Startlefish and the birth of Mr. West

This Saturday, December 17 is the last day Craig West can officially call himself young.

That's right, on December 18 the guitarist, lead singer and primary songwriter for local band Startlefish crosses that threshold to 'over 35'.

To celebrate, the old guy is bringing out the band to gig it up at Loplop Lounge and Gallery.

"I really wanted to perform with the band at least once over the holidays and December 17 is the night before my 36th birthday," says West. "This seemed synchronous and I am actually rather looking forward to the show."

So come out and buy West a prune juice or something before the hair sprouts in his ears the next morning.

It's bound to be an entertaining show.

"We have a few new songs ready to try out for the first time, and we are learning a few new cover tunes as well," says West. "We will pick the best of the old stuff, and I hope it will be a good show."

Gig time is 9:30 p.m. and there isn't even a cover charge to watch West slip over the hill at midnight.

Words get naked before gig

Also on Saturday night at Loplop Lounge and Gallery, there will be a spoken word event from 7 to 9 p.m.

The Naked Word features writer Valerie Senyk from Laurentian University and is hosted by Algoma University's Dr. Alanna Bondar.

There is a cover charge of $3.00 for The Naked Word.