Raise the Hammer
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All I Want for Christmas, 2020 - I want my heart to keep ticking, my legs to keep kicking, and my heels to keep clicking. Published December 21, 2020 in Entertainment and Sports
'I Cried on The Bus': Local Dance Student Accepted at Juilliard - Despite a lifetime of dancing, arriving at Juilliard was akin to Flora setting foot at the base camp of Mount Everest. Published September 02, 2020 in Entertainment and Sports
There's No Place Like Home: The Possibility Of Theatre - A little girl who dreamt of being Dorothy grows up to be talented performer, then stars in her own show about finding home and the performance makes everyone feel better by connecting us to the real world. Published December 06, 2019 in Entertainment and Sports
A Recipe For Mass Murder - What drives boys and men to monstrosities, massacres and mass murder? Published November 21, 2019 in Opinion
Singerella, a Musical Fairy Tale to Support McMaster Children's Hospital - A creative endeavour is to be enjoyed, certainly, but having a worthy purpose makes it sweeter. Published June 19, 2019 in Entertainment and Sports
The Narcissist Apocalypse - There are different ways to create a narcissist and our society is establishing perfect conditions for their proliferation. Published May 27, 2019 in Entertainment and Sports
Lilly - The people at McMaster Children's Hospital are saving one child at a time and we don't know what the impacts will be. Lilly might save the world. Published March 05, 2019 in Commentary
Mary's Wedding Opens Tonight - From a sublime script and courageous performances, to a reclaimed church in a beautiful neighbourhood, Mary's Wedding is destined to be a great trip. Published November 08, 2018 in Entertainment and Sports
Nothing, Everything, And Fringing - The Fringe is great, fun, and inexpensive. There's something for everyone. If you want to feel better, get out and see a show. Fast. Published July 28, 2018 in Entertainment and Sports
Three Poems for the Holidays - Perfectly perfect rhyming rhymes, the Santa notwithstanding clause, and nuts. Published December 25, 2017 in Entertainment and Sports
Four Fifties - Four fifty-word poems. Published September 27, 2017 in Entertainment and Sports
Drive In The Drive-in Again - At a regular theatre, good manners preclude the kind of fun you can have at a drive-in. Published June 26, 2017 in Entertainment and Sports
Crawl Into the Building - Architecture Crawl is back next Friday, featuring five exciting venues: The Boiler Room and the Foundry at Cannon Knitting Mills, the Empire Times Rooftop, and the Co-Motion Studio and Rooftop Patio. Published June 02, 2017 in Entertainment and Sports
Wisterium Music - After a long and strict adherence to script, Wisterium Music is going off on unpredictable, lovely, flowering musical tangents and offshoots. Published April 25, 2017 in Entertainment and Sports
Pearls, Pearls, Pearls - The Train of Thought is a thoughtful, provocative theatre production that explores difficult topics through conversation. Published January 23, 2017 in Entertainment and Sports
I Resolve - A New Year's poem by Kevin Somers. Published January 03, 2017 in Entertainment and Sports
Beautiful Windows; A Photo-Fifty - A fifty-word poem, illustrated with photographs. Published November 17, 2016 in Entertainment and Sports
Magic, Wonderful Magic with Nick Wallace - Being magical, seemingly without effort, takes a rare combination of natural aptitude, opportunity, and an unfailing, unfaltering, unfeigned, unfettered, unflagging commitment to craft. Published September 12, 2016 in Entertainment and Sports
Say Hello To Hamilton Art, Hamilton - Each of us is an artist. Everyone is, and has, a body of art. Published July 18, 2016 in Entertainment and Sports
Othella's Revenge - With a Shakespearian subversion, Esther Huh has turned Othello on his old head. Published April 15, 2016 in Reviews
Writer's Block - Writer's block is not a crock. It's not a myth, as some insist. It does exist. It grows and festers, like a cyst. Published January 25, 2016 in Entertainment and Sports
Miracles Don't Come Cheap at Theatre Aquarius - This new play is written and performed entirely by Hamiltonians and their collective holiday wish is to make you laugh. Published December 17, 2015 in Entertainment and Sports
Victory: A 1000 Word Photo-Poem - At my age and stage in life, victories are hard to come by if they come at all. So I note and celebrate each one, regardless of how small. Published September 08, 2015 in Entertainment and Sports
The 10/10/10 Project And Rowing With Aaron Jan - Two large and really talented contingents have come to Hamilton to perform at The Fringe with Aaron Jan, which speaks volumes about what to watch and whom to watch out for. Published July 25, 2015 in Entertainment and Sports
What's So Funny About The Fringe? - A love of comedy and laughter is universal, but what touches one's funny bone is as distinctively unique as a fingerprint. Published July 23, 2015 in Entertainment and Sports
