The 2008 International Leonard Cohen Event held in Edmonton, Canada, promises to be bigger and better than ever!

Wednesday July 23 – Sunday July 27          (previous events)

The 2008 event will feature:

• A Gala Concert at the Winspear Centre: Jann Arden, Serena Ryder and more…
• Open mike performances
• Clinker Performance
• Dance Me to the End of Time
• Cohen Cafe
• Poetry readings
• A visual arts display
• BBQ Picnic in the Park
• Guided sight-seeing in Edmonton River Valley as well as a wide variety of participant activities

…and for the first time ever…by popular request!

• A 24-hour hospitality suite

Get tickets to the Gala Concert at the Winspear Centre featuring Jann Arden, Serena Ryder and more… Click here

Register as a delegate for the festival which includes:

• A ticket to the Gala Concert at the Winspear on Saturday night
• Access to all events (open mike events, poetry readings, picnic)
• Access to the 24 hour hospitality room

Click here or Registration Page

Brief Overview of Festival Schedule (click here for more - The Event Program)

Wednesday
2:00 PM Registration begins
3:00-5:00 PM Tours
6:00-… PM Collage-a-thon

Thursday
8:00-10:00 AM Early Bird Breakfast
11:30-4 PM Whyte Ave Shopping trips
4:30-6:30 PM Screening of films on Cohen (at the Library)
7:00-8:30 PM “Dance Me” Performance
9:00-… PM “The New Step” Play
Latenight… Collage-a-thon

Friday
11:00-3:00 PM University Tours
5:00-7:00 PM Academic Talks
8:00-10:00 PM Songwriter in the Round and Hospitality Suite concert
10:30-… PM Clinker “On the Other Side…” Live Performance

Saturday
9:30-1:00 PM River Valley Tours
2:30-4:00 PM Open Mike
8:00-10:00 PM Winspear Gala Concert
Latenight-… DJ Dance Party

Sunday
11:00-3:00 PM Picnic in the Park Party
3:00 PM, 5:00 PM Clinker “On the Other Side…” Live Performances
8:00-10:00 PM Monsieur Camembert Concert
Latenight-… DJ Dance Party

Monday
8:00-10:00 PM Survivor’s Breakfast
1:30-… PM Banff Mini-Event

Read more:

The Artists

The Event Locations (accommodation)

The Event Locations

The Cohenites have pestered, pandered, and bartered their way into attaining a number of Cohen films. Come check them out at the Stanley A Milner Public Library (across the street from the Hospitality Suite!)

Attendance is free and open to the public.

This Beggar’s Description

Philip Tétrault has been locked up in jails and psych wards, kicked out of the house by desperate friends and family and spent long periods living on the streets of Montreal. However, he is also a talented writer and loving father whose deep family bonds and friendships have helped him come through periods of incredible darkness brought on by his schizophrenia.

Directed by Pierre Tétrault, This Beggar’s Description tells his brother Phil’s story - one of art, love, and madness - capturing the far-reaching effects of schizophrenia on one man, his friends and his family.

Phil’s writing is central both to his life and to this documentary - offering extraordinary insights into street life in Montreal, the beauty of nature and what he calls “the gymnastics of my mind”. His unpublished novel, Travels in Schizophrenia, is so intense that to this day Phil can’t read it, for fear that it will bring on his schizophrenia.

Today he spends his days with friends on the street, collects cans for beer money, plays his beloved pan pipes and writes as much as he can. Phil is celebrated at the launch of his poetry book in Montreal, which is attended by his old friend and great supporter Leonard Cohen, whose songs are woven throughout the film.

In this powerful and moving portrait, we are reminded that rather than continuing to isolate those with schizophrenia, it is a far richer experience to make a place for them.

The Ernie Game

This romantic feature filmed in wintry Montreal could take place in any city with young people who have left their parents but still haven’t made homes of their own.

The protagonist of this drama, Ernie, is extremely alienated. For him, life is a game because he’s unable to make anything more of it. But for those who befriend him and eventually turn him loose again, his game is not enough.

The cast includes Jackie Burroughs, who went on to fame in the well-loved TV series Anne of Green Gables. The video also features a memorable performance by Leonard Cohen.

Ladies and Gentleman…Mr. Leonard Cohen

This Jazzy 1965 black and white film portrait catches the imaginative energies, lyrical and comic, of a young Leonard Cohen, the quicksilver Canadian poet, novelist, and songwriter as he was on the verge of pop stardom. This Jazzy 1965 black and white film portrait catches the imaginative energies, lyrical and comic, of a young Leonard Cohen, the quicksilver Canadian poet, novelist, and songwriter as he was on the verge of pop stardom.

