Images de femmes Turns 20

Images de femmes Turns 20

The all-woman art collective, Images de femmes, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and will be featuring work by some 70 women artists. The official kick-off will be this Saturday, March 2, at 1:30 pm at the Mile End library with a reception and vernissage. In addition to a sister art exhibition across the street at AME ART until March 10, workshops given by local artists are scheduled throughout the week, which culminates with Rythmes de femmes, a celebration of women and music at the Rialto Theatre on Sunday, March 10.

While Images de femmes has always had a strong visual arts focus and a growing music component, in the past it has also featured literature and film.

At the vernissage in 1994, Governor General recipient, playwright and novelist Marie Laberge and internationally acclaimed playwright Abla Faroud read from their work. Award-winning documentary filmmaker, screenwriter and director Mireille Dansereau presented Les seins dans la tête in 1995 and Les cheveux en quatre in 1997. While documentary filmmaker and long-time Mile End resident Sophie Bisonnette showed Des lumières dans la grande noirceur in 1996, with the film’s star Léa Roback in attendance. In recent years, Bisonnette has been widely praised for Sexy Inc. Our Children Under the Influence, a documentary about the media's hypersexualization of children.

As one might expect, the idea behind Images de femmes arose around a kitchen table in the fall of 1992, when Claudine Schiradin and some friends discussed what Mile End women artists could do to celebrate International Women's Day. The abundance of cheap, spacious apartments attracted droves of young women artists. "But they had no venue in the Mile End where they could show their work," said local historian and long-time Images de femmes participant Kathryn Harvey.

The Mile End of the early 1990s was hardly the thriving artistic neighbourhood it is now. "It didn't have much identity at all," said the local historian. Empty storefronts lined Park Avenue, and north of St.Viateur, there were plenty of crack houses. "I can’t count the number of times I witnessed police cuffing some young dealer lying face down with a cop’s boot on his back," she said.



The Mile End's turning point came in 1993. Not only was the dilapidated YMCA torn down and rebuilt, but the Habs also won the Stanley Cup, filling cafés on Bernard and St. Viateur streets with screaming fans during the playoffs. There was also another important initiative. A citizen's action group, le Comité des citoyens du Mile-End (CCME) successfully convinced the city of Montreal to buy the old Anglican Church on Park Avenue and convert it into a library. This development project not only provided the neighbourhood with a library and meeting place, and but it also provided Images de femmes with a much-needed venue.

The CCME has been instrumental in assisting initiatives like Images de femmes. "Their work has made the neighbourhood the creative, vibrant place it is today," said Harvey.

CCME member Baska Séguin, artists Françoise Barraud and Nancy Héroux, and Josée Moreau from the city of Montreal were key figures in organizing the first ever Images de femmes. However, by 1996, the annual event had become so popular that they had run out of exhibition space. An obvious solution was to ask local merchants to display the work of up-and-coming artists.

"Residents of the Mile End did their socializing where they shopped, in doorways, and out on the street, having no other place to congregate," said the local historian. As a result, there has always been a strong relationship between members of the community and shop owners, who have always been more than willing to lend a hand to aspiring artists.

This tradition is alive and well today. A number of Mile End businesses still feature the work of local artists in their storefronts and shops. The first week of March is a great time to go for a walk in the hood and see the work of the next generation of artists.

For a listing of the Images de femmes events, "like" their Facebook Page or follow them on Twitter at @MileEndIdF. Tickets to the March 10 Rythmes de femmes are on sale at the Rialto ticket office or can be purchased at the door ($15 general admission, $10 for students and seniors).


Other related links:
Images de femmes 2010
Images de femmes 2011
Rythmes de femmes at Rialto Theatre 2011
19th Images de femmes 2012



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Rialto: 19th Annual Images de Femmes

Rialto: 19th Annual Images de Femmes

The 19th Images de Femmes held at the Rialto Theatre was the biggest ever. I arrived a few minutes late to find myself darting around to find a suitable perch to take pictures, but all the best places were taken. The downstairs appeared to be filled to capacity, so I headed up to the balcony. Unfortunately, it took a little time to find a decent vantage point and I had to rush around through Suzy Tremblay's performance, the opening act. She certainly had the crowd in her hands.

Leila Marshy, Marie Cornellier and Kathryn Harvey officially opened the show with Kathryn giving some particularly dire statistics about women and work, and women and power. Yes, it was a much needed reminder--women have always made up the 99%.

