Cheers to You!

Monday hoists a bottle to the winners of the 2008 M Awards

Can it really be seven years since we started the M Awards? Seems hard to believe here at Monday HQ, but as the ever-increasing number of voters proves (we hit a new high once again this year!), there’s definitely an appetite for saluting local cultural talent in this city. And really, why wouldn’t there be? It’s one thing—and, arguably, perhaps the most important thing—to support artists from an audience perspective, but everyone likes a little pat on the back as well.

While we saw a number of return-winners this year, there were also more than a few new names we were thrilled to see in the mix—helped, perhaps, by a slight reshuffling of categories. (Our own favourite was the new “Biggest Big Winner Showdown!” By the time you read this, the actual awards ceremony will have happened, so we’d like to thank both our returning host David Lennam and local comedian Wes Borg and A Random Selection of Chairs for providing the entertainment. We’d also like to give a special shout-out to longtime Monday reader (and frequent letter-writer) Phil Lyons, who won the M Award reader prize draw—a big package of nominated books and CDs, plus tickets to some of this season’s most-anticipated upcoming shows.

Thanks to everyone who voted, congratulations to all who were nominated and cheers to those who nabbed the top slot this year!

MUSIC

Favourite Solo Artist:Casey Ryder

You’d be hard-pressed to find a busier or more eclectic working musician here in Mile Zero. Casey Ryder has been a staple around town for the past couple of decades as both a solo artist and a member of various bands including (but certainly not limited to) the Swingin’ Bachelors, Dixie’s Death Pool, Twango and the Now. Recently, he’s issued his solo album, Here, and on any given week, you should be able to catch Ryder swingin’ his thing at a number of downtown venues.

Runners-up: Anne Schaefer, Paul O’Brien

Favourite Band: The Paper Cranes

Well, they might not be cruising around in a limo and sipping Cristal yet, but the Paper Cranes have certainly made pretty good on their double M Award win last year for Best New Band and Next Big Thing. They put on a highly revered debut in the form of Halcyon Days (which also came close to winning Favourite Album this year), played a bunch of fun shows and even had a song featured in a Nissan commercial. With the recent release of a new single and forthcoming album, the Cranes’ flight to success continues.

Runners-up: Meatdraw, Acres of Lions

Favourite Jazz Artist or Group: Emily Braden

When Monday ran a feature about the local jazz scene back in November, relative newcomer Emily Braden was on our must-interview list. Why? On top of being amazingly busy both singing locally and recording in New York City during 2008, this promising vocalist has been making the ears of jazz fans perk up for some time now and has been quickly moving up the local performance ladder. As she noted to us in that article, Victoria has a “really strong community . . . and there’s not a whole lot of drama in the scene.” What there is, however, is a whole lot of talent—including the marvelous Ms. Braden.

Runners-up: Hugh Fraser, Miranda Sage

Favourite Roots/World/Blues Artist or Group: Shearwater Bluegrass Band 

Despite being a relatively new kid on the block (the trio formed in 2006 and has only released one album), Shearwater Bluegrass Band has obviously been catching the ears of folks and folkies alike. And it’s no wonder, with a lineup that includes Tammy Fassaert (who’s performed with the likes of John Reischman and Laurie Lewis), guitarist Dave Clarke (who’s toured with David Francey) and James Whittall on mando.

Runners-up: Bill Johnson, Gareth Owen

Most Promising Local Band or Artist: The Racoons

Like their real-life counterparts, local indie rockers the Racoons are getting into everything. CBC Radio 3 has already honed in on the Racoons energetic melody on a recent podcast and the Zone featured the quartet as their Band of the Month. With a strong EP under their belt and a stronger local following, the Racoons are the kind of creatures you want in your aural backyard.

Runners-up: Rugged Uncle, Growler

Favourite DJ or Electronic Artist: Kenzie Clarke

Considering she’s played everywhere from outdoor raves to downtown nightclubs, it’s not too surprising Kenzie Clarke has been voted Victoria’s favourite DJ. It’s just another credit to add to her already awesome 2008—in addition to a Canadian tour and gigs at Soundwave and Shambhala, Kenzie also won the So You Want to Be a DJ? contest at Lucky Bar, where she now hosts her N.Y.P.D. (Not Your Parents Disco) night every Thursday.