The “Collage-a-thon” is a sort of modern, party version of classic collages. Inspired by Cohen’s music + videos, playing throughout the hospitality suite, participants create collages based on one of the festivals 6 themes:

“4 Old Songs”
“Inspiration/Temptation”
“Find Yourself Friday” (Buddhism, religion, minimalism)
“Dance Me to the End”
“Back on Boogie Street”
“Closing Time”

Not into collages? There’s plenty to do without getting into the glue…. Check out our massive Cohen library of films + music, relax with friends, or plan the details of your visit to Edmonton with the help of our volunteers.

Larisa’s latest collection of paintings inspired by the poetry and music of Leonard Cohen. In collaboration with some of Edmonton’s best choreographers, dancers and dance students, Larisa has created a multi-media presentation capturing the emotional essence of Cohen and his works. The performance features animated versions of five paintings on-stage, set to music and dance, as well as 10 additional new paintings.

In collaboration with:
Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts - Dance Program
Maria Chia (Edmonton School of Ballet)
Doug Rachinski (Dance Unlimited)
Tatiana Cheladyn (SFU - Dance Program)

July 24-30, 2008
Citadel Theatre

Exhibit opens:
Thursday, July 24, 6:30pm
Shoctor Lobby
Exhibit admission: Free

Dance Me… Performance: One night only
Thursday, July 24, 7:30pm
Shoctor Stage

Performance tickets: $25/person
Available at: Citadel Theatre
Box Office: (780) 425-1820 or www.citadeltheatre.com

Exhibit continues to July 30 in the Cohen Cafe - Rice Lobby

Live Cinema Audio-Visual Performance
Commissioned by the Leonard Cohen International Festival 2008
July 25 & 27, 2008
Rice Theatre
Tickets $15 General Seating

Clinker’s “On the Other Side…” explores Cohen’s continued romance within the light and dark inside our human experience. An audio-visual “deep listening” environment which will draw inspiration from the vast depths of emotion written into the poetry and music of Leonard Cohen.

The lush bass tones of Cohen’s voice provide a point of departure for our journey inside Clinker’s cinema of sound and light. Drawing from years of experience in creating and manipulating music and audio, Clinker will deconstruct and reassemble Cohen’s voice into surreal “bass-scapes” using his unique and sophisticated system of analogue and digital electronics.  Clinker’s creation will bathe the audience in an array of Cohen’s “golden” vocal chords augmented with a connection between sonic and visual details. A specially designed sub-sonic sound system will be in place to reinforce the experience of extreme sound-movement through the body.

This piece will also be punctuated with musical adaptations of some of Clinker’s favorite Cohen songs featuring special guest virtuoso guitarist and recording artist, Les Robot. This will mark their first on-stage collaboration together drawing on both artist’s penchant for post-future musical arrangement.

Clinker Bio:

GARY JAMES JOYNES is an internationally recognized New Media artist, musician/vocalist, and sound designer. As CLINKER, his work explores meditative spaces and the physical effects of sound and visuals on the body. His “Live Cinema” performances invite audiences to experience “deep listening” and the rewards of attention to sonic and visual minutiae.

The last few years have seen Clinker’s work performed and exhibited in Canada and abroad in festivals including THE BANFF CENTRE (BNMI) INTERACTIVE SCREEN 2007, NEW FORMS 2007 (Vancouver), SPRAWL INTERPLAY 4 2007 (Amsterdam, Dublin, London, Bristol) and at Montreal’s prestigious MUTEK FESTIVAL in 2007, 2005, and 2003. He has also recently completed an experimental musical score for the NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA’S feature full-length documentary “DIRT.”

Les Robot Bio:

Emerging from the isolated prairies of Northern Canada the enigmatic Les Robot brings a new sound to the world of guitar. He calls it “Post Future Blues”, a progressive form which draws its soul from the deep-south and its heart from the “shred guitar” he cut his teeth on. In June of 2006 Les Robot made his premiere outside of Alberta by winning the prestigious North American Rock Guitar Competition in Buffalo New York.

Les is currently at work on a follow up to his 1st album, with an expected release date in the Summer of 2008.

