Friday, Nov. 13
Last week we had Halloween, this week it’s Friday the 13th. Boo!
SES Carny performs a sideshow at the Tattoo Festival
The Ottawa Tattoo Festival brings artists from across Canada and the world to ink and share their techniques, including legends Aaron Bell, Brian Everrett, Sailor Jerry Swallow, Robin Labreche and Skintricate Tattoo, among others including actor Robert Lasardo, performers Gutter Demons and Danny Duke and burlesque troupe The Royals, 5 p.m., Hilton Casino Lac Leamy. Engaged in Ink will also be filming. Tickets: $17 to $90. ottawatattooexpo.com
Homes for the Holidays 2015 tour lets us visit eight beautiful homes in Rockcliffe to Kanata, seasonally decorated by local florists and designers — from whom we can borrow a few ideas, also including a gingerbread builder’s bake-off and Holiday Pop-Up Shop at the residence of the ambassador from Ireland, to benefit Hospice Care Ottawa, Ticket booklets: $50, allowing access over the three days and map indicating all locations. www.hospicecareottawa.ca
Get a space-costume ready for the BoobyBall, now in Ottawa.
Or, let your inner geek out at the sci-fi themed BoobyBall party, a now four-city fundraising event to support Re-think Breast Cancer programs targeting younger women, where storm trooper, alien and Judy Jetson costumes will fit right in, 8 p.m., Lansdowne HorticultureBuilding. Tickets: $100, includes complimentary bar services, gift bag and more. boobyball.rethinkbreastcancer.com
The Citizen’s bird columnist Bruce DiLabio will talk on the changes to bird life in Eastern Ontario — from Turkey Vulture to Red-headed Woodpecker — over the past 50 years at a fundraising dinner and silent auction for the charity Missisippi Land Trust, that has already conserved over 2,400 acres of land to the west of Ottawa, 6 p.m., Almonte Civitan Club, 500 Almonte St. (We are told most of the silent auction items are getaways — so good for us all.) Tickets: $40, dress: casual. 613-278-2939.
Charming scientist and illusionist Luc Langevin brings his popular show back to Salle Odyssée at 8 p.m. Tickets: $55-$59. salleodyssee.ca
The beer and snacks are free, as is the inspiration at the creative series Shoufen, where tonight Toronto artist Brad Tinmouth will talk about his use of sustainable systems — often including plants — in his pieces, 7 p.m., Jackpine, 704 Somerset St. W. Cost: Nothing.
For something different, TACTICS Theatre has two new shows by Ottawa artists on: (off)Balance is a play about finding equilibrium when being defined by a diagnosis, and dance-piece Feelers looks at how notions of the ‘sexual female’ and ‘unemotional male’ fit in the experience of street harassment, 8 p.m., until Nov. 21, Arts Court. Tickets: $20-$25. artscourt.ca
And it is Friday, so we need some music.
