McSweeney’s List (17 May, 2023)
This week’s McSweeney’s (Play)List is that uplifting shit that gets me dancing in the street in my sundress.
It's Simple Pleasure Season.
Living in a climate of extremes, the winter months test our resolve. So many days, upon leaving home before the sunrise, I'm reminded that without modern amenities, the weather would kill me. It would kill every one of us.
Fast forward to the dog days of summer, that last hurrah when the humidex is flexing and everyone is tanned, and I’m busy wiping the sunscreen from my eyes because I’m a sweaty bitch. Much like the winter days where I decide that fashion has no function and I layer every piece of clothing I own, by the dregs of summer, I've given up many things. Particularly makeup and modesty.
There is a perfect in-between. One of my favourite colour combinations is the neon yellowish green of fresh buds against a bright blue sky, and we are in that microseason, finally! After months of:
"Wanna go out?"
"Yeah, but where to?"
We're back to meandering strolls instead of having to find destinations (all of which cost money). I've already seen my first free outdoor concert of the season, an auspiciously early start to what looks like a joyfully busy few months.
Another simple pleasure is the produce section of the market, fresh and overflowing after the long, dry spell of imported and off-season goodies. This is the moment where I swear I'll eat all the colours every day and never be swayed by convenience again. At the moment my medley of cherry tomatoes is less than half price than it is in the winter, so catch me eating my words right on schedule come the snow.
Working with the public, it's such a pleasure to have people come in smiling at how lovely the weather is. This is in distinct contrast to the winter months, where people walk in, red faced and short of breath, asking if they really must take their snowy, salty boots off (yes, ma'am, you actually must).
My troublemaking Creative Director said the other day that he doesn't go to Jazz Fest because he's a "Montrealer, not a tourist". I gave him a short, whiny reply, but what was more fun was the memories that flooded back. At sixteen years old, the idea of endless free music in the streets was like a crazy miracle. My friends and I would sit by the Place Des Arts fountain all day, people watching, listening, wandering away and back again. Once, the sky opened up, and both the crowd and the performers ran for cover, musicians trying to protect their instruments in the sudden downpour. We tucked ourselves under the ledge of Place Des Arts and watched, damp but not soggy, as the adults ran around frazzled.
And speaking of people watching, now that we've finally put our big jackets away, I can see your band shirt, and you can see mine, and I like that. We all look so alike in the cold, and I'm endlessly curious about strangers. Extra points if you're wearing one of those Nirvana shirts that has a picture of Hansen.
I haven't gone for ice cream yet, but the ice cream joint at my corner is popping. No one has ever been sad in an ice cream line, so I pass by smiling as kids laugh, and adults grin like children, and couples on dates look mid-last-century chic.
I'm writing this on a bus, in the rain, and I'm still counting simple pleasures. I prefer rain to snow, and the flowers do too. And not every day can be sunny, and if they could, they would grow tedious quickly. I'm not even suggesting that we should always be caught up in gratitude and bright sides (I'll do me and you do you, Boo). Ask my nearest and dearest, and they will shake their heads and tell you I am prone to darkness, generally of the existential variety. I can go from practicing positivity to drowning in despair faster than I can catch an Uber on a Saturday night. And that's exactly why simple pleasures mean so much to me. If it's the tiny things that throw us off course, we can follow the minutiae back to our centre, and back to our Self.
Everyone Loves A 5 à 7
FringeMTL is nearly here! From Fringe Park to The Frankies, there are a million things to check out, and it'll take some time management skills to do the most. Step one is the 5 à 7 Program Pick-Up. Be among the first to get your hands on the official program, and raise a glass to Fringe season!
WHAT: FringeMTL 5 à 7 Program Pick-Up
WHERE: MainLine Theatre, 3997 St. Laurent Blvd., Montreal, H2W 1Y4
WHEN: Thursday, May 18 @ 5 PM - 7 PM
METRO: Sherbrooke (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
No One Was Supposed To Shoot Them
Coming off the success of Because You Never Asked, Roger White is getting back in the groove with his band Dead Messenger.
Upbeat poppy rock that you can mosh or do the twist to, whatever floats your cool ass boat.
WHAT: Dead Messenger with Feu Bang!
WHERE: L'Hémisphère Gauche, 221 rue Beaubien E., Montreal, H2S 1R5
WHEN: Thursday, May 18 @ 8 PM
METRO: Beaubien (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
DIY Takes Centre Stage
Back in full effect for the first time since 2019, Porchfest is bringing music to balconies! With over 100 acts in 2 days there's something for everyone a few times over. Jason C. McLean went postering with the founders of Porchfest NDG for some insight into its history, its future, and what we can expect this weekend. Read that here!
WHAT: Porchfest NDG 2023
WHERE: Various balconies in NDG
WHEN: Saturday, May 20 & Sunday, May 21
METRO: Vendome & Villa Maria (Orange)
DETAILS: Porchfest NDG
Have You Seen Deeg Jokes?!
(You should have seen the look Andrew Jamieson gave me for this one.)
Hilarious local comic Walter J. Lyng is bringing a new comedy festival to Montreal! The NDG Comedy Fest's ringing in its inaugural edition with big names like Bowser & Blue, Joey Elias, Derek Seguin, FTB Fam Abby Stonehouse, and many more!
Sarah Warren caught up with Walter to discuss all things humour and hot dogs, so get the whole story here.
What’s on at The Diving Bell Social Club
Check out The Diving Bell Social Club for more details!
McSweeney’s List drops every Wednesday with the best events to catch each week in Montreal. Don’t forget to SUBMIT YOUR EVENT to be listed!
