Fringe 2015

I have to say that Fringe is always one of my favourite times of year - it's kind of like Christmas for actors. You stay out late, see old friends and rush from venue to venue taking in as many shows as your schedule will allow - I love it! With nearly 150 shows happening right now, there truly is something for everyone and a week into the Fringe I am feeling oh-so-inspired.

I started off by seeing People Suck for its opening night last Wednesday which was a great way to kick off the festival! The premise is simple - sometimes people suck - and the cast delivered that message through some very funny songs and physical humour. There was a Gilbert & Sullivan-esque number about grammar that I found especially enjoyable and revelled in all the different ways that people can be terrible. My friend Megan (who I connected with YEARS ago through a message board back in the day) co-wrote and starred in the show and it made me so proud to see her shine! They've been getting great reviews and have had a few sold out shows, which is all kinds of awesome!!

I knew that I would spend most of Saturday engaging in Fringe activities, but I didn't anticipate pushing through 11 hours of musical adventures! I spent the early part of my day in the Annex Theatre, being inspired once again by mega talented friends in Adventures of a Redheaded Coffeeshop Girl with Rebecca Perry and Starry Notions with Ryan G. Hinds. Rebecca has been all over the Fringe circuit over the last couple of years and is about to embark on an incredible adventure to Edinburgh for their Fringe. She is so talented and works like crazy - it's just so great to see. Before Fringe I had seen glimpses of performances by Ryan G. Hinds, but never a full show -- gah, I was missing out! He is so charismatic, hilarious and rocks glitter lips like it's nobody's business. His show gave me feelings in my eyes and I was captivated by his performance (and especially loved his homage to Disney villain, Ursula)

I spent my afternoon enjoying time with friends, having snacks and got to see Rounding the Bend and I'm Right Here before the day was done. I loved hearing wonderful female harmonies performed by a very talented cast in Rounding the Bend and was reminded of the impact that social media has on our lives in I'm Right Here. Four shows felt like a pretty solid day and I had the chance to see lots of lovely friends in the Fringe tent that evening. 

On Sunday I saw Summerland and I loved every second. 

With a cast of 100 students, this show reminded me of why I decided to go to musical theatre college. I had tears in my eyes for most of the 90 minutes and probably could have easily watched 90 minutes more. So much raw talent. Awesome musical arrangements. Beautiful dancing. A magical story. So special. I was a bit of a wreck at the end of the show and have sung its praises to anyone who will listen since Sunday afternoon. Part of what I love about the Fringe is that for $10 you can be treated to an epic piece of theatre and entertainment that transports you to another world for a moment in your life. I would go see it again in a heartbeat just to feel all the feelings again. Sum-mer-land. 

I also had the pleasure of seeing Sword Play: A Play of Swords on Sunday night. It was the perfect way to end the weekend with a lot of laughing and memories of my very first Nintendo back in the 80's. 

My Fringe adventures will continue this week! Now that word of mouth is spreading and many reviews have come out, I've narrowed down my picks and booked advance tickets to a few shows. I can't wait to see Morro and Jasp Do Puberty (they're always fab), The Orchid and the Crow (Daniel Tobias is an outstanding performer and it will be great to see him in a very different kind of show) and The Dinner Table which is a site-specific show with only 12 audience members and some of the city's best storytellers + dinner. 

There is still time to get out and see some incredible theatre and party it up in the Fringe tent! Follow along with the #FringeTO hashtag and enjoy some of the amazing talent that is gracing stages all over Toronto this week!! 

Starving Artist #wafflewednesday

Every day is waffle day at Starving Artist, where the entirety of the menu is inspired by glorious and delicious waffles! They offer a wide variety of sweet and savory waffle creations and have a gluten free and vegan waffle readily available to be substituted.

I had perused the menu ahead of time which made it easier for me to choose from their huge selection of waffle-y goodness! I chose the BLT waffle sandwich subbing in the gluten free/vegan waffle, opting for avocado over bacon and adding an egg (which, after I saw the size of the sandwich, I realized the egg addition was unnecessary). Corbin got the Breakfast Benny and my friend Mel got the western waffle. The savory waffles come with a side of mixed greens and your choice of fruit, baked beans or potato salad.

Breakfast Benny

Everything was gigantic and amazing. I loved their gluten free / vegan waffle! It was crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and had a bit of sweetness from the banana that they use in the batter. Both Mel and Corbin were happy with their choices and enjoyed every bite. They also have an assortment of dessert waffles, mini waffles (for snacks and smaller appetites) and an option to 'make your own' with a variety of topping choices. Starving Artist also offers a wide selection of drinks from teas and coffee to smoothies and giant milkshakes and they're also licensed for those who would like a beer or mimosa with their waffle. Corbin decided on a strawberry milkshake (which made our server giggle).

Everything was super tasty, the service was pretty efficient and it was awesome that they had gluten free / vegan options that are readily available. Our server was knowledgeable about gluten free / vegan things, letting me know that there was gluten in the potato salad, which was appreciated. I can't wait to head back to try out some of the dessert waffle options and maybe check out their new second location.

Starving Artist has two Toronto locations: 582 Lansdowne Ave and 1078 St. Clair Ave.W for all your waffle needs on a Wednesday or not!