BROKEN TELEPHONE...

by Cottonwood Fields:

We regret to report that this Telephone City show was all but a washout. We're not sure why, exactly. The organizers did everything right as far as we can tell. The show was advertised, it was held at a well-known downtown venue, and it had even generated some press in the local paper.

(photo courtesy of Pin Pals)

Shifty weather may have been partially to blame, but perhaps the truth of the matter might be that the fair people of Brantford simply aren't interested in what treasures may be found at a craft fair in a punk rock club.

* * *

And while we did not come home the victorious millionaires we had hoped, it cannot be said that the trip was a total loss.

As a matter of fact, we will go out on a limb and claim that it is worth the drive to Brantford just to sample the epicurean delights of grease-sopped Admiral Submarine. AKA Admiral Fast Food, or, if you prefer, Admiral Harry's. Call it what you will; it's a rigorous workout in heart-stopping gluttony.

(photo by Becky Johnson)

Let us recommend their signature dish, the Junkpile. It consists of twin sesame kaiser sandwiches, each barely able to contain their generous load of hamburger patty, roast beef, turkey, ham, regular and peameal bacon, and two chicken nuggets on a bed of mayo-drenched lettuce, onions, pickles and tomatoes. Topped with much melted cheese, ofcourse, alongside a shoebox of fries. Aitor is still dutifully picking away at his order since yesterday.

(photo courtesy of Andreas Link)

Also, Lydia asked for a side of mayonnaise and was handed a styrofoam coffee cup full of the stuff.

Upon hearing our reports of this gastronomic adventure, T-Bone, who remains State-side, had us promise to hold his birthday dinner at the Admiral.

* * *

HOMECOMING SCENE...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

Be it ever so crumbled, there's no place like home. Home being the Bunker, where the Company is setting straight to work curating it's Labour Day extravaganza.

(photo by Erkuden Sakana)

There is no time to loose. The members of Misanthrope Specialty Co. are going all out to prepare what is hoped to be a memorable event for its loyal followers and supporters.

* * *

BELL OF THE BALL...

by Cottonwood Fields:
Ahoy! The Company is preparing to descend on Brantford this coming weekend to hock our wares alongside other crafty folk from near and far.
For those of you who may not know, Brantford is known as Telephone City -- the sometimes home of Alexander Graham Bell -- and purportedly the place where he came up with the idea for his harmonic telegraph device (later patented under the moniker telephone).

Others claim Brantford got it's nickname because it's the birthplace of "The Great One."

Bring your friends.

* * *

LABOUR PARTY...

by Reverend Aitor, Impresario:

As promised, we have a brand new show coming down the pipe. Those of you who know how to find us are welcome to come enjoy fruits of our labour on everybody's day off.

These past two years of multiple members touring all over Canada and the U.S. has yielded an impressive trove of motel and hotel letterhead, thrift store salvages and jealously scavenged dead stock from the dustiest, most forgotten stationary bins in North America. These scraps of paper were subsequently traded and passed around in the usual fashion. Wheat and chaff were then separated and distilled into Stay the Night.

''STAY THE NIGHT''
Exhibition & Sale of New Collaborations
by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.
CONCERT * SLIDE SHOW * READINGS * SLEEPOVER

LABOUR DAY
(Monday September 7th)
M.S.Co. Clubhouse
9 pm

(B.Y.O.B)

While we do have a few sleeping bags and pillows to go around, we suggest bringing your own. The usual dress code will be in effect until bedtime.

* * *

WINNIPEG LEG...

by Heywood McGillicuddy, Chair:
The prairies of Canada have had a surprisingly profound effect on more than a few members of the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

photo courtesy of Chad Vector

Winnipeg, especially, has inspired much daydreaming in a small faction of the Company that intends to submit a formal proposal to relocate Company Headquarters to friendly Manitoba.
The issue won't be argued until the Company reconvenes in September, but there hasn't been a great deal of resistance to the notion in informal conversation. Winnipeg certainly has a lot going for it as far as cash-strapped artists are concerned.

* * *

SUGAR-CRUMBS PRAIRIE...

by Reverend Aitor, Impresario:
Listen to the soothing tones of the Misanthrope Specialty Company as you drive home from work tomorrow.

Steve Sim and Lee White are the Crumbs

Winnipeg theatre darlings, the Crumbs have graciously invited us to join them on their radio call-in program at 5pm, on UMFM. Those of you out of range can listen via the internet and the wonder that is live streaming.

* * *

KEEPIN' IT RIEL...

