The Ottawa Citizen from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • 67

ARTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1998 F3 THE OTTAWA CITIZEN MUSIC REVIEW Adams the apple of all eyes Copps pledges TV funds until 2001 Producers mounted tough campaign for fund renewal By Tony atherton AM. ft, 1 A I 1 w' I BY NORMAN PROVENCHER He may very well as his last studio album proclaims plan to be 18 'Til I Die, but there's little question that, while a lot of us weren't looking, Bryan Adams has become the senior statesman of Canadian rock 'n' roll. In a vain attempt to fend off letters, we'd like to stress this is not a diss. (We could have said, for example, the "old man" of Canadian rock 'n' roll but that, of course, would be April Wine). Two years almost to the month since he officially opened the then-Palladium, Bryan Adams returned to the Corel Centre Thursday night and turned out more than two hours of solid medium-strength rock and ballads that had the not-quite-sold-out arena politely asking for more.

Adams kicked off festivities in fine style, ripping into The Only Thing that Looks Good on Me (is You), his "anti-fashion" statement from his latest album. To make the point, about a dozen local models, sporting feather boas and micro-miniskirts, paraded back and forth in front of Adams and the band. Behind Adams and the band, a few dozen radio-station award winners were perched on risers for the show, providing an additional built-in cheering section (as if it were needed). From there, he didn't slow down, dropping his Stratocaster and picking up a blues harp for a rendition of Do To Ya, then moving quickly into '18 Til I Die, leaving the crowd to catch up as well as they could. They seemed to handle it all right.

From there, it was all hits all the time. Rockers like This Time were mixed with tearjerkers like Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman (featuring exquisite Spanish guitar finger-picking from longtime sideman Keith Scott). There were a few surprises. Irish piper Davey Spillane was brought on stage to provide spooky Uillean backing on I'm Ready and Fits Ya Good, while Adams and Scott showed off decent bluegrass chops for a reworked Think About You. Adams especially showed his statesman status through his audience interaction.

More than most players who've come to the cavernous Corel, Adams was able to draw the fans into the performance. Time after time, the hand-clapping and singalongs reached distinctly un-Ottawa volume, levels. One particular audience favourite came a little after midway through the show when Adams invited a bunch of fans onstage to take over the band's instruments for a runthrough of Summer of '69. Original vocalist "Ray" pretty much brutalized the tune until he was relegated to go-go dancer and re- v. If x- ih 1tMMi 1 in 'it nil T-flil Ml IW -'Miii'(iirtitailJ Atrn-" PHOTOS BY DAVE CHAN, THE OTTAWA CITIZEN Neither flu nor beginning-of-tour speed bumps could mar the professional polish of Bryan Adams.

A $ioo-million a year government contribution to Canadian TV programming will continue until the years 2001, heritage minister Sheila Copps announced yesterday. The announcement follows an intensive four-month campaign for the fund's renewal by Canadian TV producers and broadcasters who had said its loss would be disastrous for the Canadian television industry and indigenous programming. The program fund, accessible by Canadian producers of drama and entertainment programming commissioned by Canadian broadcasters, was to have run out this year. Copps originally announced the government's increased commitment to TV funding two-and-a-half years ago, to soften the blow of major cuts to the CBC. Half of the new money will continue to be earmarked for CBC programming.

"The news is absolutely fabulous," said Elizabeth McDonald, president of the Canadian Film and Television Producers Association. "The time of three years is just outstanding. Nobody expected that." The $ioo million is in addition to the government's contribution to TV programming though Telefilm Canada, currently about $50 million a year. Both pots of money, plus an amount contributed under CRTC regulations by cable companies and satellite delivery systems (currently $50 million annually) will continue to be administered under the Canada Television and Cable Production Fund (CTCPF), whose board of directors includes private and public sector representatives. The television industry has said that in its first full year of operation the CTCPF helped to generate more than 2,200 hours of Canadian programming, including Traders, Black Harbour and Wind at My Back.

If the government had reduced its commitment as originally planned, it would have threatened such productions, broadcasters have said. The directors of the funds are expected to issue new guidelines for its use sometime this month. Among the issues likely to be addressed by new guidelines is the concern that the fund may not be doing enough to encourage programs that are not only made in Canada by Canadians, but which also have distinctly Canadian themes. 1 1 1 3 placed by "George," who came through with a surprisingly decent couple of verses. (Kudos, too, to rhythm guitaristfan who handled his duties with aplomb.) Another measure of Adams' professionalism showed in how he dealt with the unavoidable beginning-of-tour flubs and speed bumps.

He complained during the show about having the flu, and hacked through a raspy-sounding cough between a couple of numbers. Nevertheless, he kept his composure and didn't miss any words. Simlarly, there were the occasional missed lighting cues; and the sound will probably be better by the time the show hits its stride. None of this held Adams back and, Heaven knows, it certainly didn't dampen the audience's appreciation. (Earlier in the evening, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson presented the former resident with the keys to the city.

