TWITCH: MODERN MAYHEM MOMENT: Calgary Folk Music Festival Preview

MODERN MAYHEM MOMENT: Calgary Folk Music Festival Preview

By Joelle May

 

Ah summer.  The smells of flora and fauna, sunshiny days and warm nights, mosquito bites and sunburns, and not only that, but the most important part; its festival season!!  The line-ups for this years western Canadian music festivals are staggeringly good, and truly exemplify the fact that western Canada has mounds of talent hidden in those Rocky mountains and prairie towns.

 

One of the top festivals in Canada, and likely Calgary’s favorite individual festival, the Calgary Folk Music Festival celebrates 30 years of beautiful music in 2009, and this year’s line-up has as much spunk and diversity as years past, if not more!  Prince’s Island Park sets the stage for such critically acclaimed headliners as Iron and Wine, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sarah Harmer, Mavis Staples, Loreena McKennitt, The Decemberists and Justin Rutledge, among others.  I spoke to Mark Berube, of Mark Berube and the Patriotic Few, about his upcoming Calgary Folk Music Festival appearance, and here is what he had to say:

 

JM: What is it you look forward to experiencing most at the CFMF?

MB: A totally different side of Calgary that I haven't seen yet.  Yeah, yeah, yeah it has this reputation of money, and oil, and the Red Mile...etc. I'm hoping to see the heart of Calgary.

 

JM: Have you attended the CFMF before?   Favorite past experience with CFMF?  Stories you've heard about CFMF?

MB: It will actually be our first time. I'm really excited about it. Kerry and her crew are great people and the festivals in the past have had some pretty fantastic lineups.

 

JM: What musicians are you looking forward to seeing at CFMF?

MB: Deep Dark Woods, Bell Orchestre, Jolie Holland, Iron and Wine to name a few…

 

JM: After touring "What the Boat Gave The River" for the last year, whats next on the Mark Berube and the Patriotic Few calendar?

MB: We'll be touring across Canada again this fall, then heading to France and Switzerland in November/December to open a few dates for Emily Loizeau, then touring on our own.  We'll most likely be in the studio for the next album in January 2010.

 

JM: If you could be anyone else (other than a performer) at CFMF, what role would you choose?

MB: The person who does sign language and translates for the hearing impaired as the artists sing...if you guys have those folks!!

 

Check out more on Mark Berube and the Patriotic Few (heavily endorsed by yours truly – they are fantastic) at www.markberube.com

 

Although this reporter cannot confirm the employment of translators at CFMF (maybe a good idea for 2010?) the Calgary Folk Music Festival does have an environmental perspective to operate from.  Plate washer is a darn important position as far as volunteering goes, and every plate gets returned without fail as the vendor collects a $2 levy on each plate which is refunded when the plate is turned in to the washers.  Utensils and cups from the beer gardens are made from corn products and are subsequently biodegradable, and there as many recycling bins as there are trash bins throughout the site.  The festival promotes biking or using public transit to get there, as it resides only 5 blocks away from the C-train.  If you plan on attending the CFMF this year, make sure you hike in your tarp, beach-style chairs, snacks and a bit of cash to experience the amazing food vendors and artisan/craft market.  Don’t bring booze!  There’s plenty of it available at the beer gardens, and you’ll just get the stink eye from the volunteers if you get caught sneaking it in.  Most of all though, remember the festival is for everyone’s enjoyment, so have fun and don’t be a butthead.  Nobody likes a butthead.  Enjoy the music and discover your own new favorite artist this year at the Calgary Folk Music Festival!

www.calgaryfolkfestival.com

www.modmaypromotions.com

TWITCH - MUKWAH JAMBOREE 2009

Mukwah Jamboree 2009

camping, music & shenanigans…

by Barnaby Bennett

 

One weekend every summer, the ole’ flat bed truck is moved over to a campsite next to the Red Deer River, tarp is skillfully tied to pine trees, then draped above this make shift truck/stage that numerous artists will grace over the course of the weekend. I am talking about what takes place at the Mukwah Jamboree – a fun filled music festival that happens near Sundre, Alberta on July 17-19. This year’s line-up is full of great bands and includes Azeda Booth, Beija Flor, Ganglion, Kuboaa & Deadhorse alongside perennial Mukwah favorites such as The Firm Handshake & Buena Buya. To keep the crowd moving between bands there will be DJ sets from Vermillion Pleasure Hour, The Medicine People & Pilgrim. And yes, there is rafting available if you book via the website ahead of time!

