Well, it’s funny how you come across things you never would have known about otherwise. While preparing to hit the streets for a tin can fundraiser for Vancouver Rape Relief early this year, I was thumbing through the only available reading material - an issue of Senior Living magazine. And what should I come across but an article on an old-time radio museum, run by a group called SPARC - the Society for the Preservation of Antique Radio in Canada. A massive collection of antique radios, phonographs, and radio-related paraphernalia from the last 100 years, maintained by a group of enthusiasts, many of them of an age to have used the exhibits when they were new!
This sounded like my kind of place.
It took a while, but finally, over the Labour Day weekend, I made my pilgrimage to this temple of vintage technology. And what a wonderful place it was!
The moment I stepped in the door, I was welcomed by John Wicks and Jack Watson, two genial fellows who had been shooting the breeze and waiting to greet visitors. In an instant, we fell into a conversation about the history of radio, with John enthusiastically sharing his knowledge and answering my questions. Soon we checked in with his elder-statesman colleague Jack Watson, who provided a few answers based on his direct recollection!
The museum is amazing - I spent an hour and a half strolling around the place and getting the grand tour, and there was still much more I could have seen. It’s truly sprawling, and has some unique features, like a simulation of a WW1 foxhole stuffed with vintage wartime radio equipment, and a recreation of the radio room of the Carpathia, the ship that rescued passengers from the Titanic, full of nautical radio equipment and Titanic memorabilia. (It was a gift from a movie production company.)
All in all, it was sheer heaven for a fan of all things vintage like me. And it’s well worth a visit if you share an interest in the history of broadcasting and in the charming and quirky equipment that has brought us our entertainment over the last 100 years. It was all high-tech at one time!
The SPARC museum is located on the Riverview Hospital grounds and is open Sundays from 10 to 3. Visit the SPARC Antique Radio Website for more details.
I just got back from opening night of a wonderful musical revue, “The World Goes ‘Round”. I recommend it for two groups of people: those that love musicals, and everyone else! Even if you wouldn’t normally think of going to a musical, give it a try. The singing, dancing, and overall presentation of these songs are outstanding. It’s a wonderfully entertaining evening. Read the rest of this entry »
Well, after 14 years of West End living, this was the first year I received not one, but two invitations to enjoy the annual fireworks extravaganza from a lofty vantage point. The highlight had to be the final night, when I viewed the show from a friend’s 15th-floor balcony directly across Beach Avenue from the fireworks barge. It was a remarkable perspective on the event and a real thrill. I’ve posted my best photos - have a look!
For this play, I was happy to be “behind the scenes” - the onstage action is sprinkled with nudity and (simulated) sex both gay and straight. Yikes! Yet when I finally saw it unfold on opening night, I saw that these aspects work seamlessly and provide character and plot information - they didn’t really have shock value in the way I anticipated. And the show overall was full of humour, great characters, and snappy dialogue as well as more tragic elements.
They’ve really pulled off something extraordinary here, since the play is quite technically complex. Besides captions and visuals that appear throughout, there are constant, lightning-fast scene changes. Somehow they make it all work, using judicious staging and lighting, plus a little of that ol’ stage magic. And if I do say so myself, the captions add a whole other level - plus some real visual surprises!
So what can I say? Go and see this Canadian gem, Poor Super Man, while you can! There are upcoming shows on the 8th, 12th, 14th and 16th. Tickets are available in advance through Tickets Tonight or 604-631-2872. Or visit their website, SavingMetropolis.com!
In the jubilant finale to the Broadway Chorus holiday show, the star-crossed lovers are united at last in matrimony, and serenaded by “The Wedding Singer”!
This Sunday, March 2, I will be performing along with the Kol Halev Performance Ensemble in the Chutpah! Festival’s 2nd annual Community Dance Show. Three local dance troupes in total are performing.
Our 20-minute presentation is called “The Forties: Life on the Home Front”. It includes a thrilling tap dance number, songs, poems of WWII, and wraps up with “Yiddishe Blues”, a big, expressive finale.
The show is this Sunday, 10:30 am and 12:30 pm, at the Jewish Community Centre. Tickets are a deal at only $10. I hope you can make it!
The museum is amazing - I spent an hour and a half strolling around the place and getting the grand tour, and there was still much more I could have seen. It’s truly sprawling, and has some unique features, like a simulation of a WW1 foxhole stuffed with vintage wartime radio equipment, and a recreation of the radio room of the Carpathia, the ship that rescued passengers from the Titanic, full of nautical radio equipment and Titanic memorabilia. (It was a gift from a movie production company.) 
I just got back from opening night of a wonderful musical revue, “The World Goes ‘Round”. I recommend it for two groups of people: those that love musicals, and everyone else! Even if you wouldn’t normally think of going to a musical, give it a try. The singing, dancing, and overall presentation of these songs are outstanding. It’s a wonderfully entertaining evening. 
