Author Archives: barczablog

10 Movies: a quiz

Posted on May 23, 2020 by barczablog

Social media can be a lot like real life. There we are, all alone, when someone tries to get our attention demanding some sort of response. It may involve some work, or some fun: or both. I’m recapping the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Wordless chorus

Posted on May 21, 2020 by barczablog

This subject seems apt right now. The voices in this music have no words, which is a perfect expression for a time when we don’t know what’s to come. Of course we never do, but it’s especially noticeable when we’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Essays, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Douglas Chambers – Stonyground

Posted on May 5, 2020 by barczablog

I heard today that Douglas Chambers passed away this past weekend, and that the cause of his passing was COVID-19. I sometimes make big long preambles when I’m avoiding something. I can’t deny this time that I’m avoiding several big … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Books & Literature, Essays, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Lepage’s Coriolanus: a video sandwich

Posted on May 1, 2020 by barczablog

There’s a particular magic to live theatre that you can almost glimpse in an online transmission, but it’s not really the same, not quite so magical. When I see Coriolanus get into a car onstage that seems to drive into … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Disappointing Planet of the Humans

Posted on April 29, 2020 by barczablog

I’m giggling as I begin writing this, because I know that for some people, credentials are everything. If I dare speak about an enviro-documentary where do I stand, where am I coming from? This is such a partisan world that … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

In the mail

Posted on April 28, 2020 by barczablog

I just received a mail package containing a recording from an artist. It was mailed April 7th, with a covering letter inside dated April 6th. It was coming from a city that is about an hour away on the QEW, … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular music & culture, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged | 2 Comments

Saturday not quite Live

Posted on April 26, 2020 by barczablog

SNL in the era of quarantine? It’s impossible in the usual way: The eager audience in Studio 8H of the Comcast Building (the one many of us know as the “RCA Building”) The cold opening The monologue The musical guests … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Popular music & culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gone With The Pandemic

Posted on April 10, 2020 by barczablog

Last night we watched the first half of Gone With the Wind. The film began at 10:00 pm taking us up to the intermission around 11:30 pm.   Whatever misgivings I have about the story it remains an amazing achievement. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, Psychology and perception | Tagged | Leave a comment

Time to Lift Up Your Heads

Posted on April 5, 2020 by barczablog

Come along with me as I muse about one of my favorite pieces of music, on a day when it seems especially apt. There are good years when we’re rolling along enjoying springtime pleasures. And there are years when it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Talking to Stacey about fearing fear: Choose Joy

Posted on March 28, 2020 by barczablog

When you have a toothache you go to the dentist. When you’re feeling troubled in spirit where do you go? At times in my life I’ve gone to a psychotherapist or to a church for solace. Live theatre & concerts … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Food, Health and Nutrition, Interviews, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments