POSITION AVAILABLE:
ADMIN INTERN

Odyssey Theatre, Ottawa’s premiere professional mask summer theatre, is offering a ninemonth Arts Administrative Intern position to a University or College graduate. The position could be extended up to fourteen months. This job is perfect for someone who is interested in exploring the world of arts administration, and/or gaining new administrative skills, which would be transferable to other fields.

Odyssey Theatre is a dynamic, award-winning company that runs a successful open-air theatre in Strathcona Park. Our company produces a unique style of theatre that successfully blends various theatrical forms, including such arts as Commedia dell’Arte, mask, physical theatre and clown. We are currently celebrating our 25th season, and have many exciting plans for growth, including producing an indoor winter touring season.

Reporting to the General Manager and the Artistic Director, the successful candidate will be responsible for assisting with Odyssey’s: Marketing strategies and materials; Fundraising; Grant writing; and General office duties.
The successful candidate must possess the following skills: excellent written
communication skills; initiative; strong organizational skills; oral communication skills; intermediate computer skills preferably with some experience on an Apple operating system (Microsoft Word, Excel); and a background in the arts would be an asset.

This is a full-time position (from July 4, 2011 – March 30, 2012), $425.00/week, 40 hours/week.

The successful candidate will receive training and mentorship in marketing, fundraising and strategic planning, while being provided with networking opportunities. As well as gaining an excellent knowledge of the arts, after completing the position, Odyssey’s Administrative Intern would be qualified for numerous exciting positions in the not-forprofit, private and government sectors. This position is also a fantastic stepping-stone to a career in the arts and to succeed as an arts administrator.

Please submit a cover letter and resume by June 10, 2011 to:

Dana Uzarevic
General Manager
Odyssey Theatre
2 Daly Avenue
Ottawa, ON, K1N 6E2

Or by email: info@odysseytheatre.ca

By dropping period trappings on that ass, of course! Playbill has series of two minute shorts called "Jersey Shore Gone Wilde" in which dialogue is lifted from Jersey Shore and given an Oscar Wilde treatment. The results are far more hilarious than they should be. Check it after the jump!

Fringe is looking for volunteers!

The Fringe us upon us again! June 16-26, 2011

Ottawa will once again host the 15th annual Ottawa Fringe & Arts Festival.  We are looking for energetic and dynamic volunteers to join our ranks, to make this year’s Fringe the best yet.

Volunteers make up an essential part of our festival, operating box offices, running security and keeping things running smoothly for both patrons and artists

THE GOODS

All volunteers recieve a volunteer T-shirt, to be worn during all shifts, and yours to keep after the festival.

For every shift worked, volunteers get passes to see some of the spectactular shows in this year’s Fringe.

The chance to meet enthusiastic, passionate and wonderful people like you!

INTERESTED?

Come join us at one of our Volunteer Orientation sessions to get all your questions answered and to sign up for your first shifts.

Wednesday  June 1,   6:30-9:30pm – Arts Court Library
Sunday June 5,    2-5pm – Arts Court Courtroom
Saturday June 11, 2-5pm – Arts Court Courtroom

For more information, email volunteer@ottawafringe.com
or call (613) 232-6162

Friday

One Night ONLY Exhibit
ANNE JOHNSON
Mixed Media New Works
VERNISSAGE: Friday January 14, 2011/ 7-10 PM
Tunes by Big Mac Daddy
Proudly sponsored by CKCU 93.1 FM

The landscape that surrounds us has the ability to affect us subconsciously as we go on with our day to day lives. Anne Johnson pulls these images out from the subconscious and creates palpable works on paper that confront the viewer in a way that cannot be ignored. Transforming the landscape into bright pastel works, Anne Johnson gives us a fresh way to view our surroundings, using her own psyche as the medium.

www.lapetitemortgallery.com
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Dale Smith Gallery is pleased to announce its third annual student exhibition.  This year we welcome six student artists from the Elmwood School Visual Arts Program.  Six grade 12 students: Alyssa Hartvich, Asia Oberle, Sahar Salari, Yasmin Salehi, Lenishka Stuggs and Devan Vasile will present original photographs and drawings in an exhibition titled, "Just Girls Art Show: Passions, Obsessions and Collections."

Join the young artists and friends at the opening reception on Friday, January 14 from 7 to 10 p.m..
The exhibition will run until February 8.

