Thursday, Jan. 28
The city is addressing some heavy topics today, though art, discussion and chat:
Going Home Star — Truth and Reconciliation is a traditional ballet piece created through a ten-year collaboration between The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, author Joseph Boyden, composer Christos Hatzis and choreographer Mark Godden, telling the story of two Aboriginal young people as they try to love while dealing with the pain of their past, on for only three nights, 8 p.m., NAC. Tickets: $25-$106. nac-cna.ca
A discussion with experts about youth mental health will follow a screening of the movie, suitable for parents and their teens, To Write Love on Her Arms, starring Kat Dennings, about a girl who struggles with depression, drugs and abuse, 7:30 p.m., Shenkman Arts Centre. Tickets: $10-$20, with funds going towards efforts in youth suicide prevention and mental health care. shenkmanarts.ca
Scene from documentary On the Bride’s Side
Look at the refugee crisis from an inside view at a one-night screening of On The Bride’s Side, a documentary following an effort to move five refugees across Europe to safe haven by dressing them up as members of a wedding party, hosted by the One World Film Festival, 6:45 p.m., ByTowne Cinema. The screening will be followed by a discussion about the refugee crisis in Syria. Tickets: $12. oneworldfilmfestival.ca
Writers, learn how to get published outside of the traditional modes at an event hosted by the Ottawa Independent Writers group, looking at everything from the stages of editing to printing options and cover design, 6:30 p.m., Good Companions Centre, 670 Albert St. Cost: $10. oiw.ca
The Ask Women Anything informal speaking series resumes with writer and transgender, mental health activist Amanda Jette Knox, the woman behind award-winning The Maven of Mayhem blog, who will talk about writing, raising kids and anything else that comes up, 7 p.m., Pressed, 750 Gladstone Ave. facebook.com
Friday, Jan. 29
Two women get their picture taken during the opening day of Winterlude at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau Saturday January 31, 2015.
Winterlude gets started as early as 8 a.m. when sculptors will be carving, live, from blocks of ice in Confederation Park, with activities such as intro to downhill skiing, sliding, kids’ games at Jacques Cartier Park and skating at the Rink of Dreams (whatever shape the canal is in), but the real party gets started at 7 p.m. with music from Insolita, Gregory Charles and DJ Mini and VJ Sasha V, 7 p.m., Confederation Park. Cost: Free! www.winterlude.gc.ca
The whole family can learn how to curl (remember how surprisingly exciting curling was to watch at the Olympics?) on the skating court at Lansdowne Park, 4 to 8 p.m. on Fridays, and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. until Feb. 14, courtesy the City of Ottawa. Just bring some warm clothes, friends and a fun attitude. ottawa.ca
Festibière de Gatineau, runs Jan. 29 to 30.
Tonight the two-day Festibiére launches in Gatineau with over 100 craft brews from Quebec and Ontario to try, this time inside the Great Hall of the Museum of History, though there will still be an outdoor bonfire, taffy in the snow and “warm beer” on offer, and a show tonight from O.S.N. (There will also be gourmet appetizers which, we are told, reference the Vikings exhibition on at the museum, so .. gravlax?). Show is on from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.. Tickets: $15. $25/door for Saturday and Sunday — includes souvenir glass but not samples; workshops/$10. festibiere.ca
Then just down the road, Nature Nocturne takes a Chinese twist with a Lunar New Year Theme as the Museum of Nature turns into a big night club, with DJs TDot, Katrella spinning in different rooms, a karaoke lounge with the irrepressible China Doll and some hands-on fun. (It’s the year of the mischievous Monkey — but it starts on Feb. 8.) Tickets: $25, and alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase. nature.ca
This seems like more than enough to be getting on with this Friday. However, for those who need to let off some steam with some music, we have three suggestions:
• Young Rival are a Hamilton-based, young, unabashedly blue-collar garage band with Mersey-beat/surf flair and serious party cred, all combining to make for a great Friday night, 10 p.m., House of Targ. Tickets: $8. spectrasonic.com
• 20-year-old Lucas DiPasquale from Toronto is getting a bit of steam for his pop/dancehall originals after his mash-ups on YouTube came to the attention of Popcaan and his legion of fans, 9 p.m., The Rainbow. Tickets: $10. therainbow.ca
• The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer regularly slays audiences with their modern, gritty, so-inadvertently-sexy-you’d-ignore-Mr.-Darcy-in-a-wet-shirt blues — but otherwise, the Vancouver duo are much more harmless than their name sounds, 8:30 p.m., The Black Sheep Inn. Tickets: $12. theblacksheepinn.com
Saturday, Jan. 30
Skaters make their along the Rideau Canal Skateway during the 32nd annual Winterlude Triathlon in Ottawa on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015.
