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Weekend RoundUp: Live Local… it’s what we do.

Posted on November 7, 2013 | Leave a comment

Ok we always strive to live local – it’s why we love our urban hood – and this weekend it is easier than ever thanks to all the great merchants and artists kicking off the good times.

auntieloosThe event of the weekend has got to be Auntie Loo’s Treats Grand Opening – YES she is HERE – this Saturday but first ….

This is the final weekend for the Extremely Short New Play Festival. Ten plays under 10minutes each and they are all really good. Seriously, you should go. Nightly at 8pm til Sunday @ArtsCourt Theatre, 2 Daly Ave.

Thursday head down to SAW Gallery for Cafe Ex the showcase for independent experimental films.  Tonight’s edition features the work of award-winning film-maker and photographer Bridget Farr.  An Ottawa native Farr has screened films and worked all over the world and will be in attendance tonight to introduce & discuss 9 of her films. An outstanding opportunity to meet a local & international gem. Club SAW, 7pm

On Friday we keep it local again with Customer Appreciation Night at A Curious Shop. This wonderful boutique is co-owned by a Sandy Hill creative and is jam-packed with one-off, unique clothes and accessories that you simply will not find anywhere else!  If, like us, you keep it fresh & fun then this is the shop for you. The evening promises tasty treats, fire spinning, discounts, manicures and more. It’s all happening at 159 York St from 5pm.

Looking for a little hip hop to round off your Friday? Check out Rwandan-born Canadian artist Shad headlining at Ritual Nightclub with Vancouver’s We are the City and local Ottawa band Zoo Legacy.  Friday at Ritual Nightclub 137 Besserer st.

Saturday it’s the event of the weekend! Have you heard?  There is a new yummy scrummy bakery and they’re throwing a launch party!

Saturday 11am-4pm head to Auntie Loo’s Treats to discover just how delicious vegan cupcakes, scones, whoopie pies (and more) can be! The event poster cautions us to wear loose pants as there will be plenty of samples to whet your new local addiction. The Rideau Valley Roller girls are putting in an appearance, there is a BBQ and neighbouring businesses are joining in too. See you at Auntie Loo’s Treats 112 Nelson (across from Loblaw’s parking garage entrance) Unit101 C.

Finally on Sunday prep for party season at the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show. In keeping with our love of all things unique and inventive we are sure there will be both quirky and glamorous finds for you to discover. Ottawa Convention Centre 10am-5pm.

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Eye Spy: Room for All in Sandy Hill

Posted on November 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

Sandy Hill is waking up Ottawa with a heated discussion on the preservation of diversity, balance and history in the capital.

Sandy Hill Frametastic 1One of Ottawa most densely populated hoods with green spaces, access to core downtown neighbourhoods and a fantastic ethnic, linguistic and cultural mix Sandy Hill is a desirable urban home to many families, professionals and students. However therein lies the gist of the current debate.  How can the area preserve the positive student population with its energy and creativity whilst ensuring the neighbourhood does not become overwhelmed by the growing university population and ultimately a University of Ottawa dormitory?

The Ottawa Citizen published Derek Spalding’s City of Noise: Waking up the Neighbours in Sandy Hill in mid-October and since there has been growing interest and coverage of the issue with follow-up interviews important letters to the editor and coverage in Le Droit, on Radio-Canada, Metro Newspaper and beyond.

This is an issue that calls for vision from the Mayor, City Councillors, Politicians and the University. Ottawa must not pull-down or allow buildings in a historically sensitive neighbourhood to fall in to ruin through over-crowded conversions and a lack of maintenance. Sandy Hill has a proud reputation of inclusiveness with embassies, shelters, families and students all living in harmony. No single factor in this balance has as yet overwhelmed the neighbourhood and the current fight is not about ridding the neighbourhood of its important student population rather it is a battle cry to maintain room for all.

Ottawa has an eclectic and colourful city centre and it needs to maintain the balance of liveability by listening to and supporting all downtown residents. Services, businesses, green spaces, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and of course the right population balance are all key! By acting on the needs of residents Ottawa can ensure a thriving core with wonderfully liveable neighbourhoods such as Sandy Hill, the Byward Market, Centretown and Lowertown.  Any great city – think London, New York & Paris – is a collection of truly inhabited “villages” where residents put down roots and grow a dynamic city in to the future.

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Eye Spy: Strathcona Park on Apt613

Posted on November 4, 2013 | Leave a comment
Photo Credit Maksim Apelfeld for Apt613

Photo Credit Maksim Apelfeld for Apt613

It’s always great to see something you love getting much deserved press!

