Ganza rages on

If there were some sort of drying rack one could use on one's liver, I could use one now. But I must hitch up my manhood and enter drunkenly into the fray, for the Ganza is only half over.

Wave two begins today with a doubling of the Ganza ensemble. We now have Slovenia, Vancouver, more Australians, some Regina, and a little extra Seattle. The love never stops.

Also:

The Stanley Cup has come and gone, and sadly we did not win. I was there, front and centre at the old Strathcona Hotel, drinking pitchers so cheap, I thought I was in University again. The Oilers hit the ice calmly, we were all expecting a win, especially after the game 6 blowout, but it was not so. Where are we left, am I left, after such a confusing relationship with this hockey contest, to at the end be left with nothing but disappointment. We gave this contest thousands of beers, horn honks, arrests and police hours. It gave us hope. Are we the less, that we hoped and lost? Only in terms of taxes. For we are richer in spirit.

It was a tale told time and time again in Edmonton, a small place with a big heart, stepping to best in the world and holding our own. I am nothing but proud.

And the wonderful Patti Stiles late of RFT, but now of Impro Melbourne, brought us this fun game, called guru. Mark is being the guru. 

And City Councilman Michael Phair was there to cut the ribbon and open the festival! He is awesome. 

Quicksilver Theatre is damn funny. 

Ganza Opening!

So the day was wet and the population hockey-ified but fans of RFT showed up in strong numbers anywayto help us crown the glistening head of Ganza 2006. Thanks so much to the fans that braved riot central to support us and our international guests. You guys rock.

The show was funny as all get out, if I do say so myself. And well I might, for the contributions of RFT were just the tip of the comedy iceburgh last night. Tonto's Nephews, our Catch 23 friends, Quicksilver from Belgium, and our BBF's Dad's Garage Theatre from Atlanta made us so proud with their high class japery.

The party raged late and loud in the Varscona lobby and backstage. Much longer backstage, as it turns out. I left near 4, charging the valient Kevin Gillese with lockup duty. It was much later again when he stumbled home. What a trouper.

The fest rages on, and this is just the first hang over of many. Come on out and see us! Infact, here is a schedule!

IMPROVAGANZA 2006 Rapid Fire Theatre’s International Improv Festival, June 14 – 24, 2005

