45-734: Victory Party is the sixth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Geoff Berner , released March 8, 2011 on Mint Records . The album is influenced by the Eastern European klezmer tradition, as well as elements of punk and folk . In the summer of 2014, Geoff Berner was touring with several musicians as the Victory Party Band, playing in locales such as Vancouver, British Columbia . Other members included Wayne Adams (drums), Brigitte Dajczer (violin) and Michael Winograd (clarinet). All tracks are written by Geoff Berner Geoff Berner Geoff Berner (born 1971)
90-582: A Livery Company. Freedom through nomination by two sponsors is available for a fee (known as a "fine") of £170, but is free to those on the electoral roll of the City. New freemen are enrolled in a ceremony in Guildhall, when they receive a guide to conducting their lives in an honourable fashion and a sealed certificate. Freemen's children get admission preference at the City of London Freemen's School . There are
135-412: A celebratory parade through the city. A slightly more common freedom of the city is connected to the medieval concept of "free status", when city and town charters drew a distinction between freemen and vassals of a feudal lord. As such, freemen actually pre-date modern boroughs . Early freedom of the boroughs ceremonies had great importance in affirming that the recipient enjoyed privileges such as
180-414: A compendium of strategies against despair," Berner stated. Berner's next album, Canadiana Grotesquica , arrived in 2017 on Coax Records, preceded by the single "Hustle Advisory (Canada 150 Remix by Socalled)." The songs were a return to a more traditional alt-country style, guided by producer/guitarist Paul Rigby. Significant contributions were also made by Frazey Ford and Diona Davies. The album contains
225-521: A duet with her, for her Just Married: An Album of Duets album in 2005. Berner is Jewish, which is reflected in his klezmer song "Lucky God Damn Jew". Between 1988 and 2001, Berner was active in the Green Party of British Columbia and was a member of former leader Stuart Parker 's inner circle. He ran as a candidate at the federal and provincial levels in the general elections of 1991, 1993, 1996 and 1997. His most high-profile campaign, however,
270-401: A freeman directly. Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne are bestowed the right to graze cattle on the town moor. Recipients of this honour have included athlete Mary Peters , actor Kenneth Branagh , diplomat John Jordan , industrialist Andrew Carnegie , shipowner Thomas Henry Ismay and Prime Minister Winston Churchill . In England, the most established borough freedom is that conferred by
315-616: A freeman of the city will also allow admission. In Great Grimsby , the widow of a freeman passes his rights to her second husband, who retains the privilege after either divorce from or death of the widow. The borough freedom is strongest in York, Chester, Newcastle upon Tyne and Coventry ; in Coventry, freedom is qualified by having served an apprenticeship. Durham and Northampton have extended their admission criteria to those who have served an apprenticeship without being "bound" (trained) by
360-572: A number of rights traditionally but apocryphally associated with freemen—the right to drive sheep and cattle over London Bridge ; to a silken rope, if hanged; to carry a naked sword in public; or that if the City of London Police finds a freeman drunk and incapable, they will bundle him or her into a taxi and send them home rather than throw them into a cell. While sheep have occasionally been driven over London Bridge by freemen on special occasions, these privileges are now effectively symbolic. The right to herd sheep and cattle across London's four bridges
405-458: A resolution with a two-thirds majority. The exact qualifications for borough freedom differ between each city or town, but generally fall into two categories, "patrimony" (inheritance) and "servitude" (apprenticeship). For example, in Chester , only the children or grandchildren of freemen may apply for admission. In York, this extends to great- and great-great-grandchildren, and apprenticeship to
450-479: A support act. His first full-length album, We Shall Not Flag or Fail, We Shall Go On to the End (2003) featured the track "Volcano God", which has been covered by Finnish-German singer/songwriter Mäkkelä and Canadian singer/songwriter Wax Mannequin. In the years between We Shall Not Flag or Fail, We Shall Go On to the End and 2005, Berner travelled to Romania , to study the traditional musical style klezmer , from
495-417: Is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and musician from Vancouver . Berner originally studied piano in his youth. At a party, somebody asked him why he did not play the accordion . As a result, he began learning to play the accordion. Following several years fronting the punk band Terror of Tiny Town (its name borrowed from the 1938 film ), Berner released his first solo EP, Light Enough to Travel (2000) on
