I believe in the power of words to engage, inspire and capture the imagination. And access to the arts is vital to a good quality of life; enriching, uplifting, provoking and inspiring.
The blog. Life with more cowbell started out in 2011 as an arts/culture blog, shouting out the good word on the Toronto arts scene with positive, experiential reviews, peppered with artist interviews and broadcast boosts. With a focus on local theatre, as well as music, poetry/spoken word, comedy and visual arts, cowbell flourished as a part-time, unpaid, one-person operation. And, yes, the blog’s title was inspired, in part, by the famous SNL sketch.
Since wrapping up theatre review bookings in February 2020, and moving the blog in a new direction, shout-outs for the Toronto arts scene continue on Cate McKim’s Twitter account.
For more on the origins of life with more cowbell, check out Phil Rickaby’s interview on Stageworthy Podcast.
The blogger. Toronto-based multidisciplinary storyteller/writer/arts supporter Cate (aka Cathy) McKim studied visual arts at York University and acting at George Brown Theatre School. By day, she works as an accidental freelance copy editor and writer (words with cowbell) and non-union voice-over artist.
A published short story and creative non-fiction writer, Cate has also contributed theatre and arts posts to Lipstik Indie Reviews, appears (credited as Cathy) in DJ Paul V’s Born This Way Blog and is a featured contributor in a Glamour Magazine piece about the 2012 launch of the book version Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay.
Thanks for checking in!
Header photo by John Oughton. Avatar by Bitmoji Bitstrips.
life with more cowbell 
Can’t wait to read about your adventures!
Thanks! I’m looking forward to having some!
For the first time ever I feel absolutely compelled to comment on a blog and this is it–dear God what a brilliant, genius, crazy good title. More Cowbell indeed!” Good luck!!!!
Thanks, Teresa – you made my day! Drop by again sometime.
I have nominate your blog for an award please take a look at my blog, thank you Kirsty š http://writeitfeelit.wordpress.com/
Thanks, Kirsty!
Looking forward to reading more! My theatrical career is now an aerial theatrical career on fire (literally), and I’m enjoying hearing about the arts and culture from your viewpoint. Thanks!
Thanks for dropping by Erinina. Glad you enjoy the blog.
Cathy – you are inspirational! Loving your blog that I only found this evening – from another culture vulture and name sake in Ireland – Cathie McKimm – Ireland!
Hi Cathie – Thanks very much! Coincidentally, most of my ancestors are from Ireland (mostly on my mum’s side – her grandparents were the last ones born there) and the McKim side is from Scotland, but settled in Ireland at one point before moving to Canada. So we’re likely distantly related, since McKim isn’t a very common surname. Thanks for dropping by the blog – come visit again soon.
p.s. – I’m also on Twitter: @lifemorecowbell You?
Hello Cate, Kat Leonard introduced me your blog. Lovely to read. Be in touch! LAW
Hi Lisa. Got Kat’s intro email. Thanks!
Hello Ms. Cowbell! I wondered where you came from when I got the WordPress email saying you’d liked my post on gratitude. I finally got around to reading Aynsley’s latest blog post and now I know. Sounds like you’re having a whole lot of artsy fartsy fun in Toronto. Almost makes a small town girl want to move to the big city. Almost. (Actually, this small town girl is yearning for more cowbells, on cows, in the pasture outside her secluded country cottage.)
Hi Maxine! Living with more mindfulness and gratitude has been a daily process for me lately – and your piece really resonated. Thanks for dropping by. Always more room for cowbell – everywhere. š
Nice to see you too, Michael! Looking forward to Elizabeth Rex.
Hey Carrie – Thanks again for getting in touch and adding me to your media list. Looking forward to what’s in store.