As an occasional lecturer at Mount Allison University, co-founder of SappyFest and a devoted father and artist, Jon Claytor is a regular feature of Sackville, New Brunswick. His work ranges from watercolours and traditional paintings to filmmaking and all fits into a uniquely Claytor narrative. His most recent project, ‘Take My Breath Away,’ is a collection of watercolours, bringing in characters from Sackville in a unique book; it’s a hybrid of visual ethnography, philosophy, music and humour. At the core of it is a family album exploring the intricate nature of love. So why does the artist appear throughout the book wearing a bear suit? Continue reading The Artist In The Bear Suit: The Watercolours of Jon Claytor
New Music: Sleepy Driver Plays It Safe With ‘Sugar Skull’
Sleepy Driver are returning to their roots with their new album Sugar Skull, and that means a steady flow of radio-friendly hits straight out of the 90s. The band has doubled back from the foray they made into the wilderness of instrumentals on their album Ignatius earlier this year, back into the friendly territory of college rock. Unfortunately, the results are a lot like moving back into your parent’s house after finishing your degree—it may be familiar and even comforting, but it never feels quite right.
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In Review: SJTC Tours Tennessee William’s Classic ‘The Glass Menagerie’
This Tuesday, the Saint John Theatre Company debuted The Glass Menagerie directed by Dean Turner. The classic memory play – where the main character is also narrator – was written by Tennessee Williams, the playwright responsible for A Streetcar Named Desire (1947), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955), and Sweet Bird of Youth (1959). Continue reading In Review: SJTC Tours Tennessee William’s Classic ‘The Glass Menagerie’
Scientists Of Sound Announce Double Vinyl Concept Album With New Video
It’s been four years since the release of Scientists of Sound’s award winning album Electric Scissors. A lot has happened since then. The world has changed, and not necessarily for the better. Every day the apocalypse is looking like a better option. Fast food, Trump, and the American Dream are out. Geiger counters, hoarding tinned food, and Henry David Thoreau are very in. While there’s still time to celebrate, Scientists of Sound are releasing their new album, The Beginning of the Beginning of the End, along with a video trailer to know what we can expect in our shiny, new, post-apocalyptic lives. Continue reading Scientists Of Sound Announce Double Vinyl Concept Album With New Video
East Coast Writers Shortlisted For Governor General’s 2017 Literary Awards
Earlier this month, the Canada Council for the Arts announced the finalists for the 2017 Governor General’s Literary Awards. 70 titles were chosen from the 1,475 that were submitted in both English and French. As one of the longest-standing literary awards in Canada, the Governor General’s Literary Awards have celebrated over 700 works by writers, poets and translators in its 81-year history. This year, of the 70 titles selected, 11% have ties to Canada’s Atlantic provinces. Continue reading East Coast Writers Shortlisted For Governor General’s 2017 Literary Awards