Clarity : a freaky and beautiful world
Christ Church Cathedral; a smooth black Celtic harp; a sexy hot curvaceous chick in black Goth wear; gray haired old lady in the front row; Jesus on the cross; punk rocker sitting in the third row; sounds of musical passion and love; words of profanity and poetry; edgy unique performance - this melange of contradictions is what the Fringe Festival is all about for me.
Listening to this gorgeous young woman sing brought tears to my eyes. Her voice soared melodically throughout the massive church structure and into my heart. She spoke passionately about life, love, music and freedom and I was easily drawn in to her unusual and imaginative perspectives.
Her opening created the mood right from the top. Entering proudly from the back of the church, like a bride, she slowly advanced through the isle towards her lover (her harp), dressed in a long black tight fitting gothic dress and 5 inch platform shoes, wearing bright red lipstick on her luscious lips, singing scapula, she was a site I have never seen in a church before - and it only got better from that point. Between songs she articulated about her life and her strong connection and relationship to her harp, as if it was a living thing for her: “The harp is a prima donna bitch; you are just background candy… playing the harp is like making love… we are like one entity.”
Clarity’s choice of music ranged from originals like the powerful Disposable Jesus, to a very edgy rendition of The Love Song by Marilyn Manson, traditional and rocked out Loch Lomond, heart rendering Avril Lavigne’s I’m with You, to the coolest version ever played on the heart of Jim Stafford’s Spiders and Snakes. She invited the audience to sing with Metallica, Nothing Else Matters, as her closing number. All the pieces were presented in her own unique Clarity way, full of edginess and originality.
We will see more of this talented Canadian artist. Through her music and personality she has an incredible ability to suck you into her freaky but beautiful world. It is a pity this was the singular performance. The Fringe buzz would definitely have brought in bigger crowds. Whenever or wherever she performs again, don’t miss the chance to be part of Clarity’s world.
No remaining shows. But you can still go here if you like.
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