The Montreal FRINGE Festival Corporation was founded by Kris Kieren and Nick Morra, and incorporated in 1991. In 2000, the company’s name was changed to the MainLine Theatre, allowing for year-round productions. Most importantly, MainLine’s venue, situated above Segal’s grocery store at St. Laurent and Duluth, opened in 2005 as a centre for the city’s English theatre community.

"Does this remind you of '98?"

My kid shoots me this question via Snap Chat, which is generally how we communicate, but this time her phone service is down and she can't call. The internet is an underrated miracle.

As a wife and mother, a public high school teacher for over 20 years, a bestselling novelist, and now the first commissioned playwright for Silk Road Theatre, Uzma wears her many hats with grace.

I know a dude who once wrote a glowing review for a book he never read. There's barely credit to be given for the 4 pages he did read, so while I'm reluctant to mention them at all, I think it makes the story more interesting. His quote is still being used by the author, because how are they to know?

Here I was, going up to the seventh floor of Concordia’s JMSB building for the millionth time. Shared between the theater and dance departments, it is the creative gem of a serious building built for business students. Over the course of three years, I had become accustomed to that floor.

Montreal will soon have a fifth metro line. Construction on the 20-stop Purple Line will begin this June and is expected to be completed by 2028.

Café Depot opened its doors in 1995 (their sign says "established 1994", but I can't argue with their corporate About page). It was definitely one of those years, though from here the dates are fuzzy. My bestie and I spent a lot of time in the Plateau that summer. We'd wake up early and begin the long haul from the West Island via the 215 bus to Côte Vertu, a trip that required more determination than bus fare. If you think transit schedules are sketchy now, check me in the '90s with no phone, no way to know if the bus had passed early, or was coming late.

I'm a city girl.

When I was little, I collected metro transfers. I went to school by city bus, long before I ever rode a yellow one. I was probably around 10 when I got away from city lights long enough to see constellations, and it would be another 15 years before I saw the awe inspiring display you can catch if you keep going farther.

When I was asked to write a review for Counter Offense, I was hesitant. Being an Iranian Canadian, and a survivor of domestic abuse, I knew the play would take me on a convoluted and emotional journey. So naturally I invited an emotional support friend to join me. He's born to Iranian Indian parents and a cinematographer, and we planned to discuss the play while comparing notes after.

Erik Fines has been a fixture of the Montreal indie scene for several years now. It’s a rare night of the week that Erik isn’t found out and about engaging with the local scene, gigging with various bands, or curating the popular weekly open mic at Bar Courcelle deep in the heart of Saint Henri.