DATES AND SHOW TIMES:
Show #1 – Friday, July 25, 2008, 10:30 PM
Show #2 – Sunday, July 27, 2007, 3:00 PM
Show #3 – Sunday, July 27, 2007, 5:00 PM
Rice Theatre (Citadel Theatre)

01:00 Server parky (~63f10208@beautifullosers.org) has joined the room
01:00 Tri-me I was just looking at flood pictures
01:00 Tri-me The Playhouse is closed
01:00 Kim I am really sorry about the flooding!
01:01 Kim Hi Parky!
01:01 parky Howdy folk

01:01 Kim I have latest Alberta 2008 Official Accommodation Guide for those planning on touring sightseeing around the province, lots of resources to help with the planning of trips before and after event.
01:01 Tri-me I heard Wed evening the basement was flooding, it should be resolved by next Sunday
01:01 Kim We are already helping Dick and Jarkko et al a lot with their plans.
01:02 Kim Steve Wilcox says on the Forum: As of this morning (Sunday) the Playhouse is still closed until further notice. When I walked by there an hour ago, the power was still off. They were pumping water out the side door on Friday but I forgot to check that today. The Classic Albums Abbey Road performance was cancelled Friday night past - it was sold out, so lot’s of disappointed people there.
01:02 Kim He continues: The water has almost receded to the river bank. Here’s the only potential problem I see - whether or not the electrical equipment at the Playhouse was flooded. I don’t know if it is in the basement or on the main floor though they do have an underground electrical entrance. The electrical inspections authority can require a lot of electrical renovations if service equipment was actually submerged.
01:02 Kim But there’s still a week and nothing much takes a week to repair.
01:03 Kim Talking about the first performance of Cohen tour Parky, in Fredricton NB.
01:03 Tri-me The Playhouse I am sure was built knowing that there was potential for flooding
01:04 Kim Performance is a week from today, the 11th.
01:04 Tri-me there was a flood in 1995 that was pretty bad so I am confident that it will be OK
01:04 Kim Great!
01:04 parky Yeah, figured as much. Tough times down there. Great photography happening though. Some people will win awards.
01:04 Tri-me There is a facebook page with over 2000 photos
01:05 Kim Yes the press coverage has been very interesting!
01:05 parky Wow. Need to check that one later.
01:05 Tri-me A friend of mine works for public safety canada, she stayed with me from Wed eve to last night, she could not get home
01:05 Tri-me are you on face book parky
01:06 parky Worse places to be stranded that Fredericton, though.
01:06 Kim I am on Facebook, probably you know that.
01:06 parky Yes am on Facebook. Bob Parkins. Hardly do much with it tho.
01:06 Tri-me yeah people here are pretty laid back
01:06 Kim Yes other places harder hit now.
01:06 Server evelyn (~4516e5b5@beautifullosers.org) has joined the room
01:06 Kim Hi!
01:06 parky Hi Ev
01:06 Tri-me ok i will friend you I have found a few good pictures
01:06 Tri-me no I did not Kim
01:06 Kim Great stuff!
01:06 parky Kewel.
01:07 evelyn Hi Kim, HiParky!
01:07 Kim Welcome evelyn!
01:07 evelyn Hi Tri -me!
01:07 Kim Everything is proceeding very well for the Edmonton event. We will be switching to Famous Blue Cheese performance to Sunday night at 8 and the Cohen inspired open stage to Saturday afternoon. Otherwise everything is as described at http://www.leonardcohennights.org/schedule.html
01:07 Kim Famous Blue Cheese is part of the Saturday night performance at the Winspear.
01:07 Tri-me i evelyn I am mulittasking
01:08 Server colia (~jirc@cp161099-a.tilbu1.nb.home.nl) has joined the room
01:08 evelyn Sorry about the Festival Express, don’t think that’s going to happen:-(
01:08 Tri-me oparky is that you with the phones I love that photo
01:08 Kim Hello!
01:08 Kim Yes I understand.
01:08 evelyn hi colia
01:09 Server tori (~ellement_@S01060004e218e2fd.ed.shawcable.net) has joined the room
01:09 Tri-me Hi everyone
01:09 colia hi to
01:09 parky Yes that was and is me. Back when a desktop was really a desktop.
01:09 Kim Yes it was a great romantic notion, I loved the idea, just not practical, actually original festival express also lost lots of money was in litigation for years. Lol!
01:10 Kim And we lack Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead etc.
01:10 Kim Hi tori! Welcome!
01:10 tori hi!
01:11 Tri-me really it is an awesome photo
01:11 Kim Tori that one stop festival volunteer shopping experience sounds really good, we have about 15 volunteers, looking for about 15 more. The 14th I thought you and I and Christine could go.
01:11 parky We don’t really lack Janis and Jerry. Most Open Mike folks are skilled in their own right; they could stand in.
01:11 Kim That’s true!
01:11 evelyn it was a great idea but the timing isn’t right
01:11 Kim Still the reality is that our own train is not feasible.
01:12 Kim Yes that’s right.
01:12 parky We would need critical mass which we don’t have to make the train rock right. Another time maybe.
01:12 Kim The problem with it is actually something very nice! The fact Leonard is touring after 15 years!
01:13 Kim Yup there will be another occasion.
01:13 Tri-me You are in Ottawa parky where do you work?
01:13 parky You’d want several dozen people, aside from all the recreational materials.
01:14 Server Don (~jirc@ottawa-hs-209-217-83-50.d-ip.magma.ca) has joined the room
