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Hot Entertainment: Documentary Film Festival DOXA Comes to Vancouver

Story of BURQA: Case of a Confused Afghan, a documentary shown at DOXA

When it comes to film, it doesn’t get more real than documentaries. Enter DOXA (May 4 to 13), a documentary film festival that started in 2000 and continues to make waves. This year’s line-up runs the gamut: Story of BURQA: Case of a Confused Afghan (pictured), a timely look at how cloth has ignited controversy and fear; Bear 71, a groundbreaking mix of live performance and music alongside grizzly bear footage; and VITO, an inspiring look at AIDS activist Vito Russo.—Jennifer Patterson

Weekend Roundup: Best Bets for March 9 to 11

Rococode from Vancouver is just one of the bands playing at Mavericks this weekend. Photo credit: Robyn Jamieson.

Friday, March 9
Start your weekend off right by partying it up with some fun indie bands at Mavericks. This is the LP release show for Anchors, the newest album from Ottawa indie rock band and show headliner Kalle Mattson. Also on the bill: Rococode, a three-boy and one-girl band from Vancouver that strives to make exciting and meaningful pop music; The Richardson Band, an Ottawa indie/folk band that just recorded its first EP; and the Ashleys, another Ottawa indie/rock band.

Get lucky at the first late night performance of Third Time Lucky, performed by Toronto-based comic storyteller Paul Hutcheson at The Gladstone. Pornography, an allergic reaction to shellfish, and orgies are just some of the topics Hutcheson covers in this solo show. Hutcheson has performed in more than 25 fringe festivals, winning awards in New York, San Francisco, Montreal, and Ottawa. This play is part of the Black Box Set Theatre Festival, which runs until March 17.

Get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day a few days early with Ottawa Irish Week. The week-long festival and longstanding Ottawa tradition invites you to celebrate Ireland through music, poetry, history, dance, theatre, and sport. This Friday, get entertained and eat Irish fare at The Erin Luncheon at St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa. Various events run from March 8 to 17.

Saturday, March 10
Laugh, cry, and support a good cause at The Vagina Monologues this Saturday. Carleton University’s own Vaginas Against Violence are once again putting on a fantastic show, which is run and performed by Carleton students. All proceeds from ticket sales go towards the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre and the international V-Day campaign, which supports victims of sexual violence in Haiti in an effort to end gender-based violence locally and globally. If you’ve never seen this show that serves up story after story to honour the female anatomy, you’re missing out. (more…)

Weekend Roundup: Best Bets for February 3 to 5

Quinsin Nachoff is just one of the performers taking the stage at the Ottawa Winter Jazzfest.

Friday, Feb. 3
Jazz up your weekend by taking in the international and local talent at the first annual Ottawa Winter Jazzfest. Whether you’re a seasoned jazz enthusiast or looking to diversify your musical tastes, this festival promises to thaw that winter chill. Hop all over downtown Ottawa, from the National Arts Centre to Club SAW to the Mercury Lounge to catch the smooth sounds of artists such as Megan Jerome, Quinsin Nachoff, Remi Bolduc, and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble of Chicago.

Experience Ottawa’s diverse architecture and examine the relationship between architecture, the arts, and politics through music with Polytectures. This sound walk was created by Montreal’s Antoine Bédard and 10 local musicians. Through a variety of musical styles, Polytectures allows visitors and locals alike to experience Ottawa’s architecture in new ways by pairing songs with local landmarks. Although the entire walk is an hour long, it has been divided into sections with warm-up breaks for Winterlude.

If you’re a film buff with a soft spot for independent cinema, then you’re going to want to Get Iced this weekend. The Independent Filmmakers Co-operative of Ottawa is presenting 10 new Super 8 short films made by local filmmakers in cooperation with Winterlude. Afterwards, unwind with drinks at the Soviet-style reception hosted by Avant-Garde Bar and Gift Shop. The party continues at the bar after 9:30pm with live music and no cover charge.

