This week we're conducting a quick trip through some great Canadian arts and culture mags. The last time we did something like this we focussed more on the written word. Well, this time we'll be looking at fine art, architecture and design, film, short stories and even peek into the world of the Canadian business magazine. First stop, Canadian Art.

This mag is a must-have for serious art lovers and neophytes alike. The layout is incredibly user-friendly. When you open the publication you're greeted by Fastforward, a Plato to Nato of what's on at galleries across the country, and even taunted with some international artsy teases. That alone makes it worth the $6.95 cover price. Next up, there is some fascinating reportage on new books on art. After reading the reviews I've circled two texts to check out. The writing is muscular and well informed, but not laboured by lofty snobbery. I've always liked this about Canadian Art. When I saw that the featured item was written by University of Toronto film prof Bart Testa, I worried that maybe they might be slipping into the overly erudite, semiotic cesspool. But not to worry. Testa's article, "Michael Snow in Paris," is a well-argued look at how Snow may have peaked in the Canadian cultural consciousness, but in the European pantheon Snow is a righteous star.

The feature section is augmented with a look at the Museum Wars (thank you Frank Gehry/Bilbao for getting countries to compete for world class cultural institutions), a thoughtful look at how Ron Terada is using text with monochromatic colours, and an interesting panel discussion on contemporary Canadian photography.

All this and more in Canadian Art. Be sure to pick up the summer edition.

I Get a Kick Out of Cole
If you get a kick out of Cole Porter, you should be sure to check into Vancouver's Hotel Porter for a little song, a little dance and some 1930s seltzer down your pants. The play, set in a posh Manhattan nightclub, is driven by a somewhat flimsy romantic plot in the first half and a tribute to Cole in the second. Dean Reagan (the guy behind last year's Swing) wrote, directs and choreographed Hotel Porter. He dusts off 35 of Cole's best tunes and fills the stage with plenty high stepping, oodles of glamour and plenty of sophisticated ladies.

Hotel Porter
The Stanley Theatre
Until Sept. 2
Vancouver
(604)687-1644

Fine Tuning
If you couldn't make it to Halifax to see the Tall Ships, you'll have the chance for the next best thing tonight on CBC. Tall Ships 2000 features over 135 vessels, a peek at some of the world's remaining "Class A" Tall Ships, plus footage of the famous race. Highlights on CBC-TV 9 p.m.

Drop me a line.

Archives: We've got news and reviews in our previous Arts Alerts