 

The festival is now in its fourth year and is a highlight of the summer for most who attend. Perhaps this is because they just ended up really haggard, but for the most part it’s because the Mukwah Jamboree offers more to attendees than the usual music festival seems to. Festival organizer Danny Vescarelli believes this is due to the sense of community that flows through the festival – this has helped Mukwah grow, organically, into what it is today. Danny says: “everyone who attends Mukwah each year brings their own thing to the table, and as such, finds out what does and doesn’t work for them while at the fest and usually remember that for next year.”

 

This is why there is always so much going on over the weekend at the Mukwah Jamboree. Whether it be early morning yoga next to the river, campfire singalongs, keg stands at 4 a.m. on Sunday morning or wild psychedelic dance parties – Mukwah is a hotspot for festival fun on your own terms, a true DIY delight. For more information please visit www.mukwahjamboree.com

 

Mix:

Check It Out/Do Or Die – Super Furry Animals

Cinema Olympia – Gal Costa

Love Is Strange – Wings

Liquidator – The Harry J All-Stars

Open My Eyes - Nazz

Club A-Go Go – The Animals

9 O’Clock Business Man – The Peppermint Trolley Company

Alice Designs – Mr. Lucky

Zing! (Went The Strings Of My Heart) – The Move

Summer Means Fun – Bruce & Terry

Good Lovin’ – The Young Rascals

Monolith – T. Rex

 

http://soundcloud.com/the-medicine-people/summer-means-fun-we-love-mukwah-kitschykoo-july-2009

 

NO COLOUR EVER! Kitschykoo! June Issue (Party)

Get those pretty fingers of yours ready for inky smudgy times at Broken City this Saturday night!

The new issue of Kitschykoo! is out finally in its brand new BLACK AND WHITE (no colour ever!) format! Exciting!

Did I mention it is FREE now too?
Anyways, I'll be there with loads of copies so come on down and get smudgy.
xoxo
Kait

Start Time:	Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 6:00pm
End Time:	Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 2:00am
Location:	Broken City Patio
City/Town:	Calgary, AB

Email:

kitschykoomag@hotmail.com

FAB: NOLA DAHL

FAB: NOLA DAHL
photography

Nola is a caffeine addicted fourth year print media major at the Alberta College
of Art and Design. Nola enjoys going on late night outings to leave strange
things in mailboxes/library books/bus seats/etc. for people to find. When not
photographing everything in sight she spends her weekends sorting magic cards
and baking cookies while thinking up mostly true things to write about herself
in the third person.



'I have always been an inhabitant of the city, others like me within these
man-made behemoths constantly influences my praxis. Our methods and abilities
to cope with city life are so unique and varied and, it is the exploration of
this that provides a conceptual basis for my work. Through photo documentation
I record events that occur most often at night when people are attempting to
cope with their place in the city. This could take the form of self-abuse,
abuse of another or even a retreat to the suburbs among other things. My work
reflects our attempts to escape as a futile process as elements of the city
follow us home and invade our privacy.

As an artist I am interested in fluxus and kitsch. As a general rule I believe
art should be public and available to all, unlimited editions, street art,
happenings and curiosity-it’s all about culture. By getting art out into the
public we produce ripples that flow through so many areas. Even if only to a
small degree, even just one person; it is exciting to imagine the impact that
public and street art can have on daily life. If the city is a living entity,
art is its heart.' - Nola Dahl, March 2009

FAB: AIMEE QIU

THE FINE ART OF AIMEE QIU

DECKED: JODIE LEANNE SENTES

DECKED: JODIE LEANNE SENTES
Vintage-inspired Living
By Kait Kucy

A couple months ago, I was brainstorming new topics to include in the relaunching of Kitschykoo! and after coming up with a lengthy list of exciting things currently happening in Urbania, I decided that a feature on fabulous style and interior decorating was in order. I am constantly surrounded by people with impeccable fashion sense and a knack for setting trends, but in our current recessionista nomadic way of life, it is rare you come across a home that is truly put together. After hearing rumour upon rumour that my friend Jodie Leanne Sentes had quite possibly the perfect Vintage Life apartment, I had to drop by and take a look! It was all true. Treasures upon treasures, and all packed neatly into a historic bachelor apartment located in the Mission area of Calgary, AB. Sentes, a local jewellery designer, creates the most whimsical and unique pieces from glasses chains to feathered necklaces and notes that she finds most of her inspiration by her apartment and collections. I sat down with Sentes on a sunny late winter afternoon in her delightful pad, with a fragrant tea light burning and a vintage Santa Claus to my left and really got to know Jodie Leanne Sentes' apartment.