Maksim Apelfeld has written an informative piece on Sandy Hill’s very own Strathcona Park.  Check it out in the latest instalment of Hidden Gems.  What is not to love about purpose-built “ruins” one can clamber over and Stephen Barthwaite’s work is composed of “historical” Ottawa artefacts to boot.  Thanks Maksim!

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ESNPF Review: Short Plays Deliver a Uniquely Entertaining Evening

Posted on November 1, 2013 | 2 comments

nto_extremelyshort_brochThe Extremely Short New Play festival defies its comically long title with singularly brief stagings; 10 plays each under 10 minutes in length.

Though some works are stronger than others the overall quality of plays, direction and acting guarantees an evening of diverse entertainment. The playwrights do themselves proud with an impressive array of compositions; stand-outs include Jessica Anderson’s “Terminal Journey“, Pierre Brault’s “Coach of the Year” and a gut-wrenchingly personal account of loss accompanied by innovative staging and technology in Tim Ginley’s “There’s More to the Picture“.

AndrewAlexanderPhoto - EricCraig (Gorilla-Top Job) Colleen Sutton (Tammy-Out of Gas)

Comedic Roles – Colleen Sutton in Out of Gas & Eric Craig in Top Job
Photo: Andrew Alexander

The smorgasbord of theatre – with only 2 or 3 pieces not fully to my taste – left us exhilarated by the ability of the 4 cast member to create such varied and memorable characters. Brian Stewart appears in a staggering 7 performances – managing, with seemingly chameleon-like ease, to keep his characters fresh. Stewart’s sensitive human portrayal of Caleb in Terminal Journey came right on the back of the challenging two-hander Seeing which demanded a broad range of conflicting emotions as an unhinged haunted Intelligence expert grapples with dark thoughts. Maureen Smith and Colleen Sutton transitioned smoothly into and away from the historical characters in Loyal Opposition. Smith toe-tapping impatience was irritatingly authentic followed by her tense unmoving delivery of measured restraint while Sutton’s strengths shone in dramatic roles.

Eric Craig taking to the Ottawa stage for the first time is one to watch; bringing undeniable presence and subtle nuances to his roles we consistently lost the actor finding only the character on stage. As a duty-bound ticket attendant, a grunting primate, a mullet-headed moron or haunted long-haul trucker Craig is in equal measure empathetic, eerie, funny and riveting.   

The balance of comedy to drama demanded some difficult shifts; in particular with the slapstick Denial sandwiched between the night’s two most emotionally-charged works. The comedic pieces at the end of each set however keep the tempo flowing and unite the room with laughter.

Finally, it’s hat’s off to director John Koensgen who sets a fine pace throughout the evening and creates the virtual “space” allowing each time-compressed work to truly shine, for 10 minutes, at the Arts Court theatre.  

E.S.N.P.F
31 October – 10 November (Tues-Sat 8pm)
Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Ave.

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Weekend Round Up: Creepy Ghostly Ways and Uber Speedy Plays

Posted on October 30, 2013 | Leave a comment

More options and details on our events page.
Halloween is here and count on historic Sandy Hill to get their spook on!

After last week’s Zombie Walk this Thursday we’ve got the Haunted House a kid friendly add-on to trick or treat fun. 6:30 – 8:30 at the Sandy Hill Community Centre… BOO!

Pick of the round-up is the Extremely Short New Play Festival. Opening on Halloween night and running until Nov 10th it’s 10 plays under 10 minutes each basically a speed dating lesson in theatre.

Thursday’s grown-up Halloween fun is at Mugshots Bar located in Ottawa’s Old jail house at 75 Nicholas. Clearly the cleverest and creepiest place to be.  Thursday 4pm is the Halloween special of the excellent Creative Morning‘s series with Aaron Cayer of Antique Skate Shop.  Done being clever? Stick around for ghoulishly good times with Mugshot’s Crooks & Costumes party – dress up and mind the many ghosts roaming the spooky building.

Friday and Saturday night Arts Court has Dancing without you here, an Ottawa Dance Directive (ODD) co-production performed by Lori Duncan & Helen Husak 7:30pm.

Saturday is your last chance to take in psychopaths and socialites in Deadly Murder at Ottawa Little Theatre.

Cycling in CitiesMonday Nov 4th Cycling in the Cities rides in to Ottawa at Colonel By room in City Hall. Professor Kay Teschke investigates factors that encourage or discourage bicycling and the transportation infrastructure associated with increased or decreased risks of cycling injuries. Roll up!

Tuesday the outstanding A B Series continues at Arts Court with An Evening with Jerome Rothenberg.  It’s a pass-the-hat chance to see one of America’s most compelling poets.

