Happy New Year 2009!

Happy New Year 2009 from the Arts Junction!
Credit: Microsoft Office clip art

January 1, 2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

A very Happy New Year to all of you that stop by here now and then and to all others as well.

All the best in 2009!

CPR Holiday Train Steams into the Junction of History

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Brings the Holiday Season Magic to the Junction
December 2, 2008 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

CPR HOLIDAY TRAIN STEAMS INTO THE JUNCTION OF HISTORY
By Neil Ross

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train steamed into the Junction Tuesday night, flying Canadian and American flags and a neon Christmas tree. The Junction crowd was made up of families and other residents jubilant to be allowed access to the railway yard for the first time in their lives. Apparently, the train’s stop was something of a coup for Councillor Saundercook who appeared in a box car with Councilors Nunziata and Palacio. The Holiday Train raises money for local food banks and it was a joy to be able to contribute knowing the proceeds would go to be used right here in the community as the cold weather was a grim reminder of how much we need to share in this northern clime. Also sharing were Tim Horton’s who provided free coffee and hot chocolate to the crowd. This is the tenth anniversary of the holiday train and over its decade it’s raised two hundred and thirteen tons of food and over one and a half million dollars.

As the big doors opened on the side of the box car the unmistakable strains of the theme to the Friendly Giant swept across the crowd. Santa Claus himself was the first performer channeling James Brown as the hardest working man at the North Pole and revealing an extraordinary set of lungs on the long notes. Also featured were Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member Tracey Brown, CCMA winner Johnny Reid, and singer/guitarist/song-writer Shaun Verreault. The highlights included a song written on board the train just that day which seemed to be called A Change is Coming which had Junction parents dancing with their children and children dancing with each other. Another was the guitar solo during Silent Night . . . and there’s a sentence you don’t get to write very often. Actually Silent Night had been nicely adapted to the 2008 Politically Correct Carol Book to Sabbath Night, which played quite well, and considering the aforementioned guitar solo was perhaps a more apt title than Silent Night.

Junction Historical Society train expert Raymond Kennedy (trainweb.org/oldtimetrains) had been scheduled to give a talk on the history of railways in the Junction of which he is an invaluable fount of lore. Unfortunately, his talk was only briefly mentioned from the train and Raymond wisely put the event off for some later date. It’s a shame as Raymond could have given the crowd something the other speakers could not: what the trains really meant to this historic community. We’re told that if enough excitement is generated the CPR will bring the train back next year. An old Junction rebel whispers in my ear: "how much excitement would it take for them to rebuild the railway station?" but the food bank is a right now need and the CPR is to be commended.

Happy Holidays from the West Toronto Junction Historical Society Centennial Committee.

2008 © Neil Ross

Neil Ross, writer/comedian/historian
West Toronto Junction Historical Society
Centennial Committee Chair

Soviet Seasonal Classic and Masterpieces of Animated Shorts at Margret

Poster: The Arts Junction’s Soviet Cult Films Night at Margret: Neptune's Holiday
Credit: Margret Bar / Lounge for the Junction

What are you doing on the last Saturday night of the year?

The Arts Junction presents the Soviet Cult Films at Margret

The Fourth Movie Night with the Soviet Seasonal Classic Movie:
[*] Neptune’s Holiday (1986)
and Masterpieces of Animated Shorts:
[*] There Once Was a Dog (1982)
[*] The Hedgehog in the Fog (1975)
[*] Tale of Tales (1979)

Saturday, December 27, 2008
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Margret Bar / Lounge for the Junction
2952 Dundas Street West at Pacific Avenue
Toronto, ON M6P 1Y8
416-762-3373

*Admission: Free

Bring your friends and join us for a great evening of fun and masterpieces of animated shorts!

Soviet Cult Films at Margret
http://eventful.com/toronto/events/soviet-cult-films-margret-/E0-001-018357846-7

The fourth night with the best Soviet animated shorts The Hedgehog in the Fog, Tale of Tales, There Once Was a Dog and a short feature film Neptune's Holiday.

You are not in a Disneyland anymore. "Neptune's Holiday" is the last Soviet comedy.
Laugh when you say a goodbye to your past but nobody knows what expects you in the future.
Otherwise it would not be so funny.

