Category Archives: Politics

Mixie and the Halfbreeds

Posted on April 8, 2018 by barczablog

My visit to the eye doctor today reminds me that when all’s said and done I must look at the world through my own lens. I was at the theatre tonight to see Mixie and the Halfbreeds by Julie Tamiko … Continue reading →

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

Davies’ Ecstasy of Rita Joe

Posted on March 26, 2018 by barczablog

I’ve just seen Victor Davies’ adaptation of George Ryga’s 1967 play The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, a very faithful treatment of Ryga’s work, the world premiere production in Toronto. As a result we’re in a funny place culturally with this … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Politics, Reviews | 3 Comments

Scorched by Mouawad

Posted on March 8, 2018 by barczablog

Tonight I completed my Wajdi Mouawad trilogy.  Last month I saw his production of Abduction from the Seraglio at the Canadian Opera Company twice, last week I saw Denis Villeneuve’s film Incendies, adapted from the play that I saw tonight. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Politics, Reviews, University life | 2 Comments

Questions for Victor Davies: The Ecstasy of Rita Joe

Posted on March 7, 2018 by barczablog

Victor Davies is a Canadian composer whose work I have previously encountered in Toronto productions. His adaptation of Wilde’s comedy (in partnership with librettist Eugene Benson), called Earnest, The Importance of Being came to Toronto Operetta Theatre in 2015 (originally … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera, Politics, University life | 1 Comment

Incendies, Scorched & the Seraglio

Posted on February 28, 2018 by barczablog

I’ve just seen Denis Villeneuve’s Oscar nominated film adaptation of Wajdi Mouawad’s play Incendies. I’m looking forward to seeing a translation of the play presented here in Toronto next week, titled Scorched. I couldn’t miss the parallels to what we … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Politics, University life | 3 Comments

Churchill – Darkest Hour

Posted on February 26, 2018 by barczablog

2017 may be remembered as a year that two movies gave us detailed portraits of Winston Churchill. Darkest Hour is the one you’re probably aware of, starring Gary Oldman in an Oscar-nominated performance.  But I stumbled on another one with … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Politics, Reviews | Leave a comment

What Happened: deja vu

Posted on September 30, 2017 by barczablog

As I’ve been reading Hillary Clinton’s What Happened, her bestselling memoir, I experienced a curious and disturbing feeling. That I’d been here before. That I had felt these feelings not so long ago, concerning events here in Canada.  I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Politics | Leave a comment

Intense Bluffing in Scarborough

Posted on June 29, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight was a public hearing, a chance to see what the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority will do with the waterfront in Scarborough over the next few years, and an opportunity for the TRCA to get the feedback of community members, … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Sports | Leave a comment

The real prize, and never mind appropriation

Posted on May 16, 2017 by barczablog

While I knew what was coming, I was still stunned. When Matt Galloway asked Jesse Wente to address the question of cultural appropriation raised a few days ago by Hal Niedzviecki’s Write Magazine editorial, I knew what was coming. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Leave a comment

Dr Ryhana Dawood’s Martial Smarts: FIGHT LIKE A GIRL

Posted on April 24, 2017 by barczablog

The words on the poster caught my eye. “FIGHT LIKE A GIRL”, all in capitals. When I inquired further I discovered Martial Smarts and then its founder Dr Ryhana Dawood: a strong advocate for women’s health and female empowerment through self-defense. … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Politics, Psychology and perception, Spirituality & Religion, Sports, University life | Leave a comment