Or maybe you’re more the adventurous sort. Maybe you want to see what happens when numerous Ottawa bands swap members, create team of local supergroups, and put on a show.

Well, that last fantasy will become a reality this weekend when the Ottawa Rock Lottery presents its eclectic take on music expression. This Saturday the 18th, Mavericks will play host to the Lottery’s fifth annual showcase. And what a showcase it promises to be. This year’s lineup sports local musicians from such bands as Fevers, Loon Choir, Goodluck Assembly and Kalle Mattson, whom you may remember from this video. There are also some murmurings about a yet-to-be-announced Juno winner. With so much local talent to choose from, it almost sounds like every ticket is a winner – and that’s not something you can say for most lotteries.

Okay, so this isn’t a lottery in the traditional sense. I’ll admit that when I first heard about the Rock Lottery, probably sometime around its inception in 2008, I thought it was some kind of gambling organization that simply used rock and roll music to further entice lottery ticket buyers. How wrong I was!

Alright, so there is a small bit of traditional lottery stuff going on here: there is a draw for door prizes in which guests can win prizes like clothing or tattoos (yep, you can win tattoos). But the real “lottery” part of the rock lottery actually happens one day earlier. 24 hours before the show, all of the participants gather to see their fate decided. Details of this sacred ceremony are shrouded in secrecy, but Apt613 has learned that bands are created by the sanctified ritual of drawing names out of a hat. And once the bands are formed, they have the length of one day to organize, get to know each other, and create a 30 minute set out of thin air to play the following evening.

Take it from someone who has “been in bands” – that’s no easy task. Typically, a thirty minute set is the culmination of around six months of trial and error, a labour of love and a showcase for the band’s unique talents. The thought of condensing it down to a day of prep time makes me feel empathy, anxiety and, most of all, excitement. The Rock Lottery is a chance to see and participate in the creation of a brand new musical identity, as messy or as wonderful as that is.

It’s also a moment in time, a unique type of event that will likely never be recreated. The bands that are formed for the Lottery generally part ways after the show, presumably making recordings of that concert all the more valuable. However, there are exceptions, and several bands and record labels have sprung up around the Rock Lottery over the years, owing their creation to organizer Samantha Everts’ efforts and determination.

So, if you see something you like at the Rock Lottery this Saturday, cheer for it. Maybe it’ll stick around.

Meet us at Dundonald Park on Saturday, May 4th at 2pm. We’ll help you get to know Somerset West a little bit better.

This is just one of a ton of Jane’s Walks happening all over the city. For more on the project and information on walks happening in your neck of the woods, check out www.janeswalkottawa.ca.

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.

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!

Tupper wanted to help support a community that needed it – geeks. He knew they were around, but hadn’t realized “the city was so gung-ho, so excited for shows of a geeky nature” until seeing the huge crowds at Ottawa Comiccon last year. As a self-professed geeky artist himself, he’s all too familiar with the fact that there aren’t any outlets for that type of art outside of conventions. (When’s the last time you saw zombie art in a Bridgehead?) So with the enthusiasm of Comiccon and the desire to showcase his artist friends combined, he summoned Captain…he founded WGA.

WGA had their first event in February - a geek-themed art show at Zaphod’s. It was so successful that they’re doing a second round this upcoming Monday, April 15^th. Eleven different artists will be displaying their work, with everything from Super Mario Brother’s jewelry to Breaking Bad Hello Kitties. In addition to the joy of drinking bevvies while you browse, there’ll be geek-themed music (think video game tunes made to dance), and SNES linked up if you feel like having a go. If you like costumes, this event is another reason to break ‘em out, but don’t feel like you have to. Tupper really just wants people to “come out and be. It’s the sort of thing where if you’re any sort of geek or nerd, you’re normal.”

Not so into art? Since the WGA team are all artists that’s been their focus  (in addition to Tupper there’s Executive Producer Edith Chartier, Promotions Coordinator Cherry Valance and Lead Designer Morgan Dunbar), but they’ve got lots of other things planned to help you geek out. Geeky burlesque (a show is scheduled for May 8th), costuming, theatre, music, more art…an event for each member of the 501st legion is coming! Okay, that might be a geekified stretch but they’ve got lots planned for you, Ottawa.

Wonder Geeks Activate! 2: Activate Harder is happening Monday, April 15th at the aptly named Zaphod’s Beeblebrox. Tickets available at the Comic Book Shoppe 2 and online. For more info on upcoming WGA events check out their Facebook page.

