Failure is the only option
Sometimes there’s nothing funnier than unintentional humour. Take, The Room, or other B-movies, for example.
The people involved in the movie are really trying. They just happen to stink. The resulting humour is glorious.
Now, how about watching some of the worst possible writing and acting, on purpose?
That’s what tonight’s “FAILURE!” is all about.
FAILURE! – a kind of fundraiser (in which Edmonton’s best do their worst) is taking place at The Next Act pub (my favourite pub) at 8pm. Thanks to one of the participants, Morgan Smith, for tipping me off to the groan-inducing night of hilarity.
It really is some of Edmonton’s best (Stewart Lemoine, Chris Craddock, Human Loser, Jill Pollack, the Mostly Water Theatre guys) reading selections from terrible plays they’ll never actually produce. Some of the great (awful) play names include “LARRY ALWAYS WINS!” and “Brown Chowder! Sing It Louder!”
There’s a suggested donation of $15, and a silent auction. Money raised helps pay for Mostly Water Theatre’s “15 Minutes” and Human Loser/Allspice Theatre’s “Game Face” at this summer’s Fringe Festival.
Go ahead, they want you to laugh at their pitiful efforts.
Beever’s Best
Best & Worst of Edmonton 2009 according to me, Gregg Beever
It’s probably a week late for a “year in review” type post, but I’ve
managed to convince the Editor-in-Chief to let me do it anyway. So
gather ‘round Edmonton, here is the year’s best and worst according to
me, Gregg Beever.
Best Local Band: The Provincial Archive
Edmonton has a very good music scene. While I haven’t experienced
enough of any other city’s scene to be considered even remotely
expert, I think I can humbly and modestly declare Edmonton’s the best
on the planet.
Our city has a plethora of small, intimate venues like the Empress,
Blue Chair or the Hydeaway. Here the music isn’t deafening, neither is
it crowded with hordes of drunk teenage lunatics screaming in your
very aged and sensitive ears. These are venues where the nuances of
each tune can be soaked in peacefully over a pint or a coffee. I can
spend an entire show in relaxed mesmerization of a percussionist’s
talented movements, the concentration of a cellist or violinist, or
the deft fingering of a guitarist.
Small venues also give you the opportunity to chat with the musicians.
I always make a point of telling an artist when I liked their set. My
theory is no one gets tired of hearing they are awesome. Plus it leads
to some interesting conversations, for instance: I once had a chat
with Megan from The Last Town Chorus about the logistics of using
laminated bookmarks as tools for cleaning up sexual fluids.
A friend of mine once told me she avoided chatting with musicians for
fear of becoming “that girl.” You know the one; that wound up
pre-pubescent girl, lavishing band members with intense adoration
before giving in to hyperventilation and passing out.
Which bring us (finally) to The Provincial Archive.
Craig Schram’s melodic prairie tunes truly demonstrate the fantastic
level of musical talent that exists in E-town. The Archive’s soft
sounds, formed from a collection of guitar, accordion, mandolin,
glockenspiels and other absorbing rhythms, somehow find me
steering-wheel drumming like I was rocking out in my car to Motion
City Soundtrack. In short, they’re excellent.
So excellent, in fact, that when I was chatting with one band member
before a show at the Pawn Shop I sounded like that hyped up
pre-pubescent girl meeting the Jonas Brothers.
I’m willing to bet I didn’t come off quite so ridiculous, but that’s
how I remember it:
“You guys are fantastic, I listen to you in my car every day! It’s
weird that you guys are, like, from Edmonton and I’m playing your
music in Edmonton, you know? That’s just…weird, right? I love you
guys. I’m going to have your babies.” (more…)
Go Weekend, it’s your birthday, go Weekend
Bocce and beer could be a good weekend mix.
It’s the weekend, baby. That means it’s time for fun, without the pressure of waking up early and acting all professional at a job. Thank you Saturday and Sunday, thank you.
We’ve already talked about the big Pin-Up Girl party happening tonight (and hinted at the Tattoo festival in that same story) but that’s not all that’s happening in this happening city.
