On today’s show:

• CHSR has joined forces with The Cap and numerous local bands to produce Postponed: The Mixtape. For today only, this album will help raise money for the station, the venue and the artists. Pay What You Can, Give Generously, Share The Facebook Post Widely.
• It’s May 1st, which means the new season has officially begun in the pagan world! Today is Beltaine, or if you are in the southern hemisphere, Samhain.
• Recognize the hard work (or currently, lack of work…) for school-related jobs, as it is both School Bus Drivers’ Day and School Principals’ Day.
• Stare lovingly into the sky tonight, as it is Space Day.
• Stare lovingly at your new front door, as it also New Home Owners’ Day.
• And you are at home anyway, so why pants? Celebrate No Pants Day, and sing along to TWRP‘s No Pants Dance at the end of the show today.
• Because May is Mental Health Month, I revisited an interview I did with Steve, Keith and Rick in 2017 about their struggles, hopes and survival of mental health issues.
• We also flashback to 2018 and the release of Brookside Mall‘s debut album, from with Bondo picked Joan.
• There are two (local-ish) concert series to consider today:
  • The #NBatHome Concert Series runs this week! You can’t go out to see live music, so we are bringing live music to you! In these times of physical distancing and social solidarity, discover (or re-discover) some amazing New Brunswick artists. From their living rooms to yours! #NBatHOMELive Performances
    1/05- An Acoustic Sin (7pm/19h) & Hard Charger (8pm/20h)
    3/05- The Hypochondriacs (3pm/15h) & Laurie LeBlanc Page officielle (4pm/16h)
    6/05- Kendra Gale Band (6pm/18h)
    8/05- Émilie Landry (7pm/19h)
    8/05- M3D14 (9pm/21h)
    8/05- ZAFARI (10pm/22h)
    8/05- DJ Mademoizelle
    (Atlantic Time // Heure de l’Atlantique)
  • The Living Rooms Concert Series continues this Sunday starting at 4pm, with several acts streaming live on the Facebook pages of Roots & Soul Music Promotions, The East, The Capital Complex and Grimross Brewing Company. This week: Soul Filter (PEI), Dwayne Doucette of Earthbound (NB), Evan LeBlanc (NB), Katherine Moller (NB), Jena Gogo of Blue Sky Miners (ON), TWIN (MB), Lucas Chaisson (AB), Keegan Dobbelsteyn (NB), Daniel Champagne (AUS), Carolyna Lovely (AUS)

COVID-19 Update [6:38]

• The province announced no new cases of COVID-19 for the twelfth day in a row yesterday.
• This announcement leaves the total number of cases at 118.
• 114 people have recovered from the virus, leaving four active cases and nobody in hospital.
• Dr. Jennifer Russell said this fight is far from over and as long as there are cases in other provinces, New Brunswick will have to stay vigilant. 
• Premier Higgs said the province is looking at ways to have post-secondary students and high school graduates take on jobs normally filled by temporary foreign workers this summer. 
• The Prime Minister joined defense ministers yesterday to offer condolences to Canadians after a helicopter belonging to the armed forces went down off the Ionian Sea.

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On today’s show:

• It’s Honesty Day! Tell the truth, and accept the truth. Just don’t hug it out right now..
• It’s Oatmeal Cookie Day! I expect many of you to make cookies today. Now I want to, too.
• It’s Poem in Your Pocket Day! Find the verse that speaks to you, and write it out yourself.
• Lainie B from Monday night’s B Street brings us another Positive Songs For Pandemics. This week, it’s Joel Plaskett’s turn to cheer us up.
• Bondo Picked Matt Boudreau in 2018 (800 km). Still a good choice.
• The Living Rooms Concerts continue this Sunday, with Soul Filter, Dwayne Doucette, Evan LeBlanc, Katherine Moller, Jena Gogo, TWIN, Lucas Chiasson, Keegan Dobbelsteyn, Daniel Champagne and Carolyna Lovely. Starts at 4pm on Sunday at the Facebook pages of Roots & Soul Promotions, The East, The Cap and Grimross Brewing.
• #NBatHome Concerts Begin this week!
  You can’t go out to see live music, so we are bringing live music to you! In these times of physical distancing and social solidarity, discover (or re-discover) some amazing New Brunswick artists. From their living rooms to yours! #NBatHOMEThe project is possible thanks to the New Brunswick Tourism, Heritage and Culture Department.
  Live Performances // Performance en direct –
  1/05- An Acoustic Sin (7pm/19h) & Hard Charger (8pm/20h)
  3/05- The Hypochondriacs (3pm/15h) & Laurie LeBlanc Page officielle (4pm/16h)
  6/05- Kendra Gale Band (6pm/18h)
  8/05- Émilie Landry (7pm/19h)
  8/05- M3D14 (9pm/21h)
  8/05- ZAFARI (10pm/22h)
  8/05- DJ Mademoizelle
  (Atlantic Time // Heure de l’Atlantique)See the Facebook event for more details.
• Alone Together: a self-directed artist residency
  The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD)’s Residency program is adapting to the new climate of self-isolation, and has pivoted its direction to be a home-based residency. In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, the program has moved to a virtual platform, forming community through online communication paired with at-home creation. Alone Together Residency draws on supportive planning and motivational tools that invite artists to embrace creativity, with whatever capacity is possible for them. 

