We're two days into the festival and I'm having a blast but the real fun has yet to come I imagine.

Wednesday
What I saw: Wild Nothing, Braids, Ketamines and Grown-Ups.
What I should have saw: Sleepy Panther, Blonde Redhead, Crocodiles

I only caught the end of Wild Nothing, but it was enough to know I missed a good show. Word on the street was Sleepy Panther dominated the time slot, though. A drummer in her golden years and glowing bouncy balls thrown into the crowd is all it takes to get my attention.

Braids was a must see for me. Though I'm less enchanted with them these days than I was a year ago, I'm still considering them a highlight. Each member is not only a master of their own instruments, but their voices as well, creating some killer … Read More

Now that it's December, I feel I can safely make an entry about the Child's Play Charity. The charity was started by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, the creators of the Penny Arcade webcomic.

Since 2003 the charity has raised over $7 million in toys, games and "for real monies" for sick kids in children hospitals. And they are so very close to their $1.2 million goal this year, which they almost always exceed.

There are also some videos on the charity which can be found here and here. Be sure to have a tissue ready when watching those if you're a sissy like me.

So if you have a few extra dollars left in your pocket after buying all your Christmas presents and are still somehow filled with the spirit of the season after braving the malls, why not … Read More

I would be thrilled to point your peepers at a double bill event going on in early December.

The first performance is Demolition, a show about (and inspired by) construction in Calgary. So that's something we can all relate to. A video interview with the cast can be found here, or here.

The second show is Modern Media, and is described as such:

"In this sequel to "Modern Man" we re-join Mark, an average guy trying to rid himself of the effects that advertising has on the everyday person. A complex dissection of today's media and it's dangerous future where you'll learn that with knowledge comes power. Don’t worry if you didn’t see Modern Man; this is a focused magnifying glass on our modern media."

There is a "Pay What You Can" preview of the shows on … Read More

I was lucky enough to interview Ra Ra Riot a few weeks back, but due to a minor deadline mixup the article wasn't published (No hard feelings, Mark). But here is an unedited version of the preview. Lucky you!

Chances are if you're interested in something like the Taboo Sex Show, you already know it's coming. But if you're like me, you're interested but the existence of such a show has somehow evaded you.

Taboo's first of four nights was tonight, where we all missed things like the Miss Taboo Fashion Show and Boy Toys Exotic Male Dancer Visha Loo Contortionist (Who will be reappearing every other night of the event).

But fret not, there's more! Bikini comps, pole dancing, a hypnotist and educational seminars. And let's not forget the loads of vendors (the real reason to go).

Taboo is being held at the Big Four Building at the Stampede Park and tickets are $15 at the door (unless you dress in your sexiest outfit on Friday, which will warrant $5 off and … Read More

Long time, no blog! Due to a move at the beginning of the month and a few SNAFU's, I've been left without the internet. So I'm taking one of the small handfuls of opportunities I have to let you all know about a few things.

"THE HORROR: A group show of miniature die-o-ramas" will be at Bird Dog Video this Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. I imagine if you have a taste for the macabre and refreshments, then you will enjoy this.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=162527043775081

If you haven't seen it yet, Catfish is still playing at Eau Claire Market. This movie took me completely by surprise and I don't think I've seen anything as well done as this in a while. I'm still doubting the validity of their claims that the documentary is real, but that didn't stop me … Read More

The Calgary International Film Fest is only a week away and the pickins look good. However, there is not enough time in the week-and-a-half to see all 200 plus movies at the festival. Though I have a feeling almost all films screening would be worth watching, I've narrowed it down to five I am genuinely interested in and do not want to miss.

Fubar 2

Why? The original Fubar really resonated with me and every Albertan teen I knew. I thought it was funny because the characters reminded me of everyone I went to school with. The kids I went to school with thought it was funny because the characters reminded them of themselves.

Now the kids I went to school with work in the oil patch, some even went to Fort McMurray, the same city where Terry and … Read More

If you're looking to get some last minute camping done before the weather starts to make a turn for the worse, consider KATAPILLAR.

KATAPILLAR runs from September 9 - 12 at Lake Enid, which is near Invermere, B.C. It's being organized by James Katalyst, the same man who puts on Motion Notion, and trust me, this guy knows how to throw a serious party.

This event is an experiment and allows attendees to camp where they want, set up their own stages and DJ, sell merch and do anything else their heart desires (save shooting off guns and fireworks)... for free!

The only thing that is asked in return is for patrons to pick up after themselves and respect the environment and other attendees.

A list of rules and directions can be found at the Facebook … Read More

Last Saturday "The Baroque World of Fernando Botero" went on display at the Glenbow Museum. Though there are an infinite amount of reasons to put forth the effort to see this exhibit, here are three:

-This is the first retrospective exhibition of Botero's work since 1974.

-The Glenbow is the only Western Canadian venue to display it, and only two other venues in Canada will have it.

-His work is, straight up, fucking fantastic.

The exhibit consists of 100 pieces of Botero's work, broken down into 87 paintings, drawings and watercolours, 10 small sculptures and three large sculptures. On top of all that, you're still able to view the permanent displays at the Glenbow.

Though you have until November 14 to take all this in I suggest you see it … Read More

If you can't wait for Friday to get your groove on then look no further.

An absolutely bitchin' show is on tomorrow night at the Palomino (109 7 Ave. S.W.) featuring Honeybear, Memory Screen and Cub. This will also be the triumphant return of Kris Ellestad on stage, so you won't want to miss it.

Furthermore Cub, who is normally a solo act (and absolutely killer), will be joined on stage by members of the other groups to help fill the space. This is his last local show before he makes a mysterious disappearance, so let's give him a fond farewell.

The show starts at 8 p.m. and only costs $7. That $7 can either get you a pass to this show or a bottle of Boones. One will be an awesome time and the other will give you a terrible headache. You can guess which is which.