Author Archives: Connor Baldwin

Theatre Under the Stars this summer

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Bright lights, stars in the sky and live performance on stage at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park. Have you heard of this special event that is returning this summer in Vancouver?

These summer nights at Stanley Park are much more than just a night of theatre, as the organizers combine what they describe as a “kaleidoscope” of elements that encompasses the scenery, setting, concessions and the quality of art presented on stage. So, what makes this event worth checking out this summer and what shows will be on the spotlight?

(Pexels / Joe Ambrogio)

This season of Theatre Under the Stars will feature two classics that will be rotated between July 6th until August 26th. Roald Dahl’s “Matilda” (The Musical) and “The Prom”, a Broadway hit musical and comedy.

I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest theatre fan myself, but if a show interests me enough, I’ll give my time and energy to go and check it out. I have read a few of Roald Dahl’s classic books growing up, so of the two shows being played I am more intrigued about this one.

The scenery of Matilda is a small English village and Matilda is a young intelligent girl who loves to read and has a thrill for imagination. Matilda’s parents are not fond of her persona, and they view her as a troublemaker around the town. You might have seen or read a story that has this family “setup” before, and it’s a secondary character who enters the stage to brighten the plot.

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Ms. Honey, a teacher of Matilda’s, uses her “whimsical” storytelling skills to enlighten Matilda, which causes her to discover magical powers which let allow her to be who she wants to be. If you’re wondering more about what you will see on the stage, well you’re in luck because there is an array of components to the show. Songs that will make your toe tap, brilliant dance numbers and an overall grand atmosphere that makes you appreciate the magic that live theatre can portray.

“The Prom” looks like it will be a classic musical comedy that is full of energy, hope and the sparkling performances that Broadway musicals always have. Ticket prices range from $20 for youth and students to $90 for premium adult seats at the front of all the action.

If you’re in the mood for some live theatre this summer, Theatre Under the Stars is the right place to be. I know that theatre can be seen as “boring” for those that have never been to a show before, but once you’ve seen one of these brilliantly put together productions you will leave wanting to see another one.

Why athletes tend to be more successful if they are born in the early months of the year: the relative age effect

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Ever wondered why you see so many professional athletes that are born in the months of January, February and March? Turns out it’s not just a coincidence that some of the greatest of all time were born in these months. Why is this the reason then, are they naturally born as better athletes or is there something more to it?

Presenting the relative age effect — A scientific bias that has been used to explain part of the reason why athlete success has been linked to their date and month of birth.

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Before I try to understand the greater relation between athletes and the relative age effect, I need to understand what the relative age effect means to sports. The birthdate effect is another commonly used term to describe evidence found in sports and academics. Studies show that participation is higher for people born earlier in the year compared to the rest of the calendar months than would be expected for the birthdate distribution average.

That might explain the principle of this effect, but if you and I were trying to understand this concept I think it would be better to use simpler terms. Maturity is another general trend (for people born in the early months) that might attribute to a “head start” for youth sports that use age categories or even skill level.

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Does that mean that there can’t be anything done in order to try and create a better balance of athletes born later in the calendar year? Turns out professional leagues have caught on to this idea and have moved cut-off dates and deadlines to better reflect the “sports year” rather than the calendar year.

If you know me, you know that I was born in January. Unfortunately, I’m not going to be a professional athlete, but I could notice a slight impact from the relative age effect when I played sports growing up. Of course, being born in January doesn’t mean I have any superpower sport abilities that will make me better than others. However, my maturity level when I was playing baseball and soccer seemed to be slightly higher than most of my teammates, and this led to me being a better player. Not so much a better player in terms of stats and skill level, but just understanding the game and having a better awareness for what needed to be done in order to succeed.

Even though it is only a bias, the relative age effect can explain why we see more January – March athletes in the sports world. So now you know, the next time you see an athlete, ask them their birth month, it could potentially give you some insight on their athletic ability.

Airport culture is upon us

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Think about the last time you were at an airport. The sights, smells, tastes and the feelings that you get in these tantalizing buildings. There seems to be something so intriguing, yet unexplainable about how we interact and consume our experiences at the airport.

