W2 Media Cafe

02/16/2020

12/29/2017

There are stark similarities between the arts groups fighting for their rights in Toronto (see article) and what we experienced in Vancouver 5 years ago (see thread below).

Maybe we should have taken legal action to stay in Woodwards. Taken action against Westbank (think ) as well as the City of Vancouver when they sabotaged us, declared us an "unfit tenant," and conspired together to evict us for not paying an amenity fee — when we were the actual amenity! The City then spent more than a million dollars keeping us locked out, and our space empty for 4 long years, and then renovating us out of Woodward's memory.

Noteably of the four non-profits (out of the 35 who competed) and won the right to occupy the Woodward's heritage building "CAC" community amenity contribution spaces, none would survive and remain in Woodwards after the first twelve months and not-coincidentally, all four would be located 12 blocks further east, within one block of 800 block East Hastings. The community was used by Westbank and the City to gentrify in their vision not the communities. Community is disposable as it is in Toronto.

https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2017/12/20/toronto-media-arts-centre-locked-in-legal-battle-with-city-over-space-at-queen-and-dovercourt.html

The Toronto Media Arts Centre is asking a court for an injunction to eventually gain interim occupancy of a condo space.

07/15/2017

Laura Sisk is pop music's secret weapon.

07/04/2017

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

URGENT UPDATE (Tues July 11): Despite all the excitement and interest expressed, this bit of Canadian film and video history is getting plastic RECYCLED in 48 HOURS unless we find a new home!

SEEKING EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST from video artists, animators, analog artists, archivists, historians wishing to work with the VHS tape collection of the National Film Board of Canada.

Requirements include taking responsibility for this massive NFB VHS cassette tape collection currently housed at the Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival studio. This is a suitable archive for low-tech and analog artists, or archivist and curatorial and community-engaged arts practices.

PLEASE send inquiries to Lianne Payne or Irwin Oostindie if you have a proposal.

06/10/2017

SUNDAY.

Friends and Allies!
The Battle for the Balmoral Block Party needs more people to step up and volunteer for safety, traffic control, set up and take down/clean up. Especially we need help in taking the street at 1pm on Sunday. We will have orientation for these tasks at Carnegie at 11:30am. Balmoral residents need you and this is a really concrete and fun way to show your solidarity with them and this horrible ordeal.
Can we count on you to help us out?
Can you share this status to your networks to help us get the word out?
Please DM Dani Ela or Marina Classen (in comments below) if you can show up. We need y'all!

07/05/2016

Excellent responses, insights arising from solid experience. Plenty of high calibre DJS and Producers representing the diversity of this world - reflect that in your choices; the audience will respond and reflect it back.

Are all-female lineups empowering, or do promoters use the feminist cause to boost their own image? Female artists and industry professionals discuss.

07/05/2016

Ableton interview with Claire Boucher aka Grimes about producing music, studio techniques, finding sounds and playing live

12/01/2013

Democracy North: Nov 30—Star's Kevin Donovan on Rob Ford—Senate & Montreal scandals—Child poverty by Democracy North