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In recognition of Mental Health Week, CJSF 90.1 FM in partnership with Gallery Gachet will presented a special May 4th episode of their two Tuesday Night radio programs. The Artist Lounge and Melodies in Mind hosted by Jay Peachy and Ryan Fletcher will broadcast their programs live in front of a studio audience at Gachet’s artist space on 88 East Cordova Street in Vancouver.
The Artist Lounge (7-8pm) guests and performers will included singer/songwriters Naomi Lippett, Dan Mangan and Gallery Gachet Collective members Stephen Long, Karen Ward and Quin Martins;
Melodies in Mind (8-10pm) hosted the talents of musicians Bryan Anderson, Karen Larson, and Nadia Von Hahn.
As artists we are always challenging the status quo, pushing the boundaries of thought and exposing elements of our soul. It may seem like a glamorous and inspirational life, but there are side effects, it can be an emotional vortex that can suck the life right out of you. So how do artists manage their Creative Minds? Especially those with the added burden of having a mental disorder. We bring different perspectives on this topic.
In this weeks version of ‘The Artist Lounge’ are Gallery Gachet Collective Members, Quin Martins, Karen Ward and Stephen Long. They will talk about the Gallery and the process of creating Art in spite of having a Mental Disorder. In addition, we had local musican and arts advocate in studio Naomi Lippett.
Our Feature guest, Vancouver based, Singer Songwriter Dan Mangan shared his perspective on the topic and performed for us live.
Listen to the archived episode here, will take a moment to load.
Part 1 (30 mins)
Part 2 (30 mins)
NOTE: VCommunity ‘One World’ Segment featuring the Mental Health Week Episode, broadcast details
Saturday, May 22 @ 4-4:30pm … moves from 7:30-8pm due to special live event programming
Sunday, May 23 @ 8-8:30pm
Thursday, May 27 @ 12-12:30am (Wednesday midnight)
Thursday, May 27 @ 10:30-11am
Friday, May 28 @ 3-3:30am
(VCTA) One World
CJSF Radio @ Gallery Gachet: in support of Mental Health Week programming provided by VcommunityTV (a local group of filmmakers and concerned people), this episode features edited excerpts from two regular Tuesday evening CJSF Radio programs taped @ Gallery Gachet on May 4, 2010, in support of Mental Health Week:
(1) The Artist Lounge show, including performances by Naomi Lippett & Mike Priebe, and Dan Mangan, and Gachet Collective Artists Stephen Long, Karen Ward and Quin Martins
(2) The Melodies In Mind show, including performances by Bryan Anderson, Nadia Von Hanh, and Karen Larson & Pat Covernton.
In studio with the Roy was Here Creative Studio
So I have been trying to resolve why I have been so enthralled by my radio experience. I’m really quite new to this medium and so the process of discovery likely has a lot to do with that. A friend who was already active in local radio peaked my interest and thus I decided to explore this last year. Now this new found expression attracts an abundance of my available time. Here are some of my discoveries.
Intimate yet social.
So why Radio vs Podcasting? I could have easily done the latter. I never had the inkling to be a podcaster, but did have subtle hints to be a radio host. My observation is that Radio stations are social hubs and in these situations the dynamics are different and thus they attract a different type of person. Could it be that Podcasters prefer the isolation, in that they don’t desire the physical contact and social community. Or could it be that there was just not the availability of community radio spots for them to tell their story. My experience at CJSF has opened doors to another world, not only in music, social circles but a higher level of personal consciousness as well. There are amazing warriors of creative, social and environmental causes that I listen to everyday.
An assumed level of credibility.
Radio still has an associated barrier to entry. Broadcasters require government approval, infrastructure and a programming schedule that is limited by the number of hours during the day. It has always been accessible in the frequencies of the acoustic public space. It has a rooted history as the mass medium in which our grandparents connected to the daily events of the outside world. Even with the changing digital universe Radio is carving its place, video tried to kill it once, but she has been resilient and still has many admirers.
