BY MATT HARRISON
Solo View FREE!
Ever wondered why a one-woman or one-man performance can be so compelling? After all, why does the solo performer remain the ultimate challenge for theatre artists? How is it that the simple tale, well told, can still hold an audience in its thrall? Questions, such as these, will be explored during Solo View, a free panel discussion on Thursday, September 11 at Arts Court. It will be led by Ottawa Fringe Festival’s director, Patrick Gauthier, and include guests familiar with this topic: Pierre Brault, Tom Lips, Liz Martin, Chris Ralph, Carol Sinclair, and Bronwyn Steinberg. It starts at 6 p.m. and runs for an hour. Solo View is part of Theatre Matters, a series of discussions organized by Steinberg and Laurie Fyffe.
Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave., 2nd Floor
The School for Wives
The perfect wife? — Raise a pretty girl in a convent in isolation and ignorance, and she’ll become a docile, adoring, amorous woman. Er, sure. Find out what really happens in The Gladstone Theatre’s production of Molière’s famous French 17th C. comedy, The School for Wives, which opens on Friday, Sept. 12 and runs until Sept. 27. Directed by John P. Kelly, tickets are from $34. Check here for showtimes.
The Gladstone Theatre is at 910 Gladstone Ave.
Stormtrooper Deck Furniture, etc.
I’ve always thought my deck was lacking that a particular je ne sais quoi. Then I stumbled upon Ottawa’s Legendary Workshop’s Alderaandack chairs — wooden deck chairs in the shape of Stormtrooper heads. At that same moment, I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror. The feeling quickly passed when I saw how comfortable the chairs looked. But I digress. Legendary Workshop, and a plethora of other, equally creative designers and artisans of everything ‘Hip, Modern, Handmade’ will be at this year’s third annual Urban Craft Fair, which takes place on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Glebe Community Centre. Free to attend. More info, visit here.
The Glebe Community Centre is at 175 Third Ave.
Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life
Help raise money to help those suffering from HIV/AIDS during the annual Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life, which happens this Saturday, Sept. 13. This year, it’s being held at a new location at Snider Plaza on Bank Street. Local band, Pony Girl, kicks things off with a show at 12:30 until 1:30; there will be a family obstacle course and jousting competition (1 p.m.); vendors will be on hand to sell all manner of enticing goodie; that ubiquitous family staple — face painting — will be available, as will the chance to do some wall painting. The Walk itself begins at 2 p.m. — registration between 12–2 p.m. More info, visit their site.
Snider Plaza is at 150 Bank St. between Laurier Ave. and Slater Ave.
Eat Wellington? FREE
Enjoy the Tastes of Wellington West this Saturday, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wander the streets of Hintonburg and Wellington West and savour food, drink, entertainment, art, and shopping. Musicians will be performing; there will be a kid’s zone at Parkdale Park; and a classic car show. Proceeds from sales will go towards Somerset West Community Health Care Centre.
This ain’t no Oz
I’ll be honest — I can’t really figure out this new obsession with these running races, such as marathons or the Spartan Race, or the Death Race, and — in particular — ‘fun-runs’ (for a lack of a better word) such as the Zombie runs, Foam Fest, Tough Mudder, and this weekend’s Prison Break. Is it just a new masochistic need to punish oneself? Or is it that God is dead and your Sundays are now free? Perhaps it’s sheer boredom? A love of mud? Or just arrested development? Regardless, this week’s Prison Break — Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14 at Vorlage Ski Hill in Wakefield, Quebec — will, no doubt, fulfill whatever ‘need’ by pitting guards against inmates in a grueling competition that includes a 5km run and 30 obstacles — fun, that is, to everyone but actual prison guards and inmates. More info or to register, visit here.
Vorlage Ski Hill is at 65 Chemin Burnside, Wakefield, Quebec.