Ten minute tea with Afternoon Tea. Spend ten minutes with Afternoon Tea. In the time it takes to boil one kettle, and let one cup of tea steep, we will have your daily art + music fix covered. Take your afternoon break with our Afternoon Tea curators. Need an extra lump of sugar? One more sip? If you have five minutes more (or ten), we have one more hit.
Today’s tea + soundtrack + visuals curated by Bernadette Connors.
Hamilton, ON-based singer-songwriter Bernadette Connors unveils her powerful new single, “White Magnolia“—a deeply personal and emotionally raw anthem about patience, faith, and trusting the timing of life. With a haunting vocal performance, soaring melodies, and a gripping blend of Southern Rock, Americana, and Indie Folk, the song captures the tension of longing and the beauty of surrendering to the unknown.
Written in collaboration with John-Angus MacDonald (The Trews) during a time of creative and personal transition, “White Magnolia” is a reflection on the slow, often frustrating journey of chasing a dream. The magnolia—symbolizing rare, fleeting beauty—serves as a poignant metaphor for the rewards of perseverance.
The track came to life through a collaborative and emotionally charged recording process. Produced by Stu Weinberg, whose experimental and bold approach pushed Bernadette to embrace vulnerability, “White Magnolia” evolved into a cathartic release. With Jeremy Kleynhans on drums (and knee slaps), Anthony Carone (Arkells) on keyboards, and Mike Bruce providing backup vocals, the track carries a rich, full-bodied sound that blends rootsy authenticity with modern production.
The song’s standout moment—a massive, cathartic note coming out of the bridge—was a spontaneous in-studio choice. Encouraged by Weinberg‘s unwavering belief in her abilities, Bernadette delivered a spine-tingling vocal performance that elevated the entire track.
There’s something about working with someone who truly sees your potential and knows how to pull it out of you. That’s what makes Stu such an important collaborator for me, and “White Magnolia” wouldn’t be what it is without him. This song came from a raw place, but it’s not about hopelessness—it’s about faith. I think that shift reflects my growth as an artist. – Bernadette Connors
Stream + share “White Magnolia” now:
Tea: Jasmine Pearl
These are hand-rolled leaves, sewn tight with scent and memory. When the hot water hits, they unfold—slowly, like they’ve been waiting for permission to soften. Don’t we all? Jasmine pearl isn’t just tea—it’s a lesson in becoming.
Visual: Dale Chihuly’s glass work
There’s something about the fragility and boldness of Chihuly’s work that mirrors how it feels to keep showing up with an open heart. His colours don’t just sit there—they spill, they stretch. The pieces hold tension and grace all at once. Like a breath held. Like music frozen mid-note.
An extra lump of sugar:
Music: “Candles in the Rain” – Melanie FULL RECORDING Melanie & The Edwin Hawkins Singers
Melanie’s voice is like someone lighting a match in the dark—small, flickering hope in the middle of something heavy. It feels like standing barefoot on wet ground, letting the storm pass through you instead of hiding from it. It doesn’t rush the feeling. It lets it land.
Why They Belong Together (and how they circle back to White Magnolia)
The tea lets you be still. The song gives you permission to feel the weight of things. The art reminds you that even what’s delicate can take up space. White Magnolia lives right there—in that quiet storm of softness and strength. It’s a song about blooming anyway. About grief wrapped in grace. About how becoming yourself doesn’t always look graceful—but it’s holy just the same.
The jasmine pearls unfurl under heat. Melanie’s voice cracks and shines at the same time. Chihuly’s glass bends without breaking. And White Magnolia? It’s the sound of someone standing in the wreckage with open hands, saying, “I’m still here. And I’m still becoming.”
Sometimes, you’re the glass, the rain, and the candle.
Sometimes, you’re the magnolia—fragile, fierce, and finally in bloom.
Tea + Me 