01:14 parky Work out of home office these days. Was downtown on the mall most of the past 15 years or so.
01:14 Server tweets (~midnight@ejfearing.dsl.visi.com) has joined the room
01:14 Kim Yes I bet it will happen in the future.
01:14 Kim Hello!
01:14 tweets hi kim
01:14 tweets and everyone else….
01:14 Kim Nice to see such a full house here!
01:14 tweets holy cow
01:15 tweets you are right
01:15 evelyn It could work if it weren’t for the tour, maybe for another event in the future
01:15 Kim Yup!
01:15 evelyn hi tweets, long time no see:-)
01:15 Kim Everything is proceeding very well for the Edmonton event. We will be switching to Famous Blue Cheese performance to Sunday night at 8 and the Cohen inspired open stage to Saturday afternoon. Otherwise everything is as described at http://www.leonardcohennights.org/schedule.html
01:15 Kim Famous Blue Cheese is part of the Saturday night performance at the Winspear.
01:15 tweets evelyn :)))) long time
01:15 evelyn hi Don
01:15 Don What’s the status of open mike
01:16 parky Being switch to Sat aft, far as I can tell.
01:16 tori the myspace page for famous blue cheese has a bunch of their music. its quite good
01:16 Kim I have latest Alberta 2008 Official Accommodation Guide for those planning on touring sightseeing around the province, lots of resources to help with the planning of trips before and after event. We have already helped Jarkko and Dick a lot. My wife Elaine is going to be their trour guide!
01:16 Don Had an email from Andrey Darbyshire: he says that there’s only four people registered. Concerned that Edmontonians aren’t signing up.
01:16 evelyn :-))))))
01:17 Kim Yes that’s fine.
01:18 Kim We will have lots more.
01:18 Kim Just need to publicize and push people to sign up for the sessions.
01:18 tweets will you have to turn people away?
01:18 Don Are they registering with Andrew
01:18 Kim Lila has a good response to Cohen themed open mike.
01:18 Kim Yes the regular open mic is Andrew.
01:19 parky What is the difference?
01:19 Kim The Cohen themed original material open mic is LIla.
01:19 Kim New stuff inspired by Cohen.
01:19 parky Oh
01:19 tweets interesting
01:20 Don If there’s only four registered for (Traditional) open mike, do we combine the two open mikes?
01:20 Kim Well first we encourage more to sign up.
01:20 tweets recruit more when everyone is there?
01:20 Kim Has been little publicized so far.
01:21 evelyn so people are signing up to do their cohen themed stuff but hardly any to do cohen
01:21 Kim We could consider combining.
01:21 Kim Could.
01:21 Don What constitutes “Cohen theme?”
01:21 Kim Let’s see how it goes during May.
01:21 Kim A poem or song or prose piece inspired by Cohen.
01:22 Kim LC is never going to bring my groceries in kind of thing.
01:22 Don Everything I write is inspired by him in some way — that leaves it wide open…
01:22 Kim Yup!
01:22 tweets lol, kim
01:22 Don Well, sign me up!
01:23 Kim OK!
01:23 tweets what would you do?
01:23 Kim How many pieces? Lol!
01:23 Don My dog writes a column in the community newspaper. She often uses riffs (not ruffs) from LC poetry. Maybe I should bring her along…
01:24 Don With Lily gone, who’s tail to compare to a wagging frond; not that I did compare, but I do compare now that she’s gone.
01:24 tweets oh dear
01:25 Don Don’t worry, she’s too old to make the trip to Edmonton
01:25 Kim Absolutely! We are pet friendly.
01:25 tweets you could always make a little movie
01:25 Kim Oh I see, ah well.
01:26 Don Electronic pets — or flesh and blood pet friendly?
01:26 Don I recall electronic pets in NYC
01:26 evelyn woof!!!
01:26 tweets lol
01:27 evelyn Anyone want to do a group interpretation of Morning Glory?
01:27 Kim Yes I have dinosaurs now.
01:28 Kim A whole family of baby robotic dinosaurs.
01:28 Don New topic: accommodations. I had thought there might be more people coming with the promise of cheaper rooms at Lister Hall. It now looks as though there won’t be a critical mass. Maybe we should consider dropping the block of reservations.
01:28 Kim Robotic dogs still thriving, but a bit jealous of attention the dinosaurs get.01:29 Server Tri-me (~63fbdc66@beautifullosers.org) has joined the room
01:30 Kim That would be interesting evelyn.
01:30 Tri-me hello again my mouse froze
01:30 tweets wb
01:30 Kim Confirmed you as a friend on Facebook tri-me
01:30 Tri-me yeah!!!!!!! Parky i did not see your answer where you work
01:31 parky Out of home office these days, after 15 yearws or son on and around Sparks STreet mall.
01:31 Kim The Lister Hall block does not cost us anything. I am happy to leave it.
01:31 Kim Most people are staying down town.
01:32 Kim Elizabeth Laishley’s art will be in LIster Hall.
01:32 evelyn is there any way to tell how many are staying at Lister Hall, and is there an inexpensive alternative available
01:32 Tri-me ahhh I know many civil servants who moved to Ottawa
01:32 Kim Our main artist Larisa is downtown and did not want the “clash of the titans”!
01:32 Don I think many of us who were considering Lister Hall are now thinking about coming downtown .
01:32 parky Fine place now that the snow has melted.
01:33 Kim There is Whyte Ave. and the hostels.
01:33 Kim Many options.
01:33 Kim Whyte Ave. closer to the nightlife action.
