I've gotten better at choosing. From sussing out what's probably good on the menu, to the company I keep, lately I can't help but notice that I'm choosing wisely. This isn't to say that I'm making the right choice, as that's often arbitrarily defined by whom you ask, or societal expectations. Media tells you to marry the basic bitch guy and always order either a salad or the lobster, but we're not living for others out here.

The linchpin was Fringe. As I often say, I'm the Editor at Large around here, and that makes me the Anna Wintour of this joint, so I do get some privilege as to what I review. After two years of reading descriptions and getting myself into some shows I might've happily avoided, I noticed that my choices were better this year. Again, not better for you, not necessarily best of show, or whatever, but things I enjoy. As we selected our shows for this third year, I felt like I was reading between the lines. Not only were the descriptions right there, but the coded meanings behind them were obvious: this one says it's a study on grief and power in the dystopian near future. YAWN. It'll really be some art kids retracing steps taken by long dead artists and authors that these folks never bothered to look into because they were busy being revolutionary geniuses. I made that one up, by the way, but honestly, it fit perfectly. Understanding what they weren't saying allowed me to pick some real gems instead of being misled.

Does the analogy go further? Of course it does. That realization allowed me to give credence to the other good choices I've been making, things I shrugged off and thought might be flukes. Take my apartment, for instance. When signing the lease last year, I knew that it was far out from a lot of my favorite haunts and humans. I'm deep in the Deeg, so far out in fact, that if you ain't from here, you might not even have a viable reference point for where the hell I live. I was also aware that the management company for the street was right there, too close for my comfort. But I've had some landlords that were far too absent and gave zero shits, so this seemed more enticing. Have I gotten a warning about the smell of weed (delivered by a preppy girl younger than my daughter who called it cannabis)? Yes. Did some hefty plumbing issues get fixed quickly and easily? Yes to that too. They tore up my kitchen floor, drilled into concrete, and replaced a pipe. It was a process that took days, and they always thanked me for my patience and cleaned up after themselves. I’ll take that trade.

Romantically, I've been known to oscillate between men too normal for me (conservative, quiet, anti-socials who often expect me to shrink my life to size), and men who are the neon signs of red flags. It looks like a carnival! Let's gooooo! First I recognized that you can't love red flags into green ones, and then I realized that you can only put so many proverbial eggs in those proverbial baskets, and you must expect some omelettes. Then I noticed that green flags also look like carnivals, ones where no one gets hurt, and everyone gets a prize.

Interesting, that: the realization that green flags do not signify boredom, but rather some boring people and places have some green flags. That we form that association, conflating good choices with mundanity and restraint, is enforced by every form of media. Beers are marketed as a way to let go, fast food is associated with friends and fun, Stepford wives and husbands who gave up their dreams symbolize “happy marriages”. And whether we know it or not, we rebel against that model.

A 2023 study from MIT found that people avoid the “vegan” label on foods, but will choose the same food not marked as “vegan”. Presented with a choice for a catered lunch where ingredients were listed, marked “vegan” on half the menus and not on the other half, they found some interesting things. “Berke found that when people saw the ‘vegan’ label, they were significantly less likely to choose that option. Furthermore, people often preferred the vegan option when it didn't have a label.”

Vegan is a pretty green flag; like, literally. But it sounds boring, uptight, bland. Healthy choices sound like restraint, sacrifice; it's the food we choose when we must. We believe they really want a steak but for some reason have to say no, be it religion, health, or diet choices. I've had vegan meals that have blown my mind, and I've been served iceberg lettuce at others. I'm not even vegetarian, but often choose vegetarian meals that sound delicious. Now I have to wonder what I would choose if presented by a plate of green flags advertised as green flags. Humans are funny, aren't we?

How's your picker doing? Are you choosing empty calories and wondering why you don't feel nourished? Are you spending time with the people who nurture you while you nurture them, or do you find yourself bringing water to the desert, bucket by bucket, wondering why it's not becoming a meadow? So much of our reality is created by the choices we make, it's hardly an overstatement to say we're continually choosing who we are and what our world looks like. So consider your choices, Dear Reader, and think about what they're creating. If you need me, I'll be frolicking at the green flag carnival. Come hang.

reviews are in!

The biggest event in Montreal this week is undoubtedly our city’s independent theatre festival, FringeMTL. If you’re looking to catch a show (or two, or three) this week, then WE HAVE YOU COVERED! For this year’s Forget The Box x FringeMTL Reviews, our team caught 30 (THIRTY!!!) shows, selected from a lottery. Some were good, some were great, some weren’t (and that’s okay). Let our reviews be your guide to selecting a few sure-thing shows at this year’s FringeMTL!

All reviews can be found on our Front Page!

Tonight!

Laughter takes over Peel Pub with Open Mic Comedy! Join host Erik Intrevado as he keeps the ducks in a row (or tries to herd pigeons, depending on the day). It's a guaranteed fun time, and you should totally go.

Show up / sign up.

Additional drop-in spots available on a first come, first served basis.

Plus drink specials for comedians and audience members!

