The obvious comparison for this French produced biography of the life of Baroque composer Vivaldi is the movie Amadeus. Both are visually, and musically lavish accounts of great classical composers, but they differ significantly in their dramatic structure. While Mozart's story is told in a traditional movie fashion, Vivaldi's story is composed in a series of vignettes of events in his life. It doesn't have the dramatic impact, and emotional involvement of Amadeus, but serves its purpose in detailing Vivaldi's life. It's more PBS docu-drama than Hollywood bio-pic, which I guess is why it was classified in the non-fiction category. It's also sometimes a little disorienting to be reading English subtitles for French dialog of Italian conversations.
Visually, the film is splendid. 18th century Venice is convincingly conjured up with historic locations, detailed sets, and period costumes.
Musically, the soundtrack is sumptuous. It would be impossible to include more than a small selection of his prodigious output. The brief exerpts are enough to pique my curiosity and seek out more of his music.
As a priest in the Catholic Church his musical talent was put to limited use as he was appointed as violin master of the La Prietà orphanage. His Church superiors did not seem to appreciate his musical talent outside teaching his pupils, and composing sacred music for the Church. He was discouraged from writing secular pieces, and it was scandalous to the Bishop that he would write operas. They seemed to consider non-sacred music–especially opera–a distraction to the masses from religion.
There was more than a little jealousy on his peers part as this simple priest was feted by the nobility. Despite the intrigues set against him and his own poor health, he composed and performed in all the great cities of Europe to people like Emperor Charles VI of Austria.
The depiction of Vivaldi's character is somewhat enigmatic. He is obsessed by music, and has little interest in anything else, not even romantic attachments. The life long relationship with his favorite singer Anna Giro is depicted as chaste. Perhaps his priestly vows allowed him the space to romance his muse instead.
Knowing little about Vivaldi beforehand–other than his Four Seasons–it was surprising to learn that he lapsed into obscurity in the 19th century, and was not rediscovered until 1927 when some of his manuscripts were discovered. The modern popularity of his music didn't happen until the 1950s when his music was finally recorded. This film puts the Red Priest of Venice into his place in musical history.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
VIFF Review: The Root of All Evil?
Richard Dawkins' multi-part television documentary is a provocative, and caustic criticism on religion and the religious world view. The well known biologist, and popular science writer of books such as The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, and Climbing Mount Improbable argues that the consequences of unquestioning faith, violent emnity between religious groups, and attacks on science outweighs the good from religion. The whole enterprise should be abandoned, and the only viable alternative for human society's survival is thinking and belief based on evidence, reason, and science.
He travels the world, interviewing clergy from the Abraham descended monotheistic religions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. In Jerusalem he interviews a former New York Jew who is now a ultra-conservative Muslim espousing his outright disgust with Western society and values. In London he meets with a Jewish rabbi of an orthodox sect which barely interacts with the outside society. But for reasons of familiarity to the audience, the main focus is on Christianity.
In conservative Colorado Springs he interviews Pastor Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals and ally of George W. Bush. The irony seems lost on Haggard as he commands Dawkins not to be arrogant with his scientific beliefs. There are many hilarous moments when Dawkins skewers ignorant and unquestioning belief with Douglas Adams-like wit.
Dawkins explores the evolutionary roots of belief. A child's malleable mind is accepting of parental authority because it is the most effective way for a child to learn enough about the world to survive. But as we grow up, we switch around and learn to question the accepted wisdom, or often not.
If religion is no longer a viable path to morality and social harmony then what is the alternative? Dawkins presents the case for atheism, and a rational scientific outlook on the world. Belief must be backed up by evidence. Morality naturally evolves because a harmonious group can succeed better than a divided group. Without gods, hell, and heaven, humans must make the best of what we have in the here and now, and take personal responsibility for ourselves, the natural world, and our fragile place in it.
He travels the world, interviewing clergy from the Abraham descended monotheistic religions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. In Jerusalem he interviews a former New York Jew who is now a ultra-conservative Muslim espousing his outright disgust with Western society and values. In London he meets with a Jewish rabbi of an orthodox sect which barely interacts with the outside society. But for reasons of familiarity to the audience, the main focus is on Christianity.
In conservative Colorado Springs he interviews Pastor Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals and ally of George W. Bush. The irony seems lost on Haggard as he commands Dawkins not to be arrogant with his scientific beliefs. There are many hilarous moments when Dawkins skewers ignorant and unquestioning belief with Douglas Adams-like wit.
Dawkins explores the evolutionary roots of belief. A child's malleable mind is accepting of parental authority because it is the most effective way for a child to learn enough about the world to survive. But as we grow up, we switch around and learn to question the accepted wisdom, or often not.
If religion is no longer a viable path to morality and social harmony then what is the alternative? Dawkins presents the case for atheism, and a rational scientific outlook on the world. Belief must be backed up by evidence. Morality naturally evolves because a harmonious group can succeed better than a divided group. Without gods, hell, and heaven, humans must make the best of what we have in the here and now, and take personal responsibility for ourselves, the natural world, and our fragile place in it.
Friday, September 29, 2006
VIFF Review: Vinícius
This film details the incredible life of Vinícius De Moraes, one of the founders of Brazil's signature musical style–bossa nova. A passionate and prolific man, he wrote hundreds of poems, several musical plays, countless song lyrics, and married nine times. His day job of diplomat took him around the world to places like Los Angeles, Paris, and New Orleans which were influential to his creativity.
He befriended, collaborated and partied with the greats of Brazilian music including Antonio Jobim, João Gilberto, Baden Powell, and Pixinguinha. Some of his most famous works are the lyrics to The Girl from Ipanema, and the play which would become the Oscar winning film Black Orpheus.
