TmALNEILProject
October 15 @ W e s t e r n F r o n t
October 21 @ Vancouver Public Library
November 10 @ Roundhouse Community Centre
November 25 @ Vancouver A r t Gallery

The grunt gallery's fourth LIVE Biennial of Performance Art is
presenting four evenings of interdisciplinary work by—and
inspired by—Vancouver innovator Al Neil, whose career as a
pianist, composer, writer, bricoleur, and performance artist has
spanned 6o years. Neil's influence on Vancouver's artistic
communities has been profound and is enduring: this project
honours him as both an innovator and seminal force in the
multidisciplinary practices that continue to flourish on the West
Coast.
LIVE 2005 will celebrate Al Neil's legacy in the community
with concerts, screenings, readings, and performances. The event
opens on October 15 at the Western Front with an eclectic tribute
to Neil's work. Kate Hammett-Vaughan will vocalize written texts
by Neil, accompanied by Ron Samworth guitar and Coat Cooke
saxophone. Visual artist Carol Itter will work with V] Krista Lomax
on visuals that feature Neil's assemblages, sculptures, and
collages. Also included will be a reading from Neil's work by
Michael Turner and a screening of archival footage collected by
The Al Neil Project.
The second event is a series of readings from the Downtown
Eastside entitled Under the Influence. Curated by Michael Turner,
the evening offers a glimpse into the perspectives of Vancouver
writers on alcohol and drug use, beginning with Malcom Lowry
and Al Neil. It takes place on October 21 at the Vancouver Public
Library.

On November 10, Coastal Jazz and Blues Society and the New
Orchestra Workshop Society will present a concert featuring the
ultimate Al Neil tribute band with legendary Vancouver
improvisers Gregg Simpson drums, Clyde Reed bass, and Paul
Plimley piano. The trio will be joined by sampling/electronics artist
Giorgio Magnanensi, performance poet Kederick James, and visuals
by Carol Itter and Krista Lomax.
The final installment of The Al Neil Project takes place on
November 25 at the Vancouver Art Gallery and focuses on Neil's
history in performance art. Lomax and Itter will use visuals and
imagery from Neil's oeuvre of performance art, accompanied by
electronic music by Ben Wilson.
The Al Neil Project is a collaboration of community
organizations: the grunt gallery, Coastal Jazz and Blues Society,
the New Orchestra Workshop Society, and the Belkin Gallery,
UBC. The Al Neil Project team is Glenn Alteen, Al Neil, Carol
Itter, Kate Hammett-Vaughan, Eric Metcalfe, Scott Watson, Keith
Wallace, Gregg Simpson, Coat Cooke, Ron Samworth, David
Rimmer, Jordan Strom, Julie Smith, Kristin Fung, and Michael
Turner.
Thanks to our sponsors: The Canada Council for the Arts,
Spirit of BC Arts Fund, ArtsNow, Vancouver Foundation, Western
Front, Vancouver Public Library, Roundhouse Community Centre,
Vancouver Art Gallery, The Belkin Gallery, Coastal Jazz and Blues
Society, New Orchestra Workshop Society, and grunt gallery.