The Glace Bay Miners’ Museum closes November 3.

It has a strange and inexplicable ending.

ENJOYABLE!

Otherwise, the NAC’s current production of The Glace Bay Miners’ Museum is pretty enjoyable!

It features an accessible story, an eye-pleasing set, a bit of music, and some good laughs.

CHARMING PERFORMANCE!

David Francis, as Grandpa, gives a charming performance — all the more noteworthy because he speaks only two or three words in the entire play.

WORTH TALKING ABOUT!

And yet, the play ends in a way that I can’t make any good sense of — no matter how charitably I think about it.

It will, however, give you something to talk about over drinks after the show.

SHARE YOUR THEORY!

If you come up with any good theories for the ending, let me know in the comments section below.

- Sterling Lynch

The Glace Bay Miners’ Museum is on at the NAC until November 3.

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Musetta (Laura Whalen) has a Marilyn moment.

I’m no expert on opera, but I know when I’ve had a good time. I had a good time at Opera Lyra’s La bohème.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC

The main reason to go, of course, is the music and the singing. Puccini’s music is beautiful and, at times, downright moving.

I didn’t understand the Italian words that were sung, but I understood the music!

Great music is a language that always translates.

A SIMPLE FAMILIAR STORY

Spoiler alert! Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, girl dies.

I suppose La bohème is a tragedy, but there are also many funny playful moments and outright slapstick. I was surprised by how fun it was.

If you’re a fan of Rent, you will also enjoy tracking the story elements Jonathan Larson poached for his musical.

Mimi (Joyce El-Khoury) sans her candle.

RELAX AND ENJOY

You will be surprised at the length of time a few words can be stretched in opera. There’s no reason, then, to carefully monitor the English surtitles (imagine subtitles that are above the stage).

Keep your eyes on the action and glance up occasionally, if you want to know what the words mean. You will get the hang of it, after a few minutes.

Also, the program provides a summary of each act. Read it in advance and, then, drink in the music.

There are two full intermissions. You will have plenty of time to read the summaries or to chat with a friend who has.

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

An early moment of levity in La bohème.

There is no other experience quite like opera. Even musicals aren’t really comparable because the opera singers aren’t miked. Their amplification is all natural.

TWO SHOWS LEFT

There are two more performances in Opera Lyra’s production of La bohème: September 12 and 15.

Did you see Opera Lyra’s La bohème? What did you think?

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My “official” week started well last Tuesday, when it finally occurred to me to go for a walk at lunch. I work in the Byward market and there’s a beautiful river walk nearby. It’s a great way to take a break from the desk and get some midweek exercise. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier. I guess the novelty of walking home for lunch was too much to resist.

OTTAWA THE TASTY

That same night, I checked out a new wing special (for me) at Churchill’s on Richmond. The wings are smoked, they have a light crunchy batter, and the sauce is served on the side. A smoked wing with sauce on the side is a first for me! Unfortunately, I wasn’t super happy with the hot sauce, but the overall quality of the wing itself will get me back to test the other sauces. ½ price on Tuesdays ($6, if memory serves).

MY OTTAWA

Thursday was a big night for me! I heard my play, Paris is Dead, read aloud by a talented bunch of actors. It went so well that I’m going to produce it. Could be a catalyst for something more elaborate than one show, too. The planning begins! More details to follow.

OTTAWA THE PUBLIC

On Friday, I was reminded that one of my favorite places in the city — any branch of the Ottawa Public Library — is the favorite place of many others in the city. My local branch, on Rideau, opens at 1PM on a Friday and there was a crowd of us waiting to get in! Check out the OPL website and get a book and/or movie delivered to your nearest branch.

Watch for the interview with John on Rogers TV.

OTTAWA THE ARTFUL

On Saturday, I was at Remic Rapids to interview John Felice Ceprano and take a look at his installation of balance rock sculptures. It’s beautiful work and a great spot to hang out. You should check it out before the summer ends. Otherwise, catch the interview on a new Rogers TV show, The Artisans.

OTTAWA THE GUIDE

My weekends now normally start with OttawaStart’s weekly round up. It’s a great source for a range of activities in the city. The editor has built an email list of active folks in the city and he solicits them each week for a short blurb on an upcoming event. It’s a great approach for a weekly event guide and always worth consulting.

How was your week? If you discovered something good or great in Ottawa, don’t keep it to yourself.

Share it below!

- Sterling Lynch

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Prelude to the blowing of many minds.

wow, Wow, and WOW!

I imagined my mind being blown and then I experienced my mind being blown.

“Fellowship of the Ring In Concert” is an exceptional experience. Fans of the film will love it. Non-snobby fans of choral and/or orchestral music will appreciate the novelty of the experience and the sheer quantity of musicians on stage.