Woven into the narrative of his life are readings of his poems, performances of his songs by fellow Brazilian musicians, and interviews with famous Brazilian musicians like Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Gilberto Gil, and many others.
A prominent theme is the yearning for happiness and love, not only in his creative work but also in his personal life. Like an addict, he always needed the next hit whether it was a new song, a new young wife, or another glass of scotch. Even as a well paid member of the diplomatic corps, his bacchanal lifestyle left him short on money.
In words, music, and stories the film presents Vinícius as a restless, and creative free spirit–an embodiment of Brazil.
He befriended, collaborated and partied with the greats of Brazilian music including Antonio Jobim, João Gilberto, Baden Powell, and Pixinguinha. Some of his most famous works are the lyrics to The Girl from Ipanema, and the play which would become the Oscar winning film Black Orpheus.
Woven into the narrative of his life are readings of his poems, performances of his songs by fellow Brazilian musicians, and interviews with famous Brazilian musicians like Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Gilberto Gil, and many others.
A prominent theme is the yearning for happiness and love, not only in his creative work but also in his personal life. Like an addict, he always needed the next hit whether it was a new song, a new young wife, or another glass of scotch. Even as a well paid member of the diplomatic corps, his bacchanal lifestyle left him short on money.
In words, music, and stories the film presents Vinícius as a restless, and creative free spirit–an embodiment of Brazil.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Vancouver International Film Festival 2006
This year is the 25th anniversary of the Vancouver International Film Festival. There's over a dozen films I want to see, and I'll be posting the reviews here. Once again I'm concentrating on the music related films, but there are also films on technology, atheism, and Japanese fast food to see.
These are the films I'm planning to see:
Vinicius
The Root of All Evil?
Antonio Vivaldi: A Prince in Venice
Norman McLaren Retrospective
Opera Jawa
Tachigui: The Amazing Lives of the Fast-Food Grifters
Two Sons of Francisco
To Play and to Fight
Absolute Wilson
Murch
The Net
Mozartballs
The War Symphonies: Shostakovich Against Stalin
Tis Autumn--The Search for Jackie Paris
Bring down the house lights and roll the film!
These are the films I'm planning to see:
Vinicius
The Root of All Evil?
Antonio Vivaldi: A Prince in Venice
Norman McLaren Retrospective
Opera Jawa
Tachigui: The Amazing Lives of the Fast-Food Grifters
Two Sons of Francisco
To Play and to Fight
Absolute Wilson
Murch
The Net
Mozartballs
The War Symphonies: Shostakovich Against Stalin
Tis Autumn--The Search for Jackie Paris
Bring down the house lights and roll the film!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Dance Review: STONE: Drift
Scotiabank Dance Centre
September 21, 2006 8:00pm
I first experienced the wonderment of the Aeriosa Dance Society at this year's Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Suspended four stories above Gastown on climbing ropes anchored to the roof, they performed their gravity defying dance using the side of the building as their stage.
With STONE: Drift they bring their aerial dancing inside to the more predictable atmosphere of a theatre. With no worries about wind, weather, and building rash they are allowed the luxury to create an entirely new show. By combining the music of François Houle, lighting, and projected imagery with their acrobatic dance choreography, they form an entirely new dance experience.
Aeriosa brings a whole new meaning to "breaking the fourth wall" as the dancers swing right over the heads of the audience. No longer limited to the floor they make full use of the entire three dimensional space of the stage. The back wall of the theatre becomes another floor as we get a bird's eye view of a dance sequence. With still and motion picture images projected onto the wall the dancers enter a new environment before our eyes.
I have to marvel at the athleticism and skill of the dancers. Suspended in mid-air in their climbing harnesses they almost effortlessly twirl, spin, pose, push, and catch each other. Only when the music fades do you hear the grunts and pants of their considerable efforts. If you thought your Pilates class was challenging try doing it suspended in mid-air, and upside down.
This energetic young dance company is breaking new ground. There's nothing like this outside a Cirque du Soleil show. Check them out at the Scotia Dance Centre until September 30.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Fringe Review: Legoland
Arts Club Theatre
September 16, 2006 2:00pm
This is what I love about the Fringe--walking into a play with no expectations and finding something extraordinary. 16 year old Penny Lamb and her 13 year old brother Ezra are two precocious kids from Elysium Farm, a hippy commune outside of Uranium City, Saskatchewan. Sheltered from the outside world their entire lives, they must rely on their wits and each other when Penny's crush on a teen idol singer takes then on a adventure across America--winding up in more trouble than they could possibly imagine.
It's a multimedia, multidiscipline extravaganza with every element thrown in including music, singing, dance, puppetry, and slides. The script is clever, and packed with wit and pointed commentary as the siblings experience the rediculousness of modern North American society.
The acting is terrific and the actors revel in their parts with energetic glee. Penny's cherubic face is fixed with a beatific smile and manic glint in her eyes, like some demented angel. Ezra seems quiet and nerdy until one of his penetrating outbursts hits you in the funnybone.
This is easily the best show of this year's Fringe, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Legoland is one of Georgia Straight's Pick of the Fringe. Encore performances are on from September 21 to 24. Congratulations to the wonderful performers of Atomic Vaudeville!
September 16, 2006 2:00pm
This is what I love about the Fringe--walking into a play with no expectations and finding something extraordinary. 16 year old Penny Lamb and her 13 year old brother Ezra are two precocious kids from Elysium Farm, a hippy commune outside of Uranium City, Saskatchewan. Sheltered from the outside world their entire lives, they must rely on their wits and each other when Penny's crush on a teen idol singer takes then on a adventure across America--winding up in more trouble than they could possibly imagine.
