November 12, 2003 Culture ¢ the other press © Let’s Get Crafty Amanda Aikman Culture Editor ow that the nastiness of Halloween is finally behind us, it’s time to remove that rotting jack o’ lantern from your windowsill and replace it with a crapload of good ol’- fashioned Christmas finery. Those of you who are not particularly handy with glitter and a glue gun—fear not, there are plenty of sources out there where you can get your festive fix. Whether.you're into papier-maché snowmen, Santa Claus sock puppets, or nativity sets made entirely from recycled newsprint and toenail clip- pings—there’s something for everyone at the multitude of holiday craft fairs taking place right now. So put that cocoa on the back burner, hitch up the reindeer, and start cruising the craft circuit before all the best halls are already decked. Christmas at Hycroft See how the other half lives, and then console yourself with some fudge. Vancouver's celebrated Edwardian mansion is professionally decorated for the season and opened to the public. Just don’t drool on the carpets; you can get kicked out for that, trust me. Nov 13-16. Call 604.731.5487 for more information. West Vancouver Secondary School Experience the North Shore's largest craft fair. This very popular event boasts over 150 artisans and a huge book sale. Nov 14-15. 1750 Mathers Ave. Pacific Community Church Christmas craft and gift fair featuring homemade baking and quality gifts for the whole family. Please bring a dona- tion to support the Food Bank. This ones popular, insiders suggest you come early for the best selection. Nov 15, 9am. Call 604.574.4001 for more information. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts Celebrate the season Burnaby style, at this Heritage Christmas Craft Fair. Nov 21-23. 6450 Deer Lake Ave. VanDusen Gardens Canadian and international crafts abound at this annual market and fair. Nov 22-23, 29-30. Call 604.275.2724 for more information. Abbotsford Arts Council You just know they're crafty in Abbotsford. Why not let the big-city crafters duke it out over the last “Santa Stops Here” sign in Vancouver, while you head out to the valley for the real hidden treasures? Nov 28-30. Ag-Reg Building, 32470 Haida Drive. Dunbar Community Centre Pick up some unique Christmas Gifts at one of the 80 tables of merchandise. Relax while you shop and drop off your children at the supervised activity room (babysitting rates apply). Nov 22. Call 604.222.6060 for more infor- mation. West Point Grey Community Centre Jump-start your holiday shopping in the festively decorated atmosphere of the Aberthau Mansion. Enjoy the sea- sonal entertainment, baked goods, tea and coffee, and more than 35 tables of handcrafted treasures from local-crafters and artists. Nov 29, 10am—3pm. Call 604.257.5487 for more information. Guildford Recreation Centre This Christmas craft fair has it all, we're talking painted macaroni sculptures and crocheted tea cozies as far as the eye can see. Nov 29-30. 15105-105 Ave. Surrey Truthfully Truthfully Joel Plaskett Emergency Amanda Aikman Culture Editor So what’s up people? What does Joel Plaskett have to do to get you to start paying attention to him? Does he need to have founded and played in an acclaimed Canadian rock band; released not one, not two, but “three” brilliant solo albums; toured relentlessly across the country, from his Halifax home all the way to beautiful British Columbia? Well, newsflash—he’s already done that. So what’s your excuse now? With Truthfully Truthfully, the former Thrush Hermit front man has yet again created an album that seamlessly blends perfect rock-and-roll alongside clutch-your-chest _ heartbreakers. Plaskett’s aptitude for clever lyrics continues on this, his third solo outing, with standout tracks such as “Work Out Fine,” “Come On Teacher,” and “You Came Along,” proving that his creative well definitely shows no signs of drying up. More in keeping with the poppy Thrush Hermitty-ness of his previous album, Down at the Khyber, than with the acoustic subtlety of his first solo effort, In Need of Medical Attention, Truthfully Truthfully is an original and intelligent album that just might finally get Plaskett the attention he deserves. Plaskett once again enlists the efforts of bass player Tim Brennan and drummer Dave Marsh = to round out the Emergency crew, with fellow ex-Hermit Ian McGettigan on board as co-pro- ducer. The album marks Plaskett’s debut for MapleMusic Recordings, but the label change doesn’t seem to have had much of an effect pub- licity-wise. Even after Plaskett’s woefully under- advertised and subsequently under-attended Vancouver performance two years ago, you would still have to have had a magnifying glass to spot the one mention of their Nov 12 Media Club show in last week’s Georgia Straight. If you read this in time, trust me, it’s worth the effort to check these boys out. They know how to rock— truthfully, truthfully. Amanda Aikman Culture Editor be al yes This Week In History... November 13, 1968: Rolling Stone Brian Jones buys Cotchford Farms in Sussex, England where A.A. Milne wrote Winnie the Pooh and where statues of Pooh char- acters still stand on the grounds. Talk about shattering the rock-and-roll myth. I hope he at least had the decency to rearrange the statues into compromising positions. \ November 14, 1990: The Who's Pete Townshend discusses his bisexuality in Newsweek, saying, “I know how it feels to be a woman because I am a woman. And I won't be classified as just a man.” So Pete Townshend “is” a woman, excuse me I've got some bets to collect on. November 15, 1990: Milli Vanilli producer Frank Farian publicly admits that Fabrice Morvan and Rob Pilatus never sang a note on the Milli Vanilli album. I don’t care what he says, I still don’t believe it— Rob and Fab wouldn't have lied to me. Not to me. S/ http://www.otherpress.ca e Page 17 ae