McSweeney’s List (28 August 2024)
Recently, tragedy befell a friend of mine. It was the kind of occurrence that leaves you gasping and touching your heart, thinking there but for the grace of God go I, or perhaps of all the dice in this Universe, that might've been my roll, whichever you prefer. But this isn't about her dice or her sadness: this is about what happened next.
We all have full calendars, and my friend is no exception. In fact, she had events on the books, places to be, and calendars don't clock unforeseen circumstances. Should we cancel? her colleagues and close ones asked. Nope. Deck the halls, Dears; the show must go on.
When she arrived, she was beautifully dressed (as always), her eyes swollen from crying, her makeup flawless. We formed an awkward line and took turns hugging her, murmuring words that we knew sounded hollow, but hoped would convey the sentiment of our hearts. We closed her into a tight circle and gently coaxed her to speak. Now, if you know me (and probably just if you read this space regularly), you know I love a positive quip. I live for the tiny lines that make our experiences universal and draw us together in this wild world, the sayings that sound trite and yet still salve the soul. I was at a loss. I stared silently while she spoke, while people asked questions, and said kind words. Finally I said the only true thing I could: I'm glad you're here.
Despite the simplicity of the sentiment, I hoped it would say the things I could not: I am in awe of you: of your strength, your resilience, your wisdom that the pain will exist whether crying in bed or holding yourself up at an event.
We’ve all experienced something like this, from one side or another (probably both). There are as many forms of loss and grief as there are ways to break a heart, and when you're in it, it can take you out at the knees. I'm not saying stop crying, or pull it together. I'm saying that at a point, we have to show up before we're wholly healed. Sometimes we must take our wounds into the world and let the air do what it will. If we wait until we feel truly ready, we might wait forever.
I'm not saying fake it until you make it (though i do usually stand by that). I'm saying show up honestly, in the places you feel comfortable, with the people you know will support you. Tell them you're hurting. Tell them when it's hard for you. Let them hug you, and hold your hand, and walk with you through your darkness.
That night, my friend laughed, and it warmed my heart. It was not the laughter of forgetting; the pain wasn't done, and besides, so often when we think it is, it sneaks up on us in the most inopportune times. But in that particular moment, the weight of the darkness was less so. We must remember to provide ourselves the opportunities for some light. And when we're in the light, we must remember there but for the grace of God go I, of all the dice in this Universe, that might've been my roll, and do what we can to ease the hearts of those around us.
Stay safe out there, Dears. We're all just walking each other home. *
*Ram Dass
LOFT SHOWS ROCK
Tomorrow night catch Julie Neff, Dirty Eddy, Abby Stonehouse, Emet Baker and Tara Macgowan-Ross in an intimate and ever cool loft setting. Music, comedy, poetry, and a great time to be had by all! Don't miss it. PS if you haven't been to this venue, you’ll love it and want to go back ASAP. Hosted by Dahlia Caro.
WHAT: Little Loft Showcase
WHERE: Halbro Building, 10 des Pins Ave. W., Studio #428, Montreal, H2W 1P9
WHEN: Thursday, August 29, 7 - 11 PM
METRO: Sherbrooke (Orange)
CALLING ALL ZADDIES
Attention Zaddies,
The patriarchy has been defeated, and the binary has been broken! As we celebrate our victory, we are hosting a sensational spectacle just for you. Those in power can no longer control us or dictate how we express our authentic selves. Welcome to the matriarchy, the new era of freedom and self-expression.
Some toxic men have been captured to entertain us with laughter, dance, and celebration. But that’s not all—we have a few surprises in store. You, my dearest zaddies, are invited to the grand celebration of the century. Please come with your friends, and don’t forget your wallets. Tipping our performers is not mandatory but greatly appreciated.
Featuring Rev Love, Casanova, Uncle Marley, Jay Show, Delam In Drag, Timothy Toxic, Claude Depussy, and our headliner Niko Lubie!