01:34 tori definitely — theres a lot of fun places around whyte in the eve
01:34 Kim Yes Holiday Inn Express is a good option, as is Days Inn.
01:34 Kim So far more have picked the Westin than anywhere else.
01:34 Don Are there discount rooms left at the Westin?
01:35 Kim Yes there are.
01:35 Tri-me I was born in Ottawa, lived in Petawawa when i was a kid we visited there often ottawa is beautiful plus you have all the great museums
01:35 parky And the discount pricd is @ $140, right?
01:35 Kim Yes, much cheaper than regular rate.
01:35 Don What are the taxes added to that?
01:36 Kim We have no provincial sales tax, so just 5% GST.
01:36 parky Well, no PST at least. Just 5% GST.
01:36 Don No city tax?
01:36 Kim We agree!
01:36 Kim Nope.
01:36 Kim We are a wealthy province.
01:36 Don Will any of the Edmontonians stay downtown — or is everyone going home at the end of the day?
01:37 Kim Some will stay downtown, I will.
01:37 Don I recall that Evelyn booked a room in NYC, even though she lived in Brooklyn at the time
01:37 Kim Lila will.
01:37 Kim etc.
01:37 Don That’s great.
01:37 Kim Yup!
01:37 Server evelyn has quit IRC (CGI:IRC (Ping timeout))
01:37 Kim You may recall from Berlin that between Lila and me one of us was always up and active!
01:38 Don One of my concerns is that the largest mass of people will be Edmontonians. If they don’t stay up with us all night, we’ll lose some of the ambiance that has made previous Events work so well.
01:38 Kim Although in the mornings we did not agree on which day it was! Lol!
01:38 Kim No we will party with you, for sure!
01:40 evelyn thanks:-)
01:41 Kim Any further questions for us?
01:41 Don Anyone out there who is coming to the Toronto concerts, June 6 and 7?
01:41 Kim Yes I am.
01:41 Kim Christine and I are going to June 6.
01:41 Kim Nikki and her mother to June 7.
01:41 Kim Lila to June 4 in Hamilton.
01:42 Kim Tori to May 18th in Charlottetown.
01:42 tori its coming up soon!
01:42 Kim Yes it is! Kim to Montreal June 23, and London UK July 17.
01:42 Don We’re hoping to get together for dinner before the show. I’ve been in touch with Linda and Dick and others. If you want me to include you on the emails as we organize this, contact me at dcummer@magma.ca.
01:42 tweets and to think that it has finally stopped snowing…. hmm
01:42 Kim OK will do!
01:43 Don That’s Toronto, June 6
01:43 Kim And I will encourage Edmontonians to participate in the all night partying at the hospitality suite.
01:43 Don That’s it? I’m outa here…
01:43 tweets lol
01:43 Kim Yes ok.
01:43 Kim Thanks!
01:43 Kim Bye for now Don!
01:44 Server Don has quit IRC (Bye bye)
01:44 parky Later gators. . . .
01:44 evelyn bye!
01:44 Kim Bye Parky!
01:44 tweets take care
01:44 evelyn bye parky
01:44 Server parky has quit IRC (CGI:IRC)
01:45 evelyn so Kim, it seems like you’re going to All the concerts on the East coast!
01:45 Tri-me have you heard of anyone coming to Fredricton
01:45 Kim I have not heard, no.
01:46 Tri-me it was near impossible to get tickets
01:46 Kim I am only going to three, seems a good number. But I am represented by “reliable henchwomen” at others! Lol!
01:48 Tri-me I am happy to go to one thrilled actually. I was thinking about the concert one night as I was going to bed and tears were running down my face like a river
01:49 tweets brb
01:49 Kim Yes this CBC story describes that http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2008/03/18/leonard-cohen.html
01:51 evelyn I was lucky to get a ticket to Toronto
01:51 Kim I am pretty excited too,.
01:51 Kim guys
01:53 Kim That’s pretty dramatic video Diane tri-me!
01:53 Tri-me It is the playhouse is across the street and up a bit where the people are canoeing in the public square
01:53 Tri-me the arial shots in my album are creepy
01:55 Kim Yes I see, well I hope all is try and functional for Leonard a week from today!
01:56 Tri-me I am not worried the water is receeding fast, the only worry is that we are getting rain tonight and tomorrow
01:56 Server evelyn has quit IRC (CGI:IRC (Ping timeout))
01:56 Kim Yes images 5-9 are amazing!
01:56 Kim I see.
01:57 Tri-me I am close the album cover has my apartment in it
01:57 Server evelyn (~4516e5b5@beautifullosers.org) has joined the room
01:57 Server amygdala (~kmcgowan@host86-156-144-63.range86-156.btcentralplus.com) has joined the room
01:57 Kim Wow, front lines!
01:57 Kim wb
01:57 evelyn I don’t know why I keep disconnecting, that never happened before
01:58 Kim NYC gremlins!
01:58 Kim OK any more questions anyone? Thanks for coming! Record attendance!
01:59 evelyn must be:-)
01:59 Kim Was great to have so many people here.
01:59 evelyn glad to be here!
01:59 Kim We will chat again next Sunday the 11th.
02:00 colia yep, sometimes its difficult for me to follow the chat
02:01 Kim Probably the harder to follow parts are jokes and superficial things, I think you get the main ideas, the gist.
02:02 Kim Will be great to meet you here!
02:02 colia I can’t translate everything
02:02 tori great turnout this week — we now have more direction on the accommodations for the lc event
02:03 tori see you all next week; i have some readings to do for my class tomorrow night
02:03 Kim Yes indeed. Thanks to all of you for coming. See you next week!
02:03 tori bye kim!
02:03 Tri-me bye everyone
02:03 Kim Bye! Take care!
02:03 colia bye
02:03 evelyn bye Kim
02:03 Kim Bye!

