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This episode looks at the issue of empowerment. How can we take back control in order to lead a healthy, fulfilling life.
We will be speaking with Devon Boorman, owner of Academie Duello, a European Swordfighting studio. Academie Duello is a school of European Swordplay and Western Martial Arts devoted to teaching the weapons of the historical gentleman and warrior. Devon will share his perspective on power and its relationship with the mind through his experience as an expert in Swordfighting and Martial Arts. www.academieduello.com
Also in studio is Ron Sombilon, a successful visual artist. Ron believes, the worth of one’s inspiration is beyond measure. It is breathed in, absorbed, and with luck, passionately driven out through Artistic expression. Ron’s philosophy is that Art is an intimate and perpetual experience that should serve as a daily necessity. His program called Passion Chasers enables individuals to combine, art, inspiration and empowerment. www.ronsombilongallery.com. Check out Passion Chasers here
Our live musical guest, will be Brandy Gibb.
Broadcast date: Monday, January 18, 7pm. CJSF 90.1 FM, Burnaby. on-line @ cjsf.ca
Have a listen to the archived broadcast.
Part 1 (30 mins)
Part 2 (30 mins)
Ross Fairbairn joined us in studio and talked about the blues. Have a listen. May take moment to load.
Part 1 (30 mins)
Part 2 (30 mins)
I recently came across an ad in the Georgia Straight, a local Vancouver newspaper promoting a comedy event with Shaun Majumder, Sean Cullen, Nikki Payne, Ed Robertson and Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies). It is an Olympic event which promises a high energy night of insanity. I have been contemplating writing this post for weeks, but now I can no longer suppress what needs to be said.
The premise that insanity is something to laugh about, I find troubling, and generally representative of the mass media’s attitude towards mental health. It is so pervasive that whenever someone wants a cheap laugh, the terms ‘Crazy, Insane, Mental or even Retarded’ are thrown into the mix. At one point it was ok to refer to someone as gay whenever one needed to throw a derogatory remark. Would you dare to try that now? At one point being gay was a diagnosed psychological condition, so we shared the pain. For advocates in mental health, it is something that we have been battling with for decades. It’s no doubt we have progressed somewhat, well, we no longer physically burn people at the stake. Mental Health is a taboo in today’s society. Mental illness is a disease, like cancer, heart disease or diabetes, however in the broader context of society it is not always viewed that way.
In this context, the Olympic movement (which is a taxpayer funded venture), should not only be conscious, but should be held to a higher standard. In this case it showcases blatant ignorance. The Olympic concept purports development through sport, and putting human beings first, as it states on its website “to bring the peoples of the world together, the Olympic Movement develops programmes that provide concrete responses to social inequality.“. Suppose the promotion of this cultural Olympic event promised a night of retarded humour. That’s not acceptable today, but there was a time where it may have been. Well, words matter, and ‘Insanity, Crazy and Mental’ are loaded words in our community. In the wrong context they continue to shape the stigma that prevents people from getting the help they need, it fuels the ignorance that demonizes mental illness. Shame and guilt are in abundance with those stricken with a disease of the mind, but they don’t need any additional burdens from other people. Many people who have these conditions feel that they can’t escape and their only way out it to take their own life and in some cases take others with them.
So why does this matter in the context of the Olympics? Some say, “Everyone loves the Olympics, we shouldn’t say bad things you know!” That statement in itself is ironic. As I mentioned, the Olympics is a taxpayer funded event, both by infrastructure and crown corporate sponsorship, therefore, it is to be a representation of the population. The facts are one in five people will suffer a serious mental health issue in their lifetime and some many never enter the mental health system. It is such an important issue to our government that the Mental Health Commission of Canada has been established to look at the system over a 10 year period; primarily because Canada is behind many industrialized nations when it comes to Mental Health. One of the major initiatives is: Anti-Stigma, a gargantuan effort that we are spending large amounts of taxpayer dollars on, as well as other initiatives. So, while one side of our government is attempting to plug holes in a dam, another one is poking holes in it. It is frustrating, hurtful, and truthfully, it angers me.
So what should we do? I’d say start with looking at words like, ‘Crazy, Insane or Mental’ which are not nouns, but representative of behaviour. Many of those with serious disorders, are not able to control it. There are many different ways to deal with these Mental Health issues (biological, social, psychological), and it is social art as much as it is science. For the rest of us, behaviours can change, however many are ignorant and choose not to. One way to start would be using terms associated with mental illness in a more responsible manner. Be conscious of the context in which you are using words and find other creative ways to say what you need to say. For example, instead of using the terms, crazy, insane, nuts, etc., try the following substitutes: twisted, unbelievable, incredible, strange, inappropriate, unorthodox. Those are new terms that I am getting used to as well, but I challenge others to create new ones which we can all see in action – I too am conscious about changing my behaviour.
