Think positive:

Yes.

Spring's been sprunging...

("Floweress Prowess" c.1999, Montreal, by Ezra S.)

I hope spring has come to your town too. If so, please send my regards.

I'd send flowers, but they're all up on the wall.

Ez

Monomoho!

I propose a new way to spend time while on the Internet: take a "momentary non-monetary holiday."

A text-based holiday that you send to a friend or a friend sends you.

Dream a little, whip one up and pass it on. 100 words or less. Costs nothing but a moment for you and a moment for a friend. Might make a world of difference.

A momentary non-monetary holiday. Yes, the the ol' Monomoho. Pronounce it any way you like. It's not about how you say it, it's about where that imagination takes you.

Hang on, here you go-

You are on a beach, the day's just begun and you have but one thing to do and that is to relex.

And so you do.

You breathe. You think. And you are breathless and dumbfounded all at once.

Someone you love passes you a cool drink. You smile. They smile. Eyes meet. Ice melts...

You're here.

All worries drip away and time stands on tip-toes looking at you as you soak in the sun and feel happy all over.


Alright, now gently... back... to... work.

No mo' monomoho.

Stay strong, be friendly, travel often.

Send a friend on a trip today.

In a word: Monomoho!

Ez

Images above are clickable. Title: "Pix From My First Monomoho...", NYC/St-Paul's River(QC)/Phoenix, 2005/2004/2006

If you liked Monomoho, help your friends get their 'moho on. Learn how by clicking Comments here or below. Now go Monomoho...

Petfoodetarian

("Dog Family On A Drive", 2002, Montreal)

Too many funding cuts?
Between festival launch smorgasbords?
Waiting on that sumptuous royalty check?

Attention all starving artists surviving on "wet pet food or pet food in pouches"...

Have you heard about the recall?

Thank you for being prudent with your food intake.

Good luck with your films, paintings, dances, sculptures, photos, etc.

Here's to a growing appreciation for art and culture in our society.

Ez

I'll Pack An Alpaca

("My Winter Coat Is Your Winter Hat And Your Winter Hat Adorns My Head... Now Take The Picture Before I Spit At You Again", 9/04, Cuzco, Peru)

The weather in my home town today is such that if you forget your gloves and hat somewhere you'll almost make it all the way home before you realize you've forgotten them.

A week ago you wouldn't have made it five blustery steps without running back inside to retrieve them.

In one week, I expect those gloves and hat to be long gone.

Here's to staying close with soft and cozy things.

Ez

But one sun for all...

("Untidal'd", 2/98, FLA)


BUT ONE SUN FOR ALL
(3/23/07, MTL, Ez)

Spring rains down upon us
History cannot change that fact
And everybody knows...
But one sun for all

Lift it high, hold it tall
But one sun
One sun for all

Ez

Welcome

Welcome new readers.
Welcome back Ez Sezzers.

The way it works here is simple...

Bienvenue amies et amis,

Ez

When the spirit/s move/s you...

...that's when it's time to go for it.

("Cloudfulness", 2004, Atlanta to Peru)

I say go for it.

Ez

That kind of a day...

(Click pix for juicy view)
("Bird's Arse View" Paris/Barcelona, 2006)

Are you having this kind of a day?

Here's to more days like these...

Ez

Comments Broken Telephone

(Click pix for juicy view)("Fell-A-Phone" London/Montpellier(FR)/NYC, 2005/2006)

Here's a new game I invented a few minutes ago. Figured I'd set it in motion right away...

It's called Comments Broken Telephone. It's another original Ez Sez Creation for you.

To play: Click on the "Comments" button just below to join the other Ez Sez CBT'ers already action. The goal is to be part of the infinite evolution of an online comment.

Just remember the 2 Comments Broken Telephone rules:

1. Change whatever you like

2. Leave an 'Interpretation' if you care to.

Have fun!


Ez

Open letter to Al Gore...

Mr. Gore,

I love your film, your message and your inspiring way to get us all to respect the environment and push hard to fight climate change... however... I feel your signature could use a bit of work....


In today's mass-email plea to raise 350,000 signatures to present to Congress on March 21st, your signature looks like "Ce None". Who the heck's Ce None? (Maybe it's the effects of climate change melting your autograph down? Global warping?)

