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The writer and creator Tara Sidhoo Fraser discusses her new memoir When My Ghost Sings: A Memoir of Stroke, Recovery & Transformation (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2023), with Joseph Planta. When My Ghost Sings: A Memoir of Stroke, Recovery & Transformation by Tara Sidhoo Fraser (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: When My Ghost Sings Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. One of the more remarkable, mesmerising memoirs of the year is When My Ghost Sings: A Memoir of Stroke, Recovery & Transformation by Tara Sidhoo Fraser, who joins me now. The book follows her in the aftermath of a stroke, amnesia, and reconstructing her life. As memories resurface, they are seen through the eyes of the person whose body she stole, somebody we meet in the book that she calls Ghost. It’s just marvelous to see how Tara writes about this time in her life, and her road to recovery. It’s not easy, but it’s leavened by unforgettable, compelling characters like an ex called The Boy, or Jude, who begins a new relationship with Tara, and who is contending with their new identity. I’ll ask Tara about this journey of recovery, how she’s wrestled with gaining that which she lost, like memory, and what it was like to rely on it as she wrote this book. Tara Sidhoo Fraser is a queer writer and creator of South Asian and Scottish ancestry. Her work has been published in the magazines Autostraddle and Anathema, among others. Visit www.tarasidhoofraser.com for more information. This is her first book, and it’s published by Arsenal Pulp Press. We spoke nearly two and a half weeks ago. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Tara Sidhoo Fraser; Ms. Sidhoo Fraser, good morning. The post Tara Sidhoo Fraser first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The architectural critic and artist Robin Ward discusses the new book he’s co-written Exploring Vancouver: Ten Tours of the City and Its Buildings (Fifth Edition) (Harbour Publishing, 2023), with Joseph Planta. Exploring Vancouver: Ten Tours of the City and Its Buildings, Fifth Edition by Harold Kalman & Robin Ward (Harbour Publishing, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Exploring Vancouver Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. When Hal Kalman came on this program eleven years ago when the fourth edition of Exploring Vancouver was published, I spoke about how special those first two editions were. I also spoke about them a year ago on CKNW, when Eric Chapman did a piece on the various collections here in my office. Exploring Vancouver is essentially a guidebook to the city and the unique architecture therein. A fifth edition of the book was recently published, and I’m joined now by Hal’s collaborator on this edition, as well as the last two, Robin Ward. His name will be familiar to many who remember his long running architecture column in the Vancouver Sun. I’ll ask Robin about working with Hal, and how they determined which buildings in Vancouver are worth seeing, which add to the social story, and history of this place. This edition also looks at areas outside of Vancouver, like UBC, Richmond, Surrey and other notable buildings in Metro Vancouver. We see through this book and its excellent photographs, how the city has changed, what’s left of our past, and reminders of how remarkable landscape is shaped by the buildings in it. I’ll also ask Robin to look to the future, as major developments involving the First Nations communities are either proposed or underway, important projects directed by the Squamish Nation, as well as the Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh. Robin Ward is an architectural critic, writer, photographer, and graphic artist. He is the author of several books including Robin Ward’s Vancouver, and Robin Ward’s Heritage West Coast, as well as guides to Glasgow, Bangkok, and Edinburgh, where he joined me from last week. This new book is from Harbour Publishing. Hal will join me later this week. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Robin Ward; Mr. Ward, good morning. The post Robin Ward first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The composer and pianist Jamie Lawrence discusses the new album he’s produced Swoon, which features the late vocalist and songwriter Nora York, with Joseph Planta. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Jamie Lawrence joins me again. The acclaimed composer and pianist is on to talk about the new release Swoon, an album celebrating the vocalist and songwriter Nora York. It’s the second posthumous release and it features York, and Jamie, who also produced the album. York, who died in 2016, was a talent hailed for her soulful voice and hypnotic stage presence. You hear that on Swoon, which features original songs, and musical juxtapositions of contemporary jazz and pop music. The album also features artwork by Nora’s husband Jerry Kearns. I’ll ask Jamie about how York wrote, and how he and York collaborated. These recordings are also song interpretations, and mashups, and I’ll get Jamie to tell us about songs on the album from a project called Jump, which was York’s adaptation of Tosca. I’ll also ask him about Water, Water Everywhere, from which a number of songs on this album are from, a prescient, timely project on climate change. Jamie Lawrence is the award-winning composer/pianist whose career has involved scoring film and television projects. He has also written original music for the Tony Awards broadcasts as well has been its music director/conductor and principal arranger. He is currently orchestrating the upcoming Broadway musical by Adam Guettel, Days of Wine and Roses, and just co-produced the cast recording. Visit www.jamielawrenceproductions.com for more information. This new album is from Good Mood Records and available on all digital and streaming platforms, as well as CD. We spoke nearly a month ago, with Jamie joining me from North Salem, New York. