Black History Month Kicks-Off in Edmonton

Okay, I am going to be completely honest with you. I am a 29-year-old, black woman who has lived in Edmonton for most of her life. I am incredibly proud of my heritage and take black history month (BHM) very seriously. To me, it is an officially marked time frame where awareness around the rich history and heritage of blacks is centre stage. That being said, I have never taken the time to participate in a formal black history event in my home-city. I am not sure why. Perhaps I have never made the extra effort to seek out the date and time of the events, or maybe life gets in the way and I miss out on a scheduled gathering because of work, school, family, friends, etc. I suppose if I thought long enough I would have a lengthy list of excuses/reasons for my absences that are similar to anyone else with a life that inevitably has countless commitments.

 This year is different. Even though I, along with countless other black-Canadians, hold this time of year close to our hearts--regardless of our visibility--I have made a commitment to attend at least a few of the scheduled events for black history month in Alberta's capital. I will always defend the idea that the loudest and most visible don't always equate to the biggest supporters. A stoic and reserved cheerleader can often be equally as powerful. However, as someone who believes wholeheartedly in the arts, supporting locals and sharing our stories as a community, to not be physically present at the celebrations and witness the talent, support and pride that beams from the black community of this city would be a disservice to so many, too many.

 With that, I encourage all of my fellow wallflowers to break routine and get out to an event celebrating this amazing month. A complete list of events that will take place around the city throughout the month of February is at www.nbccedmonton.ca. Keep checking back for more BHM coverage on Dare to Glare.

Below are some of the performers that were featured at the 2013 Black History Month opening ceremonies that took place at West Edmonton Mall today.

-DTG

Be Bold, Not Boring

We would like to tip our hats to Russell Westbrook's fashion spread in the January 2013 issue of GQ Magazine. Westbrook is better known for his work in the NBA, but I wouldn't be surprised if he picked up a side-gig as a model after this four-page homage to "fresh prints". We love a man who is bold enough to step away from the mundane, solid-coloured dress shirt. An interesting graphic or vibrant print, done respectively, always catches your eye (in a good way). But, more importantly, this spring trend of  a nicely tailored short pant with a beautiful dress shoe or leather loafer and no socks, certainly has our stamp of approval.
Spread the word, boys: bare feet aren't just for sandals anymore. Give your tootsies some fresh air and show some bare ankles next season. If you sport it as well as Westbrook the ladies will notice, trust me.

-DTG

Les Misérables: Misery has never been so beautiful

The story behind the classic, Les Misérables is nothing new. Most of us are familiar with the story. We have either read the book, seen the musical, or simply been given a general rundown of the tale throughout the years. Our general fascination with Les Miz is what has made the hype behind the December 25 release of the film larger than life. Will Hugh Jackman live-up to his legacy as a quadruple-threat and nail the starring role?  Will Anne Hathaway's heavily publicized sacrifice of chopping her locks be worthwhile? And, how will movie-goers respond to a film with a script that is sung from start to finish (seriously, there are maybe 20 lines spoken and the rest are chanted in a melody). These are all questions cinephiles were anxious to have answered and had studio executives sweating out their collars.

All in all, Les Misérables may have had a few hiccups, but nothing capable of drowning out everything that went well with the film. Although there are quite a few colourful characters to keep up with, the story is rather simple. Set in 19th-century France, Les Misérables is a story that reminds us of the most basic components of humanity: strength, love, compassion, perseverance, family and survival.

Samantha Barks as Eponine

Jackman plays Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who vows to rebuild his life after he is graced with a new start from a compassionate stranger upon his release from prison. His path crosses with a young woman, Fantine (Hathaway), who is struggling to provide for her young daughter Cosette (Amanda Seyfried). Hathaway's screen time is limited; however, her scenes are weighty, thoughtful and I certainly give her praise for belting out some difficult songs. Much of the Oscar buzz is around Jackman and Hathaway--both are worthy contenders if they do receive nominations--but the true gem in this film is Samantha Barks who plays Eponine, one third of the familiar love triangle completed with the darling affair between the young revolutionist Marius (Eddie Redmayne) and Cosette. Barks is a newcomer to the big screen, but her background in theatre is evident when the 22-year-old holds your attention through her touching ballads. The storyline of a love triangle is far from new, but Barks has a specific ability to strip away the generic cliché and connect with the audiences' personal stories of love and loss.

Similar to any large film, Les Misérables has not escaped criticism. Many have been critical of the decision to cast actors who may not necessarily be the most talented singers. These comments are understood when the relentless Javert, played by Russell Crowe, is on screen. I may have caught myself wincing and shifting in my seat when Crowe belted out  his lyrics. But, for the most part the less-than-stellar vocals were sparse, and forgivable once it was clear that the meat of the characters is carried out through great acting.

Don't miss, Les Miz.

-DTG