Category Archives: Popular music & culture

Louis Riel

Posted on May 17, 2014 by barczablog

When I was young there was a phrase used so often that it became a cliché, something to be joked about. What exactly was the “Canadian identity”, and –other than hockey or maple syrup –what was Canadian culture? As far … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Politics, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Media Circus 2: CBC

Posted on May 17, 2014 by barczablog

I am trying to be hopeful about the changes to the CBC. It’s been reported that over 600 jobs are being cut, that the network will reduce its sports department in the wake of the highly publicized loss of Hockey … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Politics, Popular music & culture | 3 Comments

Media circus 1: Star lover

Posted on May 2, 2014 by barczablog

While newspapers seem to be going under left & right, Toronto continues to be a multi-paper town.   Loyalties to a particular paper are funny things, or at least they look that way now.  However you slice it –changing media landscape, … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular music & culture | 1 Comment

JFK: Choose your conspiracy

Posted on November 22, 2013 by barczablog

November 22nd?  It’s Saint Cecilia’s Day, the patron saint of music.  It’s Benjamin Britten’s birthday, which this year means his centennial. Okay, those are all in the fine print.  Written on my psyche since childhood?  November 22nd 1963.  Every other … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Politics, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Reinventing the audience

Posted on November 5, 2013 by barczablog

No, I am not reinventing,  I am the anthropologist busily observing, and seeking to articulate something that’s out there among the specimens.  Humanity –at least the western version thereof—are busily changing the social consensus. Surely the changes have been underway … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, Psychology and perception | 2 Comments

Post

Posted on September 7, 2013 by barczablog

When i go to write a new piece here on the blog, i follow the tab to “new post”.  We were promised a paperless office, a paperless world long ago, but it never happened.  It’s funny to keep bumping into … Continue reading →

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

Full Circle: JT and The 20/20 Experience

Posted on May 10, 2013 by barczablog

I seem to have come full circle with Justin Timberlake.  An opera-loving friend of mine moaned that Justin Timberlake is among the “Time 100“, a list purporting to identify the 100 most influential people in the world.  I don’t think … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular music & culture, Reviews | Leave a comment

Always the Bridesmaid

Posted on May 23, 2011 by barczablog

I saw Bridesmaids tonight. If you watch Saturday Night Live you know Kristen Wiig. In passing, I’ll acknowledge that you might be one of those people who used to watch SNL.   Fine, you don’t want to admit that you watch … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Popular music & culture, Reviews | 1 Comment

In our closet, Freddie Mercury

Posted on November 25, 2010 by barczablog

Are Don Cherry and Ron McLean hard of hearing? When –on Hockey Night in Canada– McLean interviews Cherry in the segments known as “Coach’s Corner” the entire conversation is loud.  While they claim to be friends they seem to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Popular music & culture, Sports | Leave a comment