  The whole world is on pause. This is an opportunity to channel the reflecting, worrying, critical thinking, reading and dreaming you have been doing at home into bits of creativity and creation. Artists are invited to do as much or as little as suits their current situation.For more information on how to become involved, visit: https://nbccd.ca/alone-together-residency

• Free online crisis training for essential workers
  The Mental Health Commission of Canada has developed three crisis response training programs for essential workers: Caring for Yourself, Caring for your Team, and Caring for Others. Registration for these courses will be on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be available at no-cost for essential workers as defined by the Government of Canada here.
  
  Overview of courses
  Crisis Response training – Caring for Yourself
  Crisis Response training – Caring for your Team
  Crisis Response Training – Caring for Others
• NB Government promoting the 30-Day Mindfulness Challenge
  Starting today, New Brunswickers can sign up for the 30-Day Mindfulness Challenge. This free, bilingual website offers a collection of resources dedicated to teaching New Brunswickers about mindfulness in action. Begin your mindfulness journey today: https://app.mindwellu.com/newbrunswick
• Public Health is strongly recommending that the public wear non medical masks, also referred to as community face masks, when out in the community when physical distancing is challenging.
  
  Wearing a face mask can be a way of covering your mouth and nose to prevent respiratory droplets from contaminating others or landing on surfaces. For more information on wearing or making masks please visit: https://bit.ly/3cQWq4X
• (Essay) Just a thought: Farmers, Gardeners and Temporary Work
• Interview: Cathy Holtmann, PhotoVoice (2018)

COVID-19 Update:

• The province announced no new cases of COVID-19 for the eleventh day in a row yesterday.
• This announcement leaves the total number of cases at 118.
• 114 people have recovered from the virus, leaving four active cases and only one person in hospital.
• Dr. Jennifer Russell said this fight is far from over and as long as there are cases in other provinces, New Brunswick will have to stay vigilant. 
• Premier Higgs said the province is looking at ways to have post-secondary students and high school graduates take on jobs normally filled by temporary foreign workers this summer. 
• The Prime Minister’s $9 billion plan for students was approved by the House of Commons. More details will come out this afternoon.

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On today’s show:

• It’s Stop Food Waste Day! Try working on meal planning for yourself, and urging leaders in food industries and politicians to find better ways to stop food waste industrially.
• It’s International Dance Day! Dance around your livingroom like no one is watching. Except your cat, and their opinion isn’t needed.
• Just a Thought: Reshaping Our Cities post COVID-19
• Bondo Picks Free To Grow, When I Dream
• Song: Del Bel, In My Solitude
• Interview: Matt McLean, Improv for Mental Health (2018)
• Song: Elephant Skeletons, Trash Sultan

COVID-19 updates:

• The province announced no new cases of COVID-19 for the tenth day in a row yesterday.
• This announcement leaves the total number of cases at 118.
• 114 people have recovered from the virus, leaving four active cases.
• Dr. Jennifer Russell expanded the province’s testing protocols to add more symptoms for which to lookout.
• Premier Higgs is banning temporary foreign workers from entering the province due to COVID-19.
• Prime Minister Trudeau said Canadians must have no tolerance for racism and antisemitism towards Asian Canadians.
• Parliament will meet in person today to push for emergency student benefits to be approved.

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On today’s show:

• City of Fredericton Cancels Canada Day Celebrations
  The Fredericton Canada Day Committee is disappointed to announce that as a result of the current Covid-19 pandemic they will not be hosting Canada Day Celebrations in the city this year. This includes musical entertainment, family activities and the fireworks display.

