Hey there,

You are welcome to join me in attending this film at the VIFF Theatre in Vancouver (Saturday March 25.) The film begins at 3:30pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Let’s aim to meet up around 3:15. 

Following the film, we can enjoy dinner together. I’ll make a reservation after I know how many will be in our party. And if you’re available, and still feeling energetic, you can stick around for a second VIFF film after dinner. Check out the other film event I’ve posted and rsvp if you’re able. 

Hope to see you soon!

Here’s the VIFF review: 

“Chess is about grinding down your opponent’s ego,” claims the SS captain interrogating Josef Bartok (Oliver Masucci) the night Vienna is taken over by the Nazis. Bartok, a Jew and a notary public who holds the codes to a treasure trove of private bank accounts in his head is not a chess player, but he’s arrogant, or competitive, or principled enough not to give the German what he wants, and is condemned to indefinite solitary confinement until he should change his mind. 

Days give way to… months? Bartok loses track and gradually his sanity. Then fate throws him a lifeline, a single book…. a book of chess games…

Freely adapted from Stefan Zweig’s novella, and dominated by Oliver Musucci’s multifaceted performance, Philipp Stölzl’s gripping movie is a compelling psychological study of torture, defiance and the kind of mind games no one can hope to control.

“Chess Story masterfully confounds expectations as a tautly calibrated, intricately constructed Chinese puzzle of a period drama set during Nazi Germany’s annexation of Austria. Masucci, who appears in every scene, potently conveys a multitude of unspoken emotions with his remarkably expressive face…. He’s never less than riveting….”
~Michael Rechtshaffen, Los Angeles Times

“A diabolically knotted psychological thriller… Thanks to an outstanding performance by Mr. Masucci, who recalls Mads Mikkelsen’s haunted intensity; an elegant turn by Mr. Schuch as his genteel torturer; and charged direction by Mr. Stölzl, who parsimoniously hands out each clue, the film remains breathless throughout.”
~Kyle Smith, The Wall Street Journal

“Stölzl craftily melds the genres of period drama and psychological thriller, not for the purposes of reheated nostalgia, but to shed a cold light on the recursions of historical trauma.”
~William Repass, Slant Magazine

Viewing the film “Chess Story” at the VIFF Theatre followed by dinner together at a local restaurant 

Hey Everyone,

You are welcome to join me in attending this film at the VIFF Theatre in Vancouver (Saturday March 28). The film begins at 7:45pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Let’s aim to meet up around 7:30pm. 

Here’s the VIFF summary: 

In the late nineteenth century, a Danish Lutheran priest is dispatched to a far corner of Iceland where a devout farmer has seen fit to build a church. The journey is arduous but spectacular, more so (on both counts) because Lucas insists on lugging around his camera across the inhospitable terrain. This first half of the film evokes the epic colonial odysseys of Herzog, Scorsese, and Lucrecia Martel…

 In the second half, our missionary is forced to contend not with the forbidding landscapes, but a crippling crisis of faith, his attraction to the farmer’s daughter, and the darkly suspicious locals.

Director Hlynur Pálmason (Winter Brothers; A White, White Day) was himself born in Iceland but moved the opposite direction, to Denmark. He has crafted a stark, bitterly funny, visually arresting fable.

“Arrestingly beautiful and philosophically imposing… A voyage of visual splendor, as terrifying as it is breathtaking.”
~Carlos Aguilar, Indiewire

“One secret of this extraordinary film, and of its power to exhilarate: the shock of emotional vigor, arising from the continual rub of physical texture and effort.”
~Anthony Lane, New Yorker

Hope to see you there!

Viewing the film “Godland” at the VIFF Theatre followed by conversation at a local establishment 

Here are the videos and discussion questions for this hangout:
https://buddytree.org/topic/the-power-of-humor

!!!Extra bonus questions!!!

Do you appreciate the humor of other countries/cultures?
Is humor from the past simpler or cruder than modern humor, in your opinion?
Is there any type of humor/joke that you don't find amusing or appropriate at any time?

Please remember to watch at least a few videos before you arrive since we’ll be discussing them when we begin.

Once the hangout begins, everyone will introduce each other and then take turns asking the provided questions in order to keep the discussion on topic.

Hangouts typically last 90 minutes, and once the hangout is over you will have the opportunity to add people to your buddytree to organize private hangouts and develop friendships.

As always, these hangouts provide the opportunity for a thoughtful, respectful and engaging discussion in a safe space where disrespectful behaviour is not tolerated.

The Power of Humor

Sit back and drift away into deep peace among an oasis of beautiful sound and art. Spa day for the spirit.