Firstly, eclectic, dramatic Canadian rock/cabaret star Hawksley Workman wants you to bring warm, unworn socks to the Bronson Centre tonight — he is collecting them for shelters while on tour with his new, oddly-pop albeit still typically-raw album, Old Cheetah, 8 p.m. Tickets: $32.50 + warm socks, please. www.spectrasonic.com
Then, it is the first of the two-night “Surf and Turf Music Festival” at House of Targ, starting with surf and instro from The Men in Grey Suits, The Reverb Syndicate and Randy Shenanigans, 10 p.m. (Tomorrow it is “turf” with garage rock from The Connection, The Lord Almightys, and the Sir John A Macdonalds.) Tickets: $10. www.houseoftarg.com
Acclaimed rock-blues singer-songwriter David Gogo releases his 14th studio album, Vicksberg Blues, much-anticipated by critics and fans, with a show at The Rainbow Bistro, 9 p.m. Tickets: $12. therainbow.ca
As we anticipate the new Star Wars release in December, the music from epic movies — Ben-Hur, The Lord of the Rings, Titanic — will be played live by the NAC Orchestra, conducted by Jack Everly, 8 p.m., NAC. (The show is on for three nights, and on Nov. 13, a unique silent auction with items from across Canada and the world will be held in the foyer of the NAC to benefit music education programs for young people from the Friends of the NAC.) Tickets: from $25. nac-cna.ca
Photos: What to do this week
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Concerts: The 10 gigs to see this week
Saturday, Nov. 14
The Ottawa Pet Expo welcomes your pets — any kind, but a waiver must be signed — to the EY Centre, where there will also be a cat café, diving dogs trying to top records and a lure course open for all to attempt, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: $13 in advance, $15 at the door, with $2 going to the Humane Society. Free parking on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.ottawapetexpo.ca
Santa arrives at Carlingwood Mall with a parade, including a marching band, princesses and princes, starting at the Fêtes en Boîtes at 1 p.m., circling the inside of the mall, and then open for visits from 2 to 8 p.m. (Silent Santa hours for children with autusm sopectrum disorders will be held Sundays from 8 to 9:30 a.m.) For hours and events, visit www.carlingwood.com
The CKCU 40th anniversary Gala is tonight
Any of us who have spent time in the city have a connection or memory involving CKCU radio and its myriad shows (mine shall not make it to print), and all of us — including alumnus, volunteers and admirers, are invited to a Gala 40th anniversary celebration, 6 p.m., Oliver’s, Carleton University. Tickets: $40 in advance or at the door, includes a pair of drinks and the dinner buffet — also, “to both rock and roll.” ckcufm.com
The Ottawa Sikh Society is holding a Blood Drive for the Canadian Blood Services today, in fidelity with Guru Tegh Bahadur who was martyred standing up or freedom of religion in the 15th century, to give support to others in need, 10 a.m. to noon, 1575 Carling Ave. Shuttle buses are available from the Gurdwara, place of worship, 25 Gurdwara Rd. facebook.com
There are swag bags for the first 50 shoppers at the Finders Keepers holiday show, featuring handcrafted goods from across the region, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Carleton Place Canoe Club. Admission: $2 for the Snowsuit Fund. www.finderskeeperscraftshow.com
The First Unitarian Church claims they are throwing the biggest church fair in the city, and Facebook comments seem to support the claim, with homemade preserves, gently used household items and furniture and more on offer, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 30 Cleary Ave. www.firstunitarianottawa.ca
Be still my pre-teen heart: 80’s new wave synth pop sensation Howard Jones will perform his hits and share the stories behind them in an intimate performance, 8 p.m., Zaphod Beeblebrox, Tickets: $40. zaphods.ca
Meanwhile, the Giggle and Stomp show is designed by the NAC Orchestra for the actually-young, aged three to eight years, with inclusive storytelling and a chance to dance, 4 p.m., Shenkman Arts Centre. Tickets: $12.50-$17.50, $54/family. A free craft and play time begins at 3 p.m., included for all ticket holders. shenkmanarts.ca
Roots-rockers Sheman Downey and “balladeer” Matthew Byrne are joining Newfoundlander forces for a cozy night of music at The Black Sheep Inn, 8:30 p.m., Tickets: $10. theblacksheepinn.com
Sunday, Nov. 15
Basking Blue by Reid Flock is part of the 260 Fingers ceramics exhibit on Nov. 14 to 15.
It’s a day for art exhibits, starting with a free buffet brunch at the annual and understandably-popular Sandy Hill One & Only artisan fair, (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sandy Hill Community Centre, sandyhillsoneandonly.blogspot.ca); at the Glebe Community Centre, 26 ceramic artists show what their 260 Fingers have made — some practical and some for beauty (10 a.m to 5 p.m., www.260fingers.ca); and there are new and returning artists at 13 different spots participating in the Red Trillium Studio Tour in West Carleton all weekend (10 a.m. to 5 p.m., map at www.redtrilliumst.com). For those seeking some unique jewellery for themselves or a loved one, seven Montreal-based creators will be in attendance at their exhibit at L.A. Pay Gallery (vernissage 1 to 5 p.m., 13 Murray St. lapaigallery.com).