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Jamie Lawrence; Mr. Lawrence, good morning. The post Jamie Lawrence first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The filmmaker Jenny Lee-Gilmore discusses her new documentary Overtime, the subject of which is her mother, Kelley Lee Gilmore, a university professor, doctor and hockey player, with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Having its television debut today is a new documentary Overtime. It follows Vancouver’s Kelley Lee Gilmore, a 60-year-old mother, wife, doctor, university professor, and hockey player. Hockey is more than a hobby, it’s been a passion taking her to the Canada 55+ Games as she competes nationally. The filmmaker Jenny Lee-Gilmore, her daughter, chronicles her mother’s journey, and explores what it’s like to be a Chinese Canadian woman playing hockey. The relationship of mother and daughter is also examined, and makes for a moving, thoughtful, loving film. Jenny joins me now and I’ll ask her about her mom, making the movie, and what it was like to examine the parallels in their lives. Jenny Lee-Gilmore is a British born Chinese Canadian actor and filmmaker based here in Vancouver. She completed her BFA in Film Production at the University of British Columbia. Her debut short film Breakaway was a critical hit, and played at film festivals across North America. The film is available worldwide at watch.telusoriginals.com, and on TELUS Optik TV Channel 8. The film was written and directed by Jenny Lee-Gilmore, who joined me from here in Vancouver last week. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Jenny Lee-Gilmore; Ms. Lee-Gilmore, good morning. The post Jenny Lee-Gilmore first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The broadcaster and podcaster Eric Chapman discusses his new podcast Eric’s Living Room, working in the media in Vancouver, and more, with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Eric Chapman joins me now. He’s recently launched a podcast, Eric’s Living Room. He’s a longtime broadcaster and journalist in Vancouver, who many will remember from his work on CKNW, among other places. Mr. Chapman spent a number of years at radio stations as a board operator, then on air personality, as well as producer, with a number of years at Corus stations here. I’ll ask him about his new podcast, his new venture, and why it’s important to talk about the important topics he and Amir Ali talk about: mental health, money, living in Vancouver, race, relationships, family, marriage, and more. I’ll ask Eric how this creative collaboration came about; and get them to tell us about future episodes. Eric Chapman can be found on Twitter; his handle is @chapappay. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Eric Chapman; Mr. Chapman, good morning. The post Eric Chapman first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The award-winning writer Lori Hahnel discusses her new novel Flicker (University of Calgary Press, 2023), with Joseph Planta. Flicker by Lori Hahnel (University of Calgary Press, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Flicker Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Flicker is the 33rd title in the Brave and Brilliant Series published by University of Calgary Press. It’s a novel by the award-winning author Lori Hahnel, whose central character Cass is endowed with psychic abilities. There’s also an element of time travel, and I ask Ms. Hahnel about the supernatural, and why people believe in it, and buy into it instead of science. New technologies or innovations also play a part, not to mention Calgary, where Lori lives and where she joined me from just over a month ago. The book depicts female characters in the present, as well as in the past. And I’ll ask Lori about the challenges women face then as now, and what she can do about that in fiction. Two of Lori Hahnel’s previous books include Love Minus Zero, and Vermin. Visit www.lorihahnel.ca for more. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Lori Hahnel; Ms. Hahnel, good morning. The post Lori Hahnel first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The award-winning journalist Ria Renouf discusses transitioning into communications, her thoughts on journalism, and the importance of representation in the media, with Joseph Planta. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Ria Renouf joins me now. We’ll catch up as to what her work is now, in communications, and reflect on the state of journalism today. I’ll ask her why she’s moved from journalism. Up until recently, she was the managing editor of the New West Anchor, and Burnaby Beacon. Before that she reported and anchored on CityNews Vancouver, and she co-anchored afternoons on CityNews 1130. A lot of us came to know Ria from her work on CKNW. Her website is at www.renoufwrites.com, where you can read her blog, and there are links to her social media accounts and her vlogs. We’ll also talk about representation, and what it was like for her to grow up with a Filipino background and then go into the media market here in Metro Vancouver. