Plum Viewing
Welcome to the latest edition of Plum Viewing, my weekly roundup of arts and culture to view online. Happy viewing!
Well, dear readers, this was a happy week indeed. For those who didn’t have the opportunity to see and more importantly hear inaugural poet laureate Amanda Gorman who spoke at Wednesday’s U.S. presidential inauguration, let me just say this is a name we will hear for many years. At 22, she is the youngest person to hold this distinction but wow is she deserving of it. Her words, delivered powerfully and with such grace, were a reminder the impact words can have and of their power, for good and bad. In this case, she delivered an eloquent message of hope and optimism, which we all need right now. Here’s the clip of her reading her poem, The Hill We Climb. I can think of no better way to start this week’s Plum Viewing. Here we go.
Okay, I am excited about this. I missed Beirut when it was first aired back in April by MCC but thankfully, it’s back. Here’s the background: It’s 1987 and an unidentified virus is ravaging New York, which many are calling AIDS. Written by playwright Alan Bowne, it’s as pertinent now as it was then but for different reasons. The fabulous Marisa Tomei was in the original production and she returns to her role, this time paired with Oscar Isaac and Patrick Breen. It really doesn’t get much better than this. It is playing from Jan 28–31 with a running time of one hour. Tickets are pay-what you-can and can be reserved here.
Now let’s pivot (sorry, I really did have to do that!!) to Mark Morris Dance Group, the renowned Brooklyn-based company. Since closing their doors in March, they have launched Dance On! (online), a video vault series of curated archival collections that provide a rare chance to rediscover dances from their earlier years. This one is a treat and not at all what you would expect. Called “Championship Wrestling After Roland Barthes”, it was first performed in 1984 and is a very unique take on the world of professional wrestling set to Brahms. See, this is not where you thought I was going, is it? It’s available, free of charge, to stream until Jan 31. You can find it here.
Let’s stay with the plot twist theme and boy, it does not get better than this. Mr Fairs and I were lucky enough to see this live in Chicago at the Goodman Theatre and let me tell you, we were NOT at all prepared for what happened. The entire theatre jumped and gasped at the same time. It was so powerful and unexpected. I am talking about Gloria, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s brilliant play which opened at the Vineyard Theater in 2015. The original cast have reunited for a benefit reading which runs until January 24. Tickets start at $25 and be reserved here.
After Gloria, we’ll need to calm ourselves (trust me!) and how better to do this than a gorgeous performance by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Under the direction of Rafael Payare, the newly appointed musical director, we can enjoy Charles Richard-Hameline and Mozart’s Concerto №24, Between Delicacy and Depth. It’s the perfect tonic. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here. And, once purchased, you can enjoy this beautiful performance for one month. How divine.
I am very happy to see this play coming back to us again, this time in the form of an audio podcast. First performed as a partnership between Toronto’s Crow’s Theatre and Vancouver’s New World Theatre, under the direction of the uber talented Chris Abraham in 2013, Winners and Losers is meant for discussion and fierce debate, which is what happened when I first saw it. Back in the days when we could actually plan an evening out, I went with a group of four girlfriends to see this play. We went for dinner afterwards and there was much discussion. Half of us loved and the other half hated it. This is my favourite thing about the arts. At its best, it provokes, it divides but it always engages. How lucky are we to have artists!! This version, brought to us by CBC podcasts, will hopefully cause the same reaction. You can find it here. Or, if you prefer to see it, you can watch the full play on New World Theatre’s website here. Let the debates begin!
And, one final video to properly send you into the weekend. This is either completely amazing or utterly ridiculous — I haven’t decided — but either way, it will make you smile. It’s two minutes and 19 seconds from what I have just learned is a competitive dog dancing contest. Yes, you read this correctly. All I can say is enjoy!!
And, and ask: While we’re enjoying these wonderful performances, let’s remember that for the arts organizations producing this incredible content, this is their livelihood; not a hobby. If we can, now is our time to continue to support our incredible arts community!
And, if you’d like to receive Plum Viewing weekly, send me a note at maggiefairs@gmail.com and I will add you to my mailing list.