After the COVID-19 pandemic that shuttered travelers and airports for almost three years, everyone is eager to hit the road this summer, and almost everyone’s journey will begin at an airport. Airport culture is upon us, but what does airport culture encompass?

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The majority of people that go to airports are there for its primary purpose: the “garage” of airplanes that can take you and fellow passengers to hundreds of destinations around the world. However, that is not the only thing that airports are being used for in 2023. Even if you do not have a flight, the airport is a free building that anyone can explore. This includes restaurants, shops and places to just sit and relax, all the way up until the security checkpoint.

So why all of a sudden has an “airport culture” began to develop among the newer generations, and what does this entail for travel goers moving forward? One component of this developing culture is the people you see at the airport. The large majority of people at airports are quite friendly and are open to chatting. The reason for people acting as such might be because almost everyone is doing one of two things: waiting for someone or waiting to go somewhere.

(Pexels / Oleksandr Pidvalnyi)

As someone who didn’t get to travel outside of the province in my childhood, airports in general were mysterious to me up until around two years ago when I started doing some solo trips. The four or five times that I have been to the airport in the past two years have all been a positive experience, and there’s just something exciting and mysterious about what I’ll see and do while I wait for my flight.

Airports also supply plenty of sensory experiences, whether it is watching the planes take off, observing people scrambling around to try and find their gate or just being in an atmosphere where everyone is in the travelling mindset.

(Pexels / Matthew Turner)

When it comes to trying to pinpoint why airport culture is upon us in the year 2023, the appeal that airports give us appears to be connected to long-standing human traditions. Important events are happening all around us at airports, anything from people going away to start a new life, returning home to their family or simply just beginning their mapped-out getaway.

The next time you are at an airport, soak up the experience. Airport culture is growing and will continue to evolve the more we utilize the hundreds of airports around the globe.

Pokémon Go – A look back at the experience during the pinnacle of the game

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What Pokémon Go did to our society deserves to be studied in history classes around the world. Do you remember the peak months of Pokémon Go? At the app’s height of popularity, Pokémon Go had a stupendous 250 million players per month.

Today, Pokémon Go remains a daily used app that is still played by the millions of Pokémon fans. Looking back at when Pokémon Go was the talk of the world, the experience that many people had with the game is like nothing that has ever been seen before in human history.

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Picture this: it is warm summer day in 2016 and you open the Pokémon Go app as you step out into the world. You go to your favourite park and see groups upon groups of people trying to catch virtual Pokémon on their phones. Time seemed to almost pass by at a slower rate, and everyone had a collective sense of companionship for their fellow Pokémon Go players.

If you’ve never experienced Pokémon Go before (especially in 2016 and 2017) then you flat out missed out! The game was an early yet polished instance where augmented reality was combined with a location-based game to create pure brilliance. You just had to be there to see what the world looked like while people were enjoying this phenomenally smart idea of a game.

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In 2023, Pokémon Go is still more popular than you might imagine. The active players per month sits around 80 million, which is not close to the 250 million in summer 2016 but is still a very high number of active players for any kind of app.

If you’re wondering what my experience with Pokémon Go was like, I would say that it was a perfect activity that helped me stay active in the “year-off” I took to work between high school and university. I still play the game today, but instead of the 2-3 hours I was spending when everyone played, I usually just check-in on the app for 5-10 minutes every day or two to complete daily challenges.

(Pexels / Carolina Castilla Arias)

People should use Pokémon Go’s time at the summit of summer 2016 as a reminder of what can happen when humanity comes together for a good (and fun) cause. There are apps today that are using the newest technology and are trying to replicate the formula that made Pokémon Go ever so popular, but none have come even close to what Niantic, the creators of Pokémon Go achieved.

The app has earned its place in the “game hall of fame” and it will be intriguing to follow what the game does next. Pokémon Go will forever be etched in human history as a moment that unified us all.