01:13 Server tori (~ellement_@S01060004e218e2fd.ed.shawcable.net) has joined the room
01:13 Kim hi!
01:13 tori hi!
01:13 Kim Such a beautiful day outside. I expect attendance here will be light today! There will be no session next Sunday as I am traveling to Banff for Writing in Style and traveling back the 27th, so the next online Edmonton event session here will be May 4th.
01:13 tori okay — sounds good
01:13 tori the weather is perfect; makes me wish i didn’t have an essay to write!
01:14 Kim Yes doing my homework for the course! http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=639

01:14 tori a friend of mine to me that there was some information on the news about the Int. LC event the other day
01:14 Kim We had good press from our Media Launch this past Tuesday. http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/story.html?id=61db1459-fb1a-4c8a-b305-3a595ebee95c
01:14 Kim http://homepage.mac.com/evocative1/LCIEMediaLaunch/PhotoAlbum253.html
01:14 Kim The interest is really picking up with many more registering every day! We are able to help with travel and sightseeing plans both before and after the gathering. Some attendees are arriving the 18th spending the 19-22nd in the mountains and then returning to Edmonton on the 23rd. Lila is planning a post event tour of Banff and the Rockies. Others are flying to Vancouver after the event and then taking the wonderfully scenic train back to Edmonton through the mountains.
01:14 Server colia (~jirc@cp161099-a.tilbu1.nb.home.nl) has joined the room
01:14 Kim hi!
01:14 colia hello
01:14 tori hi there
01:15 colia how are you, I am fine
01:16 tori its good they are visiting the rockies; not many other places quite like it
01:16 Kim Do you have tickets for LC tour performances colia?
01:16 colia for Amsterdam
01:16 Kim Tori is seeing him in Charlottetown May 18th.
01:17 Kim You are seeing him in Amsterdam?
01:17 colia Yep
01:17 Kim Good stuff! I am seeing him in Toronto, Montreal and London UK.
01:18 colia and I want to buy tickets for Belgium
01:18 colia Your lucky
01:18 tori I’m really looking forward to seeing him; it will be the start of his long tour
01:18 colia to see him several times
01:18 Kim Yes I am really looking forward to it!
01:19 Kim The big news for the Edmonton event is the inclusion of Monsieur Camembert - Famous Blue Cheese in the main lineup on Saturday night at the Winspear; they also have their own performance on Sunday night. http://www.myspace.com/monsieurcamembert http://members.tripod.com/~mcamembert/ From Australia, probably the best band performing a Cohen out there right now. One of their singers may be joining Leonard’s band. There may be more singers added to the existing listing of band members.
01:19 Kim Lila created a great Facebook presence for us! The group at:
01:19 Kim http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4672096987
01:19 Kim Our events are linked on the right hand side of the event group, or visit:
01:19 Kim http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=24476905105
01:19 Kim http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=8807979373
01:20 colia I want also try to do the Banff tour after

