Tag Archives: St Albans

Wknd RoundUp: Planting Fun Ideas

Posted on May 22, 2014 | Leave a comment

Get your night market on!

Tonight and throughout the summer the Byward Market stalls stay open until 8PM so enjoy a post or pre-dinner shop. Bustle and chat with the wonderful produce stall holders that animate our local market.

Friday night “The Weather Station”  performs at St Alban’s – one of Ottawa’s most intimate and evocative venues. The acoustics are sensational and the surrounds will sweep you away as sure as the talents of Toronto singer songwriter Tamara Lindeman who’s folky timeless sounds are familiar yet achingly original.

Down at the Castle it’s the Museum of Nature’s monthly dance party Nature Nocturne. This month’s theme in coordination with the current Bio-luminescence special exhibit is of course Glow in the Dark. So brush your teeth, grab a glow stick and rock the castle. 8PM $22

Friday through Sunday it’s the Ottawa Race Weekend Celebration Stage for FREE concerts and a beer garden featuring Lowertown Brewery. Friday’s concerts begin at 6:30PM w Jim Bryson closing the evening. The stage rocks from 3:30 on Saturday w/ headliner Hawksley Workman at 7:45. Sunday the stage opens at 8:30am with a kid’s show from Circus Delight and performances continue through mid-afternoon .

Saturday over in neighbouring Overbrook children’s book bank “Twice upon a Time… il etait deux fois” opens at 404 macArthur. It’s like a book store except it is free! You can donate books, take books home or lend a hand at this wonderful new not-for-profit organisation that gives the gift of Book-Love!

Of course as well on Saturday – if you can handle the crowds – its the Great Glebe Garage Sale. Set your alarm early if you are hitting this one.

Saturday night Arts Courts is the place for Action! with performances from The School of Dance in the  ODD Box Theatre, 7:30PM, $10

Sunday why not do something really local and come to the launch / seedling starter party of Sandy Hill’s newest community garden Urban Shades. Everyone is welcome at this new weekly gardening event which kicks off this Sunday at 1PM with a Seedling Starter Party.

Finally on Sunday Ravenswing Art & Music Fair flies back in to Minto Park. The event features crafts, zines, live music, free skill-sharing workshops and yummy local food trucks! In it’s 8th year the fair is partnered with the “Clothesline Project” with the aim of ending all violence against women. 

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Weekend Roundup: Walking in Jane’s Footsteps

Posted on May 1, 2014 | Leave a comment

JWPoster2014The pick of the weekend is the 2-day Jane’s Walk phenomenon that, based on Jane Jacob’s advocacy for walking as a way to connect, understand and build thriving communities, sees a growing number of volunteers organise informative FREE strolls around Ottawa neighbourhoods this Saturday and Sunday. The areas are so diverse the times so disparate you are sure to find many that slot easily into your weekend plans and there is even a pick of French & English tours. There are over 50 walks organised this weekend and all are clearly listed here. Get walking and get connected with Jane’s Walk.

Thursday evening where else would you be but the Jane’s Walk launch at the Jane’s Walk Headquarters in Arts Court. Adrian Harewood MC’s the event and there is a walk-through video installation by artist Jessica Aylsworth while speakers include author Alain Miguelez, Poet David O’Meara and story-teller Dennis Van Staalduinen. Local and free 2 Daly Ave, 7-9PM.

Later Thursday evening over on Elgin St the ever expanding Lieutenant’s Pump is opening their newest room “The Gallery” with windows fronting on to the street this room is an art gallery where you can take in some culture as you sup your pint. 8PM

Friday night is new theatre work Corpus at Arts Court. We are looking forward to seeing this piece and what Director Bronwyn Steinberg – winner of the Prix Rideau Awards Production of the Year 2013 – is brining to the stage. Run continues til May 10th, 15-25$ 8PM.

Saturday May 3rd is the opening of “Creatures of Light” at the Museum of Nature. This exhibit of creatures from the deepest darkest depths of the ocean – what we fondly call the “midnight zone” – that generate light from there own body using bio-luminescence.  In our house we are mad about bio-luminescence so count on seeing us racing around the castle looking for Angler fish, sephonophores and more. Truly, bio-luminescence is tremendous.