It's a multimedia, multidiscipline extravaganza with every element thrown in including music, singing, dance, puppetry, and slides. The script is clever, and packed with wit and pointed commentary as the siblings experience the rediculousness of modern North American society.
The acting is terrific and the actors revel in their parts with energetic glee. Penny's cherubic face is fixed with a beatific smile and manic glint in her eyes, like some demented angel. Ezra seems quiet and nerdy until one of his penetrating outbursts hits you in the funnybone.
This is easily the best show of this year's Fringe, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Legoland is one of Georgia Straight's Pick of the Fringe. Encore performances are on from September 21 to 24. Congratulations to the wonderful performers of Atomic Vaudeville!
Fringe Review: The Big Kiss Off
Performance Works
September 15, 2006 10:45pm
The Big Kiss Off is a film noir musical as hard-boiled as a greasy spoon egg. It's the story of a singer whose life is almost destroyed by mobsters and how she gets her revenge. All the story conventions of a Raymond Chandler novel are brought to life on stage with plot twists, shady characters, violence, steely dialog, and shifting time line. The atmosphere and look of those noir films is captured in the monochromatic costumes, and shadowy lighting. All that was missing was a cigarette holder in the singer's hand with the smoke twirling into the air. In smoke-free Vancouver an ever present glass of "booze" substituted for that iconic vice.
Stefanie Wiens plays the singer to femme fatale perfection. She starts out as a starry eyed young innocent who is harshly changed into a cynical, and world-weary woman. Her voice is archetypally dark and sultry as you would expect. She also sings well, delivering rediculous lyrics like "Your cigarette smoke reminds me of Christmas when the house burned down," with a dead-pan seriousness.
Alternately funny, and tragic but always totally engrossing. Recommended with a bullet.
September 15, 2006 10:45pm
The Big Kiss Off is a film noir musical as hard-boiled as a greasy spoon egg. It's the story of a singer whose life is almost destroyed by mobsters and how she gets her revenge. All the story conventions of a Raymond Chandler novel are brought to life on stage with plot twists, shady characters, violence, steely dialog, and shifting time line. The atmosphere and look of those noir films is captured in the monochromatic costumes, and shadowy lighting. All that was missing was a cigarette holder in the singer's hand with the smoke twirling into the air. In smoke-free Vancouver an ever present glass of "booze" substituted for that iconic vice.
Stefanie Wiens plays the singer to femme fatale perfection. She starts out as a starry eyed young innocent who is harshly changed into a cynical, and world-weary woman. Her voice is archetypally dark and sultry as you would expect. She also sings well, delivering rediculous lyrics like "Your cigarette smoke reminds me of Christmas when the house burned down," with a dead-pan seriousness.
Alternately funny, and tragic but always totally engrossing. Recommended with a bullet.
Fringe Review: 40 Needles
Playwrights Theatre Centre at Festival House
September 15, 2006 9:15pm
Kristian Reimer plays a young comedian who is trying to make it in standup comedy in Toronto. Finding his comedy career not taking off, and his tedious part-time jobs failing to pay the bills, he answers an ad for pharmaceutical test volunteers--becoming a human guinea pig. One wonders if this plot line is autobiographical.
This one man play is mildly amusing and follows a typical sit-com storyline. Reimer is the straight man to an oddball cast of characters he meets in the drug trials. There's Don the slacker who does this for a living. Cliff is the generically ethnic taxi driver who calls everyone "my friend". Reimer makes fun of quintessentially Toronto fixtures like the Globe and Mail, Quizno's and Swiss Chalet.
At the end of the one week drug trial, Reimer gets his $4000 cheque but is left dissatisfied by the experience. At the end of the play, I got a few laughs but was left dissatisfied by the experience.
September 15, 2006 9:15pm
Kristian Reimer plays a young comedian who is trying to make it in standup comedy in Toronto. Finding his comedy career not taking off, and his tedious part-time jobs failing to pay the bills, he answers an ad for pharmaceutical test volunteers--becoming a human guinea pig. One wonders if this plot line is autobiographical.
This one man play is mildly amusing and follows a typical sit-com storyline. Reimer is the straight man to an oddball cast of characters he meets in the drug trials. There's Don the slacker who does this for a living. Cliff is the generically ethnic taxi driver who calls everyone "my friend". Reimer makes fun of quintessentially Toronto fixtures like the Globe and Mail, Quizno's and Swiss Chalet.
At the end of the one week drug trial, Reimer gets his $4000 cheque but is left dissatisfied by the experience. At the end of the play, I got a few laughs but was left dissatisfied by the experience.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Fringe Review: The Excursionists
Playwrights Theatre Centre
September 9, 2006 3:30pm
The Excursionists is a hilarious send up of a Jules Verne style adventure movie. Equal parts 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, and Black Adder on a severely limited budget.
Our protagonists are Professor Goggins, and his sponsor and friend Lord Necksycracksy—two absurdly foppish British gentlemen who unexpectedly find that England has sunk into the ocean. Fortunately for them, they are aboard Goggins' fantastic invention, the underwater train christened the Neptunia Express.
They circumnavigate the globe in search of a new England. Along the way they encounter the usual mix of hostile natives, hostile cephalopods, and their own dark secrets. What's a Victorian era undersea adventure without a giant killer squid? That battle sequence is hilarious as Goggins and Necksycracksy make calamari out of the tentacled foe.
The show is torridly paced, and never lulls. Much of the humour is based on the stereotypical British eccentricities of our heroes. The no-budget special effects are cleverly done and—along with the score—recall the 1950's and 1960's British science fiction films.
