Honest profane comedy, James Joyce, and jerking off
As mainstream discussions in print, blogs and on TV panels increasingly feature a class of people unfit to talk and write, I felt not just pleasure but sincere relief after seeing live comedy for my first time. It was local amateurs performing in the basement of a seedy little bar last week, and though I...
How to enjoy Art Battle from a self-professed addict
Art Battle is live competitive painting. The audience watches, cheers, votes, and bids in support of the artists and their paintings. Rounds are 20 minutes in length. 2 winners from each round will advance to the final and compete for a cash prize and the title of AB20 Champion, and a spot in their Tournament...
The Good Folk of Meanwood
Often associated with cowboys and hillbillies, country music was an energetic form of folksy expression through most of the 20th century. Subsequently trampled on by the likes of Garth Brooks and Shania Twain in the 1990s, some people may have been left to feel as if the best of country had hung its hat in...
Hyperbolic Film Rant – Survival Of The Dead (2009)
Survival Of The Dead (2009) Directed by George A. Romero Director George A. Romero wrote the book on the zombie movie genre and despite superficial flaws his films are beloved by all horror fans, especially Night of the Living Dead (1968) and it’s next two sequels Dawn of the Dead (1978) andDay of the Dead (1985). As with most...
Because we’d be liars if we said this wasn’t a great show…
(Pic via Forget The Box) When I was younger I stayed up all night finishing my grade 5 American history assignment. It took my hours of cutting, pasting, typing and glitter glue but I had finally finished it 2 hours past my bedtime. My dog at the time, “Scrapples” was a chewer, and true to...
No Good News – Vol. XX (Art)
Art: who likes it? Who needs it? Why is it always such a chore to like or dislike? I’m so glad we all agree on entertainment being better than art. Art has always come down to individual taste, says The Sun. Is that a fact? But be warned, people! City Hall has fucking blown all...
Getting Jigy-Jigy with Jumple
Jumple is the kind of band that can take the art of rock music and blend it seamlessly into a world of fun. This past Friday’s release party for their new EP Jigy-Jigy was a prime example. Dozens packed the narrow stage area at the back of Rasputin Vodka Lounge and let loose to the...
Mapping The Revolution – Part 1
Weeks ago I submitted a piece to The Toronto Taxpayers Coalition’s ‘win lunch with Doug Ford essay competition‘. Since then I’ve awaited winner’s notification, anxious for the opportunity to discuss the future of The Arts with one of Toronto’s most influential politicians at O.NOIR on Church Street. Despite the magnitude of my submission, I...
A Quick Review of The Zoo Story
There is certain poignant relevance to our contemporary world to found in the themes of Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story. Albee’s classic centres on the disturbed, lonely, and frantic Jerry, who is desperate to find someone with whom he can make a real human connection. He encounters Peter, a wealthy family man and imposes himself...
Five Easy Clips Presents: The Music of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is a Turkic nation bordering China and Russia. It’s the land of the “Great Game”, which was finally won by Russia, and remained Soviet until 1991 when it declared independence. The majority of the population is Kyrgyz, whose music we’ll be focusing on in this Five Easy Clips. The country holds strongly to its nomadic...
Let The Paint Fly
One weekend, two Art Battle events, and the paint went flying. Queen West Art Crawlers got a free mini-taste of the staple monthly AB event with two one on one paint-offs at The Gladstone Ballroom on Friday where Keita Morimoto walked away victorious, having stunned the crowd with his unique, dark style. (From top left...
A Regular Film Buff’s Thoughts on the First Weekend of TIFF
My second time attending the Toronto International Film Festival has been a less than ecstatic experience so far, but that’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed myself. Toronto is at its best during the festival; the beautiful Ontario September weather creates ideal conditions for both sitting in crowded movie theatres and chatting on restaurant patios. ...
