It was the wish of an eccentric theatre director Gabor to reunite his old esemble cast at his wake to reveal their truths guided by her wife, Hanna. Hell broke loose and old rivalries, jelousy and unexpected, shocking confessions flowed during a dinner. “A Wake” includes a Hamlet twist which enhances the thespians sensibilities. As one of the actors noted, Raj noted: “the truth on stage doesn’t cost you anything, just pretend…but the truth in life, it can cost you everything,” which held true for the confused and emotionally exhausted thespians after a night of hell.

For this film, Buitenhuis encommended her cast to improvise (just what Gabor did) the dialogues resulting in intense exchanges as actors unleashed their own emotions to find their characters within.

All those interested to meet the director who will be conversing with fellow filmmaker, Katrin Bowen (Amazon Falls) about how she went through the process in making the film.

DATE AND TIME: THURSDAY APRIL 28, 7-9 pm

PLACE: Cineworks Studio, 1131 Howe St. (back lane entrance)

COST: $10 Suggested Donation

“A Wake” trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZxAAlq1bMU

Candidato presidencial Pedro Pablo Kuczinksky Godard.

El número total de electores hábiles en Vancouver es de 1,226 y se emitieron 635 votos ( 51.79%).

A nivel nacional, 7,172 peruanos sufragaron, lo que que representa el 58% de un total de 12,299 votantes inscritos, según lo revela el reporte en línea de la Organización Nacional de Procesos Electorales (ONPE) al cierre de esta edición.

Comicios en Vancouver se desarrollaron con normalidad

Por otro lado, en una breve entrevista con el cónsul de Perú en Vancouver, Carlos Román, finalizando ya la elecciones en la sede de votación, destacó que los comicios se desarrollaron con suma “normalidad” y los peruanos demostraron un gran sentido de deber cívico reflejado su asistencia, teniendo en cuenta que ya no es mandatorio votar para los peruanos que residen en el extranjero (excepto por los miembros de mesa titulares y suplentes, quienes sí son multados por ausentismo) .

“Los peruanos han tenido en cuenta su obligación, su deber cívico de votar a pesar que [ya] no existía, en esta oportunidad, multa para los que no voten en el exterior,” Román recalcó. “Esto significa que el que ha venido, ha venido por voluntad propia, no ha venido coactado o conminado por una multa –entonces eso también es importante destacarlo .”

Asimismo, Román explicó que la ONPE decidió abolir la multa para los peruanos en el exterior por varias razones, entre ellas el hecho que “en muchas ciudades es muy difícil para los peruanos movilizarse, no todos viven cerca de un consulado” y muchos lo hacían a “regañadientes”, y otra razón es “como deferencia a los peruanos [que] tan importantemente contribuyen con la carga fiscal con su envío de remesas al Perú.”

Por último, el embajador peruano, quien culminará con su gestión diplomática en Vancouver al finalizar la segunda vuelta, hace un llamado a todos los peruanos que estén atentos “de las informaciones que el consulado siempre les remite a sus correos electrónicos o la información que se difunde a través de la página web” y que “vengan a votar por su candidato favorito” en la segunda vuelta, a realizarse el próximo 5 de junio.

Cónsul General del Perú en Vancouver, Carlos Román. (Foto de archivo).

The second largest festival in Vancouver, the Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF) kicked off on Thursday, August 12 with the screening of the film Undertow (“Contracorriente” in Spanish) by Peruvian director Javier Fuentes-Leon. Hundreds of people gathered at the Granville 7 cinema and were moved by the film.

What it started as a small festival with few members of the gay and lesbian community called Out of Screen Film Society in 1988 working from homes and volunteering, has reached the second place with 90 films from 12 different countries and last year, 13 thousand people attended the 11-day event.

For 2010, “ it is expected an increase of 5% in attendance,” according to VQFF Director of Development, Paul Crosby.
On the other hand, VQFF Programming Coordinator, Amber Dawn said that she believes that VQFF’S popularity is happening because “more people are recognizing the festival “and there has been a positive shift in the mentality of people in Vancouver.