Like all modern adventure series scripts they leave an opening for a sequel. Which I'd gladly see for Fringe Festival 2007. Highly recommended.
September 9, 2006 3:30pm
The Excursionists is a hilarious send up of a Jules Verne style adventure movie. Equal parts 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, and Black Adder on a severely limited budget.
Our protagonists are Professor Goggins, and his sponsor and friend Lord Necksycracksy—two absurdly foppish British gentlemen who unexpectedly find that England has sunk into the ocean. Fortunately for them, they are aboard Goggins' fantastic invention, the underwater train christened the Neptunia Express.
They circumnavigate the globe in search of a new England. Along the way they encounter the usual mix of hostile natives, hostile cephalopods, and their own dark secrets. What's a Victorian era undersea adventure without a giant killer squid? That battle sequence is hilarious as Goggins and Necksycracksy make calamari out of the tentacled foe.
The show is torridly paced, and never lulls. Much of the humour is based on the stereotypical British eccentricities of our heroes. The no-budget special effects are cleverly done and—along with the score—recall the 1950's and 1960's British science fiction films.
Like all modern adventure series scripts they leave an opening for a sequel. Which I'd gladly see for Fringe Festival 2007. Highly recommended.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Fringe Review: This May Feel a Little Funny
Playwrights Theatre Centre
September 9, 2006 1:15pm
Randy Rutherford's One Frigid Shiny Knight was a highlight of the 2005 Fringe. With his gift for storytelling and acting, he wove a vivid and engaging tale of his character's formative experience of love and loss in Alaska. It was such a personal performance that I wondered if it was autobiographical.
So it was with much anticipation that I went to his new show. While Rutherford was entertaining and gave a good performance it didn't live up to the brilliance of Knight.
Randy is a 40 year-old recently divorced guitar player. His friend Brian invites him to play at a camp where he hopes Randy might meet someone. Randy is dismayed by his friend's questionable judgement as he feels a fish out of water among the new-agey California hippy participants. His discomfort turns into acceptance through his musical skills. He meets a beguiling woman whom he dubs the Hummingbird woman for her beauty and flighty manner. He is entranced by her, but she's already married and so they go their separate ways.
10 years later they unexpectedly meet again, and this time the sparks fly. His introduction to Samantha's new age alternative California lifestyle is hilarious as he deals with the vegan diet, organic wine, and omnipresent driftwood decor. While jokes about bodily functions are usually crude, Randy's experience with colonic cleansing is cleverly staged, and very funny.
I guess the problems with they story are structural. The opening scene introducing his character as a young teenager during a traumatic incident with his mother leads into but doesn't seem to connect with the rest of the story. The character's story arc seems incomplete and the ending feels abrupt.
Despite the story's shortcomings, it's still worthwhile to see Rutherford's performance. He really makes you feel what his character feels, and evokes the scenery and other characters onto the empty stage.
September 9, 2006 1:15pm
Randy Rutherford's One Frigid Shiny Knight was a highlight of the 2005 Fringe. With his gift for storytelling and acting, he wove a vivid and engaging tale of his character's formative experience of love and loss in Alaska. It was such a personal performance that I wondered if it was autobiographical.
So it was with much anticipation that I went to his new show. While Rutherford was entertaining and gave a good performance it didn't live up to the brilliance of Knight.
Randy is a 40 year-old recently divorced guitar player. His friend Brian invites him to play at a camp where he hopes Randy might meet someone. Randy is dismayed by his friend's questionable judgement as he feels a fish out of water among the new-agey California hippy participants. His discomfort turns into acceptance through his musical skills. He meets a beguiling woman whom he dubs the Hummingbird woman for her beauty and flighty manner. He is entranced by her, but she's already married and so they go their separate ways.
10 years later they unexpectedly meet again, and this time the sparks fly. His introduction to Samantha's new age alternative California lifestyle is hilarious as he deals with the vegan diet, organic wine, and omnipresent driftwood decor. While jokes about bodily functions are usually crude, Randy's experience with colonic cleansing is cleverly staged, and very funny.
I guess the problems with they story are structural. The opening scene introducing his character as a young teenager during a traumatic incident with his mother leads into but doesn't seem to connect with the rest of the story. The character's story arc seems incomplete and the ending feels abrupt.
Despite the story's shortcomings, it's still worthwhile to see Rutherford's performance. He really makes you feel what his character feels, and evokes the scenery and other characters onto the empty stage.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Fringe Review: Sex, Violence, and Nursery Rhymes
Arts Club Theatre
September 7, 2006 8:45pm
With a rhyming script, tear-away costumes, and pasties, Burlesque prances onto stage at this year's Fringe. The nursery rhymes of your childhood take on a decidedly adult twist as Mother Goose, her sister Grimm, and the rest of the sexy cast of Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society re-enact them in Freudian ways.
Our narrator and host is Mother Goose who is a cross between Mae West and Marilyn Monroe. She's the best actress, with a voluptuous delivery, and naughty but nice charm. Sister Grimm is also good as the dark and kinky counterpoint to Goose with a Goth attitude. Each of them try to outdo the other in telling the audience their nursery rhymes.
Humpty Dumpty was the least erotic nursery rhyme of the evening. Which isn't surprising given that it really is a gruesome tale of death and dismemberment. And the budget probably didn't allow for all the king's horses and all the king's men to appear on stage.
The homoerotic portion of the evening was featured in the nursery rhyme of Jack Sprat. Jack's rotund wife was played by a man, and Jack is eventually stripped down to his fig leaf.
