Author Archives: barczablog

Angela Hewitt’s Keyboard Workout

Posted on November 19, 2017 by barczablog

That was quite a workout tonight, watching Angela Hewitt leading the orchestra while playing four different concerti on one concert programme with the Toronto Symphony at Roy Thomson Hall. She had a very busy evening, playing note-perfect as far as … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Blade Runner 2049 and the first film

Posted on November 18, 2017 by barczablog

I have a good memory. The first Blade Runner (1982 ) was not a big success, at least not at first.  I remember the review in the Toronto Star by Ron Base. He didn’t like it.  At one point (perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs | Leave a comment

Haus Musik: lavender love letter

Posted on November 17, 2017 by barczablog

I am always inclined to appreciate artists who choose the ambitious path. Tonight’s Haus Musik in The Great Hall directed by Jennifer Nichols aimed to make some challenging connections. This multi-disciplinary work (live music, a DJ, video, painting, poetry in … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Leave a comment

Tremendous Triptyque

Posted on November 16, 2017 by barczablog

We’re in the twilight of Matthew Jocelyn’s time at Canadian Stage, a near- decade of unprecedented multi-disciplinarity.  We’ve had dance, we’ve had opera, and yes, theatre that combines disciplines.  We’ve had several offerings from Crystal Pite, from Robert Lepage, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals | 2 Comments

Putnam County: nerds rule

Posted on November 12, 2017 by barczablog

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (PCSB) is not just a musical but also an irresistible evocation of youth, concealed erections and performance anxiety.  A spelling contest is the microcosm, and in this world the nerds rule: not unlike … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Leave a comment

Jennifer Nichols talks about Haus Musik Crossing / Traversée

Posted on November 11, 2017 by barczablog

I invited Jennifer Nichols to talk about Haus Musik. If I understand the concept Haus Musik aims to do what every classical music company seeks: re-packaging and re-inventing their content in new ways in the quest for that elusive younger … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews | Leave a comment

Sofia Coppola Retrospective at TIFF

Posted on November 10, 2017 by barczablog

Sofia Coppola: A Name of Her Own — Retrospective revisits the works of the American auteur following her recent Cannes Best Director win December 8 — December 17 TIFF Bell Lightbox   The Virgin Suicides (1999) The Beguiled (2017) Marie Antoinette (2006) “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

Questions for Madeleine Jullian: directing GASH

Posted on November 8, 2017 by barczablog

Madeleine Jullian has worked as an actor, writer, and director in Berlin, London, and Toronto.  She produced and directed Nick Dipchand’s solo show The Nature of a Bullet as part of the Toronto Fringe in 2013 and produced a double … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews | 1 Comment

Martin Geck: Beethoven’s Symphonies

Posted on November 8, 2017 by barczablog

Sometimes the release of books and records seems serendipitous.  If I look closer at the process I might start to feel cynical. I will cling to the positive magic implicit in serendipity, naive though it may seem.  For instance, here … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Vegan in Toronto

Posted on November 7, 2017 by barczablog

Where would you take a visitor to Toronto if you knew (s)he were vegan or vegetarian? I was in a rut for awhile, with two standard answers to that question, one in Kensington Market, one on Bloor St.  But now … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition | 6 Comments