Fringe Hits the Excitement Button in 2019

Tons of shows, variety of styles, topics and bending the norm. Music, mayhem and more makes the big Buzz

Check the schedule of shows by consulting Fringe’s program. 
The website is: www.montrealfringe.ca

HAPP-ISH RUSSIAN IMMIGRANTS GUIDE TO SMILING

Vadim Gran

Drawl humour for sure that made us smile all the way – even if he never did in Russia. That, you don’t do. It’s the land where the enemy of bad is good, and where better is the enemy of good  according to  comic, Vadim Gran who launched his world premiere show here at Fringe though his production company. Shim Entertainment.  Life in Russia was about living in shit – the norm for him. He bravely left the ”land of the dead”. His one-man show enlightened us all about his coming of age to smile here in his adopted country. Girl friends never worked out for him, nor did his pals’ pot parties. Vadim’s understated manner worked in his favour, especially at the end, when he smiled. 



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Me, Myself and Illusion

Loved it!  Illusionist, Jody Mihaly nailed it giving us the slick and vulnerable Jody, interweaving magic into his monologues, often using real life auto-biographical scene stills  that are projected onto the screen. His show brings people on stage to do daring dangerous illusions, along with very funny shtick, especially in his book memory trick trick that leaves the participant who joined him on in a state of ironic surprise. Not a static presentation at all,  uber-energetic Jody reveals his life hit rock bottom, and like a card trick, he closed the deck on that part of his life and started anew, thanks to his second wife who got him on the right track. Jody is clear about who he is, and his magic is astounding. It was fascinating to see (or not see) just how many tricks he had up his sleeve. Go see it; you’ll enjoy this highly entertaining piece of trickery.

Nancy Snipper and Jody Mihaly

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PIAF AND BREL: THE IMPOSSIBLE CONCERT

Melanie Gall is a powerhouse of vocal range exploding with emotion to convey the timeless songs of Piaf and Brel. She gives up much of their life story, and though these singers never met, both shared the looking glass into life, loss and joys, particularly their sexual shenanigans that were rather well-known. Melanie has done solo shows about Garland and Sophie Tucker and more, performing in over 145 countries.  She has multiple opera degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, but they did her no good when she got her first break at a bar in Santiago, Trinidad. They did not want opera, they wanted Piaf and Brel. Her mother faxed her lots of song scores for her to learn from her Alberta home (Melanie grew up there). Melanie recounted many unique funny moments in her career, such as the time she sang for the king if Brunei> her poster showed her wearing an accordion, so when the he asked  her to perform with the accordion, she reported she left it in Canada. In fact, she does not play accordion, so the kind found one for her, and she managed to play a simple song. He was fooled. Melanie never sipped a glass of water during her solo show. She beautifully interwove song and her own journey to stardom in a refreshing, happy way. I loved the show, even if there was no male to sing Brel. She confided in me, there used to perform with a singer for Brel, but like the iconic Belgian scallywag himself, her performance partner took off, leaving her to hold the mike. We’re glad she has a great grip on it.

Edith Paif

Jacques Brel

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ZACH ADAMS: LOVE SONGS FOR FUTURE GIRL

Zack Adams and Nancy

This guy is incredibly gifted. The speed at which he speaks and turns what could be a nice thought into an ending zinger gets the laughs. Zach takes us through his goof ball days and unrequited crush with several Laras as he moves form kid to teenager to adult. None of his relationship worked out, and it wasn’t because he stepped on Lara’s feet while dancing in in school. He started the show introducing the calamities he encountered touring, including a mike that wasn’t there for a show, and then turned up without a stand.

This show goes from laughter to touching moments and fuck-you revenge songs – most of which he composed.

I love this guy. He’s uber-brilliant; you never lose interest in his compelling yet very funny delivery.

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THE ADVENTURES OF HUMPHREY BEAUREGRET

Philippe Gorbeille and Nancy with puppets, Sam (leftt and Benny (right)

Philippe Gorbeille deserves his Frankie nomination. he is a great puppet master who really captures the personality of the puppets he mouths for. This is a case of a missing man whose will is being searched for by a rather evil guy. There is a girl puppet in it who mourns the loss of her hubby. There are many characters in it but Sam is by far the coolest dude. In the end the girl gets two hubbies it would seem. Benny, one of the puppets interacts with the girls in the audience; I was one of them how lucky can a gal get? What a fun journey despite a rather childish plot.

