Latest news with #Benedick
Epoch Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
A Case for Reviving Folk Music Jam Sessions
Since before recorded history, music has brought people together and sustained the cultural and social life of civilization. Music—a universal language—seems to bypass all formalities and go straight to the heart, moving us with a mysterious power. As Benedick quips in Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing,' referring to a common material for instrument strings at the time: 'Is it not strange that sheeps' guts should hale souls out of men's bodies?' The music begins to flow, and we fall silent, carried away on its tide. Traditionally, music emerges from a social context; sitting alone and listening to music is a relatively modern activity—unless you count the solitary musician playing an instrument for his own amusement. Folk music in particular is intertwined with social life; it interacts with the culture, tradition, and daily life of specific communities, shaping and being shaped by them. We can benefit ourselves and our communities by reviving this social and artistic practice, which brings people together in the appreciation of beauty like nothing else. Hosting folk music get-togethers isn't as hard as it sounds. A Short History of Folk Music
Calgary Herald
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Review: It's really something when a theatre troupe can pull off Much Ado About Nothing
Article content There is much to recommend in The Shakespeare Company and Full Circle Theatre's production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Article content It's one of Shakespeare's more problematic plays. It's a comedy, but at its heart, it's about a group of men discrediting an innocent young girl. It's Shakespeare's comic version of his tragedy Othello. Article content A group of soldiers returning from battle stops to rest at the home of the wealthy lord Leonato. The young soldier Claudio is instantly smitten with Leonato's daughter Hero, and she with him, a device straight out of Romeo & Juliet. Leonato's niece Beatrice is a hater of men, most specifically of the vain soldier Benedick, mirroring Katrina and Petruchio from Taming of the Shrew. Beatrice and Benedick's friends conspire to trick them into becoming lovers, but the other conspiracy is to convince Claudio that Hero is not chaste. Article content Article content Any production of Much Ado rises or falls on the chemistry between the actors who play Beatrice and Benedick. Shakespeare has written some of his finest banter for these characters, and Megan Baldrey and CJ Gordon attack it with relish. Article content Baldrey's Beatrice is so voluptuous it's a wonder she isn't fending off suitors, but she does have a viper's tongue, which she turns on Benedick the moment he arrives at the villa. She teases him mercilessly, occasionally winking at the audience to let us know the disdain she holds for him. Article content It's up to Hero, and her lady-in-waiting, Margaret, to drop hints that Benedick is really in love with Beatrice but sworn to pretend otherwise. Baldrey's initial disbelief is hilarious, as is her gradual realization that she does like him. Article content Article content Claudio, the army commander and Leonato are the ones who have to convince Benedick that Beatrice is in love with him. They know that this will feed Benedick's ego. The fun is watching Gordon processing this revelation, and questioning his old philosophy that he is a bachelor for life. Article content Article content Director John Knight turns the scenes in which Beatrice and Benedick overhear the conversations of the conspirators into pure slapstick. He has Baldrey and Gordon crawling about on the floor and hiding behind the small set pieces on the stage. It's the antithesis of the witty verbal matches Baldrey and Gordon had earlier on, but both actors are up to these demands as well. Article content Joel David Taylor runs a gamut of emotions for Claudio. First, he is smitten with Hero, all eager-eyed and puppy-like. When he thinks that Don Pedro is wooing Hero, Taylor becomes petulant and sullen, but turns into the proud peacock when Hero announces she will gladly marry him. Taylor is most convincing when he turns his anger on Hero at their planned wedding, accusing her of being wanton. His anger is palpable. Article content It's always a challenge for modern actors to play Shakespeare's innocents. Hero is probably 15 years old. Caitlyn O'Connor's reaction to being maligned is not that of a child but a woman, and that's not Hero. Her admonishment of Claudio when he discovers the truth is better.
The Star
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Good relations between leaders ensure development, says Ewon
KOTA KINABALU: Good relations between assemblymen and government leaders are beneficial, says Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick. He said that close relations between both parties help ensure continued development and smooth organisation of programmes for the people, as seen in Penampang over the years. He then added that the same applies to other districts with amicable working relations with government leaders, ensuring development and policies for those constituencies are achieved. Benedick made these remarks at the Kepayan Kaamatan Festival on Sunday (June 1), attended by leaders including Kepayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang and PH leaders Steven Shim, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Vivian Wong, and Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii. "Each time there is an issue that needs attention in Kepayan, I will sit with the assemblyman to find solutions. We do not work in silos but as a team," he said. He mentioned that some ongoing projects in Penampang include the flood mitigation project, Terian-Buayan road upgrading, bridge construction in Babagon, and the PANTAS programme in Kg. Togudon. A Penampang Development Plan 2024-2035 is also included in the proposals for the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), Benedick added. "I am confident that with these strategic plans and work relations among various parties, including the federal and state governments, Penampang will continue to receive better allocations and development benefits in RMK13," he said. Many economic and development initiatives have been implemented in Penampang, including the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN), Tekun Nasional, and the Tamu Desa project. On Kaamatan, Benedick said the festival is celebrated by people from all cultural and social backgrounds, in line with the 'Kaamatan for All' theme chosen for this year.
