Photo: Ed Sullivan and Coretta Scott King - Photo courtesy of SOFA Entertainment By Kevin Powell (from Facebook) Because he was such an icon, he was able to have Black artists on TV when they were often not welcomed nor wanted elsewhere. I cannot recall when I first heard the name Ed Sullivan, but it... Continue Reading →
A presentation at St. George the Martyr, Victoria BC -- Wednesday April 24, 2024 -- Kenneth Gray The late Fran Haberlin, co-director of the Sorrento Centre always began her presentations with: “Gee it’s great to be here,” and “where do we go from here?” Well it is great to be here and thanks for coming... Continue Reading →
It’s just a number, couched between 65 and 67, not one of the “big ones” where birthdays are concerned, not yet 70, but certainly no longer 50. Today is little different from yesterday, but today I turn 66. No song today like When I’m 64, but the music—and my life— goes on. Thankfully. The number... Continue Reading →
Statue of a paparazzo by sculptor Radko Mačuha in Bratislava, Slovakia Vermin; the bottom-feeders of journalism; the worst version of photographic artists. My initial thoughts about paparazzi—those independent photographers who take pictures of high-profile people; such as actors, musicians, athletes, politicians, and other celebrities, including royals—was poor to say the least. I had just watched... Continue Reading →
A guest blog by James Fofonoff I just returned home from the dress rehearsal of Summerland Singers and Players latest live theatre production: We are performing six shows of "It's A Wonderful Life"—a radio play. As the cast debriefed with Director, Linda Guebert. I shared some thoughts on the value of community theatre from my... Continue Reading →
The production by Summerland Singers and Players of “It’s a Wonderful Life—The Radio Play” continues well with three performances now under our belt. The cast, including the foley (a live sound effects technician) are sure-footed and able to cope with the inevitable variations we each insert into our performances. Live community theatre is a team-building... Continue Reading →
Juno is a celebrated blogger with an international following. She blogs on dogs (obviously), community, social justice, music, and politics. She lives with the MaPaw and PaPaw in Summerland. Now four years old, she is proud of her Labradoodle heritage and connections. Yes, I know, everyone in Summerland is looking forward to the Singers and... Continue Reading →
“My name is Ken.” “Hi Ken.” “I am a Blue Jays fan.” “Well that sucks.” It sure does, these days at least. According to Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star, “This (past week) was supposed to be a statement week for the Jays. Instead, it might be the week they gave the Rangers a second... Continue Reading →
Good friends, Greetings from the fire-ravaged BC interior, and the unceded land of the original people of the Okanagan, the Syilx. Some of you are part of the Johnson book project (now at the publisher copy-editing stage!); others are local St. Stephen’s Summerland leaders. Some are members of the Social and Ecological Justice working group... Continue Reading →
In the period drama series The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video) we are introduced to Midge Maisel—a fictional comic (whose story is loosely based on the life of Joan Rivers) who with her former husband, Joel, and her parents Rose and Abe Weissman, move through the tumultuous late 1950s and 60s New York entertainment world,... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 