Hot Panda does it up Paul Newman style By Lindsey Rivait
Arts Editor
September 9, 2009 Edmonton’s Hot Panda is more than just volcanoes and hot sauce. The band, which signed to Mint Records and released their full length debut album earlier this year, is bringing their show to Windsor.
 Recording Volcano… Bloody Volcano was a much different experience for the band, which had a lot more time to work on it, as compared to their previously released EPs. The album was recorded in Winnipeg with Ryan McVeigh at MidOcean.
“But, even that was recorded a really long time ago now. We’re excited to record again,” said Hot Panda vocalist and guitarist Chris Connelly.
The band plans to record this winter with a tentative release date of fall 2010. “It’ll be fun to do this one because we’ll actually have a budget. When we recorded Volcano… Bloody Volcano, we didn’t have a record contract and we were just paying out of our own pocket to do it, and that kind of makes things stressful when you’re recording this in a studio and you want to do more takes or try new things out and you know that when you do that, it’s like, ‘Well, there’s more money I’m going to spend.’ So this one will be more comfortable, I think, and more fun,” he continued. >> | Award-winning author joins UWindsor's English Department By Josh Kolm
Lance Writer September 9, 2009 Award-winning author Terry Griggs will be serving as Writer in Residence in the UWindsor English Department for this academic year, hot off the release of two books this past spring.
 A major part of Griggs’ position as Writer in Residence is advising the aspiring authors that come through UWindsor.
But, considering that many of the young men and women she’ll be meeting with need to be prepared for a business built on rejection, is she willing to tell them what they need to hear?
“Well, I wouldn’t say brutally honest,” she said with a laugh. “Honesty is important when you’re dealing with someone’s work. Obviously you can’t tell someone it’s fantastic when it’s not. But I’d be happy to work with anyone who wants to. It’s what I’m there for.”
A sure sign of excitement about her new position is the way Griggs describes it. Even though her accomplishments speak for themselves, she still talks as if she were in the job interview. >> | Celebrating Sandwich through art By Lindsey Rivait
Arts Editor
September 9, 2009 Sandwich Towne has a unique history and culture, which local artists aim to demonstrate in the “Mesmerized: Visions of Sandwich” exhibit showing at Mackenzie Hall.
 Featuring artwork by Daniel Bombardier, Collette Broeders, Jason Deary, Beth Dubeault, Suzanne Friemann, Jessica Howick, James Oltean-Lepp, Sasha Opeiko, and Linda Renaud, the exhibit promotes Sandwich and its thriving arts population.
The featured artwork reflects the individual artists’ perceptions of Sandwich, one of Essex County’s oldest communities. The artists participating in this exhibit were captivated by not only Sandwich Towne’s history, but also by the potential for a successful community renewal.
In an attempt to reach as many people as possible, organizers sent out brochures advertising the exhibit in numerous languages, so those who would not normally attend an art function would consider it.
Each artist approached the subject in their own way, some opting to use the history of Sandwich to explore recollection and collective memory. The artwork considers identity and its connection to the community, individuals, and the rest of the world. The history of the area is also an integral focus of the exhibit. >> |
