Category Archives: Reviews

Ai Weiwei According to What?

Posted on August 15, 2013 by barczablog

Shortly after entering “According to What,” Ai Weiwei’s exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario, I experienced a magic moment, in my encounter with  “Tea House”, a deceptively simple installation by the artist. Here’s what this piece usually looks like.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Reviews | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Political Beethoven: time for truth

Posted on August 13, 2013 by barczablog

Do modern times sometimes upset you? seeking to escape? It’s a nerdy question naturally.  If you’re alive, you’re in modern times, no matter how preoccupied you allow yourself to become, lost in a video-game, biography, opera DVD, soap opera… (you … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Whose dream?

Posted on August 5, 2013 by barczablog

We’re in the summer of Wagner’s Bicentennial.  Frank Castorf’s new Ring cycle has opened at Bayreuth, which led to the inevitable boos from the audience. Inevitable?  Two of the greatest Bayreuth productions of the past few decades were booed at … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

What a concert is supposed to do

Posted on August 2, 2013 by barczablog

Too much fun in church means that at least one person will guiltily look over their shoulder. The church was Koerner Hall, and the fun was The Minimalist Dream House Project from Toronto Summer Music, Katia and Marielle Labèque plus … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Exoticism –The Music of Karol Szymanowski

Posted on July 31, 2013 by barczablog

Earlier this summer I let someone pick the play I saw, observing how it’s valuable to let someone else choose what one will see and/or hear.  We circumscribe ourselves with our menu choices, our viewing habits, our purchases, boxing ourselves … Continue reading →

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The End, Mr Trotsky

Posted on July 28, 2013 by barczablog

I went to see This is the End, a very funny movie about the end of the world.  It’s full of famous actors I know and love: Seth Rogen, of Funny People, Superbad and Knocked Up James Franco, of the … Continue reading →

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Ai Weiwei Never Sorry

Posted on July 26, 2013 by barczablog

How apt that I begin writing about this film with an apology. I went looking for Ai Weiwei Never Sorry when I heard of this film, that had been shown at TIFF.  I sought an introduction to the artist, because … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Cinema, video & DVDs, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Misanthrope

Posted on July 19, 2013 by barczablog

One of the great joys of classical theatre is to be able to revisit works that one knows: or thinks that one knows.  A good play always has something new to show you. Case in point tonight, seeing the opening … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Stop Kiss

Posted on July 9, 2013 by barczablog

Let your friends suggest what to go see.  You’ll end up in places you might never have found otherwise. Led by my friend, tonight I went to see Stop Kiss, Diana Son’s play at the 2013 Toronto Fringe Festival, directed … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Love is a Poverty You Can Sell 2

Posted on July 5, 2013 by barczablog

Think the title’s long? that’s not even the full title.  It’s Love is a Poverty You Can Sell 2: Kisses for a Pfennig, the latest production from Soup Can Theatre.  When I saw it I figured yes this is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | 4 Comments