By Becky Johnson: Unofficial Tour Manager:

Photo by Becky Johnson

As the tour winds through the flat parts of Canada, the Reverend is bringing the unflattering portraits down to earth with a session in Winnipeg at our friend Marcie's home. Come on over, we can make you some tea.

UNFLATTERING WINNIPEG
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Marcie's Home
#31-10 Balmoral
12:oopm - Janet Shum
1:oopm - Available
2:oopm - Available

To book an appointment, simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Portraits take about thirty to forty minutes per person and are done by donation. Pay what you think it's worth.

* * *

Just Added!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
#31-10 Balmoral
2:oopm - Aaron Merke
3:oopm - Available
4:oopm - Jane
5:oopm - Available
6:oopm - Available
7:oopm - Mama Fehr

* * *

PASTURE PRIME...

by Rufus Spaulding:

It is our general consensus that it feels good to be back on the Canadian prairies; a part of the world that holds a special place in our collective hearts. As Tallulah once wrote in a postcard, "there's something edifying about stepping out on a sunny afternoon and watching it rain on the next town over."

(photo by Serena McCarroll)

Our base of operations is presently All Citizens, in quiet Bruno, Saskatchewan. This is our first visit since our intrepid impresario's goodwill mission over a year ago. Alliances are being forged, plans are being hatched, good times are being had.

* * *

All Citizens is many things to many people. To some, the storefront itself is an art installation on Bruno's Main Street; to others, it's the only place in town to get espresso; to a few, it's the only place this side of Saskatoon to buy zines, indie crafts, and art; and to fewer still, it is and art gallery. Lately, it's also Canada's smallest music venue.

(photo by Becky Johnson)

Last night, after afternoon of unflattery, the Misanthrope Specialty Company Orchestra had the good fortune of opening for Toronto's Great Bloomers. The locals tell us it was the most raucous affair they've had in Bruno since the Cherry Festival. The audience had cleared most of the chairs out of the shop for the Bloomers' second set, and piled them outside to accommodate some stomp-dancing.

(photo by Becky Johnson)

There is much more to be said about All Citizens and the town of Bruno than we have time for here. We hope to write something more in depth sooner than later -- but in the meantime, if ever you find yourselves rolling through these parts, we urge you to stop by the shop and have a visit with Tyler, it's curator and co-creator. He's a soft-spoken man with much to tell.

* * *

UNFLATTERING THE WINDY CITY...

By Becky Johnson, Unofficial Tour Manager:

photo of Jacob Banigan by Becky Johnson

This just in from tour HQ: The concerned citizens at Renegade Handmade have booked the Reverend Aitor to spend a day at the shop unflattering their fellow Chicagoans. Reservations are highly encouraged. We don't want to get into the liability issues we encountered on our last trip through Chicago wherein the Reverend's presence insighted something of a flash mob. If you would like to book a slot, just follow this complicated instructions below.

UNFLATTERING CHICAGO
August 15, 2009
Renegade Handmade
1924 West Division Street
Chicago, IL
12:oopm - Haley Willis
1:oopm - Stephanie
2:oopm - Jen
3:oopm - Jackie
4:oopm - Laura
5:oopm - John
6:oopm - Colleen

To book an appointment, simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Portraits take about thirty to forty minutes per person and are done by donation. Pay what you think it's worth.

* * *

HELD OVER!

Sunday August 16:

12:oopm - Available
1:oopm - Available
2:oopm - Terri Rinella
3:oopm - Available
4:oopm - Kelly Chesnik
5:oopm - + Friend
6:oopm - Lane Jackson

PRAIRIE TALE (OR GET YOUR FAT GRASSES DOWN TO BRUNO)...

by Becky Johnson, Unofficial Administrative Assistant:

Photo by Reverend Aitor

The time has come for the Misanthrope Specialty Company's triumphant return to the jewel of the prairies, Bruno, Saskatchewan. Bruno is home to All Citizens a plucky little art shop that just happens to be the exclusive retailer of all things Misanthropic in Saskatchewan. For this visit, our good Reverend will be bringing his poison pen to the fair people of Bruno for some serious unflattering portrait action.

What's more, the scheduled unflattering portraits will be followed by concert from Toronto's Great Bloomers. What could be better?

UNFLATTERING BRUNO
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
3:oopm - Available
4:oopm - Available
5:oopm - Available
6:oopm - Available

To book an appointment, simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Portraits take about thirty to forty minutes per person and are done by donation. Pay what you think it's worth.

* * *

To tear a tab off this sheet, please report to the Bruno, Saskatchewan, community bulletin board (located on Main Street).

* * *

UPDATE (2009.08.04): You can now sign up via this blog or the chalk board in front of the shop.

* * *