Thursday, Dec. 1
Cookies! It’s the first day to get a Taste of Hope frozen, gourmet cookie dough from the Ottawa Mission food services training program. So, you get to help those in need, while being a star these holidays when you pull these gingersnap, cheddar and bacon shortbread or sugar cookies from the oven, 5 to 8 p.m, Dec. 3 and 4 from 9 to 11 am. Cost: $20/package of all three. Pre-order online at www.ottawamisson.com.
Continuing the Christmas theme, as it will be impossible to avoid this month, the History Museum Christmas Market featuring local edible and handmade creations, from chocolate to ciders, jewellery to art, starts today, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and runs through the weekend. Admission: Free.
Meanwhile, it’s Ignite night at the Museum of Nature — a free, fast-paced “geek event” of short talks by the scientists behind the exhibits. Starting at 7 p.m., 11 different scientists will have five minutes each to reveal details about their digs, species discoveriess, with slides and other paraphernalia, 240 McLeod St. Seats are limited, and a reception will follow.
It’s time to replenish the wine — and cider and beer — supply at the Outstanding in their fields sip and stock up Savvy Event, featuring tipples from every corner of Ontario, not available at the LCBO or Beer Store, 7 to 9 p.m. — or 5 p.m. for the V.I.T. ticket holders, Horticulture Building, Lansdowne Park. There will also be artisanal cheeses to try and purchase, and the shipping for purchases of 6 and above bottles is free, to your door. Tickets: $70.
There are two holiday art shows opening tonight: Great BIG Smalls XII, one of the most anticipated art shows exhibiting works from over 50 Cube Gallery artists to fit any budget, begins tonight with a vernissage, 6 to 9 p.m., 1285 Wellington St. W. At the same time, the Orange Gallery Christmas Show offers works by over 50 artists , with opening event from 6 to 10 p.m., 90 City Centre Ave. These are great places to pick up a unique gift or, perhaps, acquire your first original piece.
A Charlie Brown Christmas gets its now annual showcase with Jerry Granellli’s trio playing along to excerpts of the famous animated movie (he was part of the original recording group), 6 p.m., Dominion-Chalmers United Church. Tickets: $49, $127 for those 12 years and under.
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Friday, Dec. 2
Those seeking some holiday spirit have three options tonight: Osgoode Village is having its annual weekend Christmas celebration, beginning with a parade of lights, tree lighting and fireworks with chili to warm the insides, from 7:30 p.m., St. Paul’s Anglican Church, but there’s a live nativity scene at Trinity Bible Church, 4101 Stage coach Rd, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. In Mississippi Mills, the Snow Queen and her twinkle fairies will pay attendance to Santa Claus at an all-ages open-air concert and singalong featuring Gail Gavan and friends — and fireworks, from 7 to 9 p.m., on the Main Street in Almonte.
Also, the “Great Christmas Tree” at Lansdowne Park will be lit up at 6 p.m. in a ceremony involving the mayor, carols and more, to open Christmas Farmers Market, that runs over three weekends from 3 to 8 p.m. on Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/191644873″>HOTEL DALLAS trailer</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/mirrormountain”>Mirror Mountain Film Festival</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>
The Mirror Mountain Film Festival is a weekend exploring the cinematic creations of local directors, from feature films to to shorts, plus the local premiere of several notable international movies — including Hotel Dallas, a documentary fairy tale of the dreams of luxuries 80s American soaps brought to Romania, on tonight at 8 p.m. Tomorrow, budding directors should attend the panel on fundraising for filmmakers, noon, alongside five different screenings, all at Arts Court.
But on Sunday, there’s an “opening night party” with snacks from Wilf & Ada’s and music by punk rockers ZEX, 10 p.m., Club SAW. Tickets: $5, $20/passes. mirrormountainfilmfest.com
For those with some strength to spare: There’s a bench, deadlift competition on on today from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and tomorrow for amateurs, women and men, and all-pros from 7 a.m. to noon at Hotstyle Gear, 1977A St. Joseph Blvd. There are weigh-ins and follows the world power lifting congress rules. Admission: Food donations for the Orléans-Cumberland CRC — and even the audience needs to bring indoor shoes to watch.
