Author: Sharon Yeo

Sharon is an Edmonton-based blogger who has been writing about food since 2006.

The Calgary Fringe

I was poking around the internet, looking for things to do while in Calgary this weekend, and I stumbled upon the website for the Calgary Fringe.

Running from the 10th to the 19th (stepping on Edmonton’s toes! Yes, I’m a snob), the Calgary version of the festival includes films and art exhibits in addition to the requisite theatre offerings. It seems they too have set up an online ticketing system this year.

Programs have been on sale for as long as I’ve attended the Edmonton Fringe, so the expense is really a non-starter. And as the funds go towards keeping the festival alive, patrons end up with a souvenir and (hopefully) a sense of contributing to something. Of course, for newbies or those just dabbling in theatre, the same information is available on the website, or at the booths on site, while volunteer gatekeepers collect donations from anyone willing to part with change.

I write about this because the Calgary Fringe has introduced a Fringe button. Priced at $5, this button is required for entrance to all shows in addition to the actual ticket. While it operates on the same fundraising principle as Edmonton’s $6 programs, I think the buttons would really deter any green patrons from taking a chance on a show. The cost for two people to attend a performance becomes, at the very least, $30 ($10 per ticket, plus $5 each for buttons), not taking into consideration surcharges. Unless one is planning on attending multiple shows, I wouldn’t think it very worthwhile purchase, and I would quite frankly feel ripped off.

The programs are free in Calgary, and really, with a much smaller line up than Edmonton, it may be a more difficult expense to swallow. When it comes down to it, I’m sure the team behind the Calgary Fringe are just doing whatever they deem necessary to keep their festival alive. So as a fan of theatre, I can’t be too critical. Perhaps I’ll pop down to the site this weekend to check out the atmosphere.

Spin that wheel!

I saw this featured in today’s Home Outfitters catalogue, and I couldn’t resist posting about it.


The Rakku Shoe Wheel has been around for a while (even winning some kind of design award last year), but this is the first I’ve seen of it. What a whimsical but practical way to keep your shoe collection in check! And while my mostly black flats would not look as pretty as pairs of pumps transported from the 80s, it’d certainly be a fun way to select what to wear in the morning.

They should get cracking on designing a wheel that would work for the boots all Canadian girls have in stock.

Heritage Festival 2007

After a mediocre (and expensive) showing of food at the Taste of Edmonton, I was really looking forward to the reasonably-priced variety at the Heritage Festival.

Dancers at the Azerbaijan site

Sure, there are cultural pavillions filled with neat artifacts and intricate handicrafts, and a veritable panoply of eye-catching entertainment, but I would be lying if I proclaimed anything other than the food to be my main reason of attendance.
Every year, I go through the menu with every intention of trying something new, and yet, once on the grounds, underneath the hot sun and facing lines unending, I end up retreating back to my reliable standbys: gelato from Italy (the Bacio wasn’t refreshing, but it was chocolate-y goodness!) and langos (fried bread dough) from the Hungarian pavilion.
Langos (a hazard to eat for those wearing dark colors)
My sister’s Falafel from the Arab pavilion

Our Contiki Tour Manager had urged us to try Dutch pancakes while we were in Amsterdam, but my friends and I weren’t able to locate a stand selling this specialty. So I figured I’d finally get my kicks at the Holland pavilion. Unfortunately, the poffertjes, at least in this incarnation really were nothing special, tasting like mini pancakes made from dry mix dusted with icing sugar.

Poffertjes
Still, as Edmonton’s summer festivals go, this is one of my favorites. What better place to pick up inexpensive souvenirs and trinkets?
Dickson getting his fortune read at the Chinese pavilion
Mack wears his special hat
There’s one more day to check out the fun. Just remember to bring a donation for the Food Bank!

Film: “Ratatouille”

I finally saw Ratatouille this weekend (seems 9:30pm is a good time to go if you’re looking at avoiding the under-12 crowd).

Like most Pixar films, the ‘follow your dreams’ message was inherent, as well as a reinforcement of the importance of family. Still, despite Remy being very cute, and the romance of the animated Paris cityscape, this is a weak addition to the Pixar canon. I don’t want to ruin the movie for those who haven’t yet seen it, but for anyone who has watched a certain clip of a, erm, cleanliness-challenged fast food restaurant in America, one of the last scenes in Ratatouille will not ring so fantastical.

And if anyone was wondering what the ratatouille dish consists of – it’s a French stewed vegetable dish.

The Cooking Chronicles: Egg, Cheese and Hot Dog Bake

Needing a quick supper idea, and knowing that I had some leftover hot dogs and buns in my fridge, I remembered a Real Simple recipe for an egg, cheese, and sausage bake, and decided to modify it based on what I had on hand.

Substituting hot dogs in place of Italian sausage, green peppers instead of onions, and adding a few cherry tomatoes that I had meant to eat in a salad, it was a very easy recipe to pull together. The final product was all right – it was essentially a quiche-like casserole, the egg-soaked bread pieces ending up tasting like French toast, and overall helped round-out the dish. My family wasn’t as enthused about the bake, but each to their own, right?

I’d say this is a good brunch pick, or one to make if you have children coming over for dinner.

