logo
Fringe notebook

Fringe notebook

After the first night of his one-man show Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjoes Saved My Life (Venue 17), Virginia-based writer/performer Keith Alessi told the sold-out crowd it was the Free Press's five-star review of his 2019 Winnipeg fringe debut, when he had only ever done around 20 shows, that changed the trajectory of his career.
Storyteller Alessia's Winnipeg biographical show only goes until Sunday this year, and then he's off to another run at the famed Edinburgh Festival Fringe in early August, where he sold out his run in both 2023 and 2024.
Alessi donates all his artist fees to cancer and arts charities; those donations have now surpassed $1 million.
Fringers heading to shows at venues 16 and 17 should be aware that there is only one entrance to Portage Place open after 6 p.m., with no signage on any of the other doors, building or street.
The doors between Edmonton and Kennedy streets are the only way to access the Prairie Theatre Exchange venues for evening shows, but there is no information posted letting people know what doors to use, resulting in a lot of frustrated patrons and volunteers trying to open locked doors and walking around the entire mall looking for a way in.
The shopping centre is undergoing renovations, so there is fencing around part of the building; parts of the mall and skywalk aren't accessible at all.
Eleanor O'Brien (Lux Z Tizer photo)
At the end of her one-woman show Plan V: The Rise of Reverence, Eleanor O'Brien told the audience she hopes to host an actual Plan V meeting in Winnipeg.
The Portland, Ore., writer/actor's show — at Venue 10 until July 27 — focuses on a gathering billed as 'a revolutionary act of resistance where intimate stories of joy and grief are shared in sacred defiance.'
The performer wants to get together with attendees to make 'pussy art' and offer a feminist forum. People can indicate their interest by messaging O'Brien via her website.
arts@freepress.mb.ca
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Riveting wartime read next for book club
Riveting wartime read next for book club

Winnipeg Free Press

timea day ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

Riveting wartime read next for book club

The Free Press Book Club and McNally Robinson Booksellers are pleased to welcome Vancouver-born, New York-based author Jack Wang to the next virtual meeting on Tuesday, August 26 at 7 p.m. to read from and discuss his historical-fiction novel The Riveter. Published by House of Anansi Press in February 2025, The Riveter explores the life of Josiah Chang, a Chinese-Canadian living in Vancouver in 1942. Because Chinese people were not allowed to join the army at that time (or become Canadian citizens, for that matter), Josiah is unable to enlist to serve in the Second World War, and instead becomes a riveter working on parts for cargo ships. Shortly after, he meets Poppy Miller and the two begin a whirlwind romance that is just as swiftly halted when Poppy's father expresses his disapproval. Holman Wang photo Jack Wang In order to prove his worth, Josiah figures out a way to get himself enlisted, and volunteers for the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, who jumped into Normandy on D-Day; he is one of few Chinese Canadians in the army at this time. Fighting battles on the field, as well as his own complex emotional battles — navigating a relationship with Poppy half a world away, dissecting feelings about his late father and examining his own place in Canada as a non-citizen putting his life on the line — Josiah presses on to find his way back home, wherever that means to him. In her Free Press review of The Riveter, Zilla Jones said the novel 'disrupts expectations of war novels, introducing us to a unique and unforgettable main character from a community whose contributions to Canada's war effort have too often been minimized or ignored' and called Wang's writing 'clear and confident; the story is compelling. 'It's also extremely relevant — a Canadian story by a Canadian author about a time when Canadians, if only temporarily, put aside their differences to fight a greater enemy. The Riveter is a riveting must-read for our times.' Wang will join Free Press literary editor Ben Sigurdson, McNally Robinson Booksellers co-owner Chris Hall and Free Press audience engagement manager Erin Lebar. He'll read from The Riveter, discuss the book and field questions from viewers and readers. Weekday Evenings Today's must-read stories and a roundup of the day's headlines, delivered every evening. Copies of The Riveter are available to purchase at McNally Robinson Booksellers; there's no cost to join the book club or virtual discussion. Video of the meeting will be available for replay on the Free Press YouTube channel following the event. To join the Free Press Book Club and for more information on current and future book picks, visit Book Club.

