OTL Blog

Optative Theatrical Laboratories is pleased to announce two free walking tours for the 2013 edition of Montreal Jane’s Walks! Joining the tried-and-true Red Light District Walking Tour (with Donovan King and Velma Candyass) is the brand-new, controversial and untested  Infringement Walking Tour!

So, if you like theatre on the streets and don’t want to spend a dime learning about local Montreal culture and history, get your walking shoes laced up for the big weekend!

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Experience controversial street theatre and discover the birth/philosophy of the now-global infringement festival movement! Professionally-guided, explore the festival’s creative roots in “The Main” National Historic Site.

This walking tour on The Main delves into what local writer Marianne Ackerman describes as “anglo Montreal’s longest-running cultural feud”. The infringement festival, now in its 10^th edition, was born when artists in a show called Car Stories were kicked out of the now-trademarked St. Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival.

Learn about the birth and philosophy of the now-global infringement movement, experience controversial street theatre, and explore legendary bars, parks, theatres and alleyways in and around The Main. Delve into the philosophical “Fringe™ vs. infringement” dilemma, and hear about how it exploded on the scene at the first ever World Fringe Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland, last summer.

Hosted by Donovan King and Karen Spilak, the tour also includes special animation by the talented artists of the infringement festival!

The tour starts at Bar Bifteck (3702 Saint. Laurent), and reservations can be made via the Montreal Urban Ecology Centre’s website at the following link:

The infringement walking tour: Exploring anglo Montreal’s longest-running cultural feud

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After hailing victory in the battle for Cafe Cleopatre, Burlesque queen Velma Candyass and cultural worker Donovan King have been busy trying to put Montreal’s Red Light District firmly back on the map, as developers simultaneously try to erase it!

After much research and preparation, the dramatic duo are pleased to offer a salacious walking tour of Montreal’s storied Red Light District. From the days of New France through the Victorian era to Prohibition and right up the 21^st Century, the tour looks at all the unsuccessful attempts by various authorities over the centuries to control, destroy, or re-brand the area. Included is the most recent controversy, the demolition of the Lower Main National Historic Site, and the dramatic funeral that was staged by activists to mark its passing.

Photo © S.E. Amesse 2012

As a cultural war unfolds in The Main National Historic Site between artists and developers, King and Candyass are working on behalf of the living culture, history, and heritage of the remarkable neighbourhood! Velma has done some serious burlesque revival with the monthly Candyass Cabaret, whereas King keeps up the pressure on politicians and developers to ensure the destruction stops and they begin respecting the National Historic Site.

The tour starts at the Midway Bar & Salon, 1219 boulevard Saint-Laurent, and reservations can be made via the Montreal Urban Ecology Centre’s website at the following link: Montreal Red Light District Walking Tour

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 27th, 2013 at 12:20 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.