Spring is coming – we promise. While the weather might seem otherwise, this leafy green event out at Kichesippi Brewery will prove to you that fresh produce isn’t too far away. At the very least, the food and music and beer will distract you from a snowy reality.

Tonight at Babylon, it’s Raw Hip Hop with Blakdenim, hosted by VCX, Precice Kenny Creole and Diamond. Some of you, though, might just want to camp out in Wakefield this weekend – with Jenn Grant tonight, Harlan Pepper tomorrow, and New Country Rehab on Saturday, you’d be guaranteed a foot-tappin’ good time.

Punk rockers will likely be heading out to Scotiabank Place on Friday for big names like Billy Talent and Sum 41. If that’s just too far, you can get a bit of pop-punk with Remember the Fire and Set it Off at Cafe Dekcuf that same night. Also that evening? Jokers of the Scene stop by Mercury Lounge along with a few DJs to get you dancing.

Need more dancing? Kitchen Party!

Saturday is a busy, busy night: The Yips and some friends will be at Club SAW, SUUNS will be playing at Ritual, and local folk artist Andrea Simms-Karp will open for Belle Starr at Raw Sugar.

Ottawa is the latest stop on the Burlesque Vanguard Tour, bringing American and Canadian teasers our way for a show. Some of our own local burlesque darlings will take to the stage with Paco Fish and a few other internationally-renowned artists.

In the world of art, we’ve got a few options. Orange Gallery is hosting the Big 100, a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Fibre artists will be everywhere at the Fibre Fling all day Friday and Saturday. There will be a juried exhibition of local pottery all weekend long, where you’ll also be able to purchase a few finely-crafted goods.

If you’re hankering for days of yore, this gala should meet your needs with Ottawa’s own Boardwalk Empire taking over the conference centre.

And lastly? Kick off next week by doing something nice – not your usual nice, but a little out-of-the-ordinary nice. C’mon, everyone is doing it!

What else is on your agenda of fun this weekend? Let us know below!

Jo, who is organizing the fest, is or has been a member of local bands Germ Attak, Blue Cross, and Iron Dogs. He explained that the goal of Ottawa Sucks is “to motivate locals in the hardcore punk scene to form bands, write zines, book shows, release records, etc.”

As well, the fest also aims to connect Ottawa hardcore to the international movement, both giving Ottawa listeners a chance to hear bands from elsewhere and drawing international attention to homegrown talent. Ottawa Sucks hopes to build the kind of international relationships and connections that can only come of getting all sweaty together in the basement of a Legion hall.

Doom, a UK crust punk band first active in the late eighties, and now touring again, are one of the main attractions of Ottawa Sucks. However, there are also bands from all over Canada, from Halifax (Napalm Raid) to Vancouver (Systematik), as well as many Ottawa groups.

Ottawa Sucks will consist of shows at the Montgomery Legion (330 Kent), on Friday, April 12th, and Saturday, April 13th, and on Sunday at Overkill (56 Byward Market Sq.).  There will also be some additional house shows, so check out the Ottawa Sucks Facebook page for updates.

Asked about his motivation for organizing Ottawa Sucks, Jo replied “Ottawa sucks, so let’s not sit on the sidelines and complain, let’s do something about it. It’s a constant effort, if you want things to happen.”  If you’re a fan of hardcore, you’re fortunate that someone else has done the work for you this time around.  If punk rock is not your thing, then the onus is on you to follow Ottawa Sucks’ example and make it happen!

Artengine is an artist-run centre that focuses on art and technology, and that’s how they started getting into media like laser cutting and 3D printing. “Artists were using these tools more and more” says Evans-Fenton, so they decided to acquire them. In recent years, Artengine began noticing more of a “maker” trend, where creators would come in to the lab to gain access to these tools. The recent purchase of 2 Ultimaker 3D printers greatly improves on the technology they once had. “Our Makerbot (their first 3D printer) dates from 3 years ago, which in 3D printing years is a long time. The Makerbot seems like it’s 30 years old when you compare what both models can do.”