His time to shine
His time to shine

Winnipeg Free Press

time2 days ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

His time to shine

Jeff Hiller is having a moment. After a career spent playing various service industry figures in blink-and-you'll-miss-'em TV and movie roles, the New York-based character actor has received no end of plaudits over the past couple of years for his sensitive, unstereotypical work as Joel, the best friend to Bridget Everett's Sam, in Somebody Somewhere. And last month, Hollywood made that affection official, bestowing upon the lifelong portrayer of bit parts a much-deserved Emmy nomination for best supporting actor in a comedy, acknowledging his indelible contribution to the brilliant HBO show. HBO / Associated Press Jeff Hiller (left) received an Emmy nomination this year for his work as Joel, best friend of Sam (played by Bridget Everett, right) in the HBO series Somebody Somewhere. So the timing is perfect for Hiller's memoir, whose subtitle — My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success — feels more relevant now than ever. In fact, within its opening pages, the former Olive Garden waiter says: 'Don't get me wrong, I really want to win an award, but the truth is, I'm just happy to be an actor who gets to act and who doesn't have to grate mounds of Parmesan onto someone's pasta in hopes of a large tip.' Awards aside, Hiller is a charming enough presence on the page — self-effacing, gossipy, irreverent and open in turn — that it probably doesn't matter if you're familiar with his work. A lifelong reader of celebrity memoirs (mostly, as per the title, by actresses of a certain age), Hiller knows all the clichés fans of the genre have come to expect — Buried Importance (mentioning something innocuous that turns out to be momentous), Body Electric (focus on famous body parts) and You Have to Remember (giving the context of the time in which the story took place) — and does not necessarily avoid them. He takes readers from his tortured teen years, growing up bullied and gay in Texas, to his discovery of improv and the joy found in performing with the famed Chicago company Upright Citizens Brigade. (It might amuse Hiler to learn that, Emmy nod be damned, as of the writing of this review he's not listed among the luminary alumni of the group on Wikipedia.) Gregory Kramer photo Jeff Hiller Along the way he spends time in Namibia on a study-abroad semester — he wanted to go to Ireland for reasons involving the film Far and Away and Tom Cruise's butt crack, but ended up having a life-changing experience — joins a Christian commune and works as an outreach worker recruiting men to be part of an HIV study, hitting up bars and bathhouses to find participants. Of the latter he recalls, 'There was a hot tub that screamed Legionnaire's disease… There was a dark maze where anything could happen and while I could see the appeal in theory, I kept thinking, 'What if the anything is murder?'' Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. A particularly funny chapter finds Hiller answering the most Googled questions about himself, many of which focus on his appearance, which he describes as 'as if a theme-park caricature artist crafted one of his drawings in human flesh.' He tells a cutting anecdote about looking over the shoulder of a man who is clearly trying to place him, only to read the words 'Actor with weird-looking face' in his device's search bar. It's not all witty self-deprecation and (light) dirt-dishing. Hiller includes a touching chapter about coming out to his parents, for whom he has radiant affection, and delves into the way he's had to find room for his Christian faith (something he shares with his Somebody Somewhere character). Of that critically acclaimed show — which gave him the role of a lifetime, one that seemed to have been written for him, but wasn't — he quotes the Broadway musical Title of Show: 'I'd rather be nine people's favourite thing than a hundred people's ninth-favourite thing.' Actress of a Certain Age With this delightful book, Hiller deserves to be many more people's favourite thing. Jill Wilson is the Arts & Life editor of the Free Press. Jill WilsonArts & Life editor Jill Wilson is the editor of the Arts & Life section. A born and bred Winnipegger, she graduated from the University of Winnipeg and worked at Stylus magazine, the Winnipeg Sun and Uptown before joining the Free Press in 2003. Read more about Jill. Jill oversees the team that publishes news and analysis about art, entertainment and culture in Manitoba. It's part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Winnipeg's Folklorama cultural festival is chockablock with cultural activities for kids
Winnipeg's Folklorama cultural festival is chockablock with cultural activities for kids

Winnipeg Free Press

time2 days ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg's Folklorama cultural festival is chockablock with cultural activities for kids

