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Bah-Humbug! (A Review of Theatre Northwest's New Show)

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There are numerous versions of Charles Dickens’ beloved tale “A Christmas Carol” out there. It’s a timeless story, really; we never tire of watching Ebenezer Screwed - I mean, Scrooge- get scared out of his mind by a couple of spirits until he understands the meaning of Christmas. Ah, joy. Recently I had the chance to watch Theatre Northwest’s brand-new spin on A Christmas Carol, adapted and directed by Heather Davies; I was not disappointed in the slightest.

The show starts out in the future, with Scrooge and his family and friends all gathered round on Christmas evening and ask Scrooge to regale them with the story of how he came to join them in their festivities. And so the adventure begins.

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It is charming, energetic, humorous at times; (“What’s that upon your cheek?” The Ghost of Christmas Past says when she watches Scrooge cry. “A pimple,” he replies dismissively, wiping it away.) and made my otherwise cold and deadened soul feel the full range of emotion over the course of two hours. It had everything I wanted in any rendition of the Christmas Carol and more; I loved the steampunk elements (a unique Theatre Northwest twist!), I loved the acting (some great local work), the singing (Christmas music sung well is my favourite), the special effects (they really did make it look magical), and the costumes (wardrobe department was very on point with the Ghosts).

I was so very impressed by the production; it was clear that an enormous amount of work was put into it. I recommend this show to anyone and everyone who loves the holidays (and if you don't love the holidays maybe this is just the thing you need.). If you think you’ve seen everything when it comes to this classic story, think again. Theatre Northwest delivers a fresh take, and I personally left the show humming “Joy to the World” under my breath, so that probably tells you what kind of mood it put me in.

The show runs until December 9 only, and tickets run out fast. I highly advise you to go to their website (theatrenorthwest.com) and book a ticket for you and your family/friends as soon as possible. This is one rendition of A Christmas Carol you definitely don’t want to miss!

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Celtic Fire Season 11 Episode 8

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Episode 5 of Season 11! Celtic Fire - CFUR's long-running Celtic music show is back with the start of the annual Countdown To Christmas. Christmas music gradually takes over the program every week until the week before Christmas.

On tonight's show: More from Mairi MacInnes, tunes from the Barra MacNeils, Daimh, Dominique Dodge, and more!

 

 

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/andrew-mcfayden/celtic-fire-season-11-episode-8-countdown-to-christmas-begins/[/embed]

Nostalgia - Nat-chyo! Grilled Cheese. Mixed CDs @ age15 this week on Suppertime

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Hi CFUR! This week on Suppertime we are diving into Jill's mixed cd's from when she was 15, celebrating nostalgia and cheese. "Party Hardy and Rock n Roll" - Hot Action Cop from the song Fever for The Flava

This week I was inspired by watching the movie "Boyhood". I liked it. It reminded me of being 15. So here are some samples from my age 15 collection. Also, grilled cheese was the first thing I learned to cook. And nachos were my favourite thing as a kid because my dad would make them. And I still love both. So here is a memory lane recipe. For a grilled NATCH-YO cheese.

Nacho-Grilled Cheese 

Left over taco meat or beans

Grated cheese

Fresh tomatoes, diced

1 or two nacho chips, crunched up

  • Butter 2 slices of bread
  • Fill the bread with the above ingredients
  • Grill on medium low heat for about 2.5 minutes on one side, flip, then about another minute on the other side
  • Eat with salsa and sour cream!
  • Yummmm

 

 

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/suppertime/nostalgia-natch-yo-grilled-cheese-mixed-cds-at-15/[/embed]

Who likes Pierogi? Suppertime Pierogi party! With special guests...

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It's a crazy Pierogi party! Everybaady polka now one two three four!!! Suppertime hosts interviews with Alycia Mutual and  Alice and Karl Domes telling tales about their Ukraine roots in generations of pierogi festivus and family feasting.

This week suppertime featured Alycia's grandmother Lucy's pierogi recipe. Lucy is a is a trail blazing spirited pioneer, who in the 1940's studied bio-chem and played varsity basketball, while making hundred's of pierogies and pies on her Ukrainian family's farm near Edmonton. Lucy remains an active pierogi prodigy, turning out scrumptious little dough pillows while listening to Hawaiin hero  Israel "IS" Kamakawiw'oole serenade humid skies and sunny rainbows. Go Lucy Go!

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Also on the show, Karl Domes of CFUR's Yellowhead and his wonderful mother Alice. Alice reminisces about growing up in Oakburn Manitoba in a small farming community with her Ukraine family and friends. She remembers making pierogies for her mother's restaurant, then blowing off steam at the hall dances featuring the critically acclaimed Canadian Ukrainian musicians Pete Lamb and the D-Drifters!

