5th Annual Ottawa Pinball & Gameroom Show!

GAMES LIST

Tales of the Arabian Nights, Bally Atlantis, Dungeons & Dragons, Gorgar, Black Rose, Strikes n' Spares, Bride of, Pinbot, Top Card EM, Sinbad, Star Trek, Transformers LE, LAH, TNG, Monopoly, Flash Gordon, Stargate, Williams Algar, Barracora, Bally Viking (tentative), Gottlieb Sure Shot, Road Kings, Firepower,  Spanish Eyes, Fish Tales, PinBot, Black Knight, Rollergames, High Speed, F-14 Tomcat, World Cup Soccer 94, WOZ, Rat Race, Flipper Football, DE Star Trek, DE Star Wars, DE Batman, DE Simpsons, DE Monday Night Football, DE Phantom Of The Opera

VIDS:
Time Crisis II, 2-player Joust, Rad Mobile, X-Men (4 player), Lethal Enforcers, Smash TV, Super Dodge-Ball, Exidy Multi Gun Cabinet, Virtua Cop II, TRON, Hoop it Up, Centipede mini, Astro Blaster mini, Ms. Pac-Man mini, Magical Spot UR, Donkey Kong Junior upright, Missile Command cocktail, Mario Bros., Taito superman, Big Kong (Donkey Kong Bootleg {1 of 3})

Canada’s Longest Running Pinball Expo

WHEN: Sat Sept 19 12pm-10pm / Sun Sept 20 12pm-6pm
WHERE: Makers Space North - 250 City Centre, Bay 215, Ottawa
ADMISSION PER DAY:  $10 for adults $5 for kids 12 & under
WHAT GAMES: An eclectic collection of 100 pinball & classic arcade machines
PRESENTED BY: CKCU, Ashton Brewing Company, House of TARG, and Ottawapinball.com

FREEPLAY PINBALL & CLASSIC ARCADE MACHINES
Your admission includes unlimited play of nearly 100 games ranging from vintage electro-mechanical pinball machines to the latest Stern offerings plus all your favourite Classic Arcade Video Games & Oddities. 

BUY GAMES & PARTS
Purchase games, parts, or gameroom treasures from the Playdium store and Pinball Customs, plus many great used games from local collectors in our vendor booth and flea market areas.

PINBALL TOURNAMENT
Compete in the IFPA sanctioned "O-Town Throw-Down 2015" tournament for IFPA points, cash and prizes, and the bragging rights of being the 2015 Ottawa Pinball Champion!
TOURNAMENT GAMES: Indy 500, Whitewater, Stargate, Junkyard Algar, Gorgar, Barracora, Sure Shot, Solar City, Solar Fire GET DETAILS HERE

PEROGIES
The House of TARG Wizards will be slinging perogies and hot dogs all weekend long out of the "TARG Express" mobile kitchen and tapping an assortment of Ashton Brewing Company's finest brews. Proceeds of the tactical TARG carbo-loading station will be used to help CKCU keep their DJ's DJ-ing and their transmitters transmitting.

GET INVOLVED
Should you wish to volunteer a game to the party, set up a booth to peddle your wares, or contribute in any way you can, shoot a message to ottawapinball@gmail.com for more info.

Maker Space North
250 City Centre, Bay 216
Ottawa, ON
K1R 6K7

 

IN THRUST WE TRUST: The August Edition of TARG Zine Is Here

Dreams come true at House of TARG. Just ask Ottawa resident and newly crowned National Air Guitar Champion Jay “Thrust” McNeely. His quest for global Air Guitar domination started at TARG and will now take him to Finland for the World Championship later this month. Get the full scoop by reading our exclusive cover story interview.

