For Ottawans looking to escape the structured sounds of mainstream music, the Improvising Musicians of Ottawa/Outaouais (IMOO) festival runs Friday, Oct 5 and Saturday, Oct 6 at Club Saw.

IMOOFEST 2012 will feature ab-libbed performances by eight musicans, including Lori Freedman and festival co-founder Craig Pedersen. 

Renée Yoxon, communications director for the fest, says IMOO strives to include people from all backgrounds.

"Since our music is on the fringe, we tend to attract a very diverse crowd," Yoxon says. "Our organizing members and invited performers are all strong allies, and we are an LGBTQ-friendly organization."

IMOO nights are usually held biweekly on the first and third Sundays of the month at Umi Café.

Tickets range from $15 for a one-day pass to $100, which gets the buyer a compilation CD and T-shirt. Organizers are also accepting $250 and $500 donations, which come with many more perks.

IMOO

Fri, Oct 5 and Sat, Oct 6

Club Saw

67 Nicholas St 

Visit the official site for more details.

After enduring Billy Crystal's dated drollery at last year's Academy Awards, Oscar watchers can rejoice at today's announcement that Seth MacFarlane will host the 2013 show.

"We are thrilled to have Seth MacFarlane host the Oscars," Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, the openly queer production team behind the Oscars, say in a joint statement to the LA Times. "His performing skills blend perfectly with our ideas for making the show entertaining and fresh."

This will be a step up for MacFarlane, who has hosted several Comedy Central roasts in the past. MacFarlane is best known for creating Family Guy and, one of my favourite shows, American Dad. In addition to creating the animated programs, MacFarlane voices several characters, including an alien with gay tendencies, American Dad's Roger Smith.

The Oscars air Feb 24. 

Seth MacFarlane as Roger Smith montage.