As we approach September, some ideas... · Saturday August 23, 2025 by colin newell
For those just joining us… hello. For those here for the first time or dropping in after a long time… Hola! Good day.
Looking at the stats for this blog, I see a lot of visitors… but I don’t get a lot of feedback.
I’d love some feedback. I have some ideas I am cooking up for the Fall.
One is a radio show. Yep. A new medium… or is it an old medium?
Either way. Yea. And it will be paralleled with a podcast.
But what are we up to? That is going to be the subject of some up and coming posts.
Stay tuned.
If you are a regular here, please send me a note via this easy contact page.
The 2022 Jeremy Dutcher Tour University of Victoria Farquhar Theatre · Friday September 9, 2022 by colin newell
Marking my first outing back into the world of live entertainment, Andrea and I bought tickets for the much anticipated Jeremy Dutcher and band at the University of Victoria Farquhar auditorium Friday night.
It has been two and a half years since I sat for some live music — a very long wait. And without question, this was worth waiting for.
Jeremy Dutcher is a classically-trained Canadian tenor, composer, musicologist, performer and social activist, born in New Brunswick. A Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) member of the Tobique First Nation in North-West New Brunswick, Dutcher studied music and anthropology at Dalhousie University and currently calls Montreal, Quebec home.
Many know him from his CBC radio exposure and his project of interpreting 110-year-old wax cylinder recordings of ancestral songs and creating breathtakingly haunting arias and ballads in dialogue incorporating samples of those recordings.
Dutcher, winner of the Polaris Prize capping a five-year journey to produce/release his debut album, is one of the approximately 100 individuals who speak Wolastoq. Described as a “severely endangered language”, Dutcher feels composing the songs developed a closer relationship with his own ancestors, creating a medium for healing among the younger generations – victims of generational trauma, cultural suppression and re-navigating an anglo-centric narrative in Canadian music history.
Prior to seeing Jeremy, I had little exposure to any of his multi-media work, videos, live stuff – etc. So it was an extra special treat to see him and the band with no expectations on how he would approach his material.
So it was a pleasant surprise to see a very sparse stage set-up with little more than a piano, acoustic bass, drums, guitar and a trumpet.
Jeremy Dutcher is a very fit and particularly hirsute fellow who commanded the stage in a way reminiscent of performances by Jim Morrison, Robert Plant and (yup, I’m going there…) Freddie Mercury of Queen. There is no denying this man is a force of nature, who seemed to have a maturity and sophistication way beyond his years.
And despite the fact that the bulk of the performance was in Wolastoq, the music held the audience captive through feeling and emotion — at one point the audience was split in two groups to provide a 2 octave drone in the key of G for one of his pieces… and it was pure magic. The line between audience and performers was completely dissolved.
Jeremy’s band consisted of UVic alumna (and Oscar Peterson School of Music faculty) Tara Kannangara, on trumpet, composer-producer-multi-instrumentalist Bram Gielen on double-bass, Spencer Cole,Toronto based drummer, pianist, vocalist, and composer and Thom Gill on some very funky guitar. These were very accomplished jazz musicians.
Jeremy Dutcher’s single 105 minute set felt like something of a seance – a connection with spirits long passed – or a raising of memories – a healing – a learning – a yearning for a better connection to who we are – to the Earth under our feet – to the misfortune and misdirection of our colonial past. Not so much as an exercise in judgement (from Dutcher…) – not at all. His was a position coming from a place of peace and love – a more encouraging exercise… way more than a series of learning moments.
And based on the standing ovations (three) the room as a whole achieved something. Something tangible. Something mystical. Something progressive.
And for a moment, back to the dialogue on pop stars past, Jeremy made me imagine what it would be like to be in an intimate live space with the likes of Jim Morrison of the Doors. It was palpable. He exuded a twin-spirited kind of sexuality that was hard to quantify in purely human terms. He effortlessly played with phrasing, fluid and flawless ascending and descending legato. Little hand gestures reminded me of Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. Honestly, I have not had this much fun and this many tears at a live performance, well, ever.
