BY MATT HARRISON
Windy Wynazz in UnCouth, one of many performances during Ottawa’s Fringe Fest. Photo: Lynne Fried
Ottawa Fringe Festival
While there’s much that remains a mystery about UnCouth — one of the many theatrical offerings at this year’s Ottawa’s Fringe Fest — here’s what others are saying about Windy Wynazz’s performance: it’s “eccentric,” “gut-wrenchingly funny,” melding circus-style comedy, puppets, and “burlesque phantasmagoria” into a one-woman extravaganza. She “makes clowning sexy,” remarked one person — a head-scratcher for sure, but admittedly I’m curious. The critically-acclaimed, California-based performer will be in Ottawa at the festival for six nights, beginning on Thursday, June 18 — it runs until Saturday, June 27. Tickets are $12 with purchase of a $3 Fringe button.
… More Fringe
Ever had to wrestle with a leaky sink? One man does, as he struggles with the question of whether to put his or society’s needs first. For more info on Sink, here.
If Gravity’s impossibly silly space antics didn’t turn you off of galactic adventure, check out Mars, a play whereby two astronauts “make some unexpected choices when a navigational error throws them miles off target.” More info, here.
For full schedule, tickets, parties, etc., visit here.
Suzuki’s Letters to His Grandchildren
Billed as his most important book since The Sacred Balance, David Suzuki’s newest offering, Letters to My Grandchildren, presents the future with a lifetime of insight and experience as only one of Canada’s most fearless and outspoken activists can offer. Hear Suzuki speak/read from his book on Friday, June 19 at Centretown United Church. It happens at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10, or less for students and lower income attendees. Get tickets at Octopus Books or online here.
Centretown United Church is at 507 Bank St.
Solstice Aboriginal Festival & Competition Pow Wow
Not to throw a damper on the significance of this weekend, but as some of us celebrate, or at the very least make a mental note of the summer solstice which occurs on Sunday, June 21, keep in mind that this day marks the apex of the sun. In other words, after June 21, the sun starts to move farther away. So, being a half-empty kind of guy, I can’t help but twitch a little (yep, that nervous kind of twitch developed after our recent looooong winter), thinking that it’s all downhill from here — in terms of sun; not in terms of fun. This weekend’s Pow Wow is case in point.
Celebrate the beginning of summer with the Solstice Aboriginal Festival and Competition Pow Wow at Vincent Massey Park. It starts on Friday, June 19 and runs until Sunday, June 21. Lots to see, hear, and experience, including workshops highlighting First Nation, Metis and Inuit Cultures; an educational Pow Wow to learn about the cultural teachings behind the grand entry dance styles and drum — as well as drum and dance competitions; bungee trampoline, bouncy whatnots, bubble soccer (what-the-what?!?); the “Endangered Ontario” show featuring Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo, and more.
DJ Shub (formally of Tribe Called Red), will be spinning, along with musical acts Nelson Tagoona, Prairie Fire Jiggers, and Inuit Throat singers — including theatre, pyrotechnics, even an Aztec Fire Dance group from Mexico.
Turning white-clothed runners into moving Pollack paintings happens Saturday, June 20 in either the kiddie, 2.5K, or 5K Colour Race. Proceeds from the race benefit The Odawa Native Friendship Centre. More about the run, here.
The events are free. It’s runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday; from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. More info, visit here.
Vincent Massey Park is near Carleton University, just off Riverside Dr.
B*A*S*H*
“Don’t mind Pierce and Hunnicutt, they’re both first rate surgeons. Sure, they’ll show up to role call in their bathrobes. They keep a still in their tent. Once they ran all my underwear up the flagpole. But I want you to understand it’s an honor to serve with these men” — Margaret Hot Lips Houlihan, M*A*S*H*
While Pierce, Hunnicutt, and Hot Lips won’t be on hand, the B*A*S*H* (Bear Ambulatory Surgical Hospital) surgical team will — they’ll be at CHEO’s annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic to conduct triage on any wounded teddy bears in need of minor repair. Bring Tedz, Mr. Ted, Teddy, etc. to the party on Saturday, June 20 at Rideau Hall. The day features entertainment, clowns, rides, and games. Fuel up on flapjakes served up ‘celebrities’ (think Jim Watson not Bono) at the pancake breakfast. It’s all free. Happens from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info, visit here.
Rideau Hall is at 1 Sussex Dr.