Facts are forgotten, stories are remembered. Today is “National Tell a Story Day”

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Nothing in the world compares to a good story. Storytelling is a powerful tool that has been an important part of our world since the beginning of mankind.

Today, April 27th, is “National Tell a Story Day”, so what better way to celebrate this holiday than to write a story about the day that celebrates and reflects on this treasured artform.

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Why are stories such an important part of our lives? Are they a form of escapism? Can be they be used to expand our imagination to new levels? The possibilities are endless when it comes to writing stories, and if you know how to write a good one you will be able to connect with your audience and leave them with a narrative that sticks with them.

When did this crucial holiday start getting celebrated? In 2009, a businessman named George Rafeedie (who just happened to run on agency called Tell Your Story) claimed April 27th as National Tell a Story Day as a way of promoting his agency. The history of telling stories goes all the way back to ancient times, with some of the earliest stories being told on Egyptian hieroglyphics.

(Pexels / Max Rahubovskiy)

Stories have been passed on from generation to generation, which is why storytelling is such an important part of our lives. In today’s society, stories can be seen both on print and digitally, with techniques continuing to evolve as time goes on. The invention of the camera allows stories to be put into action, giving the audience another layer to absorb and comprehend.

What makes a good story? Lucky for you, I just took a course all about storytelling, so I’ve recently learned a thing or two about what makes a good story. Most important of all, your story needs to have a point. Without a point, your story will be forgotten, and the audience will not know what you intended your story to do.

(Pexels / Ryutaro Tsukata)

In terms of how you should format a good story, remember ABDCE. Start with an (A) action that sets the story in motion, give (B) background information that drives forward the plot, (D) develop the events that follow up to the (C) climax of the story and (E) have a strong ending to your story. A beginning, middle and an end to your tale makes it so much easier for your audience to understand your story.

Gather your friends and family on “National Tell a Story Day” and share your favourite fiction or non-fiction stories. Read, listen or watch a story today. The universe is full of stories that are ready to be explored here and now.

An underrated local Canadian in the NHL playoffs: Shea Theodore

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Hockey fans know all about some of the best Canadian players in the NHL playoffs. Connor McDavid of the Oilers, Nathan MacKinnon of the Avalanche and Mitch Marner of the Maple Leafs are just a few of the talented Canadians on the quest for the Stanley Cup.

An underrated Canadian from Langley, BC who not enough people are talking about in the NHL playoffs is Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore.

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You should get familiar with Shea Theodore from the Golden Knights because he is an underrated defenseman who makes a big impact on the ice when he’s on his game. This year is Shea Theodore’s fifth season with the Golden Knights, and he was drafted in the 1st round, 26th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2013 NHL draft.

Perhaps what makes Theodore underrated the most for me is his vision on both ends of the ice. The offensive talent he has might be what he is known for the most, but he has a two-way play style that you can observe when you pay close attention to him on the ice. Theodore is often overlooked on the Golden Knights because of the other star power they have, like players such as Mark Stone, Jack Eichel and Alex Pietrangelo.

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Just unlike any player that might be considered underrated in sports, Shea Theodore appears to be fine with not being always under the spotlight. There was one time, however, when Theodore was all over the news, but it was for a story off the ice which caught everyone by surprise.

At the end of the 2019 season Theodore was taking a routine blood test when it was discovered he had stage one testicular cancer. The news was unexpected to say the least, but the “butterfly effect” that led to Shea taking that blood test is what makes this story so crazy.

(Pexels / Martin Lopez)

Shea Theodore was invited and accepted an invitation to play for Canada in the 2019 World Championships. After claiming his silver medal Shea and his teammates had to all take blood tests. High levels of a hormone called hCG were found and this led to Theodore’s diagnosis. Shea Theodore made a full recovery and was cancer-free after a surgery only three months later. If that blood test didn’t happen, they wouldn’t have got the early detection and the cancer could have gone unnoticed for who knows how long.

I hope Shea Theodore gains the respect he deserves throughout the 2023 playoffs and for his career going forward. Shea is an underrated player that has gone through a lot to get to where he is in Vegas today, and you can’t help but root for the Langley native to succeed.