“Finally we reached to be the second largest and I think that is wonderful that more people are recognizing the festival , attending the festival . I also feel like we live in a more open minded, more tolerant times than we did 22 years ago.”

In addition, as Out of Screen has grown as a art organization, they have developed various initiatives over the years such as the Queer Festival History and Out in Schools (a program for youth), and several workshops and debates , other activities that take place during the course of the festival.
“Holding Hands” to end with homophobia and hate crimes

This year the VQFF screened the documentary “Holding Hands” by directors Tonette Standford and Katherine Wilkinson, which follows the life of an Australian couple, Shane and Craig after being attacked for holding hands. As the pair start looking for justice, at the same time they struggle with the recovery and challenges with their relationship.

After the film, a community debate followed to discuss homophia and how people can make of Vancouver a safer place for queer communities and communities in general : to end with hate crimes, not only homophobia, but any hate crimes such as racism, sexism and others.

The panel was composed by Human Rights lawyer, Barbara Findlay, QC and gay-bashing victims, David Holtzman and his partner, Peter Regier (the couple was viciously attacked earlier this year by two thugs when they were trying to get inside their East Vancouver home) Qmunity executive director, Jennifer Breakspear and Diversity and Aboriginal policing inspector, Mario Giardini .
It was an eye opening opportunity to hear the GLTB community speak and interact with the panelists.

Queer Latin American Films:
On queer-themed Latin American films, Dawn said that there has been a shift on topics. While in the past a gay man was portrayed as a funny and comical, now the characters are more serious and complex and the movies in general have more elaborated stories that show their societies’ reality.

“When I first started watching [the films] I would see more comedy, and maybe the gay man would be a little bit funny, a little bit like a woman: people would see this character and maybe laugh. But now, I feel like more serious, more complex characters and more thoughtful”.

“So I think that queer issues are becoming more accepted around the world and now is time to tell the most powerful stories and I am seeing Peru, Argentina and other Latin Americans doing this as well,” Dawn added.
The films:

Undertow (“Contracorriente”), Peru: By director Javier Fuentes-Leon’s.
The movie is set in the wonderful Peruvian beaches of Cabo Blanco where married fisherman with a baby on the way, is having an affair with Santiago, a painter.
During a boating accident, Santiago loses his life and comes back as ghost to Miguel. The fisherman tries to keep his ghost’s lover in his life however, and realizes keeping “everyone happy” is not an easy task, when reality hit and has a series of internal battles between fullfiling social, religious and moral expectations and the profound love for his gay lover.

The Fish Child (El niño pez) Argentina: Lala is a wealthy adolescent, daughter of a judge who falls in love with her 20-year old Paraguayan maid, Ailin. They concoct a plan to escape and live together in Paraguay. In the interim, Lala discovers the the horrendous life Ailin has been through including incest and sexual abuse by the judge for years. Lala takes revenge resulting in Ailin’s incarceration.

Director Lucia Puenzo does not focus on the lesbian romance, instead focus on social injustice, class division, sexual abuse and corruption that plagues the reality of Buenos Aires’ society.

Plan B (Argentina): By director, Marco Berger. In this film, Berger gets rid of clichés and stereotypes to produce this romantic comedy. On and off couple, Bruno and Laura break up –for good. At a point, Bruno feels he can finally commit to his ex, however, Laura has already a new love, Pablo. Bruno tries to get Pablo friendship in secret, trying to wreck their relationship. Furthermore, Bruno thinks it would be even a better idea to steal Pablo from Laura.

Bloomington (U.S.A): While not a film produced in Latin American or with Latin American actors, director Fernanda Cardoso emigrated from her natal Brazil to the United States in 1995 and has worked in the last nine years as an editor in programs such America’s Next Top Model and The Real L World.

Bloomintong marks Cardoso’s debut as a director.

