Tag Archives: Arts Court

Weekend Round Up: 20-22 Dec

Posted on December 20, 2013 | Leave a comment

Everyone is busy and events seem to be wrapping up but never fear as there are still tons of options in urban Sandy Hill.

The Four of UsFriday night is the closing performance of The Four of Us at Arts Court and this is our pick of the weekend! The production from Toronto New Theatre has strong Ottawa roots  – both actors returning natives. Having broken-even following a successful indigogo fundraising campaign the production is sharing the wealth by offering a Pay-What-You-Can option at the door.

Head over for a cocktail at the beautiful Albion Rooms or for a more raucous time pop over to The Lunenburg for the Monthly “Winner’s Circle” of the weekly battle of the bands where the audience picks the winner.

On Saturday 10:00-3:30 New Edinburgh (St Bartholomew’s Hall at 125 Mackay st.) hosts the Specialty Food Market with over 20 artisan food vendors sharing their gastronomical wares alongside an onsite cafe catered by Life of Pie. Free admission & please bring a donation for the Vanier Food Bank.

Saturday night take in SoulSelecta w/ Joe Rowe  at Mugshots 75 Nicholas St, admission is FREE (in fact its free all weekend and there’s a great Friday Jazz option). Show starts at 9PM

On Sunday don’t forget to go sledding as the hills are alive with the sparkle of snow!

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Weekend Round Up: Winter Welcome & warm up indoors

Posted on November 27, 2013 | Leave a comment

Snowy SHillDon’t be snowbound!  It’s a beautiful white-etched world out there on the streets of Sandy Hill.  And in our ever-fun hood the weekend activities kick off tonight!  Forget hump-day and head out to Arts Court for an exhibit launch.

Wednesday night is the opening reception of Stephen Harper:the Portrait Gallery.  The exhibit explores the impact of Harper’s governance and his philosophy on the country via portraiture. Curated by Dan Monet and including Emperor Haute Couture, the infamous 2011 naked painting of the PM by Margaret Sutherland, the show promises to be thought-provoking and hopefully amusing. Reception Wednesday 6-8pm @Arts Court 2 Daly Ave – showing until 29 Nov – Free.stephen harper naked

Thursday afternoon it’s time to stock up on healthy produce for the weekend ahead. The Farmer’s Market is at the University of Ottawa’s University Centre (by the bookstore) all day Thursday 9am to 4pm. Get some goodness in to your pantry!

Thursday night keep up healthy weekend prep by heading slightly further afield for a unique Yoga experience.  We love Nature Nocture nights at the Canadian Museum of Nature and now they’ve added Nature Yoga to the eclectic array of activities at the “Castle”.  Get your Om on in the beautiful Blue Water Gallery from 6:30-7:30pm and see the museum in a whole new aura! Tickets include Yoga session & all day admission 20$.

At 8pm the AB Series offers Blood is Blood – a collaborative dialogue between a child of Holocaust survivors, Endre Farkas, and Lebanese Montrealer Carolyn Marie Souaid based on emails and conversations during the 2006 Lebanese – Israel War. Evolved to both a book and a 15min film it is a powerful encounter between two of Montreal’s most powerful poets. Blood is Blood was an award winner at Berlin’s Zebra Poetry Film Festival. 8pm Arts Court, FREE.

bike city great cityKick off Friday night with a movie. Bike City – Great City airs at 5:30pm at Fauteux 302 on the UofO campus.  The screening with be followed by a panel discussion about the transformational power of multi-modal infrastructures in our City.

Friday 8PM head to SAWGallery for the annual SKETCH event. A 5$ admission fee gives you access to a silent-auction fundraiser with hundreds of affordable art works.  A super-fun art party and great opportunity to shop local for the holidays or to decorate your own abode! The silent auction ends at 11PM but you can celebrate your wins  til 1AM.

Saturday morning get out and tour 5 elegant homes in the n’hood! Harmony House Holiday House Tour provides a guided Tour of the architecture & interior design of Sandy Hill homes in support of the Harmony House Women’s Shelter, 10am-4pm, tickets 40$

Saturday &  Sunday it’s an Open Studio opportunity at Designer Glass Studio, 668 Chapel St, 1-4pm. Check out the art and potentially tick off some of your Holiday shopping. FREE.