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MULTIPLE ORGANISM

From Vancouver comes this highly unique and clever use of lights on bodies. one becomes a  pinkish entity (in the first scene) without using the actor’s entire body as projection caret new ways of looking at it. How hilarious that teeth become the stomach; a huge tooth brush brushes them clean. How funny when the actor does undulations to create soapy water falling off her as she washes herself;  we never see her face. It is really hard to explain in words the optical illusions created on the human body via the light projections. Gender-bending, nudity and puppetry make this Fringe’s most originally creative out-of-the-box show for me of shows. The performers were Jessica Gabriel and Chloe Ziner who are from the award-winning shadow theatre company, Mind of a snail.

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THE END OF POLITICS

Bob Bell had to struggle the last day of his show with an audience of seven people. Though it was really a quiet highly intelligent rant against Trump and all his cronies, there were no laughs.

He was more like a political commentator than a stand-up comedian, though there were some funny lines. His show has been presented in Europe to acclaim, perhaps his best audience is in New York where he hails from.
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THE PEERS

Great frenetic ensemble acting giving up send-up snippets of various Shakespeare plays. I just hope the playwright did not roll over if he heard it. I have to be honest; it was not my cup of English tea, and at time the script made little sense other than nonsense. Still, it was fun to watch. The strongest actors were the playwright herself, Kate Hammer – it was a marvellous vehicle for her to show off her acrobatic corporal and verbal talents. Adrian MacDonald was fabulous in all his characters.  He’s a terrific actor and will go far. Al’ls well that ends well, so let it be said the collaborative efforts of everyone created a unique if not skitsy Shakespeare kind parody bash. Best performed at any frolicking Fringe Festival.

BELOVED DAD by Nancy Snipper

This song is for all of us whose father's are no longer with us. Their love remains with us forever.
 I love you, dad.
 Happy Father's Day --- every day!

Video here:

BEAD IT!

The go-to place to satisfy all your beading desires

You won’t want to leave this fun place. It features the best beads ever. Bead It Gemstones is one of Montreal’s most iconic creative places to transform your ideas into creative jewelled results. Here, you can personalize your vision choosing the stones and beads you want right in the heart of Westmount, Quebec.

In short, it’s a dazzling place to test your own jewellery ideas! Make your own necklace, earrings and bracelet. Using the expertise and assistance of Steve – co-owner with his wife, and turning to their daughter, Jessica who designs and  makes most of the  jewellery you see, you are going to get the best beads and advise  you ever wanted.. They sell oodles of beaded jewellery using stones and beads and semi-precious gems from every corner of the world. You can make yours right on the spot too.

This wearable exotic jewellery is yours, and best of all it’s unique because you made it!

What I also like about the store, you come out feeling you really could be a glam dame jewellery designer.

Beat It Gemstones also repairs jewellery. What a great reason to come in and while there, start beading! Men welcome too!

The store is located at 4930 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, QC, H3Z 1H3

For all the beaded photos you’ll ever want to see, click on their website: www.beadit.com

Call: 514-481-1375.

M (Directed by M (Directed by Yolande Zauberman)

In Bnei Brak, Israel, the world’s largest Jewish orthodox community,  the most insidious secret of rabbis molesting  young yeshiva school-attending boys. It is a cycle that one of victim wants to bring out into the open and end it. Menachem talks openly to other men about it and discovers he’s not alone.  How some families react when they find out is appalling. He also has candid conversations with men about sexual habits within the community. He seeks reconciliation with his abuser, but that rabbi literally hides behind curtains.  This film proves sexual predators are rampant in this community, and that it takes a singing hero like Menachem to reveal the ugly truth. The film went on too long and scenes were not flowing into one another.