Winterlude gets a bit competitive today, with the 33rd annual triathlon starting at 8 a.m., with participants skating 8 km, cross-country sking 5 km and running 5 km, at 8 a.m. on the Rideau Canal; then the family-friendly Polar Hero puts participants through a 5-kilometre, 25-obstacle course starting every 20 minutes from 9 a.m. at Lansdowne Park. (Of course, there are other more leisurely things to enjoy, too, such as hot beverages and BeaverTails.) winterlude.gc.ca
Make one of these at Tools 101.
There’s a free swag bag for the first 500 visitors at the Be Fit, Eat Right, Go Green theme at the 10th Ottawa Health and Wellness Expo, featuring over 100 local vendors and talks by Food Network personality Janet Podleski and the “best naturopathic doctor” in his community, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Shenkman Arts Centre. Admission: $7, free for children 12 years and under. ottawahealthandwellnessexpo.com
Novice tool users can become experts (or at least less dangerous to self) at the Ottawa ToolLibrary Tools 101 workshop, where each participant will successfully make their own wooden candle holder, 1 to 4 p.m., 250 City Centre Ave., Bay 216. Cost: $59.85. http://bit.ly/1OX5Tou
Prodigal son Tom Green returns to the city — and school — that helped kick-start his comedy and talk show career, as part of an ongoing, traditional stand-up tour that we understand is more thoughtful albeit still ridiculous, with explicit language and his trademark lack of regard for any sacred cows (just without the squawking like a bird or running about in underwear). He’s accompanied by buddy and opener, Hamilton comedian Patrick Coppolino (@patcoppolino) and has plans to spend a few days visiting with friends, making a few of his regular podcasts — so expect some Tom Green sightings, possible at Beau’s where they make his very own beer. 8 p.m., Algonquin Commons Theatre, 1385 Woodroffe Ave. Tickets: $25-$35. www.algonquinsa.com
Get a peek into the little-seen Japan of the mid-1800s at a special exhibit.
Rare scenes of mid-19th Century Japan are on display at an exhibit of photos taken by Canadian missionary John Cooper Robinson, one of the first foreigners allowed to capture the country’s daily life as it began to re-open its doors to international trade, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Embassy of Japan. The exhibit continues to Feb. 14. www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp
Celebrate the Scandinavian legacy of combining the humourous with the sinister in fairy tales at a screening of The Parson’s Widow, a silent, 1920 film accompanied with live music performed by the St. Matthew’s Chidlren’s Choirs including Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite and a traditional Swedish wedding march, 7 p.m., St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, 130 Glebe Ave. Admission: Freewill offering. www.stmatthewsottawa.ca
Russian gypsy Trio Loyko were in Toronto participating in a recording of rediscovered Yiddish songs for the University of Toronto, so thought they would make a return to Ottawa (they last played here in 2007) for a show sure to warm the blood, 7:30 p.m., Woodroffe United Church. Tickets: $45, $35/seniors/students, free for children 12 and under. www.loyko.net
There will be some country-heat generated at a rollickin’ night of fun with Slo’ Tom and the Handsome Devils, performing with the help of The Rifle and the Writer, 9 p.m., Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank St. Tickets: $10. irenespub.ca
Venus Envy, one of the more popular spots to buy *ahem*-toys or take a workshop on pleasuring your partner (or yourself) is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a pa-a-a-a-arty, with “sweet beats” from DJs Sarita, Aga, MC Straightedge, Marshia Celina and Magnificent, 10:30 p.m. until the wee hours, Babylon, 317 Bank St. Admission: $7 in advance, $10 at the door, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds, with proceeds going to their scholarship fund. venusenvy.ca
Sunday, Jan. 31
All hands are needed to help reclaim our Guinness Record for most snowmen/people built in an hour (we held it for a few days last February, until some folk in Japan snatched it away by a measly 737 extra figures), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., TD Place. Join a team and also raise funds for local mental health initiatives at this joint Winterlude, Crackin’ Up the Capital Comedy festival fee event, open to all ages but donations and fundraising is welcome and registration is required. (The goal is 3,000 figures — each three-feet tall, with two eyes, a nose and two arms, according to regulations.) Decorations should be brought along and all mitts, scarves and hats left on the figures will be donated to those in need, locally. www.crackup.ca
The winner of Winterlude’s international Ice Carving competition will be announced sometime this afternoon at Confederation Park, so head down to watch the teams put the finishing touches to their creations (did you know there is a group from Iraq competing this year?). Also, don’t forget there is a free Sno-Bus shuttle service between the three Winterlude locations each weekend (and Family Day) from 10 a.m. winterlude.gc.ca
Cornbread waffles, deep-fried sweet potato pie (and a vegan platter) are among the Detroit soul food delights offered by Chef LeRoy Ceo every Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting today at Share Freehouse, 327 Somerset St. W.
