Improv Guild Flood

For the last two years I have been performing improv with the Improv Guild and it has been a life changing experience for me.
 
In June, a major flood devastated the city of Calgary. Our Improv Guild, a not for profit theatre society, was caught in the middle of the disaster. Our beloved theatre was filled with river water for days leaving behind inches of thick, muddy sludge. Thanks to countless volunteers, we survived. But we sustained more than $20,000 in damages and losses.

We are seeking financial support in the amount of $5,000. This amount will help cover the costs of rebuilding our studio and the replacement of assets essential to our programming. We’re not asking for the entirety of what we lost, just enough to get us back on our feet. Any help is truly appreciated.

This flood hit us at a really hard time. September marks our 10th anniversary as an organization. As a result we had been planning to significantly increase programming and celebrate the success of our small, hardworking arts organization. Because of this flood everything is up in the air.

What We Need & What You Get
We are seeking $5000 in support to help cover the costs of:

1. Cleaning supplies, paint, drywall and building supplies
2. Ruined furniture such as couches, shelves and tables
3. The cost of 2 refrigerators that were lost
4. Ruined speakers and other electronic equipment
5. Replacement of props and costumes

In return, we are offering the following perks depending on your level of support:

1. Invitation to volunteer and donor appreciation show
2. Free tickets to Boardwalk Calgary Improv Festival
3. A plaque on our studio wall with your name on it

If we do not meet our fundraising goal any donations will still be used as outlined above.
Be a flood angel. Even $10 will go a long way to help.


Indiegogo:  http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/calgary-flood-relief-the-improv-guild

Improv in Calgary

Purple Impro Depot

Looking for a fun time in Calgary? Why not check out some live improv comedy at the "Impro Depot."

Its a great little space, but due to the building zoneing regulations, they can't put up signs or really advertise. Support some local arts, and laugh yourself silly at the same time.

Friday night performances are a series of improv games that are really entertaining. I haven't had a chance to go to a Saturday show yet, but they promise different formats such as directed improv, improv musicals, and Harold narratives.


Shows are Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00.
Tickets are 2 for $10.
2405 MacLeod Trail SW 

Look for the big purple building.

Lord of the Rings: February 5th

As part of the Digital Film Fest, Cineplex will be showing the Lord of the Rings trilogy on Saturday, February 5. In Calgary, this will be at Chinook mall, but you can check your local listings Based on the running times, these will be the original theatrical versions, which I have not seen since they were first released.

Like the theatre's Classic Film Series, blogged here in November, this has been under-advertised, as I only chanced to hear about through some friends I chanced to bump into at the mall. Still, the line up of films beyond the Lord of the Rings is great, and at five dollars a ticket, it is an affordable good time.

The other films in the festival are:

• Back to the Future
• Alien
• Aliens
• Predator
• Big Trouble in Little China
• Goonies
• Ghost
• Dirty Dancing
• The Usual Suspects
• Raging Bull
• This is Spinal Tap
• The Blues Brothers
• 12 Monkeys
• Lethal Weapon
• The Hunt for Red October
• Fight Club

Full details here: Cineplex Digital Film Fest

The Maltese Falcon in Calgary

Chrononauts assemble! As part of the Cineplex classic film series, The Maltese Falcon will be shown this November at the Scotiabank Theatre Chinook.

Those not familiar with the adventures of  Sam Spade can watch the trailer here:



I'm so in for this, anyone with me?

Showtimes for The Maltese Falcon

• Wednesday, November 17, 7:00pm
• Sunday, November 28, 1:00pm

I have posted the rest of the film series here to pique your interests, while the complete showtimes & schedule can be found on the Classic Film Series website.

December: "It's a Wonderful Life"
January: "A Star Is Born" (1954)
February: "Doctor Zhivago"
March: "The Wizard Of Oz"
April: "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest"
May: "The Sound of Music"
June: "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
July: "Spartacus"
August: "M*A*S*H"

Pegwarmers: Fandom documentary screening

Pegwarmers is a feature length documentary about science fiction and fantasy fandom, which "looks to uncover the veil of mystery and examine the stigma that surrounds this often misunderstood subculture." Filmed in 2005, Jason Hoehn interviewed a varied group of Star Wars, Star Trek, D&D, Comic and SCA fans to find out who we were, and why we do the things we do. After years of production, the film was screened at the Calgary film festival in 2007, and is now available on DVD.

I was lucky enough to be included in this film, espousing my thoughts on Star Wars fandom, so I'm a little biased, but I think the film is a fair look at the community.

Pegwarmers will be screened as part of the Alberta Premiere of 'Fanboys' at Calgary's Plaza Theatre, May 17th, Tickets are just $10.00 for both movies.



