PEOPLE PROFILE: Cate McKim!
Meet Cate McKim: Writer, blogger, singer, hugger!
Ah, Cate… the wind beneath wings, the comedienne who sings, the positive encouragement this arts blogger brings! Cate is a tireless supporter of the Toronto arts scene and a generous and detailed recounter. Getting Life With More Cowbell blogger Cate McKim out to see your play, standup set, CD release, reading, book launch or art viewing is a real fricking treat! You can feel the support in the twinkle of her eye and the echo of her laughter and applause. Having Cate in the room makes everything better! It’s true. I have felt it. Cate is an incredibly positive force and everyone should be so lucky to know her and be loved by her. Typically on the other end of the interview, Cate graciously agreed to have the tables turned for this round. I’m hoping to get her dancing on the table next time. 🙂
Photography by Rod Pizarro
A writer/copy editor who works at a social/market research firm by day and blogs about local, indie arts/culture artists/events by night. Writing and arts/culture are passions, for sure. I also love singing, which I also do after hours.
What are the greatest challenges and greatest rewards of your career?
Time and energy are the greatest challenges – going from a f/t office job to cover a show can make for a very long day, and then I’m often posting blogs during my breaks at work. On the upside, my office job gives me the security of a salary, benefits and vacation time – allowing me to be my own boss and make my own schedule for seeing and posting about shows, and booking performance gigs (which are mostly non-paying).
What is your advice to others embarking on similar career?
Make sure you book some time for yourself. And by this, I mean serious downtime, time with friends, time for solitude – whatever you need to refill and rejuvenate. And read. Lots.
5 years ago, did you expect to be where you are today? Why, why not?
How are the bionic knees working out?
I was almost born at a drive-in. Also, my two front teeth are fake.
People’s foibles (including my own), sharp-witted observation.
Mistreatment and cruelty – especially the awful way you see people treat other people and living things sometimes.
I use part of this quote in my email sig line:
Years ago my mother used to say to me, she’d say, “In this world, Elwood, you must be” – she always called me Elwood – “In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.” Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me. – the main character Elwood P. Dowd, from the play Harvey by Mary Chase; the movie version starred James StewartIs there anything else you’re involved in that you’d like to plug or point our attention to?
Please come visit my blog: https://lifewithmorecowbell.wordpress.com/
Photo shoot with Lisa MacIntosh
BABE ALERT! It’s not often that Cate of Life With More Cowbell is the subject of her own blog as she generously and beautifully uses her prose to promote others. As anyone who’s spent time with Cate knows, she is a force to be reckoned with and a charm of a character. She has so many talents, so much wisdom, the one of the kindest and truest hearts I have ever known, and she is also quite the looker, as these photos taken by Lisa MacIntosh illuminate. I for one am tickled inspired by these shots and so I share them with you. 🙂
Don’t forget to visit Cate’s blog Life With More Cowbell for news and insight on the Toronto arts scene and subscribe so you never miss a jingle of the Cowbell! 🙂
Had so much fun on Saturday, spending the early afternoon with photographer Lisa MacIntosh and makeup artist Rebecca Kupferstein up in the Studio at Alumnae Theatre for my white tie and tails vintage photo shoot.
Inspired by Lisa’s shoot with actress Kate Drummond, who sported a fab vintage look, as well as my experience playing Cecil Graham in Alumnae’s production of Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan several years ago, I decided to go with a period look as a male impersonator, in white tie and tails. For the makeup, we were inspired by Julie Andrews as Victor in Victor/Victoria.
Here are some select pics from the shoot. Thanks so much to Lisa and Rebecca for their beautiful work!
KAT LEONARD (Kat & The MP3) 