If Sun Tzu went to a yard sale
Yard sales are interesting places to observe human nature. The best moment is when you have to look the homeowner in the eyes and negotiate […]
If Sun Tzu went to a yard sale Read More »
Sharing the Tlingit culture
TESLIN Many years ago, when another winter was survived and summer allowed for easier travel, the Inland and Coastal Tlingit people would gather. Members of
Sharing the Tlingit culture Read More »
Hold your child’s hand … not a cellphone
Does it bother you when you see a parent spank their child in public? I think it bothers most people, but it is legal (to
Hold your child’s hand … not a cellphone Read More »
I am proud of Trenton, Ontario
Pride in Canada’s military has always been a dignified and understated series of gestures in my hometown of Trenton, Ontario. It is decidedly more important
I am proud of Trenton, Ontario Read More »
Trevor is one of us
Since I know, almost as a fact, that Trevor will not be put down by the Bylaw Services Department, I can sit back and enjoy
Trevor is one of us Read More »
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
With both the Nakai and Moving Parts theatres scaling back on productions for a season of development, Eric Epstein sees the role of the Guild
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue Read More »
The day I have dreaded for 18-1/2 years
It is a cruel trick of time that has punched me in the stomach and now I cannot breathe. I could have sworn that it
The day I have dreaded for 18-1/2 years Read More »
It’s a ‘building year’ for Nakai
This year, Nakai Theatre will not be producing any plays. David Skelton, Nakai’s artistic director, says the company will be concentrating, instead, on developing local
It’s a ‘building year’ for Nakai Read More »
We can be heroes
I almost met Terry Fox once. I was working on the Napanee Beaver, in 1980, when the editor came into the newsroom and asked who
How far from home?
Just as the metaphorical river is never the same after the water rushes past, you really can’t go home again. Home, for me, is my
How far from home? Read More »
The Bob Couchman Yukon Theatre Award
Each and every one of us at What’s Up Yukon finds local theatre to be a fantastic entertainment value. We like to think that covering
The Bob Couchman Yukon Theatre Award Read More »
The Yukon rocks Vancouver
Yukon musicians will be entertaining Vancouverites this week, which is nice, but … “I see this as a huge marketing initiative,” says Debbie Peters of
The Yukon rocks Vancouver Read More »
Stop … and listen to Mike Daisey
Mike Daisey talks. He is a monologist; it’s what he does. In a day when we watch our videos in one- and two-minute clips and
Stop … and listen to Mike Daisey Read More »
Power to the people
It is an occupational hazard of being an editor that you sometimes get paralysed over the meaning of one word. This week, the word was
Power to the people Read More »
Volare by Antoinette: The symphony
Have you ever returned from a restaurant and just felt … satisfied? It would have been a night when the ambiance was comfortable, the service
Volare by Antoinette: The symphony Read More »
It’s Cheechako’s first winter
This is a column for Cheechakos. Sourdough, you know this stuff. …February, March & April are your reward for November, December & January…
It’s Cheechako’s first winter Read More »
Que será, será … (but the internet has a test for that)
Back in Grade 12 I decided that my previously ordained career of choice would not be in the military. I was in the Reserves and
Que será, será … (but the internet has a test for that) Read More »
Theatre reviews go interactive
There are two types of people who read play reviews: those who want to see if the reviewer agrees with them and those who want
Theatre reviews go interactive Read More »
I’m a 20-year man
Last month marked a very important event in my life: I’ve been a Yukoner for 20 years. Of course, we all understand that I didn’t
My ‘Mack’ shall be smacked no more
As a young boy, I was sophisticated enough that, when given the choice of a chocolate bar or MacIntosh Toffee, I would always go for
My ‘Mack’ shall be smacked no more Read More »
School band has great friends
It is good to have friends … especially when you are a music teacher and the band needs to raise money for repairs and new
School band has great friends Read More »
A positive, family-friendly music festival
The producer of the Blue Feather Music Festival receives every new task as proof the event is coming together bigger and better.
