Thursday, Nov. 24
As we enter the age of the toke, award-winning counter-culture comedian and marijuana activist Tommy Chong (of the smoke-filled duo Cheech and Chong) performs at Algonquin College on the heels of battling a few bouts of cancer. He also just released a new book on Cheech and Chong’s exploits, and a documentary of his experience having a SWAT team invade his home, 8 p.m., Theatre, 1385 Woodroffe Ave., Bldg E. Tickets: $30+, for ages 18+ only. (Did you know he is Canadian? Read our interview with Chong here.)
Our Prime Minister’s brother Alexandre Trudeau is making an appearance today at the Chapters store on Rideau Street to sign copies of his book, Barbarian Lost: Travels in the New China, 7 to 8 p.m., 47 Rideau St. Unfortunately, his brother is out of town on his way to the Francophonie summit, so we cannot hope for brotherly photo ops. Read a fascinating article about Alexandre’s book here.
Untitled by Alex Janvier, 1986, Acrylic on canvas, National Gallery of Canada.
Prolific Indigenous artist Alex Janvier‘s exhibit, including hundreds of works from the 1960s to present day from private and public collections, opens at the National Gallery with a special event tonight, 5 to 8 p.m., 380 Sussex Dr. (All of us have walked under some of his modernist works informed by his Dene culture on the ceiling of the National Museum of History.) The artist will also be speaking on Saturday about his career and life, 2 to 3 p.m. Admission: Free for both events. gallery.ca
Singer songwriter and now coffeeshop owner Kathleen Edwards has been much missed as she has curtailed her gigging, which helps explain why a rare show tonight has sold out. Her songs are going to be jazzified as part of Petr Cancura’s Crossroads series. (Also evidence we need more music venues in this city.)
Those without tickets, may want to catch another beloved local songstress and her new, baroque/dream pop sounds: Her Harbour, is at Le Temporaire ahead of the release of her sophomore and much-anticipated album in February, Go Gently Into the Night. She is joined by Tasseomancy, Toronto duo twin sisters Sari and Romy Lightman, who create new age folk music, and themselves have a new album, released on Nov. 18. Show from 8 to 11 p.m., Le Temporaire, 75 rue St-Rédempteur, Gatineau. Tickets: $8 at the door.
Making it Grain: Local gastro talent is combining forces to breate a five-course meal, with artisanal beer pairings, to benefit Operation Come Home’s FarmWorks program. Dominion Brewing, Holland’s Cake and Shake, Ironwood Organics and more are involved, 6:30 p.m., Andaz, 325 Dalhousie St. Cost: $85.
Related
Hot gigs: 'Insane' indie, Inuk punk and new age folk to rock our worlds
Art events: 14 new exhibits, 9 other activities this week
Friday, Nov. 25
Aussie indie party rockers DZ Deathrays are back after tearing it up at Bluesfest this summer. Seriously, these guys are known for messing up festival stages with energetic post-punk/rock fun, and they’re sharing top billing with fellow Australians Dune Rats — who play straightforward, stoner punk with no Bullshit — so we expect the structural integrity of House of Targ may be at risk, 10 p.m., House of Targ. Tickets: $12.50
Christmas, you say? The first holiday concert of the season comes from The Good Lovelies, celebrating ten years together as a band with classic holiday and winter selections, celebrated with the trio’s warm harmonies and friendship, 7:30 p.m., NAC Theatre. Tickets: From $29.
The Band’s Last Waltz 40th anniversary: The Bushpilots annual tribute to the “greatest concert film in history” is now celebrating the film’s 40th anniversary with a special show, featuring Slo’ Tom, Drew Nelson, Julie Corrigan, Cripple Creek Horns, MCs Sandy Sharkey and Wendy Daniels, and more performers, 9 p.m., The Rainbow. Tickets: $15, with all proceeds will go to the Ottawa Food Bank.
Hip Hop 4 Hunger Canada: Urban can also help the food bank, with its 3rd annual show of rappers, dancers, DJs and artists at the Bourbon Rom. Performers include DJ Mes, En-v Tasse, Diamond, Fresh from 613, Mista Mean, Swift Crew and more, 10 p.m.to late, 400A Dalhousie St.
Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door or four cans of non-perishable food, or two unopened packaged toys.
Saturday, Nov. 26
The 10th annual Santa’s Parade of Lights, which took place from 6 p.m. until about 7:30 p.m. on St-Joseph Blvd. in Orleans.
The nighttime Santa’s Parade of Lights in Orléans is a much anticipated event, starting at 6 p.m. to showcase the twinkling lights of the season, moving along St. Joseph Boulevard from Youville drive to Prestone Drive. Firefighters will be walking alongside the parade collecting toy and cash donations, for children who would not otherwise have a gift, to be distributed by the Salvation Army. Note: There will be road closures in the are from about 1 p.m. — Santa is a dignitary, after all. www.paradeoflights.org
Other parades today:
Candyland Christmas at the Downtown Carleton Place Santa Claus Parade, at 5 p.m., with non-perishable food items being collected along the route
Pembroke Santa Claus Parade of Lights, from 5:30 p.m., wth food and toy donations accepted
Vankleek Hill Slanta Claus Parade of Lites, from 7 p.m.
