Shrek, the Musical ~ Live Theatre Play

Shrek, one of my favourite characters in the world of animation, was brought to life at the Conexus theatre in Regina last evening. A cast of local young actors filled the stage with life, energy, music and dancing. Fairy tale characters from Cinderella to The Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio and The Three Blind Mice, and so many more danced in and out of the story being played out in front of us. 

The audience was filled with children of all ages - toddlers to those of us white hair, all of us clapping and singing along with the songs. Local musicians provided the live music that carried the story of Shrek, the big, green, ugly, scary ogre that had been challenged to find the Princess Fiona for Lord Farquaad. If Shrek wanted every single fairy tale character removed from his swamp, that was the job. Dragon fighting was part of the challenge if he was to save Fiona. 

The set was back dropped by changing scenery from Shrek’s swamp to Lord Farquaad’s castle and a field of sunflowers in between. Two structures, with a balcony atop, set the stage for castle, dungeon or a bridge depending on the scene. 

Were there flaws in this production? I certainly have a bad habit of watching for what could or should have been different, but that was the premise of this play, that differences are always with us. I just know I had fun - not only the play but loved the 7 year old beside me who clapped and danced for the 2.5 hours of this production. There was a 15 minute break and popcorn to ease the length demanded. I’m afraid the toddler did not manage, and fell asleep in her grandma’s arms. 

“After a while you learn to ignore the names 

people call you and just trust who you are.”

~ Shrek

Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire

Music by Jeanine Tesori

Based on: the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture 

and the book by William Steig

All authorized performance materials are also supplied y MTI. www.mtishows.com

Conexus arts centre: conexusartscentre.ca

**haze, loud noises and flashing lights may be part of this experience

An Afternoon at the Farm with Jeffrey Straker

Dreading what turn the weather might take, I was very pleasantly surprised. The afternoon was bright and warm with just a cool breeze throughout the afternoon. A modest gathering sat in lawn chairs at a farm just north of Southey where we were entertained by Jeffrey Straker, a Canadian folk/roots singer-songwriter-pianist backed by an instrumentalist on a base cello. His music was lively and covered his Saskatchewan roots from the prairie skies to the demise of the tall grain elevators! He included the song he wrote for King Charles’ coronation, which did reach King Charles, who sent a gracious reply. Jeffrey is quite a story teller as well! 

I attempted to take photos, but the sun was too bright and I was too moved by his music. These lilies were in my photo files that fit the bill. 

“Folk music is the original melody of man; 

it is the musical mirror of the world.”

~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Rhythm

Rhythm 

Began with slow waking

Picked up through the morning

discussion danced back and forth 

over lunch and lemon spiked waters

Afternoon slow and easy 

picking up stray tasks 

chatting with neighbours 

’til quiet underlined by 

music and hum of the dishwasher

softened today's rhythm

“There is music wherever there is rhythm, 

as there is life wherever there beats a pulse.”

~ Igor Stravinsky

Once a Tomorrow

A wide open door 

birds fill the trees 

with chirps and song

a dog barks in the neighbourhood

a car shushes past 

Fernando plays on the radio 

backed by gentle strum of a lute 

the aroma of barbecue drifts

trees wave in the wind 

clouds ride high and thin ~

today was once a tomorrow.

“Finish each day and be done with it. 

You have done what you could. 

Learn from it… tomorrow is a new day.”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist

(1803 ~1882)

Music in the Trees

Wascana Lake Bird Sanctuary
Regina, Saskatchewan

 

the language of birds 

music that makes trees 

sing in staccato chirps

“There is a peculiar virtue in the music of elusive birds.”

~ Aldo Leopold,  A Sand County Almanac

A Hard Choice

It was a tough one. 

A community Choir event ~

pre-scheduled

A four year old’s birthday party

sudden opportunity this morning

Both set for the same time:

no choice?

Both events involved singing:

Beautiful soaring music with

Regina’s Sisters in Song

Happy Birthday song around 

the kitchen table with family!

(No photo available)

“Those who wish to sing always find a song.”

~ Swedish Proverb

A Next Good Moment

Caring for the hope 

I have in my heart 

helps me to find 

slivers of joy in each day. 

For joy is often in-glorious, 

but is aroma of good food, 

   the kindness of friends, 

      the feeling of soft grass on bare toes, 

         a babies gurgling laugh, 

           the rhythm of well loved music. 

When I add up all these sparks of joy, 

hope is restored to know

there is always a next good moment.  

“I inhale hope with every breath I take.”

~ Sharon Kay Penman, novelist

(1945 ~ 2021)

Listening to Music

Rhythm 

tap tapping of toes 

swaying 

embodying the music 

feeling the gentle dance 

envisioning the ride 

down a sun-drenched lane 

hearing the clip clop of 

a sleek brown horse 

stopping beneath a willow

graceful fronds caressing a lake. 

“People do dismiss ambient music, don’t they? They call it 

‘easy listening,’ as if to suggest that it should be hard to listen to.”

~ Brian Eno, musician

Author’s note: 

    inspired by an Easy Listening piece, 

    head back, eyes closed to the outside world.

Soul Dance

Rhythmic flow ~ 

a sway and swing from the centre of our being before 

we know the dance that 

tells us that we are alive

our soul hears our rhythm

before music heals our hearts,

before despair touches shore ~

listen and feel the rhythm.

“The rhythm of life is intricate but orderly, tenacious but fragile. 

To keep that in mind is to build the key to survival.

~ Shirley Hufstedler, Judge

(1925~2016)

10 More Minutes

10 more minutes 

while flutes play, 

fingers poised 

over laptop keys 

and still nothing comes 

so I will end this missive

and bid you goodnight.

“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now.”

“Earl Nightingale, author

(1921 ~ 1989)