McSweeney’s List (2 August, 2023)
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McSweeney’s (Play)List - XIV
"Am I in this essay?"
"Yes Kiddo, you are."
A few weeks ago, I saw Lizzo live at the Bell centre…all by myself. Well, with an arena full of strangers, but fundamentally alone. While I have years of experience going to shows and events to write about them, this was the first time I'd ever gone to a show on my own for myself. And geez, why not start at the biggest venue I could find, with my very first pop show.
None of that was my intention. I was supposed to see Lizzo with my daughter, our first concert together (we have very few crossover tastes). In May, we were already at the venue like so many others when the news came down that she was too sick to perform. No worries, we'd see her next time. We were super stoked that she managed to book the new date in such short order, and our countdown began anew.
On the day of the concert, Shaina had a migraine. She tried everything to chase it away in time, but hope was running out. It was the kind of short notice on a weeknight where I literally couldn't give a Lizzo ticket away. I tried. She tried.
"You should still go," she said. "You'll have fun. I don't want you to miss it." As she says this I know she's right. Part of my brain is doing math: the $100 I spent on this ticket has been gone for months and regardless of what I do now, I can't get it back. A big part of me wants to call it a day, put on some PJs, forget about the show. Another part of me has been looking forward to this for too long, and recognizes that it's a wild opportunity I wouldn't have otherwise planned for myself. I have nothing to lose. I go to the show, and I have a grand time. I sing at the top of my lungs and dance like no one's watching (they aren't; they are also dancing). I cry because unified crowds, and empowering songs, do that to me.
"I'm glad you went," Shaina tells me later. "I wouldn't have." For a moment I'm speechless, thrown off balance. I didn't see that coming. Part of my motivation in going had been not to let Shaina down. She lives a big life, and I didn't want her to see me copping out of something so simple and joyful.
A couple of weeks later Shaina booked a solo trip to Spain. She inherited every ounce of travel lust that I am missing, and she's hard to pin down, but she hasn't done a European solo trip. "Because you went to Lizzo," she told me. "You're doing things by yourself and having fun, and I've been thinking about this trip, but been too nervous. So I pulled the trigger".
I tried to keep my cool, my heart swelling with pride, but also with gratitude for what felt like dumb luck. I had honestly been so close to ditching that show, and I had no idea all that had actually been riding on my decision. We rarely think about the ripples caused by our actions, and even when we do, they're hard to accurately predict. I patted myself on the back, walking even taller about having gone.
So when it came time to buy Gogol Bordello tickets (again -- I had tickets circa 2020 that got postponed a year, then two, until they finally canceled and reimbursed), I had new options on the table. I asked a couple of people if they were into it, but for the first time I didn't feel pressure about it. When one person responded that they'd join me if I "really wanted them to", I confidently turned them down. I would only go with someone who would enjoy it as much as I would. There would be no time wasted looking over at someone else, afraid they weren't enjoying themselves. So, for the first time ever, I bought one ticket.
Walking to the venue as the sun set, I felt like a boss. Everyone seemed to be with someone, or in groups, or their heads were down with headphones on, heading elsewhere. I was singular, head held high, a lone Queen, sipping White Claw, smiling like I had a secret. At the show, I just walked over to where I wanted to stand, and stood there. It felt like I was the only one there who was riding solo, and I didn't care: it was all about me. Yeah, I'll admit that waiting in between bands alone while holding my space on the floor was monotonous. While friends laughed and couples smooched, I turned to my phone and texted pretty hard, but when Gogol Bordello took the stage, all of that was forgotten.
I screamed, I sang, I danced, I even sort of moshed in sandals. (There are very few concerts where sandals sound like the right idea. And a mosh pit started behind me when there was already one in front of me, so…I regret nothing). I came home feeling fresh, reborn in the sweat and celebration, proud of the footprints on my toes.
We don't usually see the ripples of our choices. The way Lizzo can lead to Spain, and Spain can lead to Gogol Bordello, and Gogol Bordello can lead to…well, I'll let you know.
Shakespeare In The Plateau
Repercussion Theatre's park program continues with Cymbeline at Jeanne-Mance! I'm far from a lit expert (though in most rooms I rank quite high), but I've never heard of this play, and it sounds great. Betrayal, battles, deception, disguises, reunions and revelations, it's got it all. And everything is better at Jeanne Mance.
WHAT: Cymbeline: Shakespeare-in-the-Park
WHERE: Jeanne-Mance Park
WHEN: Friday, August 5, 7 PM
METRO: Mount Royal (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
I've Been Called Worse
Produced and hosted by Raquel Maestre, this lineup of locals will have you laughing your leggings off. Featuring Clara Olshansky, Catherine Lindsay, Darragh Mondoux, Matt Shury, Dan Carin, Belén Arenas, Estelle Davis, Walter Lyng, Lauren Mallory. Tranna Wintour is headlining, and it's gonna be good!
WHAT: A Very Pretentious Comedy Show
WHERE: Café La Ligne Verte, 2529 Ontario St. E., Montreal, H2K 1W5
WHEN: Sunday, August 6, 8 PM
METRO: Frontenac (Green)
DETAILS: Facebook
Like SNL! (But Better)
A revolving cast of comedians, improvisors, and stand-up comics perform an hour's worth of sketches they've written and rehearsed over a couple of meet-ups during the week. There's no sketch show like it in Montreal!
WHAT: Night Slime Sketch Show
WHERE: Variations Mile End, 5329 St. Laurent Blvd., Montreal, H2T 1S5
WHEN: Saturday, August 5, 830 PM
METRO: Rosemont (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
More Jokes? Yes, Please!
Femme and queer comics take the stage weekly at Stand-Up St. Henri! The lineup changes weekly, the jokes keep coming, Don't miss this show!
WHAT: Stand-Up St. Henri,
WHERE: Montreal Improv, 3716 Notre Dame W., H4C 1P7
WHEN: Tuesday, August 8, Doors 830 PM, Show 9 PM
METRO: St. Henri (Orange)
TICKETS: Eventbrite
Hometown Heroes!
Helen Simard and Roger White of We All Fall Down Creations are in Edinburgh right now, bringing their magic to the king of Fringe Festivals. Why am I telling you about intercontinental stuff? Well, because the show they brought out there, Papillon, was created here in Montreal during the pandemic. From live stream, to outdoor performances, to indoor performances, Papillon has wowed audiences, and now you can enjoy the original soundtrack to this piece!
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