ALSO IN ISSUE #17:
Felix the millennial reviews the latest vinyl release from local stoner rock wizards MONOBROW, our pals from Beau’s All Natural share  some little know facts about the origins of pinball and famous Ottawa drop-outs in the BEAU-leive It Or Not column, Slo’ Tom has news you can use regarding sandpaper, sandals & pants, pinball Josh gives us a primer on Dungeons & Dragons - the latest pinball machine to come on location, Award winning poet Dave O’Meara lends a bit bookish cred to TARG Zine with his arcade Haikus, a fan favourite Elixir Wizard finally gets the recognition she deserves as the August Wizard of the Month, newly wed Curtis D. found some time to give us another installment of his Adventures of TARG comic strip, Monty from Ottawa Punk Pinball gives us the low-down on the fast approaching O-Town Throwdown Pinball Tournament, Josh’s Toys are still talking him - find out what Big Bird, Darth Vader & Capt. Kirk have to say, we run down the best & worst of the fascinating world of CHAIRS, Ska Jeff has been on tour with bands in the U.S.A. all last month and shares stories about the arcades he didn’t have time to visit, The Instagram Movie Review, AKA 9 year old Max Demarbre (son of Mayfair Theatre co-owner Lee Demarbre) gives his 2 cents about the video game themed film “PIXELS”, Wizard Jennilee has drawn us another fantastic colouring page, fans of poutine will dig the extra spicy TARG Pin-Up this month and of course Yogi’s Perogram has all the info you need to navigate the stellar line-up of concerts we have planned for August.

Grab yer copy at the arcade or download the PDF version here:




 

Local Albums Reviewed by a Millennial: Monobrow- Big Sky, Black Horse

Loyal Targians, get ready to get out yer pickaxes and stereotypical miner clothes, because MONOBROW have struck gold with their new album!

They have found the perfect balance in a stoner/doom metal album, with equal parts devastatingly heavy sludgy riffs, acoustic interludes, fast pounding riffage to bang yer head to and slow mind bending power to (still) bang yer head to (slowly of course). Every moment on this album becomes instantly memorable, and after a single listen you will recall every riff. MONOBROW is a three piece stoner/doom metal band hailing from our very own town of Ottawa, who are also an entirely instrumental group. I have heard some complain due to the lack of vocals, but I think this is the path for groups playing in this style. Vocals in stoner metal were never the high point of the genre, and could feel out of place if too aggressive (for example, the barked chanting on SLEEP’s DOPESMOKER) or could feel passive and too laid back, and out of place or inactive.

The riffs on this album, simply put, are amazing. They can sound absolutely massive, but also sound simply beautiful and can put you in a trance. The lack of vocals actually is, once again, an asset in this case, as when you close your eyes, all manner of images, from mammoths crushing mountains beneath their hooves (do mammoths have hooves? Eh, whatever) to wizards enchanting forests will circulate in your mind, and with the intriguing & mysterious song titles you are free to conjure up whatever mental images are inspired. THESE MOUNTAINS DON’T WANT US HERE is easily one of the best song titles I’ve ever heard, and when listening to that particular song I can simply let MONOBROW lead me down a road of wonder to a riff filled land.

Some stoner metal ( and especially doom metal) bands often have song writing that will not be very varied at all, and will simply follow one path and end up overstaying its welcome by becoming long and monotonous. MONOBROW never commits this fatal sin and, as mentioned before, can, without directly telling stories with vocals, can fill you with many different emotions and will keep you interested throughout the album.


In conclusion, MONOBROW have conjured up a masterpiece of stoner metal, and I urge anyone with the ability to seek it out,listen to it immediately, and support yer local stoner wizards!

- FELIX THE MILLENNIAL

SEE MONOBROW LIVE AT HOUSE OF TARG - FRI JULY 31 with ELECTRIC MAGMA & REX HECK


IT’S PINBALL SUMMER: The July Issue of TARG Zine is Out!

