McSweeney’s List (5 April, 2023) GiggleFest Edition
Part of this week's playlist is brought to you by me asking Andrew Jamieson for composer recommendations. He was on board immediately, talking about “harpsichords” or “crunchy 3rds and 5ths", and how Bach does "a mean fugue". Realising he was over my head, he asked what I wanted to feel.
"Do you want some big sounds that get deep in your body? Do you want angelic melodies? Do you want something fast and intense?"
So I says to him, I says, "I want something that sounds like Kandinsky's art".
"Bro," he says, "You're looking for Jazz."
And I was! So he sent me these. Itch scratched, sounds like Kandinsky to me.
(Also included is some great audio of Michelle Forrester, Elspeth Wright, and the Todd Shapiro show, which you can find more information about below!)
I know a dude who once wrote a glowing review for a book he never read. There's barely credit to be given for the 4 pages he did read, so while I'm reluctant to mention them at all, I think it makes the story more interesting. His quote is still being used by the author, because how are they to know?
Years ago, I reviewed an art thingy, and the review itself caused friction. It shouldn't have; it was honest, insightful, and well articulated. Dare I say it was generous on my part, as the content of the piece I reviewed was far more insulting to my intelligence than my piece was to it. Still, the publication's editor didn't want anything to do with it. While I hadn't ripped the thing, my review didn't read as positive enough. The artist was a "friend of" the publication, they were just starting out. Fundamentally, the publication believed it should be in the business of "uplifting and boosting" voices, (even if that meant a dishonest review).
A recent poll shows that 55% of Canadians will lie to protect someone's feelings, and 56% say there's been a time when they would've preferred to have been lied to themselves. Ergo [I do love a good ergo], half of you wouldn't have wanted to publish the review, and the other (slightly less than) half would've thought the thing should run. Even more interestingly, half of people would've preferred that they received a dishonest review for their art! Statistically, people want -- and expect -- to be lied to in the service of their emotions.
That's wild to me. Without honesty in criticism, we are painting ourselves into a corner wherein we can't believe the praise we do receive. Many seem unaware of this dichotomy, easily believing all praise, but that's either an IQ deficiency or a certifiable complex.
When I send a pic to a friend to ask about my outfit, I'm being deadass real: Bish, does this look ok, 'cuz I'm walking out, and if you let me be foolish in the streets, I will remember. And if they reply that the fit doesn't flatter, I will damn well change it. (If my kid tells me my colours don't match, well, she was never gonna approve of my colourful pattern explosion, but DO I LOOK FAT?!)
A dear friend reminds me often about the dangers of unspoken expectations. Needless to say, if someone has the expectation of truth and gets a fluffy lie, they'll believe the fluffy lie, because they expected that you would respond honestly. In the same vein, in a world where half the people would like to spare your feelings, they silently anticipate that you would do the same. The third, most insidious angle, and the one my friend is alluding to, is that if you don't speak your expectations aloud, you will probably not have them met, and that will create bitterness and resentment..
We can't expect more from people if we aren't willing to take the time, and yes, accept the discomfort of telling them what we want from them. We can't expect them to show up for us in ways we're too shy to ask for. And you certainly can't trust reviewers that only shoot sunshine up asses.
In my Clark Kent workaday life, I've had the same boss for 9 years (which boggles my mind). He tells me often that he has no problem firing people, and so he keeps me because he really appreciates me. I tell him often that I have no problem quitting jobs on a whim, without a backup plan, and so I'm still there because I appreciate him. We have meetings, and real conversations, because as he says, long-term relationships, even professional ones, need conscious effort, and check-ins. People change, the job requirements change. To remain effective in real time while avoiding burnout, we need to stay on the same page. The only way to do that is to be honest about where we are, and what we are struggling with. I know I'm lucky for that, and that's also why I've been there so long.
How could we expect to stay on the same page if we don't have those conversations?
It seems so obvious in an office setting, it's ridiculous that I didn't extend the logic sooner.
Applying these theories to my personal life is proving uncomfortable and rewarding. I'm working on clarity, respecting both my needs, and my limitations, and being honest about them. It's an act of honouring myself and my relationships, creating a clear space wherein evolution is invited. I recently told a friend that my feelings had been hurt and why, and he immediately apologised, saying he had no idea, and that I should've spoken up sooner. Additionally, I'm accepting what people have to offer with open arms, and endeavouring not to ask people for things I know they can't give.
The whole thing takes quite a bit of uncomfortable truth, both speaking and hearing. And I guess that puts me in the minority, but at least you can always trust me for an honest review.
And now, McSweeney’s List. (I’m the McSweeney!)
GIGGLEFEST IS HERE!!!
Comedian and Just For Laughs artist Michelle Forrester wanted to create a Montreal based comedy fest for Montreal talent, and she fricken did it! I can't imagine how much legwork, emotional heavy lifting and stressed out sleepless nights it takes to make a whole damn festival, so even before the lights go on, I'm impressed. So impressed, that I’m going to stick to GiggleFest for this list, focusing on everything the festival has to offer.
Let's ring in the inaugural GiggleFest with full houses! It's gonna be a fun-ass time, and the future bragging rights of saying you were there will be juicy.
Abby Stonehouse wrote a piece about GiggleFest for Forget The Box not long ago, so you should read that. I mean, the whole thing is a big deal: Montreal is notorious for JFL, but so few of those comedians are actually Canadian, let alone local talent. This is the first time the English comedy scene gets to flex its craft on such a big, exclusive stage, so let's show UP, ya?!
First, here is the schedule for the festival, broken down by day. Follow through to check out each night, there are four, FOUR NIGHTS, packed full of giggles.
Opening the Festival is Sam Adamo in the Cabaret Room with a live recording of his Calcio Live Podcast, on the Indie Stage is Tales of Gender Affirmation co-hosted by Alo Azimov and Itzel Daniela, and Troy Stark along with Serag Meletian close out the night with Shit Show Live! at midnight on the Main Stage.
Battle of Wits on the Indie Stage sees comedians pitted against each other in a one of a kind game show hosted by Elspeth Wright. Fresh Giggles Uncensored shines on the Cabaret Stage, and Abby Stonehouse and her partner Mike Meo talk about their horrible dating moments in Datemare on the Main Stage.
Off Venue, there's GiggleDen @ Tom Murphy's house, and you have to DM him for tickets. It's so amazing, it must be mentioned. Go there's take pics. Send them to me.
In the Cabaret Room, Abby Stonehouse will be recording her House of Stone Podcast Live, Empress Comedy Show has already sold out their show on the Indie Stage, and the Main Stage is hosting Giggle Pro, with comics boasting JFL & SkankFest creds.
A Very Pretentious Comedy Show is coming to the Indie Stage, Fresh Giggles Uncensored are in the Cabaret Room, and off venue we have Good Night Comedy Show at M Bar Hostel.
McSweeney’s List kicks off the week at Forget The Box every Wednesday! Don’t forget to SUBMIT YOUR SHOW to get McSweeney’s attention!
(It’s me! I’m the McSweeney!)
