CLRV #4178

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Edward Brain

For the last few months of operation prior to their retirement, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has decided to paint one of their remaining Canadian Light Rail Vehicles (CLRV) in a different paint scheme.

The CLRV chosed was #4178.  The streetcar was repainted on the outside by Jacquie Comrie and on the inside by Nicole Beno, Ryan Van der Hout, and Chris Perez.  The project was named “A Streetcar Named Toronto.”

The TTC has been operating the streetcar on different parts of the streetcar system as part of a farewell for the CLRVs. Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

2019 Etobicoke-Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Edward Brain

On December 8th, 2019 Santa Claus came to south Etobicoke for the 2019 edition of the Etobicoke-Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade.

The parade included the Toronto Police’s Mounted unit, the Toronto Police Pipe Band, the Streetsville Pipe Band, various floats, and of course Santa Claus. Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

107th Grey Cup

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Edward Brain

The 107th edition of the Grey Cup goes down tonight at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta.  The game features Eastern Division Champions the Hamilton Tiger-Cats facing off against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Tiger-Cats finished first in the East with the best record in the CFL (15-3), including going 9-0 at home – 10-0 when you count the Eastern Final (which they beat the Edmonton Eskimos.)  The Blue Bombers finished with a record of 11-7, good for third place in the West and beat out the Calgary Stampeders and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Football | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Remembrance Day 2019

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Edward Brain

Today, November 11th 2019, we mark Remembrance Day in Canada and the sacrifices made by our military during the many conflicts Canada has been involved in.

Canadians have a long tradition of joining its allies in conflicts when required and to successfully fight in many difficult situations in order that we all may enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy today.

Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thaïs Soars in Concert at the TSO

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Edward Brain

I attended the second of two performances of Jules Massenet’s opera Thaïs at Roy Thomson Hall on November 9th, 2019.  The performance was by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, led by their Conductor Laureate, and Interm Artistic Director, Sir Andrew Davis.  The performance also featured Erin Wall (Thaïs), Joshua Hopkins (Athanaël), Andrew Staples (Nicias), Nathan Berg (Palémon), Liv Redpath (Crobyle), Andrea Ludwig (Myrtale), Emilia Boteva (Albine), and Stacey Tappan (La charmeusa).  The Toronto Mendelsson Choir also performed. Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fall 2019

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Edward Brain

Here are some pictures I have taken over the course of autumn this year:

Posted in General | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Liberal Minority in the 43rd Canadian General Election

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Edward Brain

On October 21st, 2019 the 43rd Federal election was held in Canada.  The result was a victory for the Liberal Party under Justin Trudeau, who received enough support to gain a minority Government, despite having a majority in the last election.

There were 338 seats being contested, with 170 seats required to form a majority Government.

The Liberals faced stiff competition from the Conservatives led by Andrew Scheer.  At dissolution, the Liberals had 177 seats, the Conservatives 95, the NDP 39, the Bloc Québécois 10, the Greens 2, and the People’s Party of Canada 1.   Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

2019 World Series

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Edward Brain

The 2019 World Series, 115th series, is set to start tonight in Houston.  Let’s look into the series:

The series features National League (NL) Pennant winners the Washington Nationals facing off against the American League (AL) Pennant winners the Houston Astros. Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christine Goerke reigns over Turandot: Live in HD from The Met Opera

Posted on October 12, 2019 by Edward Brain

Today I attended the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD broadcast of Puccini’s final opera, Turandot.  The performance starred Christine Goerke (Turandot), Yusif Eyvazov (Calàf), Eleonora Buratto (Liù), and James Morris (Timur.)   Met Opera Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted.  The production is by Franco Zeffirelli and this season’s run of Turandot (and La Boheme) are dedicated to his memoery as he passed away earlier this year.

The production is Mr. Zeffirelli’s lavish production which I have reviewed before.  The production, while lavish, also helps to take us away from our world and into Turandot’s realm.  And it allows the opera, not the director’s take on the opera, to take the lead and be the centre of attention. Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

2019 League Championship Series

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Edward Brain

The 2019 Divisional Series have now been completed and the Amercian League Championship Series (ALCS) and National League Championship Series (NLCS) are now set.

Let’s look at the two series: Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment