OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Winterlude (of course) and much more

Winterlude, Ottawa's most famous festival and one of the world's great winter festivals.  Photo by Ross Dunn.

Here are our contributors' picks for the best events in Ottawa this week.  Please add your event suggestions in the comments below!

Josee from Frugal Fun Ottawa:     
WINTERLUDE: The Winterlude opening ceremony takes place on Friday at the Museum of Civilization, with special programming including musical fireworks. Other Winterlude activities taking place this weekend include the annual free pancake breakfast at Festival Plaza on Saturday (10 am, City Hall), and the annual Beds Race on the canal - the bed parade is at 12:30 on Saturday and the race will go from 1 to 3 pm, weather permitting of course!


Brett Delmage, OttawaJazzScene.ca: 
JAZZ: The first Ottawa Winter Jazzfest will present a wide variety of jazz concerts from Thursday, February 2 to Saturday, February 4. You can hear jazz influenced by Brazilian and other world music, groups from the forefront of modern Canadian jazz, the avant-garde improvising IMOO Orchestra, two Ottawa jazz vocalists in an intimate setting, or the swinging piano of Oliver Jones. Find out details and enter a draw by Thursday noon to win free tickets!

Ryan Bresee, radio host of CKCU's Whatever's Cool With Me:  
MUSIC: If you're looking for something a little different musically this week, check out Yamantaka//Sonic Titan on Friday at Babylon. They're hard to describe as they can be dreamy and atmospheric one minute and then explode into a wall of rock the next. Their live show is supposed to be a fun spectacle.

Denise Deby, who writes for Green Living Ottawa:  
MUSIC: The Mighty Popo is back in town from touring and plays Friday, February 3, 8:00pm at Cabaret La Basoche, 120 rue Principale in Gatineau. The Ottawa-based Rwandan/Burundian musician always creates amazing sounds, but his latest album, Gakondo, is full of rich music, poetry and rhythms that reach back to his roots.

Eugene Haslam, Zaphod's Owner:
MUSIC: I'll be back in Ottawa to see SHEEZER, the all-lady WEEZER cover band, doing only songs from the Blue album and Pinkerton. And people more interesting than me (err....Rivers Cuomo) are fans. The bands' pedigree includes members that play in Hidden Cameras, Gentleman Reg, The Phonemes and By Divine Right. They are at Zaphod's on February 4.


Glen Gower, Editor/Owner of OttawaStart.com:
ART: Andrew King opens his new solo exhibition, After 8 at Wallspace Gallery on Saturday night, February 4. This show features a collection of new art inspired by a recent road trip that recreated 1960s Americana. Andrew gave me a preview of some of the pieces a few weeks back and they're a very entertaining mix of humour and nostalgia. Continues until February 26.

Ross Brown, blogger/writer/author/photog:
COMEDY: Got the winter blues? Need a good laugh? Nova Scotia comedian Nikki Payne takes the stage at the Ottawa Little Theatre on Saturday, February 4. I first saw Nikki on NBC's Last Comic Standing and have heard her countless times on CBC Radio's The Debaters, and I've been hoping for the opportunity to see her perform live. I finally get my chance this weekend.


Don from foodieprints:  
FOOD & DRINK: Those of you who prefer wine over beer during Superbowl Sunday, would you consider a wine pairing evening the Saturday before the game (February 4, 7:00pm)? Dubbed Grapes and Gastronomy, Roger Linton from Vintner's Selection will be hosting a 5-course wine-paired meal, starting with a glass of Angels Gate Archangel Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc. The dishes will be prepared by Adams Apple Catering. The event will be held at Sala San Marco (215 Preston Street) in Little Italy. Tickets are $75 pp and can be purchased by contacting Roger at roger@vintnersselection.com


Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ottawa Centre:  
HAPPY NEW YEAR: In celebration of the recent Lunar New Year and the start of the Year of the Dragon, his weekend I’ll be attending the Ottawa Chinese Community Association Lunar New Year Festival. It will be held at Mother Theresa Catholic High School, located at 440 Longfields Drive, Nepean on Sunday, February 5th from 10am to 4:30pm.

Laura Nicol, aka @311Laura:  
FAB WOMEN: Monday there is a great event for a great cause happening  - FAB Women All Women Gala. Tickets are only 75$ and proceeds go to the Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre. Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau is the keynote speaker and there are raffles, prizes, music, food and a fashion show.