Dale Smith Gallery
137 Beechwood Ave.
Ottawa, Ontario
K1M 1L4
Tel: (613) 321-0101
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Friday and Saturday
La Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne (FESFO) et le Conseil des arts d'Ottawa (CAO) offrent une formation gratuite en installation artistique. Cet atelier vis à démontrer le potentiel de l'installation en explorant la transformation d'un espace avec l'utilisation de diverses disciplines artistique afin de créer une exposition interactive. L'atelier abore en détail les étapes à suivre pour créer une installation, ainsi que le processus de mixage audio afin d'y inclure une trame sonore. Le dîner et une collation seront servis.

Qui peut participer : Les jeunes francophones agée·e·s de 13 à 19 ans.
Dates : vendredi 14 janvier 2011, de 16 h 30 à 18 h 30 et le samedi 15 janvier de 9 h 30 à 18 h.
Lieu : Conseil des arts d'Ottawa, 2 avenue Daly, Ottawa
Pour vous inscrire ou pour plus de détails : veuillez joindre Nicolas Hyatt au 613-260-8055 ou par courriel à nhyatt@fesfo.ca

Les places sont limitées, donc inscrivez-vous le plus tôt possible!

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Sunday

The Dusty Owl Reading Series
- New Poetry - New Music - New Culture - New Possibilities -
www.dustyowl.com

Poet - Anita Dolman

When: Sunday, January 16, 2011

Location:  Swizzles Bar & Grill
          246-B Queen St., Between Kent and Bank Streets

Start Time: 5:00 p.m.

There is nothing as fun as starting the new year with a writer who is expanding their written universe into a new area of work.  Renowned for her poetry, Anita Dolman will be taking the Dusty Owl stage to share her work of short fiction.  Come and view the world through her articulate eye.

Do you write with all your soul to create beautiful poetry or insightful stories?  Do you sing or play an instrument in a way that would make the sirens pause in their song?  Stay for the Open Set and share your work.

Admission is free.  Donations will be lovingly accepted.

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For the first time ever, Up From The Roots Entertainment is bringing the When Sisters Speak Spoken Word Concert to the nation's capital!

This SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, be inside the UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA ALUMNI AUDITORIUM (85 University Street in the Jock Turcot University Centre) at 7:30 pm to witness poetic performances from this all-star international line-up of powerful women artists!

Be there to witness performances by:

Motion (Toronto)
Erika Haygood (Buffalo)
Kiki (Brantford)
Tasha Jones (Indianapolis)
Titi (Edmonton)
Keisha Monique (Toronto)
Hodan Ibrahim (OTTAWA)

Created and hosted by award-winning poet and performer Dwayne Morgan! You don't want to miss out on this amazing event.  Tickets for the show are $20 in advance, and are on sale now at:

BYWARD MARKET
Norml Clothing
184 Rideau Street
(613) 562-2043

CENTRETOWN
Compact Music
190 Bank Street
(613) 233-7626

GLEBE
Compact Music
785 1/2 Bank Street
(613) 233-8922

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Anytime!

Until March 5, 2011 The Ottawa West Arts Association (www.owaa.ca) presents
"Beginnings"  Jan.8 - March 4, 2011

Visit the owaa gallery to view NEW extraordinary artworks from local artists and fill out a People's Choice Ballot of your favorite work at the Goulbourn Recreation Complex 1500 Shea Road, Stittsville.

Open 7 Days a week 7 am - 9 pm

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The Linda Street Gallery present: Choleena DiTullio
January 1st to 29th, 2011
411 Dovercourt Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K2A 0S9

Web site: www.choleena.com
Email: choleena@gmail.com

Ottawa artist, Choleena DiTullio, finds extraordinary inspiration for all aspects of her life in the ordinary things around her. And when it comes to art, she has an insatiable need to paint the fish that she sees lurking in those every-day things: the fanned back of an Adirondack chair is an unmistakable fish tail; a Spam can is obviously a fish body; and a bike wheel is a fish eye.