Market Fresh: Good Things Taking Root in a Food Desert - The Code Red area in which Market Fresh is located is littered with fast food, junk food, and convenience food, but the neighbourhood was dying for raw fruits and vegetables. Published June 23, 2015 in Entertainment and Sports
Hamilton, At a Crawl - Hamilton, home of Art Crawl and Super Crawl: say hello to Arch Crawl. Published April 27, 2015 in Entertainment and Sports
Hamilton, Hamilton - Submission to the City of Hamilton's Mayor's Poetry Challenge. Published April 20, 2015 in Arts and Music
Hope, I Hope, Eye Hope - I hope the next time there is a once-in-a-century opportunity for Hamilton, we don't allow carpet-bagging old-boys, who can't see past their glorious past, to hijack the process. Published October 16, 2014 in Entertainment and Sports
The Fringe is Coming - From July 17 to the 27, the Hamilton Fringe Festival will be in full swing, celebrating 11 years of accessible theatre. Published July 16, 2014 in Entertainment and Sports
Séance - The frightening new performance by magician and illusionist Nick Wallace is playing at the Scottish Rite on Wednesday June 25, Thursday June 26, and Friday the 27th. Published June 16, 2014 in Events
Konopka - Celeste Konopka is certainly a peach. Celeste teaches music magnificently, magically to little kids. She could school the Buddha on serenity, too. Published September 18, 2013 in Entertainment and Sports
(This) Summer - It's almost over, so enjoy Summer. Published September 03, 2013 in Entertainment and Sports
Lovecraft, Baby, Love Craft - Monstrous Invisible is an upcoming play about H.P. Lovecraft that is showing at Theatre Aquarius this weekend. Published May 23, 2013 in Entertainment and Sports
HamilTEN Opportunities - HamilTEN is like Hamilton: an attractive, affordable opportunity to have a great experience. Published April 12, 2013 in Entertainment and Sports
Good - The road to hell is paved with (good) intentions. Published April 01, 2013 in Entertainment and Sports
Love - I love writing long, rambling, stream-of-consciousness pieces built around one word, like love. Published September 04, 2012 in Entertainment and Sports
Sero's Orpheus - Ryan Sero talks about his new musical-comedy, Orpheus, which is showing this Wednesday through Saturday at Theatre Aquarius. Published March 05, 2012 in Entertainment and Sports
Write Hamilton Life Right - Anything is possible when writing, but, as we know, reality is another story. Not everything can be written right. Published February 27, 2012 in Entertainment and Sports
People - People have theories on how people arrived, but people have never agreed and never will. Published August 01, 2011 in Entertainment and Sports
Flick - Kevin Somers has a television addiction he'd like to tell you about. Published May 17, 2011 in Entertainment and Sports
Camping, TVO Style - TVO's AgendaCamp is coming to Hamilton. TVO producer Michael Lehan explains how AgendaCamp works and what Hamiltonians an expect. Published March 22, 2011 in Interviews
Signs, Signings, and Signs of the Times - From work to leisure to volunteering, we constantly have to sign up, sign on, sign out, sign in, or sign off on something. Published March 20, 2011 in Entertainment and Sports
Bittergirl, Grateful Man - Bittergirl is the cleverly intertwined tale of three women playing off one male actor, who represents all their exes and excesses. Published February 25, 2011 in Reviews
Gangsters and Rolly Rockets - Rolly's is a great place. It's local, independent, clean, and unpretentious. The prices are fair, the beer is cold, the service is good, and the food is great. Published February 13, 2011 in Entertainment and Sports
Maybe The Screamer - There is a lot of anxiety and frustration that accompanies sharing a small planet with six billion screaming lunatics. Who hasn't felt the need, from time to time, to scream? Published December 12, 2010 in Entertainment and Sports
I Think - Even if he's is wrong, Kevin Somers is glad he lives in Canada, where (he thinks) he can still say what he thinks. Published November 26, 2010 in Entertainment and Sports
Words I Like - Kevin Somers doesn't know who would name a fruit kumquat, but he's glad they did. Published October 19, 2010 in Entertainment and Sports
Game Gamer Gaming Gamey Games - Life is a game and everything else is a game within the game. All games should be fun and fair, but that's rarely the case, which is the way the game goes, I guess. Published September 19, 2010 in Entertainment and Sports
The Unending Stadium Debate and the Unflappable Mayor - The entire Pan Am stadium saga has been like watching a classic Grey Cup game. Our G.M., coach, and starting quarterback, Hamilton Mayor, Fred Eisenberger, has done a fine job. Published September 03, 2010 in Entertainment and Sports