A positive, family-friendly music festival Read More »
The accordion tells it like it is
Geoff Berner is an accordion player. If you think this might make for a boring evening at the Old Fire Hall, Friday night, then you
The accordion tells it like it is Read More »
The return of jazz dance
Kimberley Cooper retraced the rise and descent of North American jazz dance: It is primarily a folk dance mixed by African slaves and the Europeans
The return of jazz dance Read More »
The stories behind Nutcracker
As audience members at the Yukon Arts Centre allow the Christmas tradition of Nutcracker to wash over them – joined, for the first time, by
The stories behind Nutcracker Read More »
From the Middle East, to the Maritimes, to the Yukon
My eyes were closed as my teeth rested in the juicy, flavourful shawarma. It was beautifully spiced and juicy meat, wrapped in a warm pita
From the Middle East, to the Maritimes, to the Yukon Read More »
I can see clearly now
I can’t remember when it began, but I had been noticing that the knuckleheads at City Hall were using street signs that cannot be read
I can see clearly now Read More »
Christmas Concert is Caliente, Caliente, Caliente
Barbara Chamberlin is loving the wordplay surrounding the Whitehorse Community Choir’s upcoming Christmas show, Christmas Caliente. “It’s music to warm your soul,” she says deliciously.
Christmas Concert is Caliente, Caliente, Caliente Read More »
Strength that does not hurt
The Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre and Les EssentiElles are taking steps to END Violence Against Women. The all-cap version of “end” is theirs, via a
Strength that does not hurt Read More »
A kinder, gentler red square
Friday at 4:30 p.m. It is a time that belongs to the working man and the working woman. It is a time when the boss
A kinder, gentler red square Read More »
Not just any ol’ sandwich
“It’s a meal.” “It’s a work of art.” I had never heard so much gushing over a sandwich. A sandwich. Its very creation began as
Not just any ol’ sandwich Read More »
Thank you, Carol!
The Yukon was lucky to have been chosen as the location for the filming of Anash and the Legacy of the Sun-Rock. Yes, we have
The arts can be your community
Sitting at a table in the Gold Pan Saloon, enjoying a reception for the Santa Claus Parade volunteers, I met some incredible young people who
The arts can be your community Read More »
Whose life is it anyway?
Finders, keepers. Right? Well, adults will likely respond with, “It depends.” OK. This is something that was obviously discarded … but it was seven meticulously
Whose life is it anyway? Read More »
A rollicking story of Cape Breton
Sheldon Currie wrote a short story about a family in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, that echoed his message in the acclaimed Margaret’s Museum. Lauchie, Liza
A rollicking story of Cape Breton Read More »
Thailand on the Yukon River
From my seat, I could see a toboggan hill, trees, mountains and blue sky. Not such a bad view for my lunch in the middle
Thailand on the Yukon River Read More »
A fresh longest night
In an interview, two weeks before Longest Night 2009, director Daniel Janke said the evening was still a mystery to him. “I’ve been writing new
A fresh longest night Read More »
When ‘cool’ is not cool
Just as a reformed smoker is often the first person to complain about a hotel room that smells of tobacco, I shall now complain bitterly
When ‘cool’ is not cool Read More »
Rekindling an old flame
These iPads and Kindles gladden my heart as I see it as one more step toward re-establishing the written word as the king of communication.
Rekindling an old flame Read More »
The Whitehorse Horse tells your stories
Art is for the people. But sometimes, the art is by the people. This is exactly what Daphne Mennell has in mind for her art
The Whitehorse Horse tells your stories Read More »
Pass the popcorn! It’s the Health Care debate!