In a few short weeks the world is coming to Vancouver, and they are going to explore Canada and what it stands for. How do Canadians treat the mind and the mental health of its people? Do we take it seriously or merely perceive as a joke?
JP
Visual Artist and Creative Catalyst
jay.peachy@yahoo.com
jpeachy.carbonmade.com
Producer Sound Therapy Radio
CJSF 90.1 FM
soundtherapyradio.com
Jenn and Jay bring you our last Jambalaya before the holidays. Our special gift includes some great banter and live music from Benjamin Keith. Enjoy and be merry. May take a few moments to load.
Part 1 (30 mins)
Part 2 (30 mins)
In this episode we ask why mental health should matter to Canadians? For most Canadians mental health is a loaded word perpetuated by the entertainment, television and mainstream media. Mental Health is demonized in this country, so much so that most people can’t have a mature conversation on the topic. It’s taboo, it’s uncomfortable and dangerously misunderstood. We are now in the information age, an economy driven by creativity and production of intellectual capital; these are outputs of the mind! So what are we doing in this country to ensure and maintain a sound mind?
This broadcast will look specifically at the Mental Health Commission of Canada and its role in re-shaping the way Mental Health and Wellness is viewed in this country. In comparison to the rest of the industrialized world, Canada falls behind in relative terms with respect to its investment in mental health programs. So as a taxpayer, why should I care?
In this broadcast we will be having an open discussion about mental health and in specific, how individuals and society should we be participating in this social issue. We will also have interviews with Senator Michael Kirby, chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada and Gillian Mulvale, a strategist also from the Commission.
Live in the Studio
Vancouver musician Robert Wilson shares his soulful tunes throughout the episode.
Broadcast Date, Monday January 4th, 7pm PST, CJSF 90.1 FM, on-line cjsf.ca
Archived episode below. May take a moment to load.
Part 1 (30 mins)
Part 2 (30 mins)
Last Wednesday Kitt and I strutted out in our cowboy boots all the way down the Burnaby mountain and onto Davie Street to attend the premiere of the Super Fantastic Variety Gong show at the J Lounge, formerly known as the Jupiter Lounge on Bute.
Kitt and I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was something different so we were keeping our minds open. The venue is in midst of a makeover, complete with a new owner and fresh, enthusiastic management. They want it to be known as a live venue. It’s a good thing for Vancouver artists because in the restaurant business a stage takes up some valuable real estate.
The event was a little late kicking-off. No surprise really considering it was the first time out. The crowd trickled in until quite magically we found ourselves in the company of a full house. The house band, Gene’s Dancing Machines, warmed the stage up for the first performer—err victim? Ok, so the rules were that an artist/musician would perform their first piece and then the crowd basically decided yay or nay; nays get the dong of the gong, of course. First up was Neal Ryan, an Irish troubadour setting out in Vancouver. It was a decent acoustic performance. Next up was Devilsplender (aka Rob Malowany), an artist with a pretty impressive musical resume. Good performance, smooth vocals, but a bit lacking in musical variety. Being without a full band compromises what he can do, no doubt. Still he managed to avoid the gong.
Halfway through the night a comedian made it up on the stage. His name escapes me—which is probably a good thing. The performance was subpar but the crowd had a sense of humor, even for bad delivery. Gotta love us Canadians! Having been a fan of Live at the Apollo, I had visions of riotous audiences, heckles, and rotten tomatoes. I’m glad that wasn’t the case for this aspiring jokester, cause really it takes gachungas to get up there knowing you are at the edge of a plank.
Joseph Blood and his band were the feature act for the night. They had quite the set-up, the full band was so big they spilled off the stage and on to the floor. Joseph took over the place by starting his set standing with one foot on the front row couch and the other one in some dude’s plate of chicken wings. Blood’s performance set the room on fire. With all the changeovers between the gong acts the energy in the room had been wavering, but the Blood Brothers managed to send it through the roof and back again.
We pretty much left after that. This was a work night—gotta love our life! So would I go again? Possibly. I think there are a few things that need smoothing, but its nothing that time and experience can’t remedy. The concept has potential, however more audience interaction would raise the energy. I think with Vancouver being a hockeytown, this new artistic bloodsport may actually catch on.