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#1732776895267540-586: Is also close friends with American ukulele player Carmaig de Forest , and covers his compositions regularly on tour, and recorded his song "In the Year 2020" on his We Shall Not Flag or Fail, We Shall Go On to the End album. In 2008, he began covering songwriter Kris Demeanor instead of de Forest, and Demeanor's song "One Shoe" appears on the Klezmer Mongrels album. Additionally, Berner often collaborates with fellow Canadian Carolyn Mark , and recorded
585-530: Is no longer economically relevant, as there are no livestock markets in the city. Nevertheless, this right has been exercised, or the city has granted permission, on several occasions in modern times: By 2015, the driving of sheep across the bridge had become an annual event, organised by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen livery company, typically to raise funds for the Lord Mayor's Appeal and
630-570: Is the first of a trilogy of klezmer-themed records. Berner released a humorous instructional booklet called How to be an Accordion Player in 2006. In 2007, Berner released The Wedding Dance of the Widow Bride , a concept album with the theme of marriage , and second in his planned trilogy of klezmer records. He also collaborated with the Norwegian band Girl from Saskatoon on their 2007 album. In 2008, he released "Official Theme Song for
675-602: The CBC version of Sesame Street , including animated short "Doug the Monster" and "Alison's Magic Kettle" in 1993, the first televised children's program in the world to overtly depict same-sex couples raising children. Berner also wrote several episodes during the third and fourth seasons of the animated series Ed, Edd n Eddy . Freedom of the City The Freedom of the City (or Borough in some parts of
720-557: The Sudden Death Records label. Light Enough to Travel contained some of the songs he wrote while part of The Terror of Tiny Town. The Vancouver band The Be Good Tanyas covered the title track, and had some chart success with their version in England, which helped to kickstart Berner's career. In 2000, Berner was deported to Norway, where he discovered the Norwegian band Kaizers Orchestra , for whom he would later become
765-542: The Tampa Convention Center and they demand that the mayor surrender the key to the city in a playful ceremony. In Canada, major cities including Toronto , Vancouver , and Montreal may award a key to the city to influential business leaders, musicians, and political leaders. In 2016, the Canadian recording artist Drake received a key to the city of Toronto , presented by the mayor John Tory . In
810-821: The Winnipeg Folk Festival in July when he opened his set with a performance of "The Dead Children Were Worth It!", followed by a joke which linked the festival's corporate sponsor, Volkswagen , to Nazi Germany . In 2008 he released Klezmer Mongrels , the third album in his klezmer trilogy. Later in the year, Berner and colleague Bob Wiseman were given the Key to the City of Bruno, Saskatchewan . Berner signed with Vancouver-based Mint Records in 2010 and recorded Victory Party with producer Socalled . Released March 8, 2011, Victory Party featured backing musicians who specialized in authentic klezmer music. While
855-565: The " pomerium ", the boundary of the city, as sacred. Promagistrates and generals were forbidden from entering it, and resigned their imperium immediately upon crossing it. An exception was made for victory celebrations (called triumphs ), during which the victorious general would be permitted to enter for one day only. Under the Republic, soldiers also lost their status when entering, becoming citizens: thus soldiers at their general's triumph wore civilian dress. Weapons were also banned inside
900-413: The 2010 Vancouver / Whistler Olympic Games (The Dead Children Were Worth It!)", a satirical song he promoted as the official theme song for the 2010 Winter Olympics , as an mp3 on February 19, 2008. The song asserts that, in order to help pay for the games, the government of British Columbia closed a provincial coroner 's office which investigated the deaths of children. He later attracted controversy at
945-520: The City can also be granted by municipal authorities to military units which have earned the city's trust; in this context, it is sometimes called the Freedom of Entry . This allows them the freedom to parade through the city, and is an affirmation of the bond between the regiment and the citizenry. The honour was sometimes accompanied by a "freedom box", a small gold box inscribed to record the occasion; these are not usual today. In some countries, such as
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#1732776895267990-615: The City is a privilege bestowed to individual units of the Canadian Forces . Many units exercise this privilege in conjunction with significant annual commemorations. The Calgary Highlanders commemorate the Battle of Kitcheners' Wood with an annual freedom of the city parade. In some countries, such as the United States, an ornamental key – the "key to the city" – is presented to esteemed visitors, residents, or others whom