Neptune's Holiday ( 1986)
Prazdnik Neptuna
Director: Yuri Mamin

Plot summary for Prazdnik Neptuna (1986) More at IMDbPro »
A group of Swedish tourists are on the way to a Russian village to witness the so called 'Festivity of Neptunus', in which the inhabitants take a dive in a hole in the ice. This tradition, however, does not exist at all. The inhabitants try to make a good impression by starting the 'tradition' to please the tourists. Written by C. van Lieshout {c.van.lieshout@tip.nl}
Credit: imdb.com

Директор Дома культуры запланировал на 1 января праздник Нептуна с участием 150 "моржей". Эта цифра настолько поразила областное начальство, что в село на праздник была направлена шведская делегация, которой надо было теперь показывать праздник во всей красе… Жители маленького городка решают устроить иностранным гостям праздник Нептуна... в самый разгар русской зимы.
Credit: ruskino.ru

Masterpieces of Animated Shorts

There Once Was a Dog (1982)
Zhil-byl pyos
Director: Eduard Nazarov

Based on a Ukrainian folk tale. In a small village, there once lived a dog. All his life he did his job honestly. But then he grew old. His nose couldn't smell as used to. His eyes were not sharp as before. And his legs felt like they didn't even belong to him. And ... what happened to him next.

Credit: youtube.com

The Hedgehog in the Fog (1975)
Yozhik v tumane
Director: Yuri Norstein

2003—Tokyo All time animation best 150 in Japan and Worldwide: Hedgehog in the Fog "№1 Animated film of all the time"
Credit: bookrags.com

Tale of Tales (1979)
Skazka skazok
Director: Yuriy Norshteyn

Tale of Tales, like Tarkovsky's Mirror, attempts to structure itself like a human memory. Memories are not recalled in neat chronological order; instead, they are recalled by the association of one thing with another, which means that any attempt to put memory on film cannot be told like a conventional narrative.
Credit: wikipedia.org

The Arts Junction
http://www.artjunction.blogspot.com

** The AJ (artjunction) is an independent, local blog dedicated to arts and culture events in the Junction area of Toronto West, and Russian cultural events coming up in Toronto.

links:
eventful: Soviet Cult Movies at Margret
toronto.com: New in Bars: Margret
Story and photography by Stacey McLeod
Soviet Cult Films at Margret: Opening Night
Soviet Cult Films at Margret: The White Sun of the Desert
Soviet Cult Films at Margret: Ashik-Kerib
Soviet Cult Films at Margret: Seasonal Classic and Masterpieces of Animated Shorts

Latitude 44 Gallery Highlights Paintings by Micheline Montgomery and Poetry by Hédi Bouraoui

Poster: Latitude 44 Presents Visages Du Dedans
Paintings by Micheline Montgomery and Poetry by Hédi Bouraoui

Latitude 44 Presents Visages Du Dedans

Paintings by Micheline Montgomery and Poetry by Hédi Bouraoui

December 16, 2008 to January 17, 2009

Vernissage / Opening Reception:
Thursday, December 18, 2008
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Latitude 44: Gallery ~ Framing ~ Decor
2900 Dundas Street West, Toronto ON M6P 1Y8 (just W of Keele, in the historic Junction)
Tues-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Mon by appointment
T: 416 769 2900
Google™ Map
www.latitude44gallery.ca

VISAGES DU DEDANS. An intriguing collection of faces in mixed media by Micheline Montgomery.
This show is a collaboration between artist and poet revealing in the works exhibited, their artistic and spiritual quest.
Latitude 44 Gallery (T.O. Central: Junction)

Slate Art Guide Linting

"I paint everywhere. I cannot separate art from the rest of my life. I believe art can inspire and touch people if it comes from the heart and the soul. Faces and angels are recurrent themes in my art. The spiritual element expresses my endless quest for peace, harmony and integration. Art becomes for me a magical path expressing my perception and experience of life".
Micheline Montgomery

"La Paix, c’est la véritable rencontre de l’Autre dans sa Vérité, c’est l’acceptation totale de la différence."
Hédi Bouraoui, Vers et l’Envers

Contact Toronto Photography Festival 2009: Junction BIA Call for Submissions

Contact 2009 - Junction BIA Call for Submissions
Credit: sevres-babylone

CONTACT 2009 THEMATIC FOCUS: STILL REVOLUTION
Still Revolution will look back to the revolutionary foundations of photography while looking forward to the innovations that are stimulating a transformation of the role and function of the medium. Suspending moments in time that are always in flux, this theme will reflect a complex history marked by pervasive change. From reportage to abstraction, documented fact to constructed fiction, Still Revolution will explore photography through its many complex, ever-evolving manifestations.

JUNCTION BIA CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

For CONTACT 2009, The Junction BIA will be hosting over 20 juried exhibitions in select venues throughout the area from
May 1 – May 31, 2009.

Deadline for Submissions: Midnight December 15th, 2008
Artists will be notified of the results by January 7th, 2009

How to apply:

Please submit the following as digital files on a CD clearly labeled with your name, phone number and email address.

