Entertainment choices for
the last weeks of November
Geordie’s 40th anniversary, a tribute to Aznavour and Cohen, ELAN’s Schmoozer and more…
By Byron Toben
As the classic song September Song relates, “Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few – September, November…” we remember a fall season that was truly pas comme les autres with all the pandemic dislocations.
I really miss the annual November Atwater Library Cocktail Fundraiser (where the Dave Turner Jazz Trio was a regular feature). Listen to September Song at the end of this preview.
Even though live theatre and cinema remain on hiatus, there are some outstanding choices on the Internet.
Hommage à Charles Aznavour et Leonard Cohen – Image: Festival Sefarad
November 16 to 19
G. Bernard Shaw’s classic Man and Superman is shown free courtesy of the Gingold Theatre Group via the Plays in the House division of the popular Stars in the House series. Voluntary donations go to The Actors Fund.
November 17 to 22
New York’s Irish Repertory Theatre, which featured a gripping O’Neill Long Day’s Journey Into Night earlier this month, follows up with Bill Irwin’s acclaimed solo show On Beckett / In Screen.
November 17
At 5 pm, ELAN (English Language Arts Network) holds its periodic “Schmoozer” meet-up, this time digitally. I’m still not sure if en français, it is Le or La Schmoozer, but I have often attended and it’s great fun to keep an eye upon what’s happening in Anglo Quebec music, dance, art, theatre and film.
By the way, ELAN’s founder and director Guy Rodgers is stepping down soon, and they are searching for a replacement. Big shoes to fill, but qualified applicants should check out the details at quebec-elan.org/Executive-Director-Job-offer.pdf
November 21
From 11 am to 3 pm, Geordie Theatre, created in 1980 by Elsa Bolam, celebrates its 40th Anniversary. Current Artistic Director Mike Payette invites all to its digital celebration from its new home in Montréal’s Little Italy district.
November 28
The show Hommage à Charles Aznavour et Leonard Cohen is the closing presentation at the Festival Sefarad, which began on November 14, courtesy of the Cummings Centre. Free to the public (voluntary donations accepted).
To close, here is the promised music video of September Song. The music was created in 1938 by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson – two great theatre figures. Covered by many famous singers, here is one by Frank Sinatra in 1965.
Feature image: frame from Bill Irwin on Beckett, centertheatregroup.org
More articles from Byron Toben
Byron Toben, a past president of The Montreal Press Club, has been WestmountMag.ca’s theatre reviewer since July 2015. Previously, he wrote for since terminated web sites Rover Arts and Charlebois Post, print weekly The Downtowner and print monthly The Senior Times. He also is an expert consultant on U.S. work permits for Canadians.
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