THE WAWA SHOW

READ ABOUT WAWA 2008 in the Montreal Mirror!

Here is a fun and interesting article written by WAWA's Jennifer Kruidbos for the 4th edition of The WAWA Show!

Women in Montreal: make you wanna say WAWA-wee-wah!

I think every gal has gotten the stare-down. Most women will know what I'm talking about. You're walking, down the street feeling good and there is that one woman who stares you down as she passes – more intensely if you look good. That stare confirms the strange but ever-present competition amongst women to dress better, look hotter, be thinner, smarter and more successful.

I have recently had the pleasure of getting to know a group of women who work outside the competition and celebrate each other's good qualities rather than resent them. I met Amanda Mabro in my search for voice lessons – a new hobby. A friend referred me so I called her up, not knowing what to expect. What I encountered was fabulous teacher and person who introduced me to people who changed my perception of women, success and the music industry.

Mabro, like most people, has experienced jealousy from men and women alike and been perplexed by it. "I've struggled with understanding jealousy. We all want different things for ourselves, so what do other people's gifts have to do with that? I've always befriended people I admire, and opened my heart to them. Some people were supportive of my successful moments other people seemed resentful," notes Mabro a singer-songwriter who has been part of the Montreal arts community for 10 years.

The 28 year old focused on the supportive people in her life and did not get discouraged by the disappointing friendships. "I've had many weird exchanges with all sorts of people over the years, but I try to avoid becoming cynical. People can and will surprise you. Amongst the bad apples, there are a lot of good ones to be found," she says smiling.

Mabro felt energized by the supportive women and noticed the positive impact they had on one another. Four years ago she took what seemed to her an obvious step.

Together with her writing partner, Cozmos Quazar, Mabro put on a Montreal event that celebrated women in a creative and inspiring forum.

"This event has one stark and daring gimmick alone; an answer to the question, 'What if we all helped each other out instead of competing with one another?'" notes Quazar who has been involved with the annual event for the last 4 years.

As a city known for a surplus of music festivals and beautiful, confident women, Montreal's lack of musical events celebrating women is surprising. I don't know of any, let alone attended anything resembling one. That's why I am curiously looking forward to Mabro's 4th annual We Are Women Artists (WAWA) show.

Various past performers and audience members have described the show to me as light and fun, no one taking themselves too seriously and even a little silly at times. It sounds as though the somewhat goofy title fits with the nature of the show. WAWA was in fact named by Mabro's husband and bassist Patrick Rizzetto, inspired by Gilda Radner's famous SNL "Baba Wawa" sketch.

WAWA features a woman emcee and a front woman in most acts, but men also play a role. "I think it's a pretty juvenile oversight when people question the involvement of men in the show celebrating women," says Quazar who describes himself as being marked by an abject and spectacular love of women on WAWA's official website.

"It has nothing to do with women vs. men. It's about starting something that gives Montreal the recognition it deserves, and about inspiring people to stop comparing, and enjoy the amazing hotbed (and boy is it Hot!) of local talent...that just happens to be predominantly female, for one short night," says burlesque performer and emcee of this year's WAWA show Holly Gauthier-Frankel who maintains that her experiences performing at WAWA restored her faith in the camaraderie of women.

"For me, WAWA has reaffirmed the emotional community that forms when there is no competition, and only the straightforward goal of making beautiful art, music, or whatever it may be," says Gauthier-Frankel who recently returned from Tokyo where she was performing as her famous alter-ego, Miss Sugarpuss.

"As a burlesque dancer, my goal is to empower women by exposing myself...literally and figuratively! It elicits a varied and sometimes violent response, particularly from women. I'm lucky to have a forum in which to express my 'feminine art form,' for lack of a better term, and even luckier to have a new, vibrant community of people who support it wholeheartedly," says Gauthier-Frankel. (Frankel)

In addition to Amanda's Cabaret rock and Holly's burlesque, this year's WAWA features Montreal's hip-hop star Empire Isis, Briga our city's gypsy violinist amongst many other comedic and musical performances. WAWA recognizes that one should be happy when others achieve greatness because those achievements can be a source of inspiration.

Women and men alike, who are involved in WAWA have openly expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for an event that gives them creative freedom within a team of generous and fun-loving people.

"I had no idea how much this would impact the women involved and has made me realize how much I do care about it," says Mabro who every year experiences the slightly draining process of putting her heart and soul into every aspect of the grass roots community event. Now, with the support of the incredible men and women involved a once little show is growing into – no matter how modest – a collective.

Comedienne DeAnee Smith, last year's WAWA host and Just For Laughs stand up star is flying back from Australia especially to perform her 15 minute set at this year's WAWA.

Cozmos Quazar sticks by the event because he respects the artists and enjoys the community. "Coming from over 10 years of working in the music industry, it's painfully clear that it is one of boundless competition. Everything you do and say is judged with the utmost scrutiny by bookers, scenesters, local members of the press, and, most of all, other artists," notes Quazar. "But WAWA allows you to work outside the competitive aspect of the music industry."

As many female celebrities seem to grow in the media as their DUI's increase, youth may be confused into thinking that fame is ultimate goal – the end prize that drives this constant competition.

Quazar suggests talented female artists today are recognized for their qualities that subscribe to a superficial competition rather than their musical capacity. "Girls hear about people like Amy Winehouse who claims she didn't get famous until people could map out her bone structure from a distance. The idea that the record she released was really strong is not cited as the reason nearly as often," says Quazar.

WAWA is similar to a movement that could be prevalent in the 60s. "The WAWA concept reaches to the purity of a different era entirely before art became a product, where people gathered to share their many talents simply because it enriched their lives," says Quazar.

WAWA represents women whose main focus is to be better artists, and be part of a community. The magical atmosphere the event is known for demonstrates that much more gets done combining forces. The best way to avoid the heaviness of the competitive and judgmental industry is a fun environment where people feel comfy enough to be themselves artistically and support each other. This year's WAWA will be the biggest to date, suggesting that Montreal's joie de vivre, anything goes attitude – especially in summer – still makes it the breeding ground for some of the world's best artists.
Sala Rossa. Thursday May 29. Doors at 8:30 show at 9:30. $10 tix sold at door only.

Here are some pictures from the third edition of The WAWA Show at La Sala Rossa in Montreal on Feb 16th, 2007: