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A master cook and impresario
Happy memories of a summer job at a music store inspired Leila Getz.
ALEX KUNER SOCIAL COLUMNIST
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rowing up in Capetown, South Africa, I never learned to cook." These days, Leila Getz is not only acknowledged as a terrific cook, but, as founder and artistic director of the phenomenally successful 24-year-old Vancouver Recital Society and its equally successful 17-ycar-old summer series, the Vancouver Chamber Music Festival, Leila's recognized internationally as one of this town's top impresarios.
An abhorrence of South Africa's apartheid policies brought Leila to Vancouver in 1966. Memories, however, of a happy summer job (while attending the University of Capetown) at a classical music store, whose owner also ran a chamber music recital series, was one spark that set Leila on her impresario's adventure. The second, a serendipitous meeting (years later in England) with two young managers of emerging young artists.
These dual sparks led, in 1980, to the first VRS concert. Six years later, the summer festival began with an inaugural sold-out series. This year's festival kicks off July 23,8:30 p.m., with a free outdoor recital on the lawn of Cecil Green College at the University of British Columbia. Leila will not be cooking for this event. All VRS details, 604-602-0363.
★★★
Lotsa good comments about the Shiron Singers concert last month. If you missed this chai event, celebrating 18 years of music, its now available on CD, says director/conductor Elizabeth Wolak, at the Temple Sholom gift shop. For CD details on the Shiron Singers' Web site, visit shironsingers.tripod.com.
★★★
Locals Nassa and Arnold Selwyn recently toured the Grand Canyon. Spent U.S. dollars. Elaine and I also recently toured the canyon. Spent 20 bucks... Canadian! What's more, we never lefl our home town! Just took in a "larger-than-life" CN IMAX screening of Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets, an in-depth exploration, ya might say, of one of this world's most amazing natural wonders. Show runs imtil September. Call 604-682-4629. Should treat the Sel-wyns to dinner with our savings.
Leila Getz
Although Prague suffered little damage in the Second World War, an errant U.S. bomber, looking for Dresden, did destroy one riverside building. In its place... the Dancing Building or the Fred and Ginger Building. While touring the Czech capital dty, it's well worth having a look at this most unusual apartment building structure, a collaborative design by famous architects Canadian-bom Frank Gehry and Czechoslovakian Vladimir Milunic.
★★★ '
Now based in New York City, Vancouver-bom dancer/choreographer Lisa Stevens was in town last month to attend Vancouver theatre's annual Jessie Awards ceremony, where she picked up a Significant Artistic Achievement honor for her choreography in the recent Playhouse production of Fiddler on the Roof. Then it was off to several large U.S. cities to cast dancers- for a 2004 Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical, Bombay Dreams ... a tremendous hit in London's West End. Lisa continues casting next month in Toronto and Vancouver.
★★★
Self-made Israeli millionaire Zadik Bino is the son of Iraqi immigrants. Zadik began his working life as a clerk at the First Intemational Bank of Israel. In April, he became an owner of FIBI, the country's fifth largest bank.
And speaking of self-made millionaires ... Tearing Down the Walls is a biography of Citigroup CEO Sandy Weill, often called IQng of Wall Street." Time magazine says this new book by veteran Wall Street Journal reporter Monica Langley gives "a richly reported history of Wall Street and corporate America told through an oversize personality." Not bad for a once-undersize Sandy who came from humble beginnings in Brooklyn.
★★★
Canadian theatre entrepreneurs David and Ed Mirvish and producer Judy Craymer are among those credited with premi6ring the Broadway and international hit musical Mamma Mia in Vancouver. Based on the songs of ABBA, Mamma Mia has become "one of the most successful musicals of all time." Featuring an all-Canadian cast. Mamma's at the Queen E. July 22 to Aug. 10. Details, 604-280-4444.
★★★
Novelist Leon Uris, who died last month at 78, apparently wrote his own epitaph. Consists of four simple self-descriptive words... "American soldier, Jewish writer."
Also died last month, at 81, noted playwright and screenwriter George Axelrod. A few of his classics ... the Broadway '50s hit farce Tlic Seven Year Itch, also its film version. Then there are the screenplays for such Hollywood hits as Bus Stop and Breakfast at Tiffany's.
•kirk
West Virginia Shepherd College history Prof. Anders Hen-riksson's Non Campus Mentis is a book of bloopers made in exam papers by students. Examples: "Noah's ark came to its end near Mt. Arafat"; "Egyptian rulers were Faroes. One was King Toot"; "Hitler enforced his anti-semantic prejudices through Gespacho units." Funny book! Now how about one on professor bloopers. Prof. Henriksson?n
Alex Kliner has a varied background in theatre, education and community service.
A BITE
Everyone loves a bite at the beach or just oround the patio table. Wherever your noshing this summer bring Solly's along. We've got alot of fresh, light and very tasty summer treats!
New Potato Salad
Fresh Veggie and Bean Salads
Crunchy Coleslaw
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Chicken, Tuna & Eqa Salads
Fresh Fruit Salads
Sliced Meats & Cheeses
(D Strubs Dill Pickles
(more..
Eastside
604-872-1821
189 East 28th Avenue, Van
We Make Great Picnic fW^d.
Flavored Light Cream Cheeses
Westslde
604-738-2121 ^ I \
2873 West. Broadway, Van.
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