WHAT: Open Mic Comedy at the Peel Pub

WHERE: Peel Pub, 1196 Peel St., Montreal, H3B 2T6

WHEN: Wednesday, June 21, Sign up @ 830 PM, Show @ 9 PM

METRO: Peel (Green) & Bonaventure (Orange)

RSVP: Eventbrite

BREATHING FIRE

Come hang out at Phoenix Books with a lovely literary crowd!

-Chimera is an open mic event where people can read their OWN WORKS of POETRY and/or FICTION to a supportive audience.

-Everyone is welcome, whether you are there to read or to listen.

-Sign up on the night of the event if you would like to read. The sign up sheet will be at the front desk.

-5 minute time limit per reader.

-The store is open. Feel free to browse the shelves and perhaps find some treasures!

-This will be the last Chimera while Melanie owns Phoenix Books, but thankfully it will be continuing! Phoenix will have a new owner, Raven, who is happy to have Melanie continue hosting Chimera at Phoenix monthly.

WHAT: Chimera Open Mic

WHERE: Phoenix Books, 5928 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H4A 1X7

WHEN: Thursday, June 12 @ 7PM

METRO: Vendome (Orange)

RSVP: Facebook

The Third Is The Unicorn

Established comedy duos become hilarious trios for one night only! Join the fun as special guests hop in with some of Montreal's funniest comedy pairs for a night of high-octane improv. Featuring

Big Lines (Stefan Spec and Xander Manshel), The Night Men (David Kaufman and Marc Rowland), Six Seasons Of Gwyneth (Christopher Lucas and Annabelle Agnew), and Big Mall (Vance Gillis and Sehar Manji). Plus special surprise guests! Produced by Mojo Comedy Co.

$8 in advance

$12 at the door

Montreal Improv Students $5

WHAT: Sidecar

WHERE: Montreal Improv, 3716 Notre Dame St. W., Montreal, H4C 1P7

WHEN: Friday, June 13 @ 930 PM

METRO: Place St. Henri (Orange)

TICKETS: Eventbrite

Green Thumbs Up

A plant pop up is funny, because popping up is what plants do. Anyway…

This weekend make some space in your life for greenery! Buying plants is cool, because it's the only time you get to walk your plant, and people always smile at you, and that's a great day. Go get some.

WHAT: Montreal Pop Up - Plant Sale

WHERE: Château St. Ambroise, Suite 493, 4030 St Ambroise, St, Montreal, QC H4C 2E1

WHEN: Friday, June 13, 11 AM - 7 PM & Saturday, June 14, 11 AM - 4 PM

METRO: St. Henri (Orange)

DETAILS: Facebook

Fiddle Dee Dee

The Reel Shambles are a local four piece Irish Canadian folk group. They have a fiddle and a banjo, which is all I need to know, my toes are already tapping. Get your fix of traditional Irish tunes while enjoying a pint.

WHAT: The Reel Shambles Live at Hurley's

WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent Street, Montreal, H3G 2B1

WHEN: Saturday, June 14 @ 945 PM

METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)

DETAILS: Facebook

FTB X Laugh Knights

I'm counting down to this one!

Forget the Box is teaming up with Laugh Knights for an incredible night of stand up comedy! Andrew Jamieson and Dawn McSweeney (hey, that's me!) will host the show up-sign up night, and it's bound to be a blast!

Come get some laughs, come do a set, or just come hang out!

WHAT: Forget the Box & Laugh Knights Present: Show Up Sign Up Comedy Night

WHERE: Café Eevee, 1251 St. Zotique St. E., Montreal, H2S 1N8

WHEN: Friday, June 27, Sign Up @ 7 PM, Show @ 8 PM

METRO: Beaubien (Orange)

RSVP: Eventbrite

World’s Smallest Comedy Night has so many cool things happening, so here are their events this week in order!

What Do You Know? Like, Seriously…

Tonight! Come to Hurley's for Trivia Night, and get bonus laughter! Enjoy delicious pub fare, and get ready to show off your trivia skills. Grab your team, and enjoy this night of comedy, friendly competition, and great company! Hosted by Vance Michel, this week features Braydon Lynch, Peter Bowen, and James Mancini.

WHAT: Trivia Night at Hurley's

WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1

WHEN: Every Wednesday @ 8 PM

METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)

RSVP: Eventbrite

Classic Coke

Beat the Monday Blues with WSC’s OG offering, The World's Smallest Comedy Night!

Enjoy a showcase of the best comedians in the city, hot up-and-comers, national and international touring comics, and surprises!

Hosted by Vance Michel, this week features Edison Dufort, George Assily, Conrad Winton, Olivier Foyer, Shosho Abotouk, Peter Bowen, Daniel Johan, Joel Slavik, and James Mancini.

WHAT: The World's Smallest Comedy Night

WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1

WHEN: Monday, May 12 Doors @ 7 PM, Show @ 8 PM

METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)

TICKETS: Eventbrite

Dirty Monday

The Monday Night Dirty Mic is the place to be! Hosted by Vance Michel, every show is an unpredictable and unique experience as a hilarious collection of comedians from newbs to pros take the stage. See the best before anyone else, and catch seasoned locals doing their freshest funnies!

Comics: show-up, sign-up!