What is up lately with the Vancouver Whitecaps?

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One of the several mediocre Vancouver sports teams that is being talked about less in the past few years is the Vancouver Whitecaps.

So, what is up with the Whitecaps lately? Why is there less chatter about this franchise? There are a few reasons why I think this could be the case, most of which has to do with the marketing and product that is being put out on the field.

Perhaps the most talked about news so far this year regarding the Whitecaps was their participation in the Concacaf Champions League. The Whitecaps earned their place by winning the Canadian Championships (which if I’m being honest shouldn’t be that difficult) and got the opportunity to play other North American teams for a chance at Concacaf glory.

But just like the classic Whitecaps you and I know they disappointed when it mattered most. The Vancouver Whitecaps won their first-round matchup against Real Espana, a team from a league in Honduras that does not really compare to the Whitecaps MLS league (Major League Soccer). Was this a sign of good things to come for the Whitecaps? Unfortunately, not, as they had to play the defending MLS champions LAFC in the next round, and they got badly outplayed in both games.

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In terms of how the Whitecaps are doing in the MLS, well it should be reiterated that the Whitecaps seemingly mediocre pattern in their results is continuing. They aren’t downright bad, but they aren’t good either, just hanging around in the middle of the standings with 2 wins, 2 losses and 4 ties. The next game for the Whitecaps is April 29th after having two weeks off. Maybe now the Whitecaps can start winning?

Going back to why the Whitecaps aren’t being talked about much lately, there are several reasons that have been noticeable as of late which make this team appear less relevant. One of which is not the Whitecaps fault, but rather the fault of MLS. The league signed a deal with Apple TV to broadcast a good number of games on its service throughout the year. Unless you already have Apple TV, nobody is going to go out of their way to purchase it just the watch MLS, especially just to watch the Whitecaps.

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A secondary reason why the Whitecaps are less relevant in the Vancouver sports scene is that the owners don’t seem to want to spend their money to go after big name players from other leagues. I understand it’s a business, but at some point, the owners and managers need to realize that they have acquired a decent amount of money for players they have traded over the last couple of seasons, and it’s time they made some more upgrades.

Either way, it is a good idea to at least check up on what the Whitecaps are up to, and we will see if anything changes with the franchise in the coming months.

Mountain biking remains a hidden gem in BC’s outdoors

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If you seek the thrill of adventure this summer, mountain biking in BC should be at the top of your list. This fast-paced sport remains a hidden gem within BC’s cultural activities.

(Pexels / Daniel Frank)

I have been mountain biking one time before and I’m not sure if it’s for me. The thrill of experiencing the trails in the moment is one thing, but trying to avoid injury or damaging my bike was what I was most worried about throughout the day. Not only that, but the constant awareness that is required while mountain biking is ten times more than what you need when you’re driving a car on the road.

After my own first mountain biking experience, I figured it would be a good idea to research the origins of mountain biking in BC. When you think of popular activities to do in the summer in BC, mountain biking is usually not brought up. Most likely this is because it takes the right kind of person (and bike) in order to excel at this somewhat niche sport.

(Pexels / Darcy Lawrey)

Mountain biking began in Vancouver’s North Shore, but quickly expanded over the years to the trails of the interior and other mountainous regions like Whistler. The culture around mountain biking is shaped by BC’s landscape and the variety of locations that exist naturally in our province.

BC offers trails for all skills levels, making it an activity that anyone can try even if it is only once. The province is committed to keeping these trails well maintained while respecting the original owners of the land. All of these elements of mountain biking making it such a respected and unique adventure for those who want to experience BC’s natural beauty.

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If you’d rather watch the mountain biking expects in action, there are several popular events each year that put mountain biking in the spotlight. One of these that I got a super quick glimpse at was the “Red Bull Joyride” in Whistler. If you asked the pros about Whistler’s mountains, they all seem to agree that it is one of the best in the world. When I was visiting Whistler one summer, I stopped for 5 minutes in the middle of the village, and I could see nearby the mountain bikes flying down the hill leading to the ending of their journey.

