So, last night I went to the much anticipated The Fugitives concert (featuring Kinnie Starr) at the Artery. I had won tickets earlier this week from Artery Noiselab on Facebook (I was quite honestly shocked that no one had beat me to it, afterall, I've been such a huge fan based on what little I had been able to find of their work online in the past months since Edmonton Poetry Festival). Next to no one I knew knew of The Fugitives, but I was so excited — espressing ridiculous fan-girl tendancies almost. Poetry set to music rocks, as does well-done spoken word, so how could I not like this??! Besides what with the fab acordion music, balalaika, banjo, harmonica, and steel guitar, in addition to the absolutely great acoustics of the Artery, the small but enthusiastic crowd and yes, The Fugitives.
Anyway, as much as my concert tickets (for two) were free, I spent quite a lot on 7 CDs from band members: essentially all of The Fugitives already released works, and one individual CD from each of the artists. Not a bad deal considering just how rarely I buy CDs, and the fact that I *know* I'll get a tonne of listening pleasure out of them. So yeah, best Concert Ever is a great way of describing my experience.
In other news, Friday and Saturday was the Kiwanis club of Edmonton Young Professionals 2nd Annual Buy Nothing Day Free Market. This year we moved to a new venue, and expanded it to a two day event. The second day was actually the most successful of the two, however I was very pleased to see the people who did attend: given our poor advertising (this is an area where we definitely need some improvement), we still got an entire class of newcomers to Edmonton, some formerly homeless Edmontonians, young families, many professionals, quite a few of my friends (and other friends of members), members of the Jane Austen Society, people who worked in the library, and many others from all walks of life! I really appreciated the cross-section that came out. I also rid my apartment of many items that I didn't need/want anymore which was pretty awesome (and I picked up two CDs, and five books to read — one book was one I had read before but wanted to own anyway, Rich Dad, Poor Dad).
On Friday evening, I went and saw Polytechnique at the Metro. While I ended up crying through much of the film (based on the Montreal Massacre) I think it was definitely one of the best films I have had a chance to view this year. Very traumatic, and I'm very glad at the choice to release the film in black and white, but it was well worth my watching it. I would recommend it to others with the caveat that it is quite disturbing/violent and elicits a very strong emotional response.
After the film was some commentary from a Drama prof from Campus St. Jean. She made some interesting comments, like the fact that of a class of 90 students this semester only 4 knew of the Montreal Massacre at all. This disturbs me: after all, it is said that if we do not know of our past, we are doomed to repeat it. Other disturbing comments came from the audience: one person remarked that he had never been in a theatre without cup holders before. Another believed that Columbine happened BEFORE the Montreal Massacre — even after watching the film, which clearly indicated the date as December, 1989 [the actual massacre happened on December 6, 1989, and the film is a fictional account, but was approved for release by the families of and the survivors of the massacre]. Honestly, people need to have an awareness of this country's history, and have a context for their opinions.
After that, Anick and I watched Late Spring (Banshun). It's a 1949 movie, and while it's highly rated and well-regarded, both Anick and I thought that it was very long, and repetitive. The acting included a lot of over-acting, and the subtitles were quite mediocre. Basically neither of us were at all impressed, and we could understand why there were only 3 of us in the audience. I do not recommend this film unless you're a film student or otherwise ready to sit through a film that could well be less long and drawn out. As much as some aspects reminded me of my grandmother, and I liked the scenery, and the cultural references, I did not find the film to be that great, so wonder at the high IMDB rating.