For this issue I emailed Tim Dawson who at the time was flying between Toronto and Houston, Texas to attend and perform at his daughter Julie’s recital. Thanks to the wonders of the laptop, Tim sent his answers from the plane. Tim, of course, is one of the driving forces behind Kingston Road United Church’s bustling concert schedule, as well as a busy bassist for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
1. What is your favourite place in the Beach? – “The boardwalk. There is no better place to walk the dog, stroll, muse and watch the world go by.”
2. Do you have a favourite piece of music? – “Whatever we are working on that week at the Toronto Symphony. This week it just happens to be one of my all time favourites, The Mother Goose Suite by Maurice Ravel. For all of your readers who are between 15 and 35 years old, they can sign up for Soundcheck on the TSO website (tso.ca). This allows them come to almost any TSO concert for just $14 (and bring a guest of any age). Best deal in town!”
3. What’s your favourite movie? – “Must be because of my Edmonton upbringing (cold that is) but Dr. Zhivago is a movie that made a lasting impression on me. When I was a kid movies were few and far between and ran for many weeks. It was alway a big deal to go to a movie.”
4. What are you reading? – “Galileo’s Daughter by Dava Sobel. Galileo was a great scientist who suffered persecution because he challenged the prevailing beliefs. Sound familiar? I just signed a petition about the muzzling of Canadian scientists.”
5. Do you mostly drive, walk, bike or take the TTC? – “All of the above. I love to ride my bike along the lakeshore bike path to our TSO rehearsals at Roy Thomson Hall downtown.”
Helen Billett is an artist and a digital media designer, and the featured artist for this year’s upcoming Beach Spring Studio Tour, May 3 to 5. See my interview with her in our Arts section, and visit beachstudiotour.ca for times and locations.
1. What is your favourite place in the Beach? – “The boardwalk. I have a painting called The Kiss-Me Rocks. It’s where my husband and I used to go when we were dating.”
2. Do you have a favourite piece of music? – “I like the music of Vampire Weekend, an indie band fron the US. Their music gets me moving.”
3. What is your favourite movie? – “I love old movies like the Sound of Music, or Guys and Dolls.”
4. What are you reading? – “I used to be such a big reader, but with kids… Lately I’ve been reading an ebook about the business of art. I’m looking forward to the chance to curl up with a good book again.”
5. Do you mostly drive, walk, bike or take the TTC? – “I walk a lot, that’s what we love about living here. If I need to go downtown, I take the car. We bought a hybrid!”
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Beach Metro Community News Supporter today! For 50 years, we have worked hard to be the eyes and ears in your community, inform you of upcoming events, and let you know what and who is making a difference. We cover the big stories as well as the little things that often matter the most. CLICK HERE to support your Beach Metro Community News!
