April was a whirlwind month with many highlights. I feel lucky just looking back on it!
It started with my friend's first
art show. I was blown away, just as I am when all brave souls put themselves out there and share their creative talents. Three cheers for Claudette!
I also attended the Alberta Playwrights' Network
"Showdown" which included partial readings of about two dozen plays that won the Alberta Playwriting contest over the years. The event was inventive and fast paced, and it was awesome to be in the midst of so many playwrights. I don't know how that event can even be topped.
I was also invited to Theatre Network's
Spring Fling fundraiser. The company was great, the food was excellent, and some money was raised for a wonderful theatre company. They even had a
poet with a 1950s typewriter who, for a donation, would write you a poem (on the spot!) on a topic of your choice. I gave him the subject:
goat meat. He said that was a first, and then pounded out this gem:
The other other dark meat
made tough and greasy
from generations of cliff climbing
and a scorn for shampoo
what here is rare and nuanced
a feast for the eyes ears and aught
there is another, a place,
where it is simply leftovers for lunch meat
one' man's trash
is another man's livelihood
-- c.m. matty
We cast my new Fringe play
"Trail and Error" and rehearsals have started. We're having fun already and I can't wait to see Ellen Chorley be a better Linda than I am. David Cheoros is directing and I am grateful he keeps saying yes to me. Thanks to Mountain Equipment Co-op who let us goof around with a sixty pound backpack for awhile.
My play
"Never Let the Crew See You Cry" was selected for Suncor's Stage One Festival of New Canadian Work through
Lunchbox Theatre. It will receive a week of workshopping and dramaturgy in Calgary in June. This will put us in even better shape for our October/November tour. If you're in Alberta (or not too far) and are interested in a performance around Remembrance Day, let me know.
It's the time of year for many
AGMs and Board meetings, too, and I've been all over the place to attend them. I love (good!) AGMs and all the ways different associations mark the completion of a year. There is so much to be proud of in our sector.
You'll notice that May 31 is web designer day. Here's my shout out to the very talented and intuitive women who make my websites so "me." Kim Tanasichuk for LUE42.com and Erica Brown and Liz Garratt for NorthernSabbatical.com
Huzzah, ladies!
I attended the
spring tea at the seniors residence where my mom used to live. I visited with her friends, and they miss her too. It was time well spent and the bake sale was so good that I didn't mind not winning any of the raffles.
In the category of goofing off, I did a River Valley
Segway Tour. I'd forgotten how beautiful Edmonton's river valley is (and I'd never seen the Chinese Garden before). If you're looking for a team building activity, consider this. It's fun (but boy did my calves hurt after!).
I also had a holiday on
Vancouver Island and spent some time with good friends and family. The down time was much appreciated.
I was back to work within thirty minutes of landing in Edmonton and the pace continues for several weeks. My work will continue over the summer but perhaps some of the hard working volunteers on boards will get a bit of a break soon. Hey, a break for you means a break for me :)
But we all need to get through a couple of months first, so chin up and carry on. Have a wonderful May!
Soil that is dirty grows countless things,
Water that is too clear has no fish,
As a mature person you properly include and retain a measure of grime,
You can't just go along enjoying your own private purity and restraint.
--
Ts'ai Ken t"an