The film is about a female professor that gets involved with a student, Jackie Kirk a former child star who moved from California to Bloomington, Minnesota to attend college. Jackie, warned by her classmates about the professor’s flings with students, yet she gets involved with her. When the relationship between the two women stars to blossom, Jackie gets the opportunity to get back to acting. Decision are made that will change their life definitely.

Fernanda Cardoso and actress Sara Stouffer (Jackie) were at the Q&A after the screening.

The Queer Film Festival is having another successful edition and it will wrap up this Sunday 22nd.

For more information on the VQFF initiatives, films and tickets visit: www.queerfilmfestival.com

Read the last sentence…

For a closer look…

After a few days of digital mayhem I am able to report on the successful New Westminster Pride Week.
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Last week, the former capital of British Columbia, New Westminster made history celebrating for the very first time its own Pride Week .
The man behind this initiative is retiree and Royal City Pride Society (RCPS) VP, Vance McFadyen. Considering the growing population of the gay community in New Westminster, it was about time.

Later on, McFadyen would join efforts with Coming Home Café owner, Guy Dube to form the RCPS and organize the activities for the festival. Dube became the Society’s president.

RCPS president, Guy Dube at the Diversity Festival at the City Park .August 7th 2010.

The celebration kicked off with an opening reception at the Westminster Club . It was an opportunity for the attendees to meet and greet new people and old friends, as well of course, to get to know the GLTB community of New Westminster.
Among the attendees were the councillors Betty McIntosh, Jaimie McIvoy and Bill Harper as well as member of the Parliament (Burnaby-New Westminster riding), Peter Jullian , who wearing a distinctive orange t-shirt with his name on it.

RCPS vice-president, Vance McFayden: “Having a pride week means to me, one that the City supports our community, the gay community unanimously [two], they want to include us in the community, that we are part of the community, we aren’t just gay –we are part of the whole community and we like to give to the community at large, not just to our own selves, so that what is really important that they [people] become aware that gay people aren’t bad people, we are just ordinary people that just happen to have different sexuality , and they enjoy and like their neighbours just as anybody else. That is what really all is about to me”.

RCPS vice-president, Vance McFadyen.

New Westminster councillor, Jaimie McEvoy on how the pride week got the unanimous and inmediate support of the City.
“It doesn’t take long for a community festival to happen: we believe in diversity and equality in new Westminster,” McEvoy said.

“New Westminster is a small city, with a big heart and so for us it is a routine matter, even though that it has never happened before, but for our City Council it was a routine matter to say ‘yes’ to approve this festival and provide support just as we do with all kinds of community festivals.”

Councillor Jaimie McEvoy.

The Pride Week included various other activities including Stand Up comedy at the Laff Lines , a night of dinner and improv at the New Wesminster Club, the 2010 PRIDE STONEWALL PARTY at the G.I.N -Heritage Grill.

On Saturday, August 7th, it was a rainy day, but about 80 people joined the Hills and Heels walk -a Fundraiser for Youth Centre at Century House- and climbed the hill from Sixth Street to the City Hall for the Pride Proclamation by acting mayor Jonathan Cote along with councillors Betty McIntosh, Bob Osterman, Bill Harper and Jaimie McEvoy. After the ceremony the crowd left to attend the Diversity Festival at the City Park.

Finally, on Sunday, August 8th the party started at the Coming Home Cafe for the Burr Brunch; a cruise on board of the Paddlewheeler and the closing party at the Quay, right beside the Fraser River. It was animated with live performances: R&B singer, Sibel Trasher who offered a homage to the disco era, teathrical, jazz and rock performances, as well as a Cher impersonator, Cera Rivers who got the crowd moving to hits such as Believe and Strong Enough.

The RCPS and its volunteers succeeded to deliver a fun-filled week celebrating diversity and integrating the community of New Westminster.

Images of the Pride Week in New Westminster:

Tory Inglis, standing true to herself

One of the stories that stood before and during the New Wesminster Pride Week, is without a doubt, Tory Inglis’.

