Looking for a whole lot of variety, packed into a short amount of time? Head to Pressed this evening for a variety show like no other. You can also head down to Mercury Lounge for the indie rock stylings of Daniel Ellsworth & the Great Lakes, along with High Waters. Tonight is also the CHUO Edition of Battle of the Bands down at the Lunenburg Pub – vote for your favourite local group!

Friday, you can find three different female Ottawa singers from a variety of musical backgrounds, coming together under one bill. That same night, Couchwrecked and In-Flight Safety will be a Zaphod’s, and it’s Kitchen Party. Bob Loblaw and Pseudo Vista stop by Cafe Dekcuf Saturday night to rock out, while there will be a whole lotta punk packed into the Hellbros and Maximum RNR show at the Dom. You’ve got a few music options for Sunday, too: Shannon Rose and the Thorns at 8 Locks, Antennas Up at the Mercury Lounge, and the Bean Trio at Umi Cafe.

Reporter and author Chris Hedges will be in town to talk about his latest book, Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt. The Magnetic North Theatre Festival wraps up on Saturday, with four plays happening this weekend.

Gardeners get a few bonuses down at the Experimental Farm – a book sale (with more than just gardening books) and a workshop should fit your bill.

At the dance end of the spectrum, the Ottawa Dance Directive will have a new performance this Saturday, followed the next morning by a special Father’s Day edition of the burlesque brunch.

What else? There’s an Israeli Film Festival, a bike fest, and Ontario Craft Beer week kicks off on Sunday. Share your other events below!

Yogawoman is an award winning documentary that tells the inspiring stories of women whose lives have been changed by yoga. Why just women? Although you’d never guess going into a studio here in North America, traditionally yoga was developed for men. It was brought to the western world from India by male teachers. Now women have turned yoga into a multi-billion dollar industry, and this is the story of why.

The film details how women have used yoga to ease the pain surrounding conditions like breast cancer or infertility. It tells of women who have used yoga to work through anxiety and depression. Revealing stories from Manhattan to Kenya, from prisons to cancer wards, “Yogawoman” is nothing short of inspirational.

The exceptional part of this premiere is the chance to talk to Ottawa’s own yoga women. At the opening screening there will be a special Q + A period with four Ottawa women who can relate the powerful effect yoga has had on their lives first hand. Kathy Smart from Live The Smart Way, Tara Porter from Restorative Yoga, Megan Campbell from Journey of the Yogini and Jennifer Steers are all experienced, certified yoga teachers. Come let them inspire you to get on the mat.

The premiere of “Yogawoman” with Q+A is this Friday, May 17th Theatre., 5:30 pm at the Mayfair.

1st Place: (Curious George Rides a Bike).  Directed by Zachary Spence, a graduate of Canterbury High School, and starring his two friends, Max Spence and Ryan Graves.

Click here to view the embedded video.

2^ndPlace: (Silver Wing).  Directed by Liam Jackson, a grade 10 student at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School.

Click here to view the embedded video.

3^rdPlace: (13 Reasons Why).  Directed by Adrianna Chang, a grade 9 student at Merivale High School. Her friends Derick Dinh, Carina Zambrano-Cantor, Carley Whiffen, Emma Bedard and Grace Ayoo were the starring actors.

Click here to view the embedded video.

As a part of the launch of Northern Scene, a handful of galleries in Ottawa and Gatineau will be hosting events, exhibition openings and performances by some of the best talent coming from the North. Billed as “the largest gathering of artists from Yukon, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut”, the festival will showcase more than 250 artists over ten days.

SWARM starts with a gallery crawl at 6pm — to get around the city you can walk, bike or take a ride on the free shuttle bus. For a full listing of galleries and exhibitions, see below.

At 9pm, the National Arts Centre is throwing a party with Hip hop artist Aaron “Godson” Hernandez, DJ Madeskimo and throat boxer Nelson Tagoona. The foyer of the NAC will also feature Boundless, complete with a runway showcasing fashion from Northern designers.

The SWARM party continues throughout the night at Club SAW – don’t miss a special performance by Joseph Tisiga and Lauren Passmore at 11:30pm.

Gallery Listing

AXENÉO7
Not Real, Only In The Mind
Work by artist-in-residence sculptor (and Mayor of Ivujivik, QC) Mattiusi Iyaituk.

