Maxwell's Plum - Nearing English Perfection.

On my first trip to the Maritimes, Laura and I made our way down from Moncton, NB to Halifax, NS. This trip was exciting for me as I had heard of the urban culture in the port city of Halifax, NS but had yet to experience it. 

As we tediously made our way through the city and down to the harbor we passed by Maxwell's Plum. It had been our aim to find a cute pub to eat at and as we passed it I knew it was where I wanted to go. Laura wanted to see what else we could find, but I didn't. From the name to the location to the blue and red exterior the two seconds I had to identify it were enough to tell me I had to go.

I'm currently having a love affair with red meat. This is pretty new - five months new. Every time I go out to eat I just have to get a burger. It's has to have cheddar and bacon, everything else is icing on the cake. So I'm looking at Maxwell's menu and I the burger platter is listed and just 9.99. Sweet. I'm getting that. I order my beer and delicious burger and we had a nice conversation in a wonderful pub environment.

Then my burger came. Please identify that there are two burgers on that plate. Two half pound beef patties with bacon, cheddar, tomato, lettuce, onions . . . not to mention that pile of fries. I rechecked the menu - no I hadn't missed it; there wasn't even a description for the platter. I was immediately filled with fear. I tried to convince myself two thirds of the way through the first one that I wasn't getting full. I only made it through half of the second one but dang were they good. Laura was also pleased with her strips of chicken and she's not so easily pleased. 

Beyond our service - which was a little lacking, though I wouldn't assume it to consistently lacking - Maxwell's Plum was an amazing experience. It should also be noted that they have something called a brewtender which brings you eighty oz of beer on tap to your table. That's just a win right there. And if you buy the brand of the day you can get it for 20 bucks. I wouldn't, however, recommend buying it by the bottle. It's over-priced. So if you're in downtown Halifax and happen to be on Sackville St., walk into Maxwell's Plum and have a beer. I guarantee you'll enjoy it. 

Sufjan - say it right or I'll pinch you.

The time has come. 

Sufjan Stevens has been effectively changing my life for two years now and I need to find a way to articulate why and how.

The thing that captivates me most about his music is its spiritual nature. I don't speak directly to the lyrics. Though one has to wonder about his religious background as he references the Holy Spirit, the divinity, Bible Studies and the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. On his album Seven Swans he has songs dedicated to such biblical narratives as Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac and the Transfiguration. 

Beyond this lyrical basis, Sufjan carries an innovative use of instrumentation that, considering the time frame, parallels the innovation of J.S. Bach. If you don't know anything about this Bach-ian innovation let me just say that his blending of international styles to create something that appealed to the Western world as a whole was completely unexpected and beyond what anybody had ever done. In the same way, Sufjan Stevens uses the nature of certain instruments sounds to attain a sound that captures the essence of his musical message. He employs everything from horns to banjos to strings. In his commissioned album the BQE (named after the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) he employs a full orchestra. The know-how required to write for such an ensemble is impressive and strengthens my appreciation of the complexity of the rest of his work.  


I've done some research in an attempt to discover whether Sufjan is a Christ follower or just intensely spiritually and biblically aware. I've come up dry. There is nothing I've found in print to convince me that Sufjan has a working relationship with Christ; yet I stand changed because of his music. 


I took a music fast for two weeks last fall and the broke that fast with Seven Swans. The aim of the fast was to reclaim the affect of music on my soul. At that point I knew nothing could fill my soul like that album. It claimed me then and continues to today. 

Godspell - a charming enterprise.

There's something pretentious about reviewing a live performance. The right to critique implies some sort of expertise in the area. I don't claim that expertise, but I'm going to critique anyway. 

Nine days ago, I attended a student run performance of Godspell. This play belongs to an almost forty year old musical theater tradition and taking it on was daring. I knew, however, that the man behind the curtain, director Ben Harrison, had a passion for the musical that gave him permission to do anything he wanted with the work. 