High-school student, Tory Inglis posed for a front-page photo at The Record newspaper on June 12th with RCPS president and vicepresident, Guy Dube and Vance Fadyen accompanied by an article regarding the Pride Week celebrations in New Westminster.

After a about a month, the 17 year-old, got a call from the minister of the First Presbyterian Church of New Westminster, where she was a leader of  the junior youth group, to say they wanted to talk about it.

Tory Inglis at the Diversity Festival during Pride Week in New Westminster on August 7th, 2010.

“They thought that I was not a good role model for the youth and I was promoting a sexual lifestyle for my involvement with the Royal City Pride Society.” Inglis was the leader of a youth junior group in the church. They suggested Inglis ends collaborating with the Pride Week, instead she and her parents left the the church.

Inglis revealed to EF that she was understandably “quite upset” as it happened it the place where she grew up and the church she has been attending her whole life, where she could go no matter what, and then “they are going to discriminate people [just] like that”.

But the optimistic and courageous adolescent has the total support of her family, friends and church members.

“My friends and family have been very supportive of me and they are very upset to hear what happened at the church. They have my back 100 percent.” In addition, Inglis said that since leaving the church, she has been getting positive responses from members of the church, “wishing me well on my [future] ventures”.

Tory Inglis and friends at the Diversity Festival during Pride Week in New Westminster. August 7th, 2010.

“It’s really the minister and few members of the session who didn’t agree with what I was doing,” the young woman added.

In spite of this ordeal, where some would turn the back to religion, Inglis keeps her faith and her relationship with god intact.
“I realized it’s just the view of a few it doesn’t affect my views on religion or my relationship with god or anything in that manner.”

For now, Inglis and her parents are looking for a new church to attend.

“I probably won’t go back to the Presbiteryan Church, but you don’t know where the wind carries you”.

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For more information on the Royal City Pride Society visit: www.royalcitypridesociety.com

The entertainment kicked off with Sean Riquelme, with a rendition to Carlos Santana. Meanwhile, the food stands began their offering of succulent Latin American and Caribbean dishes such as tamales, Peruvian ceviche and chicha morada (a beverage made with purple corn), Mexican churros and other delights. There was also opportunity for a variety businesses to show their products such as jewerly, clothing, insurance companies, beverages, newspapers, etc.

Soon after, the teams approached the pitch to start the tournament. There were 10 teams representing various countries such as Brazil, United States, Colombia, France, Mexico, Bahamas, Argentina among others. Each one were composed of seven players always including, at least, one woman.

By 1.30 p. m. Vancouver mayor and avid football fan, Gregor Robertson made its appearance and greeted the crowd in Spanish along with Latincouver founder and director, Paola Murillo, who wore a long summer dress with Latincouver’ signature colours (orange, lime green and yellow) and a black fedora.

As it was scheduled, soon after the mayor of Vancouver along with team vision hit the pitch for a friendly match against the host team, Latincouver.

In spite of all efforts by Vision, the mayor’s team lost 1-5 to Latincouver, and the tournament resumed. After the match, the charismatic mayor confessed he used to play it often but with his current job he has much less time to do so. On the other hand, Robertson expressed that it is one more opportunity to showcase Latin American culture in the city.

“Vancouver is a very multicultural city and we are seeing more Latin American culture in Vancouver ,which is fantastic.” The father of four, added that an activity as the Carnaval del Sol “ was long overdue and it’s great that people are organized and volunteered to make it happen in Vancouver”.

“I hope this is the first of many Latincouver’s Carnaval del Sols (sic.). I think, it’s great to see the first year lots of people here and sports, music, food and culture. And I think when people find out next year, there will be more people coming,” Robertson added.

As the games continued through the day, so did the music. Mariachi Roberto brought all time rancheras and Gritos del Caravan engaged the crowd with rumba flamenca rhythms. Then it was the turn for the dance group Mexico Vivo’s who successfully overcame last-minute stage issues and delivered a performance that engaged everyone with their costumes and movement. Duet Sangre Morena and Tabaskso entertained the attendees through the rest of the evening. And of course, the DJs delivered in between shows varied music than often would get the people people hitting the “dance floor”.