Stylist Erica Wark
Both the irrepressibly chic and wannabes are welcome at the 5th Revive Your Style event, where stylist Erica Wark (The Social, ETalk, Marilyn Denis Show) will showcase spring’s hottest trends and how to wear them, alongside treats, bubbly, and beauty tips, to benefit the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, 1 to 4 p.m., Sala San Marco, 215 Preston St. Tickets: $40-$80. ottawacancer.kintera.org/reviveyourstyle
Knitters are wanted for a sip and stitch event, to help in the creation of 25,000 tuques (Canada-wide, but why not aim high locally?) as part of a handmade, warm welcome to the refugees coming to Canada, through the Welcome Box project, 3 to 6 p.m., Pressed. Knitters should bring their own yarn and tools, music will be provided by DJs Lamb Rabbitt, Eric Roberts and Johnny Yuma.
All-ages can swap records at a special, vinyl-only House of Targ event, though the event becomes 19+ at 9 p.m. when the free-play pinball/arcade games begin for a $5 fee (sorry, minors). www.houseoftarg.com
This is improv with a twist, where it is not just scenes created by the players of Elgin Street Improv from audience suggestions, but a short Story of My Life! around a spontaneously created character — mostly with comedic results, but sometimes with moments of pathos, 7:30 p.m., LIVE on Elgin. Tickets: $7 at the door.
Monday, Feb. 1
Monday, on occasion, seems to require both yoga and beer.
The yoga on tap event includes a 16-ounce beer, a brewery tour, snacks and one hour of yoga — it’s not clear which comes first — at different breweries around town, but tonight at the Clocktower Brewpub, 7 to 9 p.m. (The organizers also offer some amusing tips on developing a “mindful drinking practice“.) Cost: $25, but own yoga mat required. www.yogaontap.ca
Algonquin College’s scriptwriting students’ hothouse reading series is back, a chance to possibly catch the (possibly?) next big play for only $5 — with free parking, as read by professional actors, 7:30 p.m., Studio Theatre, N112, 1285 Woodroffe Ave. (Other editions will run March 7 and April 4.) facebook.com
Metal bands with a hankering for the sun should apply to be part of Brutal Summer Fest Tour, a seven-date tour across Cuba with up to six other international bands. The selection of the Canadian band starts with competition shows in Ottawa (and Oshawa, Montreal, Quebec, Fredericton and Moncton). The deadline is Feb. 10, 11:59 p.m. EST and details can be found here: www.piranhaproductions.ca/soumission.php
Tuesday, Feb. 2
Jessica Hopper is the keynote speaker at MEGAPHONO.
MEGAPHONO music festival is part local party, part band incubator and part networking event, featuring not just four-days of gigs featuring mostly-local musicians, but also panels with industry insiders, tips on the business side and, like the keynote today from rock critic and MTV editor Jessica Hopper, a look at real barriers in the industry (4 p.m.) The keynote, unlike other panels, is included with tickets to see the following show, including The Acorn, Emilie & Ogden and Pipahauntas, 7:30 p.m., St. Alban’s Church. Tickets: $12 in advance. www.megaphono.tv
At Soup Ottawa, six community-oriented projects to benefit Ottawa are presented and attendees vote on them, providing funding from the evening to see them become reality, 6 to 8 p.m., Arts Court. Cost: $10, gets you soup, bread, a vote and provides funding to a worthy cause! www.soupottawa.ca
We all need more calm — have been told wine is not the best method to obtain this — so learn to meditate at a free session with qualified instructors at the Shambhala Centre, 7 to 8 p.m., 119 Ross Ave. No registration is required, so if it’s a rough day, just pop on by. www.shambhalaottawa.ca
All the spots for the Ottawa Police Speed Recruiting event tonight have been claimed, but other events — when the dates are determined — will be posted to the service’s calendar at ottawapolice.ca
Wednesday, Feb. 3
Explore the delights of lying still in the yoga pose of Savasana at a workshop on Feb. 3.
