Contributed by Nick Hanekom

I'm a little confused today.

After last nights viewing of Damn Your Eyes the question I'm asking myself is what exactly was I supposed to experience? At first glance it was just a bunch of guys and gals sitting around doing well, nothing. Perhaps I should have joined them to truly understand the conceptual aspect; the idea of sitting around listening to whatever the two main installations - one bright and revealing, the other dark and personal - were all but occupied for the entire hour spent at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Arts (MOCCA). So instead I wandered around squinting in the light cast by the fluorescent tubes in the main hall. I was still wondering, what's this all about then?

My appetite was whet after hearing about the Canadian Conservative Government's introduction of Bill C-61 and how artists will respond to what is being hailed a police state if the act is passed. Bill 61 is the Harper Government's attempt at initiating digital locks by ensuring complete control over media that is purchased, rented or downloaded.

The Appropos group, a coalition of artists whose exhibit opened at the Edward Day Gallery on Thursday night is a middle finger to the proposed law displaying imagery of existing popular culture icons.

Evil Dead: The Musical last Thursday proved the show has legs. And fangs. And lots of blood left. After 300 shows and 140 gallons of fake blood, the Toronto production is still going strong, building a loyal cult following.

The production, based on the Evil Dead film series, celebrated its 300th show in Toronto at The Diesel Playhouse Thursday night. There were prizes awarded for the best Evil Dead character costume, a bustling after-party and likely the rowdiest fans the show has seen since Bruce (Don't Call Me Ash) Campbell's attendance at the show.

The show just finished a successful run in Seoul, Korea and is playing in California, with plans for Berlin later this year. It has seen about 600 performances worldwide and is now the longest-running musical ever written by a Canadian.

This is your last weekend to check out the Nathan Jurevicius exhibit at Magic Pony.

See the photos larger on Flickr here.

Who doesn't love a cool new tee? NOW Magazine just revealed the grand prize winners of their third annual Designer Challenge, with each design printed onto four different t-shirts. These tees will be sold at various events around the city at $10 each, with all the proceeds going to Art Heart, a charity that supports creativity in visual arts for inner city children, youth and adults. The shirts will make their debut at the NOW booth this coming Sunday, June 29 for Pride Day.

I've always found photography depicting skateboard culture very compelling, and one of my main sources of inspiration. I don't know what it is about it, but it always evokes in me a certain sense of rawness and truth in the way the sport is documented, including the lives of those around it.

This Friday June 27th, STUDIO Gallery presents the work of Patrick O'Dell.