So bravo Jeremy Dutcher and band! My first thought with his last note was: When can I experience this again? It was that good. Catch him when you can. Check out Jeremy Dutcher on his website.
Colin Newell is a Victoria area resident and long time author of the website CoffeeCrew.com – writing on the subject of cafe culture since 1996.
Movember in the fast lane - year 12 Movember Captain · Tuesday November 16, 2021 by colin newell
12 years. It is easy to dedicate yourself to a cause that you believe in. A cause that has touched you and your friends and your family in so many ways.
Movember has been here for a while. What is it? It is the month of November dedicated to not shaving and thinking about and talking about the perils of silence and isolation.
Wellness. It comes in many forms. Physical and mental well being. I have not met a single person who has not struggled with one of these. And the difference between not coping and thriving can often come down to a conversation.
I have been having those conversations for over a decade.
And what is fascinating for me is that it was almost 10 years ago that my doctor tapped me on the shoulder to say, “Hey, Colin, maybe we need to have a closer look at this…” I was lucky. Numerous tests, blood work, MRI and an immensely uncomfortable biopsy later… and I was cleared for take off – to return to my normally scheduled life.
In that time, 10 years, several friends have battled cancer all the way to the win column – with bravery and sacrifice. Others, like me, have suffered their share of mental turmoil as crises have come and gone. But what set these experiences apart was having extra arrows in our toolkit – conversation, dialog, resources, support, solidarity. The one thing I preach over and over again is; Do not face any crises alone if you can at all avoid it. Sadness, anxiety, depression and strife love the cold darkness of isolation. Do not try and go it alone. I tell everyone. I am here, 24/7, if you need to talk. If you need a shoulder – even a social distanced shoulder, or a virtual hug.
In most cases, with professional help and guidance and the loyalty and listening skills of friends, most dark periods in our life can be overcome. I always say, the sun will come out again. It is a bit of a platitude, but it is true. For most of us, we have known good times. The good times do come again. It takes work.
Please support the cause. Movember in Canada raises millions of dollars and supports upwards of 1000 different programs.
Sean McCool and Colin perform Hallelujah
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Instant Pot Pasta Sausage Tuscan Pasta · Sunday October 24, 2021 by colin newell
Since I was introduced to the Instant Pot around 4 years ago, I have never tired of the ease of use, the time saving attributes and the sheer tastiness of many of the recipes.
This pasta dish is among my favourites.
It is quick, fast and easy – and oh so delicious with a big glass of red wine and some of the chewy focaccia bread that I make regularly.
At the heart of this dish are pork sausages, but you can source any kind of sausage including plant based. You can sub in chicken. Add a few sliced artichoke hearts. Whatever you have on hand. This is, after all, the building blocks of quick pasta recipes. Don’t have penne pasta? Consider Fusilli, Rotini and many others. Explore. Have fun!
Ingredients
Two cooked and sliced caramelized Leek and Onion sausages
1/2 Jar of sun-dried tomatoes – 1/2 cup or 75G
Heaping tablespoon of mince garlic
Tablespoon of Italian seasoning
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
16 ounces of Pasta (Penne)
1 container of low sodium chicken broth – (4 cups)
1 bunch of spinach
1 cup of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1.5 cup of cream cheese (Chive infused)
Instructions
In the Instant Pot stir together chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper.
Stir in sausage and pasta – and try to submerge pasta down into the broth (do not stir!)
Set to 5 minutes quick release.
After quick release, add Parmigiano-Reggiano, cream cheese and spinach. Mix.
Put lid on and let steam for 10 minute – with warm setting on.
After 10 minutes, stir and serve. Bon appetit
Colin Newell is a Victoria resident and food-beverage writer/influencer – active in the city, Province and country since the late 1980’s
