So, I started the Graduate Liberal Studies program through SFU September last, and it sucked up almost ALL my time. I finally have a space between semesters not tangled in the winter festivals or other familial obligations to reconsidering how to run VanCal in a sustainable way. Since I’ll be in school for the next few years, I’ll figure something out.
Where’ve I been? well, I’ve heard the VSO three times – once “VSO Pops”, once “Musically Speaking” – both of these at the Orpheum, and also to hear a baroque piece at the Chan Centre. Here’s what I can tell you: don’t be late for VSO Pops or Musically Speaking. The conductors/show leaders will take time out of their busy schedules to publicly ridicule you for your lateness, to the amusement of the greyhaired masses. Musically Speaking featured huge flatscreens and live closeups of the musicians, which really I found insulting (the implication being that modern audiences of the type to go to this performance are clearly incapable of paying attention to something that is not tv). The baroque piece at the Chan, on the other hand, was sublimely beautiful – a rich and glorious experience.
We hit the st. patrick’s day parade in March and a variety of public community centre events for kids, too…
I’ve also been to hear the Pacific Baroque Orchestra do “thoroughly modern mozart”, and just on friday night I saw the first half of the Rubbandance’s “Elastic Perspective” dance performance. Unfortunately the Cultch did not post a sign advising of extensive use of a smoke machine in their very small (“intimate”) space which already lacks ventilation. I had an asthma attack and had to leave at intermission. Rubberbandance really didn’t need the smoke effect – their ballet/breakdance fusion is powerful enough to sustain the most functional of environments.
Whew! Well at least I got out a few times in the year! Hopefully I can get out more this summer.
