Friday, May 8
The Tulip Festival is back, with fireworks on four different nights, starting at 9:15 p.m. tonight at Dow’s Lake, after a concert from 7:30 p.m., and after the opening V-E Day ceremonies at 11:30 a.m. at the War Memorial. Of course, events include beautiful tulips, daily high tea, a Second World War military re-enactment, concerts, FIFA interactive soccer and special kids’ events, and more. Fireworks will also be held May 9, 15 and 16. tulipfestival.ca
The much-anticipated Ottawa Comiccon has arrived, with appearances tonight from Wil Wheaton, Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis (all from Star Trek: The Next Generation), Malcolm McDowell (Clockwork Orange), Jason Mewes (Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back), Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings), Sean Maher (Firefly), Billie Piper (Dr. Who), Richard Dean Anderson (MacGyver, Stargate SG-1), and so many more it makes our geek-hearts burst, 2 to 8 p.m., EY Centre. Tickets: $20/Friday, $65/three days. ottawacomiccon.com
Billie Piper from Dr. Who is at Ottawa Comiccon on Friday.
As a special bonus at Comiccon tonight, Grammy-award winning Arnie Roth performs the majestic music from the video game Final Fantasy with the New World Players, 8:30 p.m., EY Centre. May we suggest this is a romantic date on which to take that person you just met cosplaying? Tickets: $15-$25, + admission to Comiccon.ottawacomiccon.com
People clear rubble in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was severely damaged by an earthquake on April 25, 2015.
Let’s raise some money to benefit the victims of the Nepal earthquake at a community-organized concert, art auction and raffle, featuring bands Sans Foulard, Big Jeeezus Truck, The Sonic Defense, Johnny Vegas, DJs Lowpass and Garry Armitage (Mod Club), 8 p.m., Zaphod’s, 27 York St. Tickets: Funds raised will go to Doctors Without Borders and the Canadian Red Cross. Bands to play, donations for raffle are still welcome.Tickets: $10. zaphods.ca / facebook.com
Popular roots-rockers The Sadies play with The Wooden Sky and Ottawa’s Kalle Mattson, 8 p.m., Bronson Centre. Tickets: $25 in advance, as part of Ontario Scene. spectrasonic.com
For something classical, the Cecilia String Quartet play a program featuring Mendelssohn’s Quartet No. 4 in E Minor and Katarina Curcin’s Walking Away From…, noon, Southminster United Church. Tickets: $20, part of Ontario Scene. nac-cna.ca
Divine Brown sings the blues.
Women in Blues are celebrated, with performances by Divine Brown, Kellylee Evans, Rita Chiarelli and more, 7;30 p.m., NAC. Tickets: From $29, part of Ontario Scene. nac-cna.ca
For jazz, hear the Mike Murley Septet, 7:30 p.m., NAC Fourth Stage. Tickets: $20, part of Ontario Scene. nac-cna.ca
The Ottawa Service Battalion is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formation of reserve battalions across Canada, with a weekend of events, starting with an informal meet and greet at the Messes of Major EJG VC Armoury, 2100 Walkley Rd., open to all serving and former members, friends and family. Tickets: Free. Info: osbassociation.ca
Photos: What do to
Wondering what to do this week? We have ideas.
Related
Art Exhibits: New, ongoing and closing shows this week
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Saturday, May 9
Canadian War Museum celebrates its 10th anniversary with special events.
Admission is free all day at the Canadian War Museum as it celebrates its 10th anniversary with special activities for the entire family, including historian-led tours, rare look at uniforms and art from the vaults and military vehicle demonstrations outside, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1 Vimy Pl. warmuseum.ca
Chemistry “magic” wows the crowd at an indoor show at Carleton University.
Be amazed by the power of liquid nitrogen, fireworks and things that glow in the dark at Carleton University’s outdoor family-friendly magic show, Light Up the Night with Chemistry in the Dark, with hands-on activities starting at 7:45 p.m., Amphitheatre near Southam Hall, part the national one-day celebration of science, Science Rendezvous. Entrance: Donation to the Ottawa Food Bank.
The Ottawa Guild of Potters Sale and Exhibition also features potters wheel demos and a kids’ clay craft area, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Horticulture Building, Lansdowne Park. www.ottawaguildofpotters.ca
PushPull Dance perform at Centrepointe Theatres on May 8 and 9.
Dancing professionals who adoring moving — not to be confused with dance professionals — of PushPULL Dance perform their new, family-friendly show Square One at 2 and 8 p.m., Centrepointe Theatres. Tickets: $15-$20, children under 12 free. www.pushpulldance.com
Meet your muse at the Wakefield Writers’ Festival authors brunch, with fantasy legend Charles De Lint, francophone writer Madeleine Lefebvre and Ottawa Book Award winner Alan Cumyn and a full-course brunch at the Wakefield Mill & Spa, noon, 60 Mill Rd. Tickets: $25. www.writersfete.com
Suns of Stone play the Air Guitar contest at House of Targ.