1. A maximum of ten digital images of works proposed for the exhibition. Digital images should be: RGB, jpeg format no larger than 1024 x 768 pixels at 300 dpi. They should be numbered 01 to 10 (01_tree, 02_house, 03_car etc.) Do not submit original artwork. CD must be readable on MAC OSX.
2. Image list indicating title, year, medium and dimensions. (Include this in digital form on CD)
3. A 75 word written description of your work. (Include this in digital form on CD)
4. A curriculum vitae, resume or biography. (Include this in digital form on CD)
5. A self-addressed envelope (SASE) with sufficient return postage. Without an SASE we will not return submission packages and will dispose of submission materials appropriately.

The Junction BIA will take reasonable care with submission materials; however, we cannot accept responsibility for damage or loss to submitted items.

Submit Applications to:

Anna Louise Richardson
The Junction BIA
3042 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M6P 1Z3
416-767-9068
annalouise@thejunctionbia.com

links:
flickr.com: Contact 2009 - Junction BIA Call for Submissions
contactphoto.com: REGISTRATION FOR CONTACT 2009
CONTACT Toronto Photography Festival in the Junction

Press Release: Santa in the Junction Event

Santa in the Junction
Credit: Junction BIA

Come to Celebrate This Holiday Season in the Junction

For Immediate Release

Toronto, ON, November 27, 2008 -

The Junction BIA invites you and your family to the
"Santa in the Junction Event"
at The Junction City Square (Dundas/Pacific)
on Saturday, December 13th from 2 - 5 pm.

The Junction has become one of West Toronto’s most child friendly neighbourhoods. This year at our "Santa in the Junction Event", we’ll have and abundance activities from dancing and sing-a-longs to crafts, free hot chocolate, and candy canes for kids young and old. Come celebrate this holiday season by helping us decorate our Christmas tree topped by a lighting ceremony! Internationally renowned storyteller Norman Perrin and the children’s dance performers will be joined by HO, HO, HO Santa Claus himself!

This community event is brought to you by the Junction Business Improvement Area (BIA). The Junction BIA consists of over 150 businesses serving The Junction and High Park communities. The unique shops offer many products and services for children including comic books, games, clothing, and awesome candy: everything your child needs to enjoy a full and active lifestyle.

With an impressive selection of ethnically diverse dining combined with early morning eateries, organic cafes and markets, the junction offers a variety of choices. With our thriving selection of home decor stores, you will find all your needs met from antiques, reclamation, and rebuilding right through to new furnishings, lighting, framing, and art. Everything you needs is at your doorstep in the Junction.

What’s going on at the “Santa in the Junction Event”, Saturday December 13

[v] Holiday stories
• Raven Steal’s the Light,
• The Goblins,
• Silent Light
[v] Children’s Christmas music and sing along
[v] Free hot chocolate, apple cider, candy canes, and cookies
[v] Community Christmas tree decorating
[v] Christmas tree lighting

–30–

For information, please contact:
Martin Scott
Forever Interiors
Designing New Stuff from Old Stuff
Furnishings, Decor, Antiques
2903 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON M6P 1Y8
Phone: 416-291-2001
Website: www.foreverinteriors.com

or

Junction BIA's office
3042 Dundas St. West, Toronto, Ontario M6P 1Z3
Phone: 416-767-9068
Website: www.thejunctionbia.com

CP Holiday Train Brings the Holiday Season Magic to the Junction

Screenshot: Bill Saundercook City Councillor Ward 13:
CP Holiday Train coming to the Junction on December 2,2008
Credit: billsaundercook.ca

The CP holiday train brings the spirit of giving and its holiday season magic to the Centennial Junction.

The Junction Stop of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train 2008

When: Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Time: 6:15pm to 7:15pm
Location: 87 Ethell Ave., adjacent to RONA

Details:
breakingprojects.com/junctioneer: CPR Canadian Holiday Train Visits Junction Tomorrow
thejunctionbia.com: Holiday Train

The 10th anniversary Holiday Train hits the rails on November 26th visiting over 100 communities in seven states and six provinces to raise food, money and awareness for local food banks. All donations collected in a community remain in that community for local distribution.

Each year, thousands of people gather along Canadian Pacific Railway's route to enjoy the arrival of the CP brightly decorated trains and watch entertainers perform a live holiday concert. This year we will experience it in the Junction for the very first time.

This year's entertainers and musicians include Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member Tracey Brown, CCMA winner Johnny Reid, Shaun Verreault, singer/guitarist/song-writer for blues-rockers and Canadian live favourites Wide Mouth Mason, and Juno award-winning singer and songwriter Melanie Doane.

Music from Melanie and Shaun as well as other Holiday Train performers such as Johnny Reid, Tracey Brown and Lisa Brokop are featured on a special 10th anniversary CD/DVD. This commemorative compilation features the sights and sounds of the Holiday Train and is available for purchase at a Holiday Train events.

