Indigenous opera singer Emma Pennell wins $25K emerging artist award
Indigenous soprano Emma Pennell has won a $25,000 emerging artist award.
The 27-year-old opera singer will receive the RBC Emerging Artist Award during weekend celebrations for the 2025 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.
Pennell was chosen by a committee of artistic leaders at the National Arts Centre.
Daphne Burt, senior manager of artistic planning for the NAC Orchestra, nominated Pennell, describing them as a star on the rise.
Pennell says the award is a life-changing amount that would help cover the expensive costs of opera auditions, which often involve travel and stage attire.
Pennell will receive the award at a special event on June 14th, part of the weekend of celebrations for the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.
'Not many people who come from places that I come from have these opportunities and so I owe it to all the Indigenous people that I've met along the way,' said Pennell, who has Ktaqmkuk Mi'kmaq roots and is from the village of South River in rural Northern Ontario.
'Our voices, our art, our performances and our bodies belong on these stages just like everybody else. I actually have no idea how the National Arts Centre found me, but they did! It's just amazing.'
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025.
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Tom's Guide
7 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Prime Video is losing one of the best Tom Hiddleston movies you (probably) haven't watched — and it's a gripping sci-fi thriller
There are some movies you watch once and forget. And then there are movies like 'High-Rise' that cling to your brain like static, even if you're not entirely sure what you just watched. I stumbled across it on Prime Video a few months back, not expecting much beyond 'Tom Hiddleston flexing his impressive acting skills in a suit.' But what I got instead was something far stranger, darker, and weirder than I'd anticipated. The kind of movie where you sit there afterward, slightly disturbed, but also in awe. Directed by Ben Wheatley and based on the novel by J.G. Ballard, 'High-Rise' is one of those movies that's basically begging to be discovered, or rewatched with a better understanding of what the hell is going on. It didn't make a huge splash when it first came out in 2016, and honestly, I don't hear people bring it up often when talking about Hiddleston's work. But they should. Unfortunately, Prime Video is removing 'High-Rise' from its streaming library on June 28, which means you only have a short window left to watch this gripping sci-fi thriller before it disappears. If you're into stylishly unhinged movies with striking visuals, big performances, and just the right amount of chaos, 'High-Rise' is one you don't want to miss. 'High-Rise' follows Dr. Robert Laing (Tom Hiddleston), a reserved and well-mannered man who moves into a luxurious high-rise tower on the outskirts of London. The building is a marvel of modern architecture, offering its residents everything they could possibly need: a supermarket, gym, swimming pool, and even a school, eliminating the need to ever leave. Laing quickly settles into his sleek new apartment and begins to meet his neighbors, including the charismatic documentarian Richard Wilder (Luke Evans) and the building's mysterious architect, Anthony Royal (Jeremy Irons), who lives in the penthouse. At first, the building feels like a self-contained paradise, but tensions soon begin to surface between floors. Small inconveniences like power outages, elevator malfunctions, and disputes over amenities start to expose fractures in the social dynamic. As time passes, these irritations escalate into open conflict, with residents dividing themselves by floor and growing increasingly tribal. The building begins to descend into chaos: parties turn violent, hallways become battlegrounds, and order completely unravels. To be honest, the first twenty minutes of 'High-Rise' left me a bit confused, and I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy it. But once the story started to come together, it turned into a mind-bending thrill ride that both fascinated me and had me scanning for the building's emergency exits, since it felt surprisingly claustrophobic (which is kind of the whole point). Starting off with a bizarre barbecue scene and moving into an unsettling medical lesson, this movie is definitely not for those easily shaken (or dog lovers). It's a beautifully crafted descent into chaos. Inside the cold, concrete walls of a towering high-rise, the movie unfolds like