Exciting cultural happenings

[sabotabby]

Feels like I never post publicly anymore. I've been busy, though.

Went to see Falstaff at the COC with chickenfeet2003. Really amazing production; Findley was just spectacular and everyone else managed to keep up, which is no mean feat given how huge his voice is. Carsen set the piece in 1950s England, which made for some brilliant sets and costumes. And social commentary. I'd never heard the opera before—it's odd as far as Verdi goes, musically and thematically quite dark for a comedy. chickenfeet2003 saw it twice and posted more knowledgable reviews here and here.

Apropos of nothing, we were up in the 5th ring, the domain of the younger, hipper crowd, and I saw a teenage girl who looked like me. Not how I looked when I was a teenager, but like a literal younger version of me, minus the glasses. I was tempted to deliver some cryptic warning to her but I couldn't think of one.

I haven't been to burlesque in ages, but when PeepshowTO announced that their last show ever (sob) was called "Garters of the Galaxy" and Marvel-themed, I pretty much had to, so the_axel and I saw that last night. It was at the Great Hall, upstairs from the Bristol (which currently ranks as my favourite drinking establishment in Toronto, as it has a TARDIS, a Dalek ATM, and the best curry I know of, including a curry that is so hot I'm afraid to try it).

So I'd never been to the Great Hall before! I'm sure it's expensive but I'm still shocked that I've never been and that it's not more widely used for awesome events. It's this Art Deco concert hall that's absolutely gorgeous. It needs better beer, though Rickards Dark is surprisingly not shit. There's a Game Of Thrones burlesque there soon, which I clearly need to attend. (Called, and I love this, "For the Night Is Dark and Full of Tassels.")

Anyway, it was awesome burlesque, and having spent a lot of time in Seattle, where there is some mindblowing burlesque every day it seems, I was still impressed by both the quality of the performances and the hilarity of the costumes. There was a contortionist turning himself inside out, Captain America doing naughty things to an American flag, Quill and Gamora (the former starting out in a leather coat and gas mask), a lulzy Wolverine, and, yes, Groot burlesque. Involving a flower pot and Jackson 5. I have now seen Groot burlesque; my life is complete.

My upcoming schedule looks no less exciting: Eluveitie with misslynx on Thursday, then Madame Butterfly and Alcina, then Nivek Ogre DJing on Halloween (!!!), and Skinny Puppy, VNV Nation, and Haujobb (same show) in November. October/November is the worst time for me at work, but also the best time for music and going out and having a life, so I guess I'll sleep in December.

Comments

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Groot burlesque. WOW.

[sabotabby]

It was not, admittedly, the best performance or the best costume. It's just that it was done at all.

Groot Burlesque, For the Night is Dark and Full of Tassels

[karinmollberg.livejournal.com]

I was trying to think of the last burlesque I saw and it makes me look as old as I am: Stockholm; inter-gender, not just gay, travestie and it wasn't even called that, but "strip-tease" while it was really comedy.
Btw, what is "Groot burlesque"? Do I need to know? If not, not.
Though, a flower pot and Jackson 5: count me in.
Think, I should go out more but glad to hear, you do! Falstaff sounds fabulous, I've never seen it but an art deco Great Hall seems just the right place to give someone cryptic warnings: not much that came after was worth the effort, except, off course, that Groot thing...

Re: Groot Burlesque, For the Night is Dark and Full of Tassels

[sabotabby]

Btw, what is "Groot burlesque"? Do I need to know? If not, not.

Have you seen "Guardians of the Galaxy" or read the comics? Groot is a sentient tree. It is awesome.

[karinmollberg.livejournal.com]

I freely admit having managed to hitherto totally miss out on this one, maybe I need to look sharper into that corner but, butt...it's an ENT gone Rambo; no?

[sabotabby]

In fairness the Ents are pretty badass, but yes, it is that.

The ending of the movie explains the flowerpot and Jackson 5 reference, but I'm just going to recommend that you see it.

[marlowe1.livejournal.com]

Oh wow. Falstaff is the last opera I saw as well. Might even be the same production. I just remember that there was a live horse on stage which really set the "well, now someone wants to show off how much money they are taking in" alarms. Apparently the Met Opera could save money on productions. They just choose not to.

But it's an awesome opera and I always love Verdi.

[sabotabby]

There was a horse in this one too, but it wasn't doing anything. Like, Falstaff's been thrown into the Thames and he wakes up and a horse is poking its head through a stable into the street. At first I thought it was a fake horse but it was real. I figured it was a Chekhov's gun and someone was going to ride it at some point but it just went away. It seemed like an odd creative choice.

[princealberic.livejournal.com]

This sounds fun! So many events! :D

[sabotabby]

I'm admittedly overdoing it, but what's the point of living in this city if I don't get to do ALL THE THINGS?