Among the guests, were spotted, Peru’s Consul General, Carlos Román and Vice-Consul, Augusto Morelli and Ecuador and Costa Rica Honorary Consuls, Ettienne Walter and Antonio Arreaga respectively, as well as representation from Brazil and New Westminster.
The Ecuadorian Consul had been ready to play some football, but his team did not show up. Nevertheless, he said to be excited about this gathering and celebration of culture and diversity among Latin American countries.

“I think this is something not only unites the Latinos, but also other people learn our spirit of family,” Walter said. “ [Latin Americans] should continue this spirit by maintaining our [countries’] cultures and customs and show to other communities that, in spite of our diversity, we are united.”

Later on, after the tournament wrapped up, Team U.S.A was proclaimed winner of the first Latincouver Cup.

With no doubt, the Carnaval del Sol brought together not only the Latin American community together but Canadians and other groups in Vancouver. Murillo is excited with the result and especially “to see volunteers working for the same cause” and adds that there will be a repeat next Summer.

“Now that we know that the city know about our community, we can do more…and we are already organizing for the next Carnaval del Sol next year, in the end of June.”

I stomped into this gem. A Chilean photographer, José Fuentes, who affirms not to be a professional dog trainer, has been enchanting the public since circa 2007 with his loyal companion, Carrie,a female Golden Retriever.

Master and dog have appeared in the popular entertaiment TV program, Sábado Gigante hosted by Miami based, born-Chilean , Don Francisco, in Chilean talk show Gigantes con Vivi, among others, turning the cute four-legged dancing queen into a star and a YouTube sensation.

It is amazing how Carrie dances with Fuentes on two legs, turns, walks backwards, pulls the master from his shirt, spins, applauds, various other tricks and even high-fives the photographer…it seems too good to be true, but it actually is! (just as Paul, the Octopus Wizard with its incredible accuracy predicting football matches during the last World Cup; or the acrobatic dolphin Flipper or actor dog, Lassie).

In additon, the dancing canine can do merengue, cumbia and even the Chilean traditional folkloric dance, la cueca.

Below, Cassie’s rendition of Wilfrido Vargas’ merengue “El baile del perrito” (“Little Dog’s Dance”) Sábado Gigante. This song was a hit in the late ’90 through Latin America. No doubt that with Carrie, El baile del perrito has taken back its literal meaning.

Carrie’s tricks:

Mark your calendars. The Peruvian Party will take place on Sunday, August 31, from 4:30 p.m. to 1:00 am (August 2nd is BC Day, so do not worry to be up late!) at the Royal Banquet Hall (2122 Kingsway Ave., Vancovuer).

The musical part will be in charge of DJ Cesar, the Vancouver-based folkloric group, René Hugo and Friends, who have been performing in places as far as in China and for the BBC-World documentary series ‘Destination: Music”, has a varied repertoire of creole, Andean, afro Peruvian and Latin American music, and directly from Seattle, U.S. the Orchestra Cambalache will play with their unique sound the international salsa hits of all times. As of 2005, Cambalache “had broken attendance records of virtually every salsa club in the Northwest of the US, Southwest of Canada and Alaska” and has been the opening act for salsa giants such as Colombia’s Grupo Niche and El Gran Combo of Puerto Rico.

Rene Hugo y sus Amigos

Cambalache

General Admission $40 in advance $50 at the door VIP $55
Dress code: sport elegant in effect Doors open 4:30 pm
Points of sell: Killarny Market, Inka Deli, Tienda Los Guerreros, Roberto Net Shop, La Llama Rústica, Mochikas Café.
Online: www.clubzone.com
More information: gpa productions

*It has been confirmed by GPA Productions show organizer, Patrycia Arana that Agua Bella will not be coming to perform at the Peruvian fiesta.

Felices Fiestas a todos los peruanos!