Take your mad air-guitar skills public at a competition, featuring a performance by Suns of Stone, and win some serious street cred, prizes and help Right to Play Canada, 10 p.m., House of Targ, 1077 Bank St. Tickets: $5 before 10 p.m.; $8 after 10 p.m. houseoftarg.com / Register at airguitarcanada.org
For 12 hours, the drone will be celebrated over melody and rhythm as 19 different musicians play or create music at this all-ages, interactive event, noon to midnight, House of Common, 11b Fairmont Ave. Tickets: Pay-what-you-can. facebook.com
Buffy Ste Marie performs in Burnstown.
Protest anthem and pop singer Buffy Ste. Marie returns to her roots with her latest album, performing songs from it and her catalogue, 8 p.m., Neat Café, Burnstown. Tickets: $85. neatfood.com
Sunday, May 10
Here are some ideas to celebrate your Mother today:
Mini-makeovers, a pink tea and activities for the whole family are planned to show mom how special she is at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, 10 a.m., 2940 Old Montreal Rd. Admission: $7/person, $18/family. Find more activities in the region at www.ottawa.ca/museums
Take in the rare and unusual plant sale, this year with a plant ‘coat-checking’ service, rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Neatby Building parking lot, Carling Avenue and Maple Drive. Admission: free. friendsofthefarm.ca
Swiss folk-rocker Bastian Baker plays Salle Odyssee on Mother’s Day.
Give mom a chance to check out handsome, Swiss folk-rocker Bastian Baker, who is making a name for himself in Europe, 8 p.m., Salle Odyssée. Tickets: $21-25. salleodyssee.ca
The mom who likes to move might prefer the rockabilly vibe from Montreal duo Les Deuxluxes, playing a free show at The Record Centre at 4 p.m., 1059 Wellington St.
Or, take the kids to see Dora the Explorer Live and let mom have a little time to binge-watch Netflix uninterrupted, sleep — or catch up on *cough* sorting the wine collection, three shows at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets: $33.25. centrepointetheatre.ca
The whole family will enjoy the roots-folk of Oh Susanna, 4 p.m., The Black Sheep Inn, 753 Riverside Dr., Wakefield. Tickets: $20. theblacksheepinn.com
Pack your appetite, go for a drive, and take in the Red Trillium Artist Studio and Garden Tour, (lunch can be obtained at one of the stops) in rural West Carleton, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Map at www.redtrillium.com
Mother’s Day is always better with bubbly.
Or, enjoy bubbles and brunch with wine purveyors Savvy Company at the Ottawa Marriott Summit Room, with at-table wine tastings of Ontario vintages, made-to-order omelettes and crepes, and more, 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. sittings. Tickets: $60/adult, $25 children 6 to 12, free children under 5. savvyevents.ca
Monday, May 11
The Tulip Festival is offering high tea every day of its run.
Bring some Sunday to your Monday with high tea at the Tulip Festival, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Commissioners Park. Cost: $25, includes tea, sandwich and sweets. tulipfestival.ca
Organist Michel Bouvard brings special greetings to his classical performance from Toulouse, France, where he regularly performs for the capuchin monks in the Saint-Sernin Basilica, 7:30 p.m., Saint François d’Assise Church. Tickets: $15-$25. www.stfrancoisdassise.on.ca
Fine art, wine and canapés are on offer at a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club at Stephen Beckta’s restaurant Gezellig, with art from Andrew King, Allison Fowler and Claude Marquis, 6 p.m., 337 Richmond Rd. Tickets: $40. gezelligdining.ca
Tuesday, May 12
An untouched orange and banana sit in the garbage can in the cafeteria at Clyde A. Erwin Middle School on Wednesday, April 8, 2015.
Concerned about what your children are — or are not — eating at school? The Ottawa Food Policy Council is holding a session to explore food and nutrition programs and policy, with Ottawa Public Health dietitian Pascale Messier and a panel discussion, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Immaculata High School, 140 Main St. Students welcome. Info: 613-244-2792 or info@ofpc-cpao.ca.
From zines to pottery to curses, the Cool Kids Craft Sale has all the things you did not know you needed — and more, 6 to 10 p.m., Pressed, 750 Gladstone Ave.
You’ll be able to see an actual Enigma machine at the OLT tonight.
Though Breaking the Code is about the famous codebreaker Alan Turing, the play on at the OLT is no Imitation Game, with a more candid depiction of his personality and persecution as a homosexual, 7:30 p.m. until May 23. Special tonight: See a genuine Enigma machine at a talk from World War Two code-breaking historian. Tickets: $12-$25. ottawalittletheatre.com.
Wednesday, May 13
Learn how to keep bees happy in your garden.
