Category Archives: Personal ruminations & essays

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

Lenten Casualties

Posted on March 20, 2020 by barczablog

It’s the most perfect Lenten season I have ever seen. For those of you who aren’t deeply into the Christian calendar, Lent is a 40 day period before holy week, corresponding to Jesus’s own meditations in preparation for his Crucifixion, … Continue reading →

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James Rhodes & the Beethoven Revolution

Posted on March 6, 2020 by barczablog

Koerner Hall was jammed full tonight. Apparently everyone wants to hear James Rhodes play Beethoven. I’m late to the party, having no idea who this guy is, just intrigued by the interest I sense all around me, an electricity.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Leaning into the Unknowable @nationalballet

Posted on March 2, 2020 by barczablog

As I consider renewing my Canadian Opera Company subscription, it was worth having a look at the other company occupying the Four Seasons Centre. Watching the new program at the National Ballet of Canada was a great way to spend … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Truth in the Park

Posted on February 29, 2020 by barczablog

I saw A Nice Day in the Park, a new one-act play written, directed & starring Sky Gilbert, from Lunch-on-the-run productions presented at Chez BonBon. There’s another performance Saturday before they “take it on the road”, wherever that might be. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Traces of Raffaello: Marco Delogu Faces the Camera

Posted on February 28, 2020 by barczablog

The re-building of University of Toronto Schools gapes at me like an open wound as I walk up Huron St.  Today was my second visit to the show that’s at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura Gallery, at 496 Huron Street, just … Continue reading →

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#popstarplay life lessons

Posted on February 22, 2020 by barczablog

I heard a wonderful interview with Vivek Shraya on Q earlier today that gave me some  clues as to what I’d be seeing and hearing tonight in her one-woman autobiographical show How to Fail as a Popstar, aka #popstarplay in … Continue reading →

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AF and why

Posted on February 21, 2020 by barczablog

Huge preamble coming. If you want to skip to the review itself, look under the photo.I went to see AF and am daring to review it. I feel I need to say this after having read Yvette Nolan’s piece, responding … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Not #MeToo

Posted on February 14, 2020 by barczablog

I’m upset. It’s not that I’m having a bad day. I just keep hearing news that’s upsetting. Two very different women I knew, each an avatar of female strength, have passed away. I met each of them, knew them very … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, University life | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment