Fringe democracy

While we at the Fringe Festival understand and appreciate that Kristian Gravenor is the Mirror's resident malcontent, we were still somewhat surprised by his disparaging comments about the Fringe lottery ["The Kristian Perspective," March 1].

It should be pointed out that we only have room for a dozen or so companies from each category (Local English, Local French, Rest of Canada and International). We received 15-20 applications for each category, except the local English for which we received about 45. Had we continued applying our first-come, first-serve policy, we would have been put in the position to draw companies by lottery anyway--in the privacy of our office, and under the table. Instead, we decided to make the rules clear in advance (like, back in January when everyone else called us and not after our Feb. 23 deadline) and hold the draw in public.

Let's be clear: the Fringe Festival is still unjuried (whether by lottery or first-come, first-serve) and we don't accept companies based on the author, title of show, content, or any other consideration. This ensures a true artist-driven, democratic festival--and, like in any other democracy, if you don't participate, don't bitch.

--Jeremy Hechtman & Patrick Goddard, Fringe spokesmen

If Kristian Gravenor doesn't like the Fringe Festival lottery for local English shows, he'd like the alternative less. Up till this year, whoever got their entry in first, won their place in the Fringe. Methinks the lottery is more fair, because it is random, while the old setup weighed in favour of those who were set to go by the submission date.

The local English shows could probably fill the festival, so the quotas vary the mix. It wouldn't be a Fringe without the non-locals. But even then, there are more local English entries than the quota. Any unfairness comes from the Fringe's minimal effort at getting the word out. The only place I saw notice of the call for submissions was on the Fringe's Web site, www.montrealfringe.ca and that was a first this year. If you don't already know about the Fringe, and know that the call goes out early in the new year, you probably missed your chance at being in this year's Fringe. So the usual insiders have the advantage, though the lottery offsets that a bit.

The Fringe runs this year from June 14-24 and I imagine they'll be looking for volunteers any day now: 849-FEST. I just make the cookies, but I am bugged that Jeremy and Patrick can't see the point of keeping the world informed.

--Michael Black

No spicy noodle

Regarding Chris Barry's profile of Kitty Mo [People, March 1]. To begin with, the headline "Using her noodle" betrays a lack of respect for his subject's intelligence. Further, it begs the question: will he continue referring to Ms. Mo as fast food? The subhead: "With Kitty you get eggroll," gives us an unmistakable answer. The next remark we encounter is: "enthusiastically pushing eggrolls." Is this an attempt to parody Ms. Mo and her work by insinuating that she has been enlightened by the eggroll, converted to it, is now convinced of its moral goodness, and feels some missionary eggroll zeal? Or, is this to be interpreted as a sexual reference--as an expression of the fusion of fast food and Asian femininity in the author's subconscious? Following this, we come upon "this spicy noodle," in reference to Ms. Mo, which marks the fourth time the author has linked her to fast food--in only 100 words. The article's sexual tension is maintained by the use of "love nest" instead of house, condominium, duplex, or the term that correctly describes Ms. Mo's former place of residence.

Our intention here is not to parody Mr. Barry's article (the article parodies itself), but to criticize it for making a lewd, racist mockery of a woman of colour whose strength and perseverance have been tested, who has supported a family during hard times, and has, much to her credit, managed to remain optimistic. Does this merit belittling and downright lewd remarks, for instance: "Does she ever fantasize that the person on the other end of the line is... nude and playing with himself while placing his order?" Is this last another of Mr. Barry's fantasies, or is this the activity he was engaged in while conducting the interview?

--Carolyn & Kaie