Arts Have a story idea? E-mail us at arts@theotherpress.ca @ Another one bites the dust Goodbye Granville 7 Cinemas, let your pink neon shine on By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor he Vancouver International Film Festival this year had, without question, one of its best lineups of film screenings to date. While attending the Gala clos- ing last Friday evening, I heard it stated that this year had more votes and positive reactions for the coveted Rogers People’s Choice Award than ever; I know for a fact that is because of the stunning quality of nearly all the films this year. But all this good news aside, the fes- tival will not be the same after this year, because the Granville 7 Cinemas will be closing its cur- tains for the last time on November 4, not even three weeks from now. What does the cinema have to do with the festival? While VIFF screenings are often separated between the Granville 7, the Vogue, Pacific Cinémathéque, and the Vancity Theatre, the Granville 7 is the hub that hosts about 80-85 per cent of the nearly 400 films each year. The loss of the cinema will have an effect on the festival, but as was sternly stated at the Gala, there will still be a festival next year and in the years to come—the only question now is where it will take place. After the devastating closure of the Vancouver Playhouse back in March of this year, one would think the crowd it brought out would prove the dedication of Vancouver’s artistic patrons; I shall retaliate with a simple, ‘nope.’ ° That said, I’m nota theatre person; I enjoy plays and musicals, and even operas can get me to shed a tear—but they’re just not my thing. My dedication to the arts lies in film (subjectively anyways), so it wasn’t until the thought that we could lose the Rio EU es Vampyros pianos A taste of Romania at Douglas College LAA By Kayla Steinman, Contributor Boa Dulu, a native of Romania, graced Douglas College last Thursday with his presence and talent for that week’s instal- ment of Arts at One. Playing Haydn’s “Sonata in D major, Hob. XVI:42,” while beautiful, had an almost dark tone going through it, from the most interesting melodies to darker underlining melodies 8 that seemed to echo the joyous and energetic. It was the perfect balance between dark and light, long beautiful notes that seemed to hang in the air even after he stopped: playing; showing his passion in every hand flick, and movement of his head. The rest of his musical choices were all right in comparison; Dulu is an amazing pianist, and it’s easy to understand why he is such a world-renowned artist. Both of his hands, each doing completely different things from the other, looked almost Theatre on Commercial Drive earlier this year that I was actually able to sympathize with that crowd and the loss they went through. While I’m happy to say the Rio still stands strong, the Denman theatre is done, and—it appears I was the only one shocked by this news—Granville 7 is to be no more than a pile of wood and concrete very soon. I’m angry; I was angry when I heard the news two weeks ago, and I’m still angry now. No, the temperature in every screening room wasn’t perfect. Yes, those cup holders were fucking awful. As of three weeks ago, the ceiling over screen three is leaking, and it couldn’t be fixed without sacrificing the entire room during the festival. So what? I don’t know what kind of theatre everybody wants. Clearly they want the shit treatment everyone and their mother complains about with the Cineplex theatres, because bravo ladies and gentlemen, in no time at all, that’s oe Sees magical when you were able to see their reflections in the piano, like there were two people playing the same notes at the same time for us. But our subject is not just a pianist; he is also very skilled at a range of other performing arts and public speaking, having made appearances on a variety of different shows throughout Asia and Europe. He has played in places like New York’s Carnegie Recital Hall, and Vancouver’s own Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. On top of his appearances what we're going to be stuck with. You want to know why liquor is allowed in theatres now, and therefore why the Rio Theatre still stands (something they themselves fought for, by the way)? Because chains like Cineplex knew it could be cashed in on; enjoy your $10 Smirnoff Ice, which you still can't drink in the actual screen room FYI. The loss of the Granville 7 was inevitable, which is what several VIFF personnel told me. I’m not going to sit here and cry in denial that the last official theatre of Granville was going to be there forever, but I’m still upset. While in line for the morning rounds of volunteer and pass holder ticket pickup, a bitter old woman ahead of me bluntly stated that nothing was safe, not even a venue like the Commodore Ballroom, and while certainly a bold claim, I’m accepting that the angry old bat was right. As Mayor Gregor Robertson spoon-fed Sees 2 in such amazing places, he has also won many awards for his skill. Dulu is a shining example of how natural talent can further develop when one takes the time to get an education in their specific skill. More specifically, he holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in piano, both solo and collaborative, and a Master’s from New York. It was truly a marvelling experience to see Dulu in concert, and I can only hope he’ll return in the future. Until then, we have not one, but three music events here at Douglas this week! us at the closing Gala about our strong arts community or some other bull, I sat there wondering where Vancouver’s arts budget was going. It’s been proven the budget gets significantly less money every year. I’m not going crazy, I know that even with a strong arts budget the Granville 7 would still be doomed, but it is something we have to keep an eye on, hell, even fight if we want to keep the arts in Vancouver alive. I’m going to miss the Granville 7 Cinemas. I’m going to miss second- guessing whether I should keep my coat on or off. I’m even going to miss those fucking awful cup holders (and their hilariously out- of-date Z95.3 stickers). Vancouver claims to be this all-powerful, ‘Hollywood North’ film city, but if theatres keep closing at the rate they are, then where does the dignity stand? First off, there will be a ‘Farewell Concert’ to long-time (now retired) Douglas piano instructor Ellen Silverman on Tuesday, October 16. Then, on Thursday, we'll have yet another instalment of Arts at One—this time, it’ll be the unmissable Music Technologies Concert. Finally, on Friday, The Vancouver Opera will be here to perform a rendition of Naomi’s Road. All events will be taking place in the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre at the New West campus from 1 to 2 p.m.