Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, and
Scott Thompson are Kids in the Hall.
Many people consider KITH the funniest sketch comedy show ever to appear on TV and Film. The other half are fans of the absurdist genius of Monty Python etc.
The Kids mixed that absurdist humor with irony.
The winner is us – the audience.
KITH are “older”!
The youngest kid is 59-year-old Dave Foley.
However, what keeps them funny and relevant is the high wire that they walk.
The Kids embrace risk and even make fun of that possible failure waiting to happen.
The guests this week are Bruce McCulloch and Scott Thompson
One of the things we talk about in this Zoom Interview is how lucky they were to not only find each but discover that they all viewed the planet and the people on it as flawed and great subjects for funny. Why are they so good? Well, they’ve been making us laugh – at ourselves – since 1984.
After 27 years of No Kids. No Hall. They’re back with a series on Prime Video/Amazon and a fascinating documentary “Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks”
Like all other events in our day-to-day lives, there was no Top Drop during the pandemic.
However, Top Drop wine fans are a very loyal bunch and I never thought for a minute that there might never be another Top Drop.
Why the loyalty?
“The one wine tasting of the year you shouldn’t miss”
Western Living Magazine
Kurtis Kolt and his partners have dedicated themselves to finding and inviting wineries that display a sense of place and craft.
Kurtis Kolt
A great many are organic and all farm sustainably. Some are large but many are small and finding them is like finding a prize.
The participants are so thoroughly vetted, that it makes the invited list feel like an all-star game.
The two-day event took place May 10 & 11 in the very comfortable surroundings at The Roundhouse in Yaletown. 40 international wineries pouring!
As usual, I couldn’t get to everyone in the room. But I did stalk and talk to :
Bella Wines – Jay Drysdale (Naramata Bench) A stellar sparkling wine house focused on single-vineyard expressions. Especially Gamay.
Creek & Gully Cider – Annelise Simonsen and Alyssa Hubert (Naramata Bench) A family farm, 65 acres of Organic Apples. They use apples deemed “undesirable”
Ciders are proudly unfined, unfiltered, and ambiently fermented in the bottle and can. We also talk about saving Okanagan orchards.
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards – Gordon Fitzpatrick. (Summerland) Focused on traditional method sparkling wine. From 40 acres of vines separated into 12 smaller blocks.
Hedges Family Estate – Christophe Hedges (Red Mountain. Washington) Farmers first, winemakers second, the Hedges Family were pioneers of the modern Washington Wine Industry. Christophe leads the next generation.
Lightning Rock Winery – Jordan Kubek Winemaker (Summerland) Creating electric, juicy wines. Jordan and Tyler desire to express each vineyard in the glass.
Martin’s Lane Winery – Shane Munn Winemaker (East Kelowna) Pinot and Riesling only. Vineyards are farmed and certified organic. Gravity-fed winery. Outstanding wines and winery.
Okanagan Crush Pad – Darryl Brooker New CEO and Matt Dumayne. Winemaker. (Summerland) What a success story is Okanagan Crush Pad. Creating their own wines Haywire, Narrative, and Free Form. Concrete tanks, native yeasts, and no messing with the wines.
Orofino – John and Virginia Weber. Winemaker & Co-owners (Similkameen Valley) Minimal intervention in the solar-powered, strawbale winery. Premium wines that John described as “gulp able”. From beautiful Rieslings to knockout Syrah plus Outstanding vineyards in a spectacular valley. It all adds up to Orofino!
Terravista Vineyards – Nadine Allander Winemaker (Naramata Bench) Producers of small-lot specialty white wines including Spanish varietals: Albarino and Verdejo plus French beauties Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier. A tribute to the vineyards and those who planted them.
Ursa Major Winery – Rajen Toor Owner/Principal. (South Okanagan. Black Sage Bench) Organically farmed vineyards on prime land. Working with many varietals but especially Bordeaux grapes to see if they can showcase a different side of the grape. Much buzz about this winery.
Owen Knowlton – Stable House Award-winning Wine Director. Pouring Wines of Bordeaux
Kurtis Kolt – Co-Founder of Top Drop Vancouver and Wine Educator
It’s amazing how life always seems to bring us full circle.
The Landreth Brothers just released their fourth album together called Come Morning.
They grew up in a completely musical household.
Father Wally was a true working musician. Their Mother would sometimes go with the boys in bassinets and kid chairs to watch over them and keep an eye on Wally.
They grew up listening to Bonnie Raitt, the many persona’s of Ry Cooder, Lyle Lovett, and most importantly Little Feat.
