thecommentary.ca

The writer Tim Blackett discusses his new collection of fiction Grandview Drive (Nightwood Editions, 2023), with Joseph Planta. Grandview Drive by Tim Blackett (Nightwood Editions, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Grandview Drive Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Tim Blackett is the author of a debut collection of literary fiction, Grandview Drive. These are exciting short stories connected by a fictional drive that all sorts of compelling, fascinating, and isolated people intersect. In the stories there are heartbroken people, those that are lonely, disturbed, insecure, and suffering in all sorts of ways. I’ll ask Mr. Blackett who joined me from his home in Regina a week and a half ago, to tell us about the things his characters are contending with, going through, and are desperate for. It takes a particularly insightful if not empathetic writer to conjure up stories about some not so sympathetic characters, but who are interesting to read about. I’ll ask him about how he views his characters, his work, and writing. I’ll also ask him about the genre of short stories, and the work he’s done to better understand writing through his new podcast, Tim Blackett & Friends. Tim Blackett is a writer whose work has appeared in Briarpatch, [spaces], Grain Magazine, and a Saskatchewan journal called Swift, Flowing. He has degrees from the University of Regina, and a certificate in creative writing from Humber College. This new book is published by Nightwood Editions. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Tim Blackett; Mr. Blackett, good morning. The post Tim Blackett first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The author and architectural historian Harold Kalman discusses the fifth edition of Exploring Vancouver: Ten Tours of the City and Its Buildings (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. Hal Kalman joins me again. The fifth edition of Exploring Vancouver has just been published, and Hal and Robin Ward have written a marvelous guidebook of walking tours that showcase the notable architecture in Vancouver and the surrounding area; for they venture to the new buildings at the University of British Columbia, as well as the buildings erected because of the 2010 Olympics in Richmond, and elsewhere. Their tours take us to Surrey too. I’ll ask Hal about this new edition, as well as the previous four, the first of which was published nearly fifty years ago. From Hal’s perch in Victoria, where he lives now and where he joined me from one week ago, I’ll ask him about how he’s viewed the city over the decades, and in recent visits. I’ll ask if he can look to the future as well with developments at Oakridge, and the proposed projects at the south end of the Burrard Bridge, and the Jericho Lands. Harold Kalman is a specialist in architectural history and heritage conservation. He is the author or co-author of many standard texts on architecture and conservation including Exploring Ottawa: An Architectural Guide to the Nation’s Capital, A History of Canadian Architecture, and Heritage Planning: Principles and Process. He is a Member of the Order of Canada. Visit www.haroldkalman.ca. Exploring Vancouver: Ten Tours of the City and Its Buildings is published by Harbour. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Hal Kalman; Mr. Kalman, good morning. The post Harold Kalman first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The historian and author Dustin Galer discusses his new biography Beryl: The Making of a Disability Activist (Between the Lines, 2023), with Joseph Planta. Beryl: The Making of a Disability Activist by Dustin Galer (Between the Lines, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Beryl Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. One of the better written books of the season is the biography from Dustin Galer, Beryl: The Making of a Disability Activist. It follows the life and times of Beryl Potter, a British born working class mother who became a noted activist for access and inclusion in Canada. The book charts Potter’s early life in England; it was bleak. We follow her through the Second World War as she gets married and starts a family. We see her move to Canada, and how her family life is upended with a slip and fall at work. It’s seen at first as harmless, but it results in six years of severe pain. She then loses her leg, and after that another leg and an arm. Her financial security is lost, not to mention her home and husband. Her life is changed dramatically as she contends with over one hundred surgeries, an opioid addiction, and suicide attempts. We see her journey as she becomes a public figure contributing to disability awareness in the 1970s and 1980s. Dustin Galer joins me now, and I’ll get him to tell us about how he came to write this book, and why the life of Beryl Potter is an important one to know about. What he’s crafted is an eminently readable, engaging book that raises awareness in its own way, as he frames Potter’s life amid changing societies in Canada and Britain, as well as demonstrates how impactful her life was, and how much there still needs to be done to achieve disability justice. Dustin Galer is a professional historian with a PhD in history from the University of Toronto. He wrote the first book-length history of the Canadian disability rights movement, Working Towards Equity. Visit www.myhistorian.ca for more information. This new book is published by Between the Lines. We taped this interview two and a half weeks ago. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Dustin Galer; Dr. Galer, good morning. The post Dustin Galer first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

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.