Greetings all!
I have been especially excited about this month’s artistic line-up. It seems like everything is happening in these few short weeks of October. It is truly overwhelming. With all these amazing activities, I may not be able to enter into much detail, but please do check out the websites to find out more!
Tara Players kicks off their season on October 3rd at the Arts Court Theatre with a double-bill of snappy Irish comedies: Pizzazz and Lost Letters of a Victorian Lady. Check out www.taraplayers.ncf.ca for more details.
Capital Slam celebrates birthday number 4 at the Mercury Lounge on Saturday, October 6th with feature performer Horace Heavens, discovered in the ether of Ottawa’s underground performance arts scene. There’s also a fundraiser on the 3rd for the team before they head off to Halifax. Check out Ottawa ‘s rockin slam poetry collective! For more details, visit www.capitalslam.com
Eagerly anticipating the opening show at the new GCTC building? Well, keep on anticipating for another 11 days… the GCTC kicks off its season on October 11th with a Canadian adaptation of a very Russian story. The Inspector General by Nikolai Gogol has been transformed into The Man From the Capital, a musical comedy that joyfully reveals the hypocritical nature of the municipal government. Call 613 236 5196 or visit www.gctc.ca. $10 Rush tickets available!
The Dusty Owl Reading Series has two fabulous events coming up this month. On October 12th, the Owls celebrate Canadian poet Archibald Lampman with a fundraiser for Oneness-World Communications. Featured poets include Stephen Brockwell, Jaqueline Lawrence and Max Middle. Special time and location: Christ Church Cathedral, 420 Sparks st. at 7:30pm. (Also, earlier that evening my sister is performing in The Trojan Women at Canterbury High School – don’t miss it!). On October 28th, the Owls feature CBC film critic Robert Fontaine at Swizzles Bar and Grill. Check out www.dustyowl.com
The Ottawa International Writers Festival opens at the Library and Archives on October 13th featuring great writers from across Canada and around the world. Don’t miss playwright John Mighton discussing the End of Ignorance, Oni the Haitain Sensation revealing the secrets of spoken word, and award-winning poet George Elliott Clarke presenting his newest jazz opera on Canada’s most controversial political icon – Trudeau: Long March, Shining Path. Visit http://www.writersfestival.org/ for tickets and times.
The next installment of .isme(e): performance cabaret (the best variety show in town!) is Wednesday, October 17th 8pm at the Saw Gallery. Don’t miss amazing performances including spoken word, stand-up comedy, music, storytelling, interpretive dance, contortionism, and more! This one is themed “cabaret of the BEAST.” If you want to participate, they are still taking submissions… for more details, email scott@fools.ca
The third annual Jer’s Vision Gala, a fundraiser for Canada’s youth diversity initiative, is happening at the Capital Music Hall on Friday, October 19th. This year features Matthew Good (Youth Role Model of the Year winner) and performances by Kelly and the Kellygirls, Amanda Rheaume, Sabrina Jalees, Robyn de Cradle and so much more… For more information, check out www.jersvision.org
My new favourite art gallery, La Petite Mort, is hosting numerous arts opening throughout the month, but my personal recommendation is an exhibit called fe.male on October 20th from 7-10pm. Lynne Anderson’s photographs feature a group of transgender women shown in a whole new light. Check out my article in the Capital Xtra (Oct. 18th) for more details, or visit www.lapetitemortgallery.com
And the final week in October is the nuttiest one of all: FOUR THEATRE OPENINGS. I’m not even kidding. It’s a marathon, people, and we’re gonna have to run it! Let’s go!!
Wednesday, October 24th: University of Ottawa ‘s Drama Guild presents Ariadne, a new adaptation of the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, directed by Daniel Mroz. Ariadne plays a pivotal role in the piece as the Minotaur’s devoted half-sister and as the reluctant fiancée of the hero who is destined to kill her brother. Email me for details!
Also, Wednesday, October 24th: At the SAW Gallery, the New Ottawa Repertory Theatre (NORT) presents Paul Dervis’ Family Matters, a series of three connected one act plays that demonstrate how actions within an extended family can affect family members over generations. Check out http://nort.ncf.ca/season.html
Thursday, October 25th: The National Arts Centre English Theatre presents the world premiere of Falstaff, about Shakespeare’s greatest schemer. Directed by John Wood, this one-man show stars Roger Forbes. For tickets and times, check out http://nac.ca/en/whatson/results.cfm?EventID=5180. $10 Live Rush tickets available!
Friday, October 26th: Third Wall Theatre Company hosts the 25th anniversary performance of Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls, the all-female drama that begs the question: can women have it all? This production is directed by Third Wall veteran Charles McFarland and plays at the Arts Court Theatre. Check out www.thirdwall.com. Also, call the office at 613 236 1425 for more details about the Top Girls of Ottawa night on October 30th.
That’s a full dozen events to keep your day planners full. Enjoy them all, and happy Halloween!
Artistically yours,
Jessica