I'd like to politely urge you to freshen up your signature and then add it as the 350,000th one to your powerful petition.

I have every bit of confidence you'll raise the 349,999 needed before yours goes on.

Keep up the great work, sir.

Respectfully yours,

P.S. I know, I know, it's a bit crooked. I'm working on it... Ez

A fog upon the blog

Took this shot Wednesday night in the thin drizzle and thick fog.

Ez

Ez Sez Quote...

(An oldie from the first day of the new Millennium.)

And if you're a Neil Young fan... enjoy the incredible "from the archives" CD he just released on Tuesday: Live at Massey Hall, 1971. Every archive should possess (and share) such treasures.


See you all in the kitchen. Bring the Massey disc...

Ez

Hot and fresh from Montreal...

(Montreal bagels, 3/11/07, photo by Ezra S.)

To all the Ez Sez readers outside Montreal, I send you these hot, fresh bagels to liven up your day.

To all you Ez Sezzers in town, a friendly reminder to consider yourself lucky to live in a town with such fine bagels.

Hot tip: "To revive a refrigerated bagel to near fresh-baked status, slice the bagel in half and lightly moisten the surfaces with a small amount of cold water. Toast or bake the bagel until it is hot throughout and slightly crispy on the surfaces."

It was yours truly who added the above info to the official Wikipedia definition of the bagel a few years back [Update: someone removed it from the definition! :( ] . This is based on my late grandfather, 'Zaidie Berl' Pofelis's trick that he learnt in the Polish countryside as a kid. It is known as 'banetzing' a bagel, which is Yiddish for moistening a bagel.

Nothing like bagels and zaidies to keep breakfasts beautiful...

Banetz boldly,

Ez

(Berl 'Benny' Pofelis, c. 1990, Hollywood, FL)

Vin-what?

I though up the word 'vindigial' years ago. Wanna think up a definition? (I never thought of anything that really stuck.)

Don't wait. Leave your definition right here as soon as you read this, even if it's days or months after this was posted.

Your definition will appear at the Comments link just below for others to enjoy.

Wry but shy??? Feel free to sign "Anon." next to your definition. (Especially if that's actually your name).

Vindigially yours,

Ez

UPDATE: The 'Vindigial Shake' recipe is now at the comments section too...

50th Ez Sez Post

(Click image for the juicy view)
("Pillars", Barcelona/Montreal, 2006/2005)

Wishing you, dear Ez Sez reader, a strong and wise day today.

Today is International Women's Day.

I also noticed that today marks the 50th Ez Sez post since the blog was launched in January, 2007. (But who's counting?)

Here's to love for women today and every day.


Ez

To run again...

("Look Out For Truck", Yukon/Chicago/Brooklyn, 2003/2002/2005, Ezra S.)

Something strange recently happened at my favourite café, Shaika...

This cozy NDG spot - or rather some of its wonderful staff - was hit with a spate of rather bad luck in February. But that month's now in the rear-view mirror so we can look back on it with a little perspective rather than through eyes of shock as we did when it was all happening.


In February, three of Shaika's finest employees - Teda, Morgan and Jenny - were hit by cars... by three separate drivers on three separate street corners. What are the chances of such a string of events happening? I guess they were pretty high last month.

Thankfully, Morgan, Jenny and Teda are now on the mend. Their broken legs, knees and ankles are healing well and they are all up on crutches and walkers and in some cases back at school or work again.

("The Cast: Morgan, Jenny and Teda", 3/2/07, Montreal, Ezra S.)

In honour of these movers and Shaik'ers, I'm posting some lyrics I wrote while out on my jogging route last March. "To Run Again" came to me in one fell swoop as I was facing the sun and soaking it in on that warm early-spring day.

It's -16C in Montreal today so hopefully the lyrics won't just serve as a get-well-soon card to Jenny, Morgan and Teda but also as a get-warm-soon card to them and everyone in our frosty city. And to all of you out there in your towns too...