I can explain why I find it so fascinating: I don’t play online games, I don’t watch sports and I don’t read fiction. Why would
Pass the popcorn! It’s the Health Care debate! Read More »
Watching a poem … for the entire family
If your exposure to children’s entertainment has only been Saturday morning television, you can be forgiven for thinking that it must be fast-clipped, obvious and
Watching a poem … for the entire family Read More »
Our Olympic contribution
The Yukon’s cultural contribution to the Vancouver Winter Olympics is all coming together. On Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Yukon Arts Centre, audiences will see
Our Olympic contribution Read More »
Misty’s place is in our hearts
The weight of Misty, our 20-year-old cat, curled up on my lap, has never been felt more. She loves the fact that I work from
Misty’s place is in our hearts Read More »
Be our 2010 foreign correspondent
I visited Germany once. My brother was stationed there with the Canadian Army and he was dating a German lady, Gabi, who is now my
Be our 2010 foreign correspondent Read More »
The seven strings of Lenny Breau
He calls it, “The Lenny Moment.” “I found myself frozen as music played the way I’ve never heard it before,” says Pierre Brault, a veteran
The seven strings of Lenny Breau Read More »
We are all Pamela Anderson
I feel sorry for the screeners who work for airport security. And it’s not just because they are forever in a no-win situation, where every
We are all Pamela Anderson Read More »
A Northern City That Works
Sunday, January 10, I was sitting in front of our propane fireplace, watching Meet The Press, while my fiancée was surfing the Net on her
A Northern City That Works Read More »
How could you ever thank me?
I have a tip, that is going to change your life. It is a game changer, it is revolutionary, you will wonder how you survived
How could you ever thank me? Read More »
A friend in the house
I’ve discovered that if you want to meet some terrific people, just advertise your house for sale. Immediately, people start phoning you to ask to
A friend in the house Read More »
Taking the omnichord to the next level
This is a story about the omnichord. It was manufactured by Suzuki as a toy version of an autoharp. It has a touch plate for
Taking the omnichord to the next level Read More »
Cleaning out my desk …
It’s time for Spring Cleaning. But what is a guy to do, when he isn’t a pack rat and he keeps his few belongings well-organized?
Cleaning out my desk … Read More »
Burps, pizzas, ‘Hug Bugs’ and Charlotte Diamond
In Charlotte Diamond’s 25 years as a children’s entertainer, she knows a few things about entertaining children. She knows that modern children need to move
Burps, pizzas, ‘Hug Bugs’ and Charlotte Diamond Read More »
‘Success’ from a culture of isolation
Seeing Melisa Devost perform at The Old Fire Hall Friday, April 16, or at Atlin’s Globe Theatre on the 19th, you will be contributing to
‘Success’ from a culture of isolation Read More »
Pop goes the Hammond B-3
Besides hearing jazz played as tight as only a quartet of professionals can, the Jazz Yukon audience Sunday night will enjoy a spectacle. Have you
Pop goes the Hammond B-3 Read More »
Making ourselves at ‘Home’ Hardware
It all started with one sink … It was a very nice sink for the bathroom that would have felt neglected, if a bat hroom
Making ourselves at ‘Home’ Hardware Read More »
This is your paper
I shall, from time to time, give to the readers of What’s Up Yukon information about the state of this arts and recreation paper. This lead
This is your paper Read More »
Editorial: You can’t ‘own’ a podium
In 1992, I watched the Blue Jays play at SkyDome. This was the season they would win their first World Series and the stadium was
Editorial: You can’t ‘own’ a podium Read More »
The music of Frank Zappa plays on
I remember where I was when I first heard Frank Zappa. It was 1980 and I was at C.F.B. Borden; Joe’s Garage Act I was
The music of Frank Zappa plays on Read More »
The music moves to Haines
Once again, the streets of Whitehorse will be bare as its citizens flock to the next big summer weekend event. On this weekend, July 29
The music moves to Haines Read More »
In praise of AGMs
Recently, in my other life as a volunteer, I have been exposed to the inner workings of boards of directors and societies and such things.