J Peachy
Visual Artist and Creative Catalyst
jpeachy.carbonmade.com
Producer Sound Therapy Radio
CJSF 90.1 FM
soundtherapyradio.com
Jay Peachy and our funky work study Jenn host Jambalaya on December 15th. Live in studio is Align out of Israel. Have a listen, may take a moment to load.
Part 1 (30 mins)
Part 2 (30 mins)
For many of us Art is a means for survival. Personally, it gives me the spiritual nutrients and inspiration needed to live a full live. Art and creativity are healing mechanisms, its potential can’t be understated in the context of a healthy mind.
Arts funding in British Columbia has been dramatically slashed this year, with service plans that indicate further reductions totalling over 90 percent for the 2010 / 2011 budget. The government Standing Committee on Finance has recommended that arts funding be restored to 2008 / 2009 levels. All we ask is that they act on their own committee’s advice. Letters and postcards to Premier Gordon Campbell, his ministers, and your MLA, and other information and direct action ideas are all available at …. creativitycounts.ca.
Attended the open heArt event, which was a showcase of local artists from a variety of genre’s. A collaborative project by Christina Lenic, James Vanderheidt, Meghan Neath, Kelli Stewart and Lotte Barnes, they all exuded that they are passionate individuals who believe in artists and the capacity for art to make a difference.
open heArt
Their premiere event was held at “THE MET” in Gastown and under the mantra [people] + [art] = change. I expected something different, not better or worse but somehow different. Being an artist I was looking for the social statement; there wasn’t one that was evident. Is that a bad thing? Possibly? I’m not a cultural snob, am I? But me, I’m an outsider artist, I’m not supposed to think this way. The event was called open heArt, I needed to try my best to live it.
The production was a salon-style event, it appeared youthful, non-pretentious in a club like atmosphere and what I felt had a positive vibe. The installations were a little unorthodox, but being in a bar can you expect much? I thought; were the people who attended art lovers or newbies to the creative scene? Did they know what they were looking for, were they going to buy? Does it matter really, there were people there enjoying art, possibly about 100 or more of them.
I spoke with Katrina Harris who showcased her work publicly for the first time. I don’t think she felt she could call herself an artist yet, but her stylized self-image, enveloped with dramatic text was beautiful. A double exposure of sorts; the visual expression on canvas but even a glimpse into the soul. It appeared to be an emotional collage of pain, anger and yearning for self-definition. Go big or go home I suppose, good on her. For me, that one stood out.
When speaking with the five of them about their intention/purpose for the event, they made it clear that it was about removing the encumbrances of their expression. Wanting to break walls of established means and what they feel as red tape holding back their opuses, they pulled their hearts, minds and hands together in this creation. It seems my attitude was exactly what they were trying break free from. Essentially, they believed that there was creative talent within their circle of friends that didn’t have a place to showcase. It was a safe place for these new found artists, they were surrounded by those that supported, loved and adored them. Now who could argue against that? A pretty decent start, lets hope the open heArt keeps beating, we need more of it in this city.
J Peachy
Visual Artist and Creative Catalyst
jpeachy.carbonmade.com
Producer Sound Therapy Radio
CJSF 90.1 FM
soundtherapyradio.com
A letter to Vic.
December 27, 2009 in Arts Review, Commentary | Tags: mental health, suicide, vic chesnutt | by J Peachy | 1 comment
Dear Vic,
You actually don’t know me. I had recently become a distant fan, truthfully I hadn’t really listened to your music much or know much about you. However your story from your personal tragedy and struggles to rise as a musician was something that really interested me. You recently had come to Vancouver and it was my intention to meet and speak with you, particularly about your journey as a survivor, an artist and as a human. It is with great regret that I didn’t get that chance.
Your passing affects me deeply. I really don’t know what it is; but the story of the challenges you faced and the fact you had come so far, fascinated me. It was an inspirational journey, I wanted to tap into that for myself and have the opportunity to share with others. I would think that many others would have lots in common. Now it seems that you could not escape from the demons you felt, no one will ever likely know the truth. Some say the truth hurts, but not knowing can be just as painful.
Whatever it was, I really wished it hadn’t been resolved in this manner. I wish you had spoken out more, reached out more, but not this. But then, it is also likely not your fault. The truth is, the world really wanted you to stay.
Vic Chesnutt, who was quite open about his mental struggles, died of an apparent suicide on December 25, 2009, he was 45.
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