BY MATT HARRISON
Tru Love
Just as Capital Pride signed off this week, the 8th annual, fall edition of the LGBT Film Festival — InsideOut — gets underway. The four-day festival features a variety of long and short films, including docs as well. The festival, running from Thursday, Oct. 23 to Sunday, Oct. 26, and screening at the Bytowne Cinema and SAW Gallery, is a chance to view “the best and most diverse films by, for, and of interest to LGBT communities.” Gala night, Thursday, presents Tru Love, an award-winning film by directors Kate Johnston and Shauna MacDonald (who also stars in the film). It’s about a woman who falls for her friend’s mom, a relationship that is sabotaged by the mom’s daughter. Tru Love’s Ottawa premiere is on opening night at 9 p.m. Throughout the fest, expect screenings, artist talks, panel discussions, and parties. Tickets: all-access pass, $80 — and then there’s a slew of different prices for films/events. Best check online here. More about InsideOut visit their site.
“We began when the sky was clean and ready for the sun” — Beryl Markham
Amelia Earhart is perhaps the most well known of her fellow female aviators, but there were other pioneers, boldly flying the skies in a time when the perception is that generally men dominated aviation. Spitfire Dance, a play opening this week at the Canadian War Museum, introduces us to Earhart, and other courageous women of the World War II era: Beryl Markham, who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west; Amy Johnson, who set numerous long-distance records during the 1930s and flew air transport in WW II; and Jackie Cochran, who was a talented racing pilot and contributed to the formation of the wartime Women’s Auxilary Army Corps and Women Airforce Service Pilots. Spitfire Dance is written and directed by Clint Ward, and opens on Thursday, Oct. 22 and runs until Sunday, Oct. 26. See here for diverse show times. Tickets: $31 adults — prices vary with age and combination with admission for the general museum. More info here.
Canadian War Museum is at 1 Vimy Dr.
Canada’s National Treasure
Before the snow flies, enjoy as much of this lovely weather (he says facetiously) as you can — preferably with a fork in one hand and a giant artery-clogging bowl of fries, curds, gravy, and some mystery-ingredient in the other. Poutine Fest takes place on Sparks Street beginning on Friday, Oct. 24 and running through to Sunday, Oct. 26. While admission is free, those gravy-slop bowls aren’t. Pay-what-you-eat as you graze from a variety of the city’s top poutine trucks/restos. There’s also a $30 pass, each day, that allows you to jump-the-queue to get your fix (comes with two free poutines, a toque, and envious, hateful stares from the other suckers waiting in line). Big D’s, Bonita’s Cantina, and Twisted Potato have gluten-free options. Games & prizes too. More info, visit here.
Warm Weather Brings Worms
Having been tricked into thinking it’s spring, swarms of insects — mostly ladybugs — have been appearing as of late. But the fall weather is bringing out another species this week: the bookworm. Unrelated to the warmer weather, theirs is an annual appearance, caused by the autumnal migration of celebrity authors to Ottawa. This week the Ottawa International Writer’s Festival kicks off a seven-day festival, packed with star-authors, readings, discussions, signings, and opportunities for schmoozing. Events that piqued my interest this weekend are: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload with Daniel J. Levitin (Friday, Oct. 24) and Escape from North Korea with Heather O’Neill, Christine Fischer Guy, and Monia Mazigh (Sat. Oct. 26). But that’s me, and there loads of events to choose from. For the full schedule, visit here. Festival passes are sold out. Individual event ticket prices vary. The festival is held at various locations throughout.