The tattoo and arts fest is at the Shaw. Which is right by the Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival, which has races in the river (obviously). They’re at Louise McKinney Park to be more specific.
The Fringe is going for new attendance records in its final weekend.
Blues Fest takes over Hawrelak Park.
Raising Spaces has an Eco Reno Demo Day, so you can learn about home renovations the green way.
You can pretend you know all about playing the ponies at the 80th running of the Canadian Derby at Northlands, Saturday.
Edmonton’s Chinatown and Little Italy combine forces for “East meets West.” Say “Hi” to Ted for us.
A great Winnipeg band, with a great name, Hot Live Guys plays New City Likwid Lounge with local greats Old Wives. See, I told you there was fun. The bill is rounded out with Regina rockers Hot Blood Bombers
Or you can get your Classic Rock on at the Century Casino with Chilliwack.
And on Monday, Mos Def rocks the house over at the Edmonton Event Centre.
Let’s kick this weekend’s ass
Fresh off Thursday night's Starlite Room 5th birthday, Ben Stevenson is playing The Artery tonight. Go. (Photo: Jason Bouwmeester)
I don’t know if it’s all the double-americanos I’ve had today, or the delicious bacon I ate for breakfast, or the Fringe, or what, but I think we really need to get amped up and take this weekend on.
I’m feeling good about this, Edmonton.
I think there’s enough going on, across the spectrum of event-styles, that everybody has something to do. Heck, everybody could have three or four things to do. (If you work this weekend, I feel sorry for you. But only a little bit.)
Let’s begin with an interesting one. It might be a little bit cooler than MADE had hoped for, but the group is showing the modern classic doumentary King of Kong downtown tonight (9pm). On the side of a wall. Bring your own chair.
If you’re looking to get out of the house Saturday (and who isn’t?) maybe you should head over 118 Avenue way and check out EastwoodFest. It’s part of the revitalization efforts over yonder.
Of course, there’s the big one: the Fringe. ‘Nuff said.
#yegIceCream 3 is a fundraiser for Royal LePage’s Shelter Foundation. Ice cream and helping people go together nicely.
Back to Friday night (sorry, I’m all over the place), you’ve got the Silversun Pickups playing the Edmonton Events Centre.
How about you give your Irish beer-loving self a reason to drink said Irish beer at Celtic Festival?
You can get your punk-on at Unrest Fest (because I love face-melting music now, I guess).
The Swiftys play the Pawn Shop (with Darrek Anderson, the Roger Marin Band and Gordie Tentrees). Spoiler alert: they’re good.
Oh, and while I don’t recommend you run in marathons without training, you can always head out and cheer on the runners. The running room has a map of the weekend race routes. There are races Saturday and Sunday. The maps will give you an idea of where to stand and cheer, and where to avoid traffic delays.
If you’re wondering where I get some of my sweet ideas, why not check out a certain radio station’s event calendar. I talked about it yesterday…
Now get out there and make me proud!
Vive la Revolution!
Will you follow this man into hilarious and through-provoking battle?
It’s time to FRINGE!
If you know what that means, you’re already super-psyched.
If you have no idea, or just vague inclinations about what that could mean, you should hit up the Fringe Theatre Adventures website. They’re the people that run the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival. They’ll even help out first-time fringers with explanations of how things work. (Wouldn’t it be great if more things laid it out like this?)
This year the fringe turns 28, and the theme is “Stage a Revolution.” (I actually kind of like just waiting to see what the theme will be each summer.)
You can buy tickets online. And man, are there choices! But isn’t part of the fun just throwing caution to the wind and choosing to see whatever is next, whatever is closest or whatever has the funniest name?
I’m aiming to catch Letters to Noce, because I failed to get off my lazy butt and see it during NextFest. I’ll also be sure to hit the beer tent at least once. And with other busking and fun happening for free, you don’t even have to see a bunch of shows to have a good time.
I’m also aiming to get disgruntled, at least once, with how many people have invaded my neighbourhood…but I digress.
FRINGE!