Time: Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 8:30pm
Location: The Plaza Theatre
Street: 1133 Kensington Rd NW

Canadian Steampunk from 1978

Note the Calgarian steampunk skirt-lifter. Fantastic!

Zombie Outbreak Report: Calgary

Early Saturday afternoon there was an outbreak of the undead in Calgary. I had the presence of mind to document the hoard the best I could.

A few fell souls gathered in Olympic plaza, then once their hunger gained a critical mass, they lurched down Stephen Avenue seeking brains and gore.

This was the annual Calgary Zombie walk, dubbed the DEAD MILE. I cancelled a Steampunk gathering so people wouldn't be split on attendance, and then I promptly forgot the date. A late night twitter from Petraneferu reminded me of my undead obligations. I was unable to make the costume changes fast enough for my evening plans, so I attended only as observer, and took as many pictures as I could. I saw many people I knew, but I only recognized them after they approached and spoke to me. That is a testament to the quality and commitment my friends make to their zombification.

My set of photos and video can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/haggiszombies. The whole flickr group is found here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/calgaryzombiewalk/

Until next time, I leave you all with the following zoetrope called: "Zombie Sable takes a tumble"

Previously on Slashboing

• 2006 Zombie Walk
  

Steampunk in Calgary: Postponed!

It has come to my attention that Saturday, October 11th is the Calgary Zombie walk. I think the previously scheduled Anachronaut gathering can be postponed for another time. After all, another time is what we are all about.

Image by Mr. Sable.

Calgary Steampunk Gathering: Anachronauts Assemble!

I am planning a Steampunk gathering at Heritage Park in Calgary for Saturday, October 11th. Heritage Park is a 1880-1910 reenactment settlement, so it is the perfect setting for our well mannered and anachronistic hyjinks.

The idea is to have lunch at the Wainwright Hotel, ride the steam train, enjoy the free amusements, and have lots of pictures taken in our steampunk finery.

I'm looking for all Calgary area steampunks, neo-victorians, pulp adventurers and keen photographers to attend. Costumes are not required as it should be a fun day out for all. This is Thanksgiving weekend, which will have a strong effect either way on attendance, though I hope works to our benefit. If you are interested in this event, either post here or email me direct.

Keep it brassy!

Undead Hoard

Calgary Zombies 2007-10-20 211
Originally uploaded by thivierr.

The Horde is on the move again. Run! Run!

Serenity screeing in Calgary

A charity screening of Joss Whedon's Serenity is planned on June 23rd in Calgary as part of the "Can't Stop the Serenity" campaign.

Started by fans of Firefly/Serenity, local charity screenings of Serenity are organized on Joss Whedon's birthday to benefit Joss' favourite charity Equality Now. Equality now is an international non-profit organization that works to end violence and discrimination against women and girls.

So dust of your cunning hats, ready your Blue Sun shirts and get psyched to see the Big Damn Movie again on the big damn screen.

For more information as it comes see the official Serenity Now site for Calgary. [Link]

Firefly actress to attend Expo in Calgary

I have it on good authority that Morena Baccarin, who played Inara from Firefly/Serenity, will be appearing at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo on April 29th.

This will make for a good event to rally the local Browncoats around.

I am attending this event as a volunteer through the local Star Wars FanForce. With Ray Park (Darth Maul), Robert Picardo (Voyager Doctor) and now Morena attending, I don't know which costume to wear. I like having decisions like that to make.


Image is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License. Taken by Flickr user RavenU

2007 Convention Calender

Here are some of the interesting conventions I am planning on attending this year. Some other events have not finalized their dates, so they have not made the list.

March 25
Edmonton Collectible Toy and Comic Show - Edmonton, Alberta

This is run by Shane Turgeon of Tattoos and Toys and RebelScum.com, so you know it is a good show.

April 29
Comic and Entertainment Expo - Calgary

A new, but well run expo by Kandrix Foong. I'm really looking forward to this one, hopefully we have another good Star Wars Fanforce turnout again this year.

May 19-20
Otafest - Calgary, Anime Convention

A fun time, even if you only have a passing interest in Anime. There is lots of Japanese Cultural content as well.

May 24-28
Celebration IV - Los Angeles, Official Star Wars Convention

2007 is the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars. This convention will be a mecca for all Star Wars fans.

August 31 - September 3
Dragon*Con 2007 - Atlanta Georgia, Multi-genre Convention

If every sub-genre of fandom called a truce for four days, and had a party in three fantastic hotels, this is what you get. Pure fandom bliss.