There’s some fresh, swinging jazz at GigSpace tonight as local tenor saxophonists Petr Cancura and Chris Maskell will engage in a good-natured “sax battle,” joined by musicians Peter Hum, Michel Delage and Alex Bilodeau. The group will also be premiering some of their original pieces, including some Trump-inspired compositions by Hum, 7:30 p.m., 953 Gladstone Ave. Tickets: $20. gigspaceottawa.com/peter-hum-two-tenors-ii/
For those who need to let loose on Friday night, sizzling deep-house South African/Swiss DJ Nora En Pure — known as Daniela Niederer to her parents — is at Barrymore’s on Friday, part of a cross-North America tour bringing good will to our hearts. Her music stands out for being uplifting, sunshine-y and delightful.
Dec. 2, 10 p.m., Barrymore’s. $18-$20.
Bangarang reggae DJ party had a bit of a problem with bylaw over theire pounding bass at their last party. They’re told this will not be a problem at their new venue tonight, with DJs Longshot and Magnificent spinning original 45s from the 60s to 70s to keep feet and hips moving all night long, 10 p.m., Flapjack’s, 354A Preston St. Tickets: $5 cover.
Also, Rammstime — a tribute band to German industrial metal group Rammsteim — play with local rockers Against Time, 9 p.m., Brass Monkey, 250A Greenbank Rd. This is not an all-ages show.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Santa really does not get a break. The jolly old soul is in a parade in Pakenham today, from 1 to 3 p.m., starting at the Pakenham Arena, followed by free pubic skating and a chance to chat about lists and who has been naughty or nice. He will then take part in a Parade Ho Ho Ho down Aylmer’s Rue Principale at 6 p.m., part of an ongoing exterior Christmas Marketon from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., courtyard of the British Hotel.
There will be more red suits and beards at Lansdowne Park where the cross-Canada Salvation Army Santa Shuffle 5 km Fun Run and 1 km Elf Walk is a good-spirited way to shed some caloreis before the season’s largesse begins, 10 a.m. to noon. Pledges raised go to help local families and individuals needing shelter, clothing and food at this season and all year long. Costumes, as always, are encouraged. www.santashuffle.ca
Craft markets and the like on today:
Mac Fair has over 100 local makersand artisans offering handmade goods, to benefit students in need at Immaculata High School, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, 140 Main St. Admission: $2.
Cumberland Christmas Market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., features over 80 local producers in four indoor locations: 1115 Dunning Rd., 2620 Market St., 2557 Old Montreal Rd. and 2565 Old Montreal Rd.
The 2nd Annual Christmas Gift Fair and Fundraiser for Jonathan Pitre, offers not just a chance to get the shopping one, but also entertain the whole famiy with facepaiting, Ray’s Reptiles on hand with animals, and a visit from Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walter Baker Sports Centre, 100 Malvern Dr.
L’Imagier Art and Craft Fair, featuring works by local artists and artisans in this gallery, noon to 5 p.m., 9 Front St., Gatineau.
Woodroffe High School’s 3rd annual craft sale, with 40 vendors and free parking, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2410 Georgina Dr.
Downtown Carleton Place open house, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., includes special deals from venors, a show from Zippy-E the Elf, crafts at Santa’s workshop and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, plus chocolate party and a storefront decorating contest.
Fisher Park one-day pop up Christmas market, has over 100 vendors participating, free parking and admission, Fisher Park Public School, 250 Holland Ave.
The Eardley Craft sale is boasting they have the best pancakes in town — plus hand made crafts, jewelry, body care, and more, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 150 North St., Aylmer.
Enjoy a farm holiday party and baked good sale (including vegan apple pies) with the animals at Penny Lane Farm Sanctuary, 1 to 4 p.m., 6079 McVagh Rd. Enjoy soup, hot chocolate and tea served by the fire, help decorate the trees and fill each animal’s stockings with holidays treats ± more activities for children.