Little Miss Muffet is seductively stripped and wrapped in the Black Widow Spider's sheer silk before she meets a gruesome end as her brunch. Anne Rice would approve.
The Empress' New Clothes drags during the dance sequences expressing the Empress' appreciation of the nebulous garments. Maybe a little more practice in spinning her tassles would liven up this fairy tale.
Three Maids in a Tub is more comic than erotic with the imbibing butcher, baker, and candlestick maker really feeling the intoxicating effects of their hot tub.
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep to a leather clad cowgirl. As the two lustily dance off to win the sheep's affections, Cowgirl has a wardrobe malfunction when she pops out of her leather bra. Good thing for pasties and body paint. Or bad depending on your point of view.
Overall, it's entertaining if a bit uneven with some opening night jitters. Recommended, especially if you feel nostalgic for Benny Hill.
Rating: Two garters and a pasty.
September 7, 2006 8:45pm
With a rhyming script, tear-away costumes, and pasties, Burlesque prances onto stage at this year's Fringe. The nursery rhymes of your childhood take on a decidedly adult twist as Mother Goose, her sister Grimm, and the rest of the sexy cast of Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society re-enact them in Freudian ways.
Our narrator and host is Mother Goose who is a cross between Mae West and Marilyn Monroe. She's the best actress, with a voluptuous delivery, and naughty but nice charm. Sister Grimm is also good as the dark and kinky counterpoint to Goose with a Goth attitude. Each of them try to outdo the other in telling the audience their nursery rhymes.
Humpty Dumpty was the least erotic nursery rhyme of the evening. Which isn't surprising given that it really is a gruesome tale of death and dismemberment. And the budget probably didn't allow for all the king's horses and all the king's men to appear on stage.
The homoerotic portion of the evening was featured in the nursery rhyme of Jack Sprat. Jack's rotund wife was played by a man, and Jack is eventually stripped down to his fig leaf.
Little Miss Muffet is seductively stripped and wrapped in the Black Widow Spider's sheer silk before she meets a gruesome end as her brunch. Anne Rice would approve.
The Empress' New Clothes drags during the dance sequences expressing the Empress' appreciation of the nebulous garments. Maybe a little more practice in spinning her tassles would liven up this fairy tale.
Three Maids in a Tub is more comic than erotic with the imbibing butcher, baker, and candlestick maker really feeling the intoxicating effects of their hot tub.
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep to a leather clad cowgirl. As the two lustily dance off to win the sheep's affections, Cowgirl has a wardrobe malfunction when she pops out of her leather bra. Good thing for pasties and body paint. Or bad depending on your point of view.
Overall, it's entertaining if a bit uneven with some opening night jitters. Recommended, especially if you feel nostalgic for Benny Hill.
Rating: Two garters and a pasty.
Vancouver Fringe Festival 2006
Got Fringe? The sexy blonde wrapped in tinsel on the cover of the festival guide beckons you to experience the most uninhibited theatre to be found in the city. I'll be posting reviews of the shows I've seen. Dim the lights and raise the curtain, it's time again for Fringe!
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Reuben's Restaurant Delicatessen
It's my final meal in Montréal so I have to have a final taste of smoked meat. Reuben's is located downtown at 1116 rue St. Catherine Ouest. Of all the delicatessens I've visited so far this one's the fanciest. It has a beautiful art deco interior with dark wood panels, and artwork on the wall. The shelves behind the bar are backlit to highlight the high-end bottles of vodka, scotches, and brandies. The staff is well dressed in black collared shirts, and diagonal striped black/grey ties. It's a far cry from the linoleum, vinyl, and stained T-shirts elsewhere.
There's even reasonable quality beer on tap–Rickard's Red and Honey Brown.
To maximize the quantity of smoked meat I order the plate. With over 10oz of smoked meat, fries, cole slaw, pickle, and rye bread, this is a meal and a half. The smoked meat is nice and juicy with medium fat and a peppery outside crust. Washed down with a couple of pints of Rickard's Red this makes for a satisfying final meal.
There's even reasonable quality beer on tap–Rickard's Red and Honey Brown.
To maximize the quantity of smoked meat I order the plate. With over 10oz of smoked meat, fries, cole slaw, pickle, and rye bread, this is a meal and a half. The smoked meat is nice and juicy with medium fat and a peppery outside crust. Washed down with a couple of pints of Rickard's Red this makes for a satisfying final meal.
World Cup in Little Italy
It's World Cup Final Day! And the natural thing to do is hang out in Little Italy with all the flag waving, horn honking, "Italia!" shouting crowds. I emerge from the Jean-Talon métro station at lunch time so getting some sustenance is the first order of business. There's a Vietnamese restaurant nearby without a TV so I bypass the football mad crowd and fuel up on Vietnamese instead of Italian noodles.
After lunch I wandered into the open air market, Marché Jean-Talon. Amidst the fresh fruits and vegetable stands I found a small Italian restaurant and watched the game on their large TV. I wasn't alone standing beside the patio as a small crowd of onlookers gathered as the game progressed. The crowd groaned as Zidane made his penalty shot into the goal scoring the first goal for France. But the tide can turn quickly in soccer and 15 minutes later everyone was on their feet cheering as Materazzi evened up the score for Italy. A few minutes later shock and disbelief as the power on the whole block and many other blocks of Little Italy went out and we were left in suspense over the game.
I made my way across the street to Café Zanetti where they also had a patio and large plasma TV. The crowd was larger here as everyone who was blacked out gravitated to this empowered oasis. The minutes ticked by but neither side could manage another goal. A sudden rush by Italy put the ball in the net and everyone jumped up and roared but were quickly silenced as it was declared offside.