A bashful Adams confessed he had no idea what to do with the honour but that he'd figure something out). fa Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson presents Adams with key to the city. 1 4 ACADEMY I I A A D' NOMINATED H1R 14 INCLUDING BEST PICTURE 6 BEST DIRECTOR TIWIO "WW NOMINATIONS ACADEMY AWARDS! 1 f. INCLUDING BEST PICTURE 237-6655 230 Queen Street 1980 Ogilvie Road 745-7995 PRISTS mm TITANIC 12:004:00 8:00 IPG) Not recommended lor children, frightening scenes WEDDING SINGER 12:30 2:45 5:00 7:15 9:30 fPGJ KUNDUN 1:00 3:45 7:00 9:45 (PG) Mature theme i as 828-8121 3090 Carllng Ave. TITANIC 1 2:00 1 2:45 4:00 4:45 8:00 8:45 (PG) Not recommended (or children, frightening scenes MR.

MAGOO Fri 12:10 2:15 Sat.Sun 4:15 (F) DESPERATE MEASURES 9:30 (AA) Not recommended lor children MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING Sat.Sun 1:30 (PG) DECEIVER Fri 4:15 7:15 Sat.Sun 7:15 (AA) BORROWERS 1 2:20 2:20 4:30 6:45 9:00 (F) SPHERE 12:30 3:457:00 9:50 (AA) Fnghtening scenes; not recommended lor children CHIlDREN' titanicmovie.com lVTOlir Of AVIMI CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORIES IUW LAl IiJjl FOR LOCATIONS AND SHOWTIMES A ACADEMY AWARD TITANIC 12:00 4:00 8:00 IPG) Not recommended for children, frightening scenes GOOD WILL HUNTING 4:20 7:109:50 (AA) Coarse language, mature theme MR. MAGOO 12:102:10 IF) SPICE WORLD 12:30 2:45 4:50 7:30 IPG) DESPERATE MEASURES 9:40 (AA) Not recommended for children MY 8EST FRIEND'S WEDDING Sat.Sun 1:30 (PG) REPLACEMENT KILLERS Fri 12:40 2:50 5:00 7:15 9:30 Sat.Sun 5:00 7:15 9:30 (AA) Brutal violence BORROWERS 12:20 2:30 4:40 6:50 9:00 (F) SPHERE 12:503:50 7:00 10:00 (AA) Frightening scenes; not recommended for children 568-1706 1100 Boul. MaloneyO. Clintons dumped as romantic couple of '98 NEW YORK Cancel that Valentine. The Romance Classics cable network was all set to choose U.S.

President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, as its most romantic couple of 1998 when, er, current events got in the way Instead, the network chose Tonight show host Jay Leno and his wife, Mavis. Leno, who has been pounding the president with one-liners about the Lewinsky scandal, met his wife 18 years ago after spotting her while onstage at a comedy club. "Unlike many Hollywood couples, they've avoided the pitfalls of celebrity romance," said the network's president, Kate McEnroe. REDUCED PRICES TUESDAY WEDNESDAY S5.00 WI1SJJER! PcstCincinatoaphy Best MusicScore NcwYortt Fltm Critics Clrftc Los Anptts Film Critics ffi Associnllon IS 50 Rideau Street 234-3712 REFUS DE TUER (F.V.) Fri 6:45 Sat.Sun 12:15 2:15 4:30 6:45 (IB) Violence MARIAGE DE MON MEILLEUR AMI Sal.Sun 1:30 (F) TITANIC Fri 8:00 8:45 Sat.Sun 12:00 4:00 8:00 8:45 (F) Not recommended lor young children SPHERE Fri 7:15 9:55 Sat.Sun 12:30 4:15 7:15 9:55 (F) Not recommended lor young children LA. CONFIDENTIAL Fn 7:00 9:45 Sat.Sun 3:45 7:00 9:45 (AA) Violence 1 ,5,, bis smwtaise TITANIC 12:00 4:00 8:00 (PG) Not recommended lor children, frightening scenes SPICE WORLD Fri 12:15 2:20 Sat.Sun 4:30 (PG) MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING Sat.Sun 1 :30 (PG) REPLACEMENT KILLERS Fn 4:30 7:20 9:30 Sat.Sun 7:20 9:30 (AA) Brutal violence SPHERE 12:303:30 7:00 10:00 (AA) Frightening scenes: not recommended lor children ikTriir fit 7iTri nT.r' I check theatre direc NOW PLAYLMCj! I CAPITOLSQ.

for showtimes CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORY Antique Show Feb. 13 to 15 I at the Nepean Sportsplex, 0 .4 170 Woodroi'fe Avenue Information: (613) 727-6641. v. t4M it 4 tA. W.

psvwJnB AUDITION THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL A drama by Morton Foote SUNDAY, FEB. 15, at 2 PM Directed bv Carol Levie NEEDED: 3 Women, 3 Men extras For more information call: 233-8948 mm 4M IN MtM rows' QRIIIINU ENQLIIH VERSION FHfNCH VIHSI0N si FAMOUS PI AYFRS i FAn40US PtAVF IIS 1 1 FAWljDS Pi.AYEHH- TAMOUS f'LAVFUS CINH'tlX OOF.ON CINt'PI EX CXltON i WpAU CENTREIIgLOUCESTER 5HbR1TTANIA 61LS PROMENADES ORLEANS GATINEAU 1 400 King Edward Ave. I HUlftim I FAMOUS PLAYERS ii CINcrLEX ODcUN NOW PLAYING! les promenades! I vanier CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORIES FOR SHOWTIMES 1 1 1 NOW PLAYING! nnfTAL sound i south keysTI fsTH aLTsI AM.