Go Fun Me

On Friday, I was at Canasian's Kickstart Festival where four works in progress were being presented. Two of them worked for me while two did not appeal. The first miss was an improvised piece between two dancers. As they string together a series of movements in response to each other, they also asked personal questions. As one of the dancer admitted near the end, he was "zoning out" tonight. So it might have been engaging for the participants as an exercise but dull for the audience. The second miss was an interrogation into the Asian woman experience especially as a fetishized image in the West. It was a maudlin and cliché performance art that included Bowie's China Girl.

Yume-Iro (Dream Colour) was more enjoyable. A fusion of taiko and martial arts movement, as well as well as rhythmic chants and modern dance, it presented an interesting exploration of Japanese themes in a contemporary setting. Know the Rules, Win The Game was also based on Japanese history, that of the Taikomochi (or court jester). A humorous look at the tension between artists and arts patron (who fund their work), it was both physical and droll.

Full Metal Alchemist

Thursday at Lee's Palace was my first real metal show even if Yama Tanka can be loud. The full crowd was definitely different than the usual indie scene: more black outfit, longer hair, and harder drinking. Opener Astronoid from Boston was what I expected this genre to sound like: furious guitars and double-pedaled drums. But instead of the growling vocals, these were high falsetto with slightly emo lyrics.

But I was blown away by head-liner Zeal & Ardor. Originally a one-man project to combine metal with African-American spirituals, Gospel, and Blues, as a live band they were outstanding. What made the set so compelling was that although it was within the genre, there was a variety of techniques, dynamics, styles of singing. Some were straight-up head-bangers, others for moshing, or showing off guitar riffs. There were numbers that were contemplative and atmospheric. Manuel Gagneux has put together a sound that was unique and exciting.

Priestesses Of Power

Monday night at the Danforth Music Hall, two assured musicians played forceful sets. Thao Nguyen (Thao And The Get Down Stay Down) was a monster on guitar (and banjo and steel guitar) during her solo set. Accompanying her manic riffs and chunky chords was a voice that raged all night on numbers like Meticulous Bird and Holy Roller.

In contrast, Neko Case gave us a pleasurable cloud of alt-country, folkish, and pop music, full of intricate layers of sounds. That is, until you pay attention to the biting lyrics of songs both old and new like Winnie, Hell-On, and Margaret vs. Pauline. As the evening wore on, she added more and more rock from her stint in other bands. Being an honorary Canadian, Case had several songs about Canada starting with out in the East: Calling Card and Oracles of the Maritimes. Appropriately enough then, during her encore in which Case told the adoring crowd Toronto had a special place in her heart, she played both Loretta (recorded live at The Matador) and This Tornado Loves You (which is set in this city).

Bite Me

Some gentrified shops aren't really targeted for me. So I walked by the combination coffee shop/clothing store near Dundas St. and Dovercourt for years without venturing in. Then it became a vegetarian take-out place called The Goods (which has since moved to Roncesvalles). Now it has turned into Steambox Dumplings.

On Saturday, I finally stepped inside for a quick sample. At 3 for $5, these grilled dumplings were more expensive (and smaller) than the ones in the various dumpling houses. The shrimp was average but the vegan Yam Chipotle was different and interesting. This place wouldn't be able to compete on price or the usual ingredients. But if you were vegetarian or wanted healthier ingredients, this is a good choice.

The frozen box ($15) or the main dish with six dumplings plus a side ($17) while still expensive may be a better deal.

Mountain Goddess

Venus Fest is a relatively new musical festival in Toronto whose aim is to highlight female performers. I have been to a few affiliated events but this week-end was the festival proper running for 3 nights. With other commitments, I was only able to attend the early part of Thursday night at The Mod Club.

It was odd to see this music/dance club transformed, at least partially, into something more DIY. There were streamers and other decorations strewned throughout the venue, shimmering projections played on the stage, and a large mural painting against one wall. Loom was the first act this evening. This project by Brooke Manning, poet and owner of eclectic shop The Likely General, hasn't played live in a while. Tonight, it was a set of quiet harmonies as Manning was accompanied by Carmen Elle (Diana), Leah Fay (July Talk), and Kyla Charter.

Over the years, I keep missing sets by the next singer. So I finally got to see Elle Barbara. I don't know if her sound has changed over time. But tonight it was combination Bowie, wild rhythm, R'n'B vocals, and chanting. This was music to dance to but with the early time slot and the laid-back crowd, there were only a few takers.

Pew Pew Pew

The Kensington Jazz Festival is a 3-year-old festival focusing on local musicians. Though most of the acts are typically smaller bands, I was down in the Market for a big-band show on Saturday. A larger stage was set up in the back-yard of the building housing El Gordo Empanada. The last time I was back here a giant art installation of a dragon made up of junk metal dominated the space.

This time it was a packed venue full of first-time jazz attendees. Why the cross-over appeal? A local indie video-game company recently scored a hit with Cuphead: a gun-and-run game drawn in 30s cartoon style and featuring an original score of big-band jazz number. So at least half the audience were gamers excited to hear the actual musicians. It was exciting for them too; outside of the recording studio, this was their first (and likely only) live show. I have heard a few snippets online but this was my first exposure. Overall, it was a good but exhausting set. The majority of the numbers were uptempo big-band swing. If I may use a racy analogy: it was all climax and very little foreplay. One highlight was Alana Bridgewater as Mr. King Dice.

Back To Life

I have seen Janelle Monique and Maya Killtron sing at various events. But I wasn't aware that they used to be in a 90s R'n'B cover band called Hi-Topp. So on Friday, I headed over to Remix Lounge on Dundas St. W for a reunion show.

I was disappointed that not too many people wore 90s outfit. My early Nadal look complete with neon-bright spandex top was not too daring but I had to visit a thrift shop to find clothes that bright and ugly. It was a fairly large band complete with horn section. Unfortunately, both the sound system and the dude at the board weren't great tonight. There also wasn't too many people on the dance floor for the first set except for 1 enthusiastic older man. I applaud his care-free attitude even if his moves were better in a mosh pit.

I didn't stay for the second set because although I enjoyed the first one, despite the subpar mix, it was for those who were into the scene back then. And I was expecting the sort of mainstream "best 40 songs from the 90s" that a square like me might recognize.