Theda Phoenix is a multi-instrumentalist and singer who will perform a nourishing sound and song bath. Before/after, view Joanne's artwork or check out many other artists in the same building. Come for the music. Stay for the art! First Saturday is a monthly open art studios day with over 100 artists across the Lower Mainland. 

https://bit.ly/ProbynArt_ThedaTix

THEDA PHOENIX
Theda Phoenix is a sacred sound channel, intuitive singer, sound-healer, songwriter and recording artist. Her powerful voice, shamanic sounds and soul inspiring lyrics touch people deeply, restoring well-being while creating space for transformation. She teaches and has been leading meditation experiences since 2007 using a variety of instruments such as intuitive vocals, crystal singing bowls, buffalo drum, harp and guitar. She creates music for meditation, yoga, wellness retreats and conferences with international speakers such as Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. Joe Dispenza.

JOANNE PROBYN
Joanne is a painter, hand embroiderer and fledgling musician. She's a cancer survivor who explored many healing modalities during her wellness journey including sound baths. Joanne explores themes of growth, time and unity. Joanne taught therapeutic art for several years. Her creative pursuits have been published widely including an art book by Jen Tough Gallery. Career heights including awards such as North Van Arts Excellence in Painting. Her work has been featured in numerous solo and group shows, locally and internationally. Her work was recently curated by New Mexico gallery into an Artsy exhibition. Joanne is a First Saturday steering committee member who hopes to support musicians, First Saturday and Eastside Atelier through concerts.

TICKETS
$25.00. Recommended. Theda's concerts often sell out and are priced $40.00 to 70.00. We are very lucky! Same-day seating, if available, is pay-what-you-can or a suggested donation of $25.00. Buddytree RSVP is a meeting plan and does not guarantee a seat. https://bit.ly/ProbynArt_ThedaTix

2pm
Doors 1:40pm. Arrive early.

SOUND BATH BASICS
Seated. Focus may be less on watching the musician and more on deep listening and feeling, if desired. No meditation experience required. Bring an open mind. Some people may feel relaxed afterwards while others may feel rejuvenated. Some may experience emotions, sleepiness or pleasant, trance-like states. Each experience is unique and what you need.

DO: 
- Bring a cozy, lightweight blanket (optional) or items that promote relaxation, such as slippers 
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Bring a mug if you'd like some herbal tea (optional)
- Bring a very small, perhaps improvised, foot stool such as two yoga blocks (optional)

PROVIDED
- Eye masks (optional, while quantities last) enhancing inward focus and listening
- Herbal tea
- Granola bars
- Limited mugs

LEARN MORE
www.bit.ly/ProbynArt_Theda

Theda Phoenix Sound Bath & Open Art Studios


Here are the videos and discussion questions for this hangout:
https://buddytree.org/topic/borders-nations

Please remember to watch at least a few videos before you arrive since we’ll be discussing them when we begin.

Once the hangout begins, everyone will introduce each other and then take turns asking the provided questions in order to keep the discussion on topic.

Hangouts typically last 90 minutes, and once the hangout is over you will have the opportunity to add people to your buddytree to organize private hangouts and develop friendships.

As always, these hangouts provide the opportunity for a thoughtful, respectful and engaging discussion in a safe space where disrespectful behaviour is not tolerated.

Borders & Nations

Here are the videos and discussion questions for this hangout:
https://buddytree.org/topic/meaning-purpose-passion

Please remember to watch at least a few videos before you arrive since we’ll be discussing them when we begin.

Once the hangout begins, everyone will introduce each other and then take turns asking the provided questions in order to keep the discussion on topic.

Hangouts typically last 90 minutes, and once the hangout is over you will have the opportunity to add people to your buddytree to organize private hangouts and develop friendships.

As always, these hangouts provide the opportunity for a thoughtful, respectful and engaging discussion in a safe space where disrespectful behaviour is not tolerated.

Meaning, Purpose & Passion

The plan would be to get a few music lovers together to attend the Aretha: A Tribute show with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on the 28th of April. 

The VSO website for the show is here:
https://www.vancouversymphony.ca/event/aretha-a-tribute/

I'm planning this way ahead to permit time to confirm attendance and collect funds so that I may purchase a group of tickets.  Estimated ticket cost will not be more than $80 per seat, which is the current actual cost of lower balcony seating. Payment will need to be made to me by INTERAC transfer by April 1st to reserve a seat with the group. (I'll be purchasing the group tickets on April 2nd.) If you decide to join us after that point, I'll post the seat locations once acquired to make it easier for you to sit near the group if you so desire.

Coffee before or after the show is a possibility as well, based on group consensus.

Look forward to seeing you there!

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