WAR AND MEDICINE
Here’s a thinking event for you. Opening on May 27, The Canadian War Museum‘s big summer exhibition is War and Medicine. From battlefield to rehabilitation, the show explores the uneasy and evolving relationship between warfare and the medical profession over 150 years, from the Crimean War to contemporary conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. As war continues to rage around the world, the hundreds of powerful artifacts and striking images highlight the personal experiences of medical practitioners and their patients in war. Friday, May 27, 9:30 am to 6 p.m.; Saturday, May 28, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, May 29, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. $12; seniors and students $10; children $8. 1 Vimy Place, 819-776-8600, www.civilization.ca/cwm
THE FIRST GRADER
Movie time! Directed by Justin Chadwick, The First Grader is based on a true story and set in Kenya in 2003. Oliver Litondo stars as 84-year-old farmer and ex-freedom-fighter Kimani Ng’ang’a Maruge, who decides to take advantage of a new government initiative: free primary schooling for all. Maruge duly presents himself at the gate of a school and is told that the government initiative was meant for children only. When he persists, he is allowed to join the school but his presence causes local and later national unrest. Winner of multiple international film awards. Friday, May 27, 6:55 p.m.; Saturday, May 28, 9:10 p.m.; Sunday, May 29, 1:30 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. (The movie continues till June 9). $10 ; $7 for seniors and students. Bytowne Cinema, 325 Rideau St., 613-789-FILM, www.bytowne.ca
ANTHONY TREMMAGLIA: MODERN MAN
Fit in a little culture before you spend Sunday boozing and lounging on the patio. Wall Space Gallery has a great show by Anthony Tremmaglia, who tackles the conflicted perspective of modern man. In a world ruled by the accelerating and shifting fabric of technology, the artist confronts ideas of mercurial identity, morality, and social justice. Weighty, yes, but beautiful too. Join the artist for the show’s opening on Saturday, May 28. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The show runs till June 13. Wall Space Gallery, 358 Richmond Rd., 613-729-0003, www.wallspacegallery.ca
ARTSPARK (FREE!)
The 8th Annual ArtsPark goes down this weekend — this time, with a new (hopefully warmer, drier) date, and a renovated field house to call home. (New washrooms! Virgin stage space!) This local arts event offers live music, an art show featuring leading neighbourhood artists, children’s arts and crafts from 4Cats Arts Studio, a knitting extravaganza with Wabi Sabi, and local poets, as well as the usual bounty of local craft and food vendors. Saturday, May 28th. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Parkdale Market Park, Wellington Street West between Parkdale and Hamilton avenues. www.hintonburg.com
GNAG LOBSTER KITCHEN PARTY
If lobster poutine isn’t enough, come for the music, the community, and the foot-stompin’ folk tunes. Hosted by the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group, the third annual feast includes lobster, lobster poutine, corn on the cob, salads, buns and butter, and fresh strawberry shortcake, all from The Pelican Grill. There’s even babysitting available! Thursday, May 26. Doors 6:30 p.m., dinner 7 p.m. $50. Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Ave. www.gnag.ca