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arts editorial Note From the Editor JL was somewhat overwhelmed by the response to the article on breast cancer and the arts in the last issue of Arts Alive. People e-mailed, called, faxed, wrote in and even walked into the office to say how much they appreciated the story. Some people had been directly affected by breast cancer, others not at all and others had experience with different forms of cancer. One reader wrote. "...I just finished reading your excellent article "The Art of S u n i\ ing" in the March/April issue of Arts Alive. I was brought to tears. While I have not lost a family member to breast cancer my father passed away due to cancer and other forms of cancer have claimed the lives of a number of my relatives on both sides o f the family. Both my wife (who survived a bout of cervical cancer and lost her mother to cancer) and I are very conscious of what a killer cancer is and we both lament the fact that breast cancer research does not receive the funding it deserves. Thank you for making this story the feature article in Arts Alive The arts is often the place where boundaries melt away and important information is communicated to large, diverse audiences. This month. Dancers For Life, a benefit for the charity Friends for Life, does just that by bringing together internationally acclaimed dancers in one performance (see story on page 14). The story on page 7 covers the use of art and music therapy as a means of helping people cope with personal loss and trauma. The phrase "We need the arts in our communities." may sound like a worn-out argument for the arts, but to argue the opposite is untenable. Gloria Loree Letter To the Editor I am flabbergasted by the attitude o f Miodrag Kojadinovic, (open letter to Honourable L l o y d A x w o n h y . in Arts Alive's "Space for Rant" section. M a r c h / A p r i l issue). I say to Kojadinovic. "How dare you be using politics, and a lifestyle you chose to live, as a weapon to manipulate this country in which you are about to apply for citizenship? Yes, Canada is the country of multiculturalism that includes everyone, even you. but "trust" and "respect" in this country is earned and not handed to you on demand. If you didn't receive a 'promised' travel grant, the reason may very well be an attitude you demonstrated. T h i s great country o f ours is a land o f opportunities for everyone, but also everyone has a responsibility. Y o u wrote ' U p o n immigration. I met with discrimination instead, and to my disillusionment...' What did you hope for? M i l k and honey flowing through the Fraser river? If that's what you came for indeed you have been disillusioned.... People in this country who work for a living are also taxpayers--they don't like anyone who exploits the system of this government. If you have been turned down, not receiving the 'travel grant' has nothing to do with 'discrimination due to the fact that you are a member o f an audible, if not visible, minority, an immigrant from a country whose inhabitants have been represented in the media as villains, gay or a writer unashamed o f erotic impulses.' Yes I do respect personal choice o f a life style, and I do love art in any form. However, everything has its price tag. If you eagerly wanted to represent Canada in 'the Best G a y Erotic 1996' then why didn't you purchase airline tickets out o f your own pocket and give a 'valuable contribution to Canadian society?' Yes Kojadinovic, I understand where you are coming from, because I am also coming from the same patch o f land called 'Yugoslavia.' I also am in a world o f art. I have learned through the years that you have got to earn trust and respect. Gender, sexual preferences, colour and creed have got nothing to d o with success or failure. Wake up, don't use your pen to gain a victory, use your brain." Victoria Hartman. Vancouver Cartoon draw by North Vancouver orust David Maclean for the March/April "Space for Rant" section. Arts Alive makes "Space for Rant"avai/aWe for people to express their views concerning arts issues. Send your submission to Arts Alive by fax: 984-3563, e-mail: aalive@wimsey.com or mail to 148 East 2nd St, North Vancouver. 6.C.V7L IC3. Arts Alive reserves the right to edit submissions for length and clarity. Next performance: / & T $ a \ Tapestry, running Our Lucky Winners! These people were the lucky winners o f tickets to the Arts Club's latest hit, Denis Anyone?, courtesy of Arts Alive and the Arts C l u b Theatre. Susan Jamieson-McLarnon, Vancouver; E . E . Pcelstreet, New Westminster; Marnie Hall, Vancouver; and Peter Arsenault, North Vancouver. These people were the winners o f tickets to the latest performance o f Pandora's Vox Vocal Ensemble: Bev Wiltshire, North Vancouver; John McKellar, North Vancouver; Emilia Vassiliou, North Vancouver; and A l Lynch, North Vancouver. Congratulations! Look through this issue for our next contest. _^gJ£|"flE through May & June. Tickets: 687-1644 Next shows: June 16 at West Vancouver United Church, 3 p.m. ' ' 3KA= Vox & June 22 at St. Andrew's Wesley, (time tbc) in Classified Vox (strictly classical). Tix: 922-2147.