The crowd was on their feet and shouting again for a very different reason. What was Zidane thinking for deliberately head-butting Materazzi? The crowd jeers and hurls epithets at the TV as the ignoble moment is replayed again. I don't blame them as it's certain to become one of the most shameful sporting moments in World Cup history.
After two hours of play it's still tied at 1-1. The tension is as thick as the humid afternoon heat. Everyone knows that it's down to penalty kicks to decide the World Cup champions. As Italy's fifth and final penalty kick goes in, Little Italy just explodes!
It's New Year's Eve, Canada Day, and the Pope's visit all rolled into one. Everyone streams into the main street of Little Italy, boulevard St. Laurent. The entire street from sidewalk to sidewalk is filled with deliriously happy Italians. It's a wave of red, white and green, and Azurri blue parading down the street. The noise is deafening with people employing everything from whistles, to horns, to pots and pans. A semi-trailer truck parked on the street has its air horn continuously blaring. The entirety of boulevard St. Laurent is closed to traffic from rue Jean-Talon to rue Beaubien–the whole stretch from métro station to métro station. The street party will last well into the night, but I have to move on.
After lunch I wandered into the open air market, Marché Jean-Talon. Amidst the fresh fruits and vegetable stands I found a small Italian restaurant and watched the game on their large TV. I wasn't alone standing beside the patio as a small crowd of onlookers gathered as the game progressed. The crowd groaned as Zidane made his penalty shot into the goal scoring the first goal for France. But the tide can turn quickly in soccer and 15 minutes later everyone was on their feet cheering as Materazzi evened up the score for Italy. A few minutes later shock and disbelief as the power on the whole block and many other blocks of Little Italy went out and we were left in suspense over the game.
I made my way across the street to Café Zanetti where they also had a patio and large plasma TV. The crowd was larger here as everyone who was blacked out gravitated to this empowered oasis. The minutes ticked by but neither side could manage another goal. A sudden rush by Italy put the ball in the net and everyone jumped up and roared but were quickly silenced as it was declared offside.
The crowd was on their feet and shouting again for a very different reason. What was Zidane thinking for deliberately head-butting Materazzi? The crowd jeers and hurls epithets at the TV as the ignoble moment is replayed again. I don't blame them as it's certain to become one of the most shameful sporting moments in World Cup history.
After two hours of play it's still tied at 1-1. The tension is as thick as the humid afternoon heat. Everyone knows that it's down to penalty kicks to decide the World Cup champions. As Italy's fifth and final penalty kick goes in, Little Italy just explodes!
It's New Year's Eve, Canada Day, and the Pope's visit all rolled into one. Everyone streams into the main street of Little Italy, boulevard St. Laurent. The entire street from sidewalk to sidewalk is filled with deliriously happy Italians. It's a wave of red, white and green, and Azurri blue parading down the street. The noise is deafening with people employing everything from whistles, to horns, to pots and pans. A semi-trailer truck parked on the street has its air horn continuously blaring. The entirety of boulevard St. Laurent is closed to traffic from rue Jean-Talon to rue Beaubien–the whole stretch from métro station to métro station. The street party will last well into the night, but I have to move on.
Final Jam Session at the Hyatt
Surprisingly I only made it out to two jam sessions at the jazz festival. I guess playing tourist in the heat and humidity of the day doesn't leave enough energy to attend every single one like in Vancouver. Tonight's jam is the last one at the festival. Sunday night is the last evening of the festival but there's no jam session that night. Presumably they don't want any visiting musicians (or fans) to miss their flight out on Monday morning.
Salon Jeanne-Mance is almost full again with only a few seats left in the front near the stage. The chatter buzzes through the crowd but you sense a tinge of sadness knowing that this night marks the end of another festival. There aren't any big name stars at tonight's jam, but there are some talented locals and out of towners. I recognized Australian singer Christina from the first night. She doesn't sing tonight but is hanging out for the last time. Probably the highest profile musicians here tonight are the drummer and bass player from Matt Dusk's band. These guys swing hard and inject a lot of energy into the jam.
Not everyone who plays is good. Tonight we get a hilarious brother and sister lounge act. The middle age pair look the part of a cheesy lounge act. The brother's poofy brown hair and moustache looks 70's retro. The sister's overweight frame is squeezed into a white suit and too much makeup and jewelry. Their overwrought singing and piano playing can only be described as high parody. We get even more of a good laugh near the end of their song as a drunk Quebec biker type goes up to the stage and comes on to her.
I stayed to the very end at 3:00am along with the small group of hardcore music fans. Tired but happy, I leave after host John Roney announces the end of the jam sessions for edition 27 of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.
Salon Jeanne-Mance is almost full again with only a few seats left in the front near the stage. The chatter buzzes through the crowd but you sense a tinge of sadness knowing that this night marks the end of another festival. There aren't any big name stars at tonight's jam, but there are some talented locals and out of towners. I recognized Australian singer Christina from the first night. She doesn't sing tonight but is hanging out for the last time. Probably the highest profile musicians here tonight are the drummer and bass player from Matt Dusk's band. These guys swing hard and inject a lot of energy into the jam.
Not everyone who plays is good. Tonight we get a hilarious brother and sister lounge act. The middle age pair look the part of a cheesy lounge act. The brother's poofy brown hair and moustache looks 70's retro. The sister's overweight frame is squeezed into a white suit and too much makeup and jewelry. Their overwrought singing and piano playing can only be described as high parody. We get even more of a good laugh near the end of their song as a drunk Quebec biker type goes up to the stage and comes on to her.
