I hope each and every one of you are having a wonderful festive holiday season, regardless of what you celebrate (…or don’t celebrate!). Personally, I try to make the holidays about spending time with the people I’ve neglected throughout the year while touring. I’m not a fan of the consumerism surrounding the season, although in the past I have enjoyed many a wonderful pre-holiday shopping busking day. These days, however, I get too cold easily, I’m often too busy or booked with other events performing to get back out there on the street to do some winter shows. This year, I tried valiantly to make it out on the street to remind holiday shoppers to stop and smell the roses, but, sadly, I ended up being caught up in the frenzy of the season myself!

winter busking isn't for the faint of heart!

I do think, however, it is important to take some time out to do something selfless is important   during a season where price tags and purchases demonstrating degrees to which we love one another take precedence.  Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to work with the lovely Mariatu Karmara in a fundraiser for her charity, The Mariatu Foundation. It was my first foray into event planning. Typically, I’m hired to perform at events, but, having spent enough time in the industry, I figured that when Jason Dudek of Accountable Development Works asked for my assistance, I could do it. And, we ended up having an amazing night: held at George Brown College, our fundraiser, “Hope in Action” managed to raise quite a bit of money despite the prohibitively cold weather. I was invited to speak on behalf of ADW and screen films I had made while working in Africa last year (for those of you interested, you can check out a reasonable version of my short, ‘What is Development’ here on Youtube).  Maybe if you’re lucky, I’ll cut together the video of my talk. Although…how would that reflect upon a website for a mime artist?

Speeeeaking of work, which is probably why you are reading this, you’re all probably anxiously awaiting any updates about future tours and new work. Well.. currently, I’m in a ‘professional development’ phase, which means, of course, I am working on some AMAZINGLY exciting new material, collaborating once again with my talented prop-builder on something wickedly cool and new, as well as firming up my winter tour that will begin in March! As it was, over the holidays, I got picked up to perform in a wonderful film that is being directed by an amazing director, and that is being shot by a DP who has worked for Guy Maddin! It’s been a great process and I’m excited by the final piece when it reaches completion. I have a feeling 2012 is going to be a good one!

While I’m loathe to make ‘resolutions’ at an arbitrary time of year, I wonder: what are YOUR plans for 2012? Mine involve reaching some fitness goals, building some new material and lining my career up for growth and change. I like to look at it as an overall process as opposed to a final goal that needs to be met. So much less pressure, don’t you think? Still, whatever your goals happen to be, I wish you all wonderful luck and hope you have a GREAT New Year!

I see the best and the worst of humanity in my line of work. I meet all kinds of people and hear all sorts of stories and histories and witness entire lives play out in front of me. I’ve born witness to marriage proposals, heartbreak, acts of bravery, acts of deceit, even acts of cruelty (Jane Creba’s Boxing Day murder comes to mind) and continually see ghosts of downtrodden people quietly accepting and going about a way of living that will eventually take their lives.

Ironically, for a mime, I used to talk a lot. I still do, as many journalists mention in surprise during interviews. But, in recent years, I’ve learned to simply watch and look past the words of others; for how one responds to situations they are experiencing is the true test of character. The benefit of my job is the ability to passively watch the world go by and hope that one day I may understand this humanity that I love so much, and as a result, I find myself with fewer words as days go by.

Sometimes I feel as though I have a lot to say; occasionally, I will make posts like this in an effort to sort out my own understanding of what it means to be a human being on this planet. I also rationally know that my observations are my own, and I certainly don’t treat them polemically. But I so desperately want to arrive at the conclusion (at my life’s conclusion) that humanity is good, that people are fundamentally good and that we all deserve compassion, humility, forgiveness and unconditional love. I do my best in my waking life to express those ideas both in my work and in my personal life.

I’m sure we all go through our moments of doubting the things we want so much to understand. But, it is our unwavering positivity in seeking out the good that is what drives us to continue to do what we love. It is our actions that define us, not our words. I try to live my life honestly, and I try to be as honest with myself as I am with others. My philosophy in life is that “Everything is Permitted”, an idea that originated through the work of Dostoevsky, and it has been this philosophy that allows me to continue to do what I do; for living life through action can be challenging. It requires one to extend beyond their boundaries of comfort, it requires us to examine everything around us deeply and critically. It requires us to be prepared to let go of even the most deeply important things to us: be it a belief system (or, as an atheist, I like to say “way of understanding things”), a lifestyle or even a relationship—sometimes the most important ones, like our parents. And of course, it requires trust: trust in ourselves, trust in those around us. Trust that you will be okay, no matter what.