Brockville Traditional Christmas Santa Claus Parade, at 2 p.m., accepting toys and non-perishable food donations
Stittsville Parade of Lights, from 6 p.m., followed by lighting of Village Square Park. Donations to the Food Bank are welcome.
Speaking of beings that are definitely not imaginary: The Ottawa Comiccon has a holiday edition this weekend, perfect for gifts for your comic book, anime, gaming geek, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and until 6 p.m. tomorrow, EY Centre. Cosplay encouraged, as are donations to CHEO. Admission: Free. (Also, be sure to check the craft and maket sale list below for more options, by nerds.)
Craft and other markets today:
L’Imagier market of unique arts and crafts, Nov. 25 to Dec. 4, noon to 5 p.m. all days, but ending at 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 9 Front St., Gatineau. Free admission.
2nd Itty Bitty Teenie Tiny Art Show and Sale, by Arts Carleton Place, 10 a.m to 4 p.m. all weekend, Carleton Place Canoe Club, 179 John St.
Mistletoe and Ivy handmade market, 1o a.m. to 44 p.m., Bronson Centre, 21 Bronson Ave.
All That Glam Sale is a chance to pick up a gently-used handbags and jewelry to make your holiday outfit, with all proceeds going to schol breakfast programs in Nunavut, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Richcraft Complex, 4101 Innovation Dr.
Holiday Craft fair hosted by Creative Ottawa Nerds, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 9 Rosland Ave. Entry: $5 or 2 cans of food for the Ottawa Food Bank
Ottawa Small Press Fair, autumn edition, a chance to pick up locally created books, zines, T-shirts, cookbooks, posters, prints and more, noon to 5 p.m., Jack Purcell Community Centre, 320 Jack Purcell Lne. Admission: Free.
Holiday Craft Fair, local artisans showcase their goods, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, First Avenue Public School, 73 First Ave. Free admission
Crops, climate and our food: The Food for thought lecture series will be exploring how global warming, population growth, pests and more threats are challenging world agriculture, and how science needs to forge ahead to keep us fed, 10 a.m. to noon, Agriculture and Food Museum, Three Sisters Hall, 861 Prince of Wales Dr. Cost: included with museum admission.
Things are a bit dark at the European Film Festival this weekend: in thriller Image (Belgium, 4 p.m.), a young journalist gets caught up in escalating violence in the toughest part of Brussels; a detective is called to investigate a sailor’s mysteries death in Death of a Fisherman (Spain, 8:55 p.m.); a feral boy, a mental asylum and World War One are the backdrop for Latvian film Exiled (Sunday, 4 p.m.), and in Hanna’ Sleeping Dogs, revealing a family’s secret Jewish past changes their position in their community (Austria, Sunday, 6:30 p.m.), all a River Building Theatre, Carleton University. Tickets: $9-$15.
Inuk throat singer-songwriter and activist Tanya Tagaq is at the NAC tonight, peforming from her latest album, Retribution. It is a challenging and beautiful, mostly instrumental album about the damage we inflict one ach other and our world. — a word we have all come to know well as we continue to grapple with our country’s hideous past, and in her hands beautiful soundscapes exploring the damage we inflict on each other, and the world. it is difficult to hear but also striking and enveloping. Cover of nirvana’s “Rape Me” whispered to close off the album.
Sunday, Nov. 27
Food from across the world is being offered from 40 different embassies at the second International Day Festival, a celebration of the community and St. Joseph’s Parish 160th anniversary, 1 to 5 p.m., 174 Wilbrod St. (There will also be raffle prizes from the NAC, Lord Elgin Hotel, Kiehl’s and more.) Admission: goodwill donations accepted towards roof repairs.
Wedding dress to buy? It may be a mad-house, but that’s because there are dresses discounted at 90% at this one-day, travelling pop-up sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Holiday Inn, 101 Kanata Ave. www.opportunitybridal.com
The Idle Hands Art, Craft and Vintage market is one eagerly anticipated every year, with vendors from Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal, and is a one-day only event, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Anthony’s Hall, 523 St. Anthony St.
At the same time, the 3rd annual Feminist Fair is open to all, of every age, featuring everything from crafts to cupcakes to various non-profit organizations, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Montgomery Legion, 330 Kent St. Admission: Pay-what-you-can, with all funds to the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women. Donations of toiletries are also being accepted for women at risk and there will childcare and activities available.
Submit event information by 8 a.m. Monday, at least two weeks before the event to kendemann@postmedia.com.
@keendemann @keendemann