01:20 Kim Yes Lila is making great plans for those of you doing the post-event Banff tour!
01:21 Kim She is a lot of fun to spend time with. Did you meet her in Berlin?
01:21 colia no
01:22 colia its for me the first time I am going to an event
01:22 Kim She is a photographer and is reentering university to study German this coming fall in Victoria.
01:22 Kim That’s great!
01:23 Kim Lila is 23.
01:23 colia I’ve never had time to do something
01:23 colia Young
01:23 colia nice
01:23 Kim Well it’s great you have time now!
01:23 colia and the money
01:23 Kim Yup!
01:23 Kim That too! Lol!
01:24 Server Kim has changed the topic to “http://www.leonardcohennights.org/2008.html”
01:24 colia I speak also german
01:25 Kim Yes well Lila had a great time in Berlin so it increased her interest in studying German.
01:25 colia Is she on the facebook?
01:25 colia how can I get there
01:25 Kim Yes she and I both are. And she has a blog.
01:25 colia I ve must login?
01:27 Kim http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557616550
01:27 Kim That’s Lila.
01:28 Kim http://www.facebook.com/pages/FrogHaven-Photography/23398712680?ref=mf
01:29 Kim Her blog: http://lklassen.blogspot.com/
01:29 Kim Yes you have to log on.
01:31 Kim Lila has just finished doing interactive maps for the event. http://www.leonardcohennights.org/maps.html
01:43 Server goralka (~jirc@bzy46.internetdsl.tpnet.pl) has joined the room
01:43 Kim hi
01:43 goralka hello
01:43 Kim How are you? Thanks for coming!
01:44 Kim We have nice promotional material for Poland 2010 event Sebastian sent.
01:44 goralka Thank you I am fine I m glad to see you
01:44 Anne hi goralka
01:44 goralka Hi
01:45 Kim Comical, arrived in box that looked totally smashed in, dented etc. but contents were fine, just a lot of spare space in the box! Maybe that is the Polish custom! Lol!
01:45 goralka Where can I see this program?
01:45 Kim http://www.leonardcohennights.org/schedule.html
01:46 Kim Concerts are: http://www.leonardcohennights.org/concert.html
01:46 Kim Ann Vriend is added to event at Winspear.
01:47 Kim Serena Ryder who just won a Juno will split her performance either side of intermission, two songs before one after.
01:47 Kim Jann Arden is the headliner.
01:47 goralka thank you.I write now everything
01:47 Kim You are very welcome!
01:48 Kim We are awaiting confirmation of Leonard’s art show coming here for our event, likely but not certain yet.
01:49 goralka Thank you for the all messages,yesterday i read about Myrna Kostash, the feminist
01:49 Kim Yes I am so looking forward to one on one mentoring from her, taking a writing course from her next week 20-27th.
01:50 Kim http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=639
01:51 Kim Should be fun, the other students are all published authors for the general public.
01:52 Kim In the mornings we meet together and read and comment on each other’s work, in the afternoons we write and meet with Myrna etc.
01:53 Kim I finished Myrna’s autobiographical book The Doomed Bridegroom yesterday. Very interesting!
01:53 Kim yes ok
01:54 Kim love mixed with politics! Lol!
01:54 colia I will try to be here next Sunday again
01:55 Kim I am away next two Sundays.
01:55 Kim May 4 is next session.
01:55 Kim So see you May 4th!
01:56 colia sal try to remember
01:56 Kim OK!
01:56 Kim Thanks!
01:56 colia thats here a ceremonial day
01:56 Kim A holiday.
01:56 Kim Yes.
01:57 goralka IThank you for talking , see you next time good bye.I must go, now
01:57 Kim You can also write to me by Email with individual questions.
01:57 colia we remember the victims off the war 2
01:57 Kim Bye for now!
01:57 Kim Yes I see, that’s important!
01:57 Server goralka has quit IRC (Bye bye)
01:58 colia till the next time, bye bye
01:58 Kim Bye!
01:58 Kim Take care!
01:58 colia thanks
01:58 Kim Thanks for coming!
01:58 Server colia has quit IRC (Bye bye)
02:02 Kim OK everyone thanks for coming! See you here May 4th! Bye!
02:02 Kim Have a great afternoon, Tori!
02:03 tori you too! enjoy the great weather!
02:04 tori bye everyone :)
02:04 Server tori has quit IRC ()