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Eye Spy: Approval for OAG & Arts Court Redevelopment

Posted on November 13, 2013 | Leave a comment

Congratulations Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG), Arts Court and all of Ottawa! The City today approved the $34 million expansion of the OAG & redevelopment of Arts Court. The Redevelopment & Expansion was passed unanimously in Council the morning of Nov 13th!

OAG redevelopmentIn an overdue but profound recognition of the importance of art and architecture in the Capital, public and private funding was allocated to see this remarkable space – home to diverse artists and that provides a wealth of opportunities for visiting artists  – grow. One of the City’s most dynamic art centres we can’t wait for redevelopment to begin!  Again we hope that this redevelopment incorporates bike lanes and pedestrian improvements to the surrounding area improving this section of downtown with walkways, cafes, benches and greenery where possible.  Remember architecture is about people and places not just buildings!

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Weekend RoundUp: Live Local… it’s what we do.

Posted on November 7, 2013 | Leave a comment

Ok we always strive to live local – it’s why we love our urban hood – and this weekend it is easier than ever thanks to all the great merchants and artists kicking off the good times.

auntieloosThe event of the weekend has got to be Auntie Loo’s Treats Grand Opening – YES she is HERE – this Saturday but first ….

This is the final weekend for the Extremely Short New Play Festival. Ten plays under 10minutes each and they are all really good. Seriously, you should go. Nightly at 8pm til Sunday @ArtsCourt Theatre, 2 Daly Ave.

Thursday head down to SAW Gallery for Cafe Ex the showcase for independent experimental films.  Tonight’s edition features the work of award-winning film-maker and photographer Bridget Farr.  An Ottawa native Farr has screened films and worked all over the world and will be in attendance tonight to introduce & discuss 9 of her films. An outstanding opportunity to meet a local & international gem. Club SAW, 7pm

On Friday we keep it local again with Customer Appreciation Night at A Curious Shop. This wonderful boutique is co-owned by a Sandy Hill creative and is jam-packed with one-off, unique clothes and accessories that you simply will not find anywhere else!  If, like us, you keep it fresh & fun then this is the shop for you. The evening promises tasty treats, fire spinning, discounts, manicures and more. It’s all happening at 159 York St from 5pm.

Looking for a little hip hop to round off your Friday? Check out Rwandan-born Canadian artist Shad headlining at Ritual Nightclub with Vancouver’s We are the City and local Ottawa band Zoo Legacy.  Friday at Ritual Nightclub 137 Besserer st.

Saturday it’s the event of the weekend! Have you heard?  There is a new yummy scrummy bakery and they’re throwing a launch party!

Saturday 11am-4pm head to Auntie Loo’s Treats to discover just how delicious vegan cupcakes, scones, whoopie pies (and more) can be! The event poster cautions us to wear loose pants as there will be plenty of samples to whet your new local addiction. The Rideau Valley Roller girls are putting in an appearance, there is a BBQ and neighbouring businesses are joining in too. See you at Auntie Loo’s Treats 112 Nelson (across from Loblaw’s parking garage entrance) Unit101 C.

Finally on Sunday prep for party season at the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show. In keeping with our love of all things unique and inventive we are sure there will be both quirky and glamorous finds for you to discover. Ottawa Convention Centre 10am-5pm.

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ESNPF Review: Short Plays Deliver a Uniquely Entertaining Evening

Posted on November 1, 2013 | 2 comments

nto_extremelyshort_brochThe Extremely Short New Play festival defies its comically long title with singularly brief stagings; 10 plays each under 10 minutes in length.

Though some works are stronger than others the overall quality of plays, direction and acting guarantees an evening of diverse entertainment. The playwrights do themselves proud with an impressive array of compositions; stand-outs include Jessica Anderson’s “Terminal Journey“, Pierre Brault’s “Coach of the Year” and a gut-wrenchingly personal account of loss accompanied by innovative staging and technology in Tim Ginley’s “There’s More to the Picture“.

