OTTAWA – As part of the nationwide Culture Days event, the National Arts Centre will present a unique reading of Les Justes – an acclaimed play written by Albert Camus about terrorism and the limits of political violence – on Friday September 24 at 10 a.m. on the front steps of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa. Les Justes, a runaway theatrical success when it was presented in Paris last season, will be presented in its entirety at the NAC from September 28 to October 2.

The reading is one of 16 free activities presented by the NAC from September 24 to 26 as part of Culture Days, a pan-Canadian volunteer movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. The NAC and local arts groups and artists are presenting more than 120 free events throughout Ottawa over the weekend.  For more information, visit www.nac-cna.ca or www.culturedays.ca.

Here are details of free Culture Days activities presented by the National Arts Centre:

Reading of an excerpt from the play Les Justes by Albert Camus *
Directed by Stanislas Nordey
Friday, September 24, 10:00  a.m.
Parliament Hill, Ottawa
This wartime drama by Albert Camus, directed by Stanislas Nordey, will be onstage at the National Arts Centre from September 28 to October 2, 2010. Join us for this exclusive sneak peek reading of an excerpt from the play, presented on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
* In French only. In case of rain, event will be cancelled

Imagined Spaces: Scenic Design at the National Arts Centre
Friday, September 24-Sunday, September 26, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Theatre Foyer
Discover the artifacts from the NAC's archival collection of imagined theatrical spaces brought to life through the artistry of top Canadian and international scenographic designers. Get instant online access to the rest of the maquette collection on ArtsAlive.ca, featuring vivid photos, quizzes, learning activities and detailed archival records on scenic design at the NAC since 1970.

NACmusibox TIMELINE
Friday, September 24-Sunday, September 26, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Main Foyer
Get a sneak peak at the new NACmusibox TIMELINE! Visit the listening booth to hear high quality NAC Orchestra performances from the past 40 years!  The NAC’s upcoming interactive NACmusicbox TIMELINE features 200 orchestral works and 80 Canadian compositions. Explore unlimited music connections and discover Canada's contribution to orchestral history.

Dance on Film
Friday, September 24-Sunday, September 26, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Studio Lobby
Join us for a special presentation of three different films on the subject of dance playing in a continuous loop including A Very Dangerous Pastime: a simple dance guide.

Maquette of the set & video for Romeo & Juliet
Set & Costume Design by Christina Poddubiuk
Friday, September 24-Sunday, September 26, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Theatre Lobby
Get a closer look at set and costume design with a video explanation and set design maquette (model) of the upcoming production of Romeo & Juliet playing in the NAC Theatre  (Oct. 19 to Nov. 6).

NAC Art Tour
Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Main Foyer
Get a guided tour of the NAC’s extensive visual art collection (indoors and outdoors) departing once an hour on the hour starting at 10:00 a.m. with the last tour at 4:00 p.m.

Adult Dance Sampler Workshop * THIS EVENT IS FULL!Saturday, September 25, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Studio
* ages 18 and up
It’s never too late to learn how to dance!  Come and join us for an intro to dance class, where you will learn four different dance styles from some of Ottawa’s best dance teachers.  On the menu: Hip hop fusion, flamenco, contemporary and the ancient art form of capoeira.  No dance experience required; bring comfortable clothes to move in and your dancing feet! Spots are limited, please register in advance to confirm your presence by emailing us at dance@nac-cna.ca

NAC Orchestra Open Rehearsal
Saturday, September 25, 11:00 a.m.
Southam Hall
A unique opportunity to head the National Arts Centre Orchestra at work in rehearsal with Pinchas Zukerman. Watch as Pinchas and host Eric Friesen prepare the Orchestra for their performance of “The Concerto According to Pinchas”. * limited seating

Dance Hop
Saturday, September 25, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Studio Lobby
Join us for a dance hop starting in the NAC Studio lobby at 12:00 p.m, dance your way onto Mackenzie Bridge, and finish at Arts Court on Daly Avenue.  

Youth Dance Sampler Workshop *
Saturday, September 25, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Studio
* ages 12-19 years
Have you ever longed to try a dance class, but didn’t know where to start?  Come and join us for a youth class at the NAC, where you will learn four different dance styles from some of Ottawa’s best dance teachers.  On the menu: Hip hop fusion, flamenco, contemporary and the ancient art form of capoeira.  No dance experience required; bring comfortable clothes to move in and your dancing feet! Spots are limited, please register in advance to confirm your presence by emailing us at dance@nac-cna.ca

Romeo & Juliet Open Rehearsal – Stage Fighting * Saturday September 25, 2:15-3:30
Theatre Lobby
Groups (max number: 15) leave from the lobby at: 2:15, 2:40, 3:05, 3:30
* ages 10 and up
English only
Get an inside look into the world of stage fighting. You will get to see Romeo & Juliet Company Members learn the “choreography” behind some of Shakespeare’s most well known fight scenes.  The tour will take approximately 15 – 20 minutes starting in the lobby with a short description of what you will see in the Rehearsal Hall.

Ottawa Dance Works—Dance Showcase
Saturday, September 25, 8:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Studio
Enjoy a live dance performance by some of Ottawa’s local talent – Lana Morton (contemporary), 4EverFresH (hip hop fusion), Juliana Pulford (flamenco) and Fabio Nascimento with Grupo de Capoeira Dendê do Recife (capoeira).

View the Beauchemin Curtain
Sunday, September 26, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Southam Hall
Exclusive chance to admire a masterpiece by one of Canada’s most renowned visual artist: Micheline Beauchemin.  This curtain was commissioned for the opening of the National Arts Centre was the first work of art presented at the NAC.

NAC Orchestra’s Tunetown
Sunday, September 26, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Southam Hall Foyer
ages 5 and up
Interactive learn-and-play activities with musical instruments of all kinds organized by the Friends of the NAC Orchestra.

Workshop: Théâtre d’objets (Object Theatre)
Sunday, September 26, 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
Fountain Room
ages 12 and up
French only
Object theatre is a form of puppetry where everyday objects are brought to life through the power of imagination (and a little technique!). Workshop participants will learn the basics of this simple, playful art form, and will use their new skills to create short scenes.

NAC Award Composers Panel Discussion
Sunday, September 26, 1:00 p.m.
Fourth Stage
Join us for a panel discussion by NAC Award composers, moderated by Eric Friesen. Panel topics will include the role of the Orchestra in contemporary composition and the relationship between composer, orchestra and audience.

Canadian Improv Games
Sunday, September 26, 2:00 p.m.
Studio
English only
Enjoy a special live demonstration of the Canadian Improv Games as well as a chance to try it out yourself!

All activities are free, bilingual and appropriate for all ages except where noted.

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For more information:
Carl Martin
Communications Advisor
Tel: 613-947-7000, ext. 560
Cell: 613-291-8880
cmartin@nac-cna.ca