Monthly Archive for January, 2010

Capital Slam! At Mercury Lounge

As the poetry hopefuls need to start getting in the game if they want a shot at representing Ottawa on behalf of Capital Slam!

We also have an amazing feature…

Kay’la “Kiki” Mahy is a soft spoken yet eccentric starving artist that is hell bent on permanently eradicating the title ‘starving’ from her long list of aliases. She is not only the Creative Director of The POWERTRY Collective- an arts-based organization, as well as the host of Brantford’s monthly spoken word and music series Sticks and Stanzas, but is also a cheesecake fiend and purveyor of random acts that has been known to drop a poem or two on occasion.

Speaking of the Slam, remember you have to slam three times to be eligible for the semi-finals, so for both slams in February we are going to have a special rule.

Anyone who has not slammed yet this season (and the 51 people who HAVE can be found on the discussion board of the Capital Poetry Collective - just click on the hosts of this event) will be given preferential treatment on the sign up list.

If you have not yet slammed, make sure you see Rusty between 6:30 and 7pm at the Slam, and we will MAKE SURE you can get up on stage.

Cool?

Remember that the Mercury allows all ages. It is $7 at the door and free for performers.

Voices of Venus feat. Kathryn Hunt

When: Tuesday, February 9, 7pm

Where: Umi Cafe (610 Somerset St. W.)

Cost: $5

Sexual Overtones visits Apt613 for a Valentine’s Day TEA-ser!

For all your burlesque needs...

For all your burlesque needs...

Flowers? Uninspired. Candy? Unoriginal. Dinner and a movie?  You’re trying to get your Valentine’s date in bed, not put them to sleep.

You can do better. In collaboration with Sexual Overtones, we are organizing a little something special for you all on Valentine’s Day. Plus, by buying a ticket you won’t just be showing some love to your lovers or friends, but to Apartment613 as well:  net proceeds will go to our bandwidth fund to help pay our interweb and other expenses.

This Valentine’s day afternoon, Sexual Overtones - Ottawa premier Burlesque Group - will visit Apartment613 for an afternoon Tea-ser: a scrumptulescent combination of tea, good company and sexual satire.

Not only will you get to view a selection of the Overtone’s most popular skits, but you will get to participate in the most sexiest of British meals: high tea. The price of entry includes a cuppa Earl Grey or two, scones and cupcakes from Auntie Loos, strawberry jam, whipped cream, and some other treats whipped up by Apt613’s personal chef. This is exactly what the Queen would do on Valentine’s day.

The event takes place at 2pm, Sunday February 14 at the Bronson Centre (Mac Hall) 211 Bronson Ave. @ La Nouvelle Scène’s Bistro (333 King Edward Ave).

Tickets are $20 or 2 for $35. The easiest way to purchase is in-person at La Nouvelle Scène, by phone (613-241-2727 ext. 1) or online (http://nouvellescene.com/) from La Nouvelle Scene. TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT CANTEEN (238 DALHOUSIE) or VENUS ENVY (320 LISGAR).

Everyone ages 19+ are welcome to attend. This is a photo-free event.

We hope to see you there!

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Des fleurs? Des chocolats? Vous pouvez faire mieux cette année. En collaboration avec Sexual Overtones, nous organisons un événement spécial pour la St-Valentin qui servira aussi de levée de fonds pour notre site. Nous vous proposons une après-midi de thé, petits gâteaux et de burlesque!

Le tout aura lieu dimanche le 14 février à 14h au bistro de La Nouvelle Scène (333 King Edward).

Les billets sont en vente au coût d’un pour $20 et 2 pour $35. Vous pouvez vous procurer les billets directement à La Nouvelle Scène,  par téléphone au 613-241-2727 (poste 1) ou en ligne (http://nouvellescene.com/). Le prix d’entrée inclut le thé, un scone, des petits gâteaux (d’Auntie Loos!) avec confiture et crème fouettée et de vos numéraux favoris de Sexual Overtones.

Tous ceux qui sont âgés de 19 ans et plus sont les bienvenus. A noter, c’est un événement sans photo.

Au plaisir de vous voir en grand nombre!

