Five New Very Short Plays in the Sand previewed to a full house at the Rabbittown Theatre last night, with many a would-be patron resigning themselves to return another night, perhaps with their tickets booked in advance (fair warning).

The intimate setting of the Rabbittown space, arranged in the round, a sandbox the only set piece, made for an ideal stage to present these experimental new works.

Lest anyone be concerned that dust from the sandbox might find its way into their faces over the course of the hour and a quarter long evening, rest assured the stage management team took careful measures during each of the four very short breaks between plays to keep that from happening.

In order of appearance, here are my very short impressions of the very short plays previewed in the sand last night.

Hope and Rage, written by Kenneth J. Harvey, directed by Emma Tibaldo, featuring Mark Power:

A smart choice to open up a night of experimental new works. Power delivers a no-bones-about-it performance wherein he permits the darkly comical work of Harvey to penetrate the flesh of the audience so that they may contemplate its deeper meaning.

The Answer, written by Sherry White, directed by Anne Troake, featuring Sue Kent and Mark Bath:

Absurdism meets slice of life when the Tupperware-totting Mercy’s prayers are answered (kinda) by the appearance of crack-addicted Guy. A battle of (t)wits ensues as Kent has her way both with our funny bones and heart strings in equal measure.

In So Many Words, written by Emily Bridger, directed by Courtney Brown, featuring Katie Butler and Mark Power:

A young femme fatale gets a reality check in this often poetic piece from newcomer Emily Bridger. The downbeat of the evening, In So Many Words gives as a true to life scenario in all its emotionally heightened glory.

The Great Wall, written by Robert Chafe, directed by Lois Brown, featuring Alison Woolridge and Sue Kent:

Woolridge and Kent go toe to toe in the sand-as-a-metaphor, delivering powerful performances atop this smartly written piece of playwriting from Chafe. More, please.

Birchy’s Wedding, written by Lois Brown, directed by Brad Hodder, featuring Katie Butler, Mark Bath, Sue Kent, Mark Power:

A smart choice to close a night of experimental new works. In words both delicate and dangerous, this one left me with more questions than answers. Just like a good night out at the theatre should.

Five New Very Short Plays in the Sand runs from tonight until Sunday at the Rabbittown Theatre. For tickets call the box office at 739-8220.

Pretty much what it says on the tin. Lots of shops participating, some even extending the sale into to tomorrow or the next day.

Here’s the full list of participating retailers, via the super swank Downtown St. John’s website:

A Good Yarn - 4 Bate’s Hill, 738-0556

Annika’s - 172 Water Street, 754-1146

Asian Variety Store (Giftware, dishes, prints, clothes, etc. only.  Excludes groceries.) TD Building 140 Water Street, 726-1698