MAY 29	MAY 30	MAY 31 Email all RFT – voluntter work	May 31 Email to fans: Ganza! Workshops!	June 1	June 2	June 3
June 4	JUNE 5 eMAIL TO FANS:	JUNE 6	JUNE 7	JUNE 8 EMAIL TO FANS	JUNE 9	JUNE 10
JUNE 11	JUNE 12 into the space projector hung lighting tweaked opening cue created floor painted curtains hung	JUNE 13 EMAIL TO FANS	JUNE 14 WED Call: 7 p.m. 8 p.m. Showcase: INTERNATIONAL JAM - all hands on deck! Bill, Mark, Kevin, Condor Second Act – a) RFT vs Dad’s MARK, CRAD, BEL,BILL b) ALLStars vs Tonto’s LATE NIGHT – Reception a go-go in the Varscona Lobby	JUNE 15 THURS GANZA GUEST JAM – lead by BECKY JONHSTON CALL: 7 P.M. 8 p.m. Showcase – RFT - The BelindaMeer Second Act – a) Seattle vs All Stars b) Iron Cobra vs RFT Kevin,Joey,Arlen, Jules - CRAD Hosts	JUNE 16 FRI CALL: 7 P.M. 8 p.m. Showcase: Iron Cobra Second Act – a) RFT vs Melbourne b) Tonto’s vs Seattle Belinda,Condor,Mark,Jules - Crad Hosts LATE SHOW 11 pm First Act – a) Melbourne vs Dad’s b) ALLStars vs RFT Crad,Mark,Arlen, Kevin - Joey Hosts Second Act - Jam show!	JUNE 17 SAT MATINEE - 2 pm KIDPROV! With puppets – Tim from Atlanta hosts Second Act – CALL: 7 P.M. Showcase - Tonto’s Nephews TO a) quicksilver vs Dad’s b) AllStars vs Iron Cobra LATE SHOW 11pm Act one –Showcase: UP – Seattle Second Act – Showcase – Dad’s Garage – Atlanta
SUN, JUNE 18 Morning – Women in Improv – workshop lead by Patti Stiles 11 – 2pm BBQ AT KAREN’S COUNTRY ESTATE (rides provided) 1-7 p.m. Movie Night at the Varscona – for Ganza guests, RFT Playas and good friends only	MONDAY, JUNE 19 EMAIL TO FANS DARK masterclass workshop 11am – 3 pm PUBLIC WORKSHOP 7 - 10	JUNE 20, TUES CALL: 7 P.M. 8 p.m. a) Instant vs Narabov b) Quicksilver vs Fools Second Act – Jam Show!	JUNE 21, WED LUNCH AT CHIANTI’S 1 PM CALL: 7 P.M. 8 p.m. Showcase: : RFT – Young Guns Second Act – a) Iron Cobra vs Melbourne b) Narabo vs Seattle	JUNE 22, THURS EMAIL TO FANS Edmonton Queen ride 2-4 p.m. CALL: 7 P.M. 8 p.m. Showcase: Teatre Narabov (Slovenia) Second Act – a) Dad’s vs Instant b) Melbourne vs Tonto’s	JUNE 23, FRI Gateway Rec Centre 2 – 5 p.m. CALL: 7 P.M. 8 p.m. Showcase: Quicksilver Theatre Second Act – General Fools (Regina) LATE SHOW 11 pm – Act One – Melbourne Showcase Second Act a) Quicksilver vs Iron Cobra b) UP Seattle vs Fools ACT THREE - CRAZY LATE JAM SHOW	JUNE 24, SAT MATINEE 2 pm KIDPROV – with puppets! Tim from Atlanta hosts CALL: 7 P.M. –JAN Instant Theatre (Vancouver) Second Act: FINALS Fourth place team vs second place team – WINNER goes to FINAL LATE SHOW – 11 pm 3rd Place vs 1st Place WINNER goes to FINAL Second Act: FINALS FINALISTS vs FINALISTS = WINNERS!!!!!!!

and the link

www.nowtoronto.com/dora

click it and vote.

And if you don't like BoyGroove, you can click on Wrecked. I wrote that one too.

Thank you so much, unless you did not click, in which case I ask:

Why you gotta be a hater?

Love, Chris

So there is this people's choice awards thing for the "Doras", which are the Toronto "Sterlings", which is a theatre award. If you vote for us, we might win! A "Dora". (see above for explainaion of 'Dora') 

I'm so excited

And i just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control, and I daresay, I like it.

The GANZA is so soon now, and I am so excited/scared I could just pee. Things seem to be going well, all the T's crossed and eyes dotted. The Publicity seems to go well. The SEE cover came out a bit early, but that is okay, this happens. A little prepress is a good thing, and we still got VUE and multiple Journal pieces coming out, not to mention our hilarious Sonic ads and posters going up, our tent cards and so forth. People should come, they came last year...

Also there is the "Seeing Old Friends" component. I am just excited for that. Ah, to hug my man Lee White, to drink a cold one with Rene Dellafont, to sit at the feet of Patti Stiles, Improv's prettiest guru.

Mostly I just want to provide my guests with large audiences to delight. That is my chief function here, and I aim to please. I am not worried about what the groups will do when they get here. They're so awesome. I just know the shows will be great. It is wonderful to beleive in what you are selling. That's why working at the GAP sucks so much.

Today I am running all about, doing interviews, dropping off passes, meeting with the lady from Avenue.

Did you know that Avenue is preparing to drop an edmonton version here? (This may be a secret, but nobody told me to keep it) You may know the glossy arts-lifestyle mag from Clagary, well here it comes to Eville, and they've asked me to write a comedy thing for the back page of the inaugural issue. I am kind of excited about that too.

I guess I am just generally excited.