Winter/spring event listings: homo highlights!

January

LOG/OPALE NEW YEARS DANCE. The Lesbian Outdoor Group hosts the first dance of the new year Jan 19. Start 2008 by meeting new and old friends while dancing the night away. Tickets limited, first come, first served. Advance $10 at Venus Envy, After Stonewall, Mother Tongue Books and Wilde’s, door $15. 8pm-1am. Royal Canadian Legion, 330 Kent. log_opale@yahoo.ca.

FILM: 100 PERCENT WOMAN. In 2002, Michelle Dumaresq became the first openly transgendered woman in the world to be named to a national team in any sport. This film begins as Dumaresq’s mountain-bike riding career did, careening down a rocky path. Beginning with her days on the BC race circuit and finally, a berth at the World Championships, her progress is dogged by constant scrutiny, both from fellow competitors and the media.” Jan 8, 7pm. Free ($5 donation suggested) Club SAW, 67 Nicholas.

MR OTTAWA BEAR 2008. The ursine community plan to award the most worthy bear with the Mr Ottawa Bear award. All bear, cub and otter admirers are invited to attend and cheer these handsome, hairy bears on. Jan 19, 7:30pm. $5. Swizzles, 246 B Queen. www.gayottawa.com

CONFESSIONAL. Confessional is a play by legendary gay playwright Tennessee Williams. This will be the Ottawa premier and to add to the authenticity, it will be held at the Mechanicsville bar, The Carleton Tavern. Confessional is a lesser-known work by Williams and is actually an earlier version of Small Craft Warnings. Presented by The Ottawa Chamber Theatre Co. Jan 23 – Feb 2. $20, reserve tickets at 613-791-4471. Carleton Tavern, 223 Armstrong.

JIGSAW CONFESSION. Toto Too, Ottawa’s gay and lesbian community, mounts its latest production. In Jigsaw Confessions, a young man, Dennis, deals with the death of his father, who was gay. Dennis’s fiancé and his father’s male lover help him deal with his grief. $20 at After Stonewall and ArtsCourt. Jan 30 to Feb 2. ArtsCourt, 2 Daly.

February

THE OPTIMISTS. Morwyn Brebner’s bittersweet comedy traps two couples in one Las Vegas hotel room. Chick and Teenie are on the verge of getting married; Doug and Margie are on the verge of splitting up. Will anyone live happily ever after? A quirky dissection of love, friendship and class. Jan 29-Feb 17. $26-$36. Great Canadian Theatre Company, 1233 Wellington.

WINTERLUDE. Three fun-filled weekends of excitement and activity! From spectacular ice carvings to an amazing playground made of snow, Winterlude is a great way to take in the best of our Canadian winter. Skate on the world’s longest skating rink, marvel at majestic snow sculptures and at the glittering ice sculptures or take in a spectacular fire show. Weekends, Feb 1-17. Downtown Ottawa.

SWIMMERS IN HEATS 2008. Compete or cheer on your favourite swimmers at the Rideau Speedeus first 2008 swim meet. Register Feb 1, 6-7pm at Montpetit Hall and join the Rideau Speedeaus for a workout and dinner at a local restaurant. $35. Feb 2, 8am. University of Ottawa, Montpetit Hall, 125 University.

SNOWBLOWER. Snowblower is an Ottawa winter festival for guys into guys, to heat up the coldest month of the year. Expect parties, events and workshops! Feb 2-18. www.snowblowerottawa.ca

CARNIVAL. Join in the colourful dance procession as various members of the Peruvian communities parade in their eye-catching costumes throughout the museum. Feb 9, 11am & 2pm. Museum of Civilization, Grand Hall, 100 Laurier, Gatineau.

FILM: INSIDE BOYSTOWN. Inside Boystown is an intimate portrait of the lives of six male prostitutes who work the streets in Vancouver’s chic Yaletown district. It blends interviews with the boys with commentary from three support workers who explain the dynamics of male street prostitution. The film provides a forthright look at a commonly hidden aspect of contemporary society. Feb 12th, 7pm. Free ($5 suggest donation). Club SAW, 67 Nicholas.

GLENN GLOULD RENAISSANCE. Lecture/Recital. Harpsichordist Dr. Rachele Taylor performs pieces from Glenn Gould’s Renaissance disc and discusses Gould’s affinities and approach to his repertoire. $5. Feb 28, 7:30pm. Canadian Museum of Civilization, 100 Laurier, Gatineau.

March

NATALIA ZUKERMAN. Queer singer-songwriter, Natalia Zukerman (daughter of NAC director Pinchas Zukerman) brings her country-jazz music, charismatic banter and musical genes to Wakefield. Mar 6, 8.30pm. The Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield Quebec.

TONE CLUSTER. Queer as Folk Music night features the music of Leonard Cohen, Ron Sexsmith, Connie Kaldor and others. The Ottawa Folklore Centre choir, “Folka Voca”, conducted by Lee Hayes, will appear as special guests. Mar 8, 8pm. First United Church /All Saints’ Anglican Church, 347 Richmond.

PAUL POTTS. Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts has spent most of his life feeling ‘insignificant’. Bullied at school for being ‘different’, he realised growing up that he had one true friend — that was his voice. Potts now performs internationally with full orchestras. Mar 17, 8pm. $64-$94. Centrepointe Theatre, 101 Centrepointe.

April

5 O’CLOCK BELLS. 5 o’clock Bells sheds biographical and musical light on Lenny Breau, one of Canada’s unsung musical heroes. From the country music of his childhood, to the avant-garde experimentations of the sixties, to bonafide jazz stardom, Breau’s life was one long musical wave. Pierre Brault examines the musical reflection of Breau’s life. Apr 1-20. $26-$36 613-236-5196. Great Canadian Theatre Company, 1233 Wellington.

TONE CLUSTER. Indulge in a night of show tunes! The Third Annual Show Tune Showdown has teams (including Tone Cluster) competing for fame, glory and prize money. Featuring surprise celebrity judges. Apr 5, 8pm. Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson.

WRITERS FESTIVAL. Celebrating the world’s best writing from home and abroad, the Writers Festival includes an eclectic program that presents interactions with leaders in the worlds of science, history, poetry, politics, spoken word, economics, drama, fiction, biography, music, religion, spirituality and more. Apr 12-19. Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington.

May

LGX. The Lesbian and Gay Expo is an annual event with queer artistic talent sharing their goods and advocacy groups sharing their thoughts on Ottawa issues. This is definitely worth a visit. May 3, 10am-4pm. Jack Purcell Community Centre, 320 Jack Purcell.

RAINBOW CABARET. Hosted by the B-Girlz, the event will feature community organizations and performances by members of our community, and host 400 of Ottawa most fabulous people. Brought to you by Jer’s Vision. May 15. Barrymore’s Music Hall. jersvision.org.