Plum Viewing

Welcome to the latest edition of Plum Viewing, my weekly round-up of arts and culture to enjoy online.

Hello lovely readers! Plum is coming to you on a Saturday because I had an exciting day yesterday and well, it seems I have lost the ability to multitask. Yep.

So pour your second cup of coffee and enjoy this week’s picks!

Let’s warm up with this stunning film : Pina Bausch The Rite of Spring — Rehearsals at École des Sables, which is being brought to us in an extraordinary setting: a beach in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal. It was filmed as the world descended into lockdown in 2022, and it magically captures the last rehearsal of a specially assembled company of 38 dancers from 14 African countries, and documents a unique moment in their preparations for an international tour. It’s a rare opportunity to watch one of the world’s greatest dance works. Unfortunately, we no longer have the option of viewing the full performance but we have 10 minutes of pure beauty to be enjoyed and appreciated.

Ukrainian pianist Vadim Neselovskyi released his new album yesterday, Odesa: A musical walk through a legendary city and it is beautiful. Neselovskyi creates music that is truly inspired and wholly unique and this album is true to form. The LA Times has praised his “extraordinary playing” and The Guardian called him “the most promising of the young improvisers.”

I listened to his interview on WNYC’s All of It and can confirm this praise is more than warranted. This segment runs for 23 minutes, and we hear him speak and then play. His story and his playing will stop you in your tracks and compel you to just listen.

NPR interviewed him as well and I encourage you to read and listen to the interview and again, his performance. Here’s the link: For pianist Vadim Neselovskyi, Ukraine war adds urgency to his most personal work : NPR

And, staying with Ukraine, Carnegie Hall’s all-star benefit Concert for Ukraine, hosted by Richard Gere, is available to stream on demand for free until June 22. It took place on May 23 with 100% of ticket sale supporting Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid nonprofit organization that provides urgently needed medical supplies to relief groups on the ground in Ukraine. We can watch it here.

The Confederation Centre in beautiful Prince Edward Island has just started previews for Tell Tale Harbour, led by east coast royalty Adam Brazier, Alan Doyle, Bob Foster and Edward Riche and directed by Jillian Keiley. Now how’s that for a line-up!

Here’s what you need to know: “Adapted from the film screenplay The Grand Seduction by Ken Scott, Tell Tale Harbour is a new large-scale musical that is inspired by Atlantic Canada and the resilient people who proudly live there. Set in a fictional town, the musical tells the story of how a tight-knit community must learn to lie, cheat, con, and perhaps most difficult of all, work together to convince an American doctor to make Tell Tale Harbour his home, and save what’s left of their beloved harbour. The musical draws on the folk-art traditions of the region, and its many musical styles and dances. It’s a celebration of smaller industry towns, both in Atlantic Canada and throughout the country, that continually struggle to feel relevant in an ever-changing world.”

As an east coaster from a very, very small town, I have been following this project closely. I have no doubt this powerhouse of talent has produced a show that truly celebrates the charm, resilience and stubbornness of small towns.

For those lucky enough to make it to PEI this summer, you can find tickets here. And, for those of us not quite so lucky, we can enjoy this series of behind the scenes videos with the writers, each charmingly sharing what it took to put this production together. And, in true east coast style, everyone does know everyone. As I watched these, I was very proud of my 17 year old self for my crush on Alan Doyle — he has made me proud :)

Let’s continue the theme of storytelling with this find. As we are spending more time outside (may this continue forever!!) let’s entertain ourselves with the latest and greatest podcasts. I am slightly obsessed with podcast and am always searching for my next great listen. So, I was delighted to stumble on this from the Guardian: The best podcasts of 2022 so far

I can vouch for The Trojan Horse Affair (their first recommendation), which is brilliantly told (True story: I have actually increased my running time JUST to continue listening!!).

Have a great weekend and see you next week!

And, if you’d like to receive Plum Viewing weekly, send me a note at maggiefairs@gmail.com and I will add you to my mailing list.