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Madison Embrey, who plays Dr. Kate Walker in Jurassic World Live Tour, which comes to the Pacific Coliseum (19-28 May 2023), previews the show with Joseph Planta. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Dinosaurs will roam the Pacific Coliseum starting this Friday, 19 May 2023 with the arrival of Jurassic World Live Tour. It’s a live arena experience that will feature dinosaurs from the iconic franchise, including Velociraptor Blue, and a Tyrannosaurus rex more than forty feet in length. The production features more than 24 film-accurate, life-sized dinosaurs operated by animatronics and performers. The memorable score, as well as projection and scenery transform the arena into a dense jungle. Joining me now to preview the spectacle is Madison Embrey. She plays Dr. Kate Walker. I’ll ask her about the role, and the story that will play out in twelve performances over the next two weekends. Madison Embrey is a dancer, stunt performer, public speaker, educator, and choreographer. Visit www.madisonembrey.com for more information. And visit www.jurassicworldlivetour.com for tickets and information. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Madison Embrey; Ms. Embrey, good morning. The post Madison Embrey first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The distinguished academic and writer J. Edward Chamberlin discusses his new book Storylines: How Words Shape Our World (Douglas & McIntyre, 2023), with Joseph Planta. Storylines: How Words Shape Our World by J. Edward Chamberlin (Douglas & McIntyre, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Storylines Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. One of the more engaging and fascinating books of the season is the latest from the distinguished academic and writer J. Edward Chamberlin, Storylines: How Words Shape Our World. It’s a reflective book on Mr. Chamberlin’s many years as a professor of literature, as well as student of storytelling. His gifts as a storyteller are in full view with his many experiences with varied storytellers that inform or establish the way we see ourselves and each other. I’ll get Ted, who joins me now to tell us about this book, about writing it, and the kinds of storytelling that we’re all drawn to, as well as challenged by. It’s the interesting way that storytelling has this contradiction at its heart, the conflict between what we believe and what is truth, that continues to draw us to stories, and what essentially keeps us alive. J. Edward Chamberlin is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and professor emeritus at the University of Toronto. He’s worked on sovereignty and land claims in Canada and around the world. He’s the author of several acclaimed titles including Horse: How the Horse Has Shaped Civilization, and If This is Your Land, Where Are Your Stories? He first appeared on the program in 2016 when his book The Banker and the Blackfoot was published. This new book is published by Douglas & McIntyre. He joined me from his home in Halfmoon Bay, British Columbia last week. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Ted Chamberlin; Mr. Chamberlin, good morning. The post J. Edward Chamberlin first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The artist Niina Chebry previews the seventh annual ParkerArtSalon, which includes an exhibition at the Pendulum Gallery (885 West Georgia, 15 May-16 June 2023), and the Parker Studio Tours and Hall Exhibition (10 June 2023), with Joseph Planta. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. The artist Niina Chebry joins me again. The seventh annual ParkerArtSalon kicks off on Monday, 15 May 2023 with a month-long exhibit at the Pendulum Gallery in Downtown Vancouver. That’s at 885 West Georgia Street, and it will feature over fifty emerging and established artists, showcasing a diverse range of creative output. The exhibition is entitled What Moves You, and I’ll ask Niina about how they came to the theme. And beginning on June 8th, the pieces in the exhibition will go up on the Waddington’s website for online bidding available to buyers nationwide. Fifty percent of the auction’s proceeds will go to the Beedie Luminaries Foundation’s program. Also, Saturday, 10 June 2023, the Parker Studio Tours and Hall Exhibition will be on at the 1000 Parker Street, from noon to 5pm. It’ll be a good chance to see the diverse group of people who make art at the Parker Studio, and buy their art. You can book your visit at their website: www.parkerartsalon.com. Whether it’s painters like Niina Chebry, or David Wilson, or other artists like Suzy Baker, Brent Granby, Merle Somerville, and many others, there’s something for most everybody’s taste. The website for more on Niina Chebry is at www.niinachebry.com. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Niina Chebry; Ms. Chebry, good morning. The post Niina Chebry first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The bestselling, award-winning writer Natalie MacLean discusses her new memoir Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much (Dundurn Press, 2023), with Joseph Planta. Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much by Natalie MacLean (Dundurn Press, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Wine Witch on Fire Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Natalie MacLean joins me again. The award-winning, bestselling wine writer has just published a new memoir Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much. It’s an engaging book that recounts what was happening in her life about ten years ago. When she first appeared on this program in 2011, she had just published her second book, Unquenchable, and like her first book, Red, White and Drunk All Over, it was critically acclaimed and sold well. She also appeared regularly in newspapers across Canada and the United States, as well as on television. But soon after, her marriage was ending, and she was the victim of an online mobbing by other critics, critical of her work. She recounts the experiences of a decade ago in detail, as well as honestly, with the frankness and humour that has made Ms. MacLean the popular personality in the media. The book chronicles how she made it out of the abyss, and how she’s bounced back personally and professionally. She went back on the dating scene after twenty years off the market, and has found love. And her work has yielded many plaudits including World’s Best Drinks Journalist at the World Food Awards, four James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards, and the M.F.K. Fisher awards from both the James Beard Foundation and Les Dames d’Escoffier International. She also discusses how her own consumption of alcohol has come into focus in recent years. It’s thoughtful introspection she’s done on herself, but also how wine and spirits are marketed to women. Visit www.WineWitchonFire.com to buy the book, where if you get it there, you’ll get some bonuses, including a free companion reader guide that’ll have tips for book club discussion, or how to organise an informal wine tasting with friends. This new book is published by Dundurn Press. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Natalie MacLean; Ms. MacLean, good morning.The post Natalie MacLean first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The award-winning writer Sam Wiebe discusses his new novel, the fourth in the Wakeland series of noir set in Vancouver, Sunset and Jericho (Harbour Publishing, 2023), with Joseph Planta. Sunset and Jericho by Sam Wiebe (Harbour Publishing, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Sunset and Jericho Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Sam Wiebe joins me again. He’s just published the fourth book in his Wakeland detective series. Sunset and Jericho is the title of the novel, and it’s a gripping story with Vancouver as the backdrop, and private detective Dave Wakeland as our central character navigating Vancouver’s seedy underworld. Wakeland is in the midst of class warfare in the ever-unaffordable Vancouver, as the mayor’s brother goes missing, and a transit cop is beaten and her service weapon is stolen. I’ll get Sam to tell us as much as he’d like about the book, the compelling character of Dave Wakeland, and the Vancouver he talks about in fiction not just in this book, but the previous ones, Invisible Dead, Cut You Down, and Hell and Gone. His other books include Never Going Back, Last of the Independents, and the anthology Vancouver Noir, which he edited. He’s received the Crime Writers of Canada award, and the Kobo Emerging Writers Prize, and his books have appeared on the shortlists for the Edgar, Hammett, Shamus, and City of Vancouver prizes. This new book is from Harbour Publishing. Visit www.samwiebe.com for more. He joined me from his home in New Westminster, BC last week. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Sam Wiebe; Mr. Wiebe, good morning.The post Sam Wiebe first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The filmmaker and activist Amy Miller discusses her new film, screening at DOXA, the Documentary Film Festival, Manufacturing the Threat, with Joseph Planta. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Manufacturing the Threat is the feature-length documentary that looks at the role of agent provocateurs and entrapment in the history of Canada’s national security apparatus, especially in the case of the couple, Omar Nuttall and Ana Korody. They were arrested on Canada Day 2013, caught planting bombs at the Parliament buildings in Victoria, British Columbia. Their arrest was celebrated as a triumph for Canada’s national security agencies, just as there was a reported increase in the threat of Islamic terrorism, which precipitated the Harper government passing Bill C-51, the Anti-Terrorism Act. However, the case against the Nuttalls collapses. Despite an elaborate operation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, which involved over 240 security service operatives, culminated in coercing the Nuttalls into planting fake bombs. The charges were thrown out, and their imprisonment was referred to as a “travesty of justice” by the judge in the case. Both Nuttall and Korody appear in the film, and speak at length about their three years in prison, and the individuals who exploited them. As well, there are interviews with academics, and Indigenous and environmental activists, who speak to police infiltration and incitement. The film has its world premiere at DOXA, the Documentary Film Festival this Friday, 06 May 2023 at the Vancity Theatre at 7.45pm. Visit www.doxafestival.ca for tickets and information. Joining me now is Amy Miller, the award-winning media maker and social justice organiser, who is the director of Manufacturing the Threat. Her films have been screened in over 100 festivals around the world, and broadcast in over a dozen countries. She joined me from Montreal, when we taped this interview a couple of weeks ago. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Amy Miller; Ms. Miller, good morning.The post Amy Miller first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The acclaimed filmmaker Karen Cho discusses her new film, Big Fight in Little Chinatown, the opening night film of DOXA: Documentary Film Festival this Thursday, 04 May 2023, with Joseph Planta. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Big Fight in Little Chinatown is the new feature documentary from the acclaimed filmmaker Karen Cho. It’s also the opening film at DOXA, the Documentary Film Festival. The film screens this Thursday, 04 May 2023 and Tuesday, 09 May 2023. Visit www.doxafestival.ca for tickets and information, and do check back as screenings are usually added for popular films. This film will no doubt be one to watch, as Vancouver is one of the three cities that Ms. Cho, who joins me now, features. The movie is about community resilience and resistance as Chinatowns across the United States and Canada face the challenge of the COVID pandemic, and the rise of anti-Asian racism. Vancouver’s Chinatown, along with New York City’s and Montreal’s come into focus in this film, as Karen chronicles the challenges not just in recent years, but historically. Chinatowns have always been a target, not just of developers, police, or governments, and as we see in the film, this is but the latest challenge. It does seem critical though, especially now, so I’ll ask Karen what’s so special about Chinatowns, and why it’s urgent to save them. Karen Cho is the award-winning filmmaker of In the Shadow of Gold Mountain, Seeking Refuge, and Status Quo? The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada. And not just at DOXA, but at events across the country, there’ll be screenings between now and the fall in Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Ottawa, as well as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston, with more cities and events to be added. The film will also be broadcast on Radio Canada, and TVO. Visit www.bigfightinlittlechinatown.com. We taped this interview nearly two weeks ago, with Karen joining me from Montreal. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Karen Cho; Ms. Cho, good morning.The post Karen Cho first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The filmmaker Nettie Wild discusses her work and career, and the new short film by Hân Pham and Dave Rodden-Shortt Chasing Light, which she is the subject of, which will screen at DOXA: Documentary Film Festival. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. DOXA, the Documentary Film Festival begins this Thursday, 04 May 2023, and joining me now is somebody who’s no stranger to the festival, Nettie Wild. She’s the subject of a new short film by Hân Pham and Dave Rodden-Shortt, Chasing Light. It’s part of the Memory With(out) Home program, with at least two screenings, the afternoons of May 6th and 11th. Visit www.doxafestival.ca for more information on showing dates and times, and of course tickets. Nettie Wild is a 2023 recipient of the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts, and Chasing Light was made as part of the prize, a tribute to the recipient. I’ll ask Ms. Wild about what we see in the film, how she views her work and her career, and her latest project, a video triptych she’s made with Scott Smith. It’s currently at the Comox Valley Art Gallery until May 27th. Nettie Wild is one of Canada’s leading documentary filmmakers whose films include KONELINE: our land beautiful, FIX: The Story of an Addicted City, A Rustling of Leaves: Inside the Philippine Revolution, and A Place Called Chiapas. We’ll talk too about her move into art installations, and how it’s a natural transition from filmmaking. Visit www.canadawildproductions.com for more information on her, and her work. This new film is a production of Lantern Films. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Nettie Wild; Ms. Wild, good morning. The post Nettie Wild first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The author Kevin Chong discusses his new novel The Double Life of Benson Yu (Atria Books, 2023), with Joseph Planta. The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong (Atria Books, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Double Life of Benson Yu Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.   Kevin Chong joins me again. He’s just published a new book, his seventh, The Double Life of Benson Yu. I’ll ask Mr. Chong about this new work that’s described as a “fresh, unique work of metafiction that follows a graphic novelist who loses control of his own narrative.” I finished the book this weekend and it’s a mesmerising novel that takes place in an urban Chinatown that’s recognisable, and has characters that are fascinating, challenging, and that demand your attention. The story takes place in the 1980s, and in the present, and if I say more I’ll probably end up giving it away. I’ll ask Kevin to reflect on some of the themes that recur in the book, trauma, abuse, family, and writing itself. Kevin Chong is the author of six previous books of nonfiction and fiction, most recently The Plague. Is work has appeared in a number of publications including the Guardian, the Times Literary Supplement, the Rumpus, and the South China Morning Post. He is associate professor at the University of British Columbia Okanagan in the faculty of Creative and Critical Studies. His website is at www.thatkevinchong.com. This new book is published by Atria Books, which is an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Kevin Chong; Professor Chong, good morning.  The post Kevin Chong first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The artistic director of the Vancouver Writers Fest Leslie Hurtig talks to Joseph Planta about their upcoming Bestsellers Series, which will feature among others, Margaret Atwood, Louise Penny, and R.F. Kuang. Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Leslie Hurtig joins me again. The artistic director of the Vancouver Writers Fest is on to preview their upcoming Bestsellers Series. It’s a chance to see some of the biggest literary stars, as well as a chance to raise funds for the beloved Writers Fest. There are three events in May: On May 7th Margaret Atwood will be in conversation with Ian Williams. May 13th, Louise Penny will join Shelagh Rogers. And on May 22nd, R.F. Kuang talks to Eddy Boudel Tan. Unfortunately, tickets are going fast, and I believe the Atwood event is sold out already. But like with Writers Fest events, be sure to check their website regularly, as well as their social media accounts to see if new seats will be released, or if tickets come up because somebody might not make it. www.writersfest.bc.ca is the website. There’s also another event at a later date, which Leslie will mention. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Leslie Hurtig; Ms. Hurtig, good morning. The post Leslie Hurtig first appeared on thecommentary.ca.