The Return of Andrew Vincent

This will be the triumphant (or exhausted) homecoming show for AV, fresh off the plane from Amsterdam. “Like good old-fashioned Canadian handicraft–handmade, heartfelt and even naive–Andrew Vincent’s songs are pure heart-on-sleeve nuggets that always manage to nestle their way into the cozy corners of our minds.” – kelprecords.com

Opening is Ottawa’s Rolf Klausener. The Acorn’s headmaster will emerge from his Flogaards basement with new delights for your suppage.

When: Friday, February 5, 8:30pm

Where: Raw Sugar (692 Somerset W.)

Cost: $8

Websites:

http://www.myspace.com/andrewvincentsongs

http://www.myspace.com/theacorn

The Luyas with Adam Saikeley at Raw Sugar

Led by the left-field popsmith, Jessie Stein (also of Miracle Fortress, ex-SS Cardiacs), Montreal’s The Luyas are a sexy mix of melodic song, atmospheric textures and avant-garde-ishness. Their pedigree features members of Torngat, Bell Orchestre and Ferris Wheel. This is not to be missed.

Opening is Ottawa’s own Adam Saikaley. A boy-wonder and genius multi-instrumentalist. His artistry knows no bounds, and will leave you rapt with his blend of organic electro-psych-pop.

When: Monday, February 1, 8:30pm

Where: Raw Sugar (692 Somerset W.)

Cost: $5

Websites:

http://www.myspace.com/theluyas

http://www.myspace.com/adamsaikaley

Catriona Sturton and Sharon Coward at Raw Sugar

The winsome mistress of song returns to Raw Sugar for her first show of the year.The Ottawa-native cut her teeth in Canadian music as the bassist in the legendary all-girl, power-pop outfit, Plumtree (who incidentally will be having some classic cuts featured in the new Michael Cera film, Scott Pilgrim). Catriona’s new music skirts the boundaries of Kimya Dawson-esque confessional folk pop, and the classic popular song forms of Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. Catriona will be accompanied by The Acorn’s Rolf Klausener on guitar and other fancy things.

When: Saturday, January 30 9PM

Where: Raw Sugar (692 Somerset W.)

Cost: $7

Website: http://www.myspace.com/catrionasturton

Audio Visual Podcast Rundown Jan. 27

Photo courtesy of the CFI

Photo courtesy of the CFI

It was a film-centric show this week on Audio Visual, as Executive Director of the Canadian Film Institute and Carleton professor Tom McSorley dropped by to talk about the CFI’s upcoming screening of Atom Egoyan’s The Adjuster. McSorley has written a new critical study of the film, Atom Egoyan’s The Adjuster, and the January 28 screening (that’s tonight!) will serve as the book’s official Ottawa launch. Egoyan, a Canadian filmmaker known for both his commercial Hollywood movies (The Sweet Hereafter, Where the Truth Lies) and his more personal artistic works (Ararat, Exotica), will be in attendance. The Adjuster is a challenging work - check out the somewhat convoluted plot description McSorley gives in the interview - but it’s a rewarding experience for film lovers who are willing to find their own way through the movie.

The CFI screening is part of the institute’s 75th anniversary celebrations. The CFI has been active since 1935, making it Canada’s oldest non-governmental, non-profit cultural organization dedicated to cinema. Yes, they’re actually older than the National Film Board! So go out, support a great organization, meet a Canadian cultural icon, and buy McSorley’s book - but not before checking out our awesome interview!

Also, Tina and I previewed the new Gladstone production by A Company of Fools, Shakespeare’s Danish Play. A clowned-up version of Hamlet, the play is the latest from one of Ottawa’s finest (and funniest) theatre companies. It runs at the Gladstone from January 28-February 27. For more details, listen to the podcast or visit the Fools’ website.

Atom Egoyan’s The Adjuster, with the filmmaker in attendance
January 28, 7pm (get there early!)
Library and Archives Canada (395 Wellington St.)
$10.00 for CFI Members, Students, and Senior Citizens. All other tickets $15.00.

Listen:
 
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Date Night: Absinthe and bowling

West Park

You can always tell whether a person is interesting if they take you out to see something a little different. Something that shows originality.  Something that demonstrates that they don’t judge and are open to trying new things. No, I’m not talking about taking you to a sex shop and pointing out all the toys they haven’t tried — I mean making date night more than just dinner and a movie.

