Tag Archives: Museum of Nature

Weekend Round Up: Sweet Spring in the Air

Lots going on this weekend so buckle-up for fun.  Pick of the weekend has got to be Sugarfest at North America’s only urban sugar shack – that would be the one in fun-loving Ward 12 of course!

Thursday – all day – get 50% off at Menchies in the Byward Market to celebrate their first anniversary. Given the lovely weather a family walk rewarded by dessert likely won’t go amiss this evening.

Autism fundraiserLater tonight in honour of World Autism Day (yesterday) the Lunenburg Pub is holding a fundraiser for Autism Speaks. The organisation that promotes the safety and well-being of those with Autism is Pay-What-You-Can.  This promises to be a great event with loads of live music and the opportunity on a night out to contribute to a great cause. Interested in advances in autism? Check out our recent post by Professor and Autism Expert Laura Cavanagh.

Opening Thursday and running until April 7 it’s the Edible Arctic Festival at the Museum of Nature featuring the creative culture and vibrant lifestyle of the Arctic North.  Much of the Museum’s collection is from the North yet little focuses on the life and culture – this exhibit of art, music, food and activities explores that human side.  Thursday night is free from 5-8PM and the schedule includes a movie at 6:30, storytelling, crafts and the Northern Lights!

Friday afternoon Chef Christine Cushing will be doing a meet and greet with Olive Oil tasting at La Bottega Nicastro.

Friday is opening night for a intriguing new production by Vacant House Theatre. The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine is their inaugural production and the play set in a basement apartment is literally set in the cramped basement confines of the Backpacker’s Hostel on York St. We’re looking forward to reviewing this production shortly – let us know what you think!

Over at Ritual on Besserer St it’s Toronto indie 5-piece The Wooden Sky supported by Dusted and the Wilderness of Manitoba.

Saturday is the Family bike ride to Vanier’s MuseoParc for the annual Maple Sugar Festival. The bike ride is a joint initiative put on by the Vanier & Overbrook Community Associations spearheaded by Sarah Partridge of Vanier a Velo / Vanier Cycles. Of course all comers – cyclists, pedestrians, public transport and drivers – are very welcome to the MuseoParc’s Sugaring Festivities… and did we mention FREE PANCAKES!!

Saturday night have a top meal or a quiet drink at The Albion Rooms or mix it up with the Brooklyn DJ Duo The Underachievers at Ritual.

AmayaframetasticSunday why not register yourself or your kid at a Capoeira class at neighbourhood studio Dende Do Recife – offering a 20% discount to all Sandy Hill residents. No better time to get fit whilst being immersed in this ever-more popular Brazilian cultural experience.

Weekend Round-Up: Thaw’t it Was Spring!

Snow fell as we wrote yet we remain steadfastly resolute that there will be a thaw this weekend. So get your wellies on, dodge the puddle-splashers and enjoy all that is going on in the S-Hill ‘hood and beyond.

snailsOur pick of the weekend is Ottawa Stilt Union’s Searching for Snails – a one-of-a-kind theatre experience for all ages playing at Arts Court through-out the weekend. Tickets start at 10$ and evening shows are at 7:30 & matinees at 2PM.

Friday all-time favourite monthly – a night out at the Castle – is on as Nature Nocturne returns for a night of music and fun at the Museum of Nature. This edition Big in Japan will celebrate the ingenuity, elegance and innovativeness in Japan. Starts at 8PM, tickets 20$.

At Cafe Alt (60 University Pvt) the final concert of their recent series presents Silver Dapple (MTL), Walrus (Halifax), and Chairs (MTL) at 9PM, 5$.

Saturday Ecology Ottawa is hosting their Complete Streets Strategy Forum in Centretown. Come out for a chance to hear, debate and discuss what an inclusive multi-modal street can look like. 9:30-2:30 Hotel Indigo 123 Metcalfe St.

TedxElgin is this Saturday from 11:30am. If you didn’t get your tickets for this event never fear as there is a livestream available and you should also be able to watch and listen in on the TedTalks portal shortly thereafter. Congratulations Ottawa and welcome to the innovative world of Ted Talks!

gezellig_1-600x337Stephen Beckta who brings so much to Ottawa with Beckta Dining, Play and Gezellig needs your help. In the fight against leukaemia Beckta is hosting a Swab-a-thon Saturday 9am-1pm at Gezellig at 337 Richmond Rd.  All that is involved is a Q-tip swab of a cheek to help find a stem-cell match. It’s a no-brainer so please help out. Only males 17-35  are eligible so please pass this request along to friends that can participate and give cancer a kick up the arse!

Saturday it’s Art Battle the monthly painting challenge at Arts Court where 12 painters go head-to-head with paintbrushes to create a twenty minute masterpiece. Watch the artists work and vote for your winner. Always original, unique and a fun evening out.

Earth Hour is this Saturday so if you’re hanging at home consider shutting down all things electronic, relax by candlelight or enjoy for a walk from 8-9PM in celebration of our planet! Be pretty cool if local businesses join in – nothing more romantic than a candlelit meal.