IN THIS ISSUE:
Felix is now one year wiser and has a great review of CROSS DOG’s new record, the folks at Beau’s All Natural have some more video game, beer & Ottawa music history facts to make you appear smarter in their Beau-lieve It Or Not column, Slo’ Tom settles the “who is the coolest Runaway” debate, Monty from Ottawa Punk Pinball reviews the new Stern KISS machine, Prepare Thy Mount - big news about some new games coming to TARG, we get poetic with some Arcade Limericks. Curtis treats us to a hilarious new “Adventures of TARG” comic, TOYS R JOSH is back again this month with some insight into the secret lives of superhero action figures, in NOD TO THE ODD we look at some of the most unusual guitars in the world, We celebrate Weird Al with some song parodies we think he would have written if he lived in Ottawa, DJ KJMAXX!! has hand drawn some classic Canadian Rock Band logos you can colour, Ottawa’s wacky funk metal heads CRITICULL are the July pin up, Wizard Jennilee made a crazy Judas Priest inspired colouring page PLUS everything you need to know about this months amazing line-up of shows can be found in Yogi’s PEROGRAM.
Drop by the arcade this weekend to grab you copy.
For the impatient:


ISSUE #15 - THE JUNE TARG ZINE

June is here and that means  OTTAWA EXPLOSION WEEKEND is just around the corner. For the uninitiated, OXW is an annual indie/DIY music festival that has it’s roots in the parking lot of the old TARG. 8 years later it’s a 5 day affair featuring 100 bands at 6 of Ottawa’s finest venues. We interviewed the OXW organizers to bring you up to speed.  

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
the June Wizard of the month is a new staffer that has all the right buttons, Young Felix reviews the new NAPALM DEATH Album, our pals at Beau’s All Natural introduce a new mildly useless facts column called BEAU-LIEVE IT OR NOT, our advice expert Slo’ Tom handles some of your pressing questions about Fake Instruments, Ripple Potato Chips & the Darkside of the Moon, Monty from Ottawa Punk Pinball tells about the Allentown Pennsylvania PINFEST, we countdown the 5 highest grossing arcade games of all time, Yogi provides you with everything you need to know about the June concerts at TARG in this months Perogram, Ska Jeff reveals the local bands he is most excited to see at Ottawa Explosion Weekend in his Hi Fives column, Curtis gives us another hilarious Adventures of TARG comic, Perogi Wizard Will lets us into the furtive world of Charged Hair in this months STEP BY STEP, we take a look at some of the most unusual band merchandise out there in NOD TO THE ODD, Local punk legend Chris Page shares a pinball related tour story and lets us look at his 30year old KISS ARMY membership card and Wizard Jennilee will have you reaching for every single crayon to complete her Pride themed colouring page.  

Pick one up at TARG this weekend or download the PDF version here:



The May Issue of TARG ZINE is Out.

We are proud to bring you the May issue of TARG zine but there is a small problem… the cover is so wicked you might not even read past page one. Ottawa based animator/painter Ian Jeans (Beavis & Butthead, Racoons, Mission Hill, Ed, Edd and Eddy) kindly allowed us to use his fascinating painting “Arcade”. So Amazing! 

IN THIS ISSUE: Young Felix gives a glowing review of a new EP by Canada’s best metal band, Slo’ Tom has some excellent snow tire advice (just in time for the season), Ian Jeans takes over the “Step By Step” column and shares some drawing wizardy secrets, results from the 3rd IFPA sanctioned Punk Pinball Tournament, a fantastic interview with Toronto’s PUP, Ska Jeff counts down his fave games gone ’toon TV series (plus we retired ubiquitous Ska Jeff corpse paint photo - get a load of the new snapshot), Jennilee's May colour page will blow up you mind with lasers, we have some unusual consumer products that have to be seen to believed in our new “Nod to the Odd” column, get a blast from the past with local artist Petr Maur’s photos of TARG’s very first day of operation way back in April 2014, Josh MacKay shares some news from the pinball world in his Ottawa Pinblog article plus Yogi’s Perogram has all the information you need about this months stellar line-up of shows. Come play with us, let us feed you and grab yer May issue of TARG zine at the arcade.


