Interview by Jasmine Sealy
Photo by Olivier Barjolle
Last month I attended a free, hilarious, thoughtful, well-organized literary event at The Lido in Vancouver. I got there an hour early and the place was already almost packed, by showtime, people were being turned away at the door. The event was fine., an evening of “storytelling and otherwise”–a magical combination of stand-up, poetry, storytelling and music. The result is a show as unique and quirky as its creator and host, local writer Cole Nowicki. Here we chat to Cole about how fine. came to be and about the future of the show.
Check out the interview below and be sure to catch fine. every final Monday of the month at The Lido. Pro tip: stick around for the musical guest at the end–worth it!
Tell us a bit about the origin of fine. What motivated you to create the show?
I’d had the idea of doing a show in a similar vein to fine. for a couple of years before it happened–more of a vague concept than anything. The idea sat in my head for a while, kind of stagnating, until I finally decided to shit… because I didn’t want to get off the pot, or however that goes.
Developing and putting on shows is something I enjoy a lot and had experience with previously, so I knew I could at least do a pilot run of fine. I sent my pitch to The Lido, thankfully they were receptive, offered to give me a shot, and we’re still at it almost two years later.
I think the hardest part about getting motivated to start the show was just committing. To send that pitch email. Once I did, it forced me to follow through.
fine. is described, perfectly, as “an evening of storytelling and otherwise.” Why did you decide to incorporate so many different performance elements into one show?
Because I’m selfish. I wanted to make a show that I wanted to go to. I love comedy, lit events, live music, experimental stuff, and it just made sense to me to mash them all together so people could enjoy them all in one sitting–if you’ve ever watched me eat dinner it’s the same thing. Roasted potatoes, eggplant parmesan, an ice cream sandwich–if it’s on my plate, I’m gonna mix ‘em up.
I initially wasn’t sure if the combination of mediums would compliment each other well, but thankfully they do. Just had to try to find out.
What was the most unexpected challenge you encountered in putting fine. together?
It is a fair bit of work. Lots of emails and errand running. But I got used to it and now I love it. I also fell in love with spreadsheets and the task apps that help me organize all the show stuff I need to do. <3 <3 <3
In your position as a creative organizer in Vancouver you have to be constantly on the lookout for new talent. What emerging artists / spaces / events / movements are you most excited about right now?
Oh, there’re lots! We have some great frickin’ shows in the city. Foxhole Comedy, that happens every Wednesday in The Projection Room at The Fox, is one of my favourite comedy rooms in town. Jackie Hoffart and Robyn Pekar who run it are really supportive of new comedians, and as their show’s bio goes: “women, non-binary folks, people of colour & queers are the majority of performers, every time,” which is great. Millennial Line, run by Tin Lorica and Savannah Erasmus, is really awesome, as well. Matty Vu also puts on a couple of great events––Craft and The Furious being one of the best show names in history, probably.
I went to the last Indigenous Brilliance reading series and it blew me away. It’s put on by Room Magazine, Massy Books, and hosted by jaye simpson, Jónína Kirton and Jessica Johns, who all rule. Looking forward to the next one! Poetry is Bad For You is great, too! Samantha Nock, who’s an amazing writer, co-hosts that one. Of course, Real Vancouver Writers’ Series is always tops. Sean, Dina and the gang there are pros. SAD Mag is always doing cool stuff.
The amount of spaces to put on events in the city is slowly shrinking, which is worrisome, but people are still out there making it happen. Massy Books has been amazing for providing event space!
As far as individual artists, I’ve been really into Future Star’s music as of late. I’m actually listening to it as I answer these questions. Fatima Dhowre is one of the funniest people I know. Mica Lemiski is doing really awesome stuff, too! She’s a fantastic writer, has been mixing her music into her work and does the Fainting Couch Feminists podcast.
Generally, I’m excited about all of the new shows/projects/podcasts that folks are starting and how encouraging they are towards new writers, comedians, artists–everything.
At the last fine. show, you read from your profile of local karaoke legend Arcanabyss Brooks. Hearing about your experience interviewing Arcanabyss reminded me of how important it is to always be open to stories in unexpected places. How do you find new and interesting people and stories, both to write about and to feature in fine.?
