A Change Is Coming…Finally?

I grew up in the 90’s and although we can only realize it now but seeing people like Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais striving in a space where not a lot of us do is what was missing this whole time.

Read More: Lobster Season Has Arrived And The Homard Gaspésien Is Still The Best You Can Find On The Planet

The thing about representation is that you won’t know you need it until you need it. As most of us were just looking at society, we didn’t see ourselves but also normalized it.

I think Isabelle saw something that we couldn’t see in ourselves. The truth is not at the extreme it’s right in the middle. The intersection between being different but also a part of the ecosystem was what she saw.

Representation is not about doing what’s right because it’s right but more so because it needs to be done.

Starting her career in the public sector wasn’t a thrill anymore. Then she did some soul searching and probably came to the conclusion we all come to at some point in our existence:

Life Is A Joke

For her it was literal though. She figured out that humor and the business around it was her calling so what was the first step? Becoming a comedian herself and teach a thing or two to Dave Chappelle?

What about producing your own show with up and coming artists? Well, for Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais the start of this new chapter was simple as getting a non-paid internship.

Just For Laughs became her new home and with that started her mission to be at the forefront of what the landscape in comedy was to become.

Through thick and thin, work and dedication, intuition and know-how, she pulled through and the big way too!

Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais became the director of ZooFest. With her pulse on the scene, she fought and pushed for upcoming talents that are more than just tanned.

We’re seeing more BIPOCs getting a chance on stage and I would like to believe that this is just the beginning.

Speaking of ZooFest, if you want to see for yourself how this festival has grown in diversity and get a good kick out of it. You still have the opportunity to do so tomorrow as the last day of the celebration

With french performers like Lenny M’Bunga, AZ, Marine Ella, Meryem Benoua, Ayoub Marceau & Hugo.

Live podcasting will also be a part of the last run of the show. In the corner of Jeanne-Mance & Maisonneuve, you can can get a good view, a good potential date, you get to see greatness in all shapes, size or color AND of course a good laugh!

The Homard Gaspésien Is What Your Plate Been Missing

2 weeks ago our good people at L’association Des Pêcheurs De Gaspésie sent us the email we’ve been waiting for all year long: The Homard Gaspésien Is Back!

Read More: Renzel Dashington Creates The Line Between Social Commentary & Comedy And We Love It!

Not only that but for this season, we were blessed not only with 1 but 2 dozens of lobsters from the region. I know what you’re thinking right now? Why would one person do with all those lobsters?

I will answer this question in a bit but while I have your attention, let me tell you all that I’ve learned about the Homard Gaspésien.

First, this is probably one of the few lobsters in the world that you can trace where it was fished at.

Indeed, they add a little tag to their claw that traces the lobsters from Gaspésie to your home so by then you know the authenticity of lobsters at all time.

Gaspésie is also one of the main resource provider in Canada when it comes to lobsters and all kind of seafood. (and yes my taste buds do appreciate the fishermen that went out and got them).

Back to the business. Once I got the email, I felt the need to do something special this year. I wanted something challenging and something where I could share my love for those lobsters.

Then I thought about my good people at Never Was Average and how they usually go about things. They bring people together in a meaningful way.

That’s when ”Meeting Of The Minds” came to me. I like to conversate with my fellow creatives, exchange ideas and compliment them on their artistry.

With the help of Never Was Average we were able to thank those same creatives for their contributions with a special dinner over lobsters and bubbles. Sophia Traiteurs Cathering came through with her magic touch and prepared us a seafood bowl in cajun style.

Since we like to give our audience a glimpse into our creative process, we made it a point to document this entire experience. Those moments that were shared and lived got captured and frozen in time by our collaborator Carl Apollo.

This experience reminded me of two things: We should always take the time to build and celebrate each other more and of course doing it over lobsters is a plus.

As the lobster season is closing on us. Treat yourself and grab your loved ones for an experience you won’t regret.

Renzel Dashington’s Rise In The Comedy World Is A True Testament Of How Thunder Can Strike Twice

Renzel Dashington to me is a case study in itself when you really think about it. Most men get to be recognized for one specific claim to fame if ever. If you’re lucky enough, you go on to transition in something else in your field and for the most part that’s it.

Read More: Patrice Bernier Is Playing Soccer With Your Favorite Celebs For A Good Cause This Weekend

Renzel did the unheard, unseen, unbelievable and unorthodox all at the same time. First of all, he started off as a manager for arguably the most iconic and successful black singer this city has ever seen: Corneille.

I know some naysayers might hit me with ”Ouais mais Seul Au Monde was a long a time ago?!”. Technically yes but just like Michael Jordan. Some guys have accomplished things that have never been replicated since and therefore you have to respect it.

That’s where it gets interesting if you ask me. Usually the typical story arch for the manager is this: he gets his or her client to the promise land, they get rich and then usually the artist severs ties due to ”creative differences” or simply for trying something new.

After 20 years of career, a major twist came In Renzel Dashington‘s story. The manager became yet again a sort of manager since he was more behind the scenes when he first founded Bad Boys Du Rire. It was a movement, it told the comedy scene in Quebec that black and brown people had something to say too.

In The process, Bad Boys Du Rire went on to sell over 20 000 tickets, 200 shows and 10 000 minutes were spent on stage by artists that the market initially rejected. I respect people who are able to spot those gaps and make the most out it.

Then a global pandemic hits and something made the artist in him come out of its shell once and for all!

Maybe that’s why in the midst of George Flloyd’s death and the BLM movement, Renzel’s offering was different and needed. On one hand he would let you know what’s going on in society and on the other he would crack jokes about racism, racists, Covid measures and all those different things that were still sensitive and too serious at the time.

It was a relief from your day to day. You knew he would talk about it, make fun of it and you would have a good time. Renzel Dashington was transparent, honest, held no punches and even sparked some interesting debates or rivalry like whatever he got going on with Richard Martineau and Sophie Durocher these days.

Nonetheless it was only right that the comedian give us an official outlet to experiment live his new format that he introduced us to. His one man show ”Yo Les Bailles Sont F*cked Up” is exactly that.

Renzel being Renzel joking on stage about things, topics and people Renzel and the rest of world actually care about. Following the good response he had in Europe with 27 shows back to back shows in 14 days from his material, it was only right that we get some hometown love.

Taking place May 26th at Ausgang Plaza, the one man show is a must if you’re truly a fan of stand up comedy that tackles the real, the crazy, the good, the bad and of course the fucked up.