by Katherine Ray
The cat’s out of the bag in once sleepy Cranberry. Remember Wilshire’s? Right across from Cranberry Pottery? Where you can get yourself and your dog a haircut just two doors apart? Around the corner from local veggies at Mitchell’s? Now you’ll have an even better reason to hit the high road north—6762 Cranberry Street.
Katz Meow Café and Emporium plans to enlarge the tradition of historic Wilshire’s as a place where the community can gather and enjoy company with fresh food (preferably from within 100 miles). Once a store and soda fountain, the location will now be an eatery and performance venue where musicians, writers and theatre people can amuse and amaze us with their craft and aspiring artists can try out their stuff on the stage. There will be eye candy aplenty, too, in the form of art and crafts by local creators.
The walls will be graced by the works of a new artist every month or so, with “closing parties” at the end of the show. Meghan Hildebrand’s work is now on view, with Louise Gloslee and then Skye Morrison in the line-up.
The Live Poets’ Guild will meet at Katz Meow on Tuesday evenings, 5 to 7 p.m., for poetry sharing, sometimes followed by Open Mike, a spoken-word performance or a book launch. Wednesdays, Randy Pinchbeck will host a jam night for musicians of all stripes. August 6 the café will welcome Slim Milkie and his music. Check Powell River Direct, or Facebook’s page for Katz Meow, to keep up with events.
by Nicole Narbone
Nothing like live theatre to spark up a crowd, and when the crowd is part of the theatre, it’s an entirely different experience. The crowd at Local Loco’s was the cause and the butt of a variety of gags and jokes on Thursday, May 17th when the Defrosted Flakes Improv Troupe showed up to entertain.
Improvisational theatre games (popularized by the television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?) are a fun way to challenge your acting and comedic skills. The point is to create humorous situations and crises based on suggestions from a live audience. Defrosted Flakes, always on the lookout for new members to torment, practices weekly and performs monthly at Local Loco’s. The skills that some members have from years of musical and theatre performance mixed with the raw energy and fresh perspective of the newer people in the troupe concoct a hilarious result. The Flakes have performed as a group and as individuals at Art in the Park, Lund Days, the Evergreen Theatre, the Gazebo, Texada Community Hall and in the Comox Valley. No matter the venue, Defrosted Flakes is ready to laugh with you, not at you. Seriously.
If you are interested in live improvisational dinner theatre, you would be wise to call now for reservations. Tables are already booking up for this evening of great food, fun and laughter.
Improv Dinner Theatre
When: Thursday June 14 @7 pm
Where: Local Loco’s Music and Arts Cafe
Cost: $2 per person (Suggested donation)
Contact: Corey (604) 485-5626
corey@locallocos.com
Website: www.locallocos.com