This Friday, Yamantaka //Sonic Titan and Boyhood bring the party to Babylon. Yamantaka //Sonic Titan are a psychedelic opera group that fuses noise, metal, folk, and pop music to create an east-meets-west culture clash extravaganza. Boyhood is new on the Ottawa scene, bringing catchy songs with haunting melodies. (more…)

Restored 1919 Film Gives Rare Historic Glimpse of Arctic Life in Canada

Still from 1919 film Romance of the Far Fur Country (Photo courtesy of the Hudson's Bay Company Archives)

Some of the earliest footage of northern Canada—a silent black-and-white film documenting a 1919 Hudson Bay Company expedition—has been restored to a full-length documentary. The film had been gathering dust in a London archive for 50 years but was recently restored and is being shown in select Canadian towns and cities. (See clips of the original footage.) (more…)

Weekend Roundup: Best Bets for December 9 to 11

Self-portrait entitled "Julie" by Julie LaPalme, whose work will be on view at Lemonjellow.

Friday, Dec. 9
If you’re looking for a fun holiday jam with a bit of an artsy twist, Lemonjellow’s weekend pARTy “Deck the Halls” is just the thing for you. Lemonjellow Productions is an art collective that aims to display art in all different sorts of ways. This weekend, the works of nine local artists will be on display and for sale at back-to-back holiday parties. The party starts at 8pm this Friday and lasts well into the night with the help of a DJ and some Christmas tunes. Bring a present to be re-gifted in support of Pink Triangle Youth, and leave with some great art priced $50-$300. A party runs Saturday at the same time, and a tamer cookies-and-coffee party is happening on Sunday.

If you’re looking to take a break from the holiday madness, take a road trip to Gananoque (about two hours away), where you can catch Robin Hood! A Children’s Holiday Pantomime. This beloved adventure story is being performed as a “panto” – a performance with a musical-comedy twist that has men playing women… and vice-versa! Some laughs, a fun road trip, a good time with family and friends, and a unique performance style – this outing has it all. Play runs until Dec. 23.

Saturday, Dec. 10
If you’re looking to broaden your cultural horizons beyond Santa Claus, come out to Carleton University’s campus on Saturday night. No, we’re not suggesting joining the students who are studying for exams; instead, check out Kala Tarang: An Evening of Indian Dance and Music, which is a concert highlighting the work of the students of Gharana Arts. Other performers include Kasturi Mishra, who will be performing traditional Kathak Nritya, and Udit Bhide and Ravi Singh, performing Sitar and Tabla Vadhya. Whether you are familiar with this style of dance or not, you will walk away with an increased knowledge of the rich cultural traditions of Indian performing arts.

As if the holidays don’t have enough temptation, the Ottawa Locavore Artisan Food Fair (LAFF) is back for a second year. This Saturday, 25 local food artisans will be coming together to sell their delicious products, including cookies, pies, cheeses, jams, chocolates, and more. Sample some products and choose your favourites to purchase as gifts or to take home for yourself. A silent auction of select products will raise money for the School Breakfast Program that feeds 11,000 children in Ottawa daily. So head out to delight your taste buds and support a good cause, as well. (more…)

You Are Here: Old Strathcona

Image courtesy of Noel Zinger

With over 600 eclectic, independent and alternative shops and services to explore, it’s little wonder Old Strathcona is regarded as the place to experience Edmonton’s finest live theatre and music, boutique shopping, dining and nightlife. Read on for some of our top spots in this historical district and then visit www.oldstrathcona.ca for even more. (more…)

Weekend Roundup: Best Bets for November 18 to 20

Friday, Nov. 18
Winter may be on its way, but the good news is that so is the Signatures Show. This event showcases gifts by Canada’s best artisans and designers, who display a plethora of goods, including art, home décor, beauty products, fashion, gourmet treats, and jewellery. Be sure to check out the daily fashion shows, custom perfume by Aromachology, and Grandma Deb’s Fruitcake, which was one of the wedding gifts sent to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The show started on Tuesday and runs until Sunday.

The longest running “mobile guitar festival” in North America is coming to Ottawa this Friday. At International Guitar Night at the Shenkman Arts Centre, you will be treated to performances by guitarists from California, Scotland, Brazil, and Madagascar. This showcase of international talent is not one to miss!