Choose 3 words to describe your apartment’s style.
Cozy. Eccentric. Lovely.

Where do you get your design inspiration from?
More of if I see something, I have to get it. I haven’t tried to match anything up, its all been random purchases. I’m really into little trinkets and miniatures, and you can never have too much stuff, I find. The more packed the better.

Are there any particular eras or ideas you feel yourself growing towards?
I was gravitating towards the 50s and 60s, I definitely have a soft spot though for the 20s. These silk pillows I have, they are from around 20s-40s, and I picked them up from a church sale for a quarter each. I have had them packed away for the longest time, waiting for the right space or apartment, but with this space – anything goes. Anything from the 20s. I have a couple items from the 20s packed away, just waiting to paint my apartment.

What colour are you painting?
I’m going to paint a light green, a retro light green. Its an awesome colour. For this place, the colour is nice and neutral but its not bright enough, especially since I don’t have a lot of sunlight. I have a lot of lamps right now.

Who were your formal influences growing up in terms of style or design?
I would have to say my biggest influence would be my grandma. I’ve been raised by her, and I’ve been doing antiques with her since I was five. I’ve been hanging out and when she would go get a coffee I would sell her stuff. She is a huge influence. She knows what style I have now, like if its pretty crazy and out there, I’ll probably like it. She tends to be more all over the place. She likes the 40s more. Andy Warhol is a big influence as well as Diane Arbus as well as Artist Daniela Kamiliotis.

What is the biggest purchase you ever made?
The matching couch to the chair I currently have in my apartment. It was a 1950s Davenport. You lift up the bottom and it turns into a bed, and it has a storage underneath. I only spent a $100, but is definitely the BIGGEST purchase I made. I have many prized possessions. The elephant lamp is definitely one of my most prized. Original shade, topper…the only thing that’s been replaced is the cord.


You do a lot of jewelry design, do you feel that your personal style and apartments style inspire your creative vision for your jewelry?
Oh for sure. For sure. The colours are all really bright. Colours you wouldn't expect to go together, that really influences me. I have lots of stuff around my apt to give me inspiration. As well as I would like to someday see somebody like: Betsey Johnson, Vivian Westwood or Mary-Kate Olsen flaunting my craft!!



What are you up to in your spare time?
Making jewelry. I go to antique shows, both selling and buying. I like to spend time with friends, go to shows. Hanging out with friends, thats one of my favourite things.

What do you wish you could be doing more of?
I would definitely like to take 6 months off from work, get a mini van and drive to the states. Hit all the small towns, go to random diners, see how much stuff I can fill the van with. Bring it all back and get another bookshelf to fill up. I'd just love to go to these places that have so much stuff, here there is hardly any secondhand stores, Value Village is way overpriced. I'd like to open a store. A coffee shop with local art, move some of my stuff from my apartment into the store. Retro feel. And make more jewelry. I try to make jewelry at work as well as at home. I'll sometimes work on things until 4 in the morning.

Are there any themes that tend to show up in your home?
Yes, there is definitely more than one. I hadn't really noticed until my sister mentioned that she had noticed lots of woodland creatures. Owls, deers.... I have a little squirrel brought back from Chicago. I have a lamp with deers on it. What really gets me is Urban Outfitters. You go on there and you see the same things on the website as you have (the real thing). Everything is coming back in fashion. Its really special to have the authentic object.


What is your dream home like?
I totally want a little house. An old shack. An old creaky, haunted -- something I can fix up. Not much bigger than my apt. I'd like to be in Montreal. A little garden with a picket fence. Maybe two more cats.

How do you feel your apt represents your personality? Cozy, eccentric, and lovely?
Yes, those words work for me, I guess. I am pretty cozy. Definitely. My home and I are one. I am more in love with it everyday.

Where do you think you will go from here? Moving plans? Rearranging?
I was thinking about moving to a one-bedroom apartment, but knowing the history of my friend the previous tenant, having lived here for 17 years -- I can definitely picture myself living here for 17 years. I might rearrange, I might find a way to block my bed and get more bookshelves -- more space. I want to paint, like I said. I have no intentions of moving, besides moving to Montreal in the future. Content with staying here and traveling. This is my home base.

FAB: ASHLEY-ANNE THOMPSON

FAB: ASHLEY-ANNE THOMPSON
dreamlike photography
http://antique-lens.deviantart.com/