This show was a riot. So much pierogi fun and nostalgia and culture. Plus lots of tasting. Alice brought in some potato dill pierogies and butter tarts. Karl brought his home-made sauerkraut. Life is good.

Here is a pierogi dough recipe with sauerkraut filling. Check the web for lots of other fillings, ask your family or friends, or make up a new filling yourself! 

Homemade pierogi dough for 100-150 pierogies (compliments of Lucy):

4-5 cups of flour

1 3/4 warm cups water

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1 egg

1 tsp salt

dash of baking powder

2 tbs oil

Sauerkraut filling:

2 cups of sauerkraut

1 onion minced

10 mushrooms minced

Salt and pepper to taste

For the stovetop:

1 pot of lightly boiling water

  • Mix all of the dough ingredients in a bowl until a nice ball forms
  • Blend well with your hands
  • Cover and let sit for 30 minutes
  • While dough is sitting, make your sauerkraut filling
  • Add all ingredients to a frying pan with some oil and fry until golden brown
  • Work with only one handful of dough at a time, so the dough does not dry out. Take a handful of dough and use a rolling pin or wine bottle to roll about as thin as about your finger nail. Or about 1-2 mm thick.
  • Use a tuna can or something about that size to cut circles of dough
  • You are ready to fill your pierogi dough circles!
  • Take a spoonful of the sauerkraut filling and place in the middle of one of your dough circles
  • Fold the dough circle in half to form a crescent moon shape
  • Pinch the sides of the moon so that there is a nice seal and no cracks between dough
  • Drop into boiling water until the pierogi floats
  • Done!
  • If you want to eat now:
    • Fry in lots of butter and onions. Bacon too. Serve with sour cream.
  • If you want to save for later:
    • Freeze your pierogies. Create one row of pierogies than separate stacks of pierogies with wax paper. Once frozen, the pierogies do not need to be re-boiled. Only fried. In butter.

You did it! Congrats! 

To hear amazing Pierogi Music, Manitoban Ukraine Polka,  60's blues-rock Ukraine group Breakout, and modern Polish electro-pop duo The Dumplings...check out mixcloud.

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/suppertime/pierogi-party-special-guests-alycia-alice-and-karl/[/embed]

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this weekend: shows & happenings

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The first weekend of November is upon us and it's full of good things! If you're curious as to what the things are - read on. Power Duo's FREE album release show is happening Friday the 6th @ 8pm. The Parish Church of St. Michael and All Angels will surely be a lovely venue for the Prince George duo's scrappy and poignant folk harmonies. All ages! ** Tickets for the After Party are $10 a piece at Handsome Cabin Boy Tattoo. Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1509934009329878/

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The indie rock/pop/funk/folk/northern BC vibes of Bright City Heights will be alive and well and really friggin' vivacious at the Westwood Pub, Saturday the 7th @ 9pm. 19+. No cover! Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1630366007233948/

Prince George's The Statistics are opening for Texture and Light, an electronic dream rock band from BC's Sunshine Coast. The cover charge is $5 but the show will be priceless. Don't miss this energetic, sweaty, and intimate experience. Saturday the 7th @ 9pm at none other than Nancy O's. 19+. Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/497756477054458/

 

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The Hart Community Centre is hosting a Barn Dance Party Saturday the 7th @ 8pm. At $25 a piece, tickets include food and a shuttle service. Local country artist Rick Stavely will be playing from 8:30 to 11pm, followed by DJ Mike Boyce of Rhythm and Sound. 19+. Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/844431565670833/

What We Did On Our Holiday is screening Saturday the 7th @ 7pm at the College of New Caledoni, courtesy of Cinema CNC. This UK film is a charming and delightful account of a family vacation gone awry, featuring Gone Girl's Rosamund Pike, David Tennant of Dr. Who, and comedian Billy Connolly. Event: http://cinemacnc.blogspot.ca/2015/09/november-7-what-we-did-on-our-holidays.html

CNC International Education and Dana Mandi have collaborated to bring Diwali to Prince George. Dinner, dance performances, door prizes, and fireworks - the whole shbang! Get in on the festivities Saturday the 7th @ 5:30pm at the Hart Banquet Hall. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students, and $10 for children. Event: http://tourismpg.com/events/diwali-party

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There's plenty to see/hear/do in Prince George this weekend and I couldn't be happier about it. But if you're more of a homebody (which I am six out of seven days of the week), you can still get your fill of arts and culture!

Here's an unorderly list of new-ish albums and not-so-new-but-equally-important movies worth checking out: - Days of Heaven by Steven Lambke (album) - Wino Oracle EP by The Zolas (album) - Currents by Tame Impala (album) - Depression Cherry by Beach House (album) - Shake, Shook, Shaken by The Dø (album) - Frank (movie) - The Kings of Summer (movie) - Mad Max: Fury Road (badass movie) - Je suis Femen (badass feminist documentary)

 

Post by Dara Campbell

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