Arts Reflections

There was a time, not too long ago, when you could clearly identify a car by the shape of its headlights. Many warm evenings were spent on our front porch playing the “Car Call-out game”, to see who could first call-out the make, model, and year of passing cars. “There goes a ’67 Corsair…a ’69 Skylark…a ’74 Monte Carlo”. In those days you could almost instantly shout out a car’s make and model. As in the past, our cars were designed with much more flair and pride in workmanship, giving each car a distinct character.

--October 31, 2011.

“There are years that ask questions and years that answer” – Zora Hurston

Playwright’s Notes

How did you come to be living here, to be a “Montrealer”?

Find a durable surface
that withstands
outdoor wear and tear

Utilize high-quality grout
(adhesive that
binds and
unifies the mosaic)

Select a
conventional shade
of grout
(it will be neutral
to the eye)

Follow the grouting instructions
thoroughly
Should you omit a step in
the process
you may
risk losing the mosaic
altogether
(you cannot have a solid mosaic
without having a solid foundation)

Go to an arts supply store to find tesserae
(mosaic pieces)

The above is the kitschy slogan of Montreal's most unusual new radio station, CJRS -- Radio Shalom, at 1650 on the a.m. dial. What is more unusual is that CJRS is North America's only full-time Jewish station. For 24 hours a day, 6 days a week (we're off the air for the Sabbath) a multiplicity of Jewish sounds cascades from our studios near Montreal's landmark Orange Julep.

As with any culture I’ve experienced, perspectives in Montreal vary.

Around 2005, Peggie Hopkins, a real estate agent in Point St. Charles, was offered an opportunity to act in a play at Westmount’s community theatre. She had no previous acting experience, but thought that the chance to act might be a new and interesting adventure.

Before long, she was infected with the “theatre bug” and was thinking about starting a local English-language community theatre in Point St. Charles. Of course, the big question was, “how do you start a community theatre?”