Runners-up: Greenlaw, Murge

Favourite Punk/Metal Group: Lesbian Fist Magnet

This is certainly meant as no slight against Lesbian Fist Magnet, but watching how people vote in the M Awards over the years, one has to wonder how many folks picked LFM based on their titillating name alone. Even if their name was otherwise, the punk cyclone led by screamer Ange Trash are staples of the local punk scene and will soon issue their debut album. 

Runners-up: Crown the Wolf, Horde of Anachron

Favourite Classical/New Music Ensemble: The Lafayette String Quartet

With the Victoria Symphony long a fixture in this category, it was going to take some pretty strong talent to bump them aside—so it’s absolutely no surprise the LSQ were the ones to do it. Now moving into their 23rd season, the LSQ—Ann Elliott-Goldschmid, Sharon Stanis, Joanna Hood and Pamela Highbaugh Aloni (all of whom are members in the also-nominated Galiano Ensemble, and have been artists-in-residence at UVic’s School of Music since 1991)—continued to wow local audiences in 2008, whether playing together or supporting so many other fine ensembles, orchestras and individuals.

Runners-up: Emily Carr String Quartet, Galiano Ensemble

Favourite Vocal Ensemble: The Balkan Babes

It was a busy 2008 for this choir of lovely ladies singing traditional a capella folk music from eastern Europe. Not only did they release their new album, Divna, in August, they also won the award for “Best Pan-cultural Traditions Choir” in the CBC Radio-Canada Choral 2008 competition. A staple at community events like Luminara—and hosts of great solstice parties—it’s no wonder we see them take home the M Award this year.

Runners-up: Victoria Philharmonic Choir, Victoria Soul Gospel Choir

Favourite Album of 2008: North America, Hank and Lily

Hank and Lily are more than just a band; they’re swampy sex-positive superheroes who put on live shows like no others. And the power of their gigs translates well to the recorded format, as evidenced on the sweeping North America, which not only features a handful of wonderfully weird songs, but comes with a comic book and songbook so you can play along. 

Runners-up: Halcyon Days, The Paper Cranes; A Trail of Missing Thoughts, The Gruff

PERFORMANCE

Favourite Actor: Celine Stubel

Celine is clearly no stranger to our M Awards list—she won this award in 2005 and was a runner-up in 2003 and 2006. This past year was a busy one for the actor: in addition to starring in two brand-new productions (My Chernobyl and Theatre SKAM’s My Three Sisters) she also performed in three remounts of Legoland (one here, one in Vancouver and one in Toronto) and still found time to make the occasional appearance at Atomic Vaudeville cabarets. Phew!

Runners-up: Brian Culp, Michael Shewchuk

Favourite New Play: My Chernobyl

This co-production between the Belfry (it was part of their 2008 festival) and the Gateway Theatre in Richmond was an explosively funny story about a young man travelling to Ukraine to dole out a family inheritance to a long-lost relative. A great mix of local and Vancouver talent (Britt Small directed and Celine Stubel and Jacob Richmond both had roles), this was a new show that will likely have a half-life for years to come.

Runners-up: My Three Sisters, Orbit

Favourite Overall Production: Madama Butterfly

By far the highlight of Pacific Opera Victoria’s 2008, this take on one of the world’s most beloved operas was astounding. From Sally Dibblee’s turn as Cio Cio San to Elli Bunton’s beautiful costumes and set (there was one point in the performance where the set design itself got applause) to the standout performance by the orchestra, Madama Butterfly is well-deserving of this award.

Runners-up: Brilliant!, Dark of the Moon

Favourite Director: Britt Small

While many may know Britt’s dynamic and highly physical direction from her work with Atomic Vaudeville, she’s also helmed Legoland, My Chernobyl and, most recently, Ride the Cyclone, the latest play by Jacob Richmond. Britt’s style of direction often incorporates elements of dance and rarely lets her performers sit still, making any show she directs engaging.