AndrewAlexanderPhoto - EricCraig (Gorilla-Top Job) Colleen Sutton (Tammy-Out of Gas)

Comedic Roles – Colleen Sutton in Out of Gas & Eric Craig in Top Job
Photo: Andrew Alexander

The smorgasbord of theatre – with only 2 or 3 pieces not fully to my taste – left us exhilarated by the ability of the 4 cast member to create such varied and memorable characters. Brian Stewart appears in a staggering 7 performances – managing, with seemingly chameleon-like ease, to keep his characters fresh. Stewart’s sensitive human portrayal of Caleb in Terminal Journey came right on the back of the challenging two-hander Seeing which demanded a broad range of conflicting emotions as an unhinged haunted Intelligence expert grapples with dark thoughts. Maureen Smith and Colleen Sutton transitioned smoothly into and away from the historical characters in Loyal Opposition. Smith toe-tapping impatience was irritatingly authentic followed by her tense unmoving delivery of measured restraint while Sutton’s strengths shone in dramatic roles.

Eric Craig taking to the Ottawa stage for the first time is one to watch; bringing undeniable presence and subtle nuances to his roles we consistently lost the actor finding only the character on stage. As a duty-bound ticket attendant, a grunting primate, a mullet-headed moron or haunted long-haul trucker Craig is in equal measure empathetic, eerie, funny and riveting.   

The balance of comedy to drama demanded some difficult shifts; in particular with the slapstick Denial sandwiched between the night’s two most emotionally-charged works. The comedic pieces at the end of each set however keep the tempo flowing and unite the room with laughter.

Finally, it’s hat’s off to director John Koensgen who sets a fine pace throughout the evening and creates the virtual “space” allowing each time-compressed work to truly shine, for 10 minutes, at the Arts Court theatre.  

E.S.N.P.F
31 October – 10 November (Tues-Sat 8pm)
Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Ave.

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10-Minute Theatre @ the Extremely Short New Play Festival

Posted on October 28, 2013 | 1 comment

Ever wondered what would happen if writers were asked to come up with gripping yet super-condescended 10-minute plays? Well you’d get the New Theatre of Ottawa‘s Extremely Short New Play Festival!   Starting Halloween night Ottawa’s closest thing to speed date theatre kicks off at Arts Court.

Eric Craig as Gorilla in Top Job & Colleen Sutton as Tammy in Out of Gas Photo: Andrew Alexander

Eric Craig as Gorilla in Top Job & Colleen Sutton as Tammy in Out of Gas
Photo: Andrew Alexander

That’s right it’s 10 short sharp productions in this the 2nd Annual Extremely Short New Play Festival – a title so long they, thankfully, gave it an acronym E.S.N.P.F.

The festival offers up a varied canapé of productions inviting emerging and established playwrights to present brand new plays under 10-minutes in length.  The flow of the evening is a serving of 5-plays followed by a digestive intermission and a second-helping of the remaining 5 productions. It’s basically theatre tapas so there’s bound to be something to your taste. Curated by ESNPF judges John Koensgen, Mary Ellis and Robert Marinier the 10 selected plays are the winning submissions vetted earlier this year.

Come to the opening on Halloween night where organisers encourage dressing up as your favourite dead author and sticking around for the after theatre reception.

E.S.N.P.F
31 October – 10 November (Tues-Sat 8pm)
Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Ave.

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Weekend Round-Up: Sharing is Caring, Zombies, Bread & Meat is Deadly Murder

Posted on October 24, 2013 | Leave a comment

ZombiesAnnual Ottawa Zombie Walk is the Sandy Hill event of the week. It kicks off Sunday Oct 27th in MacDonald Gardens Park (Charlotte & Rideau Lowertown side) at 12:30 – where they’ll be free makeup application. Meet the like-minded undead in the park and shamble along Rideau St for what aims to be the largest gathering of Zombies on Parliament hill (when Gov’t not sitting natch)!
Don’t forget a canned / dried good item for the Ottawa Food Bank – gotta fatten up those delicious human types. Note: We’re thinking if we could get the Zombie Walk to collide with Ottawa Velo Vogue’s Plaid Parade (see below) it would be the best!