1035-475: The City was an honour granted only to troops which had earned the trust of the local populace, either through some valiant action or simply by being a familiar presence. Today, martial freedom of the city is an entirely ceremonial honour, usually bestowed upon a unit with historic ties to the area, as a token of appreciation for their long and dedicated service. The awarding of the Freedom is often accompanied by
1080-420: The Freedom of the City of London , first recorded in 1237. This is closely tied to the role and status of the livery companies . From 1835, the freedom "without the intervention of a Livery Company" has been bestowed by a general resolution of Common Council, by "redemption" (purchase), at one time for an onerous sum. Now the Freedom can be obtained by servitude, by patrimony, by nomination, or by presentation via
1125-473: The Gild (archaic spelling used) of Freemen who continue to take an interest in the affairs of the city. New admissions are made every year (usually October) following an admission ceremony with the Lord Mayor at the Guildhall. Prince Andrew, Duke of York was given the honour in 1986, but a councillors' vote stripped him of the title after allegations of sexual abuse became public. In Ireland, borough freedom of
1170-493: The UK) is an honour bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary. Arising from the medieval practice of granting respected citizens freedom from serfdom , the tradition still lives on in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand—although today the title of "freeman" confers no special privileges. The Freedom of
1215-449: The United States, esteemed residents and visitors may instead be presented with the Key to the City , a similarly symbolic honour. Other US cities award Honorary Citizenship with just a certificate. Freedom of the City is an ancient honour granted to martial organisations, allowing them the privilege to march into the city "with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed". This honour dates back to ancient Rome which regarded
1260-599: The Worshipful Company of Woolmen. York has a long history of freemen dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period, with records dating back to 1272. Freemen may claim their rights through patronage (as far back as their great-great-grandparent, there are records of women being admitted in York in medieval times, a right forgotten for a time until the late 1970s when the gild carried out research and rediscovered it) or apprenticeship. Once sworn in, freemen can join
1305-508: The city is generally given to noted foreign and national dignitaries and the list rarely exceeds a few dozen. As in the United Kingdom, the title generally comes with various ancient privileges – for instance, freemen of Dublin are allowed the right to vote in certain elections, bring goods for sale in the city without customs and the right to pasture sheep on common ground such as College Green and St. Stephen's Green . Freedom of
1350-477: The city wishes to honour. This practice is a variation on the freedom of the city tradition, and has a similar symbolic meaning; evoking medieval walled cities, the gates of which would be guarded during the day and locked at night, the key symbolises the freedom of the recipient to enter and leave the city at will, as a trusted friend of city residents. In some cities in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany,
1395-409: The first releases on Rae Spoon 's Coax Records in 2015. The album title is a reference to the old German folk tale about elderly farm animals threatened with death, who run away from their masters in the hope of achieving freedom by becoming Town Musicians. The story's theme of irrational hope and optimism in the face of horror was echoed in most of the songs on the album. "I would describe the record as
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1440-619: The grant of honorary freedom in the United Kingdom is governed by the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 ). The 1972 Act enabled the councils of cities, royal boroughs , boroughs , and parishes (or, in Wales, communities ) with the status of a royal town to confer the status of honorary freeman on "persons of distinction and persons who have, in
1485-483: The importance of wearing a mask and taking care of others. He even composed seven folk songs on this subject, released in 7 Plague Songs in 2023. He has also made claims on social media about alleged Vancouver police racist behaviours, and makes statements in favour of defunding the Vancouver police system. In 2013, Berner released his first novel, Festival Man , with Dundurn Press . In 2017, Berner released
1530-405: The key to the city is given to the so-called ' prins carnaval [ nl ] ' who leads the carnivals which take place the week prior to Septuagesima . The tradition is that the mayor steps down for this period and power is transferred to the prince carnival, who then returns the key at the end of Shrove Tuesday / Mardi Gras . Today, the handing over of the key is mostly symbolic and marks