Ben opened the show by stating that he hoped the audience would see the character of Jesus in a way that he had never been portrayed before. "He is not a preacher being a pulpit, he is not a fictional or mythical figure, He is real." 

From that moment on, the audience was enraptured by the story these ten characters told.

Godspell tells the story of the Gospel according to Matthew. Because much of Jesus' teaching in this book is through parable form, the play follows suit. It also includes much of the passion narrative - the last supper, prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and the crucifixion and Resurrection. The timely nature of this play cannot be ignored. It brings the viewer into a wonderful preparation for Holy week and a re-affirmed understanding of the sacrifice made on their behalf. At least that's how it was for me.

The construction of the cast was incredibly diverse. The unity among them displayed on stage is true evidence of the grace of God at work with them in this. Let's start with the character of Jesus played by Greg Smith. He was perhaps the most unexpected element of this production. His love-able personality captivated the audience as soon as he stepped on stage. This is not an easy role to conquer. Greg held it expertly as he portrayed the anguish of the night before his death. 

Other moments of musical captivity were "Day by Day" - sung by Alexandria, "Save the People" - sung by Brett Mitchell and "All Good Gifts" - sung by Lydia-Ann Levesque. This one in particular, gave chills and provided the audience with an incredible moment of true worship.  

"By My Side" - sung by Rachel Hunter and Warnesia Travasso, is my favorite in the line up and was so epic as their voices moved and blended together. They owned this piece so well, it was absolutely stunning. Marianne Barker, known for her theatrical comedy, did not disappoint. This was also a small vocal debut, as she sang "Learn They Lessons Well". I'd definitely say it worked for her. 
It is also worth noting how well the height difference between Michael King (who has got to stand at little more than five feet) and Greg Smith (6'10) was played on brilliantly. 

I came away from this production more filled than I could have possibly expected and was singing the songs for days following. There was such a human element about it. Let me summarize by saying that there was nothing perfect about this thing. But nobody came for perfection - they came for honesty. This was beyond achieved. Perhaps this emphasizes that God doesn't ask for perfection, but willingness and honesty. 

Thank you, cast and crew of Godspell 2010. You have led me to a greater understanding of the love and grace of the teachings and sacrifice of Christ, as well as the relationship he longs for with each of us. 

Statements from the audience:

"The highlight of my year." - Professor Jim Paulson

"Phenomenal." -Professor Joel From

"I can't even believe it." - Pastor Blayne Banting

"This is the first time I've ever enjoyed hearing the stories of Jesus." - High School student

I would like to conclude by pointing out my stamp on the production. After Judas nails Jesus to the cross, ribbons of blood flow from his hands. That was so my idea.  

Year of the Dog - something to chew on.

I watched it for the second time tonight and affirmed my thoughts from the first time around.

Molly Shannon plays the role of Peggy, a horribly misunderstood secretary. The characters she interacts with throughout the film see her for what she is on the surface; kind, steady, predictable. The underlying angst for Peggy is that she may never be fully understood for who she really is. 

The one light in this situation is her dog, Pencil, who 15 minutes into the film dies of toxic poisoning. As the only one who understood her, Peggy now feels utterly alone. 

Newt, played by Peter Sarsgaard, an animal shelter worker enters to fill this in a small way by providing her with a new dog and human companionship. It is through him that Peggy discovers the sanctity of life; animal life. She then begins to delve into the world of animal exploitation. The reality of this issue opens Peggy's eyes to the insincerity of much of the world she lives in. She is then able to recognize that unless she surrounds her self with those who will care for what she cares for she cannot be satisfied in her life. 

The understated character of Peggy mixed with the hilarity of her (ridiculous) friends make this movie an easy watch. Add to this the flavor of Laura Dern, John C. Riley and John Pais and you're guaranteed a win. You're left with more, though. The call to see beneath the surface of those who surround you to they truly are; and to identify the good, within the bad, and fight for it to come out on top. 

If you're left confused and questioning the production of such a film, don't worry. I was too. Let it sit a bit. The more you think about it, the more you might realize how brilliant it truly was.