(Dis)connected - We're all connected, in some way or another, to everyone and everything. Alternatively, each of us is completely detached; a disconnected, unconnected, stand-alone entity: a stadium in the middle of nowhere. Published August 04, 2010 in Entertainment and Sports
Change - A smile, sometimes, is a pebble tossed into a pond needing change. Published June 10, 2010 in Entertainment and Sports
Trent, Mac, and Udder Mudders - Technically, Trent University is my alma mater, but when I think of my other, bounteous mother, it's Peterborough, Ontario, not Trent, that comes to mind. Published April 26, 2010 in Entertainment and Sports
Arthur P. Butler, Artist - No one is as openly, enthusiastically, and excitedly in love with their craft as Arthur P. Butler. Published April 08, 2010 in Entertainment and Sports
I Like (Trains) - All we are saying is give trains a chance. I like John Lennon. I like Hamilton. I like living here. I'd like it more if there were a train. Published February 20, 2010 in Entertainment and Sports
Daisy, Doug, and Me - Doug is part Lab and part German Sheppard and has the best qualities of both breeds, so he's smart and sweet and loyal and loveable. Published January 24, 2010 in Entertainment and Sports
Love, Tiger, Love Tiger, Tiger Love, Tiger's Lovers - I could have contacted each of you personally, but Tiger didn't feel like it. Tiger is busy. Tiger has to go. See you never. Published December 16, 2009 in Entertainment and Sports
My (Hockey) Life in Hamilton - It's inevitable Hamilton will get an NHL team. The day I walk to their first home game, my life will be complete. Published October 23, 2009 in Entertainment and Sports
Zip Lines and Daughters - Why jump into a pool when you can plummet into it from a suspended overhead wire? Published September 09, 2009 in Entertainment and Sports
Twitter Me Stupid - Don't kid yourself or your kids: texting isn't talking; an email is not an embrace; Facebook isn't face to face; and families don't bond on phones. Published May 29, 2009 in Entertainment and Sports
An Eye For An I - Eyes might be insights to the soul, but they're windows to the world, as well. Published March 30, 2009 in Entertainment and Sports
Lawrence Hill, Writer - Lawrence "Larry" Hill is enjoying the success of his novel The Book of Negroes and all that comes with it, but he really wants to get back to writing. Published February 11, 2009 in Entertainment and Sports
Why Write - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published February 11, 2009 in Entertainment and Sports
Imagination - Imagination is wonderful. It allows us to advance, create, and sympathize. We can't experience another's pain, but we can imagine it. Published January 08, 2009 in Entertainment and Sports
Imagine - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published January 08, 2009 in Entertainment and Sports
Talkin' Hockey - Jim Balsille, a brilliant billionaire, wants to put an NHL team in Hamilton, but the league, led by Gary Betteman, says no, as they consider Las Vegas and Kansas City. Published November 26, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
Who Do You Owe? - Everybody owes. Graduating students, ostensibly enlightened, are increasingly burdened by banks or Alma Mater. Mortgage-poor is a modern malady more common than mumps and measles combined. Published November 04, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
Anxiety - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published November 04, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
Time - This is no time to be arguing about time. We don't have the time. Published October 02, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
Remember The Time - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published October 02, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
Guys Named Larry - Larry is great name and history has seen a lot of great Larries. Other Larrys, not so much. Published September 11, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
Interesting Circles - Like movies or songs, some books stand out because of the experience we share with them. Some people, too. Published July 07, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
Anything - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published July 07, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
I Know No Know - No one really knows what's in another's mind. Not even Dr. Phil or Tom Cruise. Published June 05, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
I Know a Guy - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published June 05, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
The Voice Inside My Head - As long as there's only one, it's mine, and its not telling me to do anything outrageous, I listen to the voice inside my head. Published April 30, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
Think - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published April 30, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