Take your ‘Sasquatch Prom Date’ home
A Sasquatch Prom Date concert is a party. People wear prom dresses and wigs and tuxedos and the dancing is of the contagious kind that
Take your ‘Sasquatch Prom Date’ home Read More »
Silent strength – Todd Hardy Tribute
I’ve never met Tytus Hardy, or Tess or Lymond Hardy. But I know for a fact that they are good people … smart, caring and
Silent strength – Todd Hardy Tribute Read More »
Live long and prosper
I just read about a report by Dr. Ephrem Cheng that clearly proves that the longer we work, the sooner we die. Boeing Aerospace was
Live long and prosper Read More »
The new world of Arctica Magazine
Lily Gontard is learning to embrace the paradox that is the Internet. It’s a technical wonder that wasn’t even guessed at, back when Captain Kirk
The new world of Arctica Magazine Read More »
Walking is a good skill to have
Daisy and I received a very nice gift last month: it’s a book on walking. Hmmm, you know, I’ve always felt that my Mom and
Walking is a good skill to have Read More »
Finding some good
Ask any parent, and they will tell you that the worst of all tragedies – the absolute worst – is to experience the death of
One-hundred planes over the Yukon
When these planes pass through an airfield, they gulp up 20,000 litres of aviation fuel. It takes a total of two hours to watch them
One-hundred planes over the Yukon Read More »
Korean food: ‘different’ is good
Running a restaurant in a hotel comes with one priority: good food to help guests start their day. And, remember, guests come from all over
Korean food: ‘different’ is good Read More »
Preschoolers get their own festival
With the Atlin Arts and Music Festival taking the summer off, to re-tool and re-tune and re-fresh, Atlin residents may have suspected the second weekend
Preschoolers get their own festival Read More »
You can’t buy happiness … but you can rent it
These days, whenever I drive past Home Hardware, I throw my head back and laugh. You see, I am now a renter. Yup, most of
You can’t buy happiness … but you can rent it Read More »
Now we are here, in Zenadu
“The idea was Patrick’s,” says Bill Polonsky, the “media guy” for the upcoming Zenadu Music Festival. “He was saying there is this place he knows
Now we are here, in Zenadu Read More »
Arizona is lovely this time of the year
By the time you read this, I will sitting on my brother’s back deck where it is 40 degrees in the shade. My fiancé and
Arizona is lovely this time of the year Read More »
My ideal editor is …
As you are reading this, there is a different editor preparing the next issue of What’s Up Yukon, as I have stepped aside to allow
My ideal editor is … Read More »
The tyranny of perfection
June was a bad month to be a human. First, we all watched with horror as Armando Galarraga’s perfect game was stolen from him, at
The tyranny of perfection Read More »
Mommas, don’t let your babies grow up to be Darrell
I met an expectant mother the other day and I asked if they had picked out a name yet. When she said, no, they haven’t,
Mommas, don’t let your babies grow up to be Darrell Read More »
Students still care about Haiti
It’s been four months since an earthquake ravaged the already-desperat e country, Haiti. The world responded swiftly and compassionately. But Yukon high school students know
Students still care about Haiti Read More »
I conclude that socks and sandals are fashionable …
It’s a walking, talking paradox … well, mostly it’s a walking paradox: If wearing socks with sandals is so wrong, why do so many of
I conclude that socks and sandals are fashionable … Read More »
Our twins, closer to the sun
The atmosphere contains sufficient quantities of oxygen, but very little moisture. It is amazing that anything can grow here. The vegetation is as fantastical as
Our twins, closer to the sun Read More »
Hihowareyou? Iamfine
Have you ever had an American say to you, “Say, ‘eh’ for me”? They think it’s funny when we Canadians say, “eh”, and, being the
Hihowareyou? Iamfine Read More »
Olympics are just not normal
Point your toes! Point your toes!” I yelled at Sam Edney. He likely didn’t hear me because my mouth was full of Bacon Ranch Pringles
Olympics are just not normal Read More »
My computer thinks I am pathetic
