Zoofest has begun...

I'm once again working from Shaika Café in NDG as my internet connection at home has bailed on me again. I've made some deadlines for myself that I have to meet, so with some luck (and a short post) I'll be done by closing time.

Zoofest, the little festival in the big festival, began on Friday and I've got myself a two week gig shooting every show that falls under the festival's umbrella. There have only been four shows thus far as most start up on Tuesday the 14th, but each show has been a hit in my eyes.

Unlike the rest of the performances you will see at the Just For Laughs festival (which is the parent, if you will, to Zoofest's newborn baby) the shows at Zoofest are not limited to the realm of Comedy. Case in point: Hume Baugh's piece "The Girl In The Picture Tries To Hang Up The Phone". I'm not going to lie, this is a heavy piece. Don't go if you are looking for a good laugh. On the other hand, if you are looking for intensity and honesty so brutal, please go! Hume is a capable and heartbreaking story teller who tells the true story of the end of his mother's life.

Hume made my job difficult. His setup is simple: no dance numbers, no acrobatics. How am I supposed to capture him? I'm hoping the photos I posted do get the poignant crush of his voice across.

The three other pieces are all solid pieces and I highly encourage you to check out any of the performances playing at Théatre de L'Esquisse. As for navigating the Zoofest web site for information on time and location? Fuck it. Here's what you need to know:

All four shows at Théatre de L'Esquisse run until July 19th. Every night features the following schedule:

Anatomy Of A Love Affair/Snore (18h30-19h30)
The Girl In The Picture Tries To Hang Up The Phone (19h45-20h45)
Four Minutes If You Bleed (21h00-22h00)
Café Café (22h15-23h15)

Théatre de L'Esquisse - 1650 rue Marie-Anne E (Just West of Papineau)

All shows are 10$, I think. I encourage you to consider spending 40$ and seeing all 4 shows in one night. Really. I thought I would get bored. I didn't. I thought I would start daydreaming in a show. I didn't. I really enjoyed the experience, and encourage you to try it...

And the photos? I'm quite happy with them. Here's a little slide show.

Zoofest: Rushes - Images by Tristan Brand