McSweeney’s List (24 July 2024)
My grandmother dropped this heavy wisdom on me when I was very young. Too young to affect my smile, too young to believe her. It wouldn't be until my pre-teens that I started to realize that cool kids don't smile. Main characters are rarely filled with whimsy and joy. In fact, the plot usually revolves around them finding their smile, or coming to terms with being pouty. Even knowing that, I kept smiling.
By high school, I wanted to be TaKeN sErIoUsLy. I said things like love is an illusion, and listened to songs that made me weepy. My idol crushes were reserved for dead rockstars, while the song Girls by The Beastie Boys would set me off on a feminist tirade (because my funny bone was broken, obvs). Gawd, I was annoying. But even with all that (and seances, poetry, and holding an actual candle in the cold November Rain), I smiled easily and laughed quickly. No amount of black eyeliner (and Toast of New York lipstick, IYKYK) could hide my truth. Much like today, I talked a big game about what a tough, hard hearted bitch I was, and just like today, my heart remained on my sleeve, and I smiled easily.
I cried easily too, make no mistake. I've never given my heart away (or loaned it out) without having to retrieve it through tears. Whether it's a mutual grieving of a closing chapter, or a caught off guard moment of everything shattering at once, something about crying helps my heart return to me. And frankly, it doesn't take long to dust it off, restore it to wholeness, and put it back on my sleeve, because that's where it belongs. And I keep smiling.
My Bubby was right though, as I've learned over the years. Easy laughter can appear frivolous if you're unaware of the depths that lurk below it. At some point in my adulthood, I decided that even knowing that, I had to commit to my giggling heart. I knew that my scars were hard won, and my heart was impressively resilient and loving. Anyone who thought less of me for my joy and whimsy, anyone who couldn't see the courage it takes to keep my heart open and my joy close at hand, could frankly get stuffed.
But the grind, the world in flames, the nasty minutiae of every day, the pouty people holler. If you aren't miserable, you aren't trying hard enough, you aren't paying attention! GTFO.
As I see it, life is an old Woodyism: the food is terrible, and such small portions. One day all too soon, our struggles will be over, and so will our opportunities for joy. I have been knighted by the double edged sword of finding happiness because finding tragedy is all too easy. And yes, there will always be people who misconstrue that, who mistake your pastel soul for silliness. I can tell you that over and over I have proven that these people are fairly miserable. They believe their own distractions, and have no intention of getting to know your depths.
So smile, Y’All. Let some people think you're stupid. By discovering who your people aren't, it’ll be all the easier to find who your people are.
celebration
The ever popular Poly Mic turns one today, marking 52 weeks of proud, inclusive laughter. Head over to NDQ to get some giggles (and pizza?) and stay to give props to the team that’s kept the goods coming for 365 and counting. Congratulations to Raquel Maestre and the entire team behind this incredibly important event series!
And if you can’t get enough laughs, there is a 9PM show after The Poly Mic! This week it’s Max Higgins Is The Underdog!
WHAT: The Poly Mic
WHERE: Notre Dame Des Quilles, 32 Beaubien St. E., Montreal, QC H2S 1P8
WHEN: Tonight @ 7 PM
METRO: Beaubien
DETAILS: Facebook
THE BEST FEST
Guys, the World's Smallest Comedy Festival is banging out comedic hits as fast as they can (which makes it tricky to preview, but let's gooooo).
Tonight Vance Michel and Peter Bowen bring a live taping of Rapid Flames Podcast to the Hurley's stage at 6 PM (tickets here), The Heartstrings Storytellers Show serves up real, funny stories at 8 PM with Troy Stark, Vance Michel, Sin Dee, Sloan Kooshan, Daniel Carin, Walter J. Lyng headlines. Then the Pussy Patrol guys (Quinn Lague and Kevin Campbell) bring their characters to life with humour (and maybe rapping?) for Pussy Patrol & Friends at 10 PM. Lou Laurence headlines, featuring Vance Michel, Ben Cardilli, and Leighland Beckman.
Thursday World's Queerest Comedy brings the funniest LGBTQ voices to the stage. Raquel Maestre headlines, featuring Merry Kringles, John Cotrocois, Andrew Khoury, Sarah Warren, Lauren Mallory, and Sloan Kooshan.
For the full schedule, check the pic below (they really helped with their fancy poster). For all the details, check out The World's Smallest Comedy Night.
Unbelievable!
THAT REALLY HAPPENED is hosted by CJ Monias, featuring some of Montreal’s most talented comedians telling deranged tales, obscure stories, and moments of unhinged horror!
The powerhouse lineup includes Mariam Khan, Akeem Hoyte-Charles, Carmina Berbari Daou, Samson Cooperman, Mark Godomar, Michael Usselman, Steph Lecours, Lauren Mallory, Vance Michel, Joel Slavik & Saba Jakeman.
THAT REALLY HAPPENED is presented through Forget The Box’s Your Show Here program.
WHAT: THAT REALLY HAPPENED
WHERE: Bar Bifteck, 3702 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2X 2V4
WHEN: Sunday @ 8PM
METRO: Sherbrooke (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
sign-up NOW!
Sign-up is open for our next edition of On The Boulevard, hosted by Creative Director Andrew Jamieson! On Sunday August 4th, gather with us on the second floor of the legendary Bar Bifteck in the heart of the Plateau for comedy, music, spoken word, (sometimes magic,) and more!
Claim your spot for this multidisciplinary showcase HERE.
ACCESSIBILITY UPGRADE: On The Boulevard is now presented with live closed captioning for our hearing impaired friends!
McSweeney’s List drops every Wednesday with the best events, workshops, and more, each week in Montreal!