I stayed to the very end at 3:00am along with the small group of hardcore music fans. Tired but happy, I leave after host John Roney announces the end of the jam sessions for edition 27 of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Dave Brubeck Quartet
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
8:00pm
This town loves 85 year-old Dave Brubeck. There was a standing ovation for him as soon as he stepped out on stage. While he's a bit slow to cross the stage to the piano, once he's seated at the high backed chair (the only visible concession to his age) his fingers fly across the keyboard.
Altogether there must have been over 200 years of jazz playing experience on stage. Playing with Dave are his current quartet of Randy Jones (drums), Bobby Militello (alto saxophone, flute), and Michael Moore (bass). They are all seniors with Dave being the most senior.
The concert was mostly Dave's originals. He charmed the audience with the story behind the title song off his latest album London Flat, London Sharp. The promoter had no sense of world geography and booked Dave on a whirlwind tour consisting of three trips to Europe with San Diego and Philadelphia in between. He was no better with English geography, sending Dave out on a crisscrossing bus tour of England. Dave's complaints about the bus accommodations lead to the rental of a flat in London which was much nicer than the bus but resulted in hours long drives to and from the venues. So it was back on the bus for the band.
The show ended off with Brubeck's timeless classic Take Five, and the crowd gave him a long standing ovation. We managed to get two encores out of the band. The first was a lullaby–a gentle musical joke to tell the audience it's time for old musicians to get to bed. The second encore was Strayhorn's Take the A Train. Despite another protracted standing ovation the lights went up, and the musicians could finally get some well deserved rest.
8:00pm
This town loves 85 year-old Dave Brubeck. There was a standing ovation for him as soon as he stepped out on stage. While he's a bit slow to cross the stage to the piano, once he's seated at the high backed chair (the only visible concession to his age) his fingers fly across the keyboard.
Altogether there must have been over 200 years of jazz playing experience on stage. Playing with Dave are his current quartet of Randy Jones (drums), Bobby Militello (alto saxophone, flute), and Michael Moore (bass). They are all seniors with Dave being the most senior.
The concert was mostly Dave's originals. He charmed the audience with the story behind the title song off his latest album London Flat, London Sharp. The promoter had no sense of world geography and booked Dave on a whirlwind tour consisting of three trips to Europe with San Diego and Philadelphia in between. He was no better with English geography, sending Dave out on a crisscrossing bus tour of England. Dave's complaints about the bus accommodations lead to the rental of a flat in London which was much nicer than the bus but resulted in hours long drives to and from the venues. So it was back on the bus for the band.
The show ended off with Brubeck's timeless classic Take Five, and the crowd gave him a long standing ovation. We managed to get two encores out of the band. The first was a lullaby–a gentle musical joke to tell the audience it's time for old musicians to get to bed. The second encore was Strayhorn's Take the A Train. Despite another protracted standing ovation the lights went up, and the musicians could finally get some well deserved rest.
Bières et Compagnie
The tastefully decorated restaurant at 4350 rue St. Denis is famous for their huge selection of over 100 beers, and all you can eat mussels and fries from Monday to Wednesday. Unfortunately I couldn't time my visit for that Belgian binge. I had to satisfy myself with the Belgian-style white beer on tap, Cheval Blanc, which is brewed by local brewers Les Brasseurs RJ.
Their menu had lots of goodies with beer as part of the ingredients. I tried a modern twist on the traditional Quebec tourtière–a Cajun buffalo meat pie covered in a Hoegaarden witbier cream sauce, served with roast vegetables, and a side of fries with spicy garlic mayonnaise. All very tasty, and they weren''t stingy with the garlic mayo–there was more than enough to dip all the fries. You might think the fries were just a vehicle to carry the addictive spicy garlic mayo–and you would be right!
For dessert I tried the McAuslan apricot wheat ale. Another local brew, it's got a refreshingly dry apricot flavor.
Their menu had lots of goodies with beer as part of the ingredients. I tried a modern twist on the traditional Quebec tourtière–a Cajun buffalo meat pie covered in a Hoegaarden witbier cream sauce, served with roast vegetables, and a side of fries with spicy garlic mayonnaise. All very tasty, and they weren''t stingy with the garlic mayo–there was more than enough to dip all the fries. You might think the fries were just a vehicle to carry the addictive spicy garlic mayo–and you would be right!
For dessert I tried the McAuslan apricot wheat ale. Another local brew, it's got a refreshingly dry apricot flavor.
Canadian Centre for Architecture
It's the hottest day yet this week in Montréal with the temperature peaking at 30C. Time to stay indoors and go museum hopping.
The Canadian Centre for Architecture is a short walk from the Guy-Concordia métro station in residential area. It's an understated building presenting a low rectangular profile within the walled grounds. It's row of pyramid skylights are barely visible as they are set quite far back in the centre of the roof. The grounds have simple landscaping with an expanse of grass, a hedge along the building, and a few trees.
The main exhibit is entitled Sense of the City. Each exhibit room contains different sensory aspects of life in the city. From obvious ones like smells and sounds to ones we wouldn't ordinarily think about like touch. A row of flasks contain various odours you might encounter in a city from pleasant like grass, to nauseating like rotting garbage. The sound display compares the sounds of Vancouver in the 1970's to the 1990's. Binaural sound recordings were taken at specific times and places in both decades. The growth and change in Vancouver are immediately obvious to your ears as you lounge on the oversized cushions and listen to the Sennheiser headphones dangling from the ceiling. Touch is represented by asphalt. The sample of pure processed asphalt is almost spongy and yields to finger pressure which in the final product contributes to its comfortableness for walking and driving on.