a social experiment brought to life, showing what happens when people are cut off from the outside world. It explores how the mind unravels when trapped and how quickly ethics fall apart when social classes are pushed to their breaking point. The building is home to a mix of upper-middle-class residents like filmmakers and orthodontists, along with wealthier elites such as celebrities and socialites. They're separated by which floor they live on and even their parking spots. These two groups don't really want to mingle, but at first, they're not exactly enemies either. After all, no matter how high or low their apartment is, everyone's supposed to have access to the same amenities. During a casual visit, Royal tells Laing that the building is 'settling,' so occasional power cuts and water outages are to be expected. That sounds reasonable at first, until it becomes clear that these problems mostly hit the lower floors, not the higher ones. This is, of course, where things start to fall apart. The whole concept of 'High-Rise' is genuinely interesting, and once things start to spiral, it's hard to look away. When the madness does take over, the movie becomes even more of a visual treat, while the Kubrick-like camera movement and carefully framed shots make everything feel deliberately unsettling. Filmed mostly in Bangor, Northern Ireland, you can't help but admire the overall look of this movie. Hiddleston is the perfect anchor for 'High-Rise,' given his calm energy that somehow makes his character feel completely at home in all the chaos. And it's a shame that this movie is probably one of his most overlooked roles. In fact, this movie is overlooked in the thriller genre, period. If you're into unusual stories and great visuals, 'High-Rise' might pull you in. It's a strange one, for sure, but its unique style and odd details could really grow on you, and I certainly found myself more intrigued the deeper I got into the story (even if it's a little confusing with no real narrative drive). Over on Rotten Tomatoes, it has a critics rating of 60%, with audiences giving it a very low score of 38% (a little harsh, in my opinion). The site's critics consensus reads: 'High-Rise may not quite live up to its classic source material, but it still offers an energetic, well-acted, and thought-provoking take on its timely socioeconomic themes.' This is a statement I can agree with. 'High-Rise' is in no means an excellent movie, given its narrative flaws, but it's still a good one. And it's worth streaming on Prime Video before it leaves on June 28. If you're not convinced, you can see what got added to the streamer this month.
Geek Girl Authority
a day ago
- Geek Girl Authority
RESIDENT ALIEN Recap: (S04E03) Ties That Bind
Resident Alien Season 4 Episode 3, 'Ties That Bind,' sees Harry and D'arcy travel back in time to retrieve a special device. It's also McCallister's swan song — I assume. The outing wraps up McCallister's overarching narrative and gives her closure. It's a touching meditation on nurturing and healing your inner child. Beyond that, Kate remembers D'arcy being on the Greys' Moon base, Heather kills the Mantid (RIP) and Harry learns he has more kids. (Time to work more hours at the clinic.) It's a solid episode, although Mike's change of heart regarding aliens will take time to get used to. RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Resident Alien episode, 'The Lonely Man' Resident Alien, 'Ties That Bind' We open in a time long past, with an Indigenous woman telling her daughter about the Star People. The girl marvels at a painted handprint on the rock wall. Kayla (Sarah Podemski) provides narration. She reads to Daisy, Ben and Kate's baby, from a comic book titled Sky . The handprint from the rock wall in the past is emblazoned across the painting behind Kayla. Next, Dale (Linden Porco) returns to help Harry (Alan Tudyk) open a time travel portal. Well, he came at D'arcy's (Alice Wetterlund) behest, not Harry's. Dale carries a torch for the Red Menace. He's not moving as quickly as Harry would like. Our resident alien plans to travel back to the '70s to retrieve the alien tech that General McCallister (Linda Hamilton) found at the end of last week's episode. Harry hopes to trade it with the Greys for his alien energy. Asta's Appendage D'arcy wants to accompany Harry and Asta (Sara Tomko) on this time travel excursion, but Asta puts her foot down. That is, until Harry selects D'arcy to join him over Asta. D'arcy isn't afraid to die, and Harry can hide behind her if things get too scary. RELATED: TV Review: Resident Alien Season 4 Meanwhile, Sahar (Gracelyn Awad