Runners-up: Clayton Jevne, Brian Richmond

Favourite Dance Performance: Cinderella

Talk about an audience favourite! By adapting the original fairy tale into a turn-of-the-century Victoria setting and broadening the content to include a number of other fairy-tale favourites, Ballet Victoria won over local crowds with this charmer of a Christmas presentation by artistic director Paul Destrooper.

Runners-up: Present/Tense 3, Talking Hands

Favourite Dancer or Choreographer: Treena Stubel

It’s a Stubel sister sweep of this year’s M Awards, what with Celine winning Favourite Actor, My Chernobyl nabbing Favourite New Play and My Three Sisters getting a nod—and now Treena takes home the Favourite Dancer or Choreographer award. Let’s call it a welcome-home present for the talented dancer and actor (one of the titular Three Sisters who also lent her choreography skills to Ride the Cyclone last month), who recently relocated to Victoria after spending two years studying dance and performance in London.

Runners-up: Constance Cooke, Leah Wickes

Favourite Performance Troupe: The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue

Victoria thought the Cheesecakes were so nice, they awarded them thrice! Not only did the lovely ladies of Cheesecake Burlesque win Favourite Performance Troupe, they also picked up the awards for Most Deserving of an M Award and Victoria’s Next Big Thing.  Between putting on saucy holiday performances, touring the island or representing at the Miss Exotic World pageant down in Las Vegas, 2008 was definitely the year of the cheesecake. Just keep those underboobs covered, ladies!

Runners-up: Bloody Betty and her Deadly Sins, The Impromaniacs

Favourite Comedy Performer: Kelly Hudson

Kelly Hudson is one of those people you can see and just start laughing. Not that she’s funny looking or anything, but you know that within a minute of her being on your visual radar, she’s bound to say or do something funny. As a key member of Atomic Vaudeville, one-half of Slut Revolver or doing her own thing, such as her Fringe show Seriousbucks, Hudson is more than deserving of this award.

Runners-up: Mike Delamont, Paul McKinnon

FILM & VISUAL ARTS

Favourite Local Filmmaker: Scott Amos

From creating music videos for local bands to screening his experimental shorts everywhere from Switzerland to MediaNet’s Edges Festival, Scott Amos and his Oilyfilms production company are a staple of Victoria’s short-film scene. This past year was a busy one for Amos, as he had one of his short films scored for the Victoria Symphony’s Reel Music screening, an installation at Open Space, new music videos for Hank and Lily and Meatdraw, lots of involvement with the Victoria Film Festival and managed to post (almost) a film a week for an entire year on his oilyfilms.com blog.

Runners-up: Ana de Lara, Michael Parfitt & Suzanne Chisholm

Favourite Screening Series: Movie Monday

Where else in town can you go and watch a thought-provoking film and then follow it up with some top-notch discussion, all for free? Now in their 16th year, Movie Monday is taking their fourth M Award back to their Eric Martin Pavillion headquarters—and they’re quickly moving into the “impossible to beat” category!

Runners-up: Film Noir, Guerilla Drive-In

Favourite Film Event:  Antimatter

After years of playing second fiddle to the Victoria Film Festival, Antimatter leaps into the spotlight for the win this year. For folks who want something a little more left of centre, Antimatter showcases the fascinating and just plain strange side of independent filmmaking from here and abroad. 

Runners-up: B-Fest, Reel to Reel

Favourite Artist: Kate Seymour

A longtime Xchanges member and manager of the artist co-op’s Crossgrain darkroom (one of the last in the city), Kate Seymour’s intriguing photographs have popped up as finalists and winners in Monday’s annual photo contest almost as long as it’s been around. Perhaps most recognizable would be her macro black-and-white work, which seems to capture an entire universe in a droplet of water—and the next time you pick up a box of Ilford photo paper, you might just see one of her photographs on the box.

Runners-up: Deryk Houston, Caleb Speller

Most Promising Artist: Caitlin Gallupe

If you’ve picked up a recent Immaculate Machine or Chet record, or a copy of the Abracadabra art book, then you’ve seen Caitlin Gallupe’s work. Known for her bright, cutout-style works in both 2D and 3D, Caitlin’s creations are both whimsical and engaging. And it seems like 2009 will be an even busier year for her, as she’s recently joined Immaculate Machine as their bass player.