The price of the open source Ultimaker is about $2,000. You have to build it yourself…which perfectly fits with the ethos of the artists, makers and hackers who gravitate towards Artengine. The open source printer was put together just last week at Mod Lab – Artengine’s weekly hacker get together. Say what? A weekly hacker get together? Ottawa never ceases to amaze me. Aside from the hacker crowd, Evans-Fenton tells mes there’s a diverse crowd that will be using the new Ultimakers from artists to designers and jewellers to life time public servants that dig creating things in their free time.

Aside from reading an article a last year in The Economist on the future of 3D printing, I felt very much like a neophyte. Not too sure how the process worked, a colleague of mine suggested bringing a mug that they might be able reproduce. Not so. Typically, someone will design something using 3D software like 3D Sketch Up, AutoCAD and Blender, or will scan an object using a 3D scanner. Artengine doesn’t own an official 3D scanner but they can hack their way to create one via a Kinect. Once this is done, you put the design through a slicer that slices the image of the object in many layers, and this is what ends up being sent to the printer. Britta had started a print for me – an owl made out of corn plastic – I was able to take home. The printing process, for the 5 cm high object took about 45 minutes. The new printer will be able to create objects of varying complexity – but is by no means an industrial sized printer – something Artengine hopes to be able in the future…but for now they only dream of it.

The reason for Saturday’s 3D print-a-thon is to showcase the new printer, and what it can do, but it’s also an opportunity for the 3D maker community to showcase their work. It will be a great opportunity to learn about 3D printing in Ottawa and the makers behind it. The city’s foremost 3D printers will be at the even to showcase their own machines and designs. Don’t miss out!

Photo courtesy of Randy Son Of Robert on Flickr.

It’s one of the most common questions we get asked at the blog: how do I meet new people in this city? Cruising the bars solo is a crap shoot, and not everyone is inclined to sign up for Dodgeball at OSSC (I, for one, cannot even look at a dodgeball due to long-standing elementary school trama). Enter The Meeples Republic: a new service that hopes to put the social into social gaming.

TMR founders Ashley and Ka (full disclosure: Ashley is a longstanding Apt613 contributor) wanted to combine their love of board games, food and local beer into a new type of event for Ottawa. The Meeples Republic is joining a growing list of Ottawa board games night, but according to Ashley it focuses more on meeting new people rather than destroying their plastic armies.

“As we started getting more interested in board games we noticed all the board gaming nights in town. They’re fun, but it’s tough if you don’t know anyone, if you’re shy, and you aren’t familiar with the games. The people are generally friendly, but they often end up a little clique-y. We’re both transplants to Ottawa and were lucky enough to find each other, but what if there’s no Ka to your Ashley? So we really wanted to give people interested in board games a friendly, non-gamer way to get in, while giving people who want to expand their social circles a chance to just meet people.”

The Republic’s first event, a ‘speed gaming‘ session, is taking place this Wednesday, February 14 at Hub Ottawa (71 Bank Street, 6th floor). The concept is simple: there will be around 50 attendees split between 11 games. Guests will be randomly placed at a table with 3-5 other people, where a “Game Genie” will teach them a short social game. After about 30 minutes of play there will be a break to grab food and drinks, followed by a second round of gaming with completely different people.

The food at the event is not an afterthough; Ashley and Ka wanted to make it part of the appeal of the event. The price of admission includes some of the tastiest treats from around town: Jamaican patties from The Piggy Market, macarons from Macarons et Madeleines, and some of their own goodies. One free drink is also included, and the cash bar will have Beyond The Pale beer as well as wine. Rounding off the night is music spun by Rob Reid of World Famous Music as well as prizes from Comic Book Shoppe and GamesForAll.ca

The Republic is planning events in the future that will focus on different communities (singles, different age brackets, queer, steampunk, ladies only, students) and will be changing up the style of games (longer games, word-themed games, trading games). Each event will be pretty different from the last, and tailored to the space TMR decides to use. They are also planning to make sure their event are really accessible, so while some might be on the more expensive side, others will be free of charge.

Whatever the format, the goal is the help people connect through games, a perfect medium to encourage socializing with strangers. ”If you’re playing a board game with other people, you’re forced to interact with them, even if it’s only through cards. Every move you make has an impact on them, and vice-versa. In addition to forcing face-to-face contact between humans, board games are fun! It’s easy to connect with someone if you’re laughing.”

The Meeples Republic Speed Gaming Event is Taking place this Wednesday, February 13 at Hub Ottawa (71 Bank Street, 6th floor). Tickets are $30 and include a free drink and snacks. 