October 27 - 28
Manitoba Comic Con & Sci Fi Expo - Winnipeg, MN

This show has David Prowse, so I think it is worth the road trip for our Star Wars Fan Club.

December Events Calender

IFWA Christmas Book Festival
When: Saturday December 9 th from 12 PM - 4 PM
Where: Centre building of Richmond Meadows Co-op, 4940 - 39 Ave. SW. Map
Cost: $10

All-You-Can-Eat food and drink including turkey, chili, brisket, potato salad, coleslaw, homemade bread, and homemade ice cream.

Bring along your orphaned books for trade with other avid readers at Honest Ivan's Book Exchange!

Special Events:
At 1 PM Special Guest Hugo Award winning author Robert J. Sawyer will be on hand to lead a discussion on how near-future technology will save Mankind.
At 2 PM Cliff Samuels will moderate a Book Discussion on new and old books worth reading.
At 3 PM we'll hold our Enormous Book Raffle! We have a mountain of SF&f hard covers, trades, and paperbacks. And even a few non-book items.
Raffle Tickets available throughout the afternoon: $1 each; 6 for $5; 15 for $10.

FanForce Book Club meeting:
When: Sunday December 10 th starting at 7:30 PM
Where: Boomtown Restaurant, at the Delta Hotel (formerly the Best Western) on the corner of Southland Dr and Macleod Trail S

We will be discussing "Ender's Game"

Come on out!

Top 5 handy driving tips

Whilst driving in Calgary, or anywhere else where humans use automobiles, try to keep these simple tips in mind.

1. Slow the fuck down.
2. Use your bloody turn signals.
3. Let a brother in.
   
4. Stop tailgating.
   
5. Pick a lane and stay there cowboy.

These are day one drivers ED lessons that somehow most people seem to forget apply to them. </rant>

Con-version 23

Are you guys excited for Con-version 23 next year? Con-version is Calgary Science Fiction and Fantasy Society's yearly convention.

There was a plan to re-brand the event to "Nexus" to shake off the bad feelings and perceptions "Con-version" had. A recent vote of 20-18 decided to keep the name "Con-version."

See you all there.

Calgary Fandom Weekend

Here are some of the things happening in Science Fiction Fandom this weekend in Calgary:

Friday, November 17
Harry Potter Meetup
7:30 p.m.
Second Cup 10th St at 4th Ave, NW Kensington
http://harrypotter.meetup.com/83


Saturday, November 18
CSFFS Meeting: Con-Version/Nexus Meeting
1:00 p.m.
Bonavista Room Lake Louise Room, Delta (Formerly Best Western Hospitality Inn)
http://www.csffs.org/?p=12


Monday, November 20
Calgary Star Wars FanForce Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Boomtown lounge, Delta (Formerly Best Western Hospitality Inn)
http://boards.theforce.net/calgary_ab/b10615/25493395/p1/?9

Lesbians To the Rescue

A recent graffito in Calgary proclaims "Lesbians to the Rescue."

I think this speaks for itself.

Shopping in Calgary or How to Surf the Orgy of Carnage:

Recently posted to the Calgarians Livejournal group was "even_fl0w's Calgary Survival guide for the holidays." Chris wisely brings up some points regarding the Christmas shopping season. He has "OFFICIALLY smashed the panic button," given the following conditions:

• Lack of manpower in the retail and service industry.
• Calgary's booming economy has resulted in a population/traffic increase.
• City Construction/Roads.
• General Holiday insanity.

This is quite the recipe for disaster, but with some common sense and general considerations, we can all get though this together.

A sample:

... if you accept the fact the service/retail industry is severely understaffed, you will not stress yourself over it. Stress is caused by the feeling of lack of control over a situation, so remove it completely. Being polite, calm and cool with clerks and store staff really does wonders. People are worked hard over the holidays and the last thing they need is an irate customer tearing into them. Back off, avoid the brain aneriusm[sic]and chill. Negative energy is a virus that doesn't help anyone.

It is this kind of rational cool-headedness that we shouldn't have to be reminded to maintain, but it seems we still have to.

[Link]

The Zombie Apocalypse has an upside

The successful Second Annual Calgary Zombie Walk lurched forward this Saturday, moaning and dragging its limp limbs.

Others are more succinct than I, so here is a small collection of reviews from the event:

• Mfiles (Starbucks Zombie)
• Archeron (caddy/golfer)
• 7 Deadly Sinners
• "Janet Weiss" RHPS
• A SAIT of Affairs /w tonnes of pics
  

Here is the master Flickr Group Pool with lots o' pictures from the event: http://www.flickr.com/groups/calgaryzombiewalk

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