BBC Symphony to premiere controversial Requiem for America Norman Lebrecht on SlippedDisk - February 12, 2026 The world premiere of Requiem for America will be given by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus on May 17 in London, followed by a US premiere in Boston, it was announced today. The work, by Brent Michael Davids,... Continue Reading →
Virginia Theological Seminary awarded the Dean’s Cross for Servant Leadership to comedian Stephen Colbert and his wife, film producer Evelyn McGee-Colbert, on Feb. 6 at General Theological Seminary in New York. Left to right: Evelyn McGee-Colbert, David Charlton, the Very Rev. Ian Markham and Stephen Colbert. Photo: Virginia Theological Seminary Episcopal News Service staff [Episcopal... Continue Reading →
Another story in the series Stories from Somewhere, by me, Ken Gray Case #1993-642 The blaring ghetto blaster is getting on Janet’s nerves. Joni Mitchell, whose music is a favourite around the police station, seems to be playing on an endless loop. Detachment Sergeant, Duncan Jaimeson, loves his 60s and 70s folk tunes – Joan... Continue Reading →
They pulled it off. For the last ten years, Kamloops residents Nancy Bepple, James Gordon, and Steve Gainey, formed and managed Kamloops outdoor Skating Association. Amidst other projects, their goal was to bring an outdoor skating rink to downtown Kamloops. They attended budget meetings; they hosted ball hockey tournaments; they fundraised to help pay for... Continue Reading →
By Bill McKibben — This article appears in the January/February 2026 issue of Sojourners Magazine — Subscribe A no sweat, no hills, planet-loving bicycle seems pretty heavenly to me. THERE ARE A few things that seem like magic to me. One is ice—when water freezes, suddenly you can glide across the surface of the earth.... Continue Reading →
Chapter ten in the series Stories from Somewhere, by me, Ken Gray “Mayday*Mayday*Mayday.” My shouted distress call must have looked silly. There I was, standing in a wobbly west coast dory, shouting into a bank of dense fog that had quickly appeared out of nowhere, covering us in our little skiff. Close to the shore... Continue Reading →
Keith Lacey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for the Penticton Herald [Keith Lacey] Several of the region’s most accomplished jazz musicians have once again teamed up to release a new recording featuring their favourite vocal jazz compositions. The Crawford/Crossley Group has been performing and recording together since 2015. At the heart of the ensemble’s work are... Continue Reading →
Another in a series of short personal fictional stories about a mystery church with a quirky minister in an unnamed community, though not in a galaxy far away. Enjoy. Between the covers A face stares up at me from a large bowl of Bouillabaisse, a French seafood stew — the version before me with a... Continue Reading →
On New Years Day I typically share W. H. Auden’s poem New Year Letter, a truly imaginative and insightful piece I commend to you once again. This year however, I want to share something different, a sort of what I got for Christmas this year kind of report. I have almost finished "Joyride: A Memoir"... Continue Reading →
It is indeed ages since I have read or heard this poem. A marvellous presentation by Louis Armstrong (Sachmo). Not sure of the piano accompanist but might have been Marian McPartland. Brilliant and sensitive playing. Other great seasonal links in the Youtube comments and description. Happy Christmas to all. https://youtu.be/cmt2TZWGoO8
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 