There were very two colourful dances by KOMACHI Montreal accompanied by Yuki Isami, who later gave a solo performance on the shinobue. It was followed by Linda Morrison, Robin Gorn, Alice Cantine and Louise Dessertine singing the haunting, I Give Thanks, an original composition by Louise Dessertine. Next, the incredibly photogenic Marie Cornellier paid tribute to local designer Katrin Leblond, as Marie had her clothes changed on stage.

There are many multi-talented women performers in the Mile End. In addition, to a hilarious and moving spoken word performance by Leila Marshy, the Mile End was treated to the beautiful sounds of the Choeur Maha, directed by Kathy Kennedy. Choeur Maha also accompanied some stunning performances by versatile performers Linda Morrison and Robin Gorn.

There were also some refreshing new performers: the beatbox and body percussion of IOA, and the beautiful sounds of Odaya, a native women's drumming group. As always, the fine acoustics of the Rialto offered the perfect venue. After I edited the following video, I had the pleasure of hearing Love Shakin the Fences (Robin Gorn) and Mile Marbhphaisg air a’Ghaol (Linda Morrison), all week in my head.

They were certainly more welcome than the AM radio hits that are usually rattling around in there. This was a highly entertaining evening, and I can only imagine what next year, the 20th Images de Femmes, has in store.

Special thanks to Marilyn Montblanch for all her hard work in putting this event together.






Other related links:
Images de Femmes 2010
Images de Femmes 2011
Images de Femmes at Rialto Theatre 2011
19th Images de Femmes 2012

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19th Images de Femmes

19th Images de Femmes

L`avenue du Mont-Royal, Nathalie Boivin

To celebrate International Women's Day in the Mile End, some fifty local women artists will be exhibiting their work at the Mile End Library, 5723 Avenue du Parc, and in neighbourhood shops as part of the 19th annual Images de Femmes. The annual event is to give further exposure to the artistic endeavours of area women. The organization now has some 80 members. Local filmmakers will also be screening their work throughout the area, so keep your eyes peeled.

At the vernissage this afternoon, there was quite a crowd on hand, which included City Councillor Alex Norris and Borough Councillor Richard Ryan. The exhibition is open to the public from March 3 to 18. The official 19th Images de Femmes celebration will be held at the Théâtre Rialto at 5723 Avenue du Parc on Sunday, March 4 at 7:00 pm. The Rythmes de Femmes with the Maha choir and many other singers and musicians will be performing. Admission to the event is $10.00; children are free. Organizers will also be taking donations for humanitarian aid to Japan.




Other related links:
Images de Femmes 2010
Images de Femmes 2011
Images de Femmes at Rialto Theatre 2011


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Rythmes de Femmes at Rialto Theatre

Rythmes de Femmes at Rialto Theatre

Last week, I received an invitation from Marilyn Berzan-Montblanch to take part in the closing festivities of the 2011 Images de femmes at the Rialto Theatre on March 20. Rythmes de femmes is the finale of the Images de femmes event, which pays tribute to Mile End women artists. This year Rialto owner Ezio Carosielli generously offered the Mile End landmark for the event, throwing  in a few extra surprises, such as a chocolate fountain fondue and homemade cannoli.

I arrived at the sumptuous theatre just as the best costume was being awarded. Participants had dressed in wearable art for the occasion. I recognized a lot of familiar faces in the crowd, including that of Mile End Councillor Richard Ryan. I also had a chance to snap a picture of Alice Cantine walking around in her ball gown made entirely from Loto 649 tickets.

My last visit to the Rialto was for a New Year's Eve Party in 1988. At the time, they still had the original theatre seats in place. In the 1920s, when the Rialto was built, it seated 1,000 (small) people and was known as a "movie palace." The seats on the bottom floor have since been removed and replaced with cabaret seating.

During the intermission, I had a chance to speak to Ezio Carosielli, who disclosed his renovation plans. A previous owner had redone the theatre, but had chosen red, blue and gold, which were not the original colours. Ezio and his partner were in the process of restoring the balcony to its original green and beige. Although that may sound dull in comparison, when I saw a part that had been restored, the muted colours definitely enhanced the beauty of the original features. Unfortunately, the balcony was closed, but catching a glimpse certainly piqued my curiosity.Carosielli also spoke of a beautiful a cappella performance that had taken place on the previous evening. As I quickly learned when the Images de Femmes musical performances started, the acoustics at the Rialto are indeed magnificent.

In short, Mile End women artists were honoured in the style they deserve, and I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day and the 18th annual Images de Femmes than a party at the Rialto Theatre. Special thanks to Ezio, the wait staff at the Rialto, Robin Gorn for all her help and Linda Morrison who came in spite of feeling under the weather.