NB: Chef Peter Evanchuk, who makes the buffet for the One & Only Artisan Fair, has recently undergone radiation treatment for recurring cancer so, while there will still be the buffet, it might not have the proliferation of options of past years.
As part of Holocaust Education Month, there is a free screening of the documentary “There Once Was …,” following a Hungarian teacher as she uncovered what occurred to the Jewish population of her small town, 3:30 p.m. Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Dr., co-sponsored by the Embassy of Hungary and the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. The director and Holocaust survivor Gabor Kalmanm will lead a Q&A after the film.
Waxed poetic before, I have, about Montreal band Esmerine and Ottawa duo The Visit, both who perform what may be best terms “chamber rock” with dream sensibilities, perfect for a chilly autumn afternoon in Wakefield, 4:20 p.m., The Black Sheep Inn, 753 Riverside Dr., Wakefield. Tickets: $10 in advance. theblacksheepinnn.com
Toronto Ukrainian folk group the Canadian Bandurist Capella, a 40-member male choir accompanied by musicians on the 65-string bandura — a traditional Cossack, stringed instrument producing a harp-like sound, 3 to 6 p.m., in the beautiful surroundings of the National Gallery. Tickets: $30, $20./students.
Zaphod Beeblebrox’s eclectic, Sunday “night of stupidity” Trailer Park Bingo is celebration its 6th birthday with extra prizes — other special nights have included vacations to Cuba! — and unpredictable fun, 9 p.m., until late, 27 York St. Tickets: Free! zaphods.ca
Monday, Nov. 16
The December Man is a dramatic, sometimes humorous, look at the effect of the 1989 Montreal Massacre.
The award-winning play The December Man opens tonight with a pay-what-you-can performance, looking at the guilt a student survivor of the Montreal Massacre feels and the lengths his parents will go to to stop him becoming completely unglued — with humour, and even the mundane. It is an examination of the effects public violence has on the community, with mature themes and strong language, opening at 8 p.m., NAC. Show on to Nov. 28. nac-cna.ca
Also at the NAC, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra performs the suite from Prokofiev’s satirical opera Love for Three Oranges, as well as the world premiere of Andrew MacDonald’s tenor saxophone concerto The Orchid Garden — making an elaborate corsage or boutonnière seem in order, starting with a pre-concert chat in the mezzanine at 7:15 p.m, concert at 8 p.m. Tickets: From $36. www.ottawasymphony.com
Project FeederWatch is on and they need you, and your family, to count birds in your yard and log them at www.birdscanada.org/pfw until April 8, 2016. All across Canada and the United States are invited to participate in this important joint study by Bird Studies Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (Last year, the scientists noted a bump in bird activity across Canada; will there be more this year?) Entry fee: $35, includes membership, instruction handbook, calendar and a poster.
Tuesday Nov. 17
One of the great chamber music institutions, the Juilliard String Quartet, founded in 1946 at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, is touring as part of its 70th anniversary and is stopping at the National Gallery to play seminal pieces by such as Schubert, Debussy and Elliot Carter, 7:30 p.m. It may also be the last chance to hear cellist J0el Krosnick, a member of the quartet for more than 40 years, who is retiring in 2016. Tickets: $29-$47. www.chamberfest.com
One can actually make two different office-friendly learning opportunities today: from 1 to 4 p.m., tackle social media marketing strategies with Camp Tech, suitable for those who already have Facebook and Twitter accounts for their small business but want to go further (HUB Ottawa, 71 Bank St. Cost: $85, camptech.ca); then tackle all the paper chaos, from manuals to children;s report cards — didn’t computers promise less paper? — with tips from Kathy McEwan (7 to 8:30 .m., The Lab, 455 Churchill Ave. Cost: $10, www.westborobrainery.ca).
Urban Legends Poetry Slam #5 features CauseMo, who won the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word youth portion in 2011, and is now focussing on their awesome love of cats, and four open mic spots, 5:30 p.m.sign up, show starts at 6 p.m. sharp, LIVE on Elgin, 220 Elgin St. Tickets: $7 at the door, free for performers/students.
