Here is a weekly selection of indie events across Canada that we think are neat! If you have a cool event/launch/party/thing that you think we should know about, please email Alison at [email protected].
The wild performance collective The Torontonians and Mammalian Diving Reflex (otherwise known as the clever folks behind Haircuts With Children) present an all-night evil sleepover as part of the SummerWorks Live Art Series. We will be doing a longer post about Summerworks and this event in particular later this week, but right now we can tell you that it will feature some gory ghost-story telling, a scary pizza dinner (haha) an intense-sounding “dare” period and a seminar that teaches participants how to have an out-of-body experience. To this, we respond: Light as a feather, stiff as a board. Keep an eye on this space for more info about this amazing event.
Friday August 10 – Sunday August 12, Zine Dream 5, The Tranzac, 292 Brunswick, PWYC
This yearly celebration of small presses, indie art and publishing has now reached its fifth year. Again we will be posting more about this later in the week, but in the meantime you can ready yourself for Friday’s launch party (Art Metropole, 1490 Dundas St. W) featuring Fiver and DJ Strong Like. Saturday features a mixtape listening party and a panel discussion with a host of bright and talented folks in the publishing scene (XSPACE, 58 Ossington Avenue.) And of course, there’s the main event on Sunday at the Tranzac, where you can browse and drool over great zines and art and meet some cool new folks.
VANCOUVER
Sunday, August 12, 7pm – 10pm, Dr. Sketchy’s Bad Neighbour, Wallflower, 2420 Main Street, $12
The Vancouver branch of the anti-art school features a saucy bad neighbour edition, which – I’m guessing – involves some sort of element of peeking at the artist’s model over a fence and other such sassy practices. Dr. Sketchy’s is a worldwide phenomenon, with groups in London, New York, Australia, and more. The goal of the school is to create an inclusive, fun atmosphere for artists and non-artists to practice life drawing. It mixes cabaret, costumes, jokes and booze, and there’s usually prizes. You’ve come a long way from those paralyzingly awkward life drawing classes in first year art college, so come on out. (PS – bring dry mediums only!)
HALIFAX
Saturday, August 11, 5pm, 24 Hour Zine Challenge, Roberts Street Social Centre, 5684 Roberts Street
Post up for the yearly 24 Hour Zine Challenge hosted by the folks at Anchor Archive Zine Library. There will be live music, a zine-making workshop, a photocopying workshop (perfect for those last frenetic few hours as you try to crank out the inaugural copy of your zine) a campfire in the centre’s lovely backyard space, a BBQ and a pancake breakfast. I can’t think of a lovelier way to do this challenge than with such a nice group of people, and think of the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel at the end.
Email for more info.