Before working at kitestring, I went to school for theatre. Now I find the balance of work and play by participating in community theatre groups such as Black Box Fire. I’ve recently cowritten and directed a show, with my friend Jessica Perkins, for BBF called Death of a Rollercoaster.

Death of a Rollercoaster is a comedic (we hope!) ensemble piece about the last day of a wooden roller coaster, The Great Canadian Grizzly. Set in 1988 at Beaver Tail Island Amusement Park, the show follows Gus, the parks longest standing employee and roller coaster operator/repair man, as he struggles to let go of his favourite ride in the park. Along the way, he meets bizzaro riders and other park employees who are forced to reflect on what the ride means to them. To some, it is a mere heap of wood and steel. To others, it is much more. Through the characters, the play explores the infinite possibilities of a product’s use value.

Working with Black Box Fire has brought many groups and ideas together that may have not flourished in other theatre groups. Jessica and I have a theatre philosophy based on the foundation of community and collaboration. BBF has allowed for this philosophy to grow as so many unexpected people have stepped forward to help us out. It never ceases to amaze me how the Hamilton theatre community will simply volunteer their time and thoughts to make a small idea into something so much more. This is what makes Hamilton and community theatre so special – groups in Hamilton, such as BBF, bring people together and enable ideas to happen just for the heck of it! So if you decide to see our production for any reason, let that reason simply be to join us in a celebration of community, friends and effortlessly belonging.

Death of a Rollercoaster opens a week today! It runs on July 7, 8 and 9 at 8pm each night and 2pm on the Saturday at Hamilton Theatre Inc. (140 MacNab St. N). It’s a part of a special Original Works Double Bill Night with Enter Alice! For more information please visit the Black Box Fire website!

Poster by Justin Nusca

So, you wanna save the planet do ya? And, while you’re at it save your favourite oceanic creature, the rainforest and then the rest of humanity? Well, first things first. Get the word save out of your Earthy vocabulary. Saving can come after we do one important thing, and that is adapting. Now, before I fill you in on some ways to adapt (which you’ll have in the coming weeks), I wanted to share with you one of the easiest things you can do if you’re needin’ an instant gratification fixin’. So what’s the answer? Donating of course! It has never been easier to help an organization – whether it’s an international one with a big following or a small grass-roots one down the street. When I say donating I’m not saying to give away a big lump of cash per say. There are other ways you can help an organization like, being a representative at an event, donating your skills to aid a specific project, attend monthly meetings and share your ideas or become a member of an organization and help them grow. Don’t get overwhelmed here, set yourself some do-able goals. Donating to an organization that aligns with your personal values just feels good. To give you an example, this year my friends received an adoption of a Canadian animal species from WWF-Canada and a protected woodland plot from Ontario Nature’s Trees in Trust program. Last month, I ditched the act of giving a material, meaningless gift and instead chose to support charities and invest in the future of our planet on behalf of a recipient. The best part was that it was all done online!

Here are some of my personal favourites:
http://www.fsccanada.org/default.htm – Making sure that trees are harvested responsibily
http://www.treesontario.ca/ – Planting 10 million trees a year across Ontario year by 2015
http://www.ontarionature.org/ – Protecting Ontario’s wild species and spaces through conservation, education and public engagement
http://www.350.org/en – Raising awareness and educating the world about climate change
http://www.environmenthamilton.org/ – Providing Hamiltonians skills needed to protect our green spaces
http://www.peta.org/ – Educating the world about the safe, responsible treatment of animals
http://www.niagaraescarpment.org/ – Protecting Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment
http://greenventure.ca/ – Community-based workshops to lead to a sustainable lifestyle
http://rbg.ca/ – Promoting public understanding of the relationship between plants and us
http://wwf.ca/ – Conserving Canada’s wild spaces and Canadian species

In between all of the glass shattering, car stomping, fire lighting and other animal behaviours found in Toronto’s core this weekend there was one collaborative group that used their brains before their fists. WWF (World Wild Life Fund) Canada, Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec and Équiterre put their noggins together to raise awareness (it’s amazing that we still need to do this) about climate change. Their idea? Think BIG…and a bit chilly. These three organizations worked with British artist Mark Coreth, Duncan and Jamie Hamilton from London, England, and Inuit brothers Peter Boy and Juanasie Jack from Puvirnituq to bring a giant polar bear life from a 10 tonne block of ice. As the polar bear melted in the warm temperature, Toronto citizens were encouraged to touch the polar bear and share an experience, but with every touch from a warm hand the polar bear would melt away a little faster. 1,729,458 individuals signed up on an online petition asking the G8/G20 leaders to provide a whopping chunk of money to help out less developed countries adapt to life in a changing climate, up the investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. This petition was presented to our Prime Minister this week. What an eye-opening concept! The best part? No one had to lose an eye!

Chris Farias – kitestring creative marketing + design
www.kitestring.ca