*dust dust*

*koff*

okay.

Right. Let’s do this. Deep breath, and…

Hi! Welcome to the Visitorium. If you’re new, thanks for checking this old blog out and I’m very sorry it isn’t a tiktok or something. Or welcome back if you’re one of those poor sods who subscribed to this thing back in the stone ages when it was actually, y’know, a THING, and had since completely forgotten it existed. Lord knows I did. What can I say? Life happened, also a goddam global plague, the rise of fascism, civil unrest and hey, a move from Ottawa to Winnipeg (for me, at least, along with my trusty partner The Otter). That last event has had its ups and downs, truth be told. On the pro side, beautiful home, lovely ‘hood, terrific neighbours, and two sheds in our backyard. Count’em! Two!

On the down side, it’s been a chore making new connections in town, the place isn’t very pedestrian friendly, and then there was that one time a random maniac followed me off a bus this February and lopped my knee in half with a machete. So yeah, it’s been…interesting. Winnipeg is interesting.

But this IS Winnipeg, so along with dramatically increased risk of inhuman personal violence also comes maybe the best dang Fringe Festival on this continent! And while I can’t officially back that up with personal experience, having only been to 6 or 7 Fringes thus far, just give me this one, okay? The knee still aches when I walk. And, quite frankly, it’s impeding my Fringe mojo as I begin the usually cheery task of planning my assault, what I used to lovingly refer to as my ‘Fringe-Coma’. On my previous visit to Winnipeg Fringe back in 2018 I made it out to over 50 shows! But now I have to figure in all sorts of new factors, like how quickly me and my gimpy leg will be able to get from one venue to another. How quickly I’ll tire out after a few hours of Fringing. And how I’ll deal with the existential dread of being surrounded by strangers in the infamous downtown and Exchange District of the machete capitol of Canada. It’s been a momentary bummer, no word of a lie.

But moments are made for passing! And I’m more than happy to pass right into Fringe preview joy, mortal fear be darned. Time to start buzzing about the seemingly endless parade of shows I can’t miss, the brilliant artists I can’t wait to see again, and the new names and faces I don’t even realize I can’t live without yet. This will/should be the first of two preview posts, providing I can keep myself motivated. I’m way outta practice, my energy levels are still for shit, and I’m having commitment issues, dig? But my intentions are pure, so here goes nothing…

I’ve been at this beautiful Fringe game for about 15 years now, so while not an expert by far, I’ve been around enough to know a lot of the big names, and have even seen a few of this years shows previously. Like superstar Chase Padgett’s NASHVILLE HURRICANE, PUSH Theatre‘s awesome acrobatic GENERIC MALE or the wunnerful Tamlynn Bryson’s (IN) DECISION, all easily worth a re-view and I just may. I’ve also caught INGENUE, one of several productions in this years roster from unstoppable Melanie Gall, who also brings THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK EXPERIENCE and OPERA MOUSE for a melodic triple-header (for what it’s worth, INGENUE is maybe my fav’rit of hers I’ve caught yet, and I’ve caught a few).

The amazing Ingrid Hansen basically changed my life years ago with her genius shows (‘life-changing’ is one of the milder compliments I could apply to Little Orange Man. Those who know, know), so after only seeing this one online, I’m excited to finally catch EPIDERMIS CIRCUS alive and in person at last! She was on the new Fraggle Rock, did you know that? I’d give her higher praise, but THERE ISN’T ANY. And for extra bonus greatness, Hansen will also be re-teaming with Stephanie Morin-Robert for MERKIN SISTERS: DEUX, which is exactly what is missing in your life right now. And as a haphazard segue, Hansen’s KITT & JANE co-star Rod Peter Jr also hits the Fringe with his ONE-MAN BATMAN PARODY. Do yourself a favour, skip the Flash and catch this batch of Bat-content instead (no offense, Michael Keaton, but you deserved better)!

