Wavelength Panel Discussion
Thursday Feb. 8
7pm @ The Music Gallery
Topic — Diversity: Our Strength?
At the panel discussion for the launch of Coach House Books’ The State of the Arts: Living with Culture in Toronto (uTOpia vol. II), moderator Misha Glouberman made a provocative suggestion regarding Toronto’s cultural identity. He suggested that the two things that people are most excited about when they talk about Toronto — our multiculturalism and our vibrant arts scene — rarely cross over, at least in public perception. Indeed, the independent arts community of which Wavelength is a part, is primarily composed of white downtowners. There are other arts and cultural scenes in the city we’re barely aware of. Why are we “indie kids” unwilling or unable to engage in a dialogue with the rest of the city?
Rather than debate this question or point fingers, at this panel we seek proactive solutions, and posit that an intercultural exchange between communities may not only strengthen Toronto’s social fabric, but may also result in some exciting and uniquely Torontonian art. How can we work to make this happen?
The panelists:
David Dacks has been a musician, journalist, broadcaster and DJ for more than 20 years. He is the host of the Abstract Index on CIUT FM, where free improvisation, global grooves and heavy beats collide and thrive. He is also an editor at Exclaim magazine.
Jonny Dovercourt is a co-founder of Wavelength, co-artistic director of The Music Gallery, co-editor of Coach House Book’s uTOpia series, and the guitarist in Republic of Safety. He’s currently obsessed with his hometown of Scarborough, Ontario.
Rosina Kazi is vocalist with politically conscious electronic duo LAL, and her vocal stylings are a mixture of hip-hop, soul and classical Indian sounds. She is also active as an organizer, and has been instrumental in the growth of many of the city’s female artists and DJs, providing venues and forums for their musical expression.
More Or Les is a hip-hop MC who offers a “trademark socially conscious alternative to materialistic ‘thug rap’.” He has two independently released CDs to his credit and has also toured with U.K. trip-hop/jazz outfit The Herbaliser. Last fall, he co-authored an essay in Vol. II of Coach House Books’ uTOpia series.
Sara Saljoughi started in the north of Iran and ended up in Parkdale, where she runs Fig Records. She is a community radio type and hosts “Tender Parade” on CIUT. In 2007, she plans to host envelope-decorating parties and small shows at her apartment and make a video.
With moderator:
Misha Glouberman runs the Trampoline Hall Lecture Series, Room 101 Games, and teaches classes in improvised music, theatre, and charades. He lives around Queen and Dovercourt, where he tries unsuccessfully to avoid getting involved in local politics.
