Sarah at the Rivoli - Review and Film News

Today marked the premiere of CitySonic's film of 'Sarah Slean at the Rivoli.' The free screening at a busy Dundas Square was mostly focused on Sarah and ironically didn't spend a great time on the Rivoli. She is interviewed around the Royal Conservatory and spoke about her time in school playing classical music. It spoke about her ambitions to play at the Rivoli as so many artists she admired played there and it was a place to learn how to play to a live crowd. There wasn't any mention to any of her past concerts dates there or bands she took in seeing there.

It was a well done interview and did come out quite beautifully. The music of California was played near the start and one of the most impressive visual scenes were animations of some of Sarah's paintings done to the music of Get Home. The art work came to life in a way that far different from the flash animation style used by Nelson Chan in the Tales of The Baroness, Day One and Mary.

If you missed it at TIFF, the film will likely see its way online by CitySonic in the near future. They have frequently been puting up episodes in this series to YouTube.

Earlier during the festival, The Translator was shown during the festival that features a cameo appearance by Sarah. The brief scene at the start of the film credits her as 'The French Speaking Girl". This film is currently available free to view at the Fim Festival site here.

Lastly, more exciting news is to follow regarding C. J. Wallis's film, Last Flowers. Stay tuned as a review and for a special announcement to littleslean readers.

Free Sarah Slean Documentary @ TIFF (Update)

For months I have been following City Sonic as they put together an episode where artists discuss an venue they have been intimately tied too.

The filmed piece directed by Rob Pilichowski that focuses on Sarah Slean and the Queen Street concert venue the Rivoli will be premiering as part of The Toronto International Film Festival. The Rivoli was one of the venues Sarah started her career at continued to play many memorable sold out shows there including her annual holiday shows. Her signed portrait photograph was the only one to hang above the stage bar for a number of years.

The film will be shown as one of the free showings at Dundas Square which this year at the festival will also include free musical concerts be Neil Young and Joan Baez.

The date and time of the showing have yet to be announced.

September 15th, 12pm Followed by Sweet Toronto - Update 2009-08-19

For those that can not make it to the free showing, City Sonic has been putting up the videos in high quality to YouTube and to one of my favourite music sites, Aux TV.

Photos by Sarah for Auction

As part of this years Vancouver DOXA Documentary Film Festival, Sarah will be having undeveloped photos she has taken put up for auction.

Running throughout the festival, there'll also be a celebrity camera auction. Up for bid will be undeveloped snapshots from the likes of CBC host George Stroumboulopoulos, director Denys Arcand, actors Kristin Kreuk and Jennifer Beals, music stars k-os, Sarah Slean, Jann Arden, Issa, Randy Bachman, Matthew Good, and Veda Hille, and more. Straight.com April 24 2009