Amanda Earl, poet & publisher: 
ART: Coco Riot and Elisha Lim, exhibit up til end of February. Venus Envy, 320 Lisgar. Coco Riot and Elisha Lim make art inspired by the fact that they're trans. Not trans as in “she becoming he”, or “he becoming a she” - but trans as in neither he nor she, as...in “they becoming they”. Do you use “they” too? For your gender pronoun? For your despair with words? Or in general rebellion? Yeah. This art is dedicated to you.

Have a great week!

See also: Ottawa Winterlude Guide
If you liked this post, please consider subscribing to our blog via email, Twitter, Facebook or RSS. Thank you.

Recommended blog reading: The Ottawa Breakfast Club

World's Smallest Pancake.  Photo by Glen Gower.

I found this blog recently that I'm sure you'll like if you're a fan of brunch and breakfasts: The Ottawa Breakfast Club.  As described on their blog: "The adventures of 8 Ottawa residents in search of the perfect Ottawa breakfast ... so that others may benefit from our adventures in eggs and toast and coffee."

What's your favourite place for breakfast in Ottawa?  Add your comment below.


See also: Ottawa Food Guide
If you liked this post, please consider subscribing to our blog via email, Twitter, Facebook or RSS. Thank you.

Four photo collages of wintery Ottawa

Thanks to Luciana Nechita for sending along these photo collages of winter in Ottawa.  They are incontestable evidence that Ottawa is the world's most beautiful city in winter.

See also: Ottawa Photography Guide
If you liked this post, please consider subscribing to our blog via email, Twitter, Facebook or RSS. Thank you.

Fake Friday: Archaeologists Unearth 9,000 Year Old Baby Stroller In West Wellington Village

Wellington West - A dramatic discovery was made earlier this week when archaeologists uncovered an almost perfectly preserved 9,000 year old baby stroller in a condo development construction site near Harmer Ave.

The discovery of the primitive Neolithic stroller is in keeping with the area's rich, baby-centric reputation, and furthers the concept that not much has changed in the area over the last 9,000 years.

Making the archeological find was Professor Glenn Holgenfrod from the University of Ottawa's palaeontology department. Holgenfrod hails the discovery as "remarkable" and is excited to learn more about the stroller which is apparently made out of wood and clay.

"The stroller was obviously a part of a Neanderthal family living in the Wellington West area over 9,000 years ago." remarked Holgenfrod.

"Its three wheel design for pushing a baby Neanderthal around the area illustrates how things don't change much in this neighbourhood throughout history," Holgenfrod explained.

Researchers and fellow archaeologists also discovered a variety of other Neanderthal family items at the dig site including a coffee cup made of clay, a hemp mat, and tea leaves.

"This site has tremendous historical value in that it shows how families have not evolved that differently over the course of thousands of years." said Holgenfrod. "We will continue our investigation and see what other items we can uncover that may link our past to the present."

The discovery of the stroller happened in an on-going condo-development near Harmer Ave. where a small home had previously stood, but has since been torn down. Construction on a 345 unit 24 story condo building has been planned once the Heritage Conservation dig concludes its research later this year.

This article originally appeared on the-o-dot and is republished here.

Awesome Ottawa: Curling on your neighbourhood rink, with fully painted targets

These photos come from Craig at the Bells Corners Blog.  This is neighbourhood bonspiel in the Lakeview community. Craig says:

"The guy who organizes the community bonspiel is the same guy who maintains the ice for the City of Ottawa - he's widely recognized as the "guru" of outdoor rinks. Normally that rink is used as a "puddle rink" for non-hockey players, but a couple of times a year popular curling events are organized. He puts a lot of work into making the sheets - even pebbling the ice. He's been looking after the Lakeview rinks and maintaining the best possible ice conditions  for over 20 years, while this is the third year for the curling."

See also: Ottawa Sports and Recreation Guide
If you liked this post, please consider subscribing to our blog via email, Twitter, Facebook or RSS. Thank you.

OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: All-Star Weekend, lion dance, snowshoeing in the dark, more

I asked our contributors to send in their picks for this week, and Stuntman Stu responded with this: "ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL STARRRRRRRRRRRR GAMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE."
Translation: Stu is excited about the 2012 NHL All-Star game happening this weekend in Ottawa. Here's a big list of All-Star Weekend events happening around town...

But the All-Star Game isn't the only game in town. Read on...


