Urban Planner: March 10, 2009

Photo from RiP: A Remix Manifesto by Bridget Maniaci, courtesy of the National Film Board.

FILM: First Weekend Club, a non-profit Canadian organization dedicated to promotion of Canadian films in order to keep them in theatres longer, is hosting an advanced screening of RiP: A Remix Manifesto tonight in the Drake Underground. In the film, web activist and filmmaker Brett Gaylor explores copyrighting issues in the age of information, in particular through his study of musician Gregg Gillis, better known as Girl Talk (also pictured above). Does Gillis shatter copyrighting boundaries through piracy, or will he create them? What does this mean for the future of the music industry? The pre-show wine reception kicks off at 7 p.m., followed by a screening of video mashup artist Jonathan McIntosh's latest film, So You Think You Can Be President. RiP will screen at 8 p.m., followed by a panel discussion featuring Gaylor himself, along with McIntosh, film distributor Robin Smith, and Marcus Bornfreund. Drake Hotel Underground (1150 Queen Street West), 7 p.m., $12 (Buy advance tickets here).

WORDS: Following the success of his 2006 documentary of the same name, author/filmmaker John Philp will launch his new book, Yoga Inc: A Journey Through the Big Business of Yoga, this evening at the Gladstone Hotel. Like the film, Yoga Inc. is a journey into the rapid commercialization of yoga, examining the controversial corporate trends that shape and perhaps even threaten the ancient religious discipline. Exploring the notion of whether there needs to be a moral standard among yogis with regards to the growing consumerism of the practice, Yoga Inc. exposes the divide between traditional yoga and its modern counterpart. Philp will appear in discussion with film critic/writer Marc Glassman. Part of Pages' This Is Not A Reading Series. Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West), 7 p.m., $5 (free if you buy the book).

WORDS: Alternative political journal This Magazine is throwing a launch party of sorts tonight at Kensington Market's Supermarket. Though This has been around for more than forty years, tonight celebrates the release of its new redesign and foray into full colour. Come for the social networking and stick around for the door prizes, raffle, and decorate-your-own-cupcake bar. The $5 admission fee includes a copy of the new issue. Supermarket (268 Augusta Avenue), 8 p.m., $5.