My computer cheats at Backgammon. Let’s all ponder that for a moment. Pathetic, eh? But is it pathetic because I like to play Backgammon on
My computer thinks I am pathetic Read More »
The best burger in town
When foodies get restless, they debate “the $100 hamburger”. It’s an intellectual exercise that asks the question, “What would you have to do to justify
The best burger in town Read More »
Artist’s Amusing Alliterations
Visitors to the Yukon are seeing and feeling the territory for themselves. I don’t need to describe the landscape or the friendly Northern-way because these
Artist’s Amusing Alliterations Read More »
Frostbite has gone back to what works
“Frostbite used to see bands play … and then you would see them play on the world stage,” says Patrick Singh, Frostbite Festival’s new producer
Frostbite has gone back to what works Read More »
The one and only Dessert & Dance
“No.” The answer came from Rebekah Bell and Bruce Johnston in the perfect unison you would expect from two band teachers – from Porter Creek
The one and only Dessert & Dance Read More »
Taylor Mac wants to shake you up
Taylor Mac would like you to know that he doesn’t want to offend you. If his fantastical makeup and clothes surprise you, then that’s OK
Taylor Mac wants to shake you up Read More »
If a drag queen falls in the forest …
Last year’s Nakai Theatre Pivot Festival was not well-received. It featured a blind comic who portrayed cancer. It had a snow-shovelling demonstration. A sexualized Betty
If a drag queen falls in the forest … Read More »
Photography as big as Canyonlands
“On top of everything else, you are a photographer, too?” Didier Delahaye has a bemused look that I don’t quite understand. As the marketing director
Photography as big as Canyonlands Read More »
Kim Barlow’s pan Canadian supergroup
Performing about 60 shows Outside each year, we should not be surprised that the Yukon’s own Kim Barlow has a lot of friends in the
Kim Barlow’s pan Canadian supergroup Read More »
The Many Voices Of A Big Story
A small moment, felt big, and told well, is a beautiful thing. It is a lesson Tanya Marquardt is reminded of every time she snaps
The Many Voices Of A Big Story Read More »
Reading Glasses and My New ‘Tude
Those of you who have squinted along with me in sympathetic union will be glad to hear that I have finally made the decision: The
Reading Glasses and My New ‘Tude Read More »
Halin de Repentigny’s Yukon
Halin de Repentigny is a Yukoner’s Yukoner. He is a trapper, hunting guide and expert birch-bark canoe builder; he lives in the bush, runs sled
Halin de Repentigny’s Yukon Read More »
A business could do well by partnering with a competitor
THOSE WHO AGREE SAY: This may seem like an extreme idea, but it isn’t. Have you ever wondered why fast-food restaurants crowd in together in
A business could do well by partnering with a competitor Read More »
Scotiabank is Active Partner in Aids Walk
The folks at Blood Ties Four Directions Centre should be pleased. Its annual fundraiser, its best chance at raising funds to continue its support programs,
Scotiabank is Active Partner in Aids Walk Read More »
Kids, Listen to What a Guitar Can Do!
There is a reason why the Montréal Guitare Trio will be performing for so many school children in the Yukon later this month: they need
Kids, Listen to What a Guitar Can Do! Read More »
Touching Hearts and Souls with the Power of Voice
“I don’t know what it is about opera singers,” says Whitehorse Concerts’ program coordinator, “but the Pavarottis and Heppners of the world touch people’s hearts
Touching Hearts and Souls with the Power of Voice Read More »
Sports Nuts Aplenty
Yukoners are fit. Recently a doctor from Victoria who was visiting the territory was heard to say: “I can’t believe how fit Yukoners are.” Well
Sports Nuts Aplenty Read More »
Songs of Life, B-boying and Skating
His music tells stories of losing a loved one and of the comical miscommunication between a man and a woman; and stories are told of
Songs of Life, B-boying and Skating Read More »
Restoring the Honourable ‘Elite’
Some time today, somewhere in the territory, one child hurled the worst insult imaginable at another. Perhaps that child butted in line in front of
Restoring the Honourable ‘Elite’ Read More »