The Vagina Monologues are back to celebrate their 10 Year Anniversary!

Ten years young, the Vagina Monologues return to Calgary for another stellar 3-night long engagement. Marsha Ellen Meidow has been involved in organizing Calgary's Vagina Monologues since the inception. Every year brings a different experience as new volunteers take on the roles of women telling stories about sexuality, violence, embarrassment and discovery related to women and, of course, their vaginas.

This year's edition includes a special addition by a local femme who has prepared her own piece for the night. There will also be an interpretive dance of My Vagina Was My Village and many more surprises and treats for you, your vagina and your friends including three beautiful chair and ottoman sets (donated by Urban Barn) to be auctioned off at the end of each show.

Eve Ensler wrote the play, The Vagina Monologues, in 1996. It is now available in over 45 different languages and has been performed in over 119 countries. The play is both powerful and funny, thought-provoking and motivating. Ensler's recognition includes Obie Award for Best New Play (1996), the Guggenheim Fellowship Award in Playwriting (1999), the Berrilla-Kerr Award for Playwriting, the Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Solo Performance and the Jury Award for Theater at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. Her play has touched the lives of many in the world and if you haven't seen the Vagina Monologues yet, this weekend brings your chance.

All the money raised supports Calgary's YWCA Safe Haven Program: Getting young girls off the streets and back into their lives.

The Vagina Monologues:
March 20th-22nd at EPCOR Centre's Martha Cohen Theatre.
Tickets are $25 - available at ticketmaster locations or by calling 777-0000

Solvent: Music with High Dance Concentration

Last night a lucky community of Calgarians were treated to the sonic treats delivered by Solvent. Jason Amm aka Solvent calls Toronto his home but has been on the road with VNV Nation travelling across North America. His tour will shortly take him overseas to play some selected shows across Europe before he returns to America to do some shows with Freezepop. But have no fear, Solvent will return to Calgary for all those unable to attend this stellar performance.

The night began with Calgary's fine electronic duo, and Solvent fans, known as Data.Disk0. Nothing was held back as these two blasted the beats to warm up the crowd, and warm the crowd they did! It was a great performance from these local music celebs and the night was set for the main show: Solvent.

Armed with Moog's Little Phatty, a Roland digitial vocoder, his iMac and some effects units Solvent took the stage in front of the crowded Soda Lounge. It didn't take long before the crowd started to tap their feet and move their hips. Within five minutes a full dance floor was in motion, and didn't let up for the entire show. Solvent fans of all sorts dug the tunes, the vocoder and the sweet synth melodies. Solvent played a great mix of songs but a huge treat came when the opening notes of Madonna's "Hung Up" hit the speakers and Solvent performed an extraodinarily fun cover of the song. Apparently I am not the only Madonna fan.

The night finished with a thrilling encore followed by a ceremonious shut down of Solvent's laptop. Despite ample pleading from the crowd, Solvent was finished for the night.

But there was a special treat for those who stuck around a little longer. As it turns out Jason's birthday had been the night before and a cake had been lovingly bought for him to commemorate his 35th birthday right there at the Soda. The entire bar filled with some new vocal stylings as everyone sang "Happy Birthday" (sadly, without vocoder) to the slightly embarrassed Jason Amm.

Solvent is currently signed onto the Ghostly International label. His new and limited edition CD, Demonstration Tape (1997-2007), is now available for purchase online at suction records. It is a compilation of his work over the past ten years. Also, look forward to another release coming in 2008.