Looking for a little something extra for the culture lovers on your gift list this holiday season? Why not donate a “star” on their behalf to help fund construction of Odyssey’s new stage as we celebrate our 25th anniversary of Theatre under the Stars in Strathcona Park next summer?
Solve your shopping dilemma and support the performing arts in your community with this novelty gift donation.
It’s just a click away – make an easy online donation at our website and we e-mail you a personalized donation certificate – a special gift opportunity with a minimal carbon footprint. And all for the low price of $10 per donation. Help someone special be a theatre “star”!
To donate for a Star, click on this link, then Donate Now and under Fund Designation select Be a theatre “star” this holiday season.
http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s24923
Please allow two business days for certificate delivery. Last day for Star fund donations is Wednesday December 22.
Odyssey Theatre
2 Daly Ave
613-232-8407
info@odysseytheatre.ca
www.odysseytheatre.ca

Friday

Dale Smith Gallery is pleased to present "The Return of the Beothuk," an exhibition of recent paintings by Nova Scotia artist Jonathan Howse (pictured, First Europeans). In "The Return of the Beothuk," Jonathan combines stories and images of the Beothuk, his own family history, and issues faced by Newfoundlanders today to explore how the lessons of the past may provide solutions for the future. Please contact the gallery for more information or images of exhibition work.
July 9 - August 1 |  Vernissage: Friday, July 9, 7- 10 PM | 137 Beechwood Ave.

One Night Only Exhibit
Lyle Richardson
New Pastel & Watercolour on Paper
Friday July 9, 2010 / 7-10 pm
La Petite Mort Gallery | 306 Cumberland Street

Galerie McKenzie Marcotte at 26 Sully Rd. in Wakefield Quebec is pleased to present “Attitudes and Expressions,” an exhibition of wood fired sculpture by Raymond Warren. The vernissage will take place on Friday July 9 at 7 pm. The exhibition continues until August 3, 2010.

If you haven't yet, we highly encourage you to go this week to see the play "Where the Blood Mixes," at the National Arts Centre (on until April 3rd). Focusing on the lives of two natives from BC, Floyd and Mooch (played by veteran actors Billy Merasty and Ben Cardinal) as they drink, fish and bicker, and gradually come to terms with their residential school experience and the impact its had on their friendships and family lives. With a live musical score performed by guitarist Jason Burnstick, the play is 90 minutes of humour, pathos and understated morality; a portrayal of good people who have been victimized and are struggling heroically not to be defined by that victimization. It is everything a night at the theatre should be: funny, moving and inspiring.

Yasmina Reza's play "Art" is now running at the Bluma Appel Theatre in Toronto, until April 10th. Here's the Globe and Mail review. And here's an interview with one of the leads, Colin Mochrie.

We discussed Reza in this blog last year.

The votes have been tallied and it's time to announce the nominees for the third annual Rideau Awards, which celebrate achievement in professional theatre in the region of Ottawa-Gatineau. This year for the first time, Les Prix Rideau Awards will be fully bilingual, with a full slate of awards to be presented for both English and French-language productions. The awards will be handed out during a celebration to take place on Sunday, April 18, 2010, at De La Salle High School.

The nominees for English-language productions are:

Outstanding Performance – Female

The Ottawa Theatre Network and GCTC have just submitted an idea to the Aviva Community Fund, a competition that could have a huge positive impact on the Ottawa theatre community. If our idea receives enough votes, we have a chance at sharing in $500,000 to bring the idea to life. We would really appreciate your help in pushing this idea to the finals.

Your vote is a vote for a strong future for Ottawa’s theatre community. This is a vote based competition.  Please vote at http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf1624. You can vote once per day in this round. (We will let you k now if there are other voting opportunities in the next rounds. There are three rounds of voting.)  But you can help spread the word to everyone you know and encourage them to vote too.

Your vote WILL make a difference! The first round ends this Sunday, November 1 – please vote SOON.

Ottawa’s Next Stage:  The Blossoming of Ottawa's Theatre

A recent symposium with members of both Ottawa’s established and emerging theatres established that one of the greatest obstacles to growth of the Ottawa theatre scene is a lack of professional development opportunities in all aspects of theatre. The Ottawa Theatre Network and the Great Canadian Theatre Company are combining forces to fill that need. Through a series of workshops, training programs, and laying the groundwork for a strong resource sharing Network, Ottawa's Next Stage project will fuel the current renaissance of Ottawa’s lively professional theatre scene. A vote for Ottawa’s Next Stage project will further our dream of nurturing new artists and new works in our nation’s capital.

