Letters: May 3, 2001

Commending coverage

Great coverage of the Summit--Craig Segal's work ["Mad masked city," April 26] is excellent. His photos with this story should have been on the front pages of national press.

I wish there was a Mirror in the National Capital District. Keep up the good work!

--Fred Ryan, editor, Bulletin d'Aylmer

Back at the Brewery

I read your piece on the Old Brewery Mission [Kristian Perspective, April 26] and it made me think about many things that I've lived through. It's no prize to live in a place like that and I think you did good in sending one of your journalists there to show what it looks like to live like that. Most of the people who stay and work there are pretty cool, but there are some mean ones too.

--T-Bone

Pro-Montreal

I am writing with regards to Scott C's recent Incubator column in the April 26 issue. It appears that Mr. C has taken a rather negative and condescending attitude toward our fair city. He talks about going anywhere but here, doubts the viability of the Montreal music scene, and pines for another city.

Montreal is finally waking from its slumber and the last thing we need is another negative person to whine about what our city lacks. Montreal is a wonderfully unique place. Mr. C, please look at it for what it is and not for what it isn't.

--Mickey Inzlicht

Lament of an "Artiste"

I would like to extend a hand of congratulations to the talented Paula de Vasconcelos for standing up for her principles ["Cranky Choreographer," Letters, April 26] and berating Amy Barratt for her child-like review of the Pigeons International L'Autre show [Prancing Pigeons, April 19].

As an artist, writer and storyteller myself, I have had to deal with extraordinarily simple and sometimes repulsive retaliation to some of my artwork. It is only natural that not everybody will like the work you create. This is a fact that an Artist must deal with everyday. But I agree that the complete lack of culture and creativeness of the criticism in the article was rather harsh and totally lacklustre.

Also, I must say, having worked as a journalist, that we should not blame the paper for this insulting text that graced simply one page. It will happen from time to time that the shit will come off on your hand and not the paper.

So don't blame the editor for Barratt's slip. As for Ms. Barratt--education is not all in the classroom. One writing course does not a journalist make. Learn your artistic environment. Study museums, read, explore. If you are not comfortable with that, then go back to skool. (Note the error--just wanted to make sure you were paying attention!)

--Frank Maurice Boivin

Funny city

Congratulations to Chris Barry for his piece on Jennifer Seguin ["Yuk queen," April 12]. As a long-time fan of her work, I can attest to the fact that she's a totally brilliant performer--on stage, in film and in literally dozens of animated projects. I do want to make one correction to the article, though. Jennifer wasn't the only Montrealer to be nominated for the Canadian Comedy Awards.

Other local nominees included the On The Spot Improv Troupe (of which Jennifer is a member); Robert Higden and François Jobin for Best Direction on "Radio-Active"; Heidi Foss for Best Female Stand-Up and as part of a group for Best Series Writing (they won); Martha Chavez for Best Female Stand-Up; and Ryan Wilner and David Pryde both for Best Newcomer.

It's probably in the nature of things that a Toronto awards show should be focused on Toronto talent, but some of Montreal's brightest lights did get noticed in Hogtown. They didn't win all the hardware they deserved, but hey, there's always next year.

--Arthur Holden

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