i2 Arts & Entertainment March 13th 2013 ¢ Over the Edge STOMPIN’ TOM CONNORS: THE DEATH OF A CANADIAN ICON Stompin’ 1936-2013 JORDAN TUCKER ART AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR On March 6th, Canada reeled as it lost a folk hero. Stompin’ Tom Connors, the loveable songwriter famed for such songs as “The Hockey Song”, “Bud The Spud” and “Canada Day, Up Canada Way” passed away at the age of 77. Having written more than 300 songs and put out four dozen albums, Stompin’ national treasure who was truly the child of Canadian ideals and heritage. Having hitchhiked across Canada for 13 years in his youth, Stompin’ Tom knew and loved all of this vast country, something hardly anyone can say. His big break arrived when he was a dime short of paying fora beer in Timmins. The bartender told him he could have it if he played a song. That song eventually turned into a contract Stompin’ Tom stood for kindness, patriotism, 66 humour and goodheartedness. He taught many a young Canadian about the essential goodness inherent to our national identity. Tom was inexhaustible. His work ethic, good nature and decision to focus his career on the home country he loved so much endeared him to Canadians. Even when audiences were unsure about their government, their environment and their economy, they knew to trust in Stompin’ Tom. In times when it often feels safest to be sceptical, Stompin Tom was a sigh of relief. Stompin’ Tom stood for kindness, patriotism, humour and goodheartedness. He taught many a young Canadian about the essential goodness inherent to our national identity. He also taught the importance of doing things for your country, instead of just expecting your country to do things for you, singing, “But if you don’t believe your country should come before yourself / Ya can better serve your country, by living somewhere else”. An orphan shunted from teenage parents to an orphanage, and eventually to adoptive parents, Stompin’ Tom Connors was a to play at the hotel, a radio show, and a record deal. Throughout his life, Tom and the bartender stayed friends, co- writing many songs together. Never one to avoid controversy, Stompin’ Tom actually returned his six Juno awards, saying that as “turncoat Canadians” working in the USA continued to garner all the success instead of working in Canada for Canada, he was no longer proud to keep his Juno awards. He also famously feuded with the CRTC and the CBC. Outspoken, iconoclastic, and a champion of the people, Stompin’ Tom was a Canadian hero of integrity and grit. On March 6th, members of the NDP memorialized him by leading a chorus of “Bud The Spud” in the House of Commons, a fitting tribute to a man who made Canadians delight in their culture while simultaneously poking fun at it. So long, Stompin’ Tom. Our country is less rich without you, but we’ll try to do you proud. LOCAL MEZZ0 SOPRANO SET TO STAR IN PRINCE GEORGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S TRIBUTE TO MOZART JORDAN TUCKER ART AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Melanie Nicol is on the rise: the local opera singer, who describes herself as having “fallen into” opera through the tutelage of a brilliant instructor, Tracey Dahl, is set to sing renditions from La Clemenza Di Tito and The Magic Flute. A recent Master’s graduate, Melanie began her musical career in choirs at the age of 6 or 7. In Grade 12, having realized that she wanted to be a musician, she began taking solo voice lessons. After completing her undergrad This won’t be the end, however, for Melanie Nicol’s operatic efforts in Prince George: she and her partner, Brenna Corner, are working to create Prince George’s first opera company.The two women noticed a large outpouring of Prince George talent to larger cities where opportunities for roles are greater. With the creation of Andromeda Opera, so named after the constellation’s position within the northern hemisphere and Andromeda’s legacy as a mystical and powerful woman of mythology, local and aspiring opera singers would Melanie is looking forward to continuing forth 66 with her career, starting with her performances in Mozart’s Finale: 1791 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral at 6:30 PM on Saturday, March 16th. “I feel energized,” and Master’s degree, Melanie came back to Prince George where many of her former colleagues work and live. Enjoying the thriving atmosphere and enthusiasm of the PGSO, she and her colleagues decided to tell the story of Mozart’s last piece, La Clemenza Di Tito. Commissioned by royalty, Mozart died before he could complete the opera. The first half of the show will demonstrate the tragedy and sorrow faced by Mozart’s surviving family as they attempt to cope with his death while simultaneously delivering an unfinished piece of music to their patrons. The second half of the night will focus on celebrating Mozart’s life and accomplishments, with selections from The Magic Flute, arguably his most celebrated role. As a Mezzo Soprano, Ms. Nicol will be singing men’s roles, as young men were often played by women in the day. She found that the hardest part of getting into character for such roles is learning to walk and act like a man: apparently it’s a lot different. have the opportunity to establish their careers without sacrificing their homes or proximity to family and friends. A local opera company will also provide the viscerality of live opera that boradcasts of the Metropolitan Opera at the movie theatre simply cannot provide. For now, Melanie is looking forward to continuing forth with her career, starting with her performances in Mozart’s Finale: 1791 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral at 6:30 PM on Saturday, March 16th. “I feel energized,” she says, and you can hear the song in her voice.