Great Canadian Theatre Company and the Ottawa Theatre Network combine forces to boost the current renaissance of Ottawa’s lively professional theatre scene. We want to take Ottawa to “The Next Stage”. With a comprehensive program that nurtures the development of the Ottawa theatre community.

Youth talk about sex. A recent Toronto survey concluded that parents, teachers and health professionals play a role, but when teens have questions about their sexuality "youth are most likely to talk to their friends" .

The same study discovered a disturbing decline in sexual health knowledge amongst youth, especially those under sixteen. "Despite rising STI rates creating the potential for increased HIV infection amongst youth, knowledge of the disease has declined since 1989...Knowledge about emergency contraception is often inaccurate and there continues to be confusion about how to use condoms effectively."

In Ottawa, youth are fortunate to have several programs that address such issues from a youth perspective. Insight Theatre was created by Planned Parenthood Ottawa in 1982. It harnesses the power of theatre, combined with the effectiveness of peer communication to provide teens with accurate, sex-positive information on health, relationships and a host of relevant issues. According to the Toronto Teen Sex Survey, "...youth are often the primary source of sexual information for their peers, they should be involved in the development of sexual health initiatives. This approach has been proven to be particularly effective with adolescent and youth."

Teachers often use the Insight show as an introduction to their sex-ed units. As Insight Program Coordinator, Nadine Thornhill says, "It's designed to compliment the school curriculum. The show can provide a point of reference for students once they're back in the classroom."

 The GCTC is proud to announce that a new play will be featured here in Ottawa called the Syringa Tree. The performances will take place from September 15 to October 4, 2009.  Tickets range from $32 to $42.

 Here are more details:

 The Syringa Tree

Friday

 La Petite Mort Gallery presents...
ONE NIGHT STAND
with DRASKO BOGDANOVIC
NEW PHOTOGRAPHS
One Night Only Exhibit
Friday September 11, 2009 / 7 - 10pm
Tunes by Big Mac Daddy
Proudly sponsored by CKCU 93.1 FM 

'LABOURS OF LOVE' - A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN IN ART
This remarkable exhibition of paintings by Adrian Baker, with guest artists Karen Bailey, Heidi Conrod, Rosemary Leach, Katherine McNenly and Chandler Swain, is a fundraiser for The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood. Maureen McTeer, Canadian representative of the WRA, will be in attendance at the opening reception to share refreshments and information about the organization.
This one-weekend exhibition by these well-known Ottawa artists is a must-see, organized in solidarity with women everywhere, especially those who suffer needlessly. Adrian Baker's powerful images of intimate maternal experiences and timeless domestic scenes "evoke conflicting feelings of strength, anguish, vulnerability, spirituality, and love" (pictured: "Monday Monring")
Exhibition location: Dale Smith Gallery, 137 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa, ON
613-321-0101,
Exhibition hours: Friday, Sept. 11 - opening reception, 6pm - 9m
Saturday, Sept. 12 - 10am - 5:30pm
Sunday, Sept. 13 - 12noon - 5pm

Later this month, Vintage Stock Theatre presents: Restless in Cumberland: Ghost Stories by Lamplight by Micheline Mathon and directed by Susan M. Flemming.

Restless in Cumberland looks at some of Ottawa Valley's apparitions, spirits and manifestations that have, for many years, captured the imaginations and attentions of local historians, paranormal researchers, and amateur ghost-hunters. Each scene will dramatize a different story from an historical perspective, exploring its genesis, its variations and manifestations and its place amongst local folklore and legend.

Does that whole thing about child actors growing up to be drugged out adults apply to Canadian stages actors?  If you don't think it does, then you may want to have your young star in the making audition for the role of Tiny Tim.  Check it out the press release:

Auditions to be held for the role of Tiny Tim for the NAC English Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol!

The National Arts Centre English Theatre is looking to cast the role of Tiny Tim with a local child actor and auditions will take place on Saturday, September 12 at the NAC!

In a surprising move, the Gladstone Theatre has chosen to make a significant change to the Noises Off technical team a week before opening night.

Last Monday, (Cult)ure's article Crazy Mayhem of a Show Coming to the Gladstone reported the technical challenges involved in staging the Gladstone Theatre's 2009-2010 season opener.

