A weekend of Arts & Entertainment

I saw the Vancouver Playhouse’s production of The Fantasticks on Friday evening. We had really good seats, 8 rows from the front, slightly house left of centre. I had House managed Sheridan College’s version of it back around 1991, so although I was familiar with the music, I was a bit fuzzy on the storyline. All but one character is male and Theatre Sheridan didn’t have enough men eligible for leads, so the fathers were aunties, but it was really good. This was the first time I’d seen it done by professionals and I was reminded of what my EYCI choirmaster had called the rarity of “singing actors”. There are many actors who can sing well, but they’re not actually singers. And vice versa, excepting perhaps those with operatic training. So we saw some actors who were really good, and their voices were passable, but although I don’t know what I was expecting, I guess I was expecting more. The comic relief team of Bard on the Beach’s Christopher Gaze and Simon Bradbury stole the show. And not just because I volunteer at BOTB and am a member as well, but because they were, simply put, a delight. The words “cock-a-doodle-doo” are now forever connected with Christopher Gaze’s portrayal of Henry, and that’s just fine by me. The actor playing El Gallo was a hit with the ladies, as he is meant to be, but I always pictured him to be more of a rogue all around. Smooth, yet “rough and tumble”, so when we saw a very suave, self-assured, but deliberate and exact, El Gallo, it seemed a bit “off”. His singing was perfect – every note delivered with absolute precision, but let’s just say that my disbelief was rarely suspended. So when we left the theatre, we had mixed feelings.

On Saturday, I had the privilege of being one of the fortunate people who had been able to purchase a ticket for the sold-out Mumford & Sons show at the Vogue Theatre. I’d never been there before, and I had a 1st row seat in the 1st balcony, the most House Right seat of the centre section. Perfect vantage point, but not good for standing (too high of a drop for me as I’m afraid of heights). A bloke by the name of King Charles opened. Great voice – a wardrobe inspired by Russell Brand “look at how tight my pants are” – hair to rival the bird’s nest that Amy Winehouse’s can be – and a really lovely stage presence. It was as if he placed himself 2nd to the music. He only did half a dozen songs or so, one of which was a lyrically updated “We didn’t start the fire” by Billy Joel, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him perform again in a smaller, more intimate venue. He has the capacity for owning a room in very short order.

Next up were Mt. Desolation, a band I’d only ever heard about, but never actually heard. Considering I’ve been on their mailing list for the last 4 months, that did strike me as odd, but I was looking forward to finally hearing and seeing them. Musically, they call themselves “alt-country”, and some songs were a bit too “rockabilly” to my liking. However, the musicianship they possess, and energy and fun they have performing was remarkable. They can twang with the best of them, but they also make good on the fact that they too, can “rock out”. Reminded me a bit of a band I once saw support Great Big Sea – I can’t quite remember their name, but it had “Copper” in it. If Mt. Desolation continue to be more alt than country and more rock than ‘billy, then I can totally see myself buying their new and first CD and actually listening to it. For the time being, I would see them again live in a heartbeat. Their keyboard-player/singer alone brings enough verve and enthusiasm to his performance that other bands en masse don’t even bring across.

The headliner: Mumford & Sons. I had never seen them before – I only discovered them the “usual” way. Hear a song on the radio, don’t have a clue who it’s by, but it sticks with me. Then another tune by same band I really like and don’t initially make the connection that it’s the same band. Get name – search out music – thank iTunes and then almost go ‘rabid’ with excitement. When tickets went on sale in mid-August, there was no way I was going to miss out on seeing them. I was not disappointed. My God, they blew my mind. If you’ve ever been at a show when you’ve been so into the music and the performance as a whole you could just cry from the perfection of the moment, that was what last night was like. There was no mistaking it – EVERYONE at the Vogue loved them. The house was theirs. I saw little 8-year olds with parents and grey-haired folks and of course, the ubiquitous Vancouver uni-crowd. A diverse demographic for a band with diverse appeal. One acoustic song (the crowd composed of many shushers and a few who didn’t understand quite how “acoustic” works). The Cave was the final song of the evening, saved for part of the encore which everyone knew had to come because that song hadn’t been included in the regular set. Sigh no more was the song they started with. From beginning to end - apart from drunken young women (and men) asking for certain members of the band to take their pants off (really? Really!) and the annoying guy with a yodel-like woo-hoo-hoo – it filled every sense to the brim and was more than I could ever have imagined of this band. There was talk of plans to record a new album next year (YES, PLEASE). In the meantime, may I suggest a live CD or EP? It would tie the fans over – the two new songs very much appreciated – and although it couldn’t possibly do a live show justice, it could keep the experience and memories of having been to a live performance very much present in a person’s mind.