I’m here for the Savasana explores how the relaxed pose (aka corpse pose or lying down) at the end of yoga class can sometimes be better for us than working out, with Anne Wanda, 7 9 p.m., Prana Shanti. The two-hour class includes tips on finding a comfortable individual positions, how Savasana helps us and (we are assured) t least an hour spent just relaxing, which sounds utterly delightful. Cost: $35. www.pranshanti.com
Yum, Churritos for lunch.
Hungry? uOttawa students and those working downtown may want to stroll through the Desmarais building at lunch today, where 10 local restaurants — from Taste of Africa to Mr. Churritos — will be serving up their wares from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. at the Feast of Flavours.
Here’s a chance to laugh with impunity at Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau (just maybe, do not hug him), who plays an android in the comedic play, A New Paradise, as fundraiser for the Ottawa Mission by Lawyers Feed the Hungry, 7:30 p.m., continuing to Feb. 6, Ottawa Little Theatre. www.lawyersfeedthehungry.ca
Les Morissette perform a comedic show at Salle Odyssee, in French.
Comedic couple Les Morissette (aka Véronique Cloutier and Louis Morissette) riff on the issues of modern life, from work-family balance to sex and our social media dependence, using traditional standup, imitations and variety performances, in French, 8 p.m., Salle Odyssée. Tickets: $54-$58. salleodyssee.ca
The Brights Nights Baltic-Nordic Film festival launches with a chilled-out party featuring spirits to sip, a Danish silent film (so subtly erotic it was initially censored) about a love triangle to watch and space folk from band The Orienteers, 6:30 p.m. to late, Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave. Tickets: $5+ in advance, $8 at the door. http://bit.ly/1QACR2G
Thursday, Feb. 4
Lynn Miles award-winning songs will be “jazzified” art the first concert of the Ottawa Winter Jazzfest with her complicity as she will be singing along with Petr Cancura and band, 7:30 p.m., NAC Fourth Stage. The festival continues all weekend, including late-night jam sessions. Tickets: $35. ottawajazzfestival.com / nac-cna.ca
The director and a protagonist will be at the Ottawa premiere of UK documentary A Syrian Love Story, following the efforts of couple Amer and Raghda, who met in a prison when her face was bloodied after a beating, over five years to reach political freedom for themselves and their children as the Arab Spring swept the region, 6:15 p.m., Mayfair Theatre. Tickets: $10, $7/students/seniors. www.cinemapolitica.org
Friday, Feb. 5
Whose stew will win the cook-off? You can help decide.
For lunch today, the annual ByWard Market Stew Cook-off offers all-you-can-eat myriad options for just $10 (cash only), with proceeds going to charity, and opinions welcome, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Previous winners have included Social Restaurant, Tucker’s Marketplace and Heart and Crown.
We’re comfortable predicting an exciting match at the Capital Hoops Classic tonight.
The Ravens meet the GeeGee’s tonight at the 10th annual MBNA Capital Hoops Classic between the Carleton and uOttawa teams, with the women playing at 6 p.m, and the men — ranked second and third nationally, at 8 p.m., Canadian Tire Centre. (The Ravens tend to win at this much-attended big arena match-up, but the GeeGees topped them at their last game, so we are leaving the predictions are up to the bookies …) Tickets: $10-$40+. www.capitaltickets.ca
We start music options Friday with a bit of an oddity: crafts and karaoke with host, the splendid China Doll, at a “heart” themed event, including valentine-making and more, 9 p.m., Shanghai Restaurant, 651 Somerset St. W. Cost: $10 includes necessary materials, but not libations. facebook.com
The MEGAPHONO music festival continues with six different shows tonight — but of particular note for those feeling skint at the end of the week, or those who like to be able to say “I saw them when,” is the pay-what you-can folk show including Jack Pine, Chris Page and the remarkable sounds of Aylmer’s Chérie (who blew our minds at the FOÉ festival). www.megaphono.tv
Also, utterly disarming, blues-informed, soul-rocking singer-songwriter Terra Lightfoot is the headliner at the free, outdoor Winterlude show at Confederation Park, followed by some get-up-and-dance music from DJ Mat Thibault with VJ Hard Science, 7:30 p.m. – but remember, the shenanigans ends at 10 p.m. winterlude.gc.ca
Meanwhile, the now-annual In the Dead of Winter three-day acoustic music festival [Wakefield edition] starts with a solo performance by folk-roots-rock songwriter Katie Moore (who at other times performs with country band Socalled), with lo-fi indie rocker Michael Feuerstack (who played Megaphono on Feb. 3), and opener Brianna Gosse, 8:30 p.m., TheBlack Sheep Inn. Tickets: $15 in advance. www.theblacksheepinn.com
Not to ignore the pop-punk fans, power trio Creep Wave play House of Targ with Cheap Whine, The Disasterbaters, Mental Fix with special set from DJ Gary Voicemail, 10 p.m. (Toronto’s Teenanger was initially set to play, but unfortunately had to bail.) Tickets: $7. www.houseoftarg.com
Saturday, Feb. 6
For those who dream of living in a scene from Bring it On! comes the Big East Cheer and Dance tournament, with all the high flips and pyramids one can want as 100 flipping teams (this means more acrobatics than crowd rousing) from Ottawa, Kingston and Quebec compete in categories divided by skill and age at the EY Centre. Competition begins at 10 a.m. but the music gets louder and the moves more impressive as the day goes on, (there are competitors as young as four years — adorbs) with favourites such as the Queen’s University Poms performing some time after 2 p.m. Tickets: $18, $14/senior/children 12 years and under. http://cheerevolution.com
Celebrate Winterlude in Orléans on Feb. 6.