Post broadcast with 'The Balconies, Jacquie Neville, Stephen Neville, Liam Jaeger and Sari Delmar. Stand up for Mental Health creator David Granier and Robbie Engelquist. JP and CJ the Sock Monkey
Imagination is up to you
I remember listening to hockey games on the radio as a child. There was no Sportsnet or TSN those days. On game day you had to tune in on the AM dial and be all ears. I remember Jim Robson calling games and hanging on to every word as he elevated emotion on the anticipation of something exciting. There is something about giving up your senses and just focused one. I can see that each and every listener having a different experience as they have only their ears and their own imagination to create the visual. Seeing a game on television is exciting but does leave less to the imagination, sometimes the over stimulation can be like cramming down a box full of Boston Creme Doughnuts. Its a high but the resulting crash leaves stains of sleep induced drool on my parents couch. Thus I feel that radio is a form of visual stimulation, in that it leaves the listener to create their own imagery. I can laugh, cry, dance or do dishes when listening to radio, more often it gives me energy than drains it.
Its a bit of old and new
The SPARC Radio Museum
There is something in human nature that appeals to the past. We have a number of furniture stores dedicated to the past; even The Antiques Roadshow has such a cult-like following. Media is constantly re-defining itself. Video was supposed to kill the Radio Star; however radio is still around, but why? The Society for the Preservation of Antique Radios has a dedicated following and a magnificent visual history of radio and its place in the world. Walking through the museum and seeing generations of receivers you can visualize the sounds that come through it. I feel that radio is like a personal relationship, if you care to listen she’s always right beside you, she will always be there whether at home, in your car or at the beach. Doesn’t everyone desire a friend who will stand by them, no matter how much things change around them?
jp
More background from an interview with Sylvia and Stuart Richardson of the social change syndicated program LatinWaves.
BC Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture gives us an overview of what the government’s plans are in the post Olympic glow. After the preliminary budget which was estimated at 92%, some funding was restored. However according to the Alliance for Arts and Culture the cut nets out at 32% for the portfolio and a 53% cut to funding for the BC Arts Council. Kevin also talks about how individuals and businessness should be supporting the arts in this new economy.
Interview time 13 mins
Here are the basic facts from the March 2 budget (As per an analysis by the Alliance for Arts and Culture)
- FACT: The BC Arts Council has been cut 53 per cent from 2008/09.This is funding used to provide core support for the creation of cultural experiences like those that thrilled audiences here and world-wide during the 2010 Olympics.
- FACT: BC Gaming Commission contributions to the arts have been cut 58 per cent from 2008/09.This is funding used to make possible community access to the arts and culture through free public festivals and events.
- FACT: A $10 million annual supplementary fund has been created, but we do not know how the funds will be administered or distributed.
- FACT: Interest from the $150 million BC Arts and Culture Endowment remains the same.
- FACT: The new budget includes $12 million for the BC Royal Museum. This support has remained the same for several years and is essentailly a transfer to a crown corporation; this has not traditionally been counted as part of the investment made through grants to the arts and cultural sector.
- FACT: Total government investment in culture, including the newly announced $10 million annual supplementary fund, has been reduced by 32.4 per cent from the 2008/09 budget.
Ashley Collins now joins the Sound Therapy Radio Empire. Ashley’s enthusiasm for health and wellness has led her to recently completing courses for a BSc in Kinesiology at SFU. In an effort to voyage on her own path of wellness, she adores running, travelling about, seeking new adventures and being outdoors as often as possible. On any given work day, she may be found travelling about the Fraser Health region being amazed by the stories and knowledge of seniors, as she dole’s out ways to keep them healthy and able.
When not singing away to herself, Ashley can probably be found dancing and singing about while listening to music, attending local concerts and events, or enveloping herself in Spoken word radio. For Ashley the opportunity to be behind the mic presents an exciting new world of possibilities; one that she satirically refers to as, “The other side”
Ashley states “One of my most favourite things in life is meeting new people and coming to understand, interact and learn from them, and I’m looking forward to doing exactly this through Sound Therapy Radio.”
