Filmmakers drink and drive

Aptly, I stumbled across a couple of June 21st events at ottawafilm.ca happening in the Byward Market that are worth passing along. The first is a pub gathering at The Aulde Dubliner and Pour House co-hosted by The Writers’ Room Ottawa, the second is a retrospective and fundraising drive by Digi60 at the Market Media Building across the street. Both start at 7pm. Check 'em out:

Les Soirées Schmooze, June 21, 2011
The Aulde Dubliner and Pour House, 62 William Street (at George), Ottawa
"The Writers’ Room Ottawa and inkCanada (Ottawa) are teaming up to put on an entertainment industry event for Ottawa screenwriters, directors, producers, animators, editors, videographers, game developers, actors, etc. The idea is to get everyone together for a night of schmoozing."


http://thewritersroomottawa.wordpress.com/events/les-soirees-schmooze-ottawa-style/


DIGI60: Retrospective and Fund Raiser, June 21, 2011
Market Media Building, 87 George Street, Ottawa
"DIGI60 challenges Ottawa-area filmmakers to write and shoot a short digital film in 60 days. But there’s just one “catch”… and it changes every Festival."


http://www.digi60.org/


Here are a few upcoming screen and stage events happening in the next couple of weeks:

SCREEN: Fake Trailers/Real Festival, June 24, 2011
Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street, Ottawa
"In the tradition of Rodriguez's and Tarantino's Grindhouse, we present a festival of real trailers for fake movies. This is the only chance you’ll have to see these original works by local and international filmmakers, because these flicks are never coming to a theatre near you."


http://mayfairtheatre.ca/movies/Fake-TrailersReal-Festival/


SCREEN/STAGE: NT Live: The Cherry Orchard, June 30, 2011
SilverCity Gloucester, Cinéma Starcité Gatineau, Cineplex Odeon South Keys, Coliseum Ottawa, Empire 7 Cinemas
"Be a part of the action of National Theatre Live on 30 June! The Cherry Orchard will be filmed and broadcast live into cinemas around the world."


http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/64453/productions/the-cherry-orchard.html

http://www.cineplex.com/Movies/MovieDetails/The-Cherry-Orchard-National-Theatre.aspx?date=2011-6-30&loc_cookie=OTTAWA+-+ON

http://www.empiretheatres.com/movie/nt-live-cherry-orchard


STAGE: Les papillons de nuit, July 6 - Aug 27, 2011
Théâtre de l'île, 1, rue Wellington, Gatineau
"Comédie de Michel Marc Bouchard; Mise en scène de Mathieu Charette. Bernadette, inquiète de voir sa fille policière Carmen désespérément célibataire, désire à tout prix lui trouver un mari. Elle loue donc un chalet et l'invite à passer une semaine avec elle."


http://www.gatineau.ca/page.asp?p=quoi_faire/spectacles_theatre


SCREEN/STAGE: Conan O'Brien: Can't Stop, July 7, 2011
Coliseum Ottawa Cinemas, 3090 Carling Avenue, Ottawa
"After a much-publicized departure from hosting NBC's Tonight Show - and the severing of a 22-year relationship with the network - O'Brien hit the road with a 32-city music-and-comedy show to exercise his performing chops and exorcise a few demons (...) Filmmaker Rodman Flender's resulting documentary, Conan O'Brien Can't Stop, is an intimate portrait of an artist trained in improvisation, captured at the most improvisational time of his career." - http://conanobriencantstop.com/


http://www.cineplex.com/Movies/MovieDetails/Conan-O-Brien-Can-t-Stop-One-Night-Only-.aspx?date=2011-7-7&loc_cookie=OTTAWA+-+ON


SCREEN/STAGE: Music and Beyond, July 7 - 17, 2011
Various locations, Ottawa-Gatineau
"Music and Beyond is a new classical music and multi-disciplinary arts festival that presented its first festival in July, 2010 (...) The festival will open with one of the greatest actors of our time, Canada's Christopher Plummer, in an evening devoted to Shakespeare and Music."


http://www.musicandbeyond.ca/


STAGE: Fundraising Gala at Disney's The Lion King, July 14, 2011
NAC, 53 Elgin Street, Ottawa
"Ottawa’s first performance of Broadway’s Tony® Award-winning sensation, Disney’s The Lion King, is July 14 and the Kilimanjaro Grannies are proud to host an exclusive African-themed Gala dinner in the National Arts Centre’s Panorama and Fountain Rooms prior to the performance."


http://www.nac-cna.ca/en/broadway/event.cfm?ID=6572


Thanks for checking in.