And you know what, folks? You will be okay. No matter what. Because, from my experience, all people want is acceptance. And acceptance can be hard to grant (..or even accept), but it is out there. If you are willing to grant acceptance, then you will be okay. I do what I do and take the abuse that I do from life because I accept it. I accept humanity. I accept everyone in it. I accept that we are all, in our own ways, supremely flawed. And when I find something in life that is good, and right, then I grab it and hold onto it. Hard. A life of action is a fearless life.

There is nothing to be afraid of in life. And when you find that thing that is right and good, then you need to grab it and never let go.

Hey folks! It’s been about a week since my last update; life’s been crazy! The season has wound down, I had a pretty darn awesome time hosting wonderful folks surrounding TO Buskers, like Dave and Gracie from Flame Oz, and Peter Rabbit,  and now that my house is empty again, I feel like the season truly is over! ….well, that and the autumnal chill in the air. What gives, Toronto?!
Since I’ve been quite busy playing host, I haven’t had a proper sit-down to post the winner of Photo of the Weekend for the Toronto Buskerfest edition. I had a wonderfultime this year, performing my brand new act for everyone. It was lovely to have such awesome support as I work on new material for my hometown crowd and I’m really stoked with the new bits I discovered with your help! This year, I gifted postcards with every $5 donation and they appeared to be quite an overwhelming success.Expect more postcards soon, with a variety to choose from!

I received a LOT of photos and positive feedback from you, my awesome fans, and it was so hard to choose which photo to take the cake (so to speak!), so I cheated, and picked two photos. Because I CAN! First up, as you can see from the top of the page, is Brian Stahls’ awesome shot! Next up, is a shot from a gent who gave me a CD on the last day of the festival, but failed to give me his name! So, to the anonymous awesome person who provided this GREAT action shot: thank you!

It’s been such a fantastic journey with this new character and I’m excited about where she is going.

As for me, now? Well, I’m putting together my winter tour for this year, getting back into training, continuing to do shows while I can as the weather holds out, but, most importantly, I’m enjoying the beautiful autumnal weather by getting outside and on my bike around the city! Toronto is my very favourite place in the world and, call me biased, but I think it’s the prettiest in autumn. Before I head off out of the cold, chasing summer, I will take a moment to enjoy this amazing time of year where our local landscape really shines it’s brightest. 

Talk soon, folks!

Popping in to give you guys a couple of media links, as well, to let you know my sites and times! I will be performing at the usual digs by the LCBO, or, closer to Scott St., or, by Le Papillon, all weekend! I generally take a dinner break somewhere between 5-6pm, but, who knows what will happen today, as it is the BIG ONE.

Coppelia, found on Flickr - ©dtstuff9, all rights reserved

Check out a couple of interviews I’ve fielded:

NOW – Statues and Liberty: Mime-based artist Kate Mior’s career isn’t standing still

Evi-Dance Radio: Sunday, August 21st, Ted Fox and his crew chat up Kate Mior about corporeal mime, busking, and the creative process

Inside Toronto: Street Performer finds International Success

Finally, I’ve got some schwag this year! For every $5 donation, you will get an awesome postcard! It’s got it’s own QR-code AND is ready to send via post to your loved ones! For $10 donations, you can receive your own autographed Marie Antoinette fan! Just like the one I use in my show!!

Lastly, be on the look-out for Coppelia!

With Toronto Buskerfest rapidly approaching, I know I should be taking the opportunity to post about that. And I promise I will, in due time. But today I would like to take the time to dedicate a post to something a bit different: politics.

I am devastated by the death of the Honourable Mr. Jack Layton.

Jack Layton lived in my neighbourhood. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and talking with him and his wife, Olivia Chow, on several occasions.

His tireless efforts in recontexualizing the face of the NDP in the eyes of Canada was incredible. He was a force to be reckoned with, and his historic win as the official Opposition in Parliament was just a step in a future that could have been a pivotal turn in Canadian politics. He worked hard to involve the younger demographic (that’s me!) and his passion for our country was honest, genuine and raw. You can read it in his final message to Canadians.

As an NDP supporter, as a neighbour, and as a Canadian citizen, I am shocked, devastated and saddened by his death. I’m doing my best to share in his unwavering optimism, but, honestly? I’m fearful for the state of leftist politics in Canada. In the wake of our growing conservatism, the growing interest in privatization, the lack of interest in supporting socialized programs, the arts and our medical system, I can only wonder where our country will be in the next few years. But, rather than focus on the despair, I’ll share these words from his final message:

“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”

Today is a very sad day in Canadian politics. Rest in peace, Mr. Layton, and if you happen to read this, Ms. Chow, please know that I stand behind you as a Canadian, fellow NDP supporter, and as neighbour in Kensington Market.

Much love,
Kate Mior