So for all you want-to-be-heartthrobs, here’s our suggestion for a mid-January date:  bowling and Absinthe. Or, in our case, Absinthe and bowling (we had to wait for league night to be over). In our opinion, the combination of high and low brow makes this the perfect Westside date.

Bowling is great fun because it’s: 1) entertaining; 2) allows you to gauge your potential mate’s arm strength and coordination; and 3) it’s cheap, costing just $6 for a game and shoes! Plus you’ll find out how competitive you and your date can be… We loved Kent Lanes on Catherine St., but since it closed we are knocking pins down at West Park bowling — your west side bowling centre since 1946.  There’s even glow in the dark bowling on the weekends, and the lane is easily accessible to Centertowners by jumping on the number 2 bus.

Drinks are always a perfect compliment to bowling, but if you’re doing the mid-day bowl thing, you may prefer brunch and lots of mimosas. However, if you’re dating in the evening the Absinthe Café and Restaurant is not only located right across the street, but also offers a new experience to those who have never had the chance to try the infamous green beverage. It also goes a long way towards proving that you’re not too cheap.

The restaurant’s cheese board is $12 and each glass of absinthe will set you back $14. Our picks in order of preference: the French brew — lovely licorice taste; the Canadian-made selection — very smooth; and the Czech shooter — harsher but a glowing green… plus they light it on fire. Yum!

Weekend round up

fundraiser

It’s the last weekend of 01/10, and hopefully the weird weather patterns will disappear along with this month. The forecast for this weekend, though, is mostly sunny, so there are no excuses for staying holed up at home.

Tonight is the first jam-packed evening - there’s poetry, film, more film, and music of the Latin variety. The rest of the weekend follows in a similar busy fashion. One highlight: Andrew King’s Manhattan Project exhibit will be opening at the Wall Space Gallery on Saturday night, works that came out of his recent adventure in the big city.

Sunday’s activity line up is set to chase away your winter blues, with Yuk Yuk’s Insensitivity Training and Zaphod’s Trailer Park Bingo (with $5.75 Bud tallboys!).

And while the coverage of post-earthquake Haiti is starting to fade, the fundraising efforts have not. Check out Kym’s outline of events, from bake sales to facials to rock shows. And that’s not all for fundraisers: on Friday, Sadie Hell will be joined by some fellow rockers to raise money for the victims of the Glebe fire. The show will be down at the Royal Oak in the Glebe (779 Bank) and the suggested cover is $5, although more is obviously welcome.

Also, if you missed Wooden Sky last weekend, have no fear - they’re back in town on Monday night, albeit a little further away from Centretown out at Algonquin. (See? Exciting things happen way out there!) And don’t forget - it’s your last chance to participate in the Winterlude Urban Cozy Project - get your tree scarves in by Feb 1!

Birth Day: First fundraiser event in the history of Artists’ Alliance for Mental Health Canada!

Host: Artists’ Alliance for Mental Health Canada
Type: Causes - Fundraiser
Network: Global
Date: Thursday, January 28, 2010
Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: East African Restaurant
Street: 376 Rideau Street
City/Town: Ottawa, ON
Come and be part of BIRTH DAY: the first-ever event held by the Artists’ Alliance for Mental Health Canada. This fundraiser will include the following:

- Spoken word from Ritallin (Ottawa) and Monica King (Lanark County);
- A special performance from Mahlikah Aweri of the Red Slam Collective (Toronto);
- A musical performance by Ottawa singer-songwriter Rita Carter;
- Stand-up comedy from Emily Olding, Heather Bruce and Andrew Woglemuth — members of the Ottawa chapter of Stand Up For Mental Health;
- Visual art from Komi Olaf’s Angels of Music collection, with prints available for sale from the artist;
- and Von Allan joins us with his graphic novel “the road to god knows …”

All of this is for AAMH Canada, which is dedicated to awareness raising, advocacy, research and collaborative action in support of people living with mental health concerns.

Get there early to get a seat, and to sample the fine Ethiopian food on the menu! Admission is $8 at the door.

For more information about us, check the AAMH Canada FB page, or our website at http://www.aamh.ca, or email aamh.canada@gmail.com.