Film news: Bytown movie line-up for Sept

It`s time to go out and get yourself a good dose of independant film. Like homemade chocolate chip cookies, these indie films are a good mix of quality ingredients, imperfection and charm.

Here are some of the films in the September line-up at Ottawa`s finest indie theatre ByTowne Cinema:

ByTowne Cinema:
325 Rideau St., Info Hotline: 613.789.film

• Whale Music, featuring Paul Gross
• Hugh Hefner Playboy, Activist, Rebel, you`ll be surprised what you learn about his life
• Coco Channel & Igor Stravinsky, a tantalizing love affair between a powerhouse couple
• Exit Through the Gift Shop, a close look at street art gone wrong

Cost: movies are $8 for non-members
Rate: easy ( good entertainment for low cost)

Event news: One Love...Ottawa Reggae Festival

If you're looking for a groovin' good time, then check out the Ottawa Reggae Festival this weekend at Lebreton Flats. It's a chance to hang-out in the sun and listen to cool accents waft over the loud speaker with messages of peace and love. Plus the super chill environment will be good for all you Type A personalities.

The line-up for this year includes Sean Paul, Barrington Levy, Tarrus Riley, Biggie Irie, KyMani Marley, Lutan Fyah, Hawkeye, S. Roy & Conrad and more.

Venue: Lebreton Flat

Costs: Day passes range from $35-45

Rating: easy listening

Event news: Opa!!!

OK, let's not kid ourselves. Although we like to think of ourselves as outwardly seeking cultural experiences, the real reason we go to the Ottawa Greek Fest is for the food. Am I right people?!

I highly recommend that put down your pots and pans and decide to eat out at the Ottawa Greek Fest sometime between Aug 12-22. The festival organizers have the food preparation and serving down to a tee--and it's well worth the wait in line. Also, thank you to the volunteers that make it all happen!!

You can check out the website for more details on the Zorba dancing, vendors, etc....but really it's all about the food.

Venue: 1315 Prince of Whales drive (Greek community centre)

Cost: free entrance plus $ for food

Rating: easy

Event: It's time again for classic rock and Curious George...and a little throw-up

One of the highlights of living in Ottawa is going to the SuperEX to hear live classic rock, eat poutine, and throw darts at ballons to win a Curious George knock-off doll.

From Aug 19-29, the 122nd SuperEx will be in full tilt-a-whirl at Landsdowne Park. If ever you were going to re-visit the SuperEx as an adult, now is the time because it may be the last year that it's located on the grounds of the soon to be over-developed Landsdowne Park.

Here's the low-down on cool events at the EX:

• Lots of carnie games and scary rides sure ot make you hurl!
  
• Nightly acrobats, juggling and fire poi from 7:30-8:30pm


• Country music concert on Aug 20th: Jason Blaine


• Hard-rock concert on Aug 22nd: HELIX (this is pure 80's classic rock!)


• Kitchen party concert on Aug 26th: Irish Decendents (a good foot-stomping beer drinking time)


• Rock concert on Aug 27th: Honeymoon Suite (...I got a new girl noooow)


• Demolition Derby Aug 29th at 3:pm

Cost: $12 adult admission plus $1.75 per ride ticket, concerts are FREE once you're inside
Rating: Easy (lots of entertainment for the admission price)

Book review: The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyon

The Golden Mean is an insightful new book by Canadian author Annabel Lyon. It gives a fictional account of the emotional life of Aristotle as he struggles with his own intellect and the task at hand of tutoring the future king, Alexander the Great. The story leads the reader throught the dark and light aspects of ancient Greece and the crude beliefs at the time, like how depression is the result of too much black bile in the body. The book is written from the point of view of Aristotle, bringing you a first person look into how his mind and reasoning works.

Winner of the Roger's Writer's Trust Fictional Prize, Finalist for the Governor General's Literacy Award for Fiction, and Finalist for the Scotialbank Giller Prize.

Note: the only weird thing about this book is the image on the cover. At no time in the book is there a naked man riding a horse through a swamp. If someone can explain this to me I'd love to know.

Rating: easy