Ballistic Skate and Snow – 181 Water Street, 726-2665

Benjamin’s Menswear – 277 Water Street, 576-1816

Britannia Teas – 199 Water Street, 579-9288

Byron’s Clothing For Men- 191 Water Street, 753-5555

Candy Bouquet – 165 Water Street, 747-9338

Cod Jigger – 245 Duckworth Street, 726-7422

Country Dreams – 200 Water Street, 753-4438

Craft Council of NL – 59 Duckworth Street, 753-2749

Crafted Treasures – 332 Water Street, 579-3993

Downhome Shoppe and Gallery – 303 Water Street, 722-2970

Downtown Comics- 141 Duckworth Street, 738-2933

East Rider – 205 New Gower Street, 738-3278

Flower Child - 100 Duckworth Street, 738-7375

First Western Boutique – TD Building, Duckworth St. 738-1628

Fred’s Records – 198 Duckworth Street, 753-9191

Freeride Mountain Sports – 153 Water Street, 722-7433

Gallery Shoes - 179 Water Street, 722-5097

Gingersnap - 202 Water Street, 722-2223

Golden Tulip – 295 Water Street, 753 4653

Grand Time – Murray Premises, 5 Beck’s Cove, 739-8444

Hempware - 98 Duckworth Street, 738-4367

Heritage Shop - 158 Duckworth St., 753-9040 & 309 Water St. 739-7994

Holiday Shoppe – 168 Water Street, 738-0722

Home on Water St. - 156 Water Street, 738-8228

House of Gifts - 152 Water Street, 726-0340

Irene’s - 324 Water Street, 579-3316

Island Designs and Elegant Pantry - 282 Water Street, 579-3655

Johnny Ruth – 166 Water Street, 722-7477

Julia’s Closet – 285 Water Street, 753-7576

Kitchen Queen (In store specials only) – 176 Water Street, 726-5587

Living Planet – 197 Water Street, 754-9300

Living Rooms - Murray Premises, 5 Beck’s Cove, 753-2099

Maverick Collectables -250 Water Street, 738-2888

Model Shop - 285 Water Street, 753-7576

Newfoundland Weavery -  177 Water Street, 753-0496

Next Clothing Company - 277 Water Street, 576-6398

NONIA - 286 Water Street, 753-8062

O’Brien’s Music - 278 Water Street, 753-8135

Outfitter’s -  220 Water Street, 579-4453

Our Pleasure – 334 Water Street, 753-5683

Posie Row - 210 Duckworth Street, 722-2544

Railway Coastal Museum – 495 Water St. 724 5929

Ropar – 277 Water Street, 576-6980

Sojourn - Murray premises, 5 Beck’s Cove, 753-6704

Sylvia’s Treasure Chest - 245 Duckworth Street, 753-2345

Tickle Trunk - 318 Water Street, 726-2535

Travel Bug - 155 Water Street, 738-8284

Twisted Sisters - 175 Water Street, 722-6004

Vogue Optical - 337 Duckworth Street, 722 4510

Whink -118 Duckworth Street, 754-7676

Wild Things - 124 Water Street, 722-3123

William L. Chafe - 330 Water Street, 754-1275

Woof Designs - 181 Water Street, 722-7555

You You Shoes – 254 Water Street, 739-5757

I could have sworn we’d all grown past this.

Bahamas onstage at The Ship

“This place looks like a bar, smells like a bar, I think it’s gonna work out real good.”

Ontario musician Bahamas played at The Ship twice this week on November 11th and 12th.

Bahamas, aka Afie Jurvanen, has played back-up for Feist, Great Lake Swimmers, Jason Collett, and Hayden.

He is currently embarking on his first headlining tour, playing close to 20 shows across Canada.

Why would this Ontario native with a Finnish background call himself  ‘Bahamas’?

“I just have a really weird name,” said Afie, “I didn’t want to be in a bar repeating my name two or three times… I’d rather have a name that represents the whole [band] thing. It conjures up some nice feelings for me.”

His performance at The Ship was Bahamas’ second time playing in St. John’s. He first came here in April for the 2010 JUNOS, bringing his mother along for the ride. Bahamas was nominated for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year -Solo for his debut album Pink Strat.

“There’s a lot of music fans here and if they want to see us play, I’m really happy to come out here and play for them.”

When asked to describe Pink Strat in 3 adjectives, Bahamas responded, “Brief, simple, direct.”

“They’re all love songs. I generally write about one topic, one woman for the most part. I’m not trying to rewrite the book or anything, there are a million songs about it, but for some reason it is easier to be eloquent in song than when standing in front of her.”

The Ship had a distinctly fishy aroma on Friday night, perhaps lingering from a popular order during their kitchen hours. But that scent was quickly replaced by one of anticipation by the time singer-songwriter Andrew James O’Brien took the stage with his drummer Gerald Coleman.

Andrew James O'Brien performing

O’Brien had  opened the show the previous night and left an impression on some attendees. A patron I spoke with came back on Friday solely to see O’Brien play again.

Folk quintet The Wiles played next. Their female and male vocals, sometimes accompanied a variety of  instruments, sometimes a cappella, were lovely.

The Wiles

Bahamas, accompanied by his drummer, performed many of the tracks off Pink Strat, with some audience members singing energetically along, replete with the occasional swooning girl in the front row.

Some songs were unfamiliar to the crowd, which Afie explained were from his upcoming album. He also threw in some country covers, including Tracy Byrd’s ‘Drinkin’ Bone’.

Will Bahamas return to St. John’s?

“I think generally people [in Atlantic Canada] are really grateful you’re there. A lot of bands sort of look over this part of the country because it is hard to get out to, and once you’re here, there’s also not a whole lot of shows to play on your way back… So you feel the love a bit more. I’ve always had a really good time here.”

Short answer: probably. He certainly didn’t seem to mind the smell.

Some of the hottest names in East Coast theatre (including Governor General award winner Robert Chafe) are presenting new and exciting work at the Rabbittown Theatre in the form of Five New Very Short Plays in the Sand.

There’s a preview happening tonight, with the official run taking place from Thursday to Sunday.

For tickets call 739-8220. More details on the poster, below.