Sprezzatura #2 - Yep, It's Still Summer
Well, first of all, welcome to everyone who joined after a generous referral from Chris Mead. We've formed a mutual admiration society and I have no intention of rescinding my membership.
I've been a busy bee so let's rummage around in the hive...
What am I into this week?
TV SHOW: Untold (Sports Documentary series on Netflix)
I do enjoy sports, and I do love documentaries. But what I love about Untold is that it digs into the stranger, lesser-known stories from the world of sport. The corrupt NBA referee, the 1983 America's Cup, the mafia-connected ice hockey team... These episodes eschew the stretched-too-thin documentary series and stick to one riveting story per episode, efficiently and elegantly told.
IG Account: False Knees
Montreal artist Joshua Barkman loves drawing birds. His webcomic, False Knees, combines a deep affinity for nature, a sharp eye for human behaviour, and some of the most gorgeous art out there. I own a print of his that hangs proudly on the wall and it brings me real joy every time I see it. Doesn't hurt that it's gosh darn hilarious, too.
SONG: Midnight Sun (live acoustic) - Nilüfer Yanya
Get your good headphones on. Yanya's voice glides down from the stars and wraps your heart in a silken case. The guitars slide like fingertips up your forearms, past your shoulders, seductively across your neck, and play delicately with your ears. This is music to be experienced.
Improv Blog Post
I wrote some thoughts about playing characters which can feel like a minefield if we always want to be respectful. It feels like we, as a society, are deep into a necessary period of self-reflection on what is and isn't ok. I imagine my answer is going to evolve over time but here's what I've got today.
Events
• I've got a new class about Writing For Satire, starting Wed Sep 20. I've been writing for The Beaverton (Canada's version of The Onion) for the last three years. If you'd like to learn how to do it, join me!
• If you're in or around Montreal, please do check out some or all of the amazing comedy shows that make up Ladyfest (Aug 27 - Sep 3). I'm not going to do better than their own description: "We are a community of bodacious sea creatures navigating the wild waters of comedy, busting through the ice and onto the stage to take you by storm, to make you cry laughter tears to show you just how ready we are to bring the funny."
• I'll be at the Big Pond Fest in Burlington, VT on Saturday Aug 26. I love the venue (hooray for the Vermont Comedy Club), the people, and the fest. I'm bringing my new "solo+guests" show, Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide. I'll let you know how it goes in a couple weeks. See you there?
An Interesting Wikipedia Page: International Fixed Calendar
L8r sk8rs,
Vinny