We welcome Ashley and her enthusiasm, passion and personality to the enchanted world, orbiting moons and other associated celestial bodies in the Sound Therapy Radio Universe.
Spencer Herbert is the MLA for Vancouver West End. Having been the youngest ever Commissioner of the Vancouver Parks Board and living in the West End, Herbert has strong roots within his community. CJ and I have a conversation Spencer who is the NDP Critic for Arts, Culture and Tourism, where talk about Homelessness and counterpoints to the Provincial Governments position on the Arts.
Sound Therapy Radio welcomes Ana to the airwares.
Ana Bedard is a Vancouver based writer and an avid supporter of the local arts community. She has an interest in local alternative media, having volunteered with CITR and W2 in the past. She is excited about combining a number of passions including, art, mental health awareness and spoken word radio. Currently studying Psychology at the University of British Columbia, she is also a self-proclaimed Russophile. Ms. Bedard prides herself in having taken every Russian literature course that UBC offers. Ana also mentors burgeoning young writers at the secondary school she attended. Ms. Bedard can be also seen committing random acts of freelance writing throughout Vancouver, so be on the lookout.
Ana’s lifelong dream is to become an extensively published addictions counsellor and part-time belly dancer! We’re excited to have Ana on board, there will be no doubt that her knowledge and passion will be sprinkled throughout our programs.
The Pacific Cinematheque in partnership with UBC department of Psychiatry hosts a monthly screening of films related to mental health issues. I attended the screening of the British documentary Ben: Diary of a heroin addict. This is the story of an addict who documented his own life in a video journal format. His intention was to showcase a path to recovery. Unfortunately, Ben never completed his film and he succumbed to health issues which were a side effect to his addiction. He had filmed up until 36 hours before he died. The film takes you into Ben’s life as an addict, but also contrasts his human side. Ben was also a loving son, playful brother and uncle from a suburban home. He definitely was not the stereotypical street living heroin user.
Ben’s mother approved the use of the video, it exposes Ben at his worst, including injecting heroin into his groin. The film makes its point in showcasing the destruction of addiction. Even with what appeared as a positive support system around him, Ben struggled with trying to break free from the grasp of addiction. From a social activist perspective we know this type of story quite often, but we are always searching for other socio-enviromental constructs that surround the situation. In addition, there no instances where Ben was interacting with the system, ie no Doctor visits, consultations from advocates. It begs the question whether the family was trying to solve the problem on their own. And if so why? Was the system failing them?
Either way, for most outside of the Mental Health system it does point out that addictions can happen to anyone and in any socio-economic class. The common link is that the collateral damage affects everyone in the social circle, thus anyone can be an unintended victim to this horrible circumstance.
Most fans of the Cuban-Canadian singer songwriter know Alex Cuba moved from his birthplace to Victoria and eventually to Smithers BC over 4 years ago. A 14 hour drive north from Vancouver will get you to Smithers, so what keeps Alex Cuba there? For some musicians a rural escape is merely a tepid venture outside of the city, and one urban artists can only sustain temporarily. For Alex, it was a destination of the heart that brought him there, but as he will proudly tell you, he discovered a soul that inspires his art. When speaking of his move to Smithers, Alex states, “since I moved up here my career really started taking off. It something that I am aware of. I am providing a lot inspiration to people because of that.”
Alex has fallen in love with Canada, partially because it reminds him of the life back in Cuba. Even though miles away from his original beginnings, that bond to his heart remains very close. Moving to Smithers gave him some simplicity in life, free from the pressure of living in an expensive city and afraid of being drawn in by the monotony of what can happen to the urban musician. It also allows his children to have a life that is connected to the earth and close to family; a similar life Alex had while growing up in Cuba. He says that living far away from the city also gives you a different perspective. Its similar to being in outer space; when you come back to the city people notice something different and they really become attracted to it.