  The committee is exploring ways of hosting some non-traditional celebrations that might present a way to support this sector and provide some entertainment for the community.

• Today is Superhero Day — so celebrate the superheroes inside all of us, and the people doing extraordinary things to help us all right now.
• Today is Pay It Forward Day — so consider how you can help the people who come after you, rewarding the universe for someone helping you in the past.
• Today is Clean Comedy Day — so we’re celebrating with sketches from CHSR’s own Wasted Tape and Canada’s own Bob & Doug Mackenzie.
• Interview: David Alston, Entrepreneur (2015) – we need innovation more than ever, so here are a few words from someone well-recognized as a generator of business
• Bondo Picked Tampa‘s Hot Minute in 2018

COVID-19 Update:

• The province announced no new cases of COVID-19 for the ninth day in a row yesterday.
• This announcement leaves the total number of cases at 118.
• 112 people have recovered from the virus, leaving six active cases.
• Dr. Jennifer Russell reminded New Brunswickers not to disobey the rules by public health. If residents cannot follow the set guidelines, tighter restrictions will be put back in place.
• Canada Day celebrations in Fredericton have been officially cancelled, according to organizers. Its committee will look into other ways to support sectors like music and food vendors.
• Parliament will meet virtually this afternoon and in person tomorrow to push for emergency student benefits to be pushed forward.
• Dr. Theresa Tam said with the longer days and warmer weather, Canadian’s are getting antsy like “a child asking ‘are we there yet?'” She said we have to wait a little while longer before things return to the new normal.

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Joe Blades at Highland Radio 2018

On today’s show:

• It is with considerable sadness that we report the passing of one of our alumni. Joe Blades was the host of CHSR’s literature, arts and poetry program, Ashes, Paper and Beans for decades. He stopped doing the show a few years ago with increasing time needed to pursue his PhD, but never ceased being a member. Joe will be very missed in the multiple arts communities of this region and around the world of which he was part. He passed on April 22.
• The UNB Art Centre presents: Design Works Wednesdays – Create at Home Series
  
  Join the UNB Art Centre on Facebook for a series of FB LIVE workshops, Wednesdays 10:00 am – 11:00 am with our new ‘Create at Home’ series.
  
  First Session begins April 29th.

  Stay tuned to UNB Art Centre’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, as we post upcoming creative projects and the supplies that you will need weekly. Let’s make our stay at home more creative and productive!

• Essay: Just a Thought: Who’s In Your Bubble?
• Harvest Jazz and Blues Postponed for 2020
  Harvest’s Board of Directors confirms what we had sincerely hoped would not be the case: Harvest will not take place this September.
• Interview: The Lifers (2019) (with songs: Sisters, New Eyes)
• Bondo Picks Royal Wood, Something About You
• In tribute to Joe Blades: Radio Free Vestibule, Froo Froo the talking cat

COVID-19 Update:

• The province announced no new cases of COVID-19 yesterday afternoon, leaving the total number of cases at 118. 
• 111 people have recovered from the virus, leaving seven active cases. 
• Dr. Jennifer Russell reminded New Brunswickers not to use surgical masks or N-95 respirators. She said those masks must be saved for health care workers. 
• Russell recommends homemade face coverings made of cloth. 
• Effective this morning, the City of Fredericton will charge for downtown parking again. This comes after a month of free parking. 
• Trudeau will invest $62.5 million to help fish and seafood processors across the country.
• Musicians are still paying tribute to the victims in Nova Scotia, including one special performance from Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster and shooting victim Emily Tuck. 

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On today’s show:

• Today is Firefly day! Indulge in a re-watch! Or, if you’ve never seen it, now’s a great time.
• It’s also Teach Your Children To Save Day. The future adult will thank you.
• In Response to the Nova Scotia Tragedy
  To commemorate the victims of the terrible incident in Nova Scotia, we are joining with radio station and churches across the country in ringing 22 bells for the 22 victims. We will return for an hour to our regular programming, and then will be simulcasting the vigil at approximately 7:01pm tonight. Please join us in gathering virtually to honour those who have passed.
• Stronger Together / Tous Ensemble benefit concert simulcast!
  Be sure to join us and numerous media outlets for a simultaneous, cross-country event! This Sunday, 6:30pm. For more information, visit strongertogethercanada.ca, and to donate text COVID to 30333 to donate $5, $10 or $20 or visit FoodBanksCanada.ca/StrongerTogether
• ANIMARITIMES 2020 postponed to 2021 (originally, June 26-28, 2020)
  “It is with great disappointment that we must announce the postponement of Animaritime 2020: Magical Girls until 2021. This announcement was difficult to make but the decision was made with your safety in mind. Though we hoped that it would not have to happen; the safety of our attendees, our staff, and everyone involved in making Animaritime must come first. 
  
