Diasporic Theatre: Irish and Caribbean Plays

Two plays are opening up in the next few days that will challenge those who like their theatre "comfortable". Autumn Smith is directing Cathy Murphy and Richard Greenblatt in Irish bad-boy, Enda Walsh's play, "bedbound" and Rhoma Spencer is directing Edwige Jean-Pierre and Lorna Wilson in Edwige's play, "Our Lady of Spills". I had a chance to talk to Autumn and Edwige on Saturday, April 25th about their hard-hitting plays.



Our Lady of Spills
April 28th - May 10th
Papermill Theatre
67 Pottery Road
Tickets: $25, Sundays pay-what-you-can ($10 suggested minimum)
Box Office: www.meowfilms.com/in person at TO TIX Dundas Square or at the theatre (1 hour before show time)
Show Times: 8PM (weeknights and Saturdays); 2:00 PM

bedbound
April 30th - May 17th
Tarragon Theatre (Upstairs Studio)
30 Bridgman Avenue (north of Dupont, off Bathurst)
Tickets: $20, Sundays pay-what-you-can
Box Office: 416-531-1827 or tickets.tarragontheatre.com
Show Times: 8PM (weeknights and Saturdays); 2:30 PM (Sundays)

Above photo: "bedbound" director, Autumn Smith (left) and actor, Cathy Smith (right). Photo Credit: Praxistheatre.com

F.A.T Day 3

Day 3 of the 4th annual Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week (F.A.T). Show started 40 minutes late! Come on people, it’s the third day already!

Unlike the regurgitated grunge and Flashdance looks from last night, tonight had few designers with actual collections: UND, Tossoni Brasil, and Magpie.

Shout out! to Lynne Tyrrell of Baroness Couture and fashion-lover, Keith. I love nice people.

Designs by UND

Designs by Magpie










Designs by Tossoni Brasil








Photo Credit: all photos by donna g

Whose's Phat at F.A.T: Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week

Day 2 of the 4th annual Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week (F.A.T) was an interesting mix of what the event is all about: fashion, art and music all under one roof (Building 6) in the cobbled Distillery District.

Two shows made me sit-up and take notice: “Worth” by David C. Wigley and “Romandin” by Cristina Sabaiduc. These two designers were ahead of the pack in terms of talent and creativity: David with his excellent tailoring (the pants!) and Cristina with her knotted ropes and knitted fabrics transposed into the most romantic “I-want-that” collection. Bravo! to them both.

The Amanda Rose collection was noteworthy for the great models, fishnets, lace-edged slips (or dresses for the daring) and the pin-up girl panties with the sides cut out, but I wasn’t shopping for me or anyone else I know as I watched the show. Still there was enough there for me to possibly check out what else the line has to offer.


Zuzanium I remember more for aerial and acrobatic artists Rebecca and Angola of A Girl in the Sky. As the opening and closing act for the Zuzanium fashion show, they definitely impressed with their strong, sexy, and athletic performance. I’ve seen such performances numerous times (including an underwhelming one that same night at F.A.T), but all I can say for this company is Wow! Got an event coming up? Book ‘em.

I missed Day 1 of F.A.T (the theme was HOME), but a source told me that it was just as well-attended as Day 2’s PLANET themed event. I’m looking forward to attending Day 3. Tonight’s theme is GUTTER. F.A.T runs until April 24th and that night’s theme is BEYOND.

Shout out! to Project Runway Canada finalist, Jessica Biffi (look for the Jessica dress at Winners) and Vawk stylist, Ken (husband of PRC winner, Sunny Fong). I love nice people.

Photo Credit: Guy Godfree (from http://agirlinthesky.com/)

Interviewing Bob Marley's Granddaughter on Saturday, April 18th, 1:00 pm

Running an interview on Saturday, featuring Donisha Prendergast (Bob and Rita Marley's granddaughter) about the documentary-in-progress, In Search of Rastafari: A Soul's Journey. Also participating in the interview are the film's Executive Producer, Patricia Scarlett, president of Scarlett Media and Associate Producer, Marilyn Gray.





My second interview will be with dancer/choreographer, Kevin A. Ormsby, about his co-production (with Lucy Hamlet, who also directs) of Love 'N Movement: Vignettes of Black Love in Dance. April 25th 2009 at 8:00pm, Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis Street just South of Wellesley). Tickets: $25.00 & $30.00 at loventickets@gmail.com

Don't Miss DOBET GNAHORE at the Lula Lounge, Sunday, April 19th

Looking forward to seeing DOBET GNAHORE at the Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St. West) this Sunday, April 19th (door:7pm, show:8:30pm). Saw her at Afrofest '08 and she stole the show. She sings, she dances, she is magnetic. Everybody recognized her talent and connected with her energy during the outdoor performance. Recordings can never quite capture the essence of seeing her Live.

Shout Out! to Batuki Music Society for donating tickets to The More the Merrier for giveway, and for bringing Dobet to the Lula Lounge.

New 89.5 Member Wins "The More the Merrier" Show Prize Package!!

CONGRATULATIONS to JOYCE, a new CIUT member and fan of The More the Merrier. Joyce has won a prize package valued at OVER $250.00. Joyce is also entered into the draw for one of CIUT's grand prizes. Good Luck, Joyce.

What's in the Package?
autographed copies of Richard Crouse's books 100 Best Movies You've Never Seen and Son of the 100 Movies You've Never Seen, PLUS a 5-film gift card to Canada Screens, a montly screening and talkback series, PLUS tickets to the Samba Squad's 10th Anniversary Concert at the Phoenix, Theatre Francais de Toronto production of The Dinner Game (Le Diner de cons) surtitled in English, and the family play Pobby and Dingan at the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, PlUS the new rock-funky CD "Lied to Me" from JamesKing, currently climbing the CIUT charts.


CONGRATULATIONS to Marylou M for winning an access pass to the Images Festival.

Fundraising Love Fest on The More the Merrier

It was a big love fest this Saturday during my fundraising show this Saturday, April 4th, and I'd like to thank everyone around the table (Guy Mignault, Sistah Lois a.k.a. Afrikan Princess, Kirk Cooper, Orla La-Wayne Garriques) on the phone (Scott Miller Barry and Jannett Scott a.k.a. Lady Luscious) and staffing the phones (Heidy M and Nancy Yu).

Thanks to everyone who pledged. The show was a great success, but it's not too late to pledge. Just CLICK HERE. I will be doing the draw for my exclusive show prize package on Saturday, April 11th.

Shout Outs! to the following for their donation to my show prize package: Richard Crouse, First Weekend Club, Images Festival, JamesKingCrew, Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, Samba Squad, Theatre Francais de Toronto, and Josee Duranleau.

Special Guests to join donna g on April 4th Show

Guy Mignault (right), Artistic Director for Theatre Francais de Toronto, and Scott Miller Barry, Executive Director of the Images Festival join me, and The More the Merrier regulars, Sistah Loisa.k.a Afrikan Princess, Kirk Cooper of Film Market Access and Heidy M in a discussion about why we should all participate and support the arts, especially in tough times. I will also be playing some great music, including the brand new CD "Lied to Me" from JamesKing. Please tune and and also pledge your support for the show, as CIUT is in the midst of its Spring Friends of 89.5 Fundraising Campaign.

Can't tune in between 1-2pm? Pledge now at our secure website www.ciut.fm. Remember to add that you want to add that your favourite show is The More the Merrier.

Photo Credit: MCpl Serege Gouin, Rideau Hall