games

The 100th TPB Episode: The Star Wars vs. Star Trek Debacle!

Written

on Monday, October 17, 2011

For years society has debated important issues like Coke vs Pepsi, The Beatles vs The Stones, and Ketchup or Catsup, with no end in sight. Well, the cool kids at Trailer Park Bingo have decided to put an end to the classic Star Wars vs Star Trek argument!
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For months now we’ve been secretly stockpiling prizes for this night, and trust us…you won’t be disappointed! No matter if you’re into Spock or Yoda, Data or C3PO, Leia or 7 of 9, you’ll be among friends!
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This IS a costume party, and we will have prizes for the best male and female costumes, plus the first 30 people through the doors get super special stuff .
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ALSO – Our great friend Brad will have the B.Goods Mobile Bakery truck parked in front of Zaphod’s, fired up and ready to tantalize your tastebuds with fresh goodie goodness!
(check out B.Goods here: https://www.facebook.com/Bgoodsbakery )
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We will also be unveiling our brand new, top-secret mini game on this night, so be there or be square.
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Tricks, Treats, shots, swag, pies, pinatas, and MUCH MORE!
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Thanks as always to our great friends and sponsors at Top of The World, Labatt’s, Jim Beam, The Record Shaap (209 Gilmour), most of all, YOU!! Without your continued support and enthusiasm, we would never have reached our 100th show, so sincerely….thank-you!
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As always, the splashzone IS in effect, there IS NOT and NEVER will be a cover, and make sure you show up early to get the best seats.
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See you in the Park.
xo

PS – no Jar-Jars.

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The Dirty Rectangles and the art of the indie video game

Written

apartment613

on Thursday, July 21, 2011

Image from Eric McQuiggan's Regrowth

Post by Travis Boisvenue, whose story on Ottawa video game collective Dirty Rectangles originally appeared at OpenFile Ottawa.

Canada is no stranger to independent video games. The movement of art-focused, largely unfinanced video game designers has produced some of the most critically acclaimed games of the decade. And Canada is home to award-winning indie studios like Montreal’s Polytron and Winnipeg’s Infinite Ammo.

Since January 2010, a video game design collective called The Dirty Rectangles has earned Ottawa attention in the indie games world by organizing events including monthly video game showcases and 48-hour design challenges called game jams. The Dirty Rectangles, made up of Eric McQuiggan, Justin Dempsey and Derek Ledoux, includes a loose collective of members who meet up to showcase game ideas, share design philosophies and encourage independent game making in the city.

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Weekend roundup: Things to do in Ottawa

Written

trevor

on Thursday, July 21, 2011

Photo courtesy chma fm on Flickr

Hey Ottawans, looking for some weekend plans? The Weekend Roundup has its magnifying glass out, its trusty bloodhound at its side, and is on the case. This is one mystery we’re not going to let go unsolved.

Starting with music: there ain’t no party like a B.A. Johnston party, because a B.A. Johnston party just might end with partial nudity, if the above photo’s any indication. You can catch the Hamilton indie rocker/shirt eschewer this Friday night at Irene’s. Guitar virtuoso Luke Doucet brings his White Falcon to the Black Sheep Inn that same evening, while up in Wakefield the next night it’s Rompre Stomp 2011, the town’s “biggest and happiest event of the summer” (at least, according to the Sheep’s website). On Friday at Raw Sugar it’s Pitch Black, their new experimental-noise-meets-a-completely-dark-cafe project. And Saturday brings Toronto singer-songwriter Pink Moth (Evolutionarily speaking, wouldn’t a pink moth be a terrible idea? As if the fact they spend most of their lives circling light fixtures doesn’t make them obvious enough to predators.) to the Chinatown cafe. On Friday at Mavericks it’s Dream Jefferson’s EP release party. And for the classical music snob in you, Chamberfest 2011 kicks off on Saturday.

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Ottawa Pinball & Gameroom Show

Written

Katie

on Monday, July 18, 2011

Ottawa’s first EVER pinball and gameroom show.
Machines set for free play
O-TOWN THROW DOWN: match play tournament. 2 skill divisions A (Advanced) and B (Beginner) Trophies, Prizes, Cash Prizes for top players
Gameroom vendor Starburst coin machines will be setting up a booth with gameroom items, parts and the latest STERN pinball…….. That’s right TRON!!!

$10 a day or $15 weekend pass
Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am -5pm

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Acting British in the capital in honour of Will and Kate

Written

apartment613

on Friday, July 1, 2011

With Will and Kate arriving for Canada Day celebrations in the capital this week, it’s your chance to embrace your inner monarch and take in some truly royal experiences in the capital city. If following the official itinerary isn’t your style, we thought we could provide some suggestions of some other British activities you can take on in honour of the royals.

Have a pint (or two) – there are no shortage of British-themed pubs in Ottawa and this is your chance to refer to drinking a Boddington’s as a cultural activity.

Go on a tea bender – you can have high tea at the Chateau Laurier or you could have high tea at the National Art Gallery. You can even have high tea at Laurier House. You could have high tea at all three and overdose on Earl Grey and crustless sandwiches.

