Wavelength co-founder to stand down
The Wavelength Music concert series in Toronto is investigating allegations its co-founder created a hostile work environment.
The Wavelength Music board of directors has issued a statement about the situation involving Jonathan Bunce, who goes by the stage and pen name Jonny Dovercourt. The board says a former Wavelength Music employee recently alleged via social media that Bunce created a hostile work environment during their time with the organization.
It has asked Bunce to stand down as artistic director pending the outcome of an independent, third-party inquiry into the allegations.
Aaron Dawson will fulfill Bunce’s duties until further notice.
The organization plans to continue with its current show schedule, which includes the Camp Wavelength festival on Aug. 18 and 19.
Bunce is a musician and writer who co-founded Wavelength Music in 2000.
He has been the main programmer and organizer for the non-profit arts organization, which was founded as a grassroots, artist-run collective.
Wavelength produces about 20 events per year, including two annual festivals.
The Canadian Press
Actor dropped on the Fourth of July
James Woods, one of Hollywood’s most outspoken conservatives, says his agent dropped him as a client on the Fourth of July, citing patriotism.
Woods on Thursday shared on Twitter an email from his agent, Ken Kaplan. In the excerpted email, dated Wednesday, Kaplan said he was “feeling patriotic” and no longer wanted to represent Woods.
“It’s the 4th of July and I’m feeling patriotic,” Kaplan wrote in the posted email. “I don’t want to represent you anymore. I mean I could go on a rant but you know what I’d say.”
Woods is passionate supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump on social media. On Wednesday, his tweets included the allegation that immigration protesters were only Democrats seeking “illegal votes” and a reference to former president Barack Obama as a “stain” on America.
The Associated Press
Circus under fire for violent elephant
An animal-right’s group has called for a ban on wild animals at circuses in Germany, after an Indian elephant veered off its scripted performance and headbutted another elephant into a shocked audience.
The incident occurred when three elephants being ridden by circus performers were concluding their act Wednesday. PETA spokesperson Yvonne Wuerz said Thursday that wild animals cannot be properly cared for in a circus environment and should be banned.
One audience member suffered minor scrapes, but the circus says he stayed to see the end of the show.
The Associated Press
Walk of Fame looking to relocate
Canada’s Walk of Fame stars might be headed to a new, nearby galaxy.
CEO Jeffrey Latimer says the Walk of Fame is in talks with a Toronto councillor about including the stars in a revitalization plan for the downtown John St. strip. The area isn’t far from where the stars currently lie, in the entertainment district along King St. W.
But making the slabs part of a more pedestrian-friendly project could give them more prominence, Latimer says.
Having the stars in a “cultural corridor” might ensure they’re better maintained by the city, he added.
The Canadian Press
Vallée wants to keep HBO ties
Oscar-nominated Montreal director Jean-Marc Vallée never thought he’d work in television. Now, he adores it.
After helming HBO’s hit series Big Little Lies and the new southern gothic mystery Sharp Objects, he says he “absolutely” wants to continue working with the network.
“It’s all about people, and when you find your people, you just don’t want to change. That’s why I’m introducing to my American friends all my French-Canadian people that I’ve found and that I’ve been working with so many years now.”
Vallée was referring to the Montreal team he used on both Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects, an eight-episode series premiering Sunday on HBO Canada. Five-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams stars in Sharp Objects as Camille Preaker, an alcoholic reporter who returns to her Missouri hometown to write about the murder of a preteen girl and the disappearance of another. Patricia Clarkson plays Camille’s chillingly judgmental mother, with whom she clashes as she battles mentalhealth issues.
Like on Big Little Lies, Vallée insisted HBO allow him to edit the series and do post-production in his Quebec hometown with his local team. Montreal cinematographer Yves Bélanger, who got an Emmy nomination for his work on Big Little Lies, also lent his skills to Sharp Objects.
The Canadian Press