TO RUN AGAIN
(Ezra Soiferman, 3/26/06, Montreal)

Cold to warm again
Snow to air again
Clouds to sun again
Oh, to run again
Oh… to run again

We dream and we dream
Dream and we dream
Dream and we dream
And we rise

Dark to light again
Fear to fun again
Heart to pump again
Oh, to run again
Oh… to run again

We love and we love
Love and we love
Love and we love
And we thrive

Cold to warm again
Snow to air again
Clouds to sun again
Oh, to run again
Oh… to run again

We dream and we dream
Dream and we dream
Dream and we dream
We’re alive

The lyrics are now being set to music by my old friend Dylan Silverstein and will appear as a song on our upcoming country-folk album to be released in the fall. Stay tuned for more Dyl n' Ez info at Ez Sez in the coming months.

Keep running, folks... and as I wrote on Morgan's cast the other day... Love's your crutch.

Ez

Ink about it for a moment...

(A scan of Ezra's pen, 3/5/07, Montreal)

May our pens bring only good things to the page and great things to the planet.

Write on,

Ez

ORANGE

BLACK


Here's to colours for words and not for people.

Ez Sez we are all one shade and that is plum alive.

All are always welcome at Ez Sez.

Ez

Zebraic

(Click image for juicier view)
("Steps & Stripes" Peru/Detroit/London, by Ezra)

Every one of us has stripes of one form or another.

Ez

An Ez Sez Public Service Reminder...

("Branches Reaching, Sun Teaching" by Ez)

Be true to your self.

An old friend reminded me of this earlier today.

Now I share it here beneath the branches...

Ez

Posthumous Pickle Party

(Click any image below for juicier view)

Lots of news to share about my documentary Posthumous Pickle Party about Simcha's Fruit Market on The Main, Montreal's famous St. Laurent Blvd:

-Posthumous Pickle Party was created and co-produced by Matt Zimbel and filmed, directed and co-produced by Ezra Soiferman. Editing is by Andrew David and music is by Socalled. Additional footage by Socalled and Melissa Auf der Maur.

-The film aired on Vision TV in Canada on August 29th 2012. Read a review in the CJN here. Globe and Mail review here.

-The film was written up on February 21st, 2007 by columnist Bill Brownstein in the Montreal Gazette. Read it here.

-The film first played at Film Pop (part of Pop Montreal) on October 7th, 2006. The show was sold out (sorry to those who couldn't get in) and pickles were distributed afterwards. Read one fan's review.

-The film screened Thursday, Feb 22nd to a sold out crowd at Montreal's NFB Cinema as part of the Rendez-Vous du Cinema Quebecois film fest. Pickles were served again afterwards.

-The film has been profiled on Global-TV, CBC-Radio, CBC-TV, The Gazette, The Canadian Jewish News, The Montreal Mirror, Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Radio Centre-Ville and beyond. Thank you to all members of the media who helped spread the word.

-The film was selected as one of the best docs at the Rendez-Vous film fest in the May 18th, 2007 issue of 24 Images magazine.

-Canal D, the French-language documentary broadcaster, showed the French version of the film on Sunday, December 16th, 2007 (9pm) and Thursday, December 20th (1pm). Thanks to all who watched!

-The film won the Ville de Montréal Prize at the closing ceremony of Eurofest 2008 at Cinema du Parc. More info.

-The DVD is available through Perpetuum Productions. Email Ezra at: ezrasoif at gmail dot com to order a copy.

Simcha Leibovich, subject of Posthumous Pickle Party, photographer unknown

Thanks for all your interest in the movie as it was being made. Thanks to all who have packed the screenings so far.

Food critic Barry Lazar and klezmer/hip-hop star Josh "Socalled" Dolgin analyze pickles in Simcha's walk-in fridge.

The Film's Synopsis:

At the heart of Montreal’s St. Laurent Blvd., one of Canada’s most renowned and culturally rich urban thoroughfares, lies Simcha’s Grocery. A month after the death of owner Simcha Leibovich, a motley group of his customers return to the legendary institution to reminisce about the enigmatic entrepreneur and eat his last batch of famous homemade pickles. A tasty and irreverent romp through one of the last old-style businesses on “The Main”.

Featuring: klezmer/hip-hop wunderkind Josh “Socalled” Dolgin, the legendary, now deceased Montreal sculptor Stanley Lewis, food critic Barry Lazar and many more devoted customers of Simcha’s.

(Renowned sculptor Stanley Lewis and food critic Barry Lazar during the film's "taste-test" scene)

Above: Listen to the track "Mourner's Kaddish" custom-created for the film by Socalled with vocals by Giovanni "Subtitle" Marks.