Apartment613: What are the unique health challenges facing gay men in Ottawa?

Nick Valela: The health challenges faced by today’s gay men are striking.

In terms of sexual health, the challenges are persistent. Ottawa Public Health has noted that rates of HIV diagnosed among 20-29 year old men are the highest they have been in the last decade – the majority of which (69%) is men who have sex with men (MSM). Anywhere from 11-25% of gay men are living with HIV, now a chronic disease, and overall 30% are infected with high risk HPV causing an annual incidence of anal cancer 35-times greater than the general population.

Gay men also live in greater isolation compared to the general population. Consequently, they suffer more anxiety, depression, alcohol, and substance abuse and engage more often in high risk sexual behaviour. For example, over one-third of gay men smoke cigarettes, which is nearly double the rate of the general Canadian population, leading to higher rates of chronic lung disease and cardiovascular disease.

Furthermore, gay men have difficulty accessing the healthcare services they require. On average, only 44% of gay men have disclosed their sexual orientation to their family physician. This is particularly startling given that family physicians are uniquely positioned to either reduce or eliminate barriers to accessing health services. While in many instances gay men present to their physicians with conditions unrelated to their sexual orientation, there are specific health issues associated with being a gay man that consequently cannot be addressed.

This answer surely cannot do justice to all of the health issues gay men face. However, the underlying message must be made clear: More attention and funding must be directed towards local, provincial, and national MSM communities.

Apartment613: How is Snowblower attempting to deal with these issues?

NV: We have approached the festival from a Gay Men’s Health and Wellness framework. In other words, we at ACO are attempting to frame the health of gay men in a proactive fashion that focuses on holistic health and well-being with attention to broader health as a context. HIV has previously been the overriding specific health concern for prevention work in Canada. Although HIV remains a priority in our lives today, it does not and should not define gay men. We prefer to highlight the assets of gay men as resilient actors who have frequently persisted in the face of adversity and today face a series of complex health challenges.

The festival officially opens on Thursday, February 7th with the annual Snowblower Community Fair to be held at Gay ZONE (420 Cooper St.). Here community groups, clubs, businesses, and services will be present to offer information for potential new members and to recruit support with the hope of reducing the barriers to accessing services gay men can experience.

A number of informative workshops have been scheduled on a series of health topics ranging from smoking cessation to flogging 101 to nude yoga!

Two main social events have also been planned to demonstrate that health and wellness needs to be seen broadly, including components such as the arts and social interaction. On February 8th, we invite everyone to “No Pants? No Problem!” – a sex-positive, bias-free underwear dance party at the Royal Canadian Legion. And on February 15th, Snowblower 2013, in partnership with La Petite Mort Gallery present “Snowblown” – an evening of eye-opening performance art with the award-winning Nina Arsenault and local artist Matt Miwa!

Apartment613: You refer to Snowblower as a “proudly sex positive, inclusive festival.” What does this mean and why is this important to your goals?

NV: For ACO, sexuality, in its myriad of expressions, is an integral and natural part of our being and gives meaning and pleasure to our lives. We acknowledge, embrace, and celebrate our diverse queer communities as a source of strength and insight. We cannot underestimate the importance of these standpoints as all gay men have the right to satisfying sex lives free from guilt, stigma, coercion, violence, and shame. It’s as simple as that.

Apartment613: How have you curated the events for the festival? What were you hoping to achieve with the program?

NV: This festival, among other things, is a community development tool. So curating Snowblower 2013 was done with careful consideration and tact. We wanted to ensure we did our best to reach out to the broadest possible spectrum of Ottawa’s gay community as we could. This includes seniors, trans people, smokers, the leather community, people with HIV or AIDS, ACO participants, Native people, youth, sero-discordant couples, queer families, etc. In doing so, I hope to have shed light on the complexity of gay men’s health, as described above. Subsequently, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with the ambitious local organizations who work daily to represent these groups to produce what will hopefully be a dynamic, informative and fun festival!

Apartment613: If you could leave gay men with one message about their health after the 11 days of event, what would it be?

This is a tough one, definitely. But here it goes: There are more ways than you think to make the connections you want with the local gay community. I encourage you all to visit our website to see our fantastic festival partners and sponsors who are proud to serve Ottawa’s gay community!

Snowblower runs for 11 days starting this Thursday, February 7th. For a full listing of partners and events, visit http://www.aco-cso.ca/Snowblower.