The Star
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Kuskop launches one-district, one industry showcase in Borneo
KOTA KINABALU: To support post-pandemic recovery, the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (Kuskop) has launched the one-district, one industry (SDSI) Borneo Region showcase, boosting local entrepreneurs to strengthen businesses and create jobs. Held at the Tawau Municipal Council Square on Saturday (May 10), the event brought together over 120 entrepreneurs from Sabah and Sarawak to promote products and expand market reach. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said merging the separate SDSI showcases for Sabah and Sarawak was aimed at creating a bigger impact. 'This year, we decided to combine the showcases for Sabah and Sarawak into a single event to create a bigger impact. That's why I visited several SDSI booths recently, including those from Sarawak, to see how they are participating in this initiative,' he said. To support this effort, Kuskop introduced the SDSI 2.0 guidelines to improve the programme's structure, making it easier for small businesses to access support, including training, market access, and collaboration with government agencies. It has also allocated RM1.5mil this year for SDSI 2.0 entrepreneurs in Sabah, channelled through the Sabah Department of Entrepreneur and Industrial Development to strengthen the local economy and reduce poverty. Benedick, who co-chairs a joint coordination committee with the Sabah Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, said this collaboration is critical for supporting small businesses and driving economic growth. 'We want to ensure that not only SDSI entrepreneurs but also other small and medium enterprises (PMKS) benefit from this collaboration,' he said. He encouraged SDSI entrepreneurs to form cooperatives to strengthen their business networks and improve access to financial support. 'We want SDSI entrepreneurs in each district or community involved in the SDSI programme to form cooperatives, which can further accelerate their growth and increase their participation, not just in Sabah but across the country,' he said. During the event, Benedick presented RM19.098mil in grants to five recipients, including entrepreneurs and cooperatives, as part of a broader effort to strengthen the SDSI ecosystem. The showcase featured a wide range of local products, including food and beverages, health and wellness items, handicrafts, and tourism-related services. The event also included attractions like the Jualan Murah Madani, offering over 200 daily essentials at discounts of up to 40%, and the SDSI Borneo Creative Video Competition, encouraging entrepreneurs to showcase their products through digital storytelling. Food enthusiasts enjoyed the Selera Bawah Bayu section, celebrating the diverse culinary heritage of Sabah and Sarawak, while those seeking financial support could access the Biaya initiative, connecting businesses with conventional and Islamic financial institutions, development banks, and alternative financing companies. Live product demonstrations allowed businesses to engage directly with customers, while business matching sessions connected entrepreneurs with major local retailers, providing valuable market access for small and medium enterprises. The Satu Daerah Satu Industri programme aligns with the Madani economic framework by promoting community-based economic development, supporting locally-made products, and creating job opportunities for local residents. Benedick expressed hope that the Satu Daerah Satu Industri Wilayah Borneo showcase will not only boost the local economy but also inspire greater public support for local products, creating a lasting impact on the economic wellbeing of the community.
The Star
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah polls: Focus on collaborative politics, not on personal attacks, says Upko president
KOTA KINABALU: The 17th Sabah state election must not become a battlefield of personal attacks but should focus on mature, collaborative politics instead, says United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Ewon Benedick. 'This election cannot be reduced to who shouts the loudest, who sensationalises the most, or who preys on opponents' weaknesses. It must be about unity. It must be about vision,' he said during Upko's 31st anniversary celebration in Kota Kinabalu, recently. Benedick, who also chairs Sabah Pakatan Harapan, confirmed that its internal negotiations and informal discussions with other political blocs are ongoing. 'As a Pakatan component party, Upko is committed to contesting in the state polls, not only to defend Kadamaian but also to expand our representation in the state assembly,' he said. The Kadamaian seat, which he currently holds, was the party's sole victory in the 2020 state election. Beyond electoral strategy, Benedick stressed the importance of rebuilding trust in public institutions and instilling a stronger sense of ownership among Sabahans in their state government. 'Since 1963, when Sabah joined in the formation of the Malaysian federation, we have played our part in nation-building. But to strengthen Malaysia, we must first strengthen Sabah, beginning with how Sabahans relate to their own institutions,' he said. He called for institutional reforms to better reflect Sabah's diverse society, including improvements in state civil service composition, statutory appointments, scholarship allocation, service delivery, and the state's legal and interfaith frameworks. Benedick also warned that confrontational politics will only derail the state's development and undermine collective progress. 'Sabah cannot afford to be pulled backwards by divisive rhetoric. We must move forward together,' he said.
