The Arts

My evening started with a book launch at the National Film Board of Canada, showcasing the work of the NFB's 1967-1980 activist documentary initiative, "Challenge for Change." The 600 page tome of essays on the matter represents a three-year collaboration of film-makers, academics, and citizens, not to mention the unfathomable labour put out by the people who made over 300 works during those years. An amazing number of people braved tonight's narsty winter storm to be there.

An hour later I was deep in hipsterville at a bar aptly named The Beaver, where my friend was hosting a fundraiser for his dance production that missed out on a grant. The silent auction (comprised entirely of donations from friends) included but was not limited to: golf lessons, hair styles, erotic scalp massage, moose antlers, all manner of dates, dance lessons, personal training sessions, and things I shouldn't publish on a family-rated site. A huge blonde named Fluffy Soufflet mc'd the stage-show while the packed house bought up all the raffle tickets.

And PM Harper justifies gutting cultural funding (including NFB's) because "ordinary Canadians aren't interested in the Arts."

> the NFB has managed to mount their full collection on-line by the way.