Arts fun in the sun!
illustration by Alex Martin
Editor’s picks for what summer in Ottawa has to offer
SO, ALTHOUGH WE all might want to deny it, our summer is half over. And cry as we may at the thought of picking up textbooks and paying tuition, we should relish the month and a half we have left! To help you do so, the arts and culture editor—yours truly—will share all of the awesome arts events in Ottawa I think you should check out before we’re all stuck in class again!
Movies:
Mayfair Theatre—1047 Bank St.
Mayfair Theatre always promises a unique and entertaining show, putting on themed events such as “Sunday Night Geek Nights” or “Silents is Golden.” Must-see flicks showing soon include:
Ghost World
See a young Scarlett Johansson and Thora Birch “accentuate the negative” in this comedy that comments on the eccentricities of characters in our lives and the absurdities of life itself. Ghost World will show on July 25 at 9 p.m.
The Square
This Australian movie pays homage to the film noir genre. Although contemporary, this suspenseful story of betrayal, crime, and passion evokes strong memories of classic crime thrillers. The Square will show on July 26 at 9 p.m., and July 28 and 29 at 9:30 p.m.
Short Cuts
One of the last films playing in the Mayfair’s Robert Altman-directed movie run, Short Cuts is a film adaptation of stories and poems by Raymond Carver. Set in L.A., this film depicts several families within a community whose common denominator are their habits of lying, cheating, and stealing. Warning: this is not a feel-good movie. Short Cuts will show on July 27 at 8:25 p.m.
Iron Man Double Bill
Now, although I loved the first one, I haven’t seen the second yet—but this double bill of Iron Man movies might be the only chance I get to see Tony Stark suit up on the big screen for four hours. Iron Man and Iron Man 2 will play at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 3. Iron Man 2 will also play on Aug. 4 and 5 at 7 p.m.
For more information, visit mayfairtheatre.ca/
ByTowne Cinema—325 Rideau St.
ByTowne Cinema might be outdated when it comes to methods of payment (cash only, no plastic!), but their movie selection is a spectacularly relevant mix. Showing both recent releases and older films, the ByTowne’s bill for this summer includes:
The Secret in Their Eyes
This summer, try something new and check out the awesome world of foreign films. Winner of the 2009 Oscar for Best Foreign Film, this movie tells the story of an investigator who can’t stop thinking about a 20-year-old rape case. The Secret in Their Eyes will show six times between July 21 and Aug. 22.
The Ghost Writer
In Roman Polanski’s latest thriller, a “ghost” writer is hired to write a former British Prime Minister’s autobiography. When the history he’s been given isn’t adding up—and he begins realizing that many around him are starting to die “accidentally”—this writer goes on a dangerous quest for the truth. Starring Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan, this conspiracy-themed thriller is bound to shock and thrill. The Ghost Writer will show on Aug. 18 at 6:40 p.m. and Aug. 19 at 4:15 p.m.
This Movie Is Broken
Watch a lovesick hero try to win over the girl of his dreams by trying to get backstage tickets to a Broken Social Scene concert. Honestly, even if the romantic story didn’t already look amazing, the concert clips in the trailer would still have me going out to see it. This Movie is Broken plays seven times between the end of July and the beginning of August.
For more information, visit bytowne.ca/
Theatre:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
If you snoozed through Shakespeare in high school, here’s a refresher: Hermia and Lysander love each other, but their plan to get married is being ruined by Demetrius, who loves Hermia and wants to break the couple up (and has Hermia’s father’s permission to do so). Demetrius is loved by Helena, who is Hermia’s best friend. They all run off to the forest one night to escape their fates, and fall into the grasps of several feuding fairies. Is your head spinning yet? If you can keep up, chances are that you’ll love this Shakespearian classic (which also happens to be this arts and culture editor’s favourite). Add a park and the scene is set; the Company of Fools theatre troupe will be travelling with A Midsummer Night’s Dream in various parks every weeknight and Saturday until Aug. 2. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $10—ideal for students!
Visit fools.ca for more information.
The Andrew Brothers
Take a trip back to the 1940s, when The Andrews Sisters were one of the most popular musical acts around. When these headliners don’t show up for a South Pacific Concert for American Troops, it’s up to three men to come up with a plan, fast—which involves them donning wigs, dresses, and high-heeled shoes. Slapstick humour with musical interludes, The Andrews Brothers will play at The Gladstone Theatre from July 22 to Aug. 14.
For more information, visit thegladstone.ca
Library Services:
The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) has 33 branches in Ottawa—and they hold events and workshops every day of the week. Interested in getting your driver’s licence? Check out everything you’ll need on Aug. 13 at the Greenboro branch. Want to improve your French before the school year starts? Go to conversation classes almost every day of the week. Hoping to get a job when you return to classes? Visit their Employment Services and Resources workshop on Aug. 18. Do you need some feedback on the novel you’ve been writing? Check out the writing circles that the library hosts. For more information, and to register for workshops, visit biblioottawalibrary.ca.
And for anyone trying to enjoy the arts outside of Ottawa, you might be in luck: the OPL has started a new audio book program online. With your library card, you can visit their website and temporarily download some of your favourite books. To check out this service, log on to overdrive.biblioOttawaLibrary.ca.
Concerts:
There’s a bunch of really great concerts that have played this summer, but just because Bluesfest is over doesn’t mean that there aren’t more bands playing soon. In addition to artists playing at the Ottawa Folk Festival (see p. 9 for more information), artists playing in Ottawa this summer that I’m gearing up for include:
Sting
If the fact that it’s Sting doesn’t tempt you, I don’t know what will. He’ll play at Scotiabank Place 8 p.m. on July 25.
Black Eyed Peas
I’m taking a trip to two thousand and late… or maybe just Scotiabank Place at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 1.
Ke$ha
She may only talk-sing, but I’m still curious to see what she’d be like live; she’ll be performing at the Ottawa Civic Centre at 8 p.m. on Aug. 4.
Kim Churchill
Hailing from Australia, his sultry lyrics, sweet sound, and guitar/harmonica harmonies are definitely worth catching. Churchill plays at The Blacksheep Inn at 8:30 p.m. on July 30.
Stellar Band of Neighbours
With their style being reminiscent of slower Elvis Costello songs, their laid-back, melodic music can be heard at The Blacksheep Inn at 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 13.
Blue Rodeo
This Canadian rock-country band has been kicking it for 26 years, and will be returning to Ottawa’s Nepean National Equestrian Park on Aug. 21.
