"Dress Me Up In A Hospital Gown, Bury Me Face Down, And Call It A Day" by Karl Goertzl. Image courtesy La Petite Mort Gallery
Hey Ottawans, looking to get into some trouble this weekend? Good thing you’ve ended up at the Weekend Roundup, then, where we’re unloading a bunch of mint condition troublemaking possibilities at bargain-basement prices. No good offer will be refused! (Sorry, I’m still in Great Glebe Garage Sale mode, apparently.)
It takes a certain bravado to be able to stare down your own mortality, but that’s Karl Goerzen for you. The Ottawa artist, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2010 and given two months to live, is hosting Not Dead Yet – an exhibition of his cartoon works, like the one seen above – this Saturday at La Petite Mort Gallery. The event was originally planned as a fundraiser in his memory, but as Goerzen says on the vernissage’s Facebook page, “I’m rather glad I could be here for it instead.” Proceeds will go to the Ottawa Food Bank.
Theatre lovers will want to check out Magnetic North, which proclaims itself to be Canada’s national festival of contemporary English theatre. Performances get underway Saturday and run until June 11. If you’re looking for something for the tiny folk who live with you – or maybe you’re just charmingly immature yourself – the Ottawa Children’s Festival continues all weekend.
On the music front, Haligonian singer-songwriter Tanya Davis plays the Mercury Lounge Friday evening with Vancouver’s The Fugitives. Hamilton’s Espanola (aka Aaron Goldstein) takes the Raw Sugar stage that same night alongside local boy Dave Tough for a night of rootsy alt-country, while on Saturday the Halifax invasion continues as Laura Peek brings her pristine pop to the cafe nestled in the Chinatown archway shadows. Over at the Elmdale, Toronto’s The Warped 45s are debuting tunes Saturday night from their sparkling new album Matador Sunset; they’re joined by Ottawa’s own Still Winter Hills. And on Sunday it’s the Hintonburg pub’s solo artist showcase. Well-established Can-rockers The Mike Plume Band play shows Thursday and Friday at the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield, and on Sunday afternoon Lindsay Ferguson unveils her new album. Finally, Zaphod’s plays host Saturday night to an indie rock menage a trois, featuring The Sound Technicians, And What Army?, and Departures.
It’ll be a bone-crunchingly good time at the St. Laurent Complex (525 Cote Street) on Saturday evening, when local roller derby superstars Capital City Derby Dolls take on a squad from the Durham region in their second home bout of the season. And if roller derby’s got you contemplating the purchase of some kickass fishnet stockings, then you’ll be happy to know the Legion (359 Kent Street) is hosting a free clothing swap Sunday from 2-5pm. The New Art Festival – with more than 250 artists and entertainers – is also going down in the Glebe (Central Park at Bank and Clemow, to be specific) both days.
Quoi d’autre, mes amis? Share your own weekend plans in the comments.
