@ www.theotherpress.ca Arts Shalom, Dolly! Chutzpah! offers the best in Jewish music, dance, and theatre By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor he 12 annual Chutzpah! [ret kicked things off on February 11 and will be running until March 4. Chutzpah! celebrates BC’s abundant Jewish performing arts culture with performances of music, dance, and theatre for all to enjoy. Musical performances include one-night only shows for Hadag Nahash (February 25) and Don’t Call Us, We'll Call You (February 26). Hadag Nahash is a six-piece multi-genre band from Jerusalem that has opened for, amongst other acts, the Black Eyed Peas, Cypress Hill, and Matisyahu. Don’t Call Us is a cabaret-style show by Warren Kimmel, a South African, now BC- based theatre actor who tells the story of his journey in this unique performance. One of the dance performances will feature the Canadian premiere of L.A.-based dance group BODYTRAFFIC in a show entitled MONGER, followed by dancer Noam Gagnon in Thank You, You're Not Welcome (both running February 23-26). Israeli choreographer Barak Marshall designed MONGER as a story about servants trapped in the basement of their abusive master that follows the unique narrative of works such as The Maids and Gosford Park. The following Thank You is Gagnon’s latest work, inspired by the tales of the Brothers Grimm. As for theatre, actor and dancer Larry Blum will perform his one- man show entitled Blink & You Might Miss Me (February 22-26), chronicling his long and unique career in television and film with the additional use of digital media. Another theatre performance is King Matt the First (February 29- Match 4), adapted from the classic Janusz Korczak-penned Polish children’s novel of the same name. Director and adaptor of the novel, Julia Wernio, translated by director assistant and Douglas College theatre student Julia Siedlanowska, and actor Richard Kopplinger spoke with us about the upcoming play. Kopplinger described King Matt as “a power struggle between us [the adults] and him [King Matt].” King Matt tells the story of a young boy who is appointed king after his father suddenly passes away. Matt begins reforming his kingdom in favour of the children, much to the chagrin of the adults. “[There’s] a wat,” Kopplinger continues, “because in the moment that young Matt is called to be king, the neigbour countries invade.” Regarding the subject matter, I asked if, like the book, the play had been adapted for an all-ages audience. “T think it is,” Kopplinger begins, “because it’s got [a] message for all ages. Another message [sent] is that King Matt finds a friend his own age, and they become friends [while fighting] a war together.” King Matt covers a range of themes and topics, such as friendships and conflict, hypocrisy, and even children’s rights. Korczak was well known for his advocacy towards the rights and education of children, having directed an orphanage and giving up his freedom to continue protecting the children during the Holocaust. As the book and play are written in Polish, I asked Wernio if there was a difficulty in directing the actors in one language, only for the cast to perform the entire play in English. Siedlanowska translates for Wernio, “It would be harder if the actors didn’t speak Polish... \ and [Wernio] has a good enough understanding of English to get the meaning.” “T try to catch the things that slip through,” Siedlanowska says of her position, “the subtle meanings, the idioms that don’t really translate.” Speaking for Wernio again, Siedlanowska continues, “The language of gestures and emotions, intentions—it’s universal.” To check out all the performances, dates, and times for the Chutzpah! Festival, check out the schedule on their website at www.chutzpahfestival.com/ daily- schedule. I am woman, hear me represent myself respectively! Vancouver celebrates International Women’s Day By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor ach year on March 8, HE International Women’s Day is held across the globe. The event is a celebration of all the progress that has been and continues to be made for the modern day woman. IWD maintains a positive focus for the future, and operates with the intent to encourage success in the lives of working women. This yeat, Vancouver is celebrating the occasion with a number of festivals and events that offer seminars, job opportunities, and, of course, entertainment! UTOPIA Festival: Women in Digital Culture (March 3-10; www. creativetechnology.org) The second annual UTOPIA Festival, presented by volunteer- based media arts centre W2, aims to promote equalization of women in the digital world. From media artists and game developers to DJs and writers, UTOPIA is scheduled to deliver workshops in various mediums during the week, with concerts and performances taking place on the weekends (last year’s shows were headlined by Peaches and Tanya Tagaq). Details such as event listings and venues can be found on W2’s website. Vancouver Women in Film Festival 2012 (March 8-11; vwiff2012.wordpress. com) Women in Film & Television’s Vancouver affiliate will be hosting its seventh Women in Film Festival this year. The festival will be showcasing a number of films made by women in Canada, the US., and throughout the world. While educating women in their often- underappreciated roles behind the camera, the event is also intended to be fun, with films presented falling under categories ranging from horror to comedy. Tickets for individual films and festival passes can be purchased online from the festival website. Vancouver New Music: Women in Sound (March 8, 15, and 22; newmusic. org /event/concert-series) As part of Vancouver New Music’s launch of experimental video and music series HE[A] R, IWD will be the first event celebrated in the show’s lineup. Each week at The Waldorf Hotel (1489 East Hastings St.), a different guest list of local and international performers will provide concerts, with Vancouver-based composer Jacqueline Leggatt offering pre- show chats with a different guest before each show. The concerts are intended to provide insight on how these female musicians got where they are, adding deeper context to their experimental and electronic styles of music. Tickets are $15 for students and can be purchased from the event’s website. Be sure to check out these events and more in honour of International Women’s Day. Whether you're gaining a learning experience, a career opportunity, or are just looking for some good music and films to enjoy, take advantage of these great festivities.