A much smaller exhibit showcases the work of Vancouver-based landscape architect Cornelia Hahn Oberlander. You may not know her name but you've definitely seen her work. Robson Square Courthouses, UBC Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver Public Library Square, and the National Gallery of Canada are among her many commissions.
The Canadian Centre for Architecture is a short walk from the Guy-Concordia métro station in residential area. It's an understated building presenting a low rectangular profile within the walled grounds. It's row of pyramid skylights are barely visible as they are set quite far back in the centre of the roof. The grounds have simple landscaping with an expanse of grass, a hedge along the building, and a few trees.
The main exhibit is entitled Sense of the City. Each exhibit room contains different sensory aspects of life in the city. From obvious ones like smells and sounds to ones we wouldn't ordinarily think about like touch. A row of flasks contain various odours you might encounter in a city from pleasant like grass, to nauseating like rotting garbage. The sound display compares the sounds of Vancouver in the 1970's to the 1990's. Binaural sound recordings were taken at specific times and places in both decades. The growth and change in Vancouver are immediately obvious to your ears as you lounge on the oversized cushions and listen to the Sennheiser headphones dangling from the ceiling. Touch is represented by asphalt. The sample of pure processed asphalt is almost spongy and yields to finger pressure which in the final product contributes to its comfortableness for walking and driving on.
A much smaller exhibit showcases the work of Vancouver-based landscape architect Cornelia Hahn Oberlander. You may not know her name but you've definitely seen her work. Robson Square Courthouses, UBC Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver Public Library Square, and the National Gallery of Canada are among her many commissions.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Lorraine Demarais Big Band
Spectrum de Montréal
10:00pm
The legendary Spectrum theatre has hosted an incredible variety of acts with everyone from the Afro-Celt Sound System, U2, Miles Davis, Céline Dion, to Weird Al Yankovic gracing the stage. The caberet style seating on the main and mezzanine level means you have to come early for a good spot, and you'll probably be meeting some new people. The bar seating on the sides is not bad either with good sight lines and quick service. The right side bar is better than the left because you are very close to the sound console and are hearing the intended mix.
The Lorraine Demarais Big Band is sounding hot! The large stage easily holds the group consisting of 4 trumpets of various sizes, 4 trombones of various sizes, 5 saxophones of various sizes, bass, drums, and Lorraine on piano. I think it was all original tunes. My limited French combined with my limited knowledge of Chick Corea tunes meant I couldn't determine if Demarais' mention of Chick Corea refered to one of his tunes or if it was her tribute tune to him. Despite the language barrier it was a great two sets of music.
10:00pm
The legendary Spectrum theatre has hosted an incredible variety of acts with everyone from the Afro-Celt Sound System, U2, Miles Davis, Céline Dion, to Weird Al Yankovic gracing the stage. The caberet style seating on the main and mezzanine level means you have to come early for a good spot, and you'll probably be meeting some new people. The bar seating on the sides is not bad either with good sight lines and quick service. The right side bar is better than the left because you are very close to the sound console and are hearing the intended mix.
The Lorraine Demarais Big Band is sounding hot! The large stage easily holds the group consisting of 4 trumpets of various sizes, 4 trombones of various sizes, 5 saxophones of various sizes, bass, drums, and Lorraine on piano. I think it was all original tunes. My limited French combined with my limited knowledge of Chick Corea tunes meant I couldn't determine if Demarais' mention of Chick Corea refered to one of his tunes or if it was her tribute tune to him. Despite the language barrier it was a great two sets of music.
Dieu du Ciel
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
–Benjamin Franklin
Sample a few too many beers here at 29 avenue Laurier Ouest just off boulevard St. Laurent and you really will be seeing the "God of the sky". It's a hard thing to avoid because this has to be the best brewpub Montréal. The only downside is the limited selection of food so fortify yourself elsewhere for that long evening of beer tasting.
Since I had to actually be sober enough to attend a concert tonight I could only sample half their beers. I will have to try to make it back here again to taste the other half.
Not only is the beer excellent but the patrons are very friendly around here. I had an informative conversation with the assistant to the brewmaster. Apparently he's striking out on his own and will be opening up a brewpub. Also had an entertaining conversation with an older couple from Alabama who were also very knowledgeable about beer.
–Benjamin Franklin
Sample a few too many beers here at 29 avenue Laurier Ouest just off boulevard St. Laurent and you really will be seeing the "God of the sky". It's a hard thing to avoid because this has to be the best brewpub Montréal. The only downside is the limited selection of food so fortify yourself elsewhere for that long evening of beer tasting.
Since I had to actually be sober enough to attend a concert tonight I could only sample half their beers. I will have to try to make it back here again to taste the other half.
- Blonde Ale - Their blonde ale has more of an edge than usual with a hint of bitterness and slight sourness.
- Solstice d'été - The seasonal sour wheat beer with raspberries is refreshing in its tartness and fruity raspberry flavor.
- Blanche du paradise - This Belgian Wit beer has flavors of citrus rind, banana, spices, and floral notes. Excellent! The perfect thirst quencher on a humid Montréal summer day!
- American India Pale Ale - A wonderful example of the IPA style. Its strong bitterness is nicely balanced by floral and spice notes. The flavor just lingers on the tongue.
- Stout - Black and full bodied stout tasting of roasted barley, and slightly smokey. A great winter sipper.
Not only is the beer excellent but the patrons are very friendly around here. I had an informative conversation with the assistant to the brewmaster. Apparently he's striking out on his own and will be opening up a brewpub. Also had an entertaining conversation with an older couple from Alabama who were also very knowledgeable about beer.
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