Well, dear readers, we have made it through an entire year together! 2019 has been full of ups and downs, and I am no exception to that. I do count myself lucky that it terms of the blog, it has been mostly ups and not too many downs. I am also grateful that all of you have stuck around with me, and that many more of you have joined. So, today, I’m going to share some of my highlights of the year! They might not have been the most popular on social media or the blog, but they are my highlights. Thank you, 2019!
1. My UK Trip, February 2019
I have been to the UK several times, but I went by myself and was able to do whatever I wanted, whenever. I didn’t have to change any plans, and could spend as long or as little. I’m more than confident travelling by myself in the UK; I find it familiar and comfortable, and easy to navigate. And I got to cross so many things off of my bucket list that I actually need to figure out what to put on it now…. So, some trip highlights?
–Banqueting House– Banqueting House has been on my to-do list for a good five years, but was always closed when I was visiting. It was first on my list, and I could not be happier that I visited! Not only is the ceiling incredible, as the execution site of Charles I, it is an important place in royal history.
–Visiting Jane Austen’s Bath– Jane Austen is my favourite author, and getting to spend a weekend in Bath was amazing. Yes, I know that Bath was not her favourite place due to personal circumstances, but the Neo-Palladian architecture and golden limestone is gorgeous.
–Dior: Designer of Dreams– Obviously was on the list- it’s DIOR.
–Royal Opera House/Royal Ballet- I was able to do the backstage tour of the Royal Opera House and see two of my favourite dancers in Don Quixote. The theatre itself is incredible and steeped in ballet history (and London history), and the show was one of the best productions I’ve seen.
–Cambridge– Way back when, I applied to do my PhD at Cambridge when I studied Early Irish History. Now, I’ve shifted areas of study, but I was finally able to visit Cambridge. And what a beautiful, historic town. At the time, I had fallen in love with Bath, but now looking back, I would absolutely go back to Cambridge again!
–Six the Musical– I had the best day ever with Hisdoryan, and finishing it with Six was the best choice ever. A pop musical about Henry VIII’s six wives? YES, PLEASE. And I completed my Six hat trick, with two shows in Edmonton in November!
2. RWB’s La Bayadère
La Bayadère has been on my must-see list for quite some time, and this production did not disappoint. It was a co-production, and this Canadian premiere wrapped the show up. The costumes and sets are everything you would expect from a lavish, Petipa ballet, and the RWB company showcased their artistic and technical strengths!
3. Starting #RoyalHistoryChat on Twitter
I am quite proud that I started a royal history Twitter chat! It’s a small chat, but I’ve loved getting to spend a weekend connecting with different royal historians on Twitter, and learning more. The chats will be continuing in 2020, look for a schedule on January 1st!
4. Doors Open Winnipeg
Doors Open Winnipeg is one of my favourite events, as you can visit several historic buildings and sties in Winnipeg for free! (Many of them normally aren’t ever open to the public.) The last weekend in May, this year we visited our historic law courts and it was lovely to immerse myself in some local history. I know that you dear readers don’t seem terribly fond of Winnipeg history, but I think we hold our own!
5. Anastasia the Musical
Years in the making, I have finally seen Anastasia the Musical!! The musical opened on Broadway in 2017, and the North American tour began in 2018. In December 2019, it finally made its Canadian debut in Toronto, and I was able to head there to see it. An absolutely beautiful and enthralling musical, I loved it as much as the movie (possibly more). And I got to meet the cast after!
6. Being interviewed by the BBC
I was actually interviewed for the BBC about period dramas and the new season of The Crown! It was only about 2 minutes long, but I’m fairly proud of that accomplishment. They also contacted me for a second, but timing doesn’t work out! Look at me, being a source of history on the radio…
Thank you 2019! What has the year brought you?
Cheers,
The Historian
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