Research into black Canadian music got a boost last week, noted the North York Mirror July 2. MP Judy Sgro (York West) presented a $20,000 grant from the federal government’s Canadian Heritage Multiculturalism program to York University’s Centre for the Study of Black Cultures in Canada. The funds will support the creation of an archive of research materials from Canada’s first academic conference on the subject held in May at York. The Mirror quoted Atkinson School of Liberal & Professional Studies Professor Leslie Sanders, coordinator of the centre, who said, “The conference was an important beginning to the work of filling in the pages of African-Canadian history and culture that have not yet been written.” Sanders is author of The Development of Black Theatre in America and a variety of essays on African American and African Canadian writers.
Tennis sisters Serena and Venus Williams to play at York
A CP Wire story July 1 reported that Americans Serena and Venus Williams will play in the Rogers AT&T Cup later this summer, marking the first time the two sisters have played in the same tennis tournament in Canada. They’ll play on the York Keele campus. The AT&T Cup takes place at the National Tennis Centre, which CP said will soon be replaced by the Rexall Centre, a $45-million venue. Completion is set for 2004.
Air Canada on the mend
Quoted in a Globe and Mail article July 1, Schulich School of Business economics professor Fred Lazar said that with labour deals in place, Air Canada is almost certain to emerge from bankruptcy protection. The new six-year contract brings 300 layoffs and saves the airline $257 million.