Canadian Heritage says no to....Heritage. Odd that.

So, after many years of receiving funding from the Canadian Heritage Foundation for one of this countries most important, creative, innovative, ground breaking and exciting festivals...The Rhubarb Festival... Buddies in Bad Times received the following letter yesterday regarding their application for a grant from a program called "Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage":

Huh.

And Buddies had further communication with the Canadian Heritage office today...this was the result:

"When we contacted the department to get some more information about why we suddenly did not fit the funding criteria, we were told in very generalized terms that we no longer meet the objectives of the Canadian Heritage program Building Communities through Arts and Heritage. The stated objective of this program is: “to engage citizens in their local communities through performing and visual arts, as well as through the expression, celebration, and preservation of local historical heritage.”..."

Well...I am sure it is lost on no one who knows the work of this wonderful theatre company that this occurs at a time when a show that is called "The Gay Heritage Project" is running to rave reviews....RAVE REVIEWS...in the mainspace at Buddies in Bad Times.
Here is the description of what the GAY HERITAGE PROJECT is:

"Three of our country’s most gifted creator/performers set out to answer one question: is there such a thing as gay heritage? In their search, they uncover a rich history not often shared and shine new light on contemporary gay culture. The result is a hilarious and moving homage to the people who came before us and the events that continue to shape our lives.

After centuries of queer history being hidden in the closet and the loss of almost an entire generation to HIV/AIDS, The Gay Heritage Project is an important step in the excavation, preservation, and promotion of a community’s cultural history.
Using their personal histories and individual cultural heritages as jumping off points, each of the three creators behind The Gay Heritage Project set out to discover their connections to queer people and events in the past. Working closely with historian J. Paul Halferty, they spent hours researching the ancient anecdotes, secret correspondences, and overlooked footnotes that currently comprise queer history. What they discovered was an array of heroes and stories that inspire, comfort, challenge, and empower.
Paul, Damien, and Andrew bring these people and stories to life on stage in rapid-fire succession using a highly physical, comedic, and fast-paced performance style. They offer us an eclectic mix of historical characters and reenactments that shed light on the forgotten champions and occurrences that created our community. In doing so, they educate us about our past and inspire us to further unearth an expansive but overlooked part of our history."

 

THE GAY HERITAGE PROJECT RECEIVES....

9/10 from The Grid

http://www.thegridto.com/culture/theatre/the-gay-heritage-project/

4 NNNN's from Now Magazine

http://www.nowtoronto.com/stag/story.cfm?content=195473

3 1/2 stars from The Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/if-only-all-learning-was-this-fun/article15584396/

3 1/2 stars from The Toronto Star

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2013/11/22/review_gay_heritage_project_is_celebratory_upbeat_and_deeply_moving.html

 

The Gay Heritage Project actually encompasses EXACTLY what the programs mandate is...exactly, people...in a way that would be hysterical if this denial of funds wasn't so god damned sad...and maddening...and pissedoffeding.

AND, before the emails begin, I know that this show isn't running during Rhubarb...but I bring this all up because...

Wait for it...and I am maybe you know it...but if you don't...THE GAY HERITAGE PROJECT was, at one time,  a part of what festival? 

THE RHUBARB FESTIVAL.

The very festival that the Canadian Heritage Office is denying funding.

This is like a Rubics Cube that is all one colour, people.  

(This last statement made sense to me at 1:30am...just so you know where I am at.) 

Holy jesus...sweet soul...bunnies and kittens...you have GOT to be friggen kidding...right?

Nope.

Really...really and truly.
AGAIN, I know that this show is NOT the Rhubarb Festival...but since it was created, in part, during this festival...it bears...bares...I can never figure that one out...and I am too lazy to google it...it bears/bares saying that...I read the twitter...voraciously....and the gay community... the LGBT community...THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE has been so moved...excited...everyone is literally buzzing about this show...have you seen the social media?....well, let me show you.

@glennsumi: @GayHeritageProj Wow. Book tickets... Recommend it to everyone. Absolutely everyone. Only on another week.

@bunkinspot 27 Nov

Three actor/playwrights doing what they do best, all in top form = The Gay Heritage Project @yyzbuddies.

‏@Erker 27 Nov

Saw @GayHeritageProj @yyzbuddies tonight -- best, smartest, most innovative show I've seen all year. Can't recommend it enough!

‏@girlonoffbeat 27 Nov

Gay Heritage Project @yyzbuddies is inspired, intelligent, moving and joyous! Congrats @AshlieCorcoran and the whole team. Go check it out!

‏@colindoyle 27 Nov

This is one of the finest shows in TO @GayHeritageProj Check it out at @yyzbuddies b4 it closes Dec 8. My friend @maykohaixep loved it too.

