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Calgary Herald
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Best bets at the Fringe
Article content The 19th edition of the Calgary Fringe runs until Aug. 9 in Inglewood. There are 20 shows, and the way they are staggered each day, it is possible to catch four of them without rushing. There is even time to grab a quick snack between the second and third show. Article content Beth & Josie Exposed Article content Last year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis removed all arts funding because he felt there was too much emphasis on sex in current theatre. Beth & Josie Exposed is definitely a protest show, as its two artists have chosen stories about sex and racism. Article content Article content The emcee for the evening is Josie Nixon's alter ego, Juice the Trauma Clown, who calls upon the gods to rain curses upon oppressors. She returns to tell a story about a trans woman's dangerous sexual encounter. It's graphic, brutal, and frightening in its authenticity, yet Nixon never portrays herself as a victim. She's always strong and defiant. The monologue is as intriguing as it is unnerving. Article content Article content The genius in both monologues is how Nixon and Marshall are able to walk an emotional tightrope, eliciting laughter and shudders in equal measure. There is understandably a subject warning on this show, but both cases broach subjects that should be discussed. Article content Article content The early draft of Randy Ross's novel, God Bless Cambodia, was The Loneliest Planet Guide Book. Before he embarked on a four-month world travel expedition, Ross read The Lonely Planet guidebooks of the countries he planned to visit. What he surmised, after going to each of these places, was that the people who wrote those books likely didn't stay in, or see, the places they wrote about, or things had changed drastically from when they did. Article content In the first half of his show, using slides, Ross recalls some of his biggest disappointments and catastrophes, always zeroing in on the unpleasantness he encountered. He does admit a good deal of it was his fault. At 48, he was a bit too old to be staying in youth hostels and trying windsurfing. He was a lonely, middle-aged man alone in foreign countries, and all the guidebooks had been so vehement about not contracting sexually transmitted diseases that he was doomed to feeling even lonelier. Ross is particularly self-deprecating, and he succeeds in getting maximum laughs at his expense.
Extra.ie
24-06-2025
- Extra.ie
Lonely Planet Travel Guide reveals 'Treasured Secret' for 2025
An Italian city has been described as a 'treasured secret' and one of the world's best cities to visit in 2025 by the Lonely Planet Travel Guide. Genoa, on the Northwest coast, is described as one of Italy's best 'hidden gems' with a beautiful coastline and an old medieval town centre, boasting wonderful restaurants and bars, and 'hidden within its depths, tourists will discover a labyrinth of 'caruggi' (alleyways) packed with historic monuments'. Genoa is a port city but is much less hectic with far fewer tourists than the likes of Venice and Rome. Old town of Genoa. Genoa, Liguria, Italy, The Lonely Planet goes on to say 'With a new high-speed-train connection in the works, now is the time to seek out this stately city with superlative culinary shops, a stunning seaside and a well-earned reputation as one of Italy's most historically and culturally vibrant cities.' Cathedral San Lorenzo which was built in 1098, is said to hold the ashes of Genoa's patron saint, St John the Baptist. The city's laneways and streets are also packed with independent shops, some of which date as far back as the 1600s. In fact, Italy's oldest sweet shop, 'Romanengo', has stood in the city since 1780 and some of their colourful candies are still made by hand in the shop. Skyline of Genoa, Italy, on a sunny spring day. If it's the seaside you crave, you don't have to go too far, because 'Boccadasse' is easily accessed by local bus, and is said to be one of Genoa's prettiest places, with a gorgeous pebble beach and the best 'gelato' for miles around. When it comes to eating, Genoa is the home of 'Pesto' a very flavourful sauce traditionally served on pasta or local breads and the city's indoor food court, the Mercato Orientale is said to be 'THE PLACE' to go to sample local foods. If you enjoy the warm weather, then July and August will suit you fine in Genoa. Temperatures can reach as high as 28 to 30 degrees, but unlike southern cities like Naples, the city doesn't usually suffer from severe heat waves in the peak summer months. If you'd like to travel around a bit, there are good rail connections into France, and you can get to Nice in around three hours, while the leaning tower of Pisa and the fashion capital of Italy, Milan, are less than two hours away by rail.
