Cafe_merea

Jeff Green | Mar 09, 2006

Feature Article

Waiting for the Wolves at CafeMerea

Cafe MEREA presented a wonderfully entertaining evening of literary and musical works by local performers to a sell-out crowd in McDonalds Corners on Feb 24.

Award winning author Michael Norman Steeves read two short stories inspired by primal archetypes drawn from ancient myths. "Waiting for the Wolves", a tale told from the perspective of a wolf, moved through several emotional states and was marked by moments of compassion and resolution, of terror and solitude. Michaels skillfully composed second work "The First Masked Hero" told the bittersweet story of a royal blacksmith turned highwayman. El Umbri the blacksmith became a hero to the people but in the end was slain by royal guards and "lay paling in his own blood, his face so perfectly framed by the sunburn on his cheeks and chin." The poems read by Carl Edgar Law, a writer from Kingston , were satiric, sardonic, melancholic, fantastical, grim, and humorous. Carl originally from Ireland , moved the audience to tears and laughter. His poem entitled "Semtex-H" described a night of terror in Ulster when he and some friends discovered the severed leg of a sixteen-year old girl in a ditch. The audience was transfixed as Carl read, "We were hypnotized, robotic almost, we were saving her life to keep from screaming." How do people, especially teenagers, survive such traumatic events in their lives? Carl has paid a price for his survival and it is passionately revealed in his creative work.

Flute player, Georges Marchand and poet, Susan Tannahill presented uplifting works of compassion, concerned with achieving a view of perfection, in a world filled with doubt and despair. Georges and Susan have found hope in the writings of the Bah Faith and draw on that inspiration to create thoughtful poetry filled with love and promise. The rhythmic and lyrical sounds of Georges’ flute combined with Susans strong words and melodious voice to create a sound "As sweet as the scent of flowers". CafMerea patrons look forward to their return. Michelle Larin, an artist who tells her story from a deep awareness of self and an understanding of community, shared her latest work with a delighted audience. Whimsical and starkly powerful, her prose-like poem entitled "Bunny Not Granny" told the captivating life story of her Russian grandmother. Michelle described Bunny as "this little old girl with the courage of soldiers, the wisdom of whores, and the acceptance of a prisoner-of-war." Bunny was a world traveler who was incarcerated in a Japanese prison camp during the Second World War. It was an absorbing poem that not only evoked an extraordinary life, but illuminated the era in which she lived. Nancy Rattle, a writer who has lived in Lanark County since 1975 shared love poems which allowed the listener’s eyes to "open wider to the wonders and delights of spirit". The audience was moved as Nancys contralto voice read "Only with hearts soft and open, strengthened by good intention will we find the way to let love be full of everything it is meant to be." Relationship and healing are important aspects of Nancy ’s life and her poems expressed a depth and symmetry that celebrate the enormous complexities of this worldly life and its connection to spirit. CafMerea had a great show that rocked with electric energy and was highlighted by the performance of Alida Sont, who sang a colourful and exuberant version of Fiona Apple’s song entitled "Criminal". She was accompanied by her father Willem, who is an accomplished pianist from the Lanark area. Alida is a promising young singer who attends PDCI high School in Perth and hopes to find other venues in which to perform. Executive producer Les Russett invites all local performers who are interested in playing at CafMerea to call 613-279-1081 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The next CafMerea will be held on Friday March 24 at 8:00PM and will be called "Rollin Down the Line, A Tribute to Johnny Cash", featuring Randy Kay. Tickets are $10 single and $15 family.