By Wednesday, Jessica Ruano of The Ottawa Arts Newsletter had broken the story that stage manager Tina Goralski had been fired from the show.

The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan, puppet-style, has been nominated for 7 Betty Mitchell Awards, the most of any production this year. Check out Chrissy Sudjana's review!

A Bizarre And Amazing Entertainment Extravaganza Will Transform Hog's Back Park In Ottawa Beginning July 23!

Carnivàle Lune Bleue is bringing a charismatic cast of bizarre and amazing performers, Magical Midway with vintage rides, gigantic snakes, fortune tellers, plethora of carnival curiousities and so much more to Hog's Back Park in Ottawa for a lively five week run from July 23 - August 30, 2009.

"Carnivàle Lune Bleue was carefully created to be one-of-a-kind show and experience that lets visitors escape to an edgy, authentic, vibrant, sensuous time and place where surprises, shocks and delights are everywhere you look," says Wayne Van De Graaff, Founder and Executive Producer. "Spending an evening with us is like stepping into an old-time movie set where the magic, mythology, stories, atmosphere and performers surround you."

Unique Steam Train Excursion Takes Patrons to See
Award Winning International Theatre

An exciting new partnership has been formed this year between the Piggyback Fringe Festival and the HCW Steam Train which daily carries passengers from their Ottawa/Hull station to the beautiful village of Wakefield, Quebec.  At 6 p.m, on June 30th, the eve of Canada Day, the train will make a very special journey carrying theatre goers to the Festival where they will see their choice of three productions before re-embarking for the magical return journey home.  The train trip, a fabulous meal and the theatre performance are all included in one ticket price of $114.00 plus tax per person.

Named The Piggyback Fringe because it follows on the heels of the Ottawa Fringe Festival it has quickly built an enthusiastic audience.  This year the Piggyback Fringe offers twelve international plays which are presented on three stages in venues all within easy walking distance of each other.   The inauguration of the Gala Steam Train Excursion on June 30th is one of the highlights of the event which also features a parade, stilt walkers and workshops.  Executive Director, Gwen Shea says, "The Fringe this year has really grown.  In addition to offering more productions on more days, our new partnership with the HCW Steam Train marks our expansion into a whole new regional market.  Their support indicates their commitment to tourism in the area and their faith in our ability to deliver international quality entertainment."

When you reserve your ticket you choose your meal and your entertainment at one of three Fringe productions.  The four course meal offers four options for the entrée and ends with dessert and coffee.  Wine and beer are also available throughout the journey along with other refreshments.

There are three plays on offer.  At Molo's, TIPPI SEAGRAM'S HAPPY HOUR, is a one-woman comedic tour-de-force in which the politically incorrect Ms. Seagram shares her "confessions of a casting couch cougar" to much hilarity.  At the United Church, the award winning Jonno Katz acts and dances his way through an hour "bristling with intelligence and imagination" (CBC) in his production of THE ACCIDENT.  At the famous Black Sheep Inn Lana Schwarcz and her puppets perform her hit show GRANDPA SOL AND GRANDMA ROSIE which won the Adelaide Fringe award last season.

The tickets for the HCW Steam Train Excursion must be booked at least 72 hours in advance and are available through the Steam Train ticket office at 165 rue Deveault in Gatineau  by calling 819-778-7246. For more information on the Steam Train visit their  website at http://www.steamtrain.ca/ .  To buy tickets on-line, and for information about the full roster of plays and events presented at the international Piggyback Fringe Festival go to http://www.piggybackfringe.ca/.

The Magnetic North Theatre Festival is currently running - from June 3 to 13 - at various venues around Ottawa.

Last night, the National Arts Centre Salon was the venue for a performance of "Nevermore," a wildly imaginative play based on the life of gothic master Edgar Allan Poe. Poe's life was as macabre and melodramatic as any of his stories and poems (e.g. "The Raven," "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Cask of Amontillado"), featuring early deaths of tuberculosis, marriage to a 13-year-old cousin, alcoholism, and desperate poverty. 

With this wealth of material, the performers, from Edmonton's Catalyst Theatre, have crafted a thrillingly moving and entertaining spectacle using song, music and dance, whimsical costumes, and sound effects; the entire story is told in verse. The acting is stellar, particularly from Scott Shpeley in the lead role.