@StefneMercedes 27 Nov

#GayHeritageProject @yyzbuddies is probably the best play I've seen this year. Hysterically funny, deeply moving. #ThePowerOfTheatre

@darcywevans 26 Nov

So moved by @yyzbuddies #GayHeritageProject Thanks @ndrwkushnir Damien, Paul @AshlieCorcoran @Brendan_Healy for an inspired night of theatre

authordhallman 26 Nov

The Gay Heritage Project @yyzbuddies creative, provocative, intellectually challenging, hilarious. Terrific theatre!

@nestruck 25 Nov

Martin Morrow has high praise for The Gay Heritage Project @yyzbuddies: http://fw.to/Is4HGug

‏@joshuacross 24 Nov

Go see @GayHeritageProj at @yyzbuddies, we need more theatre like this! I promise you'll laugh lots and you might even learn a thing or two.

@songscigarettes 23 Nov

If we owned a school (AND WE MIGHT SOMEDAY), we'd put #thegayheritageproject from @yyzbuddies on the curriculum

Oh...and I could go on...there is SO much chatter and life surrounding this project...which is about finding the true heritage...of a community.  
That came out of the Rhubarb Festival.

I know.

You get it.

It is UNBELIEVABLE.

So, I ask you...if you find yourself ALSO is a state of gobsmackednes about this...are you interesting...intrigued...

Go here and read more about it...

http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/canadian-heritage/  

AND if you feel like contacting the minister regarding the denial of funding to Buddies, here's how you can reach her:

House of Commons
Room 532-N Centre Block House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6
Tel: 613 995-0579
Fax: 613 996-7571
Email: shelly@shellyglover.ca

I will be sending this to her...you can bet.  

AND then, go see a show, all the shows at Buddies in Bad Times...because this theatre not only deserves your support...this theatre is pretty fucking awesome.

 

 

 

 

     

 

Tyson (farting and snoring) gets a new schedule and I learn a thing or two (FULL DARK WEEK TWO)

This morning...and for many mornings in the last couple weeks...Tyson has made the grand decision... for ALL in this household...that he would like to embrace an entirely new schedule. 

Fancy.

This is how it goes.

At 7:00am on the nose he stands at the top of the stairs and whines a tiny bit or snorts to let me know that he would like to go outside.

I fall out of bed and oblige him...waiting at the back door to make sure he does not make a meal of...um...well...his backyard deposit.

Then he runs past me...all "I POOED!" proud and races back up the stairs and sits right beside my side of the bed. I tell him "NO, buddy...not yet...go to back bed..." an hour long debate ensues between he and myself...during which George sleeps and sleeps...or pretends to sleep and sleep. 

Tyson cries, I say "NO, buddy."

Tyson snorts and sniffs...I snort and also sniff...and by now, I am entirely awake. 

I am now pissed off...And Tyson looks as me and says with his mooning eyes, "Well, since your are up now..."

THIS is all he wants.

The problem with THIS is that he is big as a barn...and this is MY side of the bed.

George's legs are all stretched out...mine...not so much.

When sweet Cassie died it seemed like the best way to make him feel better, bringing him up here...well, huh...I am torn...I love having him up here...but I would like to sleep past 7:00am for eff's sake.

But it seems so little to ask.

He is now snoring, by the way...George is still stretched out...my legs? Asleep.

I am happy to stay in bed today...we love to have these days...and I feel very happy and relieved to have the first week of "Full Dark" under my belt.

WOO FUCKING WOO.

I would like to thank all involved for this two weeks...I know I have thanked them before on here...but you can never thank enough...the killer team of Chris Tsujiuchi, Jason Chesworth, Mike Doherty (who follow me like a pooch follows one of those laser dots...AND BLESS them for it!)...Heather (the awesome stage manager), Jenn (my wing chick), Tristan (the crew chief who found himself working out the audio... BRAVO, sir) and Amanda (rocking it on the lighting board!)...and AMAZING Bonnie Beecher who created the most wonderful moods and paths for a gal who usually only "gets lights up and lights down here" in Canada (BY CHOICE...lights terrify me! What if they aren't on where I need them...what if...what if...) and Denise Lisson and her team at Sheridan who made me the lovliest drop and stage (to the specs of Buddies in Bad Times!...it is just like being at home.)

What a CHALLENGING and wonderful journey it has been so far...one during which I have learned many many many things and hope to STILL learn many many many more things...if you have a sec to kill...here are a couple:

1. Have a plan. When you start a rehearsal for a one person/ sung through show with strep throat...have a plan...do your very best NOT to freak the eff out...go see your ENT and come up with a plan. It was a very challenging first week of rehearsal, but with the help of the wonderful Dr. Hands,  the understanding of the tech team and the band, and, most importantly, the understanding and permission of myself (along with the aid of Manuka Honey, a personal throat steamer AND MANY trills ALL THE LIVE LONG DAY) ...somehow I pulled that shit off. AND this makes me very happy. AND, if one were to look on the sunny side of things...it taught me how to pace myself in a 75 minute solo show. (Which is still a mothereffing challenge this first week of runs and shows!!)