Would you like a medium latte with a small painting on the side? At the fall fundraiser for the Ottawa School of Art, Small Medium Large, you can place that order! The evening is café themed, selling coffee and baked goods, as well works of art all priced as small, medium, or large. The event, which raises money for outreach programs, bursaries, and new studio equipment, also features live entertainment from DJ Spade and M. Parker Jazz Quartet.

Greg Cockerill performs Saturday night at D'Arcy McGee's.

Saturday, Nov. 19
If you’re in the mood for some vintage rock-and-roll with a Canadian vibe, head to D’Arcy McGee’s in Orleans on Saturday evening to catch the CBC-acclaimed Greg Cockerill Band. Cockerill and his younger brother Joshua collaborated on the new album, Festuca, which they are currently promoting on tour across Canada. The band is making this one stop in Ottawa—and you don’t want to miss them. (more…)

Weekend Roundup: Best Bets for November 4 to 6

Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata. Photo credit: Dean Carr.

Friday, Nov. 4
The Hills are Alive with the sound of… rock, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and country! If you’re a fan of the classic Julie Andrews movie, you’ll love the sounds of the Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata, playing at the Rainbow. The newly-formed group will be adapting 14 classic Rodgers and Hammerstein songs from The Sound of Music by blending genres and popular songs. This performance may just become one of your “favourite things.”

Looking to get a head start on your Christmas shopping? Make your way to the Ten Thousand Villages Festival. This annual sale supports projects in developing countries and sells hand-crafted goods from around the world, including musical instruments, pottery, carvings, brassware, ornaments, toys, and jewellery. If you get hungry, enjoy lunch, dinner, or afternoon tea at the café that sells homemade goods. Sale runs Fridays and Saturdays until Nov. 26.

Into film festivals? Indie movies? Or maybe just free entertainment? If so, you’re in for a treat as IFCO’s Indie Filmmaker Series presents the Experimental Documentary Short Films of Mike Rollo. The Montreal-based filmmaker’s work has been shown at festivals and galleries around the world, and his recent film, Ghosts and Gravel Roads, was named one of Canada’s Top Ten Shorts of 2008 by the Toronto International Film Festival Group. You will have the unique opportunity to see six of his latest short films that experiment with “new approaches to documentary and sound space.”

Saturday, Nov. 5
No matter your age, everyone enjoys a good story. Celebrate this age-old art at the Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival, which will feature an afternoon of free activities, live performances and, of course, storytelling. The tales told at this fest include a wide range of subjects (from the real to the fantastical) and cater to all ages, encouraging and cultivating young minds and teaching them the art and enjoyment of spinning a good yarn. (more…)

Hot Date: One Night Only Extreme Sports Film

Chris Davenport shredding Portillo in Chile. Photo credit: Mike Arzt.

Oct. 27. Fresh powder, crystal blue skies, and not a soul in sight. This is the magical, adrenalin-fuelled world of Warren Miller‘s 62nd annual winter sports film Like There’s No Tomorrow (see trailer here). Follow world-class athletes Chris Davenport, Julia Mancuso, Daron Rahlves, Colby West, and Seth Wescott as they hit the slopes in five continents, from Squaw Valley in the U.S. to the Himalayas in Gulmarg, India. This is high-def sports cinema at its finest, narrated by Olympic Gold Medalist skier Jonny Moseley. The film is making its way across the country as part of the 2011 Canadian tour, which offers a jaw-dropping look at some of the world’s most legendary winter landscapes, and the people who dream of conquering this beautiful terrain. The film will be screened on Thursday night only at Centrepointe Theatre.

Hot Entertainment: Filmed in Vancouver

If you imagine a movie about a 27-year-old with spinal cancer, you probably expect a 10-hankie weepfest, not an R-rated dramedy. But 50/50, which was filmed here in Vancouver, draws its emotions, both positive and negative, from screenwriter Will Reiser’s battle with cancer, allowing the occasional laugh to slip through. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and local lad Seth Rogen (both pictured) play best friends whose lives change forever—but not entirely for the worse—after a cancer diagnosis. 50/50 is in theatres now.—Sheri Radford