Category Archives: Politics

Mary Trump’s Too Much and Never Enough

Posted on July 29, 2020 by

I read Mary Trump’s book yesterday. I couldn’t put it down, and no that’s not just a figure of speech. I confess it did take me past midnight, reading 200+ pages, skipping nothing, re-reading a few key passages. We bought … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Psychology and perception | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The view from here: perspectives on careers in music & the arts from Margarete von Vaight

Posted on June 17, 2020 by

An interview with Margarete von Vaight Careers in the arts were always a risky proposition.  Right now as companies push the pause button on their seasons there’s extra cause for concern.  Can those organizations come back? And what happens to … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera, Politics, Popular music & culture, University life | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

“If you build it they will come” revisited, or Field of Dreams in 2020

Posted on June 3, 2020 by

I was looking for an uplifting bit of escapism. Field of Dreams is a film that I’ve always loved. It still moved me when I saw it this weekend but now in a totally new way. One of the small … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Popular music & culture, Spirituality & Religion, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Musical Gentrification

Posted on May 25, 2020 by

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got lots of time to think, to ponder questions old & new. One of my oldest questions is the conundrum of popularity in music. It’s a complicated phenomenon, and I’m not saying I … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Essays, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lepage’s Coriolanus: a video sandwich

Posted on May 1, 2020 by

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

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

Saturday not quite Live

Posted on April 26, 2020 by

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

Not #MeToo

Posted on February 14, 2020 by

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

TBA

Posted on February 7, 2020 by

On Monday February 10th the Canadian Opera Company will tell us what they’re producing next season aka  their “Season Reveal” aka #2021COC.  It’s a celebratory moment, and can feel a bit like Christmas morning as we unpack the goodies, for those of … Continue reading →

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Joker reminds me of….

Posted on February 4, 2020 by

Resonance is a function of history, right? You’ll pick up allusions and associations depending on what you usually see. So of course it’s no wonder Todd Phillips’ 2019 film Joker reminds me of Wozzeck as someone who’s more likely to … Continue reading →

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