VERSeFest continues with it’s celebration of local and international poets until Sunday. A host of events are taking place at the Knox Presbyterian Church on Elgin at Lisgar and The Mercury Lounge in the Byward Market. Tickets are well priced so check it out. Full schedule at VERSeFest.ca

Sunday if you still haven’t gotten your tickets for Searching for Snails it’s the two last performances so come along and enjoy Ottawa Stilt Union’s latest. We’ll be at the Matinee!

Weekend Roundup: Chemistry, Photography & 3 Beers

As March is set to roar in like a Lion I cling to the hope of a lamb-like exit…

Stock up on fresh eats at the Ottawa U Farmer’s Market in the University centre today from 9-4pm .

Thursday is the opening night of Trois (Three) at Arts Court. That’s three performances nightly for three nights. “Three nights, three shows. And three beers for $10. Doors and cash bar open at 7:30, with the first performance at 8:00pm” Remember if you miss the opening there is always Friday and Saturday night. 

Former Sandy Hill’er and all around great guy Eugene Haslam is the latest CreativeMorning’s Presenter. Catch up with this popular commentator and powerful promoter at Friday’s session at Enriched Bread Artist Studios on Gladstone 8:30-10:00am

FrozenKick off your evening with family fun on Friday. Viscount Alexander on Mann St is hosting Movie Night! They’ve got Disney’s Frozen is on the program and the movie is free while the drinks & pizza are well priced. Doors 5:30 and movie starts at 6PM.

Friday night its the return of monthly event Nature Nocturne. This month the event explores photography with “Ready for your Close-up?“. It’s not strictly in the hood but 20mins on foot still counts as local in our book and a night at the Castle – Museum of Nature – is always magical. 8PM 22$.

Saturday at Carleton University its the 7th annual Chemistry Magic Show featuring one-hour “performances” at 11Am & 2PM with an all-day activity centre open (Steacie Building 2nd Floor) between 9:30-4:30. Suggested donation 3$. Theatre B, Basement Southam Hall.

Also on Saturday there are two opportunities to catch Essays the annual performance of new choreographies by Ottawa School of Dance, Arts Court 2 Daly,   2:30 & 7:30.

Weekend Round Up: Winter Welcome & warm up indoors

Snowy SHillDon’t be snowbound!  It’s a beautiful white-etched world out there on the streets of Sandy Hill.  And in our ever-fun hood the weekend activities kick off tonight!  Forget hump-day and head out to Arts Court for an exhibit launch.

Wednesday night is the opening reception of Stephen Harper:the Portrait Gallery.  The exhibit explores the impact of Harper’s governance and his philosophy on the country via portraiture. Curated by Dan Monet and including Emperor Haute Couture, the infamous 2011 naked painting of the PM by Margaret Sutherland, the show promises to be thought-provoking and hopefully amusing. Reception Wednesday 6-8pm @Arts Court 2 Daly Ave – showing until 29 Nov – Free.stephen harper naked

Thursday afternoon it’s time to stock up on healthy produce for the weekend ahead. The Farmer’s Market is at the University of Ottawa’s University Centre (by the bookstore) all day Thursday 9am to 4pm. Get some goodness in to your pantry!

Thursday night keep up healthy weekend prep by heading slightly further afield for a unique Yoga experience.  We love Nature Nocture nights at the Canadian Museum of Nature and now they’ve added Nature Yoga to the eclectic array of activities at the “Castle”.  Get your Om on in the beautiful Blue Water Gallery from 6:30-7:30pm and see the museum in a whole new aura! Tickets include Yoga session & all day admission 20$.

At 8pm the AB Series offers Blood is Blood – a collaborative dialogue between a child of Holocaust survivors, Endre Farkas, and Lebanese Montrealer Carolyn Marie Souaid based on emails and conversations during the 2006 Lebanese – Israel War. Evolved to both a book and a 15min film it is a powerful encounter between two of Montreal’s most powerful poets. Blood is Blood was an award winner at Berlin’s Zebra Poetry Film Festival. 8pm Arts Court, FREE.

bike city great cityKick off Friday night with a movie. Bike City – Great City airs at 5:30pm at Fauteux 302 on the UofO campus.  The screening with be followed by a panel discussion about the transformational power of multi-modal infrastructures in our City.

Friday 8PM head to SAWGallery for the annual SKETCH event. A 5$ admission fee gives you access to a silent-auction fundraiser with hundreds of affordable art works.  A super-fun art party and great opportunity to shop local for the holidays or to decorate your own abode! The silent auction ends at 11PM but you can celebrate your wins  til 1AM.

Saturday morning get out and tour 5 elegant homes in the n’hood! Harmony House Holiday House Tour provides a guided Tour of the architecture & interior design of Sandy Hill homes in support of the Harmony House Women’s Shelter, 10am-4pm, tickets 40$

Saturday &  Sunday it’s an Open Studio opportunity at Designer Glass Studio, 668 Chapel St, 1-4pm. Check out the art and potentially tick off some of your Holiday shopping. FREE.