Comedy Waste Presents … Say Wha?!

by Say Wha • Tags: , , , ,

Comedy Waste is part of Music Waste

Comedy Waste…is a series of comedy revues featuring Vancouver’s best alternative comics, improvisers, and sketch groups.

June 7, 2012 at the Cottage Bistro- 4470 Main Street

Say Wha?! Readings of Deliciously Rotten Writing

2 Year Anniversary Show/ Party

Vancouver’s only Literary/ Comedy show

Have you ever read a poorly written novel and thought to yourself, who publishes this crap? Or come across a hilariously out of date self-help book in a thrift store? Perhaps you read ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ and were more hilariously appalled by Anastaisa Steele graduating university without owning a computer than any of the adventures from the Red Room of Pain. Well, that’s what Say Wha?! is all about.

At Say Wha?! comedic performers put their spin on some of the most cringe-worthy, embarrassing and painfully earnest writing in print.

Readings by:
Rachel Burns
Sara Bynoe (host)
Leigh Eldridge
Devon Lougheed
Stu Popp
Steve Rondeau

Come and celebrate our two year anniversary show! There might be cake!

$5-10 (sliding scale, cash only, at the door)

Facebook Event

Bob Dylan – Blonde on Blonde

by The Rewind Button • Tags: ,

The Rewind Button is a group blogging project instigated by Rachel Tynan. As part of her New Year’s Resolutions for 2012, she set out to listen to Rolling Stone’s top 50 albums of all time. Rebecca Stevenson thought it would be fun if a group of bloggers listened to the same albums at the same time, then posted their reactions. The Rewind Button is the group of bloggers who are going through the Top 40 and posting about a new album every Thursday. This is album is 9/40. 

Listening to this album was a challenge. Vancouver is finally sunny. I’m busy with a day-job, and I’m behind on my podcasts. Also I climbed a mountain this Saturday and have spent Sunday and Monday moaning in agony. The last thing I wanted to do was listen to this album. 

It’s his voice. I can’t stand it for longer than five minutes. 

I tried listening to this album twice before I put it on tonight while soaking in Epsom salts. Then I had to turn it off. Then I turned it on to write this review while the steam rises off my pink lavender-scented newly salted body.

I just can’t do it. I turned it off again during Leopard-Skin Pill Box Hat, which is an adornment I want to wear not hear. Apparently it’s a satire on materialism, which just proves why Dylan isn’t the man for me. 

One of the main issues I have is that I cannot get all the Bob Dylan parodies out of my head. 

Like this one by Jimmy Fallon.

Of course, the entire movie Walk Hard.

Since Bob Dylan was before my time, these parodies are how I’ve come to know his music, unfortunately it’s ruined the experience for me. Them and his voice.  He slides up, over and around notes. His rhythm is a drone.

I like his character, his politics and his message just not his songs sung his way. Other songs his way, however, are highly amusing. Like this cover of “Friday.” 

You can read other Rewind Button Reviews Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here and it turns out I’m not the last of the group to review it. More to come. 

Teen Angst Night meets Improv Show

by Shows, Teen Angst • Tags: , ,

East Van Comedy Presents a special Teen Angst Night!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Doors: 7:30pm Show: 8:00-10:00 pm

Havana Theatre – 1212 Commercial Drive

What is it?

Teen Angst Night readings plus improv inspired by the Teen Angst readings.

Improv with Instant Theatre performers:

Alistair Cook
Cameron Macleod
Ben Gorodetsky
Nima Gholamipour
Tim Carlson
Devin Mackenzie
Nicole Passmore
Tom Hill

Teen Angst readings by Reese McBeth and Riel Hahn.

Hosted by Sara Bynoe

Tickets at the door (cash only)
$8 or $6 with a receipt from Havana Restaurant

What is a Teen Angst Night?

Teen Angst Night is an open mic comedic reading series where everyday people read from their embarrassing old journals, poems, songs, essays (and more), in front of an audience.

Part stand-up comedy, part poetry reading, and part storytelling night. 

What is Improv?

It’s made-up theatre. It’s improvised and unscripted. It’s funny. You should come!

The Rewind Button – The Clash

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by The Rewind Button • Tags:

The Rewind Button is a group blogging project instigated by Rachel Tynan. As part of her New Year’s Resolutions for 2012, she set out to listen to Rolling Stone’s top 50 albums of all time. Rebecca Stevenson thought it would be fun if a group of bloggers listened to the same albums at the same time, then posted their reactions. The Rewind Button is the group of bloggers who are going through the Top 40 and posting about a new album every Thursday. This is album is 8/40. 

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! 

I liked this album. A lot. I’d listen to it again. And again. AND AGAIN!

Here’s why.