They were artists who could evoke Mississippi, Muscle Shoals, LA, NYC, and Texas in one album.
The Landreth family was based in Winnipeg but the music took them to all those places and beyond.
The music saved them. Gave them hope and promise.
So here comes their latest ‘Come Morning’ and it’s filled with ebb and flow, being away from home, being at home for 2 years, songs of redemption, being in Love, not being in love, and dealing with the weight of sexual abuse.
This feels like the album that will change everything. Have a listen to the boys and their music. See if the hope and promise, ebb and flow hasn’t come full circle.
They bring an in-studio acoustic version of ‘What in the World’ with them.
Keep an ear out for ‘Corduroy’ and Joey’s painful story behind it. Joey opened his heart to all of us.
Sara Park and Cam Duke, the co-founders of Coastal Craft Beverages in Victoria always throw a great pour.
As in previous years, they head for the 8th-floor skyline suites at the top of Parkside Hotel in downtown Victoria.
They work exclusively with producers who are independent and family-owned. Artisans who focus on sustainability and care for the Planet and its people.
“I have a real passion for working with local, BC, Craft Producers and helping them grow their businesses. We have some of the most talented Winemakers, Distillers, Craft Brewers & Cidermakers in North America – right here! I’ve met and worked with incredibly knowledgeable and passionate people in this business. I feel very lucky to do what I do, and work on the west coast.” Sara Park.
“Working with like-minded, passionate people who take such incredible pride in their workmanship and crafts is a privilege to be a part of. I’m excited to continue growing these relationships and contribute to each of their success stories.” Cameron Duke
Jacqueline Downey Photography
Meet the Makers
Provincial Spirits –Jesse BannisterFounder, Owner
Jesse Bannister-Provincial Spirits
Winemaker’s Cut –Michal Mosny,Winemaker and Owner
Mike Mosny – Wine Makers Cut
Sheringham Distillery and Lumette –Jason MacIsaac, Master Distiller, and Owner
Sheringham Distillery and Lumette –Jason MacIsaac, Master Distiller, and Owner
Junction Cider –Cody Brown (Owner),
Junction Cider –Cody Brown (Owner),
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards –Gordon Fitzpatrick,Owner/VP
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards –Gordon Fitzpatrick, Owner/VP
I’ve waited a long time to finally talk to Scott from The Waterboys.
I found him at his home in Dublin.
Mike is a founding member, lead singer, and songwriter of The Waterboys.
I was truly looking forward to his new album All Souls Hill which was released Friday.
Because Mike grew up studying English literature and philosophy so you know his lyrics and song structure are always going to be different.
Mike moved through the brit punk scene and finally found himself forming The Waterboys.
Almost 25 albums later..he’s writing, composing, and singing better than ever.
As always, Mike and Waterboys music cannot be pinned down. Round peg. Square hole.
Check out the track Passing Through..a very old gospel/folk song that he’s re-written the lyrics to – to reflect our lives today. It took him 10 years to write and it’s 9 minutes long.
The Stew is back . After 10 days of fundraising for donor supported CKUA.
(you did donate, right?)
This first Stew will be a celebration of NOT having to talk.
New music from Lyle Lovett/Bonnie Raitt/Govt Mule/Norah Jones/Barney Bentall/Willie and more.
A tonne of tracks and a special guest
Mike Scott – Founder and leader of The Waterboys.
They have a just released their album All Souls Hill which includes a 9 minute version of the folk /gospel classic Passing Through..that Mike added lyrics to – to reflect current history.
He tells the story on todays Stew and then we play it for you. It ends with a reference to George Floyd.
The much longer complete interview with great storytelling can be heard on The Mulligan Stew Podcast.
(subscribe on Spotify .Apple Podcasts)
The ZOOM video of our interview from Dublin can be seen on our You Tube Channel (terrydavidmulligan)
On May 10th and 11th, Top Drop Vancouver returns, with a continued focus on sustainably-farmed, handcrafted wines offering a distinct sense of place, without heavy-handed winemaking trickery to get in the way.
Top Drop is now in its seventh year.
.
Over two days, Top Drop offers Vancouver’s wine professionals and enthusiasts unique events and opportunities. As Top Drop’s flagship experience, The Main Event is a walk-around, grazing-style tasting where attendees can enjoy sips and stories from the principals of 40 participating international wineries.
The Main Event will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 10 and 11, at Yaletown’s Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews). A full list of event participants follows, and can be found at TopDrop.ca. Tickets are $125 until they’re sold out, and available online at TopDrop.ca.
Event proceeds go to the BC Hospitality foundation, an organization providing financial support to individuals from the hospitality industry facing a major medical crisis.