Two Great Willies - Each in his own way, Willie O'Ree and Willie P. Bennett have made indelible stamps on the arenas in which they have passionately lived their lives. Published March 24, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
Some - Sometimes, a collection of anecdotes is more than the sum of its parts. Published February 14, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
Some Somes, Sums, and Always - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published February 14, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
Industrious Us - Everything becomes an industry - an opportunity to make money and/or grab power. Published January 18, 2008 in Entertainment and Sports
My Mind, My Poems, and My Money - Kevin busts out some guerilla poetry in a rant against graft, corruption and waste. Published December 20, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Busy as E.B. and a Bee - To much to do, so little time: a lament. Published November 27, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Write Life Write - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published November 27, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Beautiful Wendel - There's not much time left for our old dog and I think she knows it. She's not even gone and I miss her already. Published November 08, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Pet Dreams - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published November 08, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
My Favourite Things - Not your grandmother's favourite things. Published October 22, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
My Favourite Things (a Poem) - A new take on an old refrain. Published October 22, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
#$&% Jackson Pollock - Pollock's works, like the man himself, are too self-centered and chaotic to enjoy. Published September 28, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
I Could Write About - It's been a summer of little writing, so picking one topic is tough when there are so many to choose from. Published September 09, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
What Can I Write About? - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published September 09, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Oil and Water - Our abundance gives us the luxury to learn from it. If we manage and preserve our water properly, we can teach the world. Published June 27, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Ships on Father's Day - There's nothing quite like being a dad. Published June 27, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Erin and Claire - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published June 27, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Art in the Customs House - The subject and style of Kim Burke's art are complemented nicely by the unconventional space: urban renewal at work. Published June 07, 2007 in Arts and Music
Shooting Schools - It's time for those who perpetuate and profit from the slaughter of children to bear some of the responsibility. Published June 07, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Independent Hits - The internet has made it easy to check out and support independent musicians, so why not do it? Published May 18, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Raise Your Hammer - Gravity Climbing Gym, like Hamilton, is a sweet secret destined to get out. Published April 30, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Live Life Like - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published April 30, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Word - If words lack succinctness, style, substance, or sincerity, what's the point? Fortunately, many people respect words and put them together beautifully. Published April 10, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Words - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published April 10, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Should and Shouldn't - You should read this carefully, but you shouldn't take anything you read here too seriously. Published March 19, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
You Should(n't) - A Poem by Kevin Somers Published March 19, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Revolutionary Pants - Nobody wants a revolting revolution, so I'm going to have to market it well. Published February 26, 2007 in Fiction and Poetry
The End of Poets, Poetry, and a Poem - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published February 26, 2007 in Fiction and Poetry
A Beautiful Basket Case - Science and surgeons more interested in moolah than treating the sick have enabled me to turn back time and stay one step ahead of Mother Nature. Published January 24, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