Carleton University Art Gallery
Dorset Seen and Dorset Gold
The first 100 visitors to stop in will get CUAG swag bags!

City Hall Art Gallery
The Soniferous Æther of The Land Beyond The Land Beyond
Film by Charles Stankievech – recorded at CFS Alert, the northernmost human settlement on Earth. Presented in collaboration with SAW Video Media Art Centre.

Cube Gallery
edge of the ‘knife
A contemporary group show featuring Yellowknife artists Rae Braden, Landon Peters, Jennifer Walden,  Terry Pamplin, Helene Girard, Angus Beaulieu and Margaret Nazon.

DAÏMÕN
Afriques: Art Video curated by Pierre Beaudoin. 

Galerie SAW Gallery 
Northern Exposures
Curated by Candice Hopkins. Featuring work by Steve Anderson, Janet Ripley Armstrong, Goota Ashoona, Joe Ashoona, Bob Kussy, Aidan Cartwright, Marcus Jackson, Jimmy Kamimmalik, Quvavau Manumie, Ohotaw Mikkigak, Leo Mukjunik, Willie Mukjunik, Danny Osborne, Itee Pootoogook, Monique Robert, Nicotye Samayualie, Doug Smarch, Joseph Tisiga, Jutai Toonoo, Papiara Tukiki and Mary Tutsweetok.

Gallery 101
Aurora Boreawesomer
Curated by Lynn Canney, in partnership with The Open Sky Creative Society. Opening ceremony at 7pm with Dehcho Elder Gerald Antoine.

National Arts Centre
Artists’ Marketplace - Panorama Room
Boundless: Fashion from Canada’s North - Main Lobby (foyer)
Whalebone, Beads, Fur, Feathers, Fibre and Soapstone - Mezzanine
From the collection of the Canada Council Art Bank
Relish Gourmet Food Truck
Chef Paul Bergeron will lure you in with smoked Arctic char tacos and braised elk poutine.

National Gallery of Canada
New Voices from the New North
Curated by Heather Campbell. Featuring work by Davidialuk Alasua Amittu, Luke Anguhadluq, Tony Anguhalluq, Kenojuak Ashevak, Karoo Ashevak, Kiugak Ashoona, Shuvinai Ashoona, Igloolik Isuma Productions, Elisapee Ishulutaq, Mattiusi Iyaituk, Helen Kalvak, Qavavau Manumie, Michael Massie, William Noah, Jessie Oonark, Jacoposie Oopakak, Kananginak Pootoogook, Itee Pootoogook, Pudlo Pudlat, David Ruben Piqtoukun, Nick Sikkuark and Ningeokuluk Teevee.

Ottawa Art Gallery
Larger Than Life
Work by Sonja Ahlers, Rosemary Scanlon, Joseph Tisiga, Veronica Verkley.
Whitehorse artist Sonja Ahlers will be hosting a drop-in workshop where party-goers can make their own art inspired by her installation of found objects.
ᑕᑯᓱᕐᓀᑐᖅ (Ta•ku•shur•nai•tuk) n. 1. Things Never Seen Before 2. Aisa Qumaaluk Sivuaraapik and Others
On display in the Firestone Gallery, with work from Bobby Najummialu Novalinga, Levi Alaasuaq Pirti (Smith), Mattiusi Manukuluk Qilurqi, Mattiusi Ilimasaut Amarualik, Aisa Qumaaluk Sivuaraapik and Aliva Tuktu Tulugak. Curated by Catherine Sinclair.

For more information on events, performances, workshops and happenings occurring throughout the Northern Scene festival (April 25-May 4), check the NAC website.

Sonja Ahlers, Untitled (detail) 2013. Toe shoes, fur, glass, ephemera, porcelain leg by Shary Boyle. Courtesy of the artist.

There’s a stellar line up of Northern artists, musicians and more stopping by our city for the next week for Northern Scene – it’s well worth your time to seek some out! There’s a fashion show, an art party featuring 15 artists in one night, and a welcome ceremony to kick it all off tonight. Also? One of your favourite Robert Munsch stories comes to life.

Herd Magazine launches their latest issue this weekend down at Mercury Lounge – the folks behind the magazine are hard (er, herd?) partiers  and so it’s likely to be an epic event.

Film lovers, you’ve got your pick: a film fest all about being outside, a teen tech video contest and award ceremony, and an Arctic film series.