Learn about the benefits of bees to your garden, and how to keep them there and happy, with research scientist Sophie Cardinal from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 7:30 p.m., Barrhaven Garden Club, 76 Larkin Dr. Guests: $3. Info: 613-825-4257 or barrhavengardenclub.ca
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Chris Hedges discusses his book Wages of Rebellion, using history to argue recent uprisings around the world were and are inevitable in current global society, 7 to 9 p.m., Centretown United Church, 507 Bank St. Admission: $10, $5/students/low-income. octopusbooks.ca
A suburban family destroyed by downsizind makes a last ditch effort to save their suburban lifestyle in the End of Civilization at The Gladstone.
Destroyed by downsizing and corporate culture, the suburban Cape family makes a desperate move to save their home in the pithy George F. Walker satire The End of Civilization, in previews until May 15, Gladstone Theatre. Tickets: $18, $20-$34 as of Friday. thegladstone.ca
Danish metal band Volbeat are so popular they have billing above Anthrax, 7 p.m., TD Place. Tickets: $39.50-$49.50. capitaltickets.ca
Thursday, May 14
Crime Prevention Ottawa is hosting a talk about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Council chambers, Ottawa City Hall. Register at cpo@ottawa.ca
We’re going for Music Thursday this week, because … Thursday.
We’d recommend experiencing the smooth musical sensibilities of Washington rapper ODDISEE at Ritual with Kool Krys, Dopekid, Knoncents, 9 p.m., 137 Besserer St. Tickets: $12 in advance. ticketfly.com
Now, if you want some music for an easy, early-summer day, go see Ottawa’s Thrifty Kids open for headliners The Honest Heart Collective, 10 p.m., House of Targ, 1077 Bank St. Next time, The Kids should book a venue with an outdoor space and some loooong summer drinks. Or at least patio lanterns. Tickets: $6. houseoftarg.com
On the other hand, rising trance star Andrew Rayel is playing an Escapade festival pre-party, doors at 10 p.m., Barrymore’s, 323 Bank St. Tickets: $20-$25. www.dnalive.ca
As an important aside: Crime Prevention Ottawa is hosting a talk about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Ottawa City Hall. Register at cpo@ottawa.ca
Friday, May 15
So many tomatoes fro which to choose.
Plan your vegetable garden after a trip to Greta’s Organic Gardens, opening for the season today with over 200 varieties of heirloom tomato seedlings, herbs, berries, and more, 9 a.m. to June 24, 399 River Rd. www.seeds-organic.com
The heartwarming musical Mary Poppins is on at the Shenkman Arts Centre in an Orléans Young Player Theatre School production, 7 p.m., with American Sign Language interpretation. Tickets: $10, $5/children all ages. shenkmanarts.ca / oypts.ca
Album des finissants is at the NAC.
The universal inner turmoil of high school students is explore using movement, music and text in Album des finissants, 7:30 p.m., NAC. Tickets at nac-cna.ca
Pink Triangle Services are going to Glitterbomb Ottawa, not in protest but in celebration of unique identities at a night of music, burlesque, comedy, spoken word, and more, 8 p.m., Bronson Centre. Tickets: $28-$75. eventbrite.ca
Saturday, May 16
National Fiddling Day celebrates the likes of this PEI musician.
It’s the first National Fiddling Day, as proclaimed by Parliament, so we imagine the place to be is the Ottawa Fiddle and Stepdance Competition, starting at 11 a.m. with the 9-and-under fiddle category, Richmond Memorial Community Centre, 6095 Perth St., Richmond. Tickets: $15, $25/weekend, $5 children 5 and under. www.ottawafiddlestepdance.ca
Bring in spring with some yoga, meditation and holistic cooking lessons with Rogers TV Cable 22’s Chef Justin Scott and Manali Haridas, noon to 3 p.m., Zen for you, 464 Metcalfe St. Cost: $40. zenforyou.ca
Students of all ages will perform at the Ballet Tropical performance of the School of Afro-Caribbean Dance studio at Centrepointe Theatres.
The School of Afro-Caribbean Dance is celebrating its 20th anniversary with Ballet Tropical 2015, including performances from students of all ages, 4 p.m., Centrepointe Theatres. Tickets: $20. centrepointetheatres.ca
Perfect your zombie costume skills at a special FX makeup course.
For those wanting to perfect their zombie costume (or get into the trade) comes this Special FX Makeup course, featuring lifecasting, prosthetics, painting and more, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 174 Colonnade Rd. Cost: $400. eventbrite.ca
At Off The Rails Comedy Competition the audience gets to pick the topics, forcing the comedians to improvise their set, vying for money and bragging rights, 8 p.m., Royal Oak, 188 Bank St. Tickets: $6 at the door. www.offtherailscomedy.ca
Having an event? Send the information to kendemann@ottawacitizen.com by 8 a.m. Monday, two weeks before the event begins. Photos are welcome. @keendemann
Related
Art Exhibits: New, ongoing and closing shows this week
Concerts: Surf-punk to Stravinsky and melodic rap