Commonwealth Day 2016

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Edward Brain
Commonwealth of Nations showing Commonwealth r...

Commonwealth of Nations showing Commonwealth realms (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today (March 14th, 2016)  is Commonwealth Day in the countries that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Commonwealth Day, celebrated on the second Monday of March throughout the Commonwealth, as its name suggests celebrates the Commonwealth.

Traditionally, in London, Queen Elizabeth II leads a celebration at Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day along with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, and the Commonwealth High Commissioners.  Her Majesty is the Head of the Commonwealth, and normally reads a speech in honour of the occasion. Continue reading →

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Bank of Canada Considers a Woman for Banknote

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Edward Brain

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that the Bank of Canada will look into having a woman on a banknote starting in 2018.  Currently featured on banknotes are Sir Wilfred Laurier ($5 bill), Sir John A. MacDonald ($10 bill), Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ($20 bill), William Lyon Mackenzie King ($50 bill), and Sir Robert Bordon ($100 bill.)

The idea is nice, but the question is who will be removed unless the Bank of Canada reinstates one of the bills it has eliminated over the last several years ($1, $2, $1000).  Of course, there is the option to create a new bill – such as a $25 bill. Continue reading →

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57 Years Since Avro Arrow was Cancelled

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Edward Brain
Avro Arrow replica at TAM Arrow Rollout, 8 Oct...

Avro Arrow replica at TAM Arrow Rollout, 8 Oct. 2006 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

February 20th, 2016 marks the 57th anniversary of the Canadian Government’s decision to cancel production of the CF-105 Avro Arrow.

The Avro Arrow was originally conceived to be an interceptor plane for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), ready for use from the early 1960s onward.

Following the Second World War, there was a threat that the Soviet Union might send long distance bombers with nuclear weapons over the North Pole to hit targets in North America.  The Avro Arrow was going to be Canada‘s answer to intercept and stop the bombers. Continue reading →

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Siegfried a Hit and a Miss at the COC

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Edward Brain
The Four Seasons Centre.

The Four Seasons Centre.

On Sunday February 14th, 2016, I caught the last performance of Wagner’s Siegfried at the Canadian Opera Company (COC).  It was both breathtaking and disheartening.

The production is by Canadian director François Girard with sets by Michael Levine. David Finn was the lighting director, while Donna Feore was the choreographer.  This was the third time the COC performed the production since its debut in 2005, the last time being part of the entire Ring in 2006.

The highlights of the production were definitely the singers and the orchestra led by Music Director Johannes Debus.  Christine Goerke was Brünnhilde, Stefan Vinke sang the title role of Siegfried, Alan Held was the Wanderer, Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke was Mime, Christopher Purves was Alberich, Phillip Ens was Fafner, Meredith Arwady was Erda, and Jacqueline Woodley sang the role of the Woodbird. Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 64 years as Monarch

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Edward Brain
Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Sovereign's ins...

Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Sovereign’s insignia of the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today marks the 64th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s ascension as Queen of Canada, the United Kingdom, and 14 other nations.  She is also the head of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne of Canada when her father, King George VI passed away in the early hours of February 6th, 1952.  Prior to this date, she was the Heir Presumptive to the crown.

While Her Majesty predominantly lives in the United Kingdom, she has come home to Canada on many occasions, and has personally undertaken many duties in her official capacity as Queen of Canada, both in Canada, and abroard.  When not in Canada, Her Majesty is represented at the Federal level by the Governor General, in each province by a Lieutenant Governor. Continue reading →

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Turandot a Success in HD

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Edward Brain

The Metropolitan Opera (The Met) transmitted the January 30th performance of Puccini‘s Turandot as part of their Live in HD series today.  It was certainly was a treat to watch.

The performance starred Nina Stemme as the princess Turandot, Marco Berti as Calàf, Anita Hartig as Liù, Alexander Tsymbalyuk as Timur, Ronald Naldi as the Emperor Altoum.  Dwayne Croft, Tony Stevenson, Eduardo Valdes played Ping, Pang, and Pong respectfully. Continue reading →

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Munenori Kawasaki signs Triple A Contract with Chicago Cubs

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Edward Brain

It has come out that one of the Toront0 Blue Jays most popular players, Munenori Kawasaki, has signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs.

Kawasaki may not have been the best player on the team – during his three partial seasons on the major league team he hit .244 with one home run, 123 hits, 43 RBI, eight stolen bases, 58 walks, and 96 strikeouts. Continue reading →

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Brian Bedford has Passed Away

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Edward Brain

Veteran British actor Brian Bedford has passed away at the age of 80.   Mr. Bedford had been suffering from cancer.

Mr. Bedford was born in Morley, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom on February 16th, 1935 to Arthur and Ellen Bedford.

Mr. Bedford studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art between 1952 and 1955, and won a Tony award in 1971 for The School for Wives.  He would go on to earn another six Tony awards.  His seven nominations are the second most in the history of the Tony awards.  He would also win five Drama Desk Awards. Continue reading →

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Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Edward Brain

I just want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

2015 just seemed to fly by in now time, but with a lot of activity!

A lot of different things occurred in 2015, and recap some of the things I discussed: Continue reading →

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2015: In Review

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Edward Brain

As we approach the New Year, I’d like to reflect on some of the events that have occurred over the past year.

January

Canada celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of its first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald. Continue reading →

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