Spring festival

The Rainbow Chorus had been asked to perform in a local talent program at Guelph Spring Festival, a two-week music event in our fair city. At the venue yesterday afternoon, Old Quebec Street indoor mall, we were treated to a teenage soprano (Maria Antonakis?). She had one of the clearest, most crystalline voices I have ever heard. Sarah Brightman, move over. “Vilya,” “Poor Wandering One,” and “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” also something by Schubert or Schumann. Les commented she was technically perfect but lacked stage presence.

“I bet she’s awfully young,” I replied. “She doesn’t have the experience or confidence yet.”

Then the woman nearby told us the girl was 15.

By the end of our gig, the mall teemed with lesbians and babies. Mollie has a wispy halo of hair, blonde like Tana’s, and toddles around with beatific wrecklessness.

The biggest attraction was Catherine and Lynn’s baby, Koen Alexander Brown, born on April 26. I needed to touch his velvet scalp.

Moe asked whether I remember my daughters that small. In my head I do. I can still see Marian’s intense blue eyes; Brenna lifted gaping from her mother’s belly. But my arms have lost their memory.

The Tempest it will be

Thanks to everyone who voted in my Shakespeare poll. It must have been a good question, because the votes turned out 13 to 13. So I used my position as chairperson to tip it 14 to 13 for The Tempest over As You Like It; I figure it will appeal more to Marian's dark and offbeat sensibilities. But if I can swing it, we'll see both.

Perfect

Magnolia on Delaware Avenue







djjo at O'Grady's







Something summery, fruity and alcoholic


[Toronto] Celebrating having my camera back on the first Perfect Day of 2005.