Growing up in suburban Calgary in the early 1990′s I spent a lot of time in garages listening to friend’s and boyfriend’s create songs on their guitars. On weekends I would go to community centres for All Ages gigs to see bands, any band. I didn’t care. I just wanted to be around musicians, punk rockers, hardcore kids, emo kids and kids with zines. Why? Because I lived in suburban Calgary where everyone looked the same, talked the same and obeyed their conservative parents. 

I liked being an outsider and listening to strange music was one of the easiest ways to do this. 

But here’s the thing, I was never much of a punk. Okay, I had a zine (like a blog but on paper that you sold for $1). But aside from putting my voice out there and dressing weird I never fully committed to punk rock. I listened to music created by people who listened to real punk rock. 

Rewinding London Calling this week was my punk rock awakening. Sure, I’d heard songs before, but I never sat down to listen to them. What blew me away was the textures of ska (Rudie Can’t Fail), reggae (The Guns of Brixton), surf-rock (Brand New Cadillac), and even pop (most of the songs) that are weaved throughout this album. It’s so much more than punk rock. 

Yes, it’s political, it’s personal, and you can dance to it. At least I did.

When the album was over, I was sad. And it’s a double album! 19 whole tracks. Ok, punk length tracks; the shortest being 1:48, longest 5:33. But still, this album left me wanting more. It made me want to rewind my youth and put this album in my 13 year old grunge rock hands and say “This! Listen to this before you buy that Green Day album.”

Album Highlights: London Calling, Rudie Can’t Fail, Train In Vain.

Other Rewind Button Reviews: (Updated throughout the day)

Renee Sylvestre-Williams

 Music Quest

Betty Livin’

Say Wha?! May Show

by Say Wha, Shows •

Next show in Vancouver: May 16

Say Wha?! Readings of Deliciously Rotten Writing.


Comedic performers put their spin on some of the most cringe-worthy, embarrassing and painfully earnest writing in print.Readings by: Sara Bynoe (host), Chip Ellis, Diana Frances, Ken Hegan and Sarah Szloboda.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Cottage Bistro: 4470 Main Street
Show: 8-10pm
Tickets at the door: $10 (cash only)

What My Skin Hates

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by Random, Silly • Tags: , , , , ,

I uploaded this photo to Facebook with the comment: "Hey guys! I just got an awesome tattoo. And by awesome, I mean sucky. And by tattoo, I mean allergy testing." I tricked a lot of people.

If you’ve been following my blog for a while you might remember the week I went without make up. I was having an allergic reaction where my eyes would puff up for a few days then chap as they healed, making me look like a zombie or some sort of reptile-lady.

This September I had a HUGE reaction when I came back from the UK. My eyes swelled up for several days. I went to a walk-in clinic , then an allergist, then I was then referred to a dermatologist who would, for $250, do a cosmetic patch test to find out exactly what I was allergic to. I bit the bullet and paid out of pocket as this isn’t covered by Canadian health care.

After two days of having this large patch work of common North American cosmetic ingredients on my back and waiting a week for the results I finally knew what I was allergic to.

I am allergic to: Benzyl Salicyate, Dodecyl Gallate, Phenyl Salicylate and Compositae Mix.

The first three are chemicals mostly used to preserve the life of products the last one is the kicker. It’s a plant family that includes: sunflower, camomile, arnica, chrysanthemums, artichoke, echinacea, marigold and many others.

It turns out that camomile is in nearly every eye cream and sunflower is in nearly every shampoo. Sigh.

My hunt is on for skin care, make-up and hair products that don’t contain any of the ingredients I’m allergic to. Many people have suggested I use “organic” products, which is all fine and dandy except that those products main ingredients are the things I’m the most allergic to.

Thus far I’ve found: Smashbox cosmetics and this shampoo called Free and Clear (online only). 

It’s a relief to finally know what I’m allergic to, but I know this is just the beginning of a difficult journey, aka first world problem. I’ll keep you posted.

If any of you have any tips or know any good products I should use let me know in the comments below. 

The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main Street

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by The Rewind Button •

The Rewind Button is a group blogging project instigated by Rachel Tynan. As part of her New Year’s Resolutions for 2012, she set out to listen to Rolling Stone’s top 50 albums of all time. Rebecca Stevenson thought it would be fun if a group of bloggers listened to the same albums at the same time, then posted their reactions. The Rewind Button is the group of bloggers who are going through the Top 40 and posting about a new album every Thursday. This is our seventh week. This is album is 7/40. 

What you need to know:

* This is generally regarded as The Rolling Stones’ best album.
* It was written and recorded between 1968 and 1972.
* It was recorded in Southern France as The Rolling Stones fled England to avoid paying their taxes.
* Keith Richards was at the height of his heroine addiction at this time.

As this is a double album with 18 songs on it, at first I was overwhelmed -that’s a lot of Mick Jagger for a girl to take in one sitting. After my first listen through I have to admit, there weren’t many songs that stood out for me. Overall it had a consistent tone with no songs jarring, interrupting the flow, which I guess is what you want in an album. The bad thing about it is that nothing really stood out to me as special or unique from the rest (to my untrained ear).