Foodies will delight in Dishcrawl, taking a surprise culinary tour through the Market.

Music-wise, you should probably check out Shotgun Jimmie’s record release party at Raw Sugar Friday night, brought to you by the Arboretum festival. Or stop by Zaphod’s for a triple bill on Friday, featuring Thread, Full Tipped Sleeve and Carl Hornswater. John Carroll and the Epic Proportions will be out at the Black Sheep with Birdie White, while bands Her Harbour and The Meek (members of Timber Timbre) will be at St Luke’s. Metal fans will stop by Cafe Dekcuf for Bison BC and Swarm of Spheres, while punk rock lovers should be at Mavericks for what might be the fullest night yet.

There’s plenty of dancing to be had this weekend, outside of those music shows. Ceremony is a-happening, as mentioned, and the Museum of Nature is having their final Nature Nocturne of the season. It’s also Double Barrel at Mugshots, and the newly revamped Elmdale Tavern takes a trip through the 70s and 80s on Saturday night, or you can just have a dose of the 80s down in Old Ottawa South.

Sunday? Burlesque brunch is back.

Anything else you’re up to this weekend, Ottawa?

Apartment613: Take us back to 1926. How would this film would have been presented?

Mike Dubue: Ottawa. 1926. An entertainment mecca full of cinemas and theatres. We’re living in the silent film era, with little inclination towards the future of sound in cinema as “talkies” become more and more commonplace. Our cinematic experience relies on the three dimensional presentation of moving pictures with live music. A solo accompanist or music ensemble working out improvisations or tight cues with photoplay music, emphasizing the rhythm of the film as an art of movement.

Apartment613: Can you tell us a bit about the plot of the film? What do you find striking or interesting in the story?

MD: What I find striking about this film is the physical style of storytelling. Lotte Reiniger developed Silhouette animation, similar to Wuyang shadow puppets, though animated frame by frame. She created a unique visual experience through movement, rhythm, texture and tone to tell a story. The Adventures of Prince Achmed is based on 1001 Arabian Nights, specifically The Story of Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Paribanou.

Apartment613: You have some experience combining live music and film. What do you think music adds to a film? Do you have an approach to creating music for film?

MD: From project to project, the visuals direct the composing process and define the music as commentary or wallpaper. It can also be the other way around, but I personally prefer working off imagery, as it is a great surface to bounce around a wide variety of musical ideas. No matter what, I find this process to be super spontaneous and challenging, which are two ingredients that are important for me in creating music.

Apartment613: Who are you working with and what are they bringing to the project?

MD: I’m co-composing the score with my old friend Holger Schoorl. Holger is a classically trained guitarist who studied composition. He currently lives in Toronto, working as a composer and musician. The musicians I’ve called on for this production are people I’ve been playing music with for years or on a wide variety of projects. They are the best! Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde (Cello), Holger Schoorl (Classical Guitar), Paul Hogan (Electric Guitar), Alex Moxon (Electric Guitar), Adam Sakailey (Piano, Cybernetics), Rolf Klausener (Bass) and Philip Shaw Bova (Drums, Percussion). I’m also playing bass, vibraphone and piano.

The Adventures of Prince Achmed with Live Music will take place April 30 at the Bytowne Cinema.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It’s fight night weekend! Well, at least down in Little Italy, where Beaver Boxing will be holding their club show.

If you’re in for something that involves fewer punches, head to Irene’s for Shannon Rose and the Thorns – not only will they be playing, they’ll be recording footage for their latest music video. Pull out that mega-watt smile and party your way to stardom! Raw Sugar has a few great events happening, too, with Erik Lind and the Orchard on Friday night, and James Farr and Gabriel Minnikin on Saturday night, followed by a bit of R ‘n’ B. Out at the Blacksheep, you’ll find Fevers and The Goodluck Assembly, which is pretty much guaranteed to be an awesome night of indie rock and electro music. Down at Pressed, Ashleys and Speedy Oritz will bring a little indie rock to the stage.

Punk rock lovers should head out tonight to hear “Crusty” Craig Lewis talk about punk rock, mental illness and recovery.

Down at Babylon on Saturday, the Queer Mafia officially launches with their Oh My Jam event - and they’re bringing in a few special guests including J-ill, Sammy Royale and D-Luxx Brown to keep the party going into the wee hours of the morning.