Plays with popcorn

Checking out the televised Tony Awards was a blast this past weekend - partially because of the surprising number of Hollywood screen faces seen. Daniel Radcliffe, James Earl Jones, Al Pacino, Chris Rock and Hugh Jackman, to name just a few.

Yes, moviequips.ca's outsider insight on theatre continues. Relax. I'll keep it brief...

"The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards® are presented by Tony Award Productions, a joint venture of The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. The two organizations have jointly administered the Tonys since 1967, the year of the first Tony telecast."

http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/index.html

The Tony Awards ceremony was first held in April 1947, at New York City's Waldorf Astoria hotel, and the award is named after American Theatre Wing co-founder Antoinette "Toni" Perry (June 27, 1888 – June 28, 1946).

Another interesting tidbit involving American Broadway theatre mentioned during the Tony Awards was that its latest season was the biggest ever, financially. According to The Broadway League (http://www.broadwayleague.com) - the Manhattan-based national trade association for the Broadway industry - the 2010-2011 season made a staggering $1,080 million USD. By comparison, Broadway's 2009-2010 season brought in $1,020 million and 2008-2009 reaped a $943 million winfall.

On the flipside, the Reuters News site recently posted writer Suzy Evans' article "Hollywood stars at center of Broadway backlash", which cites "Last year's star-studded broadcast disheartened many New York actors, including Hunter Foster, who started the Facebook group Give the Tonys Back to Broadway! in an effort to combat the Tinseltown effect. With the now almost 9,000-member group, Foster hopes to restore the ceremony as a beacon of hope for the next generation of stage performers." Check it out:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/30/us-stage-actors-idUSTRE74T06K20110530


One of the Broadway plays featured during this year's Tony Awards was Stephen Sondheim's revival of the 70s stage musical Company. TV's Neil Patrick Harris stars, with Stephen Colbert and Martha Plimpton amongst the cast. As it happens, Company is coming to town - only on June 15 - screened by Cineplex at SilverCity and South Keys in Ottawa, and StarCité in Gatineau, and by Empire 7 Cinemas at the World Exchange Plaza. Showtime is 7pm at all locations, fresh popcorn optional.

"Company’s plot revolves around Bobby (a single man unable to commit fully to a steady relationship, let alone marriage), the five married couples who are his best friends, and his three girlfriends. It’s a concept musical composed of short vignettes, presented in no particular chronological order, linked by a celebration for Bobby’s 35th Birthday."

http://www.cineplex.com/Movies/MovieDetails/Stephen-Sondheim-s-Company.aspx?loc_cookie=OTTAWA+-+ON

So, what of the Great White North's answer to the Great White Way? Hugh Jackman is bringing his one-man stage show to Toronto. So, not much...

The Prix Rideau Awards recently celebrated Ottawa-Gatineau talent during a wonderfully entertaining and worthwhile ceremony this past Spring. However, from this outsider's vantage, it seems the larger question of Canadian Theatre and its financial future compared to that of just Broadway alone remains unanswered - except perhaps amongst the video sessions found at Theatre Museum Canada's truly informative Toronto-based website:

"Welcome to Theatre Museum Canada. Our goal is to share the wonder of theatre in Canada, through our collection of artifacts, designs, photos, videos and interviews, using every marvel of technology to help you experience the thrill of live theatre, past and present. Theatre Museum Canada is the only museum devoted to celebrating Canada's theatrical heritage."

http://www.theatremuseumcanada.ca/

On a positive note here in the capital, both the Great Canadian Theatre Company and La Nouvelle Scène have announced their 2011-2012 seasons. There's some interesting-looking stuff coming to the local stage beginning in July, check it out:

 

http://www.gctc.ca/box-office/2011-12-season

http://nouvellescene.com/


Thanks for checking in.

Walk kicks off feats fête

Such famed Ottawa-born names as actor Lorne Greene (1915-1987) and musician Bruce Cockburn might be noticed by Canada’s Walk of Fame (http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com) when that Toronto-based organization announces its newest inductees and legends on June 28. 2011 marks the 14th year of this national fête for worthy artists, authors, actors, athletes and the like.