FOMO is real, but so are epic nights filled with unforgettable performances. See you there, or hear about it from your friends who didn’t miss out!
Zaddies, A Drag King Comedy Show, is an alternative and inclusive drag show produced by Delam In Drag. Zaddies is witty and funny, with a diverse cast dismantling toxic masculinity, breaking the binary, and eradicating patriarchy! Our safe space policy ensures a welcoming environment for all attendees: no discrimination or hostile behavior will be tolerated.
WHAT: Zaddies: A Drag King Comedy Show
WHERE: MainLine Theatre: 3997 St. Laurent Blvd., Montreal, QC H2W 1Y4
WHEN: Tuesday, September 3, Doors @ 815 PM, Show @ 830 PM
METRO: Sherbrooke (Orange)
TICKETS: Montreal Fringe
MASTER Spoken WORD
Submissions are still open for Forget The Box’s FIRST EVER workshop! The Poetry Performance Workshop is a pilot project, facilitated by Tara McGowan-Ross and Andrew Jamieson.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
This two-day, eight hour poetry performance workshop offers intensive and personal instruction from two of Montreal’s leading artists in their sectors. The first day (four hours) will be led by Tara McGowan-Ross, author of Nothing Will Be Different, and focus on the text of your work. The second day (four hours) will be led by Andrew Jamieson, writer, director, and creator of Who’s Afraid, and Bed of Nails, and will focus on the performance of your work.
The workshop will then culminate on the third day with participants performing at a spoken word event, presented by Forget The Box, at a venue TBA.
NOTE: This workshop is aimed toward those writers with a specific in-process OR finished piece they would like to develop further.
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ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Tara McGowan-Ross
Tara McGowan-Ross is an urban Lnu/Mi'kmaq author and theatre school drop-out who has been setting precedent for poetry performance in Montreal since the Printemps D'Erable. Her poem A SIMPLE INSTRUCTION was first runner-up for the Pacific Spirit poetry prize, her memoir NOTHING WILL BE DIFFERENT was a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust prize for nonfiction, and she has been anthologized in BEST CANADIAN POETRY and Anthologie de la poesie actuelle au femmes du Quebec 2000-2020. She draws inspiration from the continental tradition of Western philosophy, Mi’kmaq cultural traditions, hip-hop, dance, stand-up comedy, and ecstatic religion. Her approach is warm, funny, and tough-love, with the intention of breaking your work into the next level of its true potential.
https://taramcgowanross.substack.com/
Andrew Jamieson
First onstage at age five, Andrew Jamieson’s inevitable formal theatre training led him to directing his first professional stage production at the age of 16. Since then, he has directed dozens of projects from professional theatre, to short films and music videos, as well as his own experimental “Immersive Reality” productions. Through the latter, Andrew has developed an adapted approach to performance through text, based on David Mamet’s Practical Aesthetics, and Metamodern concepts. He has continued to refine and perfect this method while regularly coaching both professional actors and spoken word performers.
Currently developing his next immersive project, MONUMENTUM, Andrew also serves as the Creative Director and Editor-in-Chief of the local Montreal arts magazine Forget The Box.
www.whothefuckisandrewjamieson.com
DETAILS
Dates: September 22nd and 23rd, 2024
Time: 2-6PM
Performance: September 24th, 2024 @ 8PM
Location: Plateau Mont-Royal (Exact location will be provided to those selected.)
Cost: $150 (To be paid upon acceptance to the workshop.)
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2024. THOSE SELECTED WILL BE NOTIFIED THE NEXT DAY.
SUBMIT HERE:
https://forms.gle/Hq9pVTcGFhBVJ91EA
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This workshop is part of a pilot project by Forget The Box to provide accessible high-quality workshops to Montreal's creative community.
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Forget The Box is committed to equity. If you feel comfortable, please indicate if you bring a perspective to the workshop that has been historically marginalized by mainstream arts and culture (for example, if you are Queer, Trans, or BIPOC).
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