Perfect timing

by PATTI SONNTAG

Baltimore poet Blair Ewing will be driving a long way to perform at the launch of A Perfect Waste of Time, the arts and culture zine edited by Victoria Stanton and Vincent Tinguely. He's only one of the performers at an event, which includes a wide range of performance art: Rachel Echenberg (costume-based performance art), Akin Alaga (Ogun poetry) and Nah-ee-Lah (dub poetry) are just a couple of the names on the list.

As I was reading the new issue, the Irish expression "to take the piss" meaning "to deflate, to make fun of," kept recurring to me. That's because the contributors take the piss out of everyone--DouglASS Coupland (their capitals), the lack of affordable housing, Nike's attempt to gain a female following, and themselves. Their method of attack ranges from artistic collages to poetry, and their no-bullshit approach explains why the zine is so popular, expanding from a monthly broadsheet to a thick, three-times-a-year publication. At Artishow (4873 St-Laurent), this Saturday, Nov. 27, 8pm, $3-5. :

Is it Art?

Everyone in opera!? While Opéra McGill is undoubtedly a purveyor of high Art, their latest promo campaign La Calisto looks... well, strikingly like a Gap ad. Although jeans are about last thing you'd associate with the music of 17th-century composer Pier Francesco Cavalli, the publicity idea reportedly came from opera students themselves. At Pollack Hall, Nov. 26 & 27, 7:30pm, $10-12; 398-4547 :

ArtsHole

Down to earthquake: In true "We Are the World" spirit, a benefit for the victims of earthquakes in Turkey and Taipeh features traditional dances from Turkey, Greece and Quebec (and "belly") as well as Chinese and Chilean music. At the World Beat Centre (1592 St-Laurent) Friday, Nov. 26, 8pm, $7, proceeds to Red Cross Int'l. * A little Italy: Offering a taste of Italo-Canadian culture, an all-day conference features discussions on literature, film, poetry and arts policy. Set the alarm, the free event starts at 9:45am at McGill's Department of Italian Studies (680 Sherbrooke W.). Info: 932-2808. * Booze cruise: Hop on the Broue Bus for a tour of microbreweries this Saturday, Nov. 27 (7pm-1am). The shuttle will repeatedly make the rounds of Cheval Blanc, Brutopia, Dieu du Ciel and Sergent Recruteur. Info: 287-1412. :



Artistat: Number of little figures presently revelling in the holiday spirit in the Ogilvy's Christmas window display: 100 :