2. Do you very best to BE Brave in the face of 75 solo minutes... with TECH. Lord lift us. It is like standing at the bottom of a mountain...one that is moving...and shifting...and sometimes, disappearing in the clouds. I have done this kind of time onstage alone before...but not like this. So many NEW elements...lights, sound, band, all depending on your cues...and I made it more challenging for myself by writing 5 songologues when I have usually done 2 AT THE MOST... with ins and outs... cues and repetition... LORD LIFT US!! 

By the time I just get to a simple song the relief is so great...I breathe...

In rehearsal...as I began to truly learn the show... I would worry that I had jumped...or missed something...or did I say that already... or eff! did I fuck up that cue...with the band...for the lights...oops...I stepped out of the lights...

It abated a bit as I got in front of a house...but it is still a nagging BOO in the back of my mind...AND ALL OF THE ABOVE  is ironic because...

3. In A Show About Fear...You May Be Afraid. I mean, I knew that I would be afraid sometimes in a show that I wrote about conquering my fears...but until it truly grips you...when you are at the start of the show...and you have skipped something...and have to go back because it is important...and then you are in your head for the whole rest of the show....whew...EVERYONE out of the pool, people...STAND BACK!

But...you do it anyhow...and I would find myself rallying during speeches...reminding myself to breathe...to be in the moment...to let go...to not be afraid to let go and surrender.

Trust your shit and yourself...my god.

It is a truly powerful experience...not always comfortable... but powerful and changing all the same.  

And after one such show a woman approached me and told me that I had helped her...and when I began to thank her she held my hands and my eyes...and said, "Really and truly helped me today."

Well...

What is better than that?

4. And Some Days it All Falls Into Place....DON'T QUESTION IT!! JUST RIDE THE WAVE. Some days it just all makes sense...and everything is right...and you feel the comfort...and you breathe...and you go slower...and you allow a pause...and you feel the discomfort...but you welcome it...and you breathe it...and you go slower...and you allow a pause. It is brilliant...and just...well...what can you compare it to?...Okay, it is what I imagine swimming into the gulf stream was like in 'Finding Nemo'. Yup, that is the best I can do today...and it is TRULY what I imagine it might be like..warm, flowing and right...so suck it, judgers.

5. And Some Days Audiences Will Ask You About Your Other Shows...that are funny. 

Nice Lady With The Best Intentions, I am Sure: So, when are you going to bring "Jesus Thinks I'M Funny" Here? 

ME, Sweating And Handing Her Opening Night Cake:

Oh, did you read about that show in the program? I did that show in Edinburgh...I have already done it...and bringing this show here was a work-in-progress kind of thing...so, probably I won't .... but thanks for asking and you can follow my website...I do a lot of different kinds of shows!

Nice Lady With The Best Intentions, I am Sure:

It is just that that one sounds so funny and fun... 

Me, Still Holding The Cake, Having Just left STAGE 5 minutes ago:

It was! But it sure is nice to get a chance to stretch my wings...and I am so grateful you came. Here is your cake...

Nice Lady With The Best Intentions, I am Sure:

(smiles and takes cake.)

Girl, not everyone will dig something different. AND I appreciate them coming and sitting through. AND sometimes, as a reward, they get cake. *

*Disclaimer: If you happen to not dig the show you probably won't get cake.

6. And Sometimes Students Ask You in Very Serious and Smart Tones How You Do Your Work: And then there is a wonderful conversation...an inspiring and hopeful conversation.

THIS is the one of the very best parts.

 

WHAT. A. TIME.

And I am still in bed...and Tyson is encroaching...and snoring... and farting.

Life is grand.

Today on the FB Tanisha Taitt put this poem up...and it was just perfect...just perfect. And I have followed it with her own composition based on this poem. Thanks to you, Tanisha, for posting. I hope you don't mind that I hoped on the band wagon....and Julia McLellan took this pic of my stage at one of the dress runs of Full Dark...thanks to Julia and Tanisha...I combined the two.

 

 
Someone I didn't know once gave me a similar box.
It took me years as well.
But I unwrapped it, and opened it.
There was no return policy.
Sometimes you have to keep it, the gift you do not want.
You must find a shelf or a mantle... but not a drawer.
Drawers suggest that what is stored should be hidden.
Tucked away, out of sight.
That from the ugly there can spring no light.
That it will never have a place amongst the beautiful.

It can. It can. It can.

- Tanisha Taitt