3D Thursday: China Doll, karaoke queen

Shanghai restaurant on Somerset Street West near Bronson is home to China Doll, the infamous Ottawa drag performer who hosts karaoke every week and every New Year's Eve—each time in a different, outrageously fun outfit.

I caught up with China Doll during the Chinatown Craft Sale earlier in December, wearing something that was screaming for a 3D photo:

Source photos for the 3D image: Left, Right

Of course I'm referring to the hair...

While I'm on the topic, here's China Doll at New Year's a couple of years ago, with a balloon dopplegänger drawn by Chinatown artist Julie Cruikshank:

In fact, China Doll is so famous, the Bytown Museum included some of China Doll's accessories in their 2010 "Evocative Objects" exhibit:

I also ran into China Doll at Bluesfest this past July in advance of the Björk concert. A friend of mine described the ensemble to me and it sounded pretty strange until I met up with her and realized she had been describing China Doll. Though I suppose it can be a bit much for the uninitiated:

Anyhow, whatever your plans are, have a happy new year!

[Tune in on Thursdays at noon for a new 3D image. View the 3D label for other posts with 3D images. 3D FAQ]

Jane's Walks this weekend!

In case you haven't heard, Jane's Walk Ottawa happens this weekend. I haven't given any since the Rescue Bronson Jane's Walk I gave two years ago. It was fun, but a lot of work. So instead I'll try to go out on a couple of other people's walks. Here are some I'm looking at that are within Somerset Ward, with the description on the Jane's Walk Ottawa website linked to the headings:

Apt613 Blog Walk of Somerset
Saturday, May 4, 2013, 2pm-3:30pm
Meet at Dundonald Park, Somerset and Bay

Staying on the Bronson theme of my 2011 walk, Apartment 613 is holding a walk in Chinatown, whose businesses are suffering from the closure of the Bronson/Somerset intersection. This one has a neat format, where they'll interview some of the business owners in the same way they do interviews for their blog entries, only it'll be live and you'll be there!

Local Confectionaries
Saturday, May 4, 2013, 4pm-5pm
Meet at Somerset and Preston

A great segue from the Apt613 walk, local cartoonist/illustrator Colin White is giving a tour of the corner stores which feature often in his drawings. I don't think I've met him in person, but I like his depictions of familiar hyperlocal landmarks.

Capital Day

While we're still coming off yesterday's Canada Day high, I figured a photo of Capital symbols was appropriate for today.

I was over at the War Museum the other day having a look at the set up for Bluesfest and CfSC's free Bluesfest bike parking compounds when this photo opportunity presented itself:

Three symbols of Canada's capital, the Canadian War Museum, a Capital Bixi bike share station, and an OC Transpo bus.

The fenced field area in the foreground is one of the two bike parking compounds I'll be in charge of during this year's Bluesfest. It's free, and anyone can use it, whether you're a Bluesfest patron, volunteer, or not even coming to see Bluesfest!

In addition to the bike parking service, we'll have lots of free safety information available, as well as maps and lights for sale. More information on the Citizens for Safe Cycling website.

[Look for more one-photo posts under the label Singles]

Happy Canada Day from Ottawa! #ottbike

Happy Canada Day! Here's a photo of my bike decked out in red and white Christmas lights at Capital Vélo Fest.

Mine was one of the many HPVOoO bikes on the June 4, 2011 night ride. There are more photos linked from the HPVOoO 2011 events Gallery and on the Capital Vélo Fest website

I'll be busy at the Bluesfest Bicycle Parking for Citizens for Safe Cycling the next couple weeks, so I might miss a few posts. See previous posts with the Bluesfest label.

[Look for more one-photo posts under the label Singles]

Gone Festin'

Sorry the blog has been quiet. I've been volunteering at Bluesfest, supervising the volunteers at the free valet bike parking. Lots of fun.

While the bike parking is fast and free, we are once again collecting donations for Citizens for Safe Cycling and Blues in the Schools.

Why don't you stop by?

Bluesfest: Lebreton Condos and Pooley's Bridge

I'm at Bluesfest all week, which is why I haven't been posting much.

I had noticed earlier that there were some Jersey barriers and chain link fence blocking off access to Pooley's Bridge. This bridge was a part of the pathway through Lebreton Flats until the path was realigned along the Ottawa River, but it remains a useful connecdtion. In the photo below, we can see that the bridge, and the pathway below it, are both closed off.


While running an errand during Bluesfest, I saw hundreds of people climbing over the fence to get to Bluesfest. This is obviously a problem, and I've been spending what little spare time I have during Bluesfest to track down the appropriate person to clear the way. It's only a matter of time that someone falls while climbing over it.


Further along, this view on the pathway heading out there was just too good to pass up. Note the green field, the blue sky, the building, and the clouds nicely lined up in the background.

The shipping containers at the bottom store kayaking equipment.