For those of you wanting a little vintage, there’s the Victoire dress sale starting tomorrow, and a 1920s style Jazz Cabaret happening down at St Brigid’s on Friday.

Theatre lovers, head out to support the Fringe Festival Friday night with Stiff Quickies – a night of short films and tall drinks, happening down at Arts Court.

It’s party games time with The Meeple’s Republic on Saturday night – this time, the event is taking place at the snazzy Shopify offices down in the Market.

Burlesque lovers have a chance to learn their own skills at a workshop this weekend, and can follow it up by seeing a few experts in action on Sunday down at Yuk Yuks. Or catch a Jim Henson themed burlesque show down at Zaphod’s Saturday night!

And finally, if you’re looking to catch a film this weekend, head to the Mayfair for The Final Inch, a documentary about the massive mission to eradicate polio from the world. It’s free, and educational!

Our calendar is bursting with other events happening this weekend – what else are you getting up to? Let us know below!

They say that the best revenge is massive success – and nothing says success like a party.

It has been just over a month since Ottawa filmmaker Luca Fiore had his Gatineau apartment turned upside down by thieves who stole close to $5000 of filming equipment. This Wednesday at Mercury Lounge, Fiore and his friends invite you to celebrate a night of music, film and successful fundraising; proving that all it takes is a little help from your friends after life throws you a nasty curveball.

The fundraising campaign – dubbed the “brainchild” by Fiore’s close friends – has already received close to $3,500 in donations with help from the Ottawa community. Ivana Borojevic, a close friend of Fiore’s, says the community has come together “with everything from 50/50 draws to crepe bake sales” and donations through their Indiegogo contribution page.

With 11 days remaining to reach their $5,000 goal, Borojevic says the event is more than a fundraiser, it is a celebration; and it promises to break your typical hump day routine.

“It is going to be a love fest,” said Borojevic. “Not just for Luca, but for all of the film and music people attending. People really hated to see him lose out and it is really kind of scary.  I see this event as bringing awareness to artists and how life can make you vulnerable.”

Fiore, a freelance filmmaker in the Ottawa community, has been producing videos and working on sets since early 2003. Known by his friends as “Prozac with legs,” he is known to work tirelessly for Ottawa’s music and film industry, often supplying his talents for free to local bands. Most recently he has been directing and editing several music videos for artists like Halabisky’s Uprising, Juno award winning artist Moka Only, The Love Machine and Sadie Hell.

The night will feature musical guest the PepTides, DJ J-Fun with visuals by Hard Science and will lead in to Mercury Lounge’s Hump Night to finish off the evening. Adding to the fun? As a special treat to all Revenge Party ticket holders, Mercury Lounge will be offering free hair and makeup at Overkill Bar.

It all takes place March 27 at 7:00 PM at the Mercury Lounge (56 ByWard Market Square). Tickets are $10 and are available for purchase through the Indiegogo site or at the door.

The documentary plays at the Library and Archives Auditorirum on Saturday, March 23^rd at 9:15pm.

CICLO Trailer HD from Arte Mecánica Producciones on Vimeo.

Apt613: Tell us about yourself? What’s your background?

Andrea Martinez: I was born in Toronto and lived all over North America during my childhood, due to my father’s job. I have lived in Mexico City, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Hanna Wyoming (small mining town population 2500) Los Angeles, Toronto and Montreal.

I did a Bachelor’s Degree in communications in Mexico City and then received a Fulbright scholarship to do a Master’s in Film at the University of Southern California.

Upon receiving my Master’s, I returned to Mexico, 5 months pregnant and with no connections to the film industry and no project in line (I had thought of making a film about the bicycle trip but fortunately did not find the funding at the time). It took me 5 years to be able to film my debut film “Insignificant Things” (produced by Pan’s Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro). I love the film and am very proud of it, but few people saw it because it was released 5 days before the Influenza panic of 2009. The film theatres were shut down and Warner Bros had no interest in rereleasing it. However, instead of immersing myself in frustration I set out to shoot CICLO.

Apt613: Why the story of CICLO? The main characters are your father and uncle – it’s obviously a personal story for you. Did this trip help shape their lives?

AM: I exist because of this journey!!!

My father and uncle made the journey to Canada without any intention of staying but when they arrived, the Canadian government offered them residency and how could they say no? They both ended up marrying Canadians. My family stayed in Canada until 1969 and then started moving around the continent but my Tio (uncle) Gustavo never left. To this day, he lives in Toronto.