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Networking for Nerds welcomes nerds of all stripes.
There’s a make-your-own poutine bar at Networking for Nerds, welcoming everyone from game developers, tech folk, engineers and artists of all kinds at this laid-back, user-friendly event including retro video games, trivia and prizes, 6 p.m., Boston Pizza, 521 W. Hunt Club Rd. Dress code: Come-as-you-are — their words, not mine. Tickets: $12 in advance, $16 at the door, includes the aforementioned poutine and veggie bar. Nom. www.eventbrite.ca
Helping others is a great way to spark a love connection, we hear, so Speed-Dating for Charity with the proceeds to go to sponsoring a Syrian refugee family should be a plan for all altruistic, single-and-looking folk, 7 p.m., 651 Somerset St. W. Cost: $30. Register at ottawafunraisers@gmail.com.
MeNa restaurant is holding a four-course dinner with wine pairings inspired by their chef James Bratsberg’s creation for the Gold Medal Plates competition — Kombu-cured scallops with roasted squash, ground cherry umeboshi, pink grapefruit cells with almond squash crumble, 6:45 p.m., 276 Preston St. Tickets: $110. menarestaurant.com
West Palm Beach band Surfer Blood ditched their big label contract to create their latest recording, 1000 Palms, with pals, recording drums in the attic and quiet, surf songs with hard edges, à la Pixies playing at House of Targ, sometime after 10 p.m. Tickets: $13. spectrasonic.com.
Thursday, Nov. 19
The Savvy November wine event is back.
Whether for gifts or drinking under a warm blanket, it’s time to stock up on wines you can’t find at the LCBO at the much-anticipated Outstanding in their Fields event, featuring vineyards from P.E.C., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Beamsville and also including ciders, artisanal gin, vodka and rye and chocolate. Event starts at 5 p.m. for V.I.T. ticketholders (+$95) or 7 p.m. ($70), Summit Room, Ottawa Marriott Hotel, 100 Kent St. www.outstandingsavvyevent.eventbrite.ca
Our food reviewer named Petit Peru’s Leche de tigre one of his best bites of 2014, and their menu will still be available but why stray when they are offering an all-you-can-eat ceviche festival, from noon to 9 p.m. Offerings include fish only, Mixto (fish, squid and shrimps), Aji Amarillo (in yellow pepper sauce), Rocoto (in red pepper sauce) and mixed seafood. Cost: $23 and resverations are required. www.petitperu.com
Here’s a folk-pop treat: Western Canada’s gifted songwriter and folk showman JP Hoe brings his intimate and acclaimed music East, on tour with his new indie-ish record, Hideaway, 7:30 p.m., NAC Fourth Stage. As added bonus, he is playing with soulful and charismatic pop musician Nefe, the stage name of Sarah Jean Felker, who won the SOCAN emerging artist prize in 2014. If you like and remember Tracy Chapman, you will adore her. Tickets: $20. (JP was giving away tickets to see his Ottawa show, but, sadly, they’ve already been claimed.)
For the first time, Scottish Dj and electronic music producer Hudson Mohawke performs in Ottawa, and at the DJ-friendly, intimate Babylon, 10 p.m. Tickets: $17-$22. hudsonmohawke.eventbrite.ca
Friday, Nov. 20
Actor William Shatner is at Pop Expo on Saturday — and at a special event on Friday night.
The man, the legend, William Shatner is in town for Pop Expo this weekend but first, he will be discussing almost 50 years of time on Star Trek and more at a special Q&A, 7:15 p.m. Tickets: $25-$199 — where the most expensive, Gold level tickets include a photo op with Shatner himself (5:45 p.m.), one signed item (6:15 p.m.) and front row seats at the talk, EY Centre. Tickets for the weekend, and the man behind Captain James T. Kirk will make an appearance Saturday, are $15-$51. www.ottawapopexpo.ca
It will be rare to find a weekend without a craft/artisan/art show until the new year. Today, there is an artisan show in the Glebe (175 Third Ave., 6 to 9 p.m. and all weekend, www.gnag.ca) and the Navan Arts and Crafts Group Christmas Craft Fair (5 p.m., Navan Arena, 1295 Colonial Rd.). No admission fee at either.