Runners-up: Jackson 2bears, Brooke Semple-Haight

Favourite Art Show: Warhol: Larger Than Life

We can’t say this winner came as too much of a surprise to us. The Warhol: Larger than Life show was a huge blockbuster hit for the AGGV, causing them to hold the show over an extra week and bringing a record number of visitors to their Moss Street space. That, and it was a darned good retrospective of one of the most controversial and intriguing artists of the 20th century. Plus, a Warhol theme made for some good Urbanite and opening night parties.

Runners-up: Abracadabra; Lao Oi, Lao A

LITERATURE

Favourite Night of Words and Ideas: Bolen Books Reading Series

With a solid lock on the touring-author department and a proven commitment to local writers as well, Bolen Books’ often free reading series continues to be the choice of discerning readers of all types and genres—and continues to provide living proof that the age of print reading is not dead. They won this category last year and got it again now. Let’s hear it for book buffs!

Runners-up: Planet Earth Poetry, Tongues of Fire

Favourite Playwright: Janet Rothman & Howie Siegel

Before Play, Janet and Howie’s semi-autobiographical tale of their initial meeting in California in the ’60s and subsequent reconnection 40-odd years later, won the 2007 Canadian National Play Writing competition—and has also won the admiration of Monday readers. Will there be more playwriting down the road for the famed local restaurateur and his newfound sweetheart? Guess we’ll find out.

Runners-up: Jim Leard, Joan MacLeod

Favourite Poet: Lorna Crozier

Not that acclaimed poet and UVic writing prof Lorna Crozier needs more attention, but this Governor-General’s Award and Dorothy Livesay Prize winner has long been a favourite of local audiences for good reason. An M Award runner-up in 2003 and 2004, and a winner for Whetstone in 2006, it looks like there’ll be some celebrating in the Crozier home this year, considering her husband—fellow poet and author Patrick Lane—is picking up a win in the very next category!

Runners-up: Miles Lowry, Linda Rogers

Favourite Fiction Book: Red Dog, Red Dog, Patrick Lane

After a lengthy career as one of Canada’s most celebrated poets, Patrick Lane made his fictional debut in 2008—and what a debut it was. Red Dog, Red Dog is a terrifyingly beautiful account of life in the Okanagan in the 1950s. It is definitely a novel written by a poet—not a word is out of place and its imagery is striking, if not horrifying at times. It’s no surprise it was shortlisted for a Giller and the B.C. Book Prize’s Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize.

Runners-up: Flirt, Lorna Jackson; The Order of Good Cheer, Bill Gaston

Favourite Non-Fiction Book: Victoria Underfoot, Brenda Clark, Nicole Kilburn & Nick Russell

Mile Zero has a long history of secrets, complete with rumours of things going on beneath the surface. If you want to learn more about this hidden world we walk over every day, Victoria Underfoot is the ideal starting point, as you can learn about Victoria’s layered past from a variety of archaeologists, historians and history buffs. 

Runners-up: Fatal Tide, David Leach; Havens in a Hectic World, Star Weiss

COMMUNITY

Favourite Artsy Fundraiser: The Sinner’s Ball

Gosh, given the choice between a night in Heaven and an evening in Hell, which would you pick? The saucier—and savvier—among us would go for both, courtesty of this immensely popular annual fundraiser for the Belfry. While we’ve heard rumours that this might have been the final Sinner’s Ball, we’re still going to tune in next year to see if it happens again. After all, there just aren’t many places in town you can get away with wearing a latex nun’s habit . . . in public, that is.

Runners-up: Hops ‘n’ Scotch, Stars on Stage

Favourite Annual Event or Festival: Victoria Electronic Music Festival 

In the face of many shrinking (or disappearing) festivals and events in downtown Victoria, VEMF has managed to continue to grow and thrive over the past few years—while still being able to offer a large portion of their festival free of charge. What’s not to love about being able to listen to house music while sipping a tasty brew or watch toddlers bounce to electronic beats in the sunshine of Centennial Square?

