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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Myraï Lavoie Is Taking The Fashion World By Storm With The Glitch Fashion Show

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Myraï Lavoie

Myraï Lavoie Is Creating Her Own Universe And You’re Invited

What I appreciate the most about my work is the fact that I get to meet great minds & humans with a powerful story and this time around, I got to cross path with the talented Myraï Lavoie.

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The city has been quiet fashion wise over the years and as platform that mostly talked about fashion in its inception, we’ve felt it the most over here.

There would be sparks of hope here and there but besides Festival De Mode & Design, not a lot of things really stood out.

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When I heard about ”The Glitch” it’s like I knew what it was about without nothing what it was about.

I mean good branding is good branding but it was more so who’s behind the good branding this time around. I had the chance to work with Myraï Lavoie in the past and one thing I can is : there’s a method to her madness.

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Every artist has an eye and that eye is shaped by our views of the world and life experiences. Myraï had an interesting life.

One where being different is actually the move. One where if you don’t fit somewhere, you don’t try to get in the mold, you bend it.

For all the lack of support or misunderstand she got in Montreal, she found a place to be creative working or being in room with the likes of Paris Hilton & P. Diddy to name a few.

What she’s learned from coming out of her shell and experiencing the world she’s about the share it with us with her own fashion called ”The Glitch” tonight.

”The Glitch” is exactly what I thought it was going to be. A standout experience and experience and something you’ve never seen before just like its creator.

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The 50th Anniversary Of Les Grands Explorateurs Presents A Touching Documentary Exploring Africa And Its Wonders

An Amazing Story by Amazing Creators!

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Milan Bihlmann et Muammer Yilmaz. les grands explorateurs

Les Grands Explorateurs Is Celebrating Africa In A Real Way!

Curiosity has to be the most incredible human quality there is and Les Grands Explorateurs has been putting it on the forefront for the past 50 years!

Read More: Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais: An Unlikely Journey For An Unlikely Unique Success Story

We are now entering an era where we want to know more about what is going on on the other side of the world.

How people are living, their culture and what is their reality compared to ours.

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Sometimes the depiction of such reality is either unfair or made to look down at somebody. Other times, filmmakers have the challenge to depict a reality in a way to uplift what other cultures are bringing to the table.

Milan Bihlmann and Muammer Yilmaz are two filmmakers who know where they stand when it comes to that.

Rêves D’Afrique” is the epidemy of that. The two filmmakers decided to go to 7 countries in Africa to not only paint the picture for the world but to give the good people out there something we forget to give one another : ”a piece of yourself’.

Armed with a backpack, film gear and true altruism, the duo spread love and good deeds wherever they could throughout their trip.

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Watch The Trailer

Les Grands Explorateurs being this platform to uncover the world made the right choice by adding this beautiful piece to their program.

Up until November 1st, you still have the chance to see the beautiful piece in theater and then online starting November 2nd.

Tickets Here

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Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais: An Unlikely Journey For An Unlikely Unique Success Story

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isabelle mugwaneza desmarais

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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’BungaAZMarine EllaMeryem BenouaAyoub 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!

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