Credit: 2008 CP Holiday Train
Holiday Train blog
Holiday Train facebook
Holiday Train photo gallery

Reminder: November Soviet Cult Films at Margret Tonight

Poster: Soviet Cult Films at Margret Movie Night
Presented by Big Daddy's DVD Shop

Just a brief reminder that tonight at 6:00 pm in the Margret Bar/Lounge for the Junction, 2952 Dundas Street West we'll be holding our 3rd movie night with the Caucasus folk-tale Ashik-Kerib by Sergey Parajanov.

In 1988, in the memory of Andrey Tarkovsky, Parajanov created "Ashik Kerib" his masterpiece based on the work of the Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov. "Ashik Kerib" is a delightful movie and probably the best one to start with for new-comers to this director. The costumes and decorations are beautiful and the music is absolutely gorgeous (Parajanov hired an Azeri composer. The score is lifted to the realm of high art; the music almost makes this movie worth seeing just by itself).

Details:
Eventful.com: Toronto Events: Soviet Cult Films at Margret

links:
Soviet Cult Films at Margret: Opening Night
Soviet Cult Films at Margret: The White Sun of the Desert
Soviet Cult Films at Margret: Ashik-Kerib

Junction Parents: Junction art

Junction Art 2008 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Credit: latitude44gallery.ca & junctionparents.blogspot.com

Junction Parents: Junction art

What a beautiful piece of prose and what a descriptive language of Irina's post exploring the world/word of art, a local art, the Junction art.

"... many Junction area businesses chose to display work by local artists, just take a walk and explore, with your kids!"

What a great way to get kids involved in art!!! Cara will be glad to read this post, and I only have to say "Please,bring us some more art."

The Junction Rocks @ the Toronto Web 2.0 Summit

Louis Marrone, President of the Junction Residents Association and
Robert Hilts, Coordinator of the Junctioneer: the West Toronto Industry and community web 2.0 platform at the Toronto Web 2.0 Summit introducing the JRA Web 2.0 platform. The Arts Junction is interlinked with the Junctioneer's and the Junction Parents' platforms forming the high synergy between the three.
November 26, 2008 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

What a wonderful panel is going now at the City Hall. I am inviting you to join the summit webcast online: www.toronto.ca/web2summit to share your views, questions and experience on the topic of this rich, interactive, social media etc...

3:15 - 4:45

Citizens and communities of Toronto: Understanding what Toronto’s citizens and communities expect of their government, how Government 2.0 can enable them to provide their views to their government, and how the City can effectively access its citizens and communities

Chair: Gary Schlee, Former Faculty of Centennial College
Panel: Martin Cleaver, Wiki Consultant, Lifestyle Information Network
Saul Colt, Head of Magic , Freshbooks
Robert Hilts, Glass Artist, Junction Residents Association
Maura Lawless, Executive Director, 519 Community Centre
Louis Marrone, President, Junction Residents Association
Chris McCreary, Manager, Lifestyle Information Network
Margaret Szots, Chair, Toronto Professional Network
Geoff Whitlock, President, Lifecapture Interactive

Louis Marrone
Louis Marrone has been a Junction resident for five years. Interested in community organization and participation, he has sat on the Junction Forum for Art and Culture (JFAC), since 2007. JFAC is the organization created by the Junction Business Improvement Area (BIA), and is responsible for the annual Junction Arts Festival. His involvement in JFAC introduced him to many members of the BIA, the Councillor and active community members. He also chaired the BIA banner committee, responsible for designing and installing the utility pole banners on Dundas St. West.
When friend Robert Hilts created the Junctioneer eight months ago, Louis readily agreed to be a contributor, intrigued by the potential for the blog to be a vehicle for the community to define itself and keep informed about its neighbourhood. He has been the chair of the newly-formed Junction Residents Association (JRA) as of September, and since that time has been working with Robert to make the Junctioneer a vibrant platform for relating JRA information and encouraging community discussion, as well as making it the main resource for all West Toronto RAs and community groups.
Louis is employed as a Project Manager for BaAM Productions and holds an honours BA in Philosophy from the University of Guelph.

Robert Hilts
Robert is a full time professional glass artist, primarily working in cast glass and situational artworks. Growing up in the Junction, he developed an interest in the making of objects because of the Junction’s large industrial presence. The mixed industrial and residential character of the Junction has always defined the community for long-time residents, and for each wave of newcomers.
Robert created the Junctioneer blog with the aim of linking the residents of this community together. The intent is for it to thread together the wide variety of people living in the Junction by exploring the community from street level to the aspirations that so many residents have for the Junction. It provides viewpoints from several contributors, including Louis Marrone, Junction Residents Association chair.
Robert is also the chair of the Junction Communities in Bloom committee.