At 2PM it’s the penultimate performance of the Pennsylvania Ballet’s Coppelia at the National Arts Centre (NAC),  One of the most charming ballets it is sure to entrance all comers. NAC 2PM & 8PM.

Saturday night The Peptides are having their album launch party for “Love Question Mark” at the beautiful St Alban’s church at King Edward and Daly Ave. The room is inspiring, intimate and the acoustics are amazing. Swoon and sway folks. 7:30PM 15$

Also on Saturday night is Elementals with Tindervox & the Haig band at the Lunenburg Pub. Cover only 4$

Sunday morning join local Jane’s Walk “Uptown Rideau, Mainstreet Interrupted” – pls scroll down when link opens page is not blank – hosted by Chris Bradshaw who will explore the intriguing past and present of our main shopping strip. Meet at 10:30am in front of Rideau Bakery for this 1hour tour. FREE

Sunday afternoon there is a French language Jane’s Walk hosted par les enfants, pour les enfants – pls scroll down when link opens page is not blank –. Explore Cote de Sable from a kid’s perspective. Walk starts at 2pm and the meeting point is the corner of Somerset East and Goulburn.

Sunday afternoon La Bottega is hosting an “Introduction to Italian Wine & Cheese” with Sommelier Alex Craig. 3:00-4:00PM 55$

At 4Pm it’s the Ottawa Jane Walk Wrap Party at the Lieutenant’s Pump  on Elgin Street. Join fellow walking enthusiasts and check out the new “Gallery Room” that opened just last Thursday.

Start off the work week with a fun Monday night Arts Court evening. Art Battle features 12 painters who have 20minutes to create on canvas then the gathered crowd picks the night’s winner.10-15$ 7PM Love it!

Finally, want to check out a new restaurant? Well Nu Seafood hasopened today in Vanier at 79 Montreal Road and they are doing a 1/2price menu until next Friday. Get in and let us know what you think. Rumour is the fish taco is delicious.

 

 

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Weekend Round-Up: Openings, Parades and Plays

Posted on February 5, 2014 | Leave a comment

cfscWelcome to the weekend. Our event of the weekend is the annual Winter Bike Parade hosted by CfSC and supported with an 8LocksFlat after bike/skate party this Saturday. Details below.

Thursday evening two new exhibitions opening at the Ottawa Art Gallery. Remi Theriault’s Front captures the present-day European countryside that was the scene of epic battles and transformed by the machinery of war.  Anyone who has visited these sites will be familiar with the grassy mounds where once trenches were dug, bodies were strewn and tanks ploughed the earth. Theriaults large scale images explore the landscape – serene, often vacant, at times a memorial – and what nature tells us about our violent past.  A well timed, thoughtful exhibit coming at the 100th anniversary of the 1st World War.

David R. Harper’s Entre le Chien et le Loup equally opens on Thursday night. “Entre chien et loup” is an expression that denotes the ephemeral time that divides the day from night – a dim and uncertain time.  Harper plays with this expression hinting not so much at the fleeting time of day but the transitory nature of memory exploring the link between the present moment and history through the use of mixed media including taxidermy, sculpture and ceramics.

Hopefully everyone pre-bought tickets to Vancouver’s Destroyer at the wonderful St Alban’s on King Edward ave as if rumours are correct it is sold out! Another great local event hosted by Arboretum Arts Festival.

Friday from 11:30am-2pm it’s the Stew Cook Off in the Byward Market. There will be all sorts of delicious participants from the SmoQue Shack, Fish Market and many more. 10$ gets you all the stew you can handle from over 20 competitors and all proceeds from this event are donated to our neighbours at the Lowertown Community Resource Centre’s camp program. Go delicious, go community.

Further afield but well in the zone of good taste this Friday is the opening of Ottawa’s Premiere Spice Shop “Cardamom & Cloves” at 440 Preston St from 10am-8pm.  Be one of the first to check out this new-comer in the vibrant downtown network of independently owned, crowd-source-supported businesses.