Things I liked: the bluesy and country feel of this album. It wasn’t what I was expecting. Not that I’d ever listened to an entire Stones album before this date. I had expected something more Rock n’ Roll, something to Start Me Up. This was a pleasant surprise – so much harmonica!

What makes it great: Honestly, I’m not sure. A lot of reviewers outside of the Rewind Button (like real Music reviewers from music magazines) talk a lot about the ‘feel’ of this album, apparently it had a good feel. 

Songs that I’d listen to again: Shine a Light On You, Happy.

Song that made me feel like I was having a bad dream: I just want to see his face.

Song I danced to: N/A this album was too pogo/polka bouncy for me to really dance to like the way I enjoy dancing.

Overall impression: This album didn’t speak to me. It wasn’t painful to listen to, but I probably won’t listen to it again. I had me longing for Sgt Petter’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.  I’m starting to fear I’ve lost the ability to love music I can’t dance to or that I don’t have a personal memory with. Does this mean I’m getting old? I think it does.

For more information about the making of this album read this great article from the Guardian.  I think I like the story of this album more than I enjoyed the music.

Read the other Rewind Button Reviews of this album here:

Reb Stevenson

Zachary Stevenson

Music Quest

1Throne

Betty Livin’

Pimplomat

BeARiverWithMe

Love As A Verb

Say Wha?! in New Westminster

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by Announcement, Say Wha, Shows •

I’m super excited to be doing a show in New West’s wonderful River Market. I’ve brought along three of Say Wha?!’s all-star readers who will be sharing two books each for this very fun and packed show. I hope you can join us. If you live outside of Vancouver I’m so glad to finally be coming to you. If you’re in Vancouver, it’s actually really easy to get to. Just hop on the Skytrain and get off on the main New Westminster stop and walk 4 minutes towards the river.

May 2, 2012
River Market
8pm
$15

River Market
810 Quayside Drive
New Westminster, BC V3M 6B9

Note: This is a ticketed event. Purchase your tickets online.

What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye

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by The Rewind Button •

The Rewind Button is a group blogging project instigated by Rachel Tynan. As part of her New Year’s Resolutions for 2012, she set out to listen to Rolling Stone’s top 50 albums of all time. Rebecca Stevenson thought it would be fun if a group of bloggers listened to the same albums at the same time, then posted their reactions. The Rewind Button is the group of bloggers who are going through the Top 40 and posting about a new album every Thursday.

Marvin Gaye’s album What’s Going On is the album in sixth place on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of all time. This is the sixth week of a 40 week blogging project. This post is delayed because… well, it’s been a difficult week for me personally and no one is paying me for this. I’m sure you’re not too fussed. 

This album made me feel: like sleeping, napping, making out and drinking mulled wine beside a fire on a cold winter night. Yes, that is a little weird because this is supposed to be a politically charged album. 

Things I liked: Marvin Gaye’s voice.

Things I didn’t like: falling asleep to Wholy Holy. 

Things I’m not sure about: Save The Children. I’m so much more cynical than I ever thought I was. Why am I such a jerk? I want to save the children, but why do I cringe when hear this song?

Highlight: Mercy, Mercy Me. I think I’ll use this as a cool down song for Dance Dance Party Party some time soon. It makes me feel like grovin’. Yup, I’m ignoring it’s whole environmental slant and turning it into a grovin’ song. 

Overall impression: if you’re looking for a soft, mellow, political album you can groove to, then this is it!

Other Rewind Button Bloggers who reviewed this album are:

Betty Livin’

Musicqwest

Pimplomat

Reb Stevenson

Renee Slyvestre-Williams

1Throne

 Zachary Stevenson

Love As A Verb

 

April Say Wha?! TONIGHT!

by Say Wha •

Photo by Sean Cranbury

Reminder Say Wha?! Readings of Deliciously Rotten Writing happens tonight! 

Wednesday, April 18

Cottage Bistro – 4470 Main Street

Show 8-10pm 

Tickets suggested $10 (sliding scale starting at $5)

Say Wha?! is a comedy night where engaging and charismatic performers put their comedic spin on some of the most cringe-worthy, embarrassing and painfully earnest writing in print.

Say Wha?! has been running monthly for nearly two years and has been a part of the Vancouver Comedy Festival, Olio Festival, Vancouver International Poetry Festival, Vancouver Fringe Fest stage and it went to Victoria (co-produced with Not Your Grandma’s Poetry). 

This month with readings by:
Me (also hosting)
Eric Fell
Caitlin Howden
Teddy Kellogg
Taz Van Rassel

Yes, there is a hockey game on tonight. But hockey’s never been good to you, has it? I have. Come to my show. I’m sure hockey will be on in the background so you can find out what happened. 

Say Wha?! happens on the third Wednesday of every month at the Cottage Bistro – Main and 28 ave.