When it comes to activities to occupy children, this year's Folklorama is packed with engaging experiences to keep young visitors entertained and inspired. Strap on virtual-reality goggles and step into the 500-year-old Madurai Meenakshi Hindu temple, nestled in the heart of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, South India, at the Tamil pavilion. Learn the art of lion dance, steeped in history dating back to China's Han Dynasty, from skilled performers weaving a story of good fortune and prosperity. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Mayor Scott Gillingham greets pavilion ambassadors at the official Folklorama kickoff Wednesday at the Leaf. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Mayor Scott Gillingham greets pavilion ambassadors at the official Folklorama kickoff Wednesday at the Leaf. Week 1: August 3 – 9 British Isles Chinese Egyptian Italian Métis Pabellon de Espana Spirit of Ukraine Week 2: August 10 – 16 Africa/Caribbean Greek Modern Chinese Pearl of the Orient Phillipine Romanian Ukraine Kyiv Get your hair braided or twisted, Cuban style, design your own Egyptian Shabti, try to write your name in different scripts or learn simple phrases in different languages. With a little bit of planning, you'll find there's more than enough to keep kids busy during the annual two-week cultural celebration. At the Ukraine Kyiv pavilion, children can create a swallow — a symbol of Ukraine and hope. Each swallow will feature wings decorated with a vyshyvanka-style ornament representing traditional Ukrainian embroidery. Once complete, the swallows will be hung from string to form a mobile called Nadiya (Hope) — reminding visitors that light and goodness always overcome darkness. 'This year's kids' activity area reflects a conscious and thoughtful approach to family engagement — combining creative exploration, cultural education and fun in a well-balanced and welcoming setting,' says pavilion co-ordinator Yury Kruk. 'It's an opportunity for young guests to connect with Ukrainian heritage in meaningful ways and for families to enjoy quality time together in a calmer, more intentional space.' JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Performers at the Brazilian pavilion demonstrate their musical and physical skills at Folklorama 2024. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Performers at the Brazilian pavilion demonstrate their musical and physical skills at Folklorama 2024. Now in its 54th year, the annual summer event — recognized as the world's largest and longest-running multicultural festival — runs from tomorrow to Aug. 16. This year there are 43 pavilions at venues across the city, including two new spots: Modern Chinese and Mabuhay Phillipine. 'The Mabuhay pavilion showcases Luzon, the largest of the three main islands in the Philippines, while the Modern Chinese pavilion will introduce visitors to the global Chinese community in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan,' says Folklorama's executive director Teresa Cotroneo. Visitors are advised to plan early and book ahead of time to not miss out — tickets for earlier performances sell fast so it's best to buy in advance. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Folklorama kicked off its 54th season at a launch party with all the pavilion ambassadors dressed in their cultural clothing at the Leaf on Wednesday. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Folklorama kicked off its 54th season at a launch party with all the pavilion ambassadors dressed in their cultural clothing at the Leaf on Wednesday. 'Get there early, get your food, enjoy the show and then take time to go through the display and the children's activities after the show so you can have an immersive experience,' advises Cotroneo. Admission is free for children 12 and under, but they still need their own ticket. For those who would rather not wait in line for their food, some pavilions are offering the option of booking dinner reservations. Proceeds from each pavilion are channelled back into the community so the next generation can learn and carry on the traditions and customs that make up their culture. Tickets to each pavilion are $7.50 plus fees at Book early to secure showtimes — popular pavilions sell out ahead of time. Plan your route — use the map on pages 28 and 29 of the Travel Guide to plan your night based on pavilions close to one another. Save on bulk ticket purchases — buy the multipack of 10 tickets and save $10 compared to buying individual tickets. Combo tickets — Want to check out the last show of the night and the late-night party? Opt for a combo ticket at the discounted price of $13.50. Pavilions with late-night parties are: Week 1: Caribbean Chile Lindo Mabuhay Philippine Week 2: Brazilian Cuban German Scotland Travel like a VIP – book a VIP Tour to skip the lines, enjoy a meal and take in a guided tour of the cultural display with your own private tour guide. AV KitchingReporter AV Kitching is an arts and life writer at the Free Press. She has been a journalist for more than two decades and has worked across three continents writing about people, travel, food, and fashion. Read more about AV. Every piece of reporting AV produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store