Soulpepper's Kim's ConvenienceFriday evening is the penultimate performance of Ins Choi’s Kim Convenience at the NAC.  The ensemble cast including the outstanding Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Best Actor in a Play 2012 – Toronto Theatre Critics Award), Andre Sills, Jean Yoon, Grace Lynn Kung and Choi shine in this simple yet universal play on difficult family dynamics, love, sacrifice and the transforming urban landscape. Set in a Toronto convenience store the story of what will happen to the business as Mr Kim nears retirement goes far deeper exploring generation conflict, expectations and acceptance. This production is a shining example of the power and accessibility of live theatre when well timed comedic writing is encompassed within compelling story-telling & supported by pitch perfect performances. Don’t miss this one. “Ok see you.”

Saturday: On Yer Bike Mates!  It’s the joint Citizens for Safe Cycling & 8LocksFlat family winter bike parade & Cycle-Skate Party. Meet at 11:15 – for an 11:30 departure – at the South Side of City Hall (Lisgar at Cartier). The route, in this it’s 3rd year,  features a leisurely 30-minute ride through our own Sandy Hill!!!!

The ride will wrap at 8LocksFlat where it’s Hot Chocolate for all and you can enjoy food, beer, fires and hop on the canal for a skate.

Saturday night is the last night for Kim’s Convenience and I’m highly recommending it!

Saturday and Sunday 1-4PM there are free wagon rides throughout Winterlude in the Byward Market.  Take the family and hop on at the corner of York St & William St.

On Sunday as part of Winterlude there is a Public Ice-Carving Challenge from 11:30-2:30.  You’ll need to register in advance for this fun, slightly daunting and creative activity.

Also on Sunday at the Rink of Dreams there are 30 minute ice shows at 11:30, 1:30 and 3:30 so bring you skates and enjoy the show.

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Weekend Round-Up: Downtown Chills & Winterlude Skills

Posted on January 30, 2014 | Leave a comment

No shortage of options this weekend folks – so ready, set, go LOCAL!

subway stations of the crossWhile Ins Choi’s Kim’s Convenience garners rave reviews at the NAC Sandy Hill gets the opportunity Sunday night to further explores Choi’s repertoire as he brings his one-off performance “Subway Stations of the Cross” to St Alban’s church. It promises a powerful spoken word piece with songs inspired by an encounter between Choi and a homeless man. 8PM 20$

On Thursday University of Ottawa Bike Coop (200 Lees Ave, Room A105) is holding a workshop on basic bike maintenance – tires and tubes. Get ready to fix your summer bike or learn how to maintain a year-rounder.  Bike Co-op membership is open to all.

There are still tickets available for Thursday night’s extra-date with Leif Vollebekk, performing at St Alban’s Church (454 King Edward Ave.) – through Ticketweb or at Vertigo Records and Compact Music – 8PM ADV 10$Leif Vollbekk

Lunenburg Pub has local theatre troupe 9th Hour and their production of Grain of Salt on Thursday and Friday evening. Little theatre and a little tipple. 7:30PM 20$ Door

Friday evening head to the Ottawa Art Gallery for the vernissage of Degel (Thaw) new works from Visual Arts artist Manon Labrosse. Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave, 5-8PM

winterlude-logoFriday night Winterlude kicks off in Confederation Square from 7pm with the “Great Winter Ball” that includes opening ceremonies, ice carvings, djs and fireworks. 7PM

Ice Carving events continue throughout the weekend with competitors from around the world taking part. Check out their mad Winterlude skills throughout the weekend at Confederation Park. FREE

Saturday evening is the closing night of Neil Simon’s Rumours at the  Ottawa Little Theatre, 400 King Edward Ave, 2PM, 12-25$

Saturday also sees Freeze Frame whereby 10 independent film makers were challenged to create within a 24hour deadline a Super 8mm short film using the Freeze Frame theme Saw Gallery(67 Nicholas St) 7:30PM FREE.

pop-fiction2-658x360Looking for some French Theatre? Come to Arts Court where until Sunday Feb 2nd you can take in Pop Fiction. A mixture of Science-Fiction and Reality this play brings the audience in to the action as it explores the strengths and failings of communications yesterday, today and tomorrow. 15-20$

Sunday Night it is our pick of the week Ins Choi’s Subway Stations of the Cross. One night only at St Alban’s Church 8PM.

Finally there is some kind of sporting event also on Sunday that some may want to take in apparently…. Happy Weekending!

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