…a brazen and intoxicating blend of jazz, gypsy swing, Latin & East European influences! (The Age, 2005)

With a vibrant, contemporary edge, triple ARIA Award winning group Monsieur Camembert has been described as eclectic, virtuosic, theatrical and irreverent. Fusing the wild rhythms of Eastern Europe with tango and Latin music, swing, jazz, klezmer, tarantella and French Musette, Monsieur Camembert’s shows have become synonymous with an atmosphere of celebration and spontaneity. This is gutsy, emotive and irresistibly danceable music, played with originality, virtuosity, sensuality and flair.

The most successful world music band in Australian music history, the core group has been performing for more than seven years and has gained a wide audience at a range of events, including national and international music festivals, concert halls, various performing arts and jazz venues, including the Sydney Opera House, The Basement and the Art Gallery of NSW and celebrity weddings. In 2000, they were a featured act at the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony and were broadcast on ABC Radio National’s live concert series: ‘Live On Stage’ three times.

Performances over the past few years have included the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, three sell-out concerts in Paris, WOMADelaide in South Australia and Woodford in Queensland, Port Fairy Festival, Brunswick Music Festival, Ohel Leah’s Centenary celebrations in Hong Kong, St Kilda Festival in Melbourne and Bellingen Global Carnival. The group has also devised a full-length show Just a Gigolo based on the life and music of Louis Prima, which played to sell-out audiences in Sydney and the Gold Coast. In 2003, they released their third CD, Absynthe, which has now been on the Australian Jazz Charts for a record-breaking 105 Weeks, after more than 6 months at the No.1 position. Absynthe won an ARIA AWARD for Best World Music album. This followed on from their 2002 win in the same category for their Live on Stage CD.

2005 highlights have included a Best World Music Album ARIA for their new double self-titled CD Monsieur Camembert, performances at the Mosaic Festival in Singapore, the Toyota Muster in Queensland, headlining the Cygnet Festival in Tasmania, and the Sydney premiere of a Leonard Cohen tribute show. Plans for 2006 include recording, national touring, festival appearances throughout Australia, performances in New Zealand and a follow up European tour.

Monsieur Camembert is:
Yaron Hallis - Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Edouard Bronson - Saxes/Clarinet/Flute
Marcello Maio - Accordion/Piano
Santiago - Lead Guitar
Mark Harris - Double Bass
Jess Ciampa - Percussion

Guest Artists:
Anatoli Torjinski - 5 String Cello/Balalaika
Daniel Weltlinger - Violin
Julian Curwin - Lead Guitar
Shenzo Gregorio - Violin
Vladimir Khusid - Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Svetlana Bunic - Accordion

http://members.tripod.com/~mcamembert/
http://www.myspace.com/monsieurcamembert