The fifth edition of the Freak And Fabulous showcase is now one for the books. With some last minute cancellations from the likes of the band Bookakee and famed porn star Vandal Vyxyn, most notably absent. As the old, extremely overused antidote goes; the show must go on. Once the clock had struck ten o’clock, and with much of the eventual crowd still lollygagging on their way to the venue, the decision was made to postpone the beginning of the festivities. Luckily, drinks could be purchased from the bar and cupcakes and cotton candy were available free of charge! The room slowly filled up with late comers and miscreants of all types, and made for quite the spectacle. Montreal has some beautiful people, some beautifully bizarre people.
Following a short delay, host Michelle Ayoub stepped up onto the stage to get things underway. Making way for self-proclaimed “Space Hooker”, Natasha Nebula, who wowed the crowd with a snake charming burlesque bit. The stunning Nebula moved about the stage with grace, with a mammoth serpent weaving its way about her. Following that was Dan Solstyx with a Buugeng performance. Buugeng, in case you’re wondering, is an “S” shaped arc that was invented in 2003 as an extension for the art of juggling. “Buu” translates to “weapon”, “geng” to “illusion”. Thanks Google. Solstyx was able to create a neat optical illusion, spinning and weaving his LED-laden buugeng about in the pitch dark.
One of the highlights, was a glass walking burlesque expose by Eldritch Mor. The routine began with a little strip tease, as most burlesque shows do, until a mysterious blanket that adorned the front of the stage was opened up to reveal pieces of broken green glass. As Mor kneeled, spreading the broken glass fragments about, I assure you, the sound it gave off was definitely that of shattered glass. She proceeded to walk or dance through the scattered glass, somehow without so much as a flinch, and then she jumped up and landed up her knees… in the glass. What form of trickery is this, I thought. As Mor now rolled and crawled across the glass shards. I flinched, she didn’t.
For the first live music set, Montreal’s up and coming Hip Hop sensation, Maniks took to the stage. Initial disgruntled with the sound and stage monitors, all issue’s were quickly resolved and Maniks went on to deliver quite a show. Delivering tracks from his debut album “Unleashed” and his more recent mixtape, “A Life Of Crime” (Which should have been called “A Life Of Crimes” considering his time with the now defunct punk band, Crimes, but hey!) as well as some fresh new tracks that are yet to be recorded. If the rapper was disgruntled to start off with, he was now at ease and joking with the crowd between tracks. Joined briefly by Natasha Nebula and the snake, who I’m going to refer to from now on as Snoop Snakey Snake, because my knowledge of reptiles isn’t strong enough for me to tell you what kind of snake it is. Maniks was on point, spitting interesting verse, with some bizarre noises thrown in to the melting pot, too.
What is more mesmerizing than fire? Perhaps flames being pulled over skin in a sensual display of kink and debauchery. Enter Pyrometheus. Beginning off with an angel and a latex clad devil, I suppose, until the angel’s halo is set aflame and undresses to become a devil herself, and then is initiated in a fiery display. Quite fascinating to witness. Following that was a latex intensive circus burlesque bit by Alberta’s lovely Lylia Chorosive – fresh from performing at the Montreal Fetish Weekend that also took place over the long weekend. Chorosive made everyone in attendance wish they were her hula hoop, as she dazzled in practically transparent latex wear. This and Pyrometheus were perhaps the better performances on the night.
A tattoo competition named “Inked Lady” was next. But I have my doubts about some of these ladies being ladies. I’m quite certain a few of them were, in fact, males. The give away was when the heavily tattooed Maniks was invited to the stage. He promptly turned on a dime and disappeared into the darkness, pretending not to have heard the call. As each contestant showed off their ink, two stood out. Ironically, both pieces had been done by the same artist. A debate between which of the two should be crowned winner, as I snuck off to the bar for a quick pint.
The final musical act on the night was a metal band named Through Death. Apparently, a reunion show (Or was it their second show since getting the band back together?) Through Death slammed through their set, evoking a few people to form a mosh pit and bang each other around for a little bit. Hell, why not.
The grand finale was a suspension act from Holy Scars and the Iron Midget, who had been bouncing around the crowd, trying to incite a riot all night. He’s trouble, that one. I’m not sure how these things work; if the piercings were already there or done on the spot, but either way, this muscular bugger was chained up to a harness on the ceiling and swung around the room like a human pinata. The Iron Midget taunting him with the whole time, of course, with several of the other performers helping him. Do these people not feel pain, I wonder? I can’t imagine how it feels to swung around by metal bars in your skin. Gives me the creeps just thinking about it.
Freak and Fabulous had something for everyone, and despite a few hitches, was a very entertaining night that will hopefully be around and growing for years to come. Oh and the cupcakes were to die for! Really! So good!
Written and photographed by Kieron Yates