Rinke) presents her (presumably patent pending) Manticide Spray to the Alien Tracker Club. Max (Judah Prehn) arrives fashionably late. He isn't a fan of Sahar, who's technically the secretary, starting the meeting without him, the president. Oh, and she told the group about the Mantid. Max tries to rally the crew to take down the Mantid with him; however, they all like their heads. Better to keep them than allow the Mantid to munch on them for lunch. At the same time, Judy (Jenna Lamia) is being interviewed for a news segment after a headless man (courtesy of the Mantid) was discovered at her motel. D'arcy watches Judy while counting out change in The 59. Asta tries to persuade D'arcy not to go with Harry through the time travel portal. However, D'arcy's made up her mind. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Funeral Song Later, Harry and D'arcy arrive in the '70s. Unfortunately, they're dressed a little too period-accurate, so they change clothes. They find their way to the beach, where Harry retraces the night McCallister's father spotted the alien ship. He at least has an idea of where the alien tech landed. During all this, he serenades D'arcy with an homage to a fallen comrade. It's a series of squeals and screeches. Well, it's quite pretty if you know the language. RELATED: 10 Out-of-This-World Predictions for Resident Alien Season 4 While on the beach, our duo runs into McCallister, who's chatting with her father. Howard (Michael Adamthwaite). McCallister excuses herself, telling her dad, who doesn't know he's talking to his adult daughter from the future, that she's gonna catch up with her friends. Harry demands that McCallister give him the alien tech. She refuses, claiming it's for her father. She heads out for her shift at the Lobster Shack. Harry observes as she conceals the alien tech in her purse. Meanwhile, in the present, Kate (Meredith Garretson) informs Ben (Levi Fiehler) that she had her tracking chip — courtesy of the Greys — removed. Now that they know their daughter is on Earth, she's okay with relinquishing the chip. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: (l-r) Meredith Garretson as Kate Hawthorne, Levi Fiehler as Mayor Ben Hawthorne — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) I Believe in Aliens Ben insists they bring Liv (Elizabeth Bowen) into the fold. He knows she believes in aliens. Kate doesn't like this idea. After all, Liv will pass this on to Mike (Corey Reynolds), who unequivocally doesn't believe in aliens. Just kidding — he does! Mike shares his theory with Liv that Joseph is behind all the headless bodies. Liv is ecstatic. Her boss is finally Team Alien. Don't make a big deal out of it, though, deputy. RELATED: All Is Not Well in Patience in Resident Alien Season 4 Trailer Later, Kayla sits with Daisy while listening to Kate's voicemail. She notices how Daisy reacts to Kate's voice. Then, she shows the baby girl a photo of Kate. Daisy squeals with glee. Hmm. Kayla visits Asta at the clinic. She demands to know if Daisy is Ben and Kate's baby. After Kayla stares into Asta's soul, Asta discloses the truth — all of it. She cracks under the pressure. Tomko is so funny in this scene. Kayla's now up to date on all the alien weirdness. She even clocks Harry as an alien. To be fair, if anyone would be an extraterrestrial, it would be Harry Vanderspeigle. Kayla and Asta share a lovely family moment. It warms the cold cockles of my blackened heart. Lobsters and Diarrhea Next, in the '70s, Harry and D'arcy decide to eat at the Lobster Shack during McCallister's shift. D'arcy is taken aback by how inexpensive everything is. A lobster dinner for three bucks? Sign me up. D'arcy heads to the bathroom to pee out of her butt. However, this is merely a cover to search for the alien tech among McCallister's belongings. RELATED: New TV Shows This Week (June 15 – 21) McCallister sits with Harry. She explains that she wants to give the tech to her dad as proof that aliens are real. In one hour, government agents will speak with her father about what he saw. They'll denigrate his testimony and make him feel small. With the tech, this gives him enough ammo to prove he's telling the truth. Harry offers to kill the agents instead, but McCallister insists they'll simply send more. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: Linda Hamilton as General Eleanor McCallister — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Then, McCallister leaves to help a customer. D'arcy returns to the table, revealing that the employees' bags are mostly full of cigarettes. The pair decides to check out McCallister's vehicle. D'arcy distracts Harry, though, so she can do it herself. You snooze, you lose. Shiny In the present, Lena (Nicola Correia-Damude) introduces Jules Gardner (Jewel Staite) to the group at the sheriff's office. Hey, we've got a mini Firefly reunion. Shiny. Here's hoping Staite shares a scene with Tudyk at some point. Jules attended school with Liv and Ben. Lena brought her into the fold because this headless bodies mystery is broaching serial killer territory. It's all hands on deck. RELATED: The Premise and How Star Trek Fans Created Fanfic as We Know It Meanwhile, at the comic book store, Sahar learns that Bridget is scared of cartoon vampires. Fair enough. Max watches them from afar, an idea brewing in his noggin. In the 1970s, an officer catches D'arcy trying to pry open McCallister's car. She flirts her way out of trouble, even laying on thick the vernacular of the time period for good measure. Oh, and her name is Meredith Grey. Did D'arcy just introduce Grey's Anatomy 35 years before its debut? Anyway, she finds Harry sitting in the driver's seat, the alien tech in hand. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: (l-r) Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson, Nicola Correia-Damude as Detective Lena Torres, Jewel Staite as Jules Gardner — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Then, Sahar notices Bridget is missing from her bag. Uh-oh. Elsewhere, Mike hosts a defense class at the sheriff's office. Ben chats with Liv as the townsfolk demonstrate their physical prowess. He tries to subtly ask Liv about the investigation into Joseph. He inadvertently hints at aliens abducting Kate. Triggers Suddenly, Kate recalls a memory from her time on the Greys' Moon base. It triggers her. She starts punching the pad in Mike's hands. Realizing she's been triggered, Ben pulls her into an embrace. Kate tearfully tells Ben she's starting to remember. Liv observes this interaction from afar. RELATED: Read our SurrealEstate recaps Sahar tracks Asta down at the clinic, informing her that Max stole Bridget in a bid to take out the Mantid for good. They frantically head toward the woods. Meanwhile, Harry and D'arcy are about to enter the portal to return to their time. Harry realizes he's holding a rock, not the alien tech. McCallister tricked them. Speaking of, McCallister sits with her dad after his meeting with the agents. He's discouraged. She reassures him of her unwavering belief in him. In fact, she saw the ship, too. Then, McCallister shows her father the alien tech. He's incredulous. How is this related to the ship? He tries to explain it away as something more reasonable. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: (l-r) Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson, Elizabeth Bowen as Deputy Liv Baker — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Take Care of Yourself Later, Mike witnesses the Mantid go to town on a poor deer in the woods while Liv squats behind a tree to urinate. After he leaves, Mike explains what he saw to Liv, who clocks the creature as a Mantid. She's envious. Why is everyone seeing aliens but her? RELATED: Revival : Check Out 9 First-Look Photos From Melanie Scrofano-Led Series Harry and D'arcy run into McCallister near her dad's lighthouse. She admits she failed. Now, her father's going to die regardless. She decides to stay in the 1970s because her younger self will need someone to take care of her. D'arcy advises McCallister to give her younger self the chance to step up to the plate. Perhaps little McCallister can make her father feel better. McCallister gives Harry the alien tech. Side note: Hamilton delivers a beautiful performance here. After D'arcy and Harry head back to the time travel portal, McCallister chats with her younger self, remarking that A Wrinkle in Time was her favorite book as a kid. Well, considering this book was released around 10ish years prior, I'm surprised little McCallister didn't question this. I Saw It, Too Anyway, McCallister tells her younger self that she, too, saw the alien ship. And she knows little McCallister bore witness to its passing as well. There are photos to prove it. She urges her baby self to reassure her father — tell him that she saw it all. That encouragement will help him immensely. Little McCallister corroborates her dad's story. They embrace. RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Asta Twelvetrees Later, in the present, the Mantid (voiced by Clancy Brown) picks up Max and threatens him. Thankfully, before our favorite alien tracker becomes headless, Heather (Edi Patterson), in her Blue Avian form, attacks the Mantid. Sahar and Asta stumble upon the scene, watching in disgust as Heather tears the Mantid to shreds. At the portal, D'arcy confronts Harry about something she learned from McCallister — that Harry knows the Greys will destroy his homeworld. That's what they'll do when he gives them the alien tech in exchange for his alien energy. And Harry seems perfectly fine with eradicating his race. He would be the only one left. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: Alice Wetterlund as D'Arcy Bloom — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Forgiveness and Secret Kids So, with D'arcy watching, Harry tosses the alien tech into the ocean. He's going to find another way to retrieve what was taken from him. At the diner, McCallister's words ring in D'arcy's ears. McCallister is trying to heal her inner child and forgive her younger self for her mistakes. D'arcy could stand to forgive herself, too. Instead, D'arcy pours alcohol into her coffee and takes a sip. RELATED: Read our Resident Alien recaps Kate and Ben head into said diner. Kate experiences a flashback from the Greys' Moon base. She realizes D'arcy was there. Uh-oh. Kate storms out. Meanwhile, Harry tries to reckon with being human, which includes his lactose intolerance. Heather winds up on his doorstep with a host of babies in a basket. As it turns out, Harry is a daddy … again. Resident Alien drops new episodes every Friday at 11 pm ET on Syfy and USA Network. Syfy Renews THE ARK for Season 3 Contact: [email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium. Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Where to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent
People across Windsor-Essex can enjoy free access to Museum Windsor and Art Windsor-Essex on Saturday so they can take in exhibits by Indigenous artists and about Indigenous history. The initiatives are part of a series of activities marking National Indigenous Peoples Day across Canada. The annual celebration of the traditions, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people was originally proclaimed as National Aboriginal Day in 1996 by then-Governor General Roméo LeBlanc, according to a history posted on the government of Canada website. In 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the event would be renamed National Indigenous Peoples Day. Here's some of what's taking place in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day 2025. Free admission to Art Windsor-Essex Part of its National Indigenous People's Day Festival, running June 19 to 21 Visitors can check out exhibits by Indigenous artists, including the new exhibit Ndishnikaaz | Nugwa'am | My name is by artist Mary Anne Barkhouse. The exhibit invites viewers to reflect on history and on the future in light of the demise of the Hudson's Bay Company. Free admission to Museum Windsor Visitors can explore the museum's new Original Peoples Culture and Legacy Gallery and new temporary exhibition, The Witness Blanket, developed by the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. The Witness Blanket was created by master carver Carey Newman to recognize the atrocities of the residential school era, honour the children and symbolize ongoing reconciliation. Inspired by a woven blanket, the cedar-framed replica artwork features hundreds of items from residential schools, survivors, churches, governments and other cultural sites across Canada. Windsor Indigenous Solidarity Day Presented by the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre June 21, noon to 3:30 p.m. at Mic Mac Park on Prince Road Includes lunch, entertainment and games for kids. Organizers are asking people to bring a refillable plastic water bottle to reduce plastic waste Events taking place on Friday, June 20 Sunrise Celebration and Networking Breakfast Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the Deshkan Ziibi Indigenous Hub in Chatham Local Indigenous vendor sales Every Monday and Friday in June, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Chatham Kent Health Alliance School programs at Art Windsor-Essex Part of its National Indigenous Peoples Day Festival, June 19 to 21 Youth from across Windsor-Essex will visit the gallery to create a habitat inspired by the works of Mary Anne Barkhouse and enjoy a dance performance by hoop dancer Melissa Greenbird. They will also discover works by Indigenous artists featured in SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS and a new exhibition featuring the works of Mary Anne Barkhouse. Bkejwanong Summer Solstice Celebration Friday, June 20, all day at High Banks Park, Walpole Island First Nation Includes a barbeque, music and pontoon rides.