Mainstays Jem Rolls and Martin Dockery are both back, hooray and huzzah all around, and obvious must-sees with their shows MAXIMUM CRUSOE (Rolls), EVERY GOOD SHOW ENDS WITH ONE (Dockery) and LONG NIGHT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM (Dockery again, with Andrew Broaddus). These are two all-time fav’rits of mine and of a lotta folk, so don’t sleep on these! And if there’s anyone out there who doesn’t know about GOD IS A SCOTTISH DRAG QUEEN yet then I can only say, I’m envious of what you are about to discover, and you will soon come to hold the name Mike Delamont in high regard.

And still more Fringe legends…so easy to get spoiled at Winnipeg Fringe! A pair of brilliant pairs return with James and Jamesy bringing their latest clowning effort EASY AS PIE, while those hard-rocking heroes Otto and Astrid (aka Die Roten Punkte) are separate but together with OTTO AND ASTRID’S JOINT SOLO PROJECT. And on the subject of duos, one that I believe is together on stage for the first time and I cannot WAIT for are Rob Gee and Jon Paterson in AWOL, one of Paterson’s two shows at the Kings Head pub. He’s also headlining Monster Theatre’s THE FOOL, as if you needed any other excuses to frequent the Pub during Fringe. Monster Theatre always delivers the goods, as does Jonny P. Settle in, order a pint of your fav’rit brew, and get ready for a great night.

Not done yet! I caught Jim Loucks in his terrific solo show The Biscuiteater a few years back in Ottawa, so am naturally stoked to catch him again in BOOGER RED. Likewise the always amazing cabaret croonings of Bremner Duthie with his latest musical showcase EVERYTHING IN NEW ORLEANS IS A GOOD IDEA, sure to set your soul a-stirring. Master storyteller Erik de Waal brings a couple of shows to the festival with CLUELESS IN ZA and the fam friendly AFRICAN FOLKTALES as part of the Kids Fringe. The talented folks at the Grand Salto Theatre are likewise going the Kids route with ADVENTURE OF THE LITTLE ROOSTER. Saw their Szeretlek a few years back, and they bring good stuff where they go!

It’s been a long time since I saw Ask Aggie! From Small Matters Productions, but that doesn’t dampen my excitement for their offering this year, FOR SCIENCE! I have heard nothing but great things, and I believe it all. Likewise pumped for ANATOMICA, the upcoming solo work from the always amazing Ragmop Theatre, who previously floored me with their sensational Falling Awake.

Saving one of the bestest for last, Fringe royalty Cameryn Moore returns to Canada with MUSE, her latest and maybe most exciting work yet. I’ll be dusting off my life-drawing charcoals for this one, and you had best follow suit.

I think that’s it for now, I’m running out of stuff I know. If I missed anyone I DO know, I’m so sorry, I blame the machete wound. If I got anyone’s info wrong, missed a cool pic I could have used, or a website, feel free to hit me up with the correction here or on the twitter or facebook or whatnot (sorry, still no tiktok….I’m terribly old). Coming up next, if I can keep up the momentum…stuff I DON’T know! Honestly should be a much longer post, if I’m truthful. Peace, love and soul, y’all, and nice to be back,

the Visitor (or Kevin if you prefer)

PS UPDATE: Such a rush I was in to post this…which explains why it went up so goofily early…that I clearly missed a few shows and performers I should have shouted out. Like ELEANOR’S STORY that I caught in Ottawa, and it’s goddam dynamite and you should see it! Shawn O’Hara’s FIELD ZOOLOGY 101 is a merry delight. And in a Fringe chock-a-block with magicians, KEITH BROWN should be at the top of your mystical list. And I might have missed him because he’s not here as his usual alter-ego Dirk Darrow, but Tim Motley is always a solid pick, this time with BARRY POTTER AND THE MAGIC OF WIZARDRY. The hilarious Adam Schwartz has TWO shows at this years fest, HOW I MET MY NEURODIVERGENT FRIEND and NEUROHILATIRY. I can also happily vouch for Brent Hirose in BREAKING BARD, Holly Brinkman in MY BODY OF WORK, and Ginette Mohr in CATCH ME IN THE KITCHEN STORY ADVENTURES! Whew! All this and Morgan Cranny, too? That’ll teach me to post too fast!