Arts

Canadian biographer John English discussed the life and nature of former prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, who he described as “the most significant figure in Canadian politics,” Sept. 28.

“Trudeau changed the way Canada saw itself, and saved the country from the separatism in the ‘60s and ‘70s,” English said.

English’s talk was a pre-festival event for the Ottawa International Writers Festival, which will run Oct. 20–26.

Winnebago Man
Directed by Ben Steinbauer
Distributed by Kino International

The Internet is a funny thing, making people infamous as often as it renders them famous.

One reason for this is the distribution of viral videos — online videos that gain popularity by being shared around the web.

An example of a net celebrity is the Star Wars kid, whose flailing lightsaber swordsmanship earned him an audience of millions and a fair share of cyber bullies.

Ontario and Canada as a whole may see a decrease in the number of stereotypical starving artists if two recent surges in arts funding bear fruit, representatives of two arts councils said earlier this week.

On Sept. 23, the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) announced it would receive $27 million from the Ontario Government to create a three-year Arts Investment Fund.

This fund will go towards reinforcing not-for-profit arts organizations already receiving grants from the OAC.

Inspiration can be found anywhere.

Jon Landry, frontman for the Halifax-based quintet The Stanfields, cites AC/DC, Bruce Sprinsteen and Neil Young among his — which is unexpected, given the band’s distinctive bluegrass-punk sound. But something must have clicked, as the band has won fans all over Canada.

Dan Moxon, founder, lead singer and keyboardist for Bend Sinister, doesn’t come across as your typical rocker.