Top Drop’s annual grand tasting features dozens of international, terroir-focused wineries and the people behind the wines.
Kurtis will be talking about the wines that are starred ***
Aldegheri, Valpolicella, Italy
w/ Jane Glees, Export Director
Anselmi, Soave, Veneto, Italy
w/ Lisa Anselmi, Family Proprietor
***Ashes & Diamonds, Napa Valley, California, USA
w/ Kashy Khaledi, Proprietor + Owner
Averill Creek Vineyard, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
w/ Brent Rowland, Winemaker
***Azienda Agricola Bruna Grimaldi , Piedmont, Italy
w/ Martina Fiorino, Family Proprietor + Sales Manager
***Bella Wines, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
w/ Jay Drysdale, Owner + Winemaker
***Benjamin Bridge, Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada
w/ Jean-Benoit Deslauriers, Winemaker
***Chiorri Perugia, Umbria, Italy
w/ Francesco Strangis, Proprietor + Winemaker
***Creek & Gully Cider, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
w/ Annelise Simonsen, Proprietor + Director
Elk Cove, Gaston, Oregon, USA
w/ Cam Christie, Director Of Distribution & Sales
***Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
w/ Gordon Fitzpatrick, President
***Free Form by Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley, Canada
w/ Matt Dumayne, Chief Winemaker
***Gekkeikan, Folsom, California, USA
w/ Koichi Murakami, VP of Sales & Marketing
***Hedges Family Estate, Red Mountain, Washington, USA
w/ Christophe Hedges, General Manager
***Lightning Rock Winery, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
w/ Jordan Kubek, Winegrower
***Long Shadows, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA
w/ Dane Narbaitz, Director of Sales & Marketing
***Marchesi Di Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
w/ Valentina Abbona, Family Member + Ambassador
***Martin’s Lane Winery, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
w/ Shane Munn, Winemaker
Medici Ermete, Reggio Emilia, Italy
w/ Ermes Scardova, Export Director
Mirafiore, Piedmont, Italy
w/ Chiara Destefanis, Export Area Manager
Susana Balbo Wines, Mendoza, Argentina
w/ German Pungitore, General Manager
***Synchromesh Wines, Okanagan Falls, BC, Canada
w/ Alan Dickinson, Proprietor + Winemaker + Farmer
Born in Cuba, Alex fell in love with a Canadian beauty & immigrated to Canada. Alex packed into his belonging’s his many songs and sharp knowledge of the history of Cuban music.
Mendo is his 9th album.
With those 9 albums, Alex has won 2 Juno awards and is up for another this month. He’s also won four Latin Grammy Awards and at the recent 2022 event, he won his first Grammy Award.
Alex is a completely self-contained artist. Put an instrument in front of him and very likely he can play it.
During the Covid pandemic, he decided to collaborate with other players, singers and songwriters. The songs came alive and Mendo became yet another turning point in his career.
Alex has been on Mulligan Stew before. On the Juno couch in Calgary with Jim and Devin Cuddy and again on Zoom.
So happy to welcome back a Spanish-speaking, English riffing star on the rise.
Alex Cuba brings Mendo. (The essence of the soul)
Biography:
Though raised in Artemisa, an hour outside of Havana, Alex Cuba’s artistry is as far-flung as the place he has settled and lived for over fifteen years: Smithers, BC, 14 hours north of Vancouver. His music at once incorporates his roots and is a unique amalgam of styles, having collaborated with artists ranging from Jason Mraz to Ron Sexsmith and Nelly Furtado; and bringing together melodies, popsoul hooks and rock chords in songs that may seem to bear little resemblance to traditional Cuban form.
A forward-thinking, indie-minded artist, Alex has amassed a steadily growing following among critics and fans. With over 20 awards and nominations to his name, including 4 Latin Grammys and two Junos Awards and three Grammy nominations.
Alex carries his Cuba within, incorporating subtle jazz influences, gained from his early years as a bass player in Cuba, and tasteful, sophisticated chords and lyrics expressing his poetry in an undeniably Cuban way. His growing body of work defines a unique musical place in the Latin diaspora.
Building on the 2017 Grammy nominated release Lo Unico Constante with its back to roots introspection, his latest collection of songs was released in September 2019 on the full length album “Sublime”, featuring six songs with Latin American singers and songwriters. Alex joined with Toronto based engineer, John Bailey to record in Gibson’s BC at The Farm Studio.
The decision to record all the instruments came to Alex Cuba years ago when making demos for new songs and wanting to share that undeniable personal sound.
Mike Scott – Founder and leader of The Waterboys.