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Shambling Things take over… Zombie Walk pics

Posted on October 28, 2013 | 1 comment

Sunday saw masses of lurching, shuffling undead make their way to Macdonald Gardens Park in Sandy Hill before shambling off down Rideau Street on their annual Zombie Walk. Brains were the order of the day yet participants made generous donations to the Ottawa FoodBank – possibly to bulk up their prey.

Nice to see the no-longer-living out and about; some making it a family affair.

Ottawa Paramedics are so good they revive even the long undead
ZombieWalk 2013 put its foot down to raise donations for the Ottawa foodbank
Coquettish Undead
Gutsy attire

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Ottawa’s 2013 Annual Plaid Parade recap (with pics)

Posted on October 27, 2013 | Leave a comment

Ottawa’s 2013 Annual Plaid Parade recap (with pics).

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Weekend Round-Up: Sharing is Caring, Zombies, Bread & Meat is Deadly Murder

Posted on October 24, 2013 | Leave a comment

ZombiesAnnual Ottawa Zombie Walk is the Sandy Hill event of the week. It kicks off Sunday Oct 27th in MacDonald Gardens Park (Charlotte & Rideau Lowertown side) at 12:30 – where they’ll be free makeup application. Meet the like-minded undead in the park and shamble along Rideau St for what aims to be the largest gathering of Zombies on Parliament hill (when Gov’t not sitting natch)!
Don’t forget a canned / dried good item for the Ottawa Food Bank – gotta fatten up those delicious human types. Note: We’re thinking if we could get the Zombie Walk to collide with Ottawa Velo Vogue’s Plaid Parade (see below) it would be the best!

Sharing is indeed caring… & in Ottawa this weekend it’s free and easy to declutter your home! The City of Ottawa’s Giveaway Weekend is on this Saturday and Sunday. So drag unwanted CD’s, furniture and crockery to the curb, mark it as “Free” and roam your hood to see what treasures you might find amongst another’s trash!

Dead Unicorn Ink2Tonight through Saturday it’s your last chance to get in on the FreshMeat pop-up theatre festival 7pm nightly above the Lunenburg Pub. The Festival has had great reviews – short productions in a pub – what’s not to love.

In the mood for a pub quiz?  Thursday night the Royal Oak on Laurier St is holding a proper British-style quiz night down the pub. Don’t worry if you don’t have a team as most participants link up upon arrival.  Hosted by the Ottawa Skeptics it promises a spooky Halloween science (?) theme.

Friday its time for a night at the Museum of Nature off Elgin st as they host the Halloween edition of their monthly dance party Nature Nocturne.  We love that this fine institution of learning opens itself up for fun DJ frolicking. No better place than a Gothic building to kick off the Halloween festivities.

Enriched Bread Artists are hosting their annual Open Studio all weekend. Opening night is Thursday from 6-9pm and it runs through Sunday. Check out the EBA website as their are special event occuring throughout.

Saturday is the fifth and final performance of the OperaLyra Pirates of Penzance.  This date was added due to overwhelming demand so get your tickets quick if you want a seat.

If your looking for a little more theatre to spice up the weekend – or week – Ottawa Little Theatre offers up a night of fast-paced double-crosses, psychological twists and Manhattan murders in Deadly Murder.

Plaid ParadeSunday is also the Annual Plaid Parade organised by Ottawa Velo Vogue (who we love almost as much as we love our freedom machine). It’s a kid, dog and tartan friendly harmonious cycling parade party. Cycle over to Artisin Bakery at 1pm & join in the parade. After party follows at the Carleton Tavern 223 Armstrong and there will be donation boxes throughout to raise funds for RightBikes.  Shout out to Tall Tree Cycles & Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company for their commitment and organisational skills – takes a village.

Monday it’s Action Sandy Hill‘s Board Meeting from 7-9pm at the Sandy Hill Community Centre.

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Sandy Hill Shows Off Brazilian Moves and Swinging Grooves

Posted on October 21, 2013 | 2 comments

capoeira_Capoeira (Brazilian Martial Art),  pole dancing, salsa, swing, and belly dancing are taking Sandy Hill by storm.  Three new studios operate in Place de la Francophonie 450 Rideau Street at the corner of Chapel. We went down to check out the facilities and take part in a Dende do Recife Capoeira class. Now we can’t wait to go back for more.

DENDÊ DO RECIFE

Capoeira_3Marrying the discipline of martial arts to the beauty of dance is Capoeira group Dende do Recife. This Groupo de Capoeira bring quick-fire Brazilian acrobatic flips, spins and sweeps to build strength and dexterity in a convivial rhythmic dance environment.  