  You probably have a lot of questions, and we do as well as we are still sorting out what all this means, but being transparent is also really important.”
• New Brunswick fairs and exhibitions suspended for 2020
  The New Brunswick Fairs and Exhibitions Association has announced that all events scheduled for 2020 are suspended because of the situation surrounding COVID-19.Mike Vokey, President of the association: “The decision to pause was difficult but essential to protect the health and safety of our producers, our volunteers and the public. All the fairs across the province agreed that we need to do our part in limiting the spread of this virus.”

  Includes: the NBEX, Stanley Fair

• Annual Spring Yard Cleanup Program Dates Announced
  The City of Fredericton’s annual “Spring Yard Cleanup” program happening during the weeks of April 27 to May 1 and May 11 to May 15. 
  The program is not for pickup of items such as furniture, stoves, refrigerators, bedsprings and mattresses, or residue from major tree removal or significant clearing operations.
  
  If in doubt about what can be collected, or for more information, visit www.fredericton.ca/springcleanup or contact Service Fredericton at 506-460-2020 or service@fredericton.ca before placing material at the curb.
• UNB nursing grads join the COVID-19 fight
  Fourth-year nursing students from the University of New Brunswick graduated earlier than usual this year to allow them to join the fight against COVID-19.
  

• Restaurants and local shops are not doing so well right now. There is a serious risk that many of these local, independent shops and food sellers might not be able to survive the extended period of slowdown that we need to endure right now. So, I encourage you to find out if your favourite restaurant has delivery available and order at least one meal once a week, if you can afford it. If they don’t have delivery, see if they have a gift card. Similarly, some of the local shops might now deliver, and they could use your business.  Finally, if you can’t afford to support them financially directly, why not let your friends know why you love the stores and restaurants so much, on social media. Tourism Fredericton has a great page listing local businesses that you can order from and support right now
• Living Rooms Concert Series, April 26
  Each Sunday will have 10 acts performing 30-45 min each 4 PM- 9 PM.
  You can stream this from the @roots & soul music promotions, The East, The Capital Complex, Grimross Brewing Co. Facebook pages.
• Interview: Mark Kleyn, Performance Anxiety for Musicians
• Interview: Real Life Survivor Louis Stravato

COVID-19 update:

• • The province announced no new cases of COVID-19 yesterday afternoon, leaving the total number of cases at 118. 
  • 104 people have recovered from the virus, leaving 14 active cases. 
  • Premier Higgs announced the government will begin discussing recovery measures about reopening the province’s business sectors.  
  • City of Fredericton will charge for parking again starting on Monday, April 27. 
  • The RCMP is asking Canadians from coast to coast to wear red on Friday, April 24, to honour the lives lost in Nova Scotia over the past weekend. A memorial service will air at 7 p.m. on all CBC platforms and CHSR.
  • Trudeau will invest another $1.1 billion to COVID-19 research.

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On today’s show:

• Celebrate Shakespeare’s Birthday!
• Celebrate the English Language today!
• Read a book tonight for World Book Night!
• Stronger Together / Tous Ensemble benefit concert simulcast! This Sunday at 6:30pm, we’ll be joining broadcasters across the country in solidarity to support the front-line workers during this pandemic, as well as raising money for food banks. The program will feature musicians, athletes, celebrities, activists — even an astronaut!
• The UNB Art Centre’s Leisure Learning Courses Go Online
  Social distancing doesn’t have to mean the end of learning together. Try our fun, educational and creative Leisure Learning courses – offered conveniently online.
  
