Nasty family schemes go to hell in Coal Mine Theatre’s primal, raw & darkly funny Killer Joe — life with more cowbell
There’s a mini-Lettsapalooza going on in Toronto right now – and last night, I stopped by Coal Mine Theatre to see their production of Tracy Letts’ Killer Joe, directed by Peter Pasyk. Chris Smith (Matthew Gouveia) is in big trouble. In deep with drug debts, he owes a mean son of a bitch named Digger […]
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/
Life With More Cowbell interviews Lisa Anita Wegner, an amazingly stunning woman who credits art for saving her life after a brain injury! She shares her story during Wonder Fest Wednesday March 6th 7pm-8:30pm at The Fringe Creation Lab. Details here: http://wonderwomenworld.tumblr.com/WorkshopDetails
“Figure out what it is you love doing and never stop… Everyone can do this, and I encourage everyone to find what it is for them and go after it with gusto. Pierce the mundane to find the marvelous inside you. You are worth it!” Lisa Anita Wegner.
Do yourself a favour and check Lisa out! For serious, yo! love KAT xoxox
When Kat Leonard introduced me to multi-talented, muti-faceted, multi-media working artist Lisa Anita Wegner, what struck me the most was that Lisa credits art with saving her life. You can read her story here. And when I visited her blog site, I was blown away by the imagery in her pixel paintings.
I had a chance to interview Lisa over email – here’s what she had to say:
LWMC: Hi, Lisa. I was looking at your WordPress blog site and the Mighty Brave Productions site to get a sense of the work you do – and was amazed at the multi-faceted aspect of your work overall, and how it all boils down to authentic storytelling, and using story to make interior and exterior connections. You’ve worked as an actor, producer, writer, filmmaker and visual artist. What else? What came first for you and how did the media you work…
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Singing For Change!
I am thankful to have been part of this night of inspiring talent raising money for War Child. Most beautiful music made! Do yourself a favour and check out their music! Broken by Kristine St. Pierre broke me down and We Are The Same by Heather Hill had me sobbing multiple times during the evening. Incredible movement by music!
Do yourself a favour and check out Kristine’s Broken and more here. You won’t regret it!!!
Another amazing night of music and friends – all for a great cause – at the War Child benefit at the Drake Underground last night. So. Much. Fun. And so very moving as well.
MC Kat Leonard introduced an incredible line-up of music artists, all donating their time – as well as some of their CD and merch proceeds to War Child:
Heather Hill, who was joined by Four Winds Collective members Kat Leonard, Meghan Morrison & Arlene Paculan
Decided to do a photo essay post this time – so here goes…
KAT LEONARD (Kat & The MP3) 