TARG Year One Anniversary Week: Wed April 15 - Sun April 19

Thanks for playing Ottawa. We made it through YEAR ONE with your amazing support & now it's time to party. We have an amazing week of shows planned to help celebrate plus a few little extras here & there to show our appreciation for your patronage. 


WED APRIL 15

HOURS: 9pm - 2am
CONCERT:
We have a special $5 Punk show lined up featuring THE MOTHERFUCKERS from Calgary + Machine Gun Dolly + Slim & Popular + Dead Peasants Revolt + Shootin' Blanx. Get More Info.

FUN STUFF:
YEAR ONE T-Shirts - we will be unveiling our limited edition TARG YEAR ONE t-shirts. Same awesome logo on the front but the back lists every band (337 of em') and every game (71 & counting) we have had at the arcade so far. Get 'em while they're hot and show the world where you play!

THURSDAY APRIL 16

HOURS: 5pm - 2am
Family friendly & no cover charge between 5pm & 9pm.

CONCERT:
Super mega SKA Dance party with performances by SUITS 'N TOQUES + BLACK MASK BRIGADE. DOUBLE D SOUNDSYSTEM'S DARREN DROUIN + DOUBLE BARREL'S DJ MAGNIFICENT EDWARDS with be at the turntables spinning classic ska, rocksteady and reggae jams all night long. Break a sweat & cut a rug. Get More Info.

FUN STUFF:
Hot Dogs & Giant Beers - At the stroke of midnite a giant mountain of FREE hot dogs (& veggie dogs) will appear... lovingly prepared by culinary misfits Wizard Yogi & Bearded Wizard. You can wash 'em down with $7 Giant bottles of PBR.

FRIDAY APRIL 17

HOURS: 5pm - 2am
Family friendly between & no cover charge between 5pm & 9pm.

CONCERT:
Some of Canada's best rock n roll including a headlining performance by PUBLIC ANIMAL (feat legendary guitarist/producer IAN BLURTON) with guests MOTHERS CHILDREN (Ottawa) and FIRST BASE (Toronto). Get More Info.

FUN STUFF:
New Perogi - Farewell Kraut Perogi, hello new perogi - we don't want to spoil the surprise about our latest menu offering & LEEK too much info but it's gonna be SWEET. Join us between 5pm - 10:30pm for this special perogi launch dinner.
To Bean or Not to Bean - there is no question cause our Wizard Momma will be serving up her famous Jean's Beans at midnite. Expect the nite to be extra musical.
Challenge a Wizard - If you recognize a TARG Wizard hanging out by the machines challenge them to a friendly game & you might get a prize & serious arcade tips.

SAT APRIL 18

HOURS: 11am - 2am
Brunch runs from 11am - 3pm and we are family friendly until 9pm. Stop by for an afternoon pint and let our machines entertain your kids - that's how you do Arcade Babysitting #parentingTip.

CONCERT:
Record release show for local surf weirdo wizards THE REVERB SYNDICATE. We are looking forward to seeing their newest robot member… Commodore 64 perform. also on the bill, Canada's first band The Sir John A. Macdonalds + Randy Shenanigans. Get More Info.

FUN STUFF:
Old Skool Home Console Lab - Yep we will have some vintage video games on hand for you try out for free. Take a trip down memory lane or try some oddities you have only heard tales of.

SUN APRIL 19

HOURS: 11am - 2am
Brunch runs from 11am - 3pm and we are family friendly until 9pm.

PINBALL TOURNAMENT - Starts at 12pm - all ages and skill levels welcome. Get More Info.
Toughen 1UP FREEPLAY SUNDAY - Our favourite nite of the week. Things get free at 9pm. Get more Info.