Related posts:
Navarino's and Images de Femmes
Guerrilla in the Midst
Bagel Conundrum
Mile End's Ring of Fame
What it is by Lynda Barry
The True Gender
Almost a Visit to Gender
St-Viateur: the Polish Bazaar
The Mile End Buzz Around Beekeeping
For the Love of Vinyl
Airing Our Dirty Laundry


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Navarino's & Images de Femmes

Navarino's & Images de Femmes

Over at our visual blog, my husband and I have been preparing all week for International Women's Day with 7 days of fabulous women artists from the past and present. (www.cronos4.tv)

The cafés in the Mile End are undeniably what makes this area worth visiting. There's plenty of gossip, schmoozing, flirting and excessive coffee-drinking to keep people buzzing and awake for days. One of my favourite places is Navarino's on Park Avenue, which we also refer to as the Greek café. It makes a great latté for $2.75, tasty sandwiches and salads, and serves a wide variety of baked goods and desserts, much to the delight of my children. I like it because they tune in to an Internet radio station that plays Motown and other hits from the 1970s. Yesterday, it was Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi (fab video) and Linda Ronstadt's You're No Good ). That way, I can enjoy memories of my childhood, as I watch my children create theirs.

The original owners of the café are from Navarino in Greece, and one of the first things you'll notice as you walk in the door is what appears to be a big blue-beaded rosary hanging on the wall. I asked Jimmy Zoubris about this (he helps me out with all things Greek in the hood). Jimmy told me that this was a good luck charm to ward off the evil eye. So yesterday, sipping our lattés, fully protected from the forces of E-vil, my husband and I made our afternoon plans. He was taking our daughter to a presentation on the 30th anniversary of le Prince de Motordu, while I took the chocolate-faced Dude to les Images de femmes, the 18th annual vernissage of Mile End women artists to celebrate International Women's Day. I would have preferred to have taken my daughter because then I would have had the chance to talk, check the names of artists and ask some questions. As it turned out, I got to take a few photos, check out two names and chase my son around the various installations. He thought it was fun for 3 minutes and 30 seconds, but wanted to leave once he was told not to touch anything.

Lotto 649 Tickets and the Dude

Anyway, the vernissage did attract quite a few people, including Mile End Borough Councillor Richard Ryan. I also quickly noted that a stop at Navarino's was completely unnecessary, as there were two tables covered with desserts and sandwiches, not to mention wine, coffee and juice. I did have a chance to glance in that general direction, as the Dude performed gleefully for some older women. I quite enjoyed the dress made from Lotto 649 tickets (Alice Cantine), and the wedding dress with the banner, "Always a bridesmaid never a bride." I loved the vintage photo of the married couple attached to the waist. The artist, Kathryn Harvey, actually wore this dress as her costume when she performed as a clown.

The exhibition is open to the public until March 20, 2011, at the Mile End Library, 5434 Park Avenue, and 14 merchants in the Mile End will also be displaying art by Mile End women, so have your eyes peeled. As part of this event, there will be art-related activities held all month at the library.

This exhibition is one of my favourites because it pulls the neighbourhood together after a long cold winter and reminds us all that it's spring! Don't miss the closing party to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day at the Rialto Theatre, another beautiful Mile End landmark, at 5723 Park Avenue, starting at 6:00 pm.

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Images de Femmes 2010

Images de Femmes 2010

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I recently made a trip to the Mile End Library at 5434 Park Avenue to see the Images de Femmes art exhibit in celebration of International Women's Day. Fifty Mile End women artists are displaying their work from March 6 to 21 both at the library and at a few other venues throughout the Mile End. Unfortunately, I missed the opening event or vernissage on March 6, but was informed that fun was had by all. The work on the left, entitled Goddess of Love by Shola Doumma, is one of many works you will see.

This is the 17th year that Images de Femmes has been running, and it's a great opportunity to see the work of the many talented women living in the Mile End.

In addition to this exhibit, I also popped in at 5319 Park Avenue at Artistri, a boutique offering original handcrafted gifts and accessories from both local women artisans and women artisans from the developing world. To celebrate International Women's Day, Artistri was presenting Beyond the Silk Road: Glimpses of Contemporary Textiles in South East Asia. It features 14 interpretations of contemporary silk weaving by Cambodian and Laotian craftswomen. Owner Jennifer Lonergan, who recently returned from South East Asia, told me that Artistri was also taking part in the Images de Femmes project and showed me the work of a Mile End weaver displayed prominently in the front window.

Although Images de Femmes will be wrapping up shortly, there are still two cultural events not to be missed this weekend: the Prayer for the Women of Juarez on Saturday, March 20, (To find out why the Women of Ciudad Juarez need our prayer, click here) and Dance and Song from the Orient on Sunday, March 21.

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