It’s another action-packed weekend in the art world. The clad-in-black crowd should bring along their lint brushes as they stagger from event to event. (If you forget yours, I actually do carry one around with me.) Hey print this out and use it as your weekend program guide. We are good with that.

Thursday, March 26

Starting off at 5 p.m. at The Slate Fine Art Gallery, Joe Fafard unveils a new exhibition, Mes Amis. This must-see show celebrates fellow artists, past & present, which have inspired Fafard throughout his career as one of Canada’s most well-known artists. I shook his hand once. Maybe he sculpted that moment for posterity. I’m certain he remembers that fondly.

7 p.m. Mackenzie Art Gallery: Vertigo Series Thursday Night Live Enjoy a lively evening of music and poetry, featuring performances by Cheryl L’Hirondelle and Moe Clark. Open Stage. Admission $5.

Friday, March 27

Noon-4 p.m.  Mackenzie Art Gallery: A “Sewing Action” by Leah Decter and Jaimie Isaac.  An ongoing interactive project initiated by artist Leah Decter, curated by Jaimie Isaac, and activated in collaboration, ‘(official denial) trade value in progress’ enacts exchange and elicits dialogue about contemporary conditions of settler colonialism and processes of decolonization and reconciliation in Canada. The project is carried out in recognition of the imperative for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to be involved in these processes.

Noon-1 p.m.  U of R, Visual Arts Department, Riddell Centre 050: Cheryl L’Hirondelle, artist talk

4:15-5:15 Mackenzie Art Gallery: Peter Morin, performance, “de-colonizes my heart (part two)”.

4 pm Friday – 4 pm Saturday, Creative City Centre: Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre, 24 hour playwriting competition.  Writers of all levels are encouraged to sign up and bring their laptops, thinking caps and muses. I have done this before at different venues in Canada and I can tell you it is much more fun than it sounds. There is nothing like a 24 hour adrenalin rush to get you addicted. $45 entry fee.

Saturday, March 28

The day begins early so load up on espresso-infused coffee washed down by a vodka-infused redbull. (That’s how I start my Saturdays.)

9 a.m. to noon. Mackenzie Art Gallery – Moving Forward Never Forgetting Forum. As a gathering for all people interested in forging ideas and creative partnerships, this forum will explore possible futures for Indigenous creative production and curation. This engaging morning will feature a presentation by Megan Tamati-Quennell (New Zealand), a tour of Moving Forward, Never Forgetting, and a performance by artist Julianne Beaudin Herney.

7 p.m. Dunlop Art Gallery:  Publication Launch & Bad Art Night. Read the aforementioned article by Gregory Beatty for full details.

(Edit) 8 p.m. New Dance Horizons: House of Dance. Gregory Beatty will provide the full details in a separate blog on Friday.

Sunday, March 29

Nothing will top off your Sunday brunch than a visit to the art gallery for fine culture before you fill your zombie brains with the season finale of The Walking Dead tonight.

Noon-4. Mackenzie Art Gallery: A Sewing Action. In case you missed Fridays gig because you work for a living you can catch it again today.

1:30 p.m. New Dance Horizons: House of Dance matinee

7 p.m. Creative City Centre: Awards Ceremony for the 24 hour playwriting competition participants. Readings, prizes, booze and dainties. I might win so I should get my speech ready right now as it is going to be one crazy weekend.

All events are free to the public except where noted.

Tuesday, March 31

Yeah, the weekend is over but if you long for the good ol’ days you can check out Chicken & Wine at The Creative City Centre at 8 p.m. C&W is an informal lecture series co-hosted by Wanda Schmockel and Mark Wihak. I’ve been to these gigs before and not once did I see a single drum stick.