Roméo et Juliette” —David Gordon Duke

TO PURCHASE TICKETS: Tickets are available from Vancouver Opera at 604.683.0222, online at www.vancouveropera.ca or in-person at the O’Brian Centre for Vancouver Opera (M-F) 9:00am to 5:00pm

The post-Olympic effect on arts organizations is very similar to the struggles artists and arts organizations have had in other host cities, and in Vancouver post-Expo — a dramatic cut in public and private sector funding. Can you name one initiative that you would most like to see implemented to help Vancouver arts organizations build on the successes of the City’s creative sector?

Bickerton: 100 Mile Cultural Diet: a program involving Province, Metro, City and Board of Trade dedicated to increasing perception of value of locally produced culture through coordinated marketing initiative & distribution infrastructure, just as was done for BC wine. Cd be integrated with Buy Local campaign I’d like to implement at city.

How do local governments, with increasing demands on their core service budgets, maintain or grow the cultural programs in their communities?

Bickerton: We have proposed creating two city arts endowment funds, one to supplement existing grant programs, and the second an endowment to provide seed money for badly needed arts infrastructure & facilities. The endowments would be financed through community amenity contributions from new housing development.

Will you commit to maintain or increase the current arts funding in your community?

Bickerton: Increase. By channeling a small percentage of community amenity contributions to the two arts endowments we’ve proposed, we will be able to increase funding beyond existing granting programs.

Will you take an active role on behalf of your community in lobbying senior levels of government to maintain or increase levels of funding for the arts, culture and heritage?

Bickerton: Increase. I have been a very vocal and passionate advocate for the arts to the provincial government by co-founding Vancouver Not Vegas! coalition, writing about the drastic effects of their cuts & erratic programme changes for Vancouver Observer, challenging ministers in public meetings and by signing petitions and writing letters.

Culture is an easy target when hard budget decisions must be made. How would you defend your support of funding for the arts in the face of further cutbacks?

Bickerton: Central to our sense of identity, of self and of place, the arts is also one of the ten largest employment sectors in Vancouver. The arts are also a key driver of our increasingly-information-based economy; one of the key animators of our city; and the underlying basis for our high quality of life. Moreover, a diverse, tolerant society with a vibrant and eclectic arts scene is necessary to attract the kind of brilliant minds we need to compete with the rest of the world.

It has been said that many points in the available arts and culture platforms are “objective driven” (specific projects) and don’t really speak to an overall vision of the role of culture in a civil society. In 300 words or less, outline your own vision of culture’s role in our communities and how, as an elected representative, you will support that vision

Bickerton: Culture is what makes us human. It has been defined as a society’s storehouse of complex ways of thinking and seeing the world that are passed on in order to help ensure the survival of the next generation in a constantly changing world. At a time of rapid social, technological and environmental changes, it is our creativity and ingenuity we need in order to innovate quickly enough to survive resulting dislocations. More locally, arts culture and heritage animate our city, enhancing our lives continuously and creating vibrant life in our downtown at night. The arts inspire us, put us in touch with our higher selves, cause us to rethink our assumptions, make us laugh, cry, remember and they teach us object lessons like the morality plays of long- ago. On a more basic level, the arts serve as pathways for children to discover new worlds, gain skills and confidence, learn discipline and the rewards of collaboration, channeling youthful high spirits into constructive pursuits. For all of these reasons and many more, culture’s role is central to our city’s identity, vitality, economy, and our way of life.

Please provide links to coverage and information of events and initiatives where you have been involved in arts, culture and heritage.

Bickerton:

http://www.vancouver2050.ca

http://bickerton.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/my-address-to-vancouver-2050-creative- city

http://bickerton.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/going-dark-in-lotus-land

VP & Futures Committee of Vancouver Recital Society 2009-2010

Board Member & Chair of Strategic Task Force for Langley Community Music School

Advisory Board for Borealis Quartet & helped create annual fundraiser.

ENJOY!

To my super  talented friends, Guillermo Ivan, Ragnar Conde and Erik Heyser – I say this is just wonderful that your first feature film is opening today, nationwide, in Mexico.

I am equally proud that you shared this experience with me along the way and that there is a Canadian actor in the cast.

To everyone in Mexico, please get out there, go to your cinema and support these magnificent Mexican filmmakers.

Sin Retorno is right on topic for today in Mexico.

Congrats Guille, Ragnar and Erik and much, much, success!

Abrazos fuertes!

Susan

PS: Vancouver Latin Film Festival in Vancouver you might pick this up for screening and distribution in Canada.

Impresario Extraordinaire

This Sunday, Oct. 23 at 2 pm in the Vancouver Playhouse there will be a celebration of David Y.H. Lui’s career and life – “extraordinaire”.

“They threw away the original template after David’s entrance onto the Impresario stage”….

David, you encouraged so many of us to follow our dreams and aspirations in the arts and culture of Canada.

You were passionate about arts and culture programs in our schools in Vancouver.

May your spirit inspire new-generations of Impresarios as we celebrate your life on Oct. 23.

David, simply, thank you!

http://bit.ly/qCwt3U

Maestro Valery Gergiev and the Stradivarius Ensemble of the Mariinsky Theatre in Vancouver, October 20, 11 Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver, Canada

Strauss Metamorphosen – transported me to a wonderful place

Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1- OVER THE TOP! Brilliant and knocked my socks off!

Tchaikovsky Serenade in C Major  – big smiles on my face and warmed my soul.

VALERY GERGIEV you are brilliant and so is Stradivarius Ensemble of the Mariinsky Theatre – I was so fascinated by the change in seating for each selection – such a sound…thank you for one of the most memorable orchestral music experiences in my life!

BRAVO and BRAVISSSSSSIMO!

"the show must go on!"

With profound sadness, and, an enormous sense of loss, I recall his words, “you know, the show must go on!”

David Y.H. Lui touched so many of us; he inspired us; he encouraged us to follow our dreams and aspirations in the arts.

He was passionate about the arts being a part of the curriculum in our schools.

He was passionate about bringing the arts to people and people to the arts.

David, you brought so much joy to so many people, simply, thank you.

Mr. David Y.H. Lui - may your show go on, in peace, rest well.