Friday – 3 out of 5
Saturday – 5 out of 5

Haven

Anyone who knows me does know I like TV. As a genre, it can be incredibly thought-provoking, interesting, entertaining, informative/educational, as well as escapist, a procrastination aid, and a general waste of time. I used to downplay it, but on the whole, and as long as it doesn't interfere or prevent one from getting on with one's life and the whole business of living, I say "okay". Besides, I watch taped programmes from the PVR often enough, I may as well write about some of them.

I came across this new show called Haven on Showcase last week. It's based on a Stephen King short story and that caught my attention. I think his books are a little too scary for what my imagination can handle, but I do think he is a gifted storyteller. He knows exactly where the black and the white is, and directs his attention to all the areas of grey people usually don't consider. He did it with another short story "Needful Things" and he did it also with "The Colorado Kid", on which this new series is based.

I'm two episodes in and I already can see the tendrils of arcs and possibilities stretching out. The fact that it is on Showcase is a comfort, I think, because even if no one and their sister watches it, they'll continue producing it. Kudos for shooting it in Canada - the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia figures prominently in most panorama shots of "Haven" (supposedly in Maine) and the cast is also engaging. The two leads I know very little about (Emily Rose and Lucas Bryant), but Nicholas Campbell will be a regular and two of tonight's guests were Stephen McHattie (another icon among Canadian actors) and Caroline Cave (who I know and like from another Showcase programme called Crash & Burn). Maurice Dean Wynt was in the first episode, and he also doesn't suck. All in all, a promising beginning for a promising show. I hope it lasts.

Performances Reviewed

So, I had my performance review the other day and one point that came to my attention was my habit of unsolicited offerings. Trouble is, I don't have anyone at home with whom to process my thoughts, or knows the same people I encounter at work, or any of that, so I process at work, which can make me come across as snotty, smart-ass, bitter, or all kinds of things. BUT, I can use this as my outlet, so here goes.

Dude at work. Useless (was that already too judgey?). So, he starts dating this girl in October, moves in with her in February, proposes in April - gets so hammered (or stoned) the same night, he can't be bothered with a rubber, and, you guessed it, knocks her up. Expecting twins. This from a guy who, so I've been told, has in the past and on a regular basis, used his rent money to purchase coke and pot. Anywho, dude is also from another country and hasn't officially emigrated. His deportation was ordered a few months back, SOMEHOW, he got it extended, but in his infinite competence, missed a hearing earlier this week and a deportation order was issued. His solution, to marry his pregnant girlfriend (fiancee) next week (like THAT isn't going to raise any flags for Immigration). The plan still is to have a wedding in her home province (ON) as well as a wedding in his home country (Mexico) and to have a "real" wedding here in BC for their friends.

They both in their infinite wisdom decide they should have the twins in Ontario, because health care is free (no it isn't) and then they can live with her parents (rent-free) until they move to Mexico to live with his parents (rent-free) until they can claim welfare. He's sending her to Ontario in September/October (when she needs the most help from him and it's really not her parents' job to do so) so he can stay in Van "and save some money" and work a little longer, then move to Ontario in November/December. The twins are due in late December. Statistically, their chances of going to full-term are close to non-existent.

What a bona fide clusterfuck! I feel sorry for the children already. Their parents are very nice people, but I really don't think they know what they're in for.

I feel better now. Might even be able to shut up at work when it is mentioned in future. It does after all have nothing to do with me (thanking God for this small mercy), but COME ON! insert a frustrated "ARGH!!!" sound here. Thank you for listening.