Famous in its own right, the ubiquitous Internet Movie Database (http://www.imdb.com) lists well over 250 artists, authors, actors, athletes and the like who call Ottawa their birthplace.

Born in Ottawa in 1945, Cockburn was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2001 and was named an Officer of the Order of Canada the following year. He's won 11 Juno Awards.

http://www.brucecockburn.com

While it's absolutely true there was a time not so long ago when "Legitimate Theatre" of the stage ruled supreme above all other acting-related professions here in the capital, Ottawa native Lorne Greene is still best known worldwide for his television work in Bonanza and Battlestar Galactica. Those who remember him remember his big deep voice. Lorne Greene was called The Voice of Canada. His notable awards include a 1987 Gemini Award and his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, found at 1559 N. Vine Street since 1960. Check it out: http://www.walkoffame.com/starfinder/place/ottawa

All this should be good enough to earn them both a Walk of Fame nod in Toronto, right? Granted, the Hollywood Walk of Fame only turns 51 this year... It's anyone's guess who the CWF will induct or name a legendary Canadian.

Golden Globe and two-time Genie Award winner Sandra Oh - born in Nepean - doesn't have a maple leaf-like star etched into those hallowed sidewalks of hogtown. Neither do well-known Ottawan actors Donal Logue or Jay Baruchel. Genie winner Mark McKinney was honoured in 2008, but as part of comedy troupe Kids in the Hall. His CWF star reads Kids in the Hall.

Of its reported 131 CWF inductees to date, here are Ottawa-Gatineau's 8 (so far) Canada's Walk of Famers:

Rich Little, actor/comedian, 1998 Inductee
Born November 26, 1938, Ottawa ON

http://www.richlittle.com


Barbara Ann Scott, athlete, 1998 Inductee
Born: May 9, 1928, Ottawa ON
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara-Ann_Scott


Nancy Greene, athlete, 1999 Inductee
Born May 11, 1943, Ottawa ON
http://www.nancygreene.com/


Margaret Atwood, author, 2001 Inductee
Born November 18, 1939, Ottawa ON
http://www.margaretatwood.ca/


Dan Aykroyd, actor, 2002 Inductee
Born July 1, 1952, Ottawa ON

http://www.thebluesmobile.com/


Paul Anka, singer, 2005 Inductee
Born July 30, 1941, Ottawa ON
http://www.paulanka.com/


Alanis Morissette, singer, 2005 Inductee
Born June 1, 1974, Ottawa ON
http://www.alanismorissette.com/


Daniel Lanois, musician/producer, 2005 Inductee
Born September 19, 1951, Gatineau (formerly Hull) QC

http://www.daniellanois.com/


Thanks for checking in.

Seeing the stars, under the stars

It's likely a bit early, but definitely worth noting Centretown Movies - Ottawa's unofficial fourth repertory screen, after the Bytowne, Mayfair and Rainbow - recently posted the 2011 schedule for its outdoor summer evening movie screenings held July 22 - August 13 in Dundonald Park (Somerset St. W at Lyon St.) at 9pm. Check it out:

"We screen outdoor films in downtown Ottawa. The 2011 season of Centretown Movies Outdoor Film Festival is scheduled for July 22nd to August 13th. Our event brings hundreds of viewers to Dundonald Park in downtown Ottawa, providing a family-friendly environment and pleasant Friday/Saturday night experience for many people in our community."

http://www.csit.carleton.ca/~arya/cm/schedule.html


Elsewhere in town and closer on the calendar, the Ottawa Fringe Festival wraps up its preview schedule with an inaugural gala tonight. Celebrating 15 years, this year's Fringefest kicks off June 16 - 26. Check the site for show info, times, prices and venues:

"Founded in 1997, the Ottawa Fringe Festival has enjoyed consistent growth over its 15 years and now includes 15 venues in the heart of the National Capital. Our licensed outdoor venue, The Courtyard - on the corner of Daly and Waller - serves as the heart of the Fringe and features nightly entertainment."

http://www.ottawafringe.com/


Thanks for checking in.