  For a complete listing go to our website. You can find us on the UNB website under the College of Extended Learning at  https://www.unb.ca/cel/enrichment/leisure-learning/online/index.html.
• What’s Playing Online This Week from The Playhouse April 23-28
  For more information, or to check for updates, please visit The Playhouse website.
  • April 23 at 2pm: The National Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night  
  • April 24 at 2pm: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies  
  • April 25 at 7:30pm: Tomato/Tomato  
  • April 26: Season 2 of God Reads the Bible with comedian Mike Delamont from God is a Scottish Drag Queen  
  • April 27 at 5pm: Lisa Muswagon shares a children’s story about Wapoose (Rabbit) and her journey  
  • April 28: New York City Ballet performs George Balanchine’s Apollo
• Stratford Festival Presents Filmed Plays
  The Stratford Festival is one of Canada’s longest-running and largest theatre festivals. Since they can’t bring people in to their theatres yet this year, they are showing a dozen of their favourite Shakespeare films in a series they are calling Stratfest@Home.
• Imagining the Green New Deal, Thursday, April 23 at 8pm
  Join the Council of Canadians Fredericton Chapter in imagining a Green New Deal. In this session we will look at a few bold proposals for real transformations in our response to COVID-19, and in our public services.
  
  REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR HERE:  https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NP579OgBTBOHEkR1KQn4aA
• Living Rooms Concert Series, April 26
  This week, featuring:
  • Max Marshall  (ON) 
  • Marie Hamilton (QC)
  • John Muirhead (ON)
  • Mary-Kate Edwards (ON)
  • Corey Hachey of FM Berlin (NB)
  • Francesca Mirai (BC)
  • Jon Lepp of (Fat Moth) (ON)
  • Apryll Aileen (NB)
  • Jacob Henley (ON)
  • Mike Filipowitsch of Burt Neilson Band (Taiwan )
• #ExploreFrederictonLater
  There will be brighter days ahead but for now stay home and stay healthy. We invite you to support Fredericton businesses online.
  
  They encourage you to post pictures of what you’re looking forward to getting back to in Fredericton . Post on Instagram, tag fredtourism and use the hashtag #ExploreFrederictonLater.
• TNB Continues to Collect Stories for Dear Rona
  Dear Rona – Letters from Lockdown is a new collaborative project from TNB inspired by our current state of affairs. The idea is simple: send us a letter telling us about your experience living in lockdown.To contribute your voice to this project, please send a letter, a postcard, an email or an audio recording to the addresses below. Submissions may be any length.

  Theatre New Brunswick, 55 Whiting Road, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5Y5
  dearrona@tnb.nb.ca

• Today is the last day to contribute your play for the NotaBle Acts Play Competition!
  Visit nbacts.com for full details.
• Positive Songs for Pandemics: Rose Cousins, The Return (Love Comes Back)
• Interview: John Muirhead (2019)

COVID-19 Update:

• The province announced no new cases of COVID-19 yesterday afternoon, leaving the total number of cases at 118. 
• 104 people have recovered from the virus, leaving 14 active cases. 
• Premier Higgs announced the government is purchasing iPads for New Brunswick nursing homes to stay connected with family and friends. 
• The federal government unveiled new support for post-secondary students, the summer jobs program and young volunteers. 
• The RCMP is asking Canadians from coast to coast to wear red on Friday, April 24, to only the lives lost in Nova Scotia over the past weekend. A memorial service will air at 7 p.m. that day on CBC radio, TV, online and Gem.

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On today’s show:

• CHSR will be offering free advertising to local businesses in the Fredericton area that have been negatively impacted by the current pandemic. To participate, send a message including the name of the business and what services are available during the social distancing era to advertising@chsrfm.ca .
• Out of the Cold Shelter needs towels. There is an URGENT and IMMEDIATE need for towels at the Out of The Cold Shelter in Fredericton. Since moving its operations from Brunswick Street to the Fredericton High School the number of homeless guests has more than doubled. The supply of 30+ towels brought to FHS from the Shelter is grossly inadequate for the 60+ guests.
  
  If you have any “usable” towels you are willing to donate please place them in a plastic bag and drop them off OUTSIDE the front doors of the Oromocto Baptist Church. They will be picked up daily, laundered and cycled into the rotations at FHS.
  
  The greatest need is bath towels but hand towels and face cloths would also be put to good use.
• Interview: Richard Hornsby, on Remembering the Great War Through Music (2016)
• Interview: Lois Macdonald-Laden, Felt Artist, recorded at the Odell Park Lodge (2019)

COVID-19 update:

• The province announced no new cases of COVID-19 yesterday afternoon, leaving the total number of cases at 118. 
• 102 people have recovered from the virus, leaving 16 active cases. 
• Dr. Jennifer Russell announced public health is launching an online tool for residents to find their own test results instead of waiting for a call from public health. 
• The federal and provincial governments announced more support for community organizations and non-profits. 
• Fredericton Chamber of Commerce has released the application form for their scholarship. The deadline is May 29th at 4:00 PM.

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