Apt613: So in fact this journey was a major turning point in their lives.  (The family tree sprouted maple leaves!)

I grew up with this story. When I was a little girl, I thought it was pretty normal to have a Dad who had traveled from Mexico to Canada on bicycle. Doesn’t everyone have one of those???  Later on, I learned it was definitely NOT normal. When I started getting interested in making films, this was such an obvious choice for me and as time went on, it became not only a wish but a necessity to tell this story.

Apt613: Has your love of cycling influenced the selection of the topic for the documentary?

AM: Cycling is in my genes! Although I have never made such an amazing feat as my father and uncle’s 5,600 km voyage, cycling has always been a part of life. From my first orange bike with training wheels to when I was studying for my BA in Mexico City, where I would travel an hour and a half to get to the university at a time when cyclists were pretty much invisible to drivers (thankfully that has changed), to the present day – I love my bike!

I love the fact that in this film I have combined my passion for my work with my passion for cycling. It’s exciting because a lot of cyclists and cyclist associations have gotten in touch with us through Facebook. I think there is a huge potential audience for the film there and I love that! Two weeks ago I went to the Guadalajara  Film Festival and a cycling association organized a night ride and then a screening of the film. I was worried only 10 people would show up and there ended up being like 400! It was amazing!

I think this is a film which is going to have a long and happy life through word of mouth and bicycles!

Apt613: What has filming Ciclo taught you? Either about yourself, your family or more generally about the rigours of documentary film-making?

AM: Wow. Where to start…

This has been such an incredibly difficult, joyous, heart-breaking, emotionally intense process. I edited the film and it took me almost 3 years to do it.

This film is not only about an extraordinary bicycle adventure, it is also a journey through pain, sadness and loss. I was slowly and painfully losing my mother through Alzheimer’s during the entire process. There is also super8 footage from my father’s first marriage which nobody had ever seen. Not even him. So you can just imagine, it was very cathartic not only for him but for the entire family.

The shooting of the film itself brought me much closer to both my father and my uncle (I learned my uncle is a natural born actor and has a flare for the comedic I had not known until then!).

And as for the rigours of making documentaries… It is easy to say perseverance is crucial but when you actually have to persevere… wow. In my case, it was only because it was so undeniably and urgently necessary to tell this story that I am here today here in Ottawa, presenting the film.

Apt613: What are your expectations from the Ottawa Latin American Film Festival?

AM: I want to reach people’s hearts.  I want them to leave the film wanting to live life to the fullest. That is my expectation. This is the first screening of Ciclo in my country of birth… and I hope the first of many!

Tonight, Legion of Saints hits the stage at Babylon, while NDMA celebrates a new EP down at the Mercury Lounge. The Goodluck Assembly is giving a sneak peek of their new album at Cafe Dekcuf Friday night, and there will be lots of jazzy goodness with Molly Johnson at the NAC. The Flaps take over the GluePot Pub for their cd release party – The Hilotrons and Remi Royale will drop in to amp up the party. Pressed will have shows Thursday and Friday, with Cold Warps dropping by tonight, and Solids tomorrow. Local band Orienteers team up with CAI.RO and The Bright Road for a show at Avant Garde, and the Glorious MoonRockets stop by the Atomic Rooster to play a few tunes. Slim Moore and the Mar-Kays heat up the Black Sheep on Saturday, and that same night Elgin Skye, Derek Harrison and Max Marshall join forces for a show. Or, practice all weekend and head to the Hintonburg Public House to take the stage yourself!

We’ve got plenty of film options. Wanderweg opens tonight at the Mayfair, and the DiverCiné Film Festival goes all weekend with a few films from La Francophonie. The Tibetan Film Festival, while lacking Brad Pitt, will feature several films exploring the land, culture and people of Tibet. In visual art, Balancing. act II opens tonight at Cube Gallery, part of the first Thursday art walk that happens down Wellington each month.

Craft lovers take note: Urban Craft is now quarterly, and is happening this weekend! Plus, Auntie Loo will be hosting a pop-up vegan dinner of deliciousness.

And, if you’re a big Madge fan, Adi Shesha Yoga is hosting a night of vinyasa flow set to her greatest hits. Continue that grooving at Kitchen Party down at the Rochester Pub afterward!

What else have you got going on this weekend, Ottawa? Let us know below!