By MATT HARRISON

Killing Good Will
Philanthropy, or just being “that nice guy” isn’t always easy — especially when you try and give away your fortune to those in need, only to be thwarted in your efforts by your elitist wife, a hooker, your shrink, and a hit man — all who have other ideas about where that money should go. Hilarity ensues in this new dark comedy, The Burden of Self Awareness, from playwright George F. Walker, and director Arthur Milner. It’s playing until June 22 at the GCTC. Performances are weekly from Tuesday to Friday at 8 p.m., and on Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Sunday matinee performances start at 2 p.m. Cost of admission varies. See website for details. http://www.gctc.ca/plays/burden-self-awareness

GCTC is at 1233 Wellingston St. W.

Monster Vortex FREE!
It’s storm season — only this spring, in addition to rain, high winds and whatnot, we can also expect jagged teeth, fangs, hair, and claws. It’s what artist Tyson Bodnarchuk calls a “La Tempette Des Monstres” or a “Monster Storm” — and it’s almost upon us. On Friday, June 6 at 7 p.m., the Canadian artist, whose works have been exhibited at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts as part of the En Masse crew, will be showing new, beastly works at IdeaSpace. His work, influenced by a motley crew of monster lovers that includes Jim Henson and Maurice Sendak, can be seen here. http://creature-features.tumblr.com/ . Not sure how long this exhibit is on until — so best check it out sooner rather than later.

IdeaSpace is at 131 Bank St., fourth floor.

Science of Shakespeare FREE!
Happy birthday, Bard! Shakespeare turns 450 this year, and in connection with this landmark, journalist and author, Dan Falks, examines whether the new scientific ideas of Shakespeare’s time influenced his writings — in spite of the prevalence of magic and superstition at the time. For example, in Romeo & Juliet, the Bard may have considered the notion of the “atom,” which was first put forward by Roman philosopher, Lucretius, in referring to the size of Queen Mab — “in shape no bigger than an agate stone,” Mercutio says, “drawn with a team of little atomi / Over men’s noses as they lie asleep.” This and many of Falks’ other ideas from his book, The Science of Shakespeare, will be discussed during a special lecture by the author at the Museum of Science and Technology on Friday, June 6 at 7 p.m.
The Museum of Science and Technology is at 1867 St. Laurent Blvd.

In Search of Monkey Girl FREE!
The “man monkey” was introduced to North American audiences more than 150 years ago. This “freak of nature” was actually William Henry Johnson, an African-American little person with a genetic deformity who spoke a made-up language created by the legendary entertainer, P.T. Barnum. Johnson was part of Barnum’s travelling show, which was popular throughout the U.S. and, in some form or another, has remained so, even today. Fascinated by the “spectacle of the road,” American photographer, Randal Levenson, spent 10 years travelling with sideshow performers, this time in search of monkey girl — a performer he photographed in Gatineau, Quebec. These photographs are on display in the exhibit, In Search of the Monkey Girl, at La Petite Mort from Friday, June 6 until June 19. There will be a vernissage at the gallery on that Friday where Levenson will be present for the opening. It starts at 7 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m. Levensen will be back the following evening — Saturday, June 7 — to talk about his work — at 5 p.m.
La Petite Mort is at 306 Cumberland St.

Small Press Fair FREE!
Twenty years ago, the Small Press Book Fair held its first event at the National Archives of Canada. Cut to 2014 and the fair continues to draw those looking for such local literary and pseudo-literary offerings as poetry, novels, graphic novels, cookbooks, posters, t-shirts, magazines, zines — even scraps of paper. This year’s Fair is being held at the Jack Purcell Community Centre (you know, that guy who’s famed for handing out badminton rackets to boys and girls — wink, wink) on Saturday, June 7, in Room 203 — from noon until 5 p.m.
Jack Purcell Community Centre is at 320 Jack Purcell Lane, just off of Elgin St.