There’s a little-known occupational hazard of working in an arts-delivery organization. By the time I design the programming arc, create the communications strategy and deliver on the event, the well sometimes runs a bit dry when it’s my turn to go out and simply be the audience member.
With this in mind, I give you my cultural moments of 2018. This list is not exhaustive or overly impressive – but it dips into the cultural touchstones that left a mark on me this past year. The first half of the year was also taken up with completing an M.A. in Professional Communication – reflected particularly in the non-reported books section. Oh, I was reading, but not the kind of fiction that usually jollies me along in my down time. Work and school took its toll, but here’s what I squeezed in worth a mention these 12 months.
Movies: Won’t You Be My Neighbor (Netflix) brought adults in the circle of brilliance that was Mr. Rogers. His gentle genius and respect for children was a gift to us all. I loved The Rider for a fictionalized story of Indigenous rodeo rider Brady Blackburn and his recovery from an acquired brain injury. Beautifully shot. Spoiler alert: the film is based on the lead’s actual experience – and features his entire family. Some people are just meant for the big screen. I loved many parts of Roma (big screen, and now Netflix), which is stylish and once again, stars an upstart actor in her first role. If you see it, talk to me about the beach scene towards the end. I have questions. An impromptu family decision to catch one of two public screenings of the Peter Jackson documentary They Shall Not Grow Old was the right decision. Hey, Imperial War Museum, marrying WW1 original footage, and the visionary Peter Jackson – bravo. Thank you! Bonus points for Jackson’s talking head insights before and after his film which proves the time-honoured points that educational enhancements can truly round out arts experiences.
Music: Oh my, what a surprise. This list is usually chock-a-block for me, except not this year (my own workplace notwithstanding). School definitely took a toll on my musical outings. I caught another one of Ken Whiteley’s uplifting Gospel Brunches at Hugh’s Room Live; it’s fun to sit around and sing with everyone at these events. I was captivated by the music at Harry and Meghan’s wedding, particularly the goosebump-inducing processional of Handel’s Eternal Source of Light Divine, The Lord Bless You And Keep You by John Rutter, Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s cello performance (Paradis’ Sicilienne = love) and the entire oeuvre of Karen Gibson and the Kingdom Choir at the closing of the ceremony. A master class in performance. Performer Craig Cardiff headlined Hugh’s Room Live; he really is the consummate musician/entertainer – as my partner said “Why don’t I know this guy?” He does now. As for my own presentations, I love them all, but there were some absolute standouts. Pianist extraordinaire John Sheard brought his merry group to deliver a night of British Invasion classics. Canadian cellist Cameron Crozman brought the 1696 ‘Bonjour’ Stradivarius to our stage to play with James Campbell and Leopoldo Erice, opening with a talk on his research on the cello’s journey focused on the 1800s to present day. I had the great pleasure of bringing Alysha Brilla to our stage – not perhaps as well known as others, but with a warmth and talent that had our audience all singing out of the palm of her hand. That’s a gift. Heather Bambrick, jazz great, lit up our stage like I’ve never experienced in the genre; we had a special audience-performer connection, and I was simply thrilled.
Theatre: Another surprise, but this time by the sheer volume I took in. Jerusalem (Crow’s Nest Theatre) was an immersive experience from the get-go. The bar was on the stage, the rave started on set as soon as we took our seats, and Kim Coates delivered a tour de force. Professionally, I took in The Wee Festival to uncover live performing arts for the very young. Whoa – there’s a whole new-to-me genre out there that we very quickly introduced to our audience within 6 months of these presentations. Of particular note was the day-at-a-glance dance movement piece Flying Hearts (Theatre Direct) and Les Choses Berçantes (Le Théâtre des Confettis), a stunning short theatrical piece about sadness, sisterly love and respect for emotions in the very young. Tears rolled down my 22-year-old’s face as we watched together; I knew it was perfect. Following along with TYA, I took in a preview performance of Mistatim by Red Sky Performance, which brought reconciliation issues to light through dance and theatre. An August night in High Park brought an uproariously funny A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Fellini-style. Our highlight had to be a first foray to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Plunged into the midst of The Royal Mile, we took in storytelling, theatre, circus arts, improv, and a drag show – and have vowed to go back again, stay longer, pace ourselves and enjoy. As an arts comms specialist, it was a thrill to glean ideas from this world-leading live performing arts juggernaut.
Television: This list is not populated with outliers; I resorted to television when I needed a break/needed to avoid schoolwork. I enjoyed all of these, in varying degrees: The Handmaid’s Tale season 2, The Bodyguard, Anne with an E, The Americans (a devotee since the very first episode), Victoria, Nanette (Netflix), Love (Netflix), Baroness Von Sketch.
Discoveries (a laundry list): Brandi Carlile (Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver) – thanks to a classmate who arranged tickets for this sold-out show. I love Americana and roots music, and her star is continuing to rise. Great vibe and generous performer. The Clark Institute in Williamstown. Rounding the corner on a quiet summer’s morning into the far reaches of the gallery, I happened upon Degas’ bronze of Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. Thank you, universe, that was nice. The seven restored Hunt of the Unicorn Tapestries at Stirling Castle, Scotland. A group of 18 weavers, 14 years, devoted detailed research reviving and recreating patterns from the 1540s, and a whole lot of stitching. All up close and personal – what a find. Professionally, bloggers Colleen Dilenschneider and Avinash Kaushik continue to provide aspirational goals for data-based decisions and pearls of wisdom in every post.
The misses. Just one of note, and that was Ray LaMontagne at MASS MoCA, opened by Neko Case (I was more excited to see her). Enunciation – it’s a thing. I couldn’t understand a word she said (look up the Kingdom Choir from the Royal Wedding entry above to get a wee lesson on this aspect). LaMontagne avoided addressing the crowd, and his bassist spent the majority of time with his back to the audience. It’s a shame – it’s a magnificent venue to catch an outdoor concert. Next time you want to perform Ray, leave it in the studio. Cause that’s where you seemed to be this entire night. Signed, your fan base who drove a good 8 hours to come and see you.
2019 #goals: More fiction – and a few more paperbound copies instead of simply digital. I find I retain the physical book long afterwards. More performing arts, particularly dance. Live music wish list includes The Avett Brothers, Donovan Woods, Kaia Kater and Vulfpeck (faint hope clause there). We’ve got concerts with Dawes and Dan Mangan already tee’d up for January – that’s a pretty good start.
Meanwhile, I’ve got 3 new novels as of Christmas Day, thanks to my fam.
Best holiday wishes, all.
Jane Taylor Communications 