Founded in 1999 by Mestre Fabinho Cuencas who trained in Recife – Brazil’s 5th largest (3mil+) city – they offer courses for all levels and ages. This is a rare opportunity to get fit while discovering Brazilian culture and music with global roots.

We went to Sunday kid’s class to meet instructor Sereia and Mestre Fabinho.  The welcome was so positive it effectively melted any trepidation we felt about participating. Moves were a series of complicated, sometimes counter-intuitive twists, turns and kicks engaging muscle and mind in acrobatic activities that were both challenging and enjoyable. Our guide Sereia was ever encouraging creating an atmosphere where kids and adults could concentrate on improving with confidence in this energetic martial art ballet.  The hour wrapped up with each participant having a turn with Capoeira instruments as music is an equal partner in this physical discipline. African-born instrument the Berimbau and Arabian rhythm-setting drum the Atabaque were passed around as we engaged in music and song.  A truly encompassing and immersive class.

Capoira Dende Do RecifeOn a Friday night they host the weekly Roda – a musical circle of instruments and traditional songs – where capoeiristas take turns two at a time to enter the circle and perform a spiralling fighting dance “game”.

See Dende do Recife for further details and full schedule.

SWING DYNAMITE

Swing Dynamite offers a trip back in time to the most popular dances of the 20’s – 40’s including the Lindy Hop straight out of Harlem at the apex the jazz scene of the late 20’s and the Charleston – the Hip-Hop of its era.

The energetic, athletic classes are tailored for beginners or experienced dancers wishing to add new – or in this case old-skool- moves to their repertoire.

DANCE STUDIOS

Dance Studios offer a wide range of options from Ballroom through Pole dancing, Samba, Burlesque and Belly dancing.

Dance Studios also offer Zumba classes four nights a week which are a fun and popular way to get fit without having to leave the neighbourhood.

All Classes range from beginner through intensive and on Saturday morning they offer a children’s call in latin dance.

Weekly Dances in Sandy Hill

Tuesday Nights Swing UofO  holds a 5$ practice session on Campus open to the public. Tuesday’s 9pm during term.

Friday nights there’s a weekly 5$ OSDS dance at 317 Chapel – All Saints Church – 8:30-12:30am.

Also on Friday’s Dende do Recife hold their weekly Roda 6-7:30pm – a musical circle of instruments and traditional songs – where capoeiristas take turns two at a time to enter the circle and perform a spiralling fighting dance “game”.

Still at 450 Rideau is a weekly swing night every Saturday. Show up at 8:00 for an hour lesson or pop by a little later to simply swing the night away until 1am!

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Eye Spy: Petition for UofO on-Campus Residences

Posted on October 20, 2013 | Leave a comment

Action Sandy Hill / Action Cote de Sable has launched an online petition to encourage the University of Ottawa to build on-campus residences for its growing student population.

ottawa-campus_0University of Ottawa’s student body has grown by 15, 000 in roughly the last 10 years. The vibrant student community contributes greatly and positively to the energy of Sandy Hill yet the growing housing demands are now physically transforming the neighbourhood.  The petition underlines that any conversation must involve the entire population of the neighbourhood in an inclusive discussion on how to address the needs of the growing University.

For instance the Retirement Residence at 300 Friel was transformed this summer in to a 98-unit apartment building aimed specifically at students. An application has been submitted to the City (see billboard on Laurier Ave. at Friel) to knock down 6 low-rise (including one neglected yet beautifully elegant apartment on the corner) buildings and create a large 9 storey apartment with 162 units! At 87 Mann a development company has an application in with the city to transform the church at this location in to a 60 unit residence.

The public comment period on the last TWO projects are still open the associated project codes are:
D02-02-13-0086 & D01-01-13-0012 for Laurier and Friel and
D02-02-13-0076 & D02-02-13-0084 for 87 Mann.

Ottawa plaque UofOttawa19

Bear in mind there are likely more developments ongoing that Sandy Hill Seen is simply unaware of at the moment.

The University itself is building a 165 unit dwelling on Henderson Avenue whilst additionally seeking proposals from developers to build 750-bed units within 10 minutes walking distance of Campus.

These executed developments and on-going requests clearly speak to the need for greater accommodations.  Thus it is time for all residents within 10 minutes  walk of campus to sit down with the University, our Councillor Mathieu Fleury, the Mayor’s office and City Planners to find the solution to meet the entire neighbourhood’s needs.

Together a solution can be found to maintain the vibrant student population without encroaching on other diverse communities and businesses within our colourful urban neighbourhood.

Please sign the petition to have a voice in these ongoing conversations.

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