Runners-up: Fringe Festival, Greek Fest

Most Welcome New Event or Festival: Rifflandia

Folks who opted to stick around Victoria this past Labour Day weekend were justly rewarded with the inaugural Rifflandia Festival. For three days at a bunch of downtown venues, music fans got to witness sets from Black Mountain, Final Fantasy, Tim Finn, the Beatnuts, Tanya Tagaq, the Walkmen and pretty much every good local band, while sipping on delicious Rifflandabrau. Look for a bigger and better Rifflandia later in September this year. 

Runners-up: Schoolhouse Rocks, Asmira’s Valentine Show with Heart

Hardest Working Person in Local Music: Paul O’Brien

Between keeping up weekly gigs at Irish Times, performing at big concerts like the City of Victoria’s Canada Day celebration and recording his critically acclaimed new full-length album, Plastic, with producer Joby Baker, Paul O’Brien truly is one of the hardest-working fellows in the local music scene. But the U.K.-born O’Brien is keeping even busier in 2009, having just returned from a tour of Ireland, England and Scotland.

Runners-up: Emily Braden, Lily Fawn

Hardest Working Person in Local Film: Bryan Skinner

Whether he’s working on his own films such as the burlesque mockumentary Tumbling After or filling myriad duties as the head of CineVic, Bryan Skinner certainly lives up to the hard working award. He won “Favourite Local Filmmaker” in 2006 and took this category in 2007, and he’s the go-to guy if you need help with all things film if you want to break into the local film biz.

Runners-up: Scott Amos, Bruce Saunders

Hardest Working Person in Local Art: Lisa Baldissera

The curator of contemporary art at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Lisa Baldissera was indeed one of the busiest people in the local art scene last year—after all, she was getting ready for Assume Nothing, the most ambitious contemporary-art exhibition the AGGV has ever presented. We’ve long held that the brilliant Baldissera has been one of the AGGV’s best aquisitions and this win only proves it.

Runners-up: Miles Lowry, Kirstin Wright

Hardest Working Person in Local Theatre: Clayton Jevne

The second win in a row for this category, Theatre Inconnu artistic director Clayton Jevne proved in 2008 why he more than deserves this award again. In addition to directing two of the year’s most engaging productions—Copenhagen and ’Night Mother—as well as helming the also M-winning Before Play, Jevne was preparing for one of his always-welcome turns on the stage as an actor in Inconnu’s recent (and dauntingly brilliant) staging of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? . . . to say nothing of his continued efforts to keep small theatre strong in Fernwood.

Runners-up: Mike Delamont, Britt Small

Hardest Working Person in Local Literature: Linda Rogers

Another unsurprising winner, given that Carla Funk, Victoria’s last poet laureate, captured this award last year. Linda has dived right into her new role as Mile Zero’s ambassador of verse, with lots of fresh ideas about everything from poetry exchanges between kids locally and abroad to more multi-disciplinary arts events. On top of her poet-laureate duties, Linda is releasing a new novel and still keeps up her monthly writing duties at Focus magazine.

Runners-up: Patrick Lane, Robert Wiersema

Hardest Working Person in Local Dance: Asmira

The truest testament to this award is the annual campaign by Asmira’s friends, dancers and supporters to help her take home at least one M Award, often culminating in landslide victories over her competition. On top of that, Asmira teaches a shimmy technique like no other through her dance school and hosts many dance performances throughout the year.

Runners-up: The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue, Treena Stubel

Person or Group Most Deserving of an M Award: The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue

For all the reasons listed above, they clearly deserve this one too.

Runners-up: Asmira, Atomic Vaudeville

Victoria’s Next Big Thing: The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue

Heavens above, it’s another Cheesecake win.

Runners-up: Emily Braden, Paul O’Brien

Biggest Big Winner: Atomic Vaudeville

We decided to have a bit of fun this year and pit some of our multiple M Award winners in this category and let them fight to the death. Despite literally hundreds of votes for each of the entrants, Atomic Vaudeville came out on top—which isn’t too surprising, given the cabaret comedy troupe’s cult-like following. Virtually every one of their shows sells out in advance these days, and with productions like Legoland and Ride the Cyclone under their belt, they are definitely a force to be reckoned with in Victoria’s theatre scene (and, for the record, their award wasn’t any bigger than anyone else’s). 

Runners-up: Moss Street Paint-In, Victoria Film Festival M