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Ria Renouf; Ms. Renouf, good morning. The post Ria Renouf first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The broadcaster and author Ken Reid, co-anchor of Sportsnet Central, discusses his new book Ken Reid’s Hometown Hockey Heroes (Simon & Schuster, 2023), with Joseph Planta. Ken Reid’s Hometown Hockey Heroes by Ken Reid (Simon & Schuster, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Hometown Hockey Heroes Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Ken Reid joins me now. He’s just published a terrific book, Ken Reid’s Hometown Hockey Heroes. He takes us across the country to the small towns, a lot that are one industry, one company towns, where they’re far from a big city with an NHL franchise. And it’s where hockey is part of life, the culture, and the folklore. Mr. Reid tells us stories of players who don’t always make it to the big leagues, but who become legends. There are uplifting, inspiring stories, as well as heartrending ones, where hockey legends are cut down in their prime. The stories are of players who play well, and passionately regardless of the pay or size of the crowd, and yet they earn the reverence of fans. As you’ll read in the book, Ken’s gifts as a communicator come through as he tells these informative stories of leadership and grit, but when he’s talking to the guys themselves, or their families, or fans and observers alike, he’s able to get so much from who he talks to that they’re reminiscences add so much to the colour of their lives. And you see why hockey is such a popular sport. Ken captures the romanticism that a lot of fans have for hockey so well. Ken Reid has been with Sportsnet since 2011, where he co-anchors (with Evanka Osmak) their prime time broadcast Sportsnet Central. In over twenty years in broadcasting, Mr. Reid has covered the Olympics, the Stanley Cup Finals, the Grey Cup, and the Super Bowl. He is the bestselling author of five other books including Hockey Card Stories. This new book is published by Simon & Schuster. He is a proud native of Pictou, Nova Scotia, but he joined me from Toronto yesterday. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Ken Reid; Mr. Reid, good morning. The post Ken Reid first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The specialty skater Jessa MacDonald discusses performing in Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto, at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver 22-26 November 2023, with Joseph Planta. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Disney On Ice returns to Vancouver starting Wednesday night, 22 November 2023. They’ll be at the Pacific Coliseum until Sunday, 26 November 2023. Joining me now is Jessa MacDonald she is a specialty skater in the show. She’s been with Feld Entertainment since 2017, joining straight out of high school. I’ll ask her about touring with this show, working with the Disney characters and music, as well as the skating she has to do as a performer; and she’s skated since she was three years old. Tickets for Disney on Ice presents Frozen & Encanto can be purchased at www.TicketLeader.ca. Also visit www.disneyonice.com for more information. Jessa’s hometown is Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but she joined me last week from California while on tour for the show. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Jessa MacDonald; Ms. MacDonald, good morning. The post Jessa MacDonald first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The journalist Teodoro Alcuitas, one of the co-editors of Magdaragat: An Anthology of Filipino-Canadian Writing (Coromorant Books, 2023), discusses the collection with Joseph Planta. Magdaragat: An Anthology of Filipino-Canadian Writing edited by Teodoro Alcuitas, C.E. Gatchalian, and Patria Rivera (Cormorant Books, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Magdaragat Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. It has always been my intent to have each of the three editors of Magdaragat on this program, devoting three shows to this important collection. I even told Teodoro Alcuitas that back in August when we had lunch. And soon after I got an uncorrected PDF of the collection. So, it’s a collection I’d read since the end of summer, and have thought about a great deal, even after buying a copy three weeks ago, and re-reading it. I taped an interview with Chris Gatchalian two weeks ago, that was posted a week ago. The interview now, with Ted was taped this past Sunday afternoon, and unfortunately having been offline for most of the day, I’d not seen the posts on social media by Shirley Camia, a contributor to this anthology. In her statement, she says her contribution to the book was cut in half. She narrates discussions she’s had with Chris, and Cormorant Books’s publisher Marc Cote. Had I seen Ms. Camia’s statement, as well as the Instagram post from six days earlier, by another contributor Yves Lamson, I certainly would have brought it up in the interview with Ted, or at least have given him the time and space to address Ms. Camia’s statement. As you’ll hear, I tell Ted that I have admired him for his work as a journalist and respected the many courageous stands he’s taken over the years. I am disappointed though that Ted didn’t see fit to mention this prior to our taping, or even during, nor did he do so on the CBC’s Early Edition, which he appeared on Monday morning. As well, the editors and/or Cormorant Books have not made any public statement responding to Shirley Camia’s post. Though I just saw, late last night, a video in a post by another contributor to the collection on Instagram of Chris addressing the situation at an event Tuesday night here in Vancouver. I was scheduled to tape an interview with Patria Rivera yesterday, and when I called her, she said I had caught her at a bad time, and that she wasn’t prepared for the interview, which had been booked over ten days ago. I told Patria yesterday, and repeat here, that she is welcome on the program in the future, and she need simply email and we can reschedule. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Teodoro Alcuitas; Mr. Alcuitas, good morning. The post Teodoro Alcuitas first appeared on thecommentary.ca.