At this 30th edition of the European Film Festival, every single European country is represented — even Malta — over the 18 days of award-winning films never before seen in Ottawa. Events begin with the unsettling Baby(a)lone (Luxembourg, 2015), about the friendship between two alienated teens, already submitted for Oscar consideration, 7 p.m., Bytowne Cinema. Tickets at www.cfi-icf.ca.
Want to be part of the Canada’s 150th celebration in 2017? Then go to Pitchfest +Expo 2015, bringing businesses, festival organizers and event producers together with arts and culture organizers, not-for-profits and more, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Aberdeen Pavilion. Tickets: $33.90-$107.35, register at www.ottawafestivals.ca.
Here is the antidote to Christmas jingles already being played: Protest the Hero are a surprisingly witty, Canadian hard rock/metal band who are loud and will drown out the seasonal ear worms (7:30 p.m., Bronson Centre, spectrasonic.com); It’s punk with a rock edge — so not as loud but lovely and angry with coherent lyrics —at House of Targ, with The Motorleague, The Dying Arts, Thunderuncle and We Fled Cairo (10 p.m., $8 at the door).
Ottawa’s own nine-member Loon Choir may seem innocent and folkish, starting their new album as they did with a six-minute, beautiful soundscape, but they have an edge, 8:30 p.m., Black Sheep Inn. Tickets: $10 in advance. theblacksheepinn.com
Even Toronto’s acoustic, folk-soul dudes Elliott Brood are in town with their latest recording of intimate stories of lost love, wasted youth and come-uppances. Wallow in it at 9 p.m., Ritual. Tickets: $20. spectrasonic.com
Saturday, Nov. 21
Get ready for winter.
Get ready for the imminent winter (Yay!) at the Mountain Equipment Co-op legendary Snowswap with people exchanging and selling gear, sale of rental equipment and demos of latest gear, alongside ski waxing lessons, intro to snowshoeing, outdoor cooking and running in the North Pole (…. ’cause), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 366 Richmond Rd. events.mec.ca
The Ottawa Seniors Expo has over 50 exhibitors offering the latest offering tips on travel, health, even talks on advanced care planning and downsizing — and a dance event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nepean Sportsplex. Free parking and admission. www.ottawaseniorexpo.com
Armour will be performed by Peggy Baker Dance, at Arts Court Nov. 21 and 22.
Later, Peggy Baker Dance Projects performs two pieces at the Ottawa Dance Directive, including Armour — where two older dancers entangle into each other in a primal act of connection, and coalesce, an exploration of the limitations and nature of communication, 7:30 p.m., Arts Court. Tickets: $20-$25. http://bit.ly/1ljppUf
Pie there will be at the St. Thomas sale.
Attendees are promised their pick of “pies a mile high,” gift baskets and crafts at the Christmas Craft Sale & Luncheon, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., St. Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church, 2345 Alta Vista Dr. Tickets: $10, with all proceeds to the Shriners Hospital for Chidlren — Canada.
Rapport Ottawa is endeavouring to make opera less intimidating and, to that end, are performing one of the most amusing satirical operas, Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, but have written English dialogue for the recitative — so no one is confused about the love potion and its persuasive peddler, the poor man wooing the higher class lady, nor the surprise inheritance and misunderstood lovers. Also, they are setting it in a Vegas casino, completely transforming the venue, Church of St. John the Evangelist, 7:30 p.m., 154 Somerset St. W. Tickets: $20 online, $30 at the door. www.rapportottawa.com
No one should be surprised tonight’s show combining The Barenaked Ladies and Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle is sold out. (If they’d added anyone from Blue Rodeo, Ticketmaster might have disintegrated in the frenzy.) Here are some options for those of us not attending:
Then, Ottawa institution Slo’ Tom plays country with a happy yet slightly-punk sensibility (he used to play with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furnacef