Keep all the best things in life marinating,

Ez

The next Elvis on the charts?

(Click any image for juicier view.)
(Full-length CD released today on XL Recordings)

Remember where you were when you first heard the name Elvis Perkins?

Was it at Ez Sez? Was it right now?

Who, you might be asking, is Elvis Perkins? And is that his real name?


("Elvis Perkins [holding yellow hat] in Dearland and Clownland", Montreal, 2006, by Ezra Soiferman)

Yes, that's his real name and Elvis is none other than a dear friend of mine, a rapidly rising star and a true artist.

Not a bad combo.

I could not be prouder of Elvis on the occasion of his CD "Ash Wednesday" being released at record stores across the USA and Canada today and at iTunes too.

Elvis, younger brother of my old NYU film school friend Osgood, has overcome some unimaginable tragedies in his life and has had some incredible successes. This epic CD falls firmly on the side of the successes but speaks volumes about the tragedies.

I cannot rave enough about this disc I've been fortunate to have had for a while now.

Simply, it transcends.

This is code for don't rush to find it. It will undoubtedly find you.

Whenever you hear it, enjoy this music and have a good Ash Wednesday tomorrow too if you partake.

Ez

("Elvis's 'Dearland' band" by Ezra Soiferman, 2006, Montreal)

COOL LINKS:
Elvis's MySpace here. (Featuring the song "Ash Wednesday")
Official site here. (Featuring: "While You Were Sleeping": "...a trancelike feel and chilling lyrics." -Rolling Stone, 2/22/07. "...when Perkins started to play, the room was filled with one of the loveliest melodies heard in a while..." -Chicago Maroon, 2/20/07)
CD Review by ASU College Times here. "...stunning debut"
CD Review by The Recorder here.
CD review by NYUnews here.
Live show review by the Boston Globe.
Cool article in San Diego CityBeat here.

See the CD's first music video: "Without Love"

UPDATE:
Here are a few stories about the new CD that I've heard from friends who like me had the self-distributed version of it before today's official release:
-Dan has had the CD in his car stereo for 7 months now. He tells me a friend of his has caught the bug too. Her CD never leaves her car stereo either.
-According to her officemate, Anne listens to the CD once a day at work
-Ez once listened to the song "Ash Wednesday" on repeat for a whole day straight
-A friend in Montreal writes: wow. love him.
-What will your Elvis story be? Send them in to Ez Sez.

UPDATE:
Read a great interview with Elvis in the Village Voice (July, 2007) here.

Bobby D. on TV...

Every once in a while, usually during momentous events happening live, I'll shoot a few pix off the screen of the ol' Trinitron. Here's one of Bob Dylan when he was on the Grammies five years back.

I'll post a few other "TV Screen-Shots" on Ez Sez down the road.

Thanks for continuing to check back in to this site. Great to have you here again.

Always welcome,


Ez

Quick question for you...

Supposing having a great idea is a miracle and making it a reality a good deed... is losing it because you neglected to write it down some type of sin?

Feel free to share comments anonymously below...

Ez

Fresh snow in Montreal

Snow news is good news.

Ez

Ez Sez: Happy Valentine's!

... and if you're there already, enjoy it all.

Love is everywhere. Tap on in.

The Ez Sez Quote above is a little something I wrote last year at Valentine's Day. I share it with you here a year later.

Have a lovely day everyone. Best to you from all the lovers here at Ez Sez.

Ez

Ez Sez Quote of the day

This Machine Wins Grammies®

(Woody Guthrie in 1941 by Lester Balog courtesy of the Woody Guthrie Archives)


Mazel tov, Woody Guthrie, on your Grammy this week.

Your words, music and message spin on and on like a wonder wheel.

Total humdinger of a prize. Bravo to you and the whole team.

Ez

Meet 'Ez Sez Quotes'

This Ez Sez Quote comes from a stack of a couple hundred handwritten ones I've been jotting down on small squares of paper for the past 15 years or so.

Ez Sez Quotes will now start to see the light of day (and the light of your beloved monitor) on this here Ez Sez blog site.

And who knows where they might appear after that... Feel free to bandy them about when there are awkward lulls in conversation.

Thanks again for stopping by when you need a break from the grind or a grind of the brakes.

Regards to all from Montreal,

Ez