Awhile back, Cuba recalls a meeting with his publicist about a press article that was titled ‘from Cuba to Smithers’. He was originally hesitant about making that public, likely because of the perceived awkwardness. Alex’s latest self-titled CD in his words, ‘speaks of an artist in evolution’. He went with no pre-conceived notions about this latest album, but he does state “its a lot about embracing what’s new in front of you and incorporating that peace and enjoyment that you feel because the new place has welcomed you.”
The pace at which Alex speaks, is calm and gentle, maybe that’s the Smithers’ soul. However, its affects are powerful, he shared stories of how people who had been in despair and after listening to his music feel injected with life. He recounts stories of how individuals have come to him to say that his music has essentially changed their lives. For some musicians that may seem like a burden, but Cuba comes off as humbly knowing that is the magic of his music. Alex however, doesn’t take it for granted, knowing that he has to come a far physical distance to perform, he treats it with the respect it deserves.
“Music for me is like a mission, I was there even when the money wasn’t and I didn’t put conditions around it.” Through his feelings he can travel back in time. Cuba says the nervousness and anticipation of being on stage, reminds him of performing with his father, as a child. He revels in creating that essence for every performance.
Alex says, “When I fly out from here, I land somewhere and in some city. But when I go out on stage; I feel like I have all the power in the world!”
jp
Alex begins touring in Ontario and Quebec in April. alexcuba.com
Listen to the radio interview with Alex, Tuesday Mar 23rd 7pm on ‘The Artist Lounge’
At FUSE last night, my volunteer duty included the task of managing the activity called ‘Post Card to a Stranger’. It was based around the theme for last nights event entitled ‘I Want to be Alone (with you)‘, a play on having a psycho-social post-Olympic respite. Basically people wrote a message to a stranger on a blank postcard, after which it went into a box. At another station you wrote your address on a label, we would then randomly attach these address labels to the postcards. Thus you would then receive a random postcard in the mail. I thought people really enjoyed it. They were likely uninhibited in knowing what they wrote was like a gift to someone they don’t know; a random act of kindness hopefully! In addition, the anticipation that they will receive a postcard seemed exciting.
One stranger gave me her postcard to read, unsure how the person receiving it may feel. She was afraid of appearing too forward. I won’t reveal her original contents, however I wrote this one back as a gift for allowing me to read it in the first place. What do you think?
_____________________________________________________
I
I * ** * * ** ***
I Dear Stranger, *** * * * * ** **
I * * * ** **
I Nice to meet you at the gallery. * ** * * * ***
I What did you think of FUSE? I find * * * * * * *
I that it breathes a little life into my * * ** * ** * *
I creative embers. I hope it stoked * * * *
I your artistic flame. One thing I ***
I really enjoy is surrounding myself **
I with other fearless creators. They always *** * * **
I seek the flood of their emotions – cherry blossoms
I and capture enough of them j peachy
I to create their latest opus.
I Isn’t it daring to face the oncoming
I surge, fully knowing the risk and beauty
I of what may happen? I suppose that
I is the thrill and danger that comes
I with being an artist. However, most
I fascinating is knowing the person beside you is
I on this spectacular journey as well; and that you
I can hang on whenever you may need.
I
I All the best in your travels.
I – J Peachy
I___________________________________________________
Canada Post partners with Stand Up For Mental Health
May 29, 2010 in Arts Review, Commentary | Tags: Patrick John Timothy Connors, stand up for menta health | by pjtconn | Leave a comment
For more on this story please check out:
http://news4you.viviti.com/patrick-connors-mental-health-for-you
Our very own J Peachy performs at the special benefit performance of the 2010 Vancouver graduating class of SMH this coming Monday, May 31st, at The Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage at 2750 Granville Street. Doors open at 7 PM, PST.
J Peachy interviewed by Nationally Syndicated Radio Program, Latin Waves, May 29, 2010
PJTC
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