Egg, Cheese and Hot Dog Bake

More Fringe Buzz

Colin Maclean wrote an article in Friday’s Edmonton Sun that further describes how the addition of the online ticketing system may affect the Fringe. An excerpt:

“…some feel strongly that the essence of the event is being destroyed. Will the creative mayhem disappear? Will people just buy tickets to, say, the latest David Belke play (The Headshot of Dorian Gray – Holy Anglican Church) and then go home when it’s over? Isn’t much of what drives the Fringe the discussion in the beer tent or in the lineup, the comparing of notes, the excitement of finding something new and the development of unexpected hits as the 11 days go on?

“Or how about just hanging out? Will you still be able to make up your own Fringe as it goes along aided by the buzz of friends (and strangers)? Will the popular ones (The Power of Ignorancethe annual Grant MacEwan MusicalRainer Hersch) sell out before the Fringe even begins and if you can’t get into at least one of the biggies, is it worthwhile going down at all?
I have talked to a number of people who feel so strongly about it they are not Fringing this year.”

He does go on to say that the possibility exists that even more tickets will be sold with the new system – more friendly for first-time Fringers, for example, and without the headache of anticipatory lineups at the door.

A friend of mine called me an “old biddy” when I expressed my hesitations at embracing this change. I know I said that I would hold out judgment until the end of the Fringe, and I will do my best, but I am enjoying reading and debating about this pre-festival buzz nonetheless.

On a related note – I recorded my one and only podcast around this time last year, to test out Mack and Dickson’s Podcast Spot. You can listen to my Fringe podcast here.

Film: “The Bourne Ultimatum”

I watched The Bourne Ultimatum on Friday night. It’s funny, I really didn’t know the title before going into the movie (instead, identifying it as “That Bourne movie,” or “The one with Matt Damon”), and I probably will not be able to tell you any of the minute plot points two weeks from now. That said, the film was very entertaining.

Echoing many critics – Ultimatum is a fantastic chase movie, with gripping action sequences, intriguing backroom drama and unexpected twists. Matt Damon and Joan Allen were great in their roles, and it was nice to see Julia Stiles again, though I had no idea she would play such a vital part in this movie. Director Paul Greengrass’s style does take some getting used to, however – his closeups of fight scenes must have been difficult to shoot, and yet, easily mask prying audience eyes attempting to distinguish stuntperson from star. Lastly, recently back from Europe, I certainly appreciated the London and Paris city settings, and was excited at recognizing landmarks (Waterloo and Gare du Nord stations!) that I had just seen in person.

With the variety of cinematic fare available this summer, I can’t recommend any one film that will appeal to every taste. But as far as thrillers go, you will not be disappointed.

2007 Live & Let Fringe: the Countdown Begins!

Only two weeks left until the 26th annual Fringe kicks off! I picked up my program today, and have already had a cursory glance at this year’s lineup. Belke’s back (was there ever any question?), there is no doubt The Power of Ignorance will sell out again, there are a surprising number of burlesque shows, and I am very happy to see that some of my stage favorites (namely, Davina Stewart, Leona Brausen and Matt Alden) will be making an appearance at the festival.

Back in April, Executive Director Julian Mayne announced that an on-line ticketing system would be used this year. At the time, I wasn’t sure if this technology would translate into higher ticket sales, and I guess we won’t know until the final numbers are in. However, I think the 100% advance ticket release policy will make it even more difficult to get into the “hot” shows near the end of the festival. In the past, plays that garnered a four or five star rating typically sold out of its advance tickets, but by lining up at the venue, there was still a chance of purchasing one of the 25% of the tickets held at the door. I don’t want to speak too soon, but this new policy potentially gives even more power to mainstream reviewers, something many in the Fringe community are wary of.

I’ve played with the new website a little since it went live this afternoon, and it isn’t a bad first version. I’m sure I’ll have more to say once I use it to actually order tickets.

I can’t wait!

Notes on Coffee & Tea

  • Finally went to DeCapo Caffe (8738 109 Street) last week. It reminded me of Caffe Sorrentino with its polished metal, pendant lighting, and sleek, simple decor. It was also more expensive, with my iced latte ringing up as $4.75. It’s an eco-friendly alternative to Starbucks (they have a no paper cup policy), but just not as cozy.
  • Essence Organic Tea Bar (10011 102 Avenue) is now open.
  • Second Cup is now in the business of granola bars! Boxes of Moccaccino or Vanilla Bean Latte Cafe Delights are available at a grocery store near you.
  • I mentioned this back in May, but beyond special occasions, Starbucks has created a line of greeting cards. Of the three, my favorite is the birthday one featuring the text, “Lattes are the new birthday cake.” Hee. While I don’t think the cards are very unique, the convenience factor of picking one up along with a mug or a pound of coffee is tough to ignore.
  • This summer, you can also send a friend an electronic Starbucks invitation for coffee here.

The Cooking Chronicles: Strawberry Shortcake

Having seen strawberries advertised in flyers over the last few weeks, I was drawn to Michael Smith’s recipe for Strawberry Shortcake in a recent edition of the Globe & Mail.

I tried my hand at it on Monday night, and was sorely disappointed with what was by far the blandest dessert I’ve ever made. The nutmeg-flavored biscuits and sweetened strawberries were passable on their own, but paired together with the vanilla-scented whip cream, ended up tasting all wrong.

Though I could detect the difference in the cream versus butter-based dough (which resulted in a lighter, cake-like consistency) the biscuit itself doesn’t lend itself well, in my opinion, to dessert, and fares better as a brunch item. The whipped cream would have benefited from a sweeter additive like honey, but it probably wouldn’t elevate this dish to second-attempt-worthy status.

I may end up retreating back to my fail safe panna cotta to pair with other fresh berries this season.

Strawberry Shortcake