Paintings on Display

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We’ve got new lighting at Back Lane Studios, and we are transformed part-time into an art gallery. Drop by weekends until Sept. 24, to meet artist and gardening writer Sonia Day and to enjoy her new series of paintings — multimedia works of colourful chip trucks.  Sonia has short descriptions of where the chip purveyors are located and who they are. The bright trucks with off-beat, lively decorations are as individualistic as the owners, Sonia says.

If you’re looking for a place to exhibit your own works, come talk to us!  We have a generous, high-ceilinged space just off Roncesvalles. info@backlanestudios.ca.

Seniors, put your stories on video!

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Interested in learning how to record your memories on video?

If you’re a senior (55 or over), we’ll teach you how to do it for free.

Back Lane Studios has just received funding from Ottawa’s New Horizons for Seniors Program to support at least eight video-making courses at our studio and at participating seniors residences, community centres and churches.

We’re calling the program “SilverShorts.”

Each course will run for at least six two-hour sessions. Classes will involve from six to 12 participants to ensure personal attention. If you are an individual or an organization interested in our video-making program for seniors, please contact us at info@backlanestudios.ca or 647-313-1654.

Thanks Meridian for your help

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The Meridian Credit Union has made a generous donation to Back Lane. Since opening a branch at Howard Park and Roncesvalles, the company has shown its commitment to the neighbourhood, supporting many community initiatives. Special thanks to former branch manager Marrion Cherian.

Roncesvalles source of Downie’s shoes

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When the Tragically Hip performed their memorable concert in Kingston, Gord Downie wore a pair of ankle boots made by our local shoemaker Jeff Churchill of Jitterbug Boy. Jeff cut the lyrics from Ahead by a Century into the soles using a laser. Watch the film about Jeff, made by students of Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton School through our CityShorts program.

 

Back Lane Studio’s CityShorts program teaches kids filmmaking and stories of Roncesvalles Villages by: Lisa Rainford

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A Roncesvalles Village shoemaker who creates footwear for stage and screen; a retrospective of Sunnyside Beach and Amusement Park; and the notorious Alonzo Boyd Gang, whose criminal record boasts bank robberies, jail breaks and gun fights are just a few examples of the topics secondary school students delved into as part of the not-for-profit Back Lane Studios’ CityShorts program.

Read the full article.

West-end students take on three-minute documentary – Lisa Rainford “Inside Toronto”

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by Lisa Rainford.

For four years, Helen Costa, a Bishop Marrocco Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School student, has been taking the 504 streetcar, yet it wasn’t until recently that she discovered just how special some of its routes shops are.

As part of a filmmaking pilot project called CityShorts, presented by the not-for-profit Back Lane Studios, Costa was assigned the task of creating a three-minute documentary focusing on a particular aspect of Roncesvalles Village. Initially, Costa confessed, she wasn’t too thrilled about her topic: the Old Country Shop, a European gift shop on Roncesvalles Avenue.

Full article