Whims of Iron: Screen & Stage, June

So, 2011 marks such auspicious Ottawa screen and stage landmarks in history as the 83rd anniversary of the Ottawa Little Theatre's official opening and the 42nd anniversary of the NAC's opening, the 70th anniversary of Warner Brothers starting production here on Captains of the Clouds - Oscar-nominated, Hollywood's first feature shot entirely in Canada and James Cagney's first Technicolor film - and the 10th anniversary of local director Lee Demarbre's cult fave Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter hitting the big screen.

Anyways, here's a glimpse of movie and theatre fun on the radar this month so far:

STAGE: June 3 - 11, various times and venues
Magnetic North Theatre Festival, Ottawa 2011
"The Magnetic North Theatre Festival is the premiere festival of new Canadian theatre. Like the Magnetic North Pole itself, the festival moves around the country, treating Canadians to excellence in English theatre from across Canada. Magnetic North gives us the opportunity to share our stories, to interpret our history and our times, and to explore how we see the world." - http://www.magneticnorthfestival.ca

STAGE: June 3 - 12, 7:30pm, Sundays 2pm only
Orpheus Musical Theatre Society: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Centrepointe Theatre, 101 Centrepointe Drive. Adults $40 (see site).
"Based on the popular 1988 film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels centers on two con men living on the French Riviera." - http://orpheus-theatre.ca/dirty-rotten-scoundrels.php


STAGE: June 7 - 9, Tues - Wed 7pm, Thurs 9:30pm
Ottawa Sketch Presents THE LIVE SHOW
Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street. $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
"The new line-up will include some old favourites like the Chuck Chandler Show and Actors Anonymous as well as some newbies that will be a real treat! It will also include a pre-screening of our feature web series Locker Lives before it's June 10th premiere on the internet! So come and join Moses and his friends for a night of non-denominational humour that will leave you praying for more!" - http://ottawasketchcomedy.blogspot.com/

SCREEN: June 9, 7pm
Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee: The Secret Trial 5
J.C. Wylllie Boardroom, PSAC building, 233 Gilmour Street at Metcalfe. Free Admission/Fundraiser.
"On Thursday, June 9, 2011 @ 7pm, the Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee will be holding a special documentary evening/fundraiser [IN OTTAWA] with Amar Wala, director and his film crew from Toronto. They are producing this terrific documentary on the Secret Trial Five in Canada. They will be presenting a short film and other goodies!" - http://www.justiceforharkat.com/news.php?item.3780.97

STAGE: June 9 - 12, Thurs - Sat 7pm, Sat - Sun 12pm
Once Upon a Kingdom Theatre: The Little Prince
Natalie Stern Studio Theatre (OSSD), 294 Picton Avenue, $12
"Based on the novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (Production is in English). For ages 6 and up. Directed by Ekaterina Shestakova. Starring: Jennifer Capogreco and Chris Wardell" - http://onceuponakingdom.com/play.html

SCREEN: June 12, 2pm
Trinidad and Tobago Association of Ottawa: An Afternoon of Films from Trinidad and Tobago!
Centrepointe Theatre, 101 Centrepointe Drive. $5 in advance, $8 at the door. Children $5.
"Come out and enjoy two great films from Trinidad and Tobago. We will feature one short film titled "At Sea" and a longer feature film titled "Calypso Dream"." - http://www.ttao.ca/events.html


SCREEN: June 12, 16, 19 and 26, 7pm
Canadian Film Institute: 8th Israeli Film Festival
Auditorium, Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street
"The Canadian Film Institute is pleased to present the 8th Israeli Film Festival, celebrating contemporary Israeli cinema. Presented in collaboration with the Embassy of Israel and the Israeli Cultural Forum (Vered Israel Cultural and Educational Probram, and Jewish Community Council of Ottawa/Vaad Ha'ir, Canada Israel Cultural Foundation). All films are Ottawa premieres!" - http://www.cfi-icf.ca/index.php?option=com_cfi&task=showevent&id=72

SCREEN: June 15, 18, 25 and 29, 7pm
Canadian Film Institute: 4th Sri Lankan Film Festival
Auditorium, Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street
"The Canadian Film Institute is proud to present the fourth edition of this film festival, featuring the ever-impressive cinema of Sri Lanka. Presented in collaboration with the Sri Lankan High Commission in Ottawa. All films presented with English sub-titles, in the Auditorium of Library and Archives Canada." - http://www.cfi-icf.ca/index.php?option=com_cfi&task=showevent&id=71


Thanks for checking in.