Koncan’s zahgidiwin/love earns playwright award

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I almost made it to the end of summer without calling my hot ex-girlfriend. She will sometimes take me in for an afternoon of fun and sex, just for old times sake! I feel guilty for a while afterwards because I’m married — but a guy needs a break once in a while, right?

My problem? This ex has no steady guy in her life right now, so she asked if we could start seeing each other regularly on Sunday afternoons “no strings attached” until she finds a new partner. Yikes! Free sex with her once a week? Oddly enough, this does not strike me as a smart idea.

I know she would never out me to my wife, but things are bound to get emotional if we start a seeing each other a lot again — plus she’s feeling lonely. I know her personality, and she can kick up a fuss. She’s quite emotional and I can’t afford to get in her line of fire.

On the other hand, I have a wife and kids who have such busy lives they don’t even seem to notice I’m there anymore. What do I say to this ex?

Though there have been multiple calls for repeal, Winnipeg continues to enforce its controversial 36-year breed-specific dog ban.

The ban prohibits American pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers and mixed-breed dogs with the physical appearance and traits of these prohibited breeds.

I appreciate that the ban may have been well-intentioned when enacted.

However, research now points to a multifactorial approach to preventing dog bites, including public education, access to veterinary care and strong animal-control laws addressing aggressive behaviour, licensing, irresponsible breeding, leash laws and animal welfare/safety.

Plays usually just compete for audiences at the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, with one exception.

Every year, the Manitoba Association of Playwrights presents an award for the best new play by a Manitoba playwright — the Harry S. Rintoul Award, named for the late Winnipeg playwright who championed the fringe as a place where local writers could find an audience.

On Sunday evening, the final night of the 29th edition of the theatre fest, the award was presented to local playwright Frances Koncan for her work zahgidiwin/love, described as “a dark comedy about trauma, genocide, and decolonization amidst an era of Truth & Reconciliation.”

Set across three time periods of Canadian history — a residential school in the 1960s, a murderer’s basement in the ‘90s and a castle in the post-apocalyptic future — the play received a four-star review from Free Press fringe reviewer Kevin Prokosh during its run at the Onstage at the Pantages Theatre venue.