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The choreographer and artistic director of Co.ERASGA Alvin Erasga Tolentino discusses the world premiere of Accumulation, which he choreographed and performs in starting Thursday, 09 November to Saturday, 11 November 2023 at Performance Works on Granville Island, with Joseph Planta. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Alvin Erasga Tolentino joins me again. His Co.ERASGA is proud to present the world premiere of Accumulation, starting tomorrow Thursday, 09 November 2023 (running through to Saturday, 11 November 2023) at Performance Works on Granville Island. I’ll ask Alvin about this new work that he’s performing in, and that he’s choreographed. I’ll ask him what Accumulation means to him, and what the pieces says about art and environmental stewardship. This is the 23rd season of Co.ERASGA, and I’ll get Alvin to reflect on that as well as what he wants to say about the world around us, and the future at this time. Visit www.companyerasgadance.ca for tickets and information. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Alvin Erasga Tolentino; Mr. Tolentino, good morning. The post Alvin Erasga Tolentino first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The broadcaster and former NHL coach, general manager and team president Doug MacLean discusses his new book Draft Day: How Hockey Teams Pick Winners or Get Left Behind (Simon & Schuster, 2023), with Joseph Planta. Draft Day: How Hockey Teams Pick Winners or Get Left Behind by Doug MacLean (Simon & Schuster, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Draft Day Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Doug MacLean joins me now. The former NHL coach, general manager, team president, and broadcaster has just published a highly readable, insightful, and fun book Draft Day: How Hockey Teams Pick Winners or Get Left Behind. He provides marvelous insight about the draft process in hockey, and how critical it is for the foundation of a championship team. It’s a roll of the dice at times, so a lot of thought and preparation goes into the scouting, as well as interviews. There’s the metrics angle to all of this too, and I’ll ask Mr. MacLean about the relationship between the scouts and the analytics folks. The book is replete with anecdotes that will be fun for a hockey fan, and will be interesting for non-hockey fans alike, because they’re all great lessons in leadership. Doug MacLean was the president and general manager of the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets, and was head coach of the Florida Panthers. He also served in the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, and Washington Capitals organisations. He then went on to a broadcasting career for Sportsnet, cohosting the popular Hockey Central at Noon on the radio, and the Hockey Central television broadcast. He divides his time between his native Prince Edward Island and Florida. The book is written with Scott Morrison, and is published by Simon and Schuster. We talked yesterday, with Doug joining me from Delray Beach, Florida. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Doug MacLean; Mr. MacLean, good morning. The post Doug MacLean first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The textile artist Wendy Van Riesen discusses her retirement from design and fabrication, the last sixteen years of Dahlia Drive, and her future, with Joseph Planta. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. The renowned textile artist Wendy Van Riesen joins me now. After sixteen years of design and fabrication Wendy is retiring. I’ll ask her about her art practice, and the ethical way she goes about upcycling and handmaking. We’ll also discuss her collaboration with Haida artist Reg Davidson. I interviewed Reg back in 2016 when their collection was launched as part of Eco Fashion Week. Wendy will be at the 2023 Circle Craft Holiday Market starting this Wednesday, 08 November 2023 through to Sunday, 12 November 2023. She’ll have Dahlia Drive’s last hundred garments for sale, and if you’ve got a Dahlia Drive piece from the last sixteen years, you’re invited to wear it to the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Visit www.circlecraft.ca for tickets and information. We taped this interview last week. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program Wendy Van Riesen; Ms. Van Riesen, good morning. The post Wendy Van Riesen first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The director and producer Tyler Funk and cinematographer Peter Planta discuss their documentary Anything For Fame, streaming for free at NFB.ca (starting 08 November 2023) and now on Paramount+, with Joseph Planta. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. The documentary Anything For Fame will be released online at the National Film Board of Canada’s website shortly, and I’m joined now by the film’s director and producer Tyler Funk. In the movie, we meet young influencers who do nearly anything to get attention from the internet. In the name of creating content, we see people engage in pranks and hijinks for likes and views. There are others who promote products or themselves, and whether it’s for notoriety or profit, the risks and effects are seldom considered. In the film, we’re not just introduced to a variety of these online personalities, but we see their lives behind their cellphone’s camera, their circumstances, and the consequences of contemporary celebrity. Tyler Funk, wrote, produced and directed this film, and I’ll ask him about what he set out to document and reveal. The cinematographer is Peter Planta, who also joins us. And in the spirit of full disclosure, he is my cousin. I’ll ask them about working on this production, the challenges of making a movie like this, logistically and ethically. Visit www.nfb.ca to stream the film, and for more information. The film is a North of Now Films and National Film Board of Canada co-production, produced by Tyler Funk, Sebastian Mercado, and Shirley Vercruysse. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Tyler Funk and Peter Planta; Mr. Funk, good morning; and Mr. Planta, good morning. The post Tyler Funk & Peter Planta first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The director Mark Carter discusses the new CTORA Theatre production of The Wizard of Oz (03-12 November 2023 at the Granville Island Stage) with Joseph Planta. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Mark Carter joins me again. CTORA Theatre is back with a new production, The Wizard of Oz. It’s the Royal Shakespeare Company version, and I’ll ask Mr. Carter about what we’ll see at the Granville Island Stage starting this Friday, 03 November 2023, and running until 12 November 2023. Mark is the director of this production, and I’ll ask him about the technical elements that will be part of this show, as well ask about the cast, and the themes in the work based on the L. Frank Baum book. The music and lyrics are by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. Visit www.ctora.ca for tickets and information. There’s something in this show for all ages. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Mark Carter; Mr. Carter, good morning. The post Mark Carter first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

Brandon Reid discusses his debut novel Beautiful Beautiful (Nightwood Editions, 2023), with Joseph Planta. Beautiful Beautiful by Brandon Reid (Nightwood Editions, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Beautiful Beautiful Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Brandon Reid joins me now. The educator will be publishing his debut novel shortly. Entitled Beautiful Beautiful, the book is a coming-of-age story that examines the complexities of indigeneity, masculinity, and the contrasts between urban and rural life. I’ll get Brandon to tell us about the twelve-year old, Indigenous boy at the heart of the story, Derik Mormin, who we follow as he goes to Bella Bella for his grandfather’s funeral. And Brandon will tell us as much as he’d like about the transformative journey that Derik undertakes, wherein he uncovers the traumatic history of his ancestors. I’ll also ask Brandon about writing, and the sort of themes he takes on in writing, and in fiction in the case of this book. As well, we’ll reflect on the publishing process. Brandon Reid holds a B.Ed. from the University of British Columbia with a specialisation in Indigenous education, and a journalism diploma from Langara College. His work has been published in the Barely South Review, the Richmond Review, and The Province. He is a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation, with a mix of Indigenous and English ancestry. He joined me from Richmond, BC, where he lives. This new book is published by Nightwood Editions. We taped this interview three weeks ago. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Brandon Reid; Mr. Reid, good morning. The post Brandon Reid first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The writer, comedian and musician Dave Hill discusses his new book The Awesome Game: One Man’s Incredible, Globe-Crushing Hockey Odyssey (Doubleday Canada, 2023), with Joseph Planta. The Awesome Game: One Man’s Incredible, Globe-Crushing Hockey Odyssey by Dave Hills (Doubleday Canada, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Awesome Game Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Dave Hill joins me again. As we learned in his previous book Parking the Moose, which he was on the podcast with back in 2019, Dave’s grandfather was born and raised in Canada. So, it makes sense that Dave has always been fascinated by hockey. He explores his obsession with the sport in his latest book, The Awesome Game: One Man’s Incredible, Globe-Crushing Hockey Odyssey. It’s a fascinating book that has Dave wondering why hockey isn’t as popular as it should be in the United States. He also looks at his own experience with hockey, as a child, as well as a fan today. Cleveland, where he was born and raised, had an NHL team briefly, and today he doesn’t root for Ohio’s Columbus Blue Jackets. I’ll ask him about his allegiance to his hometown team, the New York Rangers. In one chapter of the book, he takes us to an evening watching the Rangers and Blue Jackets facing one another at Madison Square Garden. He also takes the reader to Poland and to Kenya, where he finds hockey stories and experiences that are just delightful to read. And he writes about hockey hilariously that this book will be fun for all sorts of readers, even those who think that there are four quarters to a hockey match. Dave Hill is a comedian, writer, and musician. He has written for sundry publications including the New York Times, the Paris Review, Salon, GQ, McSweeney’s, and many more. He is a regular contributor to This American Life, and the host of his own radio program, The Goddamn Dave Hill Show on WFMU in Jersey City. This new book is published by Doubleday Canada. We spoke eight days ago. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Dave Hill; Mr. Hill, good morning. The post Dave Hill first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The poet and educator Renée Sarojini Saklikar returns in person to discuss her latest book, Bramah’s Quest (Nightwood Editions, 2023), the second installment in her epic fantasy The Heart of This Journey Bears All Patterns (THOT J BAP), with Joseph Planta. Bramah’s Quest by Renée Sarojini Saklikar (Nightwood Editions, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Bramah’s Quest (Interview taped 10 September 2023) Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Renee Sarojini Saklikar joins me again. It’s not been too long since she was last on to discuss her new book Bramah’s Quest. But we’re in person this time to continue the conversation, as well as reflect on other things; she’s a good friend of the podcast, and it’s always good just to chat. The book is the second installment in her epic fantasy in verse, The Heart of This Journey Bears All Patterns. The website for more on this book as well as the first book in the series, Bramah and the Beggar Boy is at https://thotjbap.com/. The books are published by Nightwood Editions. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Renee Saklikar; Ms. Saklikar, good morning. The post Renée Sarojini Saklikar first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The distinguished poet and writer Lorna Crozier discusses her new collection of poetry After That (McClelland & Stewart, 2023), with Joseph Planta. After That by Lorna Crozier (McClelland & Stewart, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: After That Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Lorna Crozier joins me again. She has just published a new collection of poetry, After That. These poems, written in the aftermath of her partner Patrick Lane’s death, illustrate and illuminate for the reader the depths of grief following the loss of a loved one, somebody she lived with for over forty years. As she processes her loss, we see how she copes, what memories provide comfort and solace, and which ones are filled with mixed emotion. We see very intimate scenes in their life together, as well as soon after Patrick’s death. I’ll ask Lorna about writing, finding her voice again, and about this fascinating journey we all take at death, whether it’s ourselves or others. Perhaps she’s gleaned some insight or wisdom from her loss. Lorna Crozier is the distinguished poet and writer, who has published eighteen books of poetry, as well as two memoirs, both of which she appeared on the program with Small Beneath the Sky, and Through the Garden. Her books have been finalists for all the major awards in British Columbia, and Canada. She is a recipient of the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence, and the George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award. She is professor emerita at the University of Victoria, and an Officer of the Order of Canada. Visit www.lornacrozier.ca for more information. This new book is published by McClelland & Stewart. We taped this interview two and a half weeks ago. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Lorna Crozier; Professor Crozier, good morning. The post Lorna Crozier first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The acclaimed and bestselling author and poet Michael Crummey discusses his new novel The Adversary (Knopf Canada, 2023), with Joseph Planta. The Adversary by Michael Crummey (Knopf Canada, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Adversary Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Michael Crummey joins me again. The acclaimed writer recently published his latest novel, The Adversary. It’s about a man and a woman who hate one another, who happen to be brother and sister. I’ll get Michael to tell us as much as he’d like about the story, about the rich setting he places his characters, not just in this book, but in his other works that evoke the isolation and darkness of an outport on Newfoundland’s northern coastline, a couple of hundred years ago. I’ll ask Michael about the dynamics between the two central characters in the book, and the themes of hatred, power, family, and corruption, and how what’s happening around us today might have influenced this book. I’ll ask him about the role of faith, and organised religion has in this book, and how each of the characters feel its influence in their lives and how they express their power. The book has gotten a lot of good notices already, and is a bestseller. Michael Crummey is the author of seven books of poetry, and five previous novels, including River Thieves, Galore, and Sweetland. His work is always highly regarded, and finalists for the major book prizes here as well as abroad. This new book is published by Knopf Canada. We taped this interview late last month, with Michael joining me from Toronto. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Michael Crummey; Mr. Crummey, good morning. The post Michael Crummey first appeared on thecommentary.ca.