Category Archives: PopCulture

Rock Star Librarian

The Library Association of Alberta did a calendar a few years back featuring photos of librarians doing their non-work hobbies – riding motorcycles, belly-dancing, mountain climbing, etc.  We had some brief chats about doing something similar here – either for my cohort or for the whole program via Student Council.  I don't think anything ever […]

"Dakota" – The Stereophonics

Because I can't think of anything else to write, here's one of my favourite songs of the past year or so.  (I was going to link to “Wake Up Boo!” by the Boo Radleys which is one of my favourite songs of the past 10 years or so but the video was taken down!  Damn […]

Word on the Street – Kitchener-Waterloo

Even though it rained off and on, Shea and I had a great day at the Kitchener-Waterloo's edition of the Word on the Street Festival today. Having been a board member of the Calgary edition for three years, I was looking forward to seeing what one of the other host cities for this national festival […]

Saskatchewan Songs

I compiled a list of Saskatchewan songs for a fellow student so thought I would post it here as a counterpoint to my SW Ontario playlist entry.  (This is not an exhaustive list by any means – feel free to add others in the comments section.)“Last Sask Pirate” – Captain Tractor/Arrogant Worms “Roll On, Saskatchewan” […]

Corb Lund Band – London, ON

Corb Lund is a great country-rock/roots singer in the tradition of Hank Williams and Steve Earle.  His web site has some audio and video samples (check out “Hurtin' Albertan” for “Time To Switch To Whiskey” for a couple of my own personal favourite songs.) A bunch of his shows out west are sold out but […]

iTunes v. eMusic

I didn't buy the Sam Baker CD at the Fred Picnic (having already blown more than I should have on other CD's and DVD's) but as I thought more about Baker's performance (and based on Beer Doug, a huge music fan in his own right, saying that it was the best CD he'd heard in […]

Some Other Thoughts & Highlights from the Fred Eaglesmith Picnic

– I have a theory that every time you go to a music festival, one artist will become a revelation.  That theory held true at the Fred Picnic last weekend.  Sam Baker was an amazing discovery in his Saturday night closing set.  Beyond his music, how's this for a backstory: while touring in Peru, he […]

2006 Fred Eaglesmith Charity Picnic In Photos

 Stars With One Name: Cher, Madonna and…Fred? Performer line-up for the weekend Our campsite The unofficial “best campsite” award We were warned about the “Missisauga Rattlers” when we set-up our campsite but didn't realise they were being wrangled on stage as well. Washboard Hank is a very…unique (?)…musician. Canadian folk legend, Willie P. Bennett Man […]

Cheaper Books Coming To Canada?

Books in Canada have been costing up to 36% more than in the US, due to the way the book prices have been fixed to an outdated exchange rate. However, following pressure from unhappy consumers and bookstore owners, most publishers are now reducing their prices.  Random House Canada will begin offering discounts to retailers on […]

Standing Order: The Relationship Between Canada's Book Publishers and Public Libraries

When I first considered doing an independent study, I remember talking to Lynne and her recommending that I look through some of the past studies that were archived at the GRC.  I went and paged through them and have to admit, I checked specifically to see which was the shortest one.  “Okay,” I thought.  “If […]