1575-457: The majority of modern klezmer is filtered through different forms of Western music, Berner's intention was to find a more traditional sound. He stated at the time, "We're all trying to put out a vision of Jewish culture that's the opposite of the conservative, knee-jerk pro- Israel , judgmental b---s--- that's emerged in recent decades." Following a four-year gap, Berner's next original album, We Are Going To Bremen To Be Musicians , became one of
1620-535: The many talented masters in Romania. In Romania, he suffered a severe gastrointestinal infection and was rushed to a Romanian hospital, which inspired him to write "Song Written in a Romanian Hospital". After his return, Berner released his second studio album, Whiskey Rabbi (2005) on Black Hen Music , with the help of Diona Davies of Po' Girl , on the violin, and Wayne Adams of Zolty Cracker , percussion. They would later join him occasionally on tour. Whiskey Rabbi
1665-408: The novel The Fiddler is a Good Woman , also with Dundurn Press. It was well-received, with Foreword Reviews writing, "The language blends the profane and poetic … Melodic and chaotic, with a wide range of voices, The Fiddler is a Good Woman creates an artist of complex character, unapologetically flawed and almost too real to be fictional." Berner wrote over a dozen sketches for Sesame Park ,
1710-412: The opinion of the council, rendered eminent services" to the local area. The 2009 Act extends the ability to grant the status of honorary freeman to any county, city, district , borough, town, parish or community council (so removing the requirement for the town to have 'royal' status, and also enabling county councils to confer the honour). A special meeting of the council can grant the honour by passing
1755-459: The pomerium for religious and traditional reasons. (The assassination of Julius Caesar occurred outside this boundary.) Similar laws were passed by other European cities throughout the Medieval era, to protect public security and civic rights, even against their own king's troops. As a result, soldiers would be forced to camp outside the walls of the city during the winter months. The Freedom of
1800-418: The right to trade and own property, and protection within the town. In modern society, the award of honorary freedom of the city or borough tends to be entirely ceremonial, given by the local government in many towns and cities on those who have served in some exceptional capacity, or upon any whom the city wishes to bestow an honour. Before parliamentary reform in 1832, freedom of the city or town conferred
1845-541: The right to vote in the parliamentary boroughs for the MPs. Until the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 the freemen were the exclusive electorate for some of the boroughs. These two acts together curtailed the power of the freemen and extended the franchise to all " householders " (defined as local rate payers; in fact therefore property owners). The private property belonging to the freemen collectively
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1890-775: The song " Gino Odjick ," a tribute to the Vancouver Canucks fan favourite, while other songs namecheck Terry Fox , Corb Lund and Country Dick Montana . In February 2019, Berner released a video for the Canadiana Grotesquica track "Super Subtle Folk Song" in response to the National Energy Board 's second recommendation to approve the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. Berner is the stepfather of actress Genevieve Buechner , and father of Margot Berner and Joseph Zeidler-Berner. He
1935-594: The start and end of the carnival. A similar tradition exists in some festivities in Latin America (like in Rio Carnival ), where the festival's King Momo receives the key to the city at the start of the festivities. As part of the yearly Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida a friendly invasion by the crew of the mythical pirate José Gaspar is recreated where costumed pirates make their way to
1980-426: Was as a candidate for the satirical Rhinoceros Party of Canada in the 2001 provincial general election against future premier Gordon Campbell . In recent years, Berner has expressed intense environmental concerns, and has thrown his support behind the newly launched BC Ecosocialist Party . He calls out for recognition of the importance of self-management against COVID pandemic, Long COVID and its dangerousness,
2025-405: Was retained. The freemen of York , Oxford and Newcastle upon Tyne still own considerable areas within their towns, although the income is effectively given to support charitable objects. The Local Government Act 1972 specifically preserved freemen's rights. The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 removed any restrictions entitling only men to be freemen. Today,
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