In terms of finding new stories to write about, what works best for myself is to just get outside. Whether it’s bringing my laptop and notebook to a coffee shop to work, hanging in a park pettin’ strangers’ dogs or going to a show. Getting out there with the ol’ moleskin in my pocket, jotting down things that are/could be interesting, has been my best technique to coming across story ideas so far. Being open and willing to really look into something/someone that could have potential is a big part of that, too. Sometimes the dots don’t connect immediately, but once I have enough of them jotted down it generally starts to make sense.
Regarding fine., going to shows is huge. That’s where I learn about most new performers. I also do a fair bit of web research. Another way is when folks just email me themselves and send in a sample of their work so I can get a feel for it. There’s always a spot or two on the show for someone who has reached out, whether they’re brand new to the scene or established.
The queue is getting a little long, so there may be a bit of a wait to get on a bill, but I’m always open to that. If anyone reading this is keen, feel free to drop me a line at afineshow@gmail.com. : )
fine. is getting very popular. You were at max capacity for your July show. What are your plans for the future of the show? Do you see it evolving or growing in any way?
It’s really encouraging that the place is consistently packed, that people are coming and continuing to come–shout out to the regulars. But–and hopefully this translates the way I’m intending and I don’t sound like a dick–it makes sense. This city is full of amazingly talented people, and when you get them all on a stage together, people will come and see them every month, regardless of the show. People want to support local artists and see them do their thing. I’m happy that we’re able to provide a platform for that in whatever way we can. And it will always come back to this: thanks to The Lido for blessing us with a really great venue to do that.
There are definitely plans to grow. I’m currently working on applying for some grants to help with that. If we’re able to secure some money, the plan is to put on a series of free workshops that anyone can attend, lead by some of the fantastic folks we’ve had on the show. Getting people inspired and helping give them the tools and/or the platform to follow through on whatever it is they’re into is a big goal. I’d also like to do some all-ages events. I grew up in small-ass towns and I would’ve shit myself, in a good way, if I were able to have seen an Amber Dawn, Aaron Read or Kimmortal as a kid. So I think that’s pretty important, as well.
Plus, we’re always fine-tuning. We want it to be as fun, inclusive and accessible an event as possible (which is why it’s always free to attend). And over the course of doing the show we’ve noticed, or been told of, areas where we’ve been lacking and needed to improve on in that regard; from things like posting venue accessibility info online to establishing a Safer Spaces Policy. There’s always room to grow in that regard. And if we’re ever slipping, please let us know. We’re very open to feedback: afineshow@gmail.com
Besides fine. and your personal writing projects, you’re also involved in Post Radical, a show about skateboarding culture for Viceland and POBE, a series of illustrated short stories. I hate to ask the “how do you do it all” question but seriously, you’re a busy dude! Are these projects all labours of love, or a hustle to survive in Vancouver, or something in between?
Oh, it’s definitely a combo of the two. I love them, but it’s always a plus if you’re getting paid.
I also just really enjoy keeping busy. In addition to my various organizational spreadsheet and apps fetish, I have a whiteboard above my workstation at home where I keep track of my daily to-dos––there’s no bigger rush then checking those fuckers off. If there’s a project out there that’s interesting and it’s feasible to fit into my schedule, I’m down: colenowicki@gmail.com lol.
Of all your creative endeavours, what project are you most excited about right now?
I’m excited about pretty much everything I’m working on. Which is a non-answer. So, excluding the stuff we’ve talked about previously, I will say either the manuscript I’ve put/am putting together (which I’ve already sent out and now feel anxiety about because I’ve written stories since that I wish I would’ve included in it), the skateboarding video my friend Stefen and I have been filming (which has mostly just been me falling for the camera), or the pants that I’m going to dye tonight.
Actually, it’s definitely the pants. Please keep me in your thoughts as I attempt this for the first time.
What’s one piece of advice you enjoy ignoring?
Hmm. That one is tough. One piece of advice I enjoy following is to try and reply to texts/emails as soon as I get them. Which I don’t succeed in doing often, so it’s kind of like I’m ignoring it, I guess.
(I’ll respond to your Facebook Message re: the video of the dogs playing water polo soon, Mom, I promise!)
What are you most looking forward to for the rest of 2018?
Hopefully continuing to live, laugh, and above all, really try to reply to texts/emails as soon as I get them. (Sorry, Mom!)
Cole Nowicki is a writer and generally well-mannered person. His work has appeared in PRISM International, subTerrain, Joyland, VICE, VICELAND, McSweeney’s, and more. He also produces and hosts Fine., a monthly evening of storytelling and otherwise, in Vancouver, BC.