I am so grateful for readers who send me ideas for blogs and other publications. So thank you Ray Fletcher and Karen Pidcock who each in their own way and time directed me to The Salisbury Organist, Ben Maton. Ben Maton loves music, and sacred music in particular. He loves rural England and the west... Continue Reading →
Cónal Creedon is a critically acclaimed novelist, playwright and documentary filmmaker. Many readers will already be familiar with him. I was not, until a writer friend, Norma, shared with me a CBC Radio Ideas special event from McGill University in Montreal. Writing in USA Review Of Books, Kate Robinson describes Creedon’s work this way: “Creedon’s... Continue Reading →
“Something magical happens when Michael Kaeshammer sits at the piano. Sure, like all pianists, he plays 12 notes across 88 keys. But the musician and songwriter coaxes dazzling, kaleidoscopic sounds from his instrument in a way few can rival.” Thursday night’s performance at Oliver’s Frank Venables Theatre (no bad seat in the house BTW) showed... Continue Reading →
Growing up as a boy chorister at St. John the Divine in Victoria I remember well the hymns of Advent. “Come thou redeemer of the earth,” “Lo, He comes with clouds, descending,” “On Jordan’s bank the Baptist cry,” with many others. These well populate my musical memory in a wonderful way, though I must say... Continue Reading →
Blue skies smiling at meNothing but blue skies do I seeBlue birds singing a songNothing but blue skies from now on The invitation came right out of the blue. It was totally unexpected, even shocking. It was frankly, unwanted, and eventually refused. Who would have expected a request from such a person, on BlueSky Social... Continue Reading →
As I prepare incidental music for the Summerland Singers and Players next Christmas Production, A Christmas Carol, A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry I cannot resist the temptation to substitute Donald Trump for the infamous Ebeneezer Scrooge. I have presented my idea to both cast and director. They have yet to seriously respond to... Continue Reading →
So here it is; the final installment of our survey of 2024 US presidential election memes a day before election day, Nov 5, 2024. We offer here a small selection of final reflective thoughts prior to what is likely the most important election anywhere in the world at the present moment. Polls remain nail bitingly... Continue Reading →
More from Juno, your favourite dog-blogger Folks are testy right now, really tense, short-tempered, on edge, anxious at least, frantic at worst. Everywhere I look, strain creases almost every human face in conversations about people, places, and of course, politics. There are so many events and challenges before us as Canadians, Americans, and global citizens... Continue Reading →
One week to go, and the memes and media columns keep coming. There’s an edge on everything written, drawn or spoken in the last week before US election day, an edge as hard as the polls are close. I hear repeatedly, “how can people vote for Trump and his minions? Are they stupid, or mad,... Continue Reading →
I know, we’ll all gobsmackingly sick of the US presidential election. We definitely want the Harris/Walz ticket to win, but watching the cheating, disinformation, voter manipulation, and rubbish reaction of hardcore Republican Trumpian actors is so very tiring. Yet if we say nothing, or do nothing, then they win. Simple as that. And don’t think... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 