Category: Music
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High Summer Ball
The small settlement of Barrytown is just up the Coast Road from Greymouth, on the way to Punakaiki and it has a rather wonderful hall. The Barrytown Hall is famous. Many gigs, concerts and events have been held there over the years – the hall was built in 1929 and has been hosting music since…
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Spotify this week
As part of the blog most weeks a playlist of audio pieces is curated on Spotify, the streaming platform. Each of the items in the list has something to do with the entries on the blog although that connection is sometimes not obvious. To listen, either click on the Player above or head over to…
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Online learning
There are plenty of online resources that bring together lots of different subjects to learn about. Most of us like to learn something new and sometimes it seems like there isn’t enough time to go to a regular class. This is where websites like Coursera or Domestika can help. You can sign up to lots…
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Spotify this week
Most weeks, the blog features a playlist of audio curated to reflect the written articles on Stray Notes, Loose Threads. To listen to the playlist click on the player above or head over to Spotify online or to the app and search for “Music to read a blog by”. If you have a paid subscription…
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The Spotify playlist
Most weeks a curated playlist on Spotify is made to go along with the blog entries. Each piece has something to do with the articles on the blog although sometimes the link is not obvious. Part of the fun is deciding what that connection is. To listen to the playlist head on over to Spotify…
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Smarthistory
The Center for Public Art History, Smarthistory, is an amazing resource for anyone interested in art and culture. Smarthistory was founded by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, both art historians, in 2005. Their aim was to bring the fascinating histories of art to a wider audience and today there are more than 800…
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The Spotify playlist
Most weeks the blog articles are accompanied by an audio playlist, curated on Spotify. The playlist is made up of music and audio pieces, each of which has something to do with the articles. Sometimes the connections are clear, sometimes they are opaque. Part of the fun is guessing what that connection is. To listen…
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The last blog post of the year
We are nearly at the end of another year and this is the final post until 2026. This year has been one of excitement and hope with some disappointments and despondency along the way. As it has often been said though, the bad times illuminate the good and the good times have been very special…
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Spotify
A regular feature of the blog is the inclusion of a Spotify playlist. This is a curated set of audio pieces to accompany the articles on the blog. Sometimes the link between the playlist and the articles is not obvious, sometimes it is. Trying to work it out is part of the puzzle. To listen…
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Lucia – Sweden’s celebration of mid-winter
Lucia is celebrated on the 13th December annually in Sweden but the festival has ancient roots. Celebrated for centuries, St Lucy’s Day is a welcoming back of the light at the time of year when the short days mean darkness and cold. To mark the occasion girls and boys dress in white gowns and process…