Wear a fancy chapeau - Hats are all the rage in Great Britain – any event will see ladies of all ages sporting silly and stylish head fashions. Buy one from a real milliner, or make your own!

Eat food with plenty of carbs – seek out some yorkshire puddings, beef wellington, fish and chips, etc… save Jamie’s Food Revolution for a weekend your not indulging like the landed gentry.

Learn how to play polo – or just watch it while wearing a fancy hat. This favourite sport of Wills himself will definitely get you feeling all British-like, and the Augusta/Ottawa Polo club can help you out.

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Ravenswing Hoedown at the Legion

Written

Katie

on Thursday, April 21, 2011

On Friday, April 29, 2011, local Ottawa arts group Ravenswing will be hosting the Ravenswing Hoedown, a fundraiser at the Montgomery Legion Hall for the fifth annual Ravenswing: Ottawa’s Do-it-Yourself Craft and Zine Fair.
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The fundraiser will feature a group games tournament from 8 to 10 pm that includes bingo, musical chairs, retro board games, video games and a giant version of Jenga. The night will also include a live DJ and dancing that will go well into the night! This year’s fundraiser has a country and western theme – prizes, which have been generously donated by local Ottawa establishments, will be awarded for the best costumes and to the tournament champions.
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Those interested in participating in the games tournament should register before April 27 by emailing ravenswingottawa@gmail.com with a list of four team members and a team name. The team entry fee is $20 and can be paid via PayPal through ravenswingottawa@gmail.com. The entry fee includes the team’s door fees.
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For all other guests, entrance is $5 at the door or pay what you can. All proceeds from the event will go towards the fair.
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The Ravenswing Do-it-Yourself Craft and Zine Fair will be held Sunday, May 29, 2011, from 11am – 4pm in Minto Park, in the heart of Centretown. This fun, family-friendly event brings together the community and showcases a variety of local crafters, zine vendors, skill-sharing workshops, and independent musicians in a collaborative environment.
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Please visit our website, www.ravenswingottawa.ca, for more information.

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Your chance to become Ottawa’s head foodie: The Ottawa Foodie Challenge

Written

apartment613

on Thursday, November 11, 2010

Photo courtesy of chotda on Flickr.

Post by Chris Cline and Yasmin Nissim

Attention all foodies: have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to be crowned Ottawa’s head foodie? This weekend marks the city’s very first Ottawa Foodie Challenge, and it just might be your chance to shine! Show off your knowledge of all things local and tasty by competing in a food-centric scavenger hunt for charity. You’ll have the chance to win the top prize and, best of all, bragging rights.

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Weekend roundup: Events and things to do in Ottawa!

Written

Karen

on Thursday, September 16, 2010

Photo courtesy the Weathermakers myspace page.

Fall made a whopping entrance this week, bringing that chill in the evening air and causing the trees to show off their vibrant autumnal colours. How did this change happen so quickly? I’d like to think that Mavericks’ Saturday guests would have the answer, but I’m not going to hold my almost-visible breath.

What other fine music events are happening besides the Weathermakers’ cd release party? The Joynt is at the Clarendon tonight, making his hometown proud, and Lady Daisey is coming to the Rainbow on Friday, bringing her lovely soulful voice. There’s more at Mavericks on Friday, too, with punk rockers Subhumans and four-stroke. Ottawa’s own The Flats is also in town, visiting good old Irene’s down on Bank. And as long as Raw Sugar keeps bringing the good shows, we’ll keep going: tonight you’ll find the Shirt Tearing Boys, and Friday is Forest City Lovers night. The Capital Music Hall will have a poppy vibe on Saturday with Down with Webster and To the Rescue, while Zaphod’s will be indulging in a little disco with the DVAS. This being the third weekend of the month, it’s Mind Games at Babylon, while Ritual also has a few special DJs in the booth.

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Acoustic music board game night

Written

Katie

on Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Bring your own board game (BYOB)

Featuring Sean Zio, Scary Bear Sound Track and May-Jun

The event is called “Acoustic Music & Board Games Night”, and it’s on Thursday, September 16, at Cafe Morala (734 Bank Street), starting at 7PM. The idea is, you bring your board games and play while you listen some live acoustic music. The musicians playing are Sean Zio, May-Jun, and Scary Bear Soundtrack, and you can find some bio info about me here. It’s really hard to write about myself!

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Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah-ing Through Trees

Written

Khoi

on Thursday, August 5, 2010

Photo courtesy of khoioi on Flickr.

“We’re going zip-lining… are you in?”

“Sure!” I replied. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I should have perused the website to prepare mentally for this ‘aerial experience’, as they call it at Camp Fortune. All I can say is that zip-lining gives the term “tree-hugger” a whole new meaning.

I envisioned zipping through Gatineau Park, enjoying the thrill of speeding through the trees and having a cool breeze on my face. For some unexplained reason, I did not envision “how” we would get high enough to experience all that. By climbing trees and going through an obstacle course in mid-air, that’s how! It literally felt like a suspended version of boot camp. As first-timers, we did the “easy” Explorer trail. I don’t even want to imagine the intensity of the Amazone trail. Not just yet.

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