For a slightly different show: the Ottawa Music Maker Fair and Trade Show brings businesses, musicians and the public together to showcase their talents, instruments, rehearsal space and services, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Capital Rehearsal Studio, 250 City Centre Ave., upper level. Donations are being accepted for the Dalhousie Food Cupboard.
The European Union Film Festival is in its last weekend, and there’s a certain theme to today’s movies, beginning with the romantic drama Santa (Lithuania, 4 p.m.), as a single mother and her 7-year-old daughter journey to Finland where they meet an interesting local man. Later, catch German film Family Celebration (6:30 p.m.), as old conflicts arise as a blended family is brought together with all the exes and children. Tickets: $9-$13. www.cfi-icf.ca
Beyond the Pale brewing company is turning four, which we all know is the Carnival birthday — so they are throwing one. There will be beer — of course — including 20 of their own and some from special guests, carnival treats and other nibbles from friends, and music from DJs So Nice and Atherton, with a likely “devolution into a dance party,” 8 p.m. to late, Horticulture Building, Lansdowne Park. Tickets: $20-$25, includes on drink ticket. Carnival costumes encouraged.
Molière’s 17th century comedy Tartuffe gets a 60s spin by the theatrical duo who last year sets the playwright’s Femme Savants in the 1950s. This universal play, about the danger of believing unquestioningly in our gods, and cutural leaders (timely, n’est ce pas?), has the head of the household installing a false holy man in his home as his guru — much to the dismay of his entire family, notably his daughter, 8 p.m., Salle Odyssée. Tickets: $45-$50.
Sunday, Dec. 4
All for one, and one for all just after lunch: The Three Musketeers are on stage at the Ottawa Little Theatre in a family-friendly event (but it does run for 2.5 hours) that brings the adventure, treachery and amour of the four swashbuckling friends from the 17th century to life — with the addition of a sister for D’Artagnan, in a matinée at 2 p.m., and evenings until Dec. 17, 400 King Edward Ave. Tickets: $12-$27.
It’s Critter Christmas time at the Humane Society‘s family fun event, where cookies will be decorated, crafts made and photos taken with the not-so-elusive Santa Claus, alongside a craft and bake sale, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 245 West Hunt Club Rd. Pets are welcome, so long as they are comfortable in large, noisy crowds and kept on a lead.
World Premiere: The Virgin Mary to the Child Jesus is a new, intimate cantata, using the text of Elizbeth Barrett Browning, sharing the perspective of a new mother holding a baby. It will be performed at this world premiere by the Cantiamo Girls’ choir of Ottawa, with soprano Ellen McAteer, pianist Laura Hawley, cellist Joan Harrison and flutist Elise Letourneau, 2 to 3:45 p.m., Dominion-Chalmers United Church. Tickets: $16.
The hottest South Asian fashion and trends will be on display at the 8th annual Suhaag Lifestyle Show and Wedding Expo, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Hilton Lac Leamy, 2 Blvd du Casino, Gatineau. This year, also offering a lifestyle component about health, fitness and entertainment — and the first 100 guests will get a copy of the 400-page Suhaag magazine. Tickets available at the door.
Otherwise, best sleep in today for other activities seem to be nocturnal: God Jul — That’s Happy Christmas, Scandinavian style — from Dominion City Brewing Co. who are throwing a Christmas Night Market featuring beer samples with every food/gift donation to the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard alongside food delights inside, and wares from the city’s finest makers outside, 3 to 8 p.m., 5510 Canotek Rd. Admission: Food, gift donation.
Almonte is having a Christmas night parade to show off the twinkling lights of the season, as soon as the dark creeps in, starting from and returning to the Almonte Community Centre, 5 to 7 p.m., 3131 Old Perth Rd. There will be a free public skate to follow, and a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus in the upper hall.
Two great show to choose from tonight: Skye Wallace and Colleen Brown play folk with power, and a little moodiness at Pressed; and American stellar songwriter Joseph Arthur — he was discovered by Peter Gabriel — plays le Minotaure in Gatineau. Read more here.
Submit event information by 8 a.m. Monday, at least two weeks before the event to kendemann@postmedia.com.
@keendemann @keendemann