It was weird getting up and out for Winnipeg Fringe this time. Mostly because I had to convince myself to take the time and energy to write a blogpost about the previous days Fringing before I left the house. Who DOES that? And why am I probably going to do it again tomorrow…or is that today?

Anyways. I made it out to another day at Winnipeg Fringe, and of course I started with MUSE from Cameryn Moore because I’m not a monster like you. What better way to start a day of solid Fringing than a Cam Moore show that is almost literally just a life-drawing session, except with Cameryn Moore (seasoned performer, brilliant writer and tireless activist) as your guide/muse? You’re right, no better way! With charcoal in hand and mind in open, I and my fellow fringers delved into the ‘show’, in effect merely a life-drawing class that ends up being a beautiful, personal and hopefully enlightening experience that, with luck and work, will change us for the better. No guarantees of course, we’re all responsible for our own enlightenment…but MUSE is there to help us on our way. Plus it was nice do do some drawing!

A quick turnaround after that blissful experience (and yes, they do provide excellent wet-naps to get the charcoal off your fingers) as I hobbled as fast as I could to the Planetarium (getting lost once or twice on the way…still a newbie around here) and finally getting on to THE LIFE HENRI starring Adam Bailey and directed by Laura Anne Harris. A lively and energetic experience from the minute you walk in the door, thanks to our radiant host Adam, the show delves into the strange life and wondrous work of painter Henri Rousseau. Few details are spared in a life story that is at times tragic, often comical, and bizarrely inspiring, reminiscent at times of Tim Burton’s ED WOOD (although Rousseau would prove the more talented by far, sorry Ed).

That was two lovely Fringe experiences down for the day, and I took a few turns through the square and downed a donut and coffee (thanks Bronuts!) before settling on a third show. Was almost going to check one out at Creative Manitoba, until I wasw reminded that said venue is a 4-storey walkup. Machete leg offered a polite but firm ‘not today’ on that one. But an easy solution was just around the corner at the Cinematheque. Right off the bat I was delighted to find there was tons of leg room in their very comfy seats…me and machete leg made a note of it for potential future visits of a cinematic nature. Of course, no movie today, instead it was Laura Piccinin’s LESBIHONEST, a solo standup comedy show about queer identity, struggles with family acceptance, dating woes and more. Piccinin is wickedly funny comedian with quick wits and great stage presence, and the show was a goddamn delight from beginning to end. Never sure what else to say about a standup show besides…it’s funny! Just the sociopolitical guffaws I needed.

Once back on the street, I took a turn and gambled on a show starting in the next 15 minutes, my quickest turnaround time this Fringe! Honestly I was worried it would be sold out, and it WAS close…but I made it in to the Royal Albert Arms for Martin Dockery’s LONG NIGHT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM! Except that I was confused in my head place, and this was NOT Dockery’s 2-hander at all, but his solo show EVERY GOOD STORY ENDS WITH ONE. But that’s fine! Solo Martin Dockery is, quite frankly, the classic variety I was raised on. So I settled in to a decent stool at the bar and watched as Martin unfolded a tale of a show tour long past, and a very special relationship that blossomed along the way. And along the way in the show, it all started to sound very, very familiar to me. By halfway I knew for certain I had, in fact, seen this show before. But where? It wasn’t until I bumped into Martin in the square later on that we realized I had seen it online during the early mockdowns of the pandemic. Never mind, a great show deserves a repeat viewing, and this one definitely qualifies.

With that mystery solved and the knee gently aching, it was time to throw in the towel of my Fringing day, brave one more bus (incident free, huzzah!) and make for the gentle embrace of home. As of this writing, I’m taking Sunday as the day of rest it was originally billed as. See y’all around the square next week, and check out the Winnipeg Fringe website for all those ticket and schedule details. Peace, love and soul,

The Visitor (aka Kevin)