Well, it's about time that the National Library of Canada got hip. The National just launched a new real-world and online exhibition devoted to the life and work of Canadian jazz pianist and composer Oscar Peterson.

The exhibition opened July 1 and covers a career that has spanned more than half a century, following Petersen "far from his roots in the tight-knit black Montreal community of St-Henri to the heights of international success." The website tour features 24 Real Audio downloads, and promises: "More music samples will be added as copyright permission is obtained."

Oscar Peterson:
A Jazz Sensation
National Library of Canada
Exhibition Room A395
Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N4

Speaking of Art
Artspeak, a non-profit artist-run centre, is now offering its catalogue of unique publications online. This Vancouver centre, founded way back in 1986, has a history of presenting some stunning visual arts shows, backed up with high-IQ essays and text to explain it all.

"Of particular interest is work that crosses the boundaries between the two disciplines, exploring their common areas of praxis - a distinct aspect of the history of cultural practice in this region."

One of the highlights in the new catalogue is Amazonia, a collaboration between artist Carol Sawyer and writers Lorna Brown, Susan Edelstein. These women got together to "humourously investigate femme fatale characters in popular culture." Check out the whole list. This is real deal considering the effort that's gone into both text and visuals:

Artspeak Publications
Artspeak Gallery
233 Carrall Street
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6B 2J2
(604) 688-0051

Political Fireworks
Last year the cops were out in full force during Vancouver's Symphony of Fire fireworks event. About 1 million people crowded into English Bay to see the sparklers, and many of them took a bottle or two to make the night extra sparkly on the beach. Police confiscated bottles of vino and brew from people's backpacks at Skytrain exits and bus stops, but many cried that this was illegal search and seizure and have alternate plans in place for 2000. "I'm going to a friend's apartment to watch it off the balcony, I won't be drinking in a public place!" Since the cops are determined to keep the booze off the beach, if you want to drink you'd better book your balcony view extra early.

Here's what you can expect to see at this year's Symphony of Fire. And don't forget, the fireworks start at 10:15 promptly, rain or shine, and last about a half-hour.

Symphony of Fire
August 2 -- Australia
August 5 -- Spain
August 9 -- Grand Finale

More Fireworks
If you can't make it English Bay, the Ottawa area also has a fireworks fest, and tonight Italy is on the sked. This is a ticketed event ($8 - $20), but children under 12 get free admission to the grounds on Leamy Lake in Hull.

The Casino de Hull Sound of Light