Girl About Town

This week, I highly recommend checking out The Anonymous Show.

Seventeen local artists each submitted a few eight-by-eight canvases to be part of the collection, but instead of flashing their name with their work, they kept their identity secret. If you check out the collection, you'll see a huge assortment of pieces — from traditional landscapes to weird and wonderful abstracts. My favourite is a herd of galloping horses, cut out from different kinds of paper, racing across a warm mash of sunset-inspired colours. Looking at this piece actually made my heart go pitter-patter.

What makes this collection ultra-cool is that you do eventually find out who created the piece — after you buy it. I'm not sure of many other places where you can buy art for $100 from some of the high-profile artists participating.
Check out the collection from now until March 2. The host gallery, North Forté Gallery, is open from noon until 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday at 122 Durham St., in the same building as Reg Wilkinson's.

This week, you can also catch Sudbury Theatre Centre's production of Same Time, Next Year. It sounds like an incredible love story — or perhaps its more of anti-love story. Call it what you want; It's the story of two people, happily married, who happen upon a one-night stand with each other. They make a promise to rendezvous the same weekend for years to come, all while maintaining their real relationships. It's on at STC from now until March 10, taking the stage nightly at 8 p.m. Visit sudburytheatre.on.ca to get tickets.

While we're talking theatre, STC is also putting on a reading featuring work for the Playwright's Junction. In this cool project, STC's playwright-in-residence Matt Heiti helps aspiring theatre-folks learn the art of writing a play. Martians landing in Cold War-era Sudbury, a mysterious visitor in a dress store, bricklayers in a psychedelic dream, and a group of bumbling bureaucrats toppled by a modern-day hero are just some of the stories the group has come up with. Check it out at STC Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.

Perhaps even more theatrical than anything coming from a theatre company is the Human League's next fundraiser. On Feb. 27, a panelist of “roasters” are taking their best stab at Sudbury's former mayor John Rodriguez. Politicians, public figures and even a quartet will grill J-Rod. He said he doesn't mind, since it's for a good cause. If you want to watch this happen, phone the Human League at 705-670-8633 to pick up a $25 ticket. Enjoy the roast, while ensuring kids are able to eat breakfast. A good trade-off.

In the spirit of supporting a good cause, stop by the Grace Family Church Feb. 28. Local super-voice Kassie Tyers will be singing her songs, selling her CDs and sharing some love in support of her friend Angele Olink. At only 25 years old, Olink has already went through three open-heart surgeries. She's doing what she can to contribute to her family — which includes a husband and a young son — but a recent stomach operation has left her without work. Tickets are only $5, and you get to help someone who needs it while enjoying some great tunes.

And that's just a fraction of the awesomeness happening in Sudbury this week.

I love this city. When people call it “boring” or say “there's nothing to do,” I get personally offended. There is absolutely no shortage of amazing things happening here — and Girl About Town is where you'll find out about some of the very best. Til next time!