24: Time After Time
24: Time After Time
Plus Plebiscites on alcohol! A major Toronto hotel! Halloween stuff!
Instead of cranking out an edition of this newsletter last weekend, I went with Louisa and my sister to see Cyndi Lauper’s farewell tour at Scotiabank Arena. I can count on one hand the number of arena/large performance venue pop music shows I have attended over the years - partly because I prefer intimate venues, partly due to the cost factor.
It was an enjoyable evening. Turns out the nosebleed seats have a great view, as I felt closer to the action than sitting in the balcony for an opera at the Four Seasons Centre. The visuals were stunning, mixing art, graphics, and video that fit each number well. Here you can see the finale of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” featuring the work of artist Yayoi Kusama, who was among the visual collaborators tapped for the tour.
What’s New?
Aurora Banner, October 17, 1924.
For TVO, I marked the 100th anniversary of a provincial plebiscite where voters were asked to either continue prohibition under the Ontario Temperance Act or to allow the sale of booze in sealed packages under government distribution. It was a close vote, accompanied by a lot of finger wagging.
Royal York Hotel, circa 1929. Toronto Public Library, PC_5273.
Over on Tales of Toronto, I looked at the history of the Royal York Hotel. As I note in the additional material for this post, the lobby of the Royal York is one of my favourite places in the city to catch my breath, especially on a long walk downtown. The lobby is a comfortable, atmospheric setting to watch the world go by, whether its sports fans in town for a game, convention goers looking to network, or people out for a night on the town. I sometimes sit and imagine the back stories of those passing by. It’s one of those places that screams “big city” and feels like it links the past to the present.
Curio Collection
At first, this week’s edition was going to be dedicated to some ads I stumbled upon during some research for an upcoming piece which occurs during the end of the Victorian era (hint: the story will tie into Remembrance Day). But then it’s Halloween week, so let’s dive into my folder of spooky stuff and see what we find…
Rochester Democrat-Chronicle, October 29, 1921.
Parents, please make sure your children do not push any vehicles owned by medical practitioners in any nearby bodies of water this year. Nor should they use peashooters (called “beanshooters” here) unless there is a way to incorporate them into harmless, wholesome pranks and tricks.
What gave the small businessmen of the United States (presented here by “Johnny Public”) nightmares during Halloween as war broke out in Europe in 1939?
Globe and Mail, November 30, 1972.
It took several years after its 1968 release for Toronto’s newspapers to review Night of the Living Dead.
The Star tackled it in September 1970 when it played at a rep houses’s “Second Chance” series, noting that upon its original release it was part of a double bill and only played a few days. "It deserved far more exposure," Peter Harris wrote, "for, in its own modest but effective way, it is the embodiment of the nameless terrors of our dreams and imagination."
To answer Martin Knelman’s question at the end of his G&M review: yes, we would hear more about George Romero and his films, to the point that he spent his last years living in Toronto and is buried in the Necropolis (which is a beautiful cemetery to walk through in the fall).
Ottawa Citizen, October 28, 1982.
Given the costumes that go with Oktoberfest, it’s a wonder more places don’t attempt to combine the two celebrations like this Ottawa shopping mall did in 1982. Maybe the beautiful ceramic beer steins could have been used to hand out candy? Or the oompah band could have mixed in a few scary tunes?
(Nowadays, I could picture a mashup like this feature a zombie Bavarian band?)
This ad was in the files for a TVO piece I wrote on how Ottawa nearly cancelled Halloween in 1982.
Windsor Star, October 27, 1983.
Lots of “flame-retardant” vinyl costumes on display in this early 1980s Zellers ad. I never had to worry about the risk of burning in a flimsy mask and smock that may or may not have had a passing resemblance to the character it was supposed to depict thanks to my mom’s sewing machine. It’s slightly unnerving to see that the Government of Canada’s Halloween safety website still warns that “some costumes may be labelled flame-resistant, but remember, flame-resistant does not mean fire-proof.”
Hire Me
‘Tis the season for looking for new clients and work!
Seeking a writer/researcher/editor for your latest project? I am always taking on new work, especially as I have hit one of those periodic freelancer lulls. Beyond my historical niche, which often leads in surprising directions, I want to expand my horizons and explore new ways of utilizing my skills. I am interested in working on general projects in the corporate, educational, and non-profit sectors where clear communication and delivering solid facts are required. Feel free to check out my portfolio.
Privately message me at jamiebradburnwriting[AT]gmail[DOT]com if I can assist you.
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That’s all for now. Have a safe and happy Halloween!