Missing the Chance for Kids to Hug the Trees and More

 photo as it appears in poster adn program
by Lence Andonova

A presentation for young kids was presented in Maison de la Culture Côte-des Neiges as part of Festival Accès Asie. Titled, Musique Arbes,  it gave the floor-seated kids and parents a chance to hear gibberish vocals and the playing of cello and tar as the lead actor wafted around various installations, interacting with them in an ethereal manner. 

Sadly, not once were the kids invited up to interact with the percussive wooden sticks, the hanging shells and the Javanese wooden hanging flute-like instrument. Even when she played with the fall leaves on the floor, the kids were not invited up to participate. 


One little girl though form the get-go did in a way far more magical than the lead actor. She stole the show. Sadly, this 1 p.m. May 12th,  Sunday performance on Mother’s Day showcased a non-dynamic performance that could have been so interactive with the audience. It as a wasted opportunity for the little ones, and they soon got very restless. I loved the wooden carvings and the colourful pieces at different stations, but a performance for children must include them. Listed for ages 2 to 4, I felt that a two-year-old would have started crying either dying to go up and play with the pieces or get out of hall. Emmanuelle Lizère was the lead actor and played cello. Elham Manouchehri on tar with her own vocals in Farsi was compelling. Philippe Leroux was the visual artist, and Lenche Andonova was in change of direction and installation.

VUES D’ AFRIQUE FILM FESTIVAL 2019

Ushering in its 35^th year, this exotic international festival brings us all genres of films that tell their own riveting African stories.  156 films to stimulate, enlighten and tickle your funny bone, this international festival bravely shines the African sun into our own realm. And we learn more things under this sun.

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LA MISÉRCORDE DE LA JUNGLE (Directed by Joel Karakezi) ****

The second war in Congo in 1988 pits Rwandans against Congolese. Sergeant Xavier and Faustin, a young soldier get cuts off from their unit. They must travel through the jungle to reach safety. But this is not an easy feat. They even disguise themselves as Congolese, and get taken in by a village that teats them like family. The lines of loyalty get blurred. Tragedy stalks them, but the jungle trek went on too long, and one wonders why they are not bitten alive. One also wonders why the sergeant’s fabulous watch is not stolen from him at the end which was not clear at all.

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 LE PROCES 2.0 (Directed by Nadia Zouaoui)

Nadia ZouaouiAdd caption

Bombarded with hate mail both digitally and in letters by Fascist Quebeckers who hate her head wear, her sex and her religion, Nadia has calmly and with great poise confronted it all. The film bombarded us with the same points shown in different ways, but it was far too long and as such her poignant doc was weakened. Quebec’s Charter of Values set forth by by Pauline Marois and her gang of cowards once again resurrected with the CAQ party. I honestly believe Quebec can’t change; choosing such appalling anti-humanist views is as old as the priests that once ran the schools and churches here.
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MANNO CHARLEMAGNE UN HOMME UNE VIE


A great Haitian singer/guitarist/actor who takes us through the history of music via great singers from Haiti and beyond. Ranna was the way of the people to express themselves via dance and singing. He exiled himself to Montreal as his anti-Duvalier songs became a threat to his own life. 
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FIG TREE (Directed by Alamork Davidian)

Confusing and chronologically hard to follow, the film makes 16-year-old Mina the central heroine of this Ethiopian tale involving love, sacrifice and the prospect of a new home in Israel. Mina loves her cousin, Eli, so she does everything to subvert the pending immigration to Israel if it means Eli is not coming along. kidnapping youths though is the way of war, and Eli's future is bad. it's the director's first feature film and it shows. She needs a better editor. Rodas Gizaw as Mina was outstanding.

FIFA INTO ITS 37TH YEAR OF INSPIRING DOCUMENTARIES

If you are a lover of all things cultural, artistic and visionary, FIFA is the finest film festival for you to attend. Each cinematic story holds a mirror up to the world’s finest artists in different fields. We learn intimate details about their personal and professional journeys.

Reviews follow 

BOTERO
 (Directed by Don Millar)
Canadian premiere

This compelling and inspiring documentary film brings to life one of the world;s most acclaimed living artists. In fact, he is the greatest artist ever viewed in museums, and books about him sell better than any other artist!

