A big thanks to the Wrecking Ball Team, All the Artists Involved, Catch the Keys, and Megan Dart for the following interview:
First, tell us a little bit about Wrecking Ball. Where did it get started? What is it meant to do? What's
the central message of the event?
- The Wrecking Ball was founded in Toronto in November 2004 to address a nagging imbalance: too much theatre in our politics, not enough politics in our theatre. There have been eleven Wrecking Ball cabarets in Toronto, including a national event that saw Wrecking Balls staged semi-simultaneously in 10 cities across the country in 2008, in advance of the federal election.
- This year’s Wrecking Ball events were scheduled on the same night across the country, with events in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Victoria.
- The Edmonton arts community answered the call of the Wrecking Ball loud and clear. Featuring a cross section of the best performance our city has to offer, this year's Wrecking Ball featured more than 30 artists from multiple disciplines – from theater to film to hip hop, our artists shared their opinions on politics in Canada.
Do you have a list of the candidates that attended last night?
- We invited all candidates from the Strathcona, Central and East ridings. We had a total of 12 candidates in attendance, with representation from five ridings. Even Senator Tommy Banks attended!
- From Edmonton Central:
- Lewis Cardinal (NDP)
- Mary MacDonald (Liberal)
- Mikkel Paulson (Pirate)
- From Edmonton East:
- Trey Capnerhurst (Green)
- Peter Goldring (Conservative)
- Ray Martin (NDP)
- Shafik Ruda (Liberal)
- From Edmonton Strathcona:
- Linda Duncan (NDP)
- Kyle Murphy (Independent)
- Christopher White (Independent)
- From Edmonton-St. Alberta:
- Brian Labelle (NDP)
- From Edmonton-Millwoods:
- Nadine Bailey (NDP)
We hear there was some controversy with MP Goldring, can you tell us about that?
- I suspect Mr. Goldring wasn’t entirely sure what he was walking into – as the lone Tory in attendance, it was awfully brave of him to attend what Edmonton Journal writer Todd Babiuk coined a “cabaret of political silliness.” Which is exactly what the night was – a chance for artists to parody and satirize our political landscape in a way that hopefully encouraged people to become educated voters. The entire evening was intended to spark a discussion – to persuade people to think about why they’re voting, and who they’re voting for.
- Mr. Goldring stayed only a total of maybe 15 minutes – he showed up half an hour late, was annoyed the evening’s schedule hadn’t been apparently properly communicated to him, stood in the back of the theatre and loudly said “This is disgusting!” during one of the performances before storming out.
- While by no means do Mr. Goldring’s actions reflect the Conservative party as a whole, his choice to leave was certainly an interesting juxtaposition to the NDP, Liberal, Green, Pirate and Independent candidates, who sat front row, laughed out loud, tweeted to the live feed, interacted with attendees, and cheered on the artists.
In '08, Harper infamously was quoted saying that "Ordinary Canadians" don't care about arts and
culture. What's your perception of that, do you think that arts and culture are becoming or are a
platform position for federal parties? Do you think Canadians agree or disagree with his perception?
- I can only speak for myself, and not on behalf of the other artists and organizers of The Wrecking Ball, but to say “ordinary Canadians” don’t care about the arts is to say ordinary Canadians don’t listen to music on the radio, don’t attend the movies, don’t hang paintings on their walls at home, don’t take in a street festival in the summer – life without art is no life at all.
- I believe arts and culture should be an important platform position – arts and culture build communities. We’ve seen in our own city alone the power artists have to build community – think of the Whyte Avenue area before the advent of the Fringe Festival, or the 118 Avenue in transition now. Sadly, I don’t think arts and culture are top of mind for most parties, though I do believe it is a part of the discussion – a discussion that, as artists, is our responsibility to keep fueled.
- I suspect (or, at the very least, hope!) Canadians would sorely disagree with Harper’s perception – Canadian culture defines who we are as a country. If we as Canadians don’t care about preserving and celebrating our sense of heritage, innovation and diversity, how do we define our voice? Arts and culture is the vehicle of voice – and, in that respect, arts and politics aren’t so far removed.
During the last 5 years, the Conservative government quietly 'de-funded' a number of arts
organizations and institutions, most importantly the international touring organization for artists. Do
you think Canadians are aware of its happening, do you think they agree or disagree with it?
- I don’t think it’s as newsworthy as artists (particularly those whose funding has been seriously impacted) would hope – in my experience, cuts like these seem to slip under the media radar, making the issue seem less important than it is. Apparently, cuts were made because some of the groups aren’t ones the Harper government “thought Canadians would agree were the best choices to be representing them internationally” (CBC, “Tories Cut Funding for Artists Touring Abroad,” August 2008). These cuts, however, essentially decimated Canada’s role in the world cultural market, denying opportunities to some of Canada’s best and brightest cultural icons. I agree with the NDP stance in that these cuts to international funding are “offensive,” and “not in the public interest.”
What notable MP's in the Edmonton Region have shown support for arts and culture, have there been
any specific promises?
- A number of The Wrecking Ball candidates shared their support for and interest in arts and culture – Nadine Burgess (NDP Millwoods), for example, is an actor and even had a cameo in Fubar 2! Trey Capnerhurst (Green Party East) is a classically trained voice artist; Shafik Ruda (Liberal East) organizes youth variety shows on a regular basis; and Mary MacDonald (Liberal Central) was extremely involved in Alberta’s choral scene for many years. It was so great to hear candidates not only understand the importance of the arts, but are also directly involved in the arts community. Lewis Cardinal (NDP Central) shared an amazing quote from Canadian politician and Métis leader Louis Riel which I think hit home for a lot of the artists that night: “My people will sleep for one hundred years, but when they awake, it will be the artists who give them their spirit back.”
- No specific promises were made that night, though I strongly suggest everyone take a moment to browse through each party’s platform.
And finally if you have any closing thoughts on the looming election, predictions, hopes, dreams?
- My only hope for this election is that people – of all stripes and ages – get out and vote. This is an important election – one which can bring significant change to Canada. C’mon, Canada, VOTE!
Todd Babiak of the Edmonton Journal writes about Goldring's visit to Wrecking Ball
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/Goldring+causes+need+focus+more+Edmonton/4679820/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/commons/archive/2011/04/26/wrecking-ball.aspx
The Wrecking Ball Website
http://thewreckingball.ca/
Catch the Keys Productions
http://www.catchthekeys.ca/
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