For me, the highlight was the massive choir. With all that vocal power, the battle scenes, in particular, are intense.

Forget 3D. Movie theaters should incorporate more choirs and orchestras!

One concern worth noting: the music is often so loud that you can’t hear the sound from the film, including dialogue. In this production, the subtitles are French, so some of you may miss a few details here and there. A small price to pay for the intensity of the music.

For the record, early on, I noticed one guy struggling with the missed dialogue. Later on, I also noticed him pumping his fist. I’m sure his experience was positive overall.

- Sterling Lynch

“The Fellowship of the Ring In Concert” at the NAC ends July 7.

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The Fellowship of the Ring In Concert, July 5 – 7, 2012 7:00pm

I am looking forward to this!

Imagine it. You’re in the NAC’s Southam Hall, The Fellowship of the Ring is projected on a 60-foot screen, and over 200 musicians, including the NAC Orchestra, play the score live.

Admit it. You imagine your mind being blown.

I will be there Thursday, July 5. “The Fellowship of the Ring In Concert” runs until July 7.

Are you going? Let me know in the comments section below!

- Sterling Lynch

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2012 Ottawa Fringe: On now!

The Ottawa Fringe Festival is, in my opinion, the crown jewel of the Ottawa arts and theatre calendar. It’s happening right now.

In terms of overall variety, value, and quality, it can’t be beat.

It launched June 14 and runs until June 24. There’s plenty of time to catch more than a few excellent shows.

I’ve seen six shows so far and only one hasn’t been my cup of tea.

If you want to start with a sure thing, I recommend the contemporary dance show, Heterollectual, or the one woman show, Little Orange Man. Another safe bet is Donkey Derby.

Overall, there are 52 shows to see. You are sure to find something that is your cup of tea.

If my picks, whet your appetite, be sure to search #OTTfringe on Twitter for reviews or buzz.

Also, around the Fringe tent, there’s no better way to strike up a conversation then to ask, “Any recommendations or must-sees?”

Have you got recommendations or must-sees? Add them in the comments section below.

- Sterling Lynch

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Witness the extraordinary musical pairing of CCMC & Phil Minton!

CCMC performs with world-renowned UK singer, PHIL MINTON

7:30pm
Thursday, May 10, 2012

Fourth Stage
National Arts Centre
53 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario

More info:
ABSERIES.ORG

Witness the extraordinary pairing of Phil Minton and CCMC in this one-time special concert at the NAC!

CCMC is a free improvisational band that has been reinventing itself, with shifting constellations and consistent questing spirit, throughout four decades.

For the last eighteen years, CCMC has been the trio of MICHAEL SNOW (piano and synthesizer), JOHN OSWALD (alto sax), and PAUL DUTTON (sound-singing and harmonica), who carry on the iconoclastic practice of the original CCMC formed in 1975 by Snow and four others.

Best known as one of Canada’s most celebrated visual artists, Michael Snow is also an accomplished jazz pianist.

The music of Snow, Oswald, and Dutton features individual virtuosity and collective creativity in the spontaneous invention of shifting tapestries of texture and timbre, with process taking precedence and form evolving organically.

The trio has toured through eastern Canada, the US, and western Europe, in addition to playing often in Toronto, where they are based.

An unparalleled free improviser, PHIL MINTON has shone in jazz (Mike Westbrook Band), rock-in-opposition (News from Babel, Roof), and avant-garde cabaret (his duo with Veryan Weston). He has pioneered many extended techniques for voice, and stands as one of the world’s most original vocalists.

With an introductory literary performance by Paul Dutton.

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Don’t miss the voyage of the century.

The Ottawa premiere of Titanic: The Musical (winner of five Tony Awards) is in port for 9 performances only, June 1-10, at Centrepointe Theatre.

Get your boarding passes at www.centrepointetheatre.com or 613-580-2700.

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photo by Jesse A. Wolfe

JOHN CARROLL & THE EPIC PROPORTIONS w s/g Andre M. Bluteau @ THE BLACK SHEEP MAY 6TH MATINEE

John & his band The Epic Proportions & special guest Andre M. Bluteau will be playing a Black Sheep Matinee on May 6th @ 4pm.  Tix are $10 in advance, pick them up at either Compact Music locations, Vertigo Records, online at  www.worldfamousmusic.net or in hand from John on Tues/Wed/Sun. nights at the Laff (42 York St. in the Byward Market).

This show is also all ages!  So bring the fam!

Also, for those of you looking for a ride to the show you can visit the facebook page Black Sheep Inn Car-Pool

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