Celebrate Winterlude in Orléans with Shenkman Arts Centre’s annual $5 pancake breakfast, fun in the snow, dancing, art and craft-making, storytelling and music for the entire family, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Admission: Free. shenkmanarts.ca
Then get the Superbowl Football weekend started with a touch game against adult teams of all skill levels from across the city on the Great Lawn of Lansdowne Park — in the snow, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Organized by the City of Ottawa and Bytown Touch Football League. Registration: $150/team of at least five people. www.btfl.ca
Valentine’s Day is only a week away, so grab something for your sweetie or write them some bon mots at the love note writing station at the Big Love Makers Pop-up Show, featuring handmade goods from local creators — and a chance to win passes to Le Nordik Spa, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Makerspace North, 250 City Centre Ave. Admission: $5 at the door. (Or, play board games in the aprés-ski themed lounge.)
Parents and kids learn to dance together.
Kids, invite your parents to a family guided dance, with a caller to teach all ages — from three years and up — accompanied by live Celtic/Québécois tunes, 3:30 p.m., Churchill Recreation Centre, 345 Richmond Rd. No experience is necessary and wee babes are welcome in backpacks or slings. Cost: $10 for all over the age of 16 years.
More family fun can be had around a bonfire and with toboggans, colouring and hot chocolate from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Westboro Beach Winter Carnival, 745 Sir John A. Macdonald Pkwy. facebook.com
A racer zooms by at the bottom of a hill at a previous Eastern Canadian Cross-Country Championship at Nakkertok.
Get inspired watching more than 700 nordic skiiers from across the country, ages 12 years to masters level — including members of Canada’s national team, compete at The Easterns sanctioned races at Nakkertok in Cantley, Quebec all weekend. There’s a warming chalet, portable toilets and entry for spectactors is free. (Racers must register by Jan. 28.) cecski.ca
Art lovers must be legal drinking age to participate in the Arts and Craft Crawl that visits six different galleries, with samplings of local brews and light appetizers along the way, followed by an after-party at SAW Gallery, 6:30 p.m., starting at 150 Elgin St. (Dress for the weather as there is walking outside.) Tickets: $15-$30. http://bit.ly/1PCizqK
Sunday, Feb. 7
All faiths and ages are welcome to participate in Mitzvah day activities at the Jewish Community Centre.
All creeds and ages are welcome to participate in the Jewish Community Centre’s popular Mitzvah Day, where good deeds are done for others starting at 8:45 a.m. — though breakfast is enjoyed first. Participants may make sandwiches for the Ottawa Mission, braid challahs for the Kosher Food Bank, donate hair for wigs, sing for residents of the Hillel Lodge, make birthday kits for children living in shelters, among other activities. Donations are also being accepted for the Kosher Food Bank, Dress for Success and Crossroads Children’s Centre www.mitzvahdayottawa.com
Travel the Majestic Arctic and learn about Inuit culture on a giant map and hunt for facts through the Museum of History this weekend, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. historymuseum.ca
There are eight films each shown twice over four weekends at the Wakefield International Film Festival, where the focus is international documentary film with the power for change — including Breath of Life (4 p.m.), looking at environmental catastrophe with he help of scientists to Hawaiian wisdom keepers, and In Pursuit of Peace (7 p.m.), following Canadian peacemakers behind the world’s battle lines, Wakefield Centre. (The festival was created by Robert Rooney who, unfortunately, passed away in early January.) Tickets: $15 each film. ]wakefieldfilmfestival.weebly.com
Submit event information to kendemann@postmedia.com, by 8 a.m. Monday, three weeks before the event. Photos, video files are welcome.