h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We know you're not the deceased, Anhaga.

We attended our annual panto a couple of nights ago ... Quite fun, as always.

A lot of people like to go out and see shows or concerts this time of year. It's a nice way to start the Christmas season. Plus, it's easier to get around now than later when the snow comes.

Every year since forever this has been a big Christmas thing here: http://www.citadeltheatre.com/whats-on/2011-2012-season/a-christmas-carol/

I finally broke down and went the year before last, mainly because the little neighbour girl was in it, and it really was magnificent.

I'd like to add this as well: http://vueweekly.com/arts/story/a_christmas_carol/

Every Christmas season, a local(ish) theatre does a humourous take on a children's tale. This year is
http://www.stirlingfestivaltheatre.com/puss_in_boots.html

The 'naughty' version is about as racey as any village of maybe 5,000 people could handle, of course.

You `put me in mind of another Christmas, Nick.


Many many years ago I went to the McDougall United Church http://www.mcdougallunited.com/index.html to see a tremendously sim`ple `production of The Second Shepherds' Play http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Second_Shepherds%27_Play

I see this year Handel's Messiah will be in the Church.


I'm very glad of these community mid-winter things.

Good to see this thread on the road again.

Never seen a Mystery Play..but maybe one day; brilliant concept...and Handel's Messiah You have good churches over there.

Ah, a 'mystery' ...

Sometime in '92 or so, we took part in a house-party 'murder mystery'. They were quite popular at the time. We later bought a
package with the idea of organizing one ourselves. Good intentions, yada-yada, the box has sat around for-ever.

Just last week, I handed it off to the Entertainment Chairlady of our Wing of the Air Force Association. It should prove to be an
entertaining evening for everyone, mix in a light meal, lots of spectators making their own guesses ...

(I did have to shift the audio intro from a cassette to a CD, mind ...)

Somebody around town does the Messiah *every* year.


Oh, it looks like we get it twice this year -- the Edmonton Symphony is doing it too: http://www.edmontonsymphony.com/symphony-specials/2011-12-symphony-specials/handels-messiah-sat/

And, of course, the Alberta Ballet always seems to be ready with some sugar plum fairies: http://www.albertaballet.com/


Seriously, if I had the free time, the inclination and the money for tickets, I could spend all of my waking hours in this town going to festivals, concerts, plays, ballets, operas, restaurants . . .

an embarrassment of riches.

Different kind of "mystery", Nick.

I love it when people talk all about that kind of *culture* anhaga

It sounds totally brilliant.

Of course we have that stuff in London as well...and totally brilliant it is to. When younger I was going to that kind of thing all the time. But I can't deal with all the stress of travel in London now.

But I imagine you are getting it in a much more civilised city...(in terms of size and crush)

Well, in London, of course, you would *expect* this kind of stuff.

But a little over two centuries ago, this place was a river ford and a meadow beside the river where people would meet seasonally to trade. A little over a century ago it was a wooden fort and a few clapboard shacks.

There have been a few generations of very forward-looking individuals here.

That's amazing. Yeah I forget because we take centuries and even millenia of urban cultural development for granted.

I would be very proud of that.

I do have a nice image in my mind of the meadow beside the river, you describe of 200 years ago.

But in some ways one could think of it as the meadow continuing to flower..

In my area (Greater Boston), we have a yearly tradition of "Messiah sings". People arrive at the designated time and place, often with their own scores of the "Messiah," and sing through the choruses. Often there's an hour of rehearsal before the complete run-through begins. Soloists are hired, and often there's an orchestra. However,I've been to Messiah sings in which there was just an organ for accompaniment. If the musicians in the orchestra are not very good, it makes one wish for the organ alternative. It'sincredible what a good organist can do with the Messiah. Handel was one of the great organists himself.

(Hope you don't mind an Aussie interlude here from an anglo..(and certainly no .

This YouTube of Bach's Tocata and Fugue, recorded in Sydney's Town Hall, 2002 is a favourite...played by Kurt Isson.

Amazing Town hall to have such an organ built in it. Brilliantly filmed as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FXoyr_FyFw

I think you might like this Paul if you are a fan of the organ?

"fan of the organ"

Oh you Brits and your offal references!

I've always been a fan of the organ, first when I heard Bach's Tocatta and Fugue in D minor on a big pipe organ when I was young. Then as a teenager with Hammond organ (ELP) and electronica (Walter/Wendy Carlos).Still one of my favourite instruments to listen to (wish I could play!).

Just namedropping. My contribution on the topic of organists. I too recall ELP, but of course before them America's Booker T & the MG's(Green Onions, Time Is Tight, etc). Sadly a major Canadian keyboardist is no longer with us. I was fortunate enough to see/hear him live(& in an intimate setting) a couple of times, ass well as speak to the man briefly on one occasion. I speak of the late Doug Riley, a considerable talent whoo made numerous contributions to recorded music over his lifetime(including great collaborations with the late Moe Koffman).

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=U1ARTU0002984

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=U1ARTU0001866

I have some great recordings of Buxtehude organ pieces. The organs they used must have been immense. Maybe they had to be in order to fill those huge cathedrals with sound.

Well, this is odd and disturbing:

"Police have cordoned off a large stretch of the highway running through Claresholm, south of Calgary, as they investigate multiple deaths, officials say.

The RCMP major crimes unit is leading the investigation at the “highly suspicious” scene on Thursday morning, said RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2011/12/15/calgary-claresholm-death-rcmp.html