So what can we expect in 2010? It's a new year, a new decade, elections and with the Durham Region Board Of Tourism's Art Of Transition behind us, and a whole whack of new projects due for completion, we can anticipate culture moving up on the agenda.
My wish list would include greater employment for our local artists. I see that beginning with the event planning staff at the municipal level (but I'm sure you already know that by now). Durham's kids should be the first option considered for those stages which are funded by the public purse. If they can receive exposure through such channels I'm confident their talent will carry them the rest of the way and the private sector will then take notice.
How about a series of showcases of Durham's brightest? Put Protest The Hero, Brown Brigade, Hail The Villain up in that Bandshell. Or Cuff The Duke with Timber Timbre and Champion Heartache. Why not book MIke Turner's Crash Karma (who recently opened for Stone Temple Pilots), add Cure Gravity or Bury The Bully or Hello Beautiful and put them up there too? For Canada Day celebrations, why not Sum 41 or K-Os? Spread out the superstars over the year and have lesser known lights open for them. Book all those great SASS kids who always amaze with their skills.
Why don't we have a roving lineup of folks such as Bradley Boy, Patrick Dorie, Trish Robb or Exclamation Kid, Alicia Robicheau, Clay Hands play at the community centres? What about a full on rock 'n roll party with Lead Sled Rocket and the Baker Muck Rattlers? Tour them around the downtowns of Durham Region. They can set up anywhere. Rockabilly kats, Lead Sled Rocket could also be called up for Autofest. As could surf kings The Robots. That's just a no-brainer really.
Why not partner with Get Bent Records' Solstice Celebrations, both Summer and Winter? With a municipality's promotional weight behind them, those events could really take off and something on par with Mariposa or Hillside could be built in Durham Region. Why can't we turn up the support for our local guys and gals?
There is a fantastic band called Holy Mountain I'd like to see more of too. I first saw them at the 09 Bandwarz finals as Black Hole Symphony. They just opened for Anagram down in Toronto and were well-received by all accounts. With nothing recorded it's only live you'll be able to experience the majesty of their guitar work. Holy Mountain and the Micronite Filters together would be some show, maybe down by the lake.
There's also the more experienced players such as Pete Merilovich and Susan Latimer who would add grace to any event and the reality is there are so many more. We have incredible artists here and there is no reason why this decade can't see a change in the government-booking policies across this region. It's early enough in the year to start planning this isn't it?
And then I woke up.
The final recommendation for the year end comes from a chap with a strong resume, Mark Spicoluk. He is an integral element of the D-Rock. He's played with Closet Monster, Sum41 and Avril Lavigne. He founded the music company/label Underground Operations, which is home to Protest The Hero, among many others. Some day we will have a long chat about all of that but for now Mark is suggesting these.
1. Propagandhi- Supporting Caste
2. Down With Webster- Time to Win
3. Protest The Hero- Gallop Meets the Earth: 2 disc live CD/DVD
4. Kingdoms- Daughters of Atlas
5. Where The Wild Things Are- Soundtrack
Recommend :
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