Sharing is indeed caring… & in Ottawa this weekend it’s free and easy to declutter your home! The City of Ottawa’s Giveaway Weekend is on this Saturday and Sunday. So drag unwanted CD’s, furniture and crockery to the curb, mark it as “Free” and roam your hood to see what treasures you might find amongst another’s trash!

Dead Unicorn Ink2Tonight through Saturday it’s your last chance to get in on the FreshMeat pop-up theatre festival 7pm nightly above the Lunenburg Pub. The Festival has had great reviews – short productions in a pub – what’s not to love.

In the mood for a pub quiz?  Thursday night the Royal Oak on Laurier St is holding a proper British-style quiz night down the pub. Don’t worry if you don’t have a team as most participants link up upon arrival.  Hosted by the Ottawa Skeptics it promises a spooky Halloween science (?) theme.

Friday its time for a night at the Museum of Nature off Elgin st as they host the Halloween edition of their monthly dance party Nature Nocturne.  We love that this fine institution of learning opens itself up for fun DJ frolicking. No better place than a Gothic building to kick off the Halloween festivities.

Enriched Bread Artists are hosting their annual Open Studio all weekend. Opening night is Thursday from 6-9pm and it runs through Sunday. Check out the EBA website as their are special event occuring throughout.

Saturday is the fifth and final performance of the OperaLyra Pirates of Penzance.  This date was added due to overwhelming demand so get your tickets quick if you want a seat.

If your looking for a little more theatre to spice up the weekend – or week – Ottawa Little Theatre offers up a night of fast-paced double-crosses, psychological twists and Manhattan murders in Deadly Murder.

Plaid ParadeSunday is also the Annual Plaid Parade organised by Ottawa Velo Vogue (who we love almost as much as we love our freedom machine). It’s a kid, dog and tartan friendly harmonious cycling parade party. Cycle over to Artisin Bakery at 1pm & join in the parade. After party follows at the Carleton Tavern 223 Armstrong and there will be donation boxes throughout to raise funds for RightBikes.  Shout out to Tall Tree Cycles & Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company for their commitment and organisational skills – takes a village.

Monday it’s Action Sandy Hill‘s Board Meeting from 7-9pm at the Sandy Hill Community Centre.

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Event Round-up: Zombies, Food, Gardens, a Remix and more

Posted on September 25, 2013 | Leave a comment

Got weekend plans? Now you do.  Details & links on Events page.

Arts Court double billThe undeniable pick of the week is Arts Court double-header comedy/horror revival from the 2013 Ottawa Fringe Festival: Bent Springs & Shambling Things.  The two sold-out-during- Fringe plays “Chesterfield” & “Die Zombie Die” are hilarious and macabre. In “Chesterfield” a newly married couple cope with both the trials of their relationship and a carnivorous sofa.  In “Zombie” as the un-dead rampage continues questions arise over who is fighting them and whether it is all a zombie slayer set up. Witty entertainment +there is a cash bar to steady your jangly nerves for $18. Runs Thursday 26-Saturday 28.

Saturday and Sunday look to be hot & sunny making it a spot on weekend to get outside.  Take part in a C’est Bon Cooking Culinary Tour – Saturday morning at 10:30 it’s a tour of Lowertown while Sunday you can have a foodie walkaround the Byward Market.  Yummy.

In the afternoon enjoy the weather while helping out your community. The Sandy Hill Fall Clean-Up is an later day affair, cuz we like a weekend lie-in, that kicks off at Strathcona Park (parking lot) at 1pm Saturday and at Chapel Street Park at 3pm Sunday.

Also on sunny Sunday you can take in a guided tour of the 1.5km of roof gardens atop the Rideau Centre and the NAC with stunning views over Ottawa.

Need another hit of art and culture? Check out Transformer: The Body Remixed at SAW Gallery.  The mixed media exhibit explores the digitally manipulated human form in Western culture. Literally bombarded daily by unrealistic body imagery has led many to dysmorphia, isolation and a growing sense of imperfection. See how SAW tackles these subjects through sculpture, video, photography and more. Continues until November 2nd 2013.

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