November-December 2000 CALENDAR Salmon Miranda: a full-length romantic comedy at Artword Salmon Miranda is the smart romantic comedy by Leah Davidson about two young people trying to get together. The premiere production of the full version is being produced at Artword Theatre from November 14 to December 10, 2000. Directed by Sarah Armstrong, the play stars Leah Davidson as Miranda and Christopher Morris as Sam. Salmon Miranda (sounds like a fancy recipe) is about Sam and Miranda, who wake up together after a crazy night of debauchery and set about trying to build a relationship. Miranda is a quiet bookworm who doesn't ever do that sort of thing (except once), while Sam lives on a wild emotional rollercoaster. The play is about how they search for ways to balance each other emotionally, as mad passion evolves into love. Christopher Morris The play is described as a "romantic comedy with a twist of lemon". The twist refers to the wide emotional swings that Sam experiences, and which both of them need to confront and learn to deal with constructively. The funny and perceptive script is the work of Leah Davidson, a young playwright whose work is characterized by skillful dialogue and deep psychological understanding. She has had an artistic partnership with director Sarah Armstrong since the two of them attended the Etobicoke School of the Arts, graduating in 1991. (This school, which has turned out many arts professionals, is celebrating its 20th anniversary next year.) Leah Davidson The two friends reunited to form Wild Hand Theatre, and produced the first act of Salmon Miranda at the Fringe in 1999, in the sweltering heat of the St.George's auditorium. Leah Davidson acted the role of Miranda and Ravi Steve Khajuria played Sam. Ronald Weihs, Artword's artistic director, saw that production and introduced himself to Leah. He told her that she had written a perfect first act, with a strong curtain, but that the play couldn't possibly stop there. The issues had been raised and the characters set in motion; now we needed to know how - and whether - things work out. Leah responded to the challenge, and the result will be revealed at Artword in November. The Artword production, directed by Sarah Armstrong, will see Leah again in the role of Miranda. The new addition to the cast is Christopher Morris as Sam, whose recent productions include I Might Be Edgar Allan Poe, Anne, Death of the Hired Man, Love's Labours Lost, The Convict Lover and Sir John, Eh?. Eugene's Sunday Series really cooks! Some of the most exciting new music in Toronto is happening at Artword Theatre on Sundays, with Eugene's Sunday Series at 8 pm, organized and hosted by Eugene Martynec. "I was in Barcelona for two years," Eugene explains. "There's an exciting scene for new improvised music and dance in that city, and I became involved in ongoing explorations with some fine musicians. When I came back to Toronto, I wanted the same excitement over here. So I approached Artword, and here we go." The inaugural concert on October 8 featured Ronda Rindone, Maury Coles, Tomasz Krakowiak, Nobuo Kubota, Allan Molner, Kazumi Tsuruoka, Mike Hansen, Kay Marshall, Eugene Martynec. On October 15 Robin White performed poetry with improvised music by Allan Molner, Eugene Martynec, Tomasz Krakowiak & Geordie McDonald. Here's the rest of the line-up: Eugene Martynec October 29: algorithm-generated music, composer Bruno Degazio uses astrological charts to create music, Susan Main dances her chart. Also Ajax: Mike Stafford and Shahin Etemadzadeh.

Come to the Palais For four days in the grey month of December, Canboulay Dance Theatre will transform both Artword Theatre and Artword Gallery into an environment bursting with colour and spectacle, with dancers, singers and drummers. The event is In the Depths of My Palais, Canboulay’s seventh Ronald Taylor season, presented in collaboration with Artword Theatre, 75 Portland Street, December 13-16 at 8 pm. The Palais is an African Caribbean tradition, a gathering space prepared by an individual where ceremonies such as the Saraca (name giving) and Thanksgiving feasts are held. For his Palais, Ronald Taylor, Canboulay’s Artistic Director and Choreographer, fuses an eclectic mix of his experiences in ballet and modern dance with the traditions and rituals of his native Trinidad. The Palais environment is designed by the world-renowned designer Christopher Pinheiro, known for his large-scale spectacles, featuring batik and tie-dyed fabric installations and costuming. The audiences will be invited to take part in exploring this environment in many different ways. Giant stiltwalkers, exotic food and other surprises are all part of the mix. Ronald Taylor’s Palais includes the premières of two of his solo works, Beryl ‘O’ Beryl and Songs My Mother Taught Me and the remounting and restaging of Andre’s Canvas, Piqué, and Belle. In addition, the Palais features the recreation of an electrifying work by the renowned Trinidadian choreographer Astor Johnson entitled Mantis, danced by Nadine Mose and Ronald Taylor. Beryl ‘O’ Beryl, danced by Sharon Harvey, is a tribute to Beryl McBernie, the mother of Caribbean Dance, who played a major role in the reconstruction of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural identity. The music by André Tanker is performed by an a cappella singer. Songs My Mother Taught Me, danced by Ronald Taylor, is a collaboration with Toronto filmmaker Kwan-Ho Tse, set to music of the Soweto String Quartet and an a cappella soloist. At dusk, a family gathers and stories are told with music and laughter, the clapping of hands and the stomping of feet. Storyteller Roma Spencer, a specialist in Caribbean folklore, takes you on a journey into to the world of bacchanal, of gossip, myth, stories and rhymes. "When I was a child in Trinidad," Ronald Taylor explains, "I would sit under a mango tree in my mother’s backyard to observe the celebration and rituals that took place in her Palais. But I would fall asleep during the long night’s rituals, and then would wake up to the sound of drums. In the Depths of My Palais evokes my memories as a child and ideas from my imagination." Nancy White returns! Reserve your tickets now for a special concert with our favourite funny gal. Yes, she's back in time for Christmas! "I'm Dreaming of a Nancy White Christmas" on Sunday, December 17 at 4 pm, with pianist Bob Johnston, will be a great party, with some seasonal spice and maybe even a Christmas tree! Don't be left out in the cold. Nancy's concerts sell out quickly! For ticket information call Artword Theatre's box office (408-2783). Nancy White November 5: This Moment: bass clarinet Ronda Rindone, turntables Nick Fraser, bass Rob Clutton, percussion Tomasz Krakowiak. November 12: The Woodchoppers Association, sonic and visual invasion by Dave Clark and friends. Also guitarist William Beauvais, violist Julian Knight, Tomasz Krakowiak and Eugene Martynec. November 19: Jason Hammer's interactive multi-media performance art collaboration The Systematic Preservation of Chance with Colin Fisher, Glen Hall, Jason Hammer, Geordie McDonald, Darrin Rae, Jeremy Cox, Valentino Assenza, Diane Chapitis. November 26 (Special Mainstage Concert $15):Geordie McDonald's high-powered sextet launches the new CD Bridge to Everywhere at Artword on Sunday November 26 at 8 pm. Saxophone and flute Jane Bunnett, cello Kiki Misumi, trumpet Larry Cramer, vibes and marimba Allan Molner, bass Jim Vivian, piano Nancy Walker, drums Geordie McDonald. December 3: Glen Hall's band Redshift: Sook Yin-Lee, Rust Brothers, Michael Occipinti, Nilan Perera, Michal Morse, Jason Hammer, Favi Naimpally, Glen Hall.