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.