Mountain biking is slowly starting to gain the attention it deserves in BC and rightly so, as it is an electrifying venture both for viewers and those brave enough to try this peculiar sport.

The Calgary Flames are getting a brand new arena… the Canucks arena might need an upgrade too

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The Calgary Flames are teaming up with the city of Calgary and the Calgary Stampede to build a brand-new arena. The project is estimated to cost around $1.2 billion dollars, with $800 million dollars of that money going directly to the construction of the new arena.

Hearing this news got me thinking, when will the Vancouver Canucks get a new stadium? Maybe they don’t need a brand new one, but they could at least use some renovations at what is now one of the oldest arenas (without a major renovation) in the NHL.

Calgary’s multi-purpose Saddledome is one of the NHL’s oldest buildings, so the city felt that it was time to build a new arena on the grounds of the Calgary Stampede. The project includes more than just this new and improved arena, as there will also be improvements made to Calgary transit in the area, parking around the venue and a new community rink.

Just like the Canucks are an important part of Vancouver’s identity, the Flames are an important piece of what Calgary brings as a city. Flames players’ are thrilled by the news of a new stadium and other teams that routinely play in the Saddledome are equally excited. I recently visited Calgary in March and the highlight of the trip was going to the Saddledome to see the Flames play. The stadium had a vintage feel to it, but people knew that Calgary was one of the next teams to make the shift to a new arena.

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Going back to the Vancouver Canucks’ arena situation, the fans are ready for the team to do something with Rogers Arena. The seats need to be upgraded, the facility needs a practice rink, and the team store could use a revamp. These are just a few of the commonly shared suggestions that fans have been asking the owners to consider in the near future.

Downtown Vancouver is among the top tourists locations in BC, but many feel as though it has not reached its potential yet in terms of upgrading and adapting to match today’s society. A revamped Rogers Arena along with the land around the stadium would create a revitalized atmosphere for the home of the Vancouver Canucks and other local teams.

Hopefully there are plans in the works already for the Canucks, because after hearing the news about Calgary’s new arena, fans are eager to see what the city of Vancouver will do with one of the league’s longest unrenovated buildings.

AI music is impacting the music industry more than ever before

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AI is a hot topic of discussion lately. ChatGPT is among the AI websites being used to create scripts. Dall-E is an image “creating” website made by OpenAI, and MuseNet is one of the many programs used to create what is now referred to as “AI music”.

If you’ve never heard any of the AI music that is recently surfaced, you’re in for a surprise. Upon first listening to some of these AI-generated songs, you will be amazed at how realistic they sound. As a result, people are starting to become concerned as to how this music will impact the music industry moving forward.

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For upcoming producers and smaller artists, AI music has been a beneficial experience as of late. When music artists begin to explore what AI can do for the writing and production of their music they might benefit from it, but they also might fall down a path that loses them their artistic ability that got them to that point.

Where the real problem exists with AI music is the hyper-realistic songs that are being created using some of the biggest artists (both dead and alive) in the world. The most widely heard of example of an AI generated song is a Drake and The Weeknd collaboration created by a “ghostwriter” titled “heart on my sleeve”.

The process of creating one of these songs from scratch can be a little complicated, but using voice modelling programs and script writing AI together can result in what sounds like a real masterpiece of a song. Record labels are now taking actions against these AI generated songs, and this is only the beginning of the impact that AI music will have on the music industry.

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Moving forward there will be extra scrutiny put on AI music that is released with the intent of “stealing” the artists voice and flow to create an original yet realistically sounding song. Since AI is still considered to be in its early stages of development, the models will improve rapidly in the coming years, so the music industry will need to quickly prepare for where AI music is headed.

Music, like any other form of art, should be about the creative aspects. Each talented individual possesses their own traits which make them unique, and these traits should not be able to be stolen and replicated by AI. Creativity of the mind is what makes the world of music such a great thing, so let’s not take that away from our favourite artists.

We will see in the coming months what happens with AI music, but it is an intriguing topic that is worth exploring because of the uncertainty of this ongoing development.