FUN STUFF
Free Late Nite Popcorn - courtesy of our pals across the street at The Mayfair Theatre will be supplying some delicious popcorn through out the nite in case any of FreePlayers get snacky.
Local Cult Classics on the big screen:  We will also be projecting Harry Knuckles & the Aztec Mommy, Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter & Harry Knuckles & the Pearl Necklace…. After the Sens game of course.
More Pinball Machines? - Yep we are gonna cram in 3 more pinball classics including Star Trek The Next Generation. They will only be around on Sunday so come check em out.
 

The April YEAR ONE Issue Of TARG Zine Has Landed!

The cover of this months special anniversary zine features every band (337) who has played the TARG stage and every game we have had on location (71). We wanted to show our appreciation to all those talented musician who entertained us and to all you TARGians who are so passionate about the arcade. #ThanksForPlaying.

IN THIS ISSUE:
Young Felix reviews “Blessed Black Wings” by HIGH ON FIRE (+ his profile pic has been updated to reflect the hard work he has been doing on his hair), Fats from rockandrolljunkie.com reveals the legend of the TARG stage curtains, Slo’ Tom shares his fave Ottawa locations to take a dump, Obi-Wan has some sage arcade advice in the Josh’R’Toys segment, Ska Jeff (same profile pic) counts down the best YEAR ONE gigs at TARG, there’s a new Wizard Challenge for you and yer friends to tackle, Yogi tells you everything you need to know about the jam packed April concert calendar, Miss Pussycat (of QUINTRON) tells us how to make a puppet friend STEP BY STEP, huge news about our menu & game line up, there's also a list of TARG’s greatest hits and misses so far and how we plan to celebrate our YEAR ONE anniversary this month. Pick up your copy at the arcade or download the PDF here:


A Record Review of my New Record by Me: B.A. Johnston

Remember that song ACDC did about thunder or Back in Black or something and how it kinda sounded like their other song about Dirty Deeds or like TNT or something....

Well my new record SHIT SUCKS is kinda like that. Songs about dump bears and discounted garlic bread sounding kinda like my songs about being a geriatric old man and ditties about my crappy cat. Not as good as STAIRWAY TO HAMILTON but not as bad as THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND.

Seems as though I at least had the good sense to enlist a whose who of Canadian Music. Paid for by Mother’s Bingo Winnings and the lure of Free Whoppers, (album was recorded on Whopper Wed), it has Mike Oneill producing (Inbreds), as well as Nathan Doucet (Crosss) and Adam Mowery (Grubbies) playing various instruments and crud on it. Which helps.

If you liked My old compact discs chances are you won’t hate this one, If you hated my old compact discs you will probably still hate this one. You might not but it seems unlikely. You could still order it to see if you hate it but there are no refunds and then you would just be stuck with it, until you can unload it on your juggalo cousin you get as Secret Santa next Dec.

I will give my new album 2.5 perogies out of 5.

I will give my new album 2.5 perogies out of 5.

 


TARG ZINE ISSUE #12 - MARCH

OK it’s the start of the month and as promised we have issue #12 of TARG Zine ready for you.


This month... your eyeballs will receive a fantastic SESAME STREET/POINTER SISTERS inspired cover beautifully illustrated by DJ KJ MAXX!. 15 year old FELIX & Director of Record Reviews, shares his thoughts about DIRTY RAIN by FLYING FORTRESS, YOGI  has curated an insane line-up of shows, all of which are described in this months PEROGRAM, read on to learn what Josh’s toys are up to & what our Wizard of the Month has to say about hangover prevention techniques. B.A. Johnston reviews his own record, Slo’ Tom offers up some wisdom in his advice column, SKA Jeff shares his top 5 punk covers by a metal band, ZOLTARG the discount astrologic fortune teller reads your stars, the PINBALL SOLUTIONS column will make you a better FISH TALES player & Jennilee gets mega Zen with this months colouring page + a bunch more stuff. Drop by TARG to get your copy or download the PDF here.