We went to the Edmonton Kennel Club dog show at the Sportex on Saturday. SO MANY CUTE DOGS.
As we walked in, we saw two French bulldogs, a bunch of pomeranians and yorkies. Further in, great Danes, Old English Sheepdogs, shelties, chihuahuas, fox terriers, pulis… you could die. And naturally, lots of dog people cheering them on, just like the movie.
I got a pair of Boston Terrier socks.
It’s been ages since we’ve had so much Olympia on our plates. Damn, I’ve missed her.
In Sarah Polley’s Away From Her, she’s a hard-nosed wife of an Alzheimer patient who is in love with Gordon Pinsent’s likewise afflicted wife. She’s gorgeous, sarcastic and a pleasure on screen. But of course, that was a serious drama and we all should expect as much from the entire cast.
But in the less sublime In the Land of Women, she’s a scene stealer. If only the script had lingered a little longer on her character (or any of them, really.) But with Olympia, we could all fill in the blanks about this woman’s life just by the hints she leaves us: the glances that suggest that her apparent paranoia is more well founded than anyone could ever imagine, the inappropriate but entirely truthful outbursts. It was because of her that I managed to sit through that train wreck of a movie.
Hail Olympia!
Among other things, Winnipeg has a kick ass ballet company. I went to see Dracula and it’s spectacular: skilful dancers, innovative choreography, some lovely set pieces. But the greatest thing ever was the beginning of the second act, when they put in a narrated synopsis of the plot. It’s witty and beautifully danced. Spoken word is surprisingly good with ballet. And did I mention how funny it was? So worth sitting in the balcony for. I’m going to borrow the movie version from my sister.
I went to see:
Cool and Collected at the Royal Alberta Museum (excellent! a two-headed calf!)
Shumka (wheee! hopak!)
The Overcoat (clever sets! striking movement!)
Blades of Glory (if men would touch each other more often, they would be happier)
I also played a show at the Powerplant. The sound guy there, Mike Tully, is excellent. I could hear everything, including my mistakes. That’s actually good! And the headliner, The Cliks, were awesome.