International dancers get intense at York

Emerging dancers and acclaimed dance professionals from around the world are coming together for a two-week program called DanceIntense Toronto 2009 at York University on now until Aug. 9, wrote The Mississauga News July 28.

Produced by Mississauga-based Sampradaya Dance Creations in partnership with York’s Dance Department, in the Faculty of Fine Arts, and Sampad of England, the event will give emerging dancers, ages 18 to 30, the opportunity to work with dance professionals. The program features body conditioning, choreography and workshops.

“We are thrilled to be hosting the DanceIntense program and are delighted at the calibre of participants and the tremendous support we have received from our local and international dance communities,” said Lata Pada, founder and artistic director of Sampradaya. “DanceIntense continues to raise the bar of professional standards in dance and nurture the development of technique with the coming together of master teachers and emerging artists to share in a common dialogue – their passion and dedication to dance.”

The performance showcase takes place Friday at 7pm in the Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre, Accolade East Building, on York’s Keele campus. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors.

Victoria-born artist was guest lecturer at York

Victoria-born artist Glenn Howarth, a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA), former art critic for the Victoria Daily Times as well as the Montreal Star, and a revered teacher who taught at universities across the country, died late Sunday, wrote Canwest News Service July 28. He was 62.

“He had just been out for a walk with our dog, Sam, and perhaps he was a little tired,” said his longtime partner Deborah Russell.

“He sat down outside and his heart stopped. His last view would have been a beautiful canopy of trees,” and the last thing he heard was his dog frantically barking.

She and Howarth met at the Victoria College of Art & Design, where he was on the faculty for many years. He also taught art history, drawing and painting at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, the University of Saskatchewan, Victoria Drawing Academy, the University of Victoria and the Banff School of Art, and was a guest lecturer at York University, the Ontario College of Art & Design and Alberta College.

Elected to the RCA in 1978, he represented Canada at the São Palo Biennial in Brazil and was a member of the prestigious Painters at Painter’s. His works were in private and public collections coast to coast, from the Glenbow and Shell Oil in Alberta, to Vancouver and Victoria art galleries as well as the University of Victoria.

On air

  • Paul Baxter, sessional professor in criminology in York’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, spoke about lobbying efforts for legislation on legal competency on CBC Radio’s “Metro Morning” July 28.
  • Jonathan Rosenthall, adjunct professor in York’s Osgoode Hall Law School, spoke about differences in the way white collar criminals are treated on AM770 Radio’s “Calgary Today” program July 28.
  • Paul Delaney, professor of physics & astronomy in York’s Faculty of Science & Engineering, spoke about the departure of the space shuttle from the International Space Station on CTV News July 28.
  • Alan Middleton, professor of marketing in the Schulich School of Business at York University, spoke about the effectiveness of cigarette package design on Global TV July 28.