The Winner - Kevin nipped and tucked this poem before publishing it. Published January 24, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
The Good, The Bad, and The Sad - The holidays came with black clouds this year. Published January 10, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
Woe for Julia - A small paean to a great spirit. Published January 10, 2007 in Entertainment and Sports
In My Opinion - Everyone has an opinion. In my opinion, most aren't worth hearing, but a few are worth sharing. Published December 13, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
Needs, and A Eulogy for Baby Boomer - Two poems by Kevin Somers. Published November 23, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
Big Bob Bratina - After 41 years in radio, Bob Bratina should be ready for retirement. So why did he dive into the cutthroat world of municipal politics? Published November 08, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
Why I Remember - Some memories are tragic, which is why we remember. Published November 08, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
Someone To Vote For - Brian McHattie, a genuine naturalist, environmentalist, and humanist, brings fresh air to the sprawl, mall, and pave-it-all mentality that permeates most elected offices, especially around here. Published October 20, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
A Day in the Paper - Kevin just read the news today, oh boy. Published October 06, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
Two Poems - Kevin injects a little class into the RTH oeuvre with a pair of poetic paeans. Published September 20, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
The Ten Amendments - Moses' version has been around for millenia. Perhaps it's time for a change or ten. Published August 30, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
I Saw It On TV - The world is beamed to my front door, through it, and onto my TV, where the choice of programming grows like cancer. Published July 05, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
TV Love - A poem by Kevin Somers Published July 05, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
Breaking Concrete - In a few hundred million years, archeologists for a new species will conclude we were dumber than the dinosaurs that preceded us. Published June 16, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
Rick Lintack, Architect - It's exciting to think of Hamilton as a city leading the way in urban renewal, seeking its full potential. Rick Lintack is helping to make this happen. Published May 05, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
On and Under - The normally affable Kevin Somers gets a few things off his chest. Published April 21, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
For The Road, Girls - If you were going to be on a deserted island and could only bring ten CDs, what would they be? Published March 18, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
The Big Top - In a world mired by inefficiency and ineptitude, watching The Big Top staff do their jobs is as good the food. Published February 15, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
Funny, Peculiar, Interesting Times - The Chinese curse, May you live in interesting times, is much more malignant than it first appears. Published January 27, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
If - If you think about it, if's a little word that provides plenty to think about. Published January 09, 2006 in Entertainment and Sports
Pick a Card, Any Card - I'm increasingly defined by the cards that are pressed in my wallet, stuffed in a pocket, and riding on the ass of my life. Published December 14, 2005 in Entertainment and Sports
Fringe 2015 Review: ONEymoon, Published July 25, 2015 in Reviews - Fringe 2015
Fringe 2015 Review: A Magic Show With A Brief Musical Interlude, Published July 21, 2015 in Reviews - Fringe 2015
Fringe 2015 Review: She Said Saffron, Published July 20, 2015 in Reviews - Fringe 2015
Fringe 2015 Review: Guruguru, Published July 18, 2015 in Reviews - Fringe 2015
Fringe 2015 Review: Much Ado About Nothing, Published July 17, 2015 in Reviews - Fringe 2015
Fringe Review: A Gallery Fringe Binge, Published July 23, 2014 in Reviews - Fringe 2014
Fringe Review: The Great Canadian Tire Money Caper, Published July 23, 2014 in Reviews - Fringe 2014
No Respect, Published September 09, 2010 in Sports
In the Red and Seeing Red From Reds' Red Mittens, Published April 26, 2010 in Fifty
Why 50? And Other Fifties, Published March 22, 2010 in Fifty
What's Worse; Pity the Fools; and Hillary vs. the Pros, Published November 10, 2009 in Fifty
Work and Weight Loss, Published May 20, 2009 in Fifty
Three-fifty: Three More Fifty-Word Pieces, Published May 01, 2009 in Fifty
Four Times Fifty, Published March 28, 2009 in Fifty
Collision, Published March 21, 2009 in Fifty
Fifty, Published March 14, 2009 in Fifty
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