BY KYLA CLARKE
Pop Art Poetry
Kicking off this week, VERSeFest is a weeklong showcase of written- and spoken-word poetry (running until to Monday, March 30), brought to you by a number of poetry groups within the city. There will be a variety of events throughout the downtown core all week, but here are the must-sees for the weekend:
On Friday, March 27, Urban Legends presents four spoken-word poetry performers, including Nigerian-born Komi Olaf. I’ve seen him before and his show is really cool. He speaks of culture, adversity, and natural beauty — in verse — all the while live painting a portrait that reflects the content of his poetry. Olaf may not be a pop star, but he does it all whilst donning a Britney Spears-style headset microphone. The best part? The painting is available for purchase at the end.
On Saturday, March 28, Capital Slam presents a spinoff of their regular show, featuring three female slam poets — all of whom are nationally recognized for their writing and slam skills. Juno award-winning Lillian Allen will perform her innovative style of slam, called “dub poetry,” which can best be described as a blend of rap, hip hop, and spoken word poetry.
Both events are at 9pm at Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street. For more information about VERSeFest events this week, or to buy tickets, go to www.versefest.ca
Time for spring to get sprung
Music lovers seeking respite from this seemingly endless winter: rejoice. Doldrums Music Festival, established four years ago as a hopeful push for spring, comes to us like an antidote to the cold. For two nights, local bands will “make your feet move, windows sweat, and winter realize it’s time to move on.” On Friday, March 27 at Pressed Café, Winchester Warm headlines the four-act evening with powerful and emotive indie-folk. On Saturday, March 28 at Club SAW, four more bands take the stage, with punk rockers Big Dick headlining. Their big single is called “Disappointment,” but I won’t be let down if they don’t last as long as winter has.
Pressed Café is located at 750 Gladstone. Club SAW is located at 67 Nicholas Street. Tickets are $8 for one show or $15 for both and are available at Vertigo or The Record Centre.
Game On
Have you ever wanted to create your own video game but never thought you could? On, Friday, March 27, the chance is yours. HUB Ottawa and RedBrick Rooster Creative are hosting a full-day video game workshop for all levels, led by artist and game developer Kara Stone. You’ll have to bring your own laptop, but all software is provided to create your own pixel art. Because if Kim Kardashian can do it, anyone can. Right?
HUB Ottawa is located at 71 Bank Street. Tickets are $45 for the public, or $30 for HUB members. To buy tickets, click here.
A Funeral Like No Other
Starting tonight, March 25, and running into the weekend, Take Me Back to Jefferson hits the stage at the National Arts Centre. The play, based on the famous Faulkner novel As I Lay Dying, tells the darkly humorous story of one family’s journey to bury their matriarch. The family’s battle against flood, fire, and personal chaos on a 40-mile funeral procession across the state of Mississippi is portrayed by a versatile ensemble cast. Also on Saturday, March 28 at 12:45 p.m., theatre buffs can enjoy a FREE talk by two special guests offering their perspectives on the piece, as part of the NAC’s Points of View series.
Tickets start at $25. Showtimes and ticket info can be found at www.nac-cna.ca. The National Arts Centre is at 53 Elgin Street.