The film holds up a factual mirror to Fernando Botero, shining light on his personality and art. This Columbian visionary later became a sculptor, but he painted first off. His enormous figurative sculptures stand as monumental beacons for everyone to enjoy, even laugh at and climb over them. They are now in almost every country, standing in squares, outside buildings and along watery paths. With Botero, big is beautiful!


Born is 1932, he came into this world without a silver spoon. His father was a traveling salesman on a donkey, and the young Fernando sold his first painting for 2 pesos in a small store in Medellin.
His trips to Italy, Paris and New York further allowed him to grow as an artist, carving out his own unique style: the big  and distorted would be his signature way; yet he lived as a pauper in small unheated rooms. When later psychoanalysed, it was thought that this enormous size in his figures is attributed to his longing to have a father to protect him; his father died when he was four.
Most of his life is revealed though his two sons and daughter who candidly share many family moments along with explanations of his art
Tragedy and personal struggles entered his journey of life, yet he became the artist that everyone loves, never suspecting he suffered a grave personal loss.
Always believing in his own artistic vision and the goodness of humanity, he donated all the works of art he owned to a museum created in his name in Bogota.

To create something that is a work of art, it must be controversial
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LE PLUS HAUT NIVEAU (THE HIGHEST LEVEL)

National Film Board Production

A fabulous up close and personal reveal of the emotions and doubts that often enter the psyches of these extraordinary musicians who play in the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. We see the different orchestra sections  being coached by professionals intent on helping each player understand  the emotions in the music they must perform – in this case: Death and Transfiguration opus 24 by Strauss. In their twenties, these emerging musicians are working in preparation for their cross Canada 12-city tour. They cover 17,000 kilometres with little sleep and time to practice “on the road”. The film has many of these young artists talking about their experience in the orchestra.

 Once a band member myself, and as a classical pianist, I related to their  their joy of making music with other talented peers. 
                                                     
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JEANNE MOREAU L’AFFRANCHIE (Directed by Virginie Linhar)

Jeanne Moreau was France’s iconic film star whose prolific cinematic career spanned the mid 20^h century. She was a woman who formed intense relationships with her directors. She married Louis Malle, Pierre Cardin; and other men, including Belmondo, Truffault and Orsen Wells fell under her spell. Later in life, her filmography included roles that emancipated the woman (A Man and a Woman; Jules et Jim). In reality she herself became totally liberated from stereotypes, and lived her golden years with ferocity freely. She was never without work.

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WHEN ARABS DANCED (Directed by Jawal Rhalib)

Morocco and Egypt, Algeria and Iran, the story is always the same. Before the Fatwa and before Islamic aggression.  Arab women danced in public and at home. Belly dancing is in fact the oldest form of dance. Now it is not only forbidden, a woman can lose her life for dancing. How pathetic that famous Arabic dancers of the past have been wiped from the annals of dance history by the government. Dance is done but in centres that the dancers call their own revolution.The film goes on for too long and repeats the same shot fo women dancing. The point is hammered in the same way no matter the country filmed.  Old black and white film clips and present day testimony tell the poignant tragic theme.

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UNE JOIE SECRÈTE (Directed by Jérôme Cassou)

Jérôme Cassou

On January 7, 2015, Charlie Hebdo was gun down. His important satirical magazine was the voice of reason against Fascism. Thus began the one minute dance project where dancers around the world dance for one minute. We see all kinds of dancers finding their own way to move in environments at home, outside in the rain, in squares and more places that the public sees and doesn't see. It is a strange but wonderful film that bucks the notion that dance belongs only on stage or in front of an audience outside.

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 TRUE WARRIORS (Directed by Ronja von Wurmb-Seibel & Niklas                        Schenckul

A theatre troupe is putting on a play about killings in Kabul. These fearless actors dare all to show the devastation of hatred Taliban-terror style. In the middle of their show an explosion rips through the audience. Chaos and killing converge. This compelling documentary about the actors and how they dealt with the aftermath of this murderous event is touching whilst showing the ongoing courage of some who decide to keep on living in Kabul. Others left to live in Europe. A must-see film that has close-up monologues of the main actors and director involved.