Brett Delmage, OttawaJazzScene.ca: 
JAZZ: When local saxophonist Richard Page met English trumpeter Ed Lister, they immediately realized they shared the same love for the classic hard bop jazz of the 60s -- and wanted to modernize it to the present day. They've joined with several Ottawa jazz stalwarts to form the Ottawa Hard Bop Association, which has a show at Maxwell's on Thursday evening (January 26). Cover is only $5. http://ottawajazzscene.ca/_os/upcoming-shows/3785-the-ottawa-hard-bop-association-at-maxwells-bistro

Amanda Earl, poet & publisher: 
POETRY: On Friday, January 27 at 7pm it's the Issue 8 launch of Ottawater.com edited by rob mclennan, upstairs at the Carleton Tavern (223 Armstrong @ Parkdale). Not only do you get to hear great poetry by local Ottawa folk, but you also get to sample delicious food. The Montreal smoked meat is superb & the poets ain't no hams. Some of these folks will be there: Sylvia Adams,, Frances Boyle, Sara Cassidy, Anita Dolman, Richard Froude, Phil Hall, Marilyn Irwin, Alastair Larwill, Anne Le Dressay, Robin K. Macdonald, Rob Manery, Karen Massey, Christine McNair, Cath Morris, Colin Morton, K.I. Press, Bardia Sinaee, jesslyn delia smith, Priscila Uppal.


Ruvini Godakandae:
MORE POETRY: If you’ve had the privilege of checking out some of Ottawa’s notable slam poets, you already know Ottawa is a hub for raw talent with a slam team that already has two national championship wins under their belt. Saturday night, Ottawa will host its first ever Women’s Slam Championships at the Arts Court. See how twelve of Ottawa’s finest female wordsmiths show you how it’s done as they take you on a verbal journey for a chance at being one of the four feature spots for VERSeFest Ottawa’s Poetry Festival. Ruthanne Edward will host the event and Mia Morgan will be the sacrificial poet.

Josee from Frugal Fun Ottawa:    
OUTDOORS: There are two great activites taking place this weekend and we'd love to attend both! The Governor General is hosting a Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall on Saturday from 12:30 to 4 pm. Free activities will include a chance to try several Nordic sports, skating on the historic outdoor rink, tours of Rideau Hall, and appearances by some very special guests. On Saturday you can also celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chinatown -the Lion Dance will wind its way down Somerset between Preston and Bay Streets from 1 to 2:30 pm. Happy New Year!

Laura Nicol, aka @311Laura:   
SHOWSHOEING: Saturday evening CPAWS is hosting a night time snowshoe hike in Gatineau Park.
Kaitlin Wainwright, blogger & twitter-er: 

TREES: I strongly encourage you to visit the new exhibition at the Bytown Museum, "Six Moments in the History of an Urban Forest", curated by Dr. Joanna Dean of Carleton University and Will Knight, a PhD student. It runs from January 24 until May 27, and explores some of Ottawa's oldest neighbours: Our trees in the urban forest.

Don from foodieprints:  
FOOD: Murray Street Kitchen's Taste of Winterlude "Maple Shaker" event may have been cancelled, but similar dishes from the menu Chef Steve Mitton was planning to serve will still be served at the restaurant on Tuesday, January 31. On the original menu: poutine rapees with cured pork belly and smoked cheddar; pattes de cochons with braised cabbage and apple fritters; "mom's beans with crispy pork rinds; cipaille with pig, goose, duck, elk, and wile boar; and pouding chomeur with maple syrup. Want to try comfort food, fit to be served at sugar shack? Visit Murray Street Kitchen (110 Murray Street) next Tuesday. Reservations recommended.

Denise Deby, who writes for Green Living Ottawa:  
FOOD & ENVIRONMENT: I own a faded, well-used copy of the ground-breaking Diet for a Small Planet so was delighted to hear that its author, Frances Moore Lappé, is in town to speak about her new book, EcoMind, and the food and environmental myths that keep us from making positive changes. USC Canada hosts the event on February 1, 7:30 p.m. at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts. Tickets $10 ($15 at door). http://usc-canada.org/lappe/

Sterling Lynch, editor of the Ottawa Arts Newsletter:
THEATRE: Blood on the Moon is an accessible and entertaining one-man show and historical courtroom drama, in which James Patrick Whelan’s ghost tells the story of his arrest, trial, and execution for the 1868 murder of Thomas D’Arcy McGee. It runs at the GCTC until February 5th. 

Have a great week!

See also: Ottawa Events Guide
If you liked this post, please consider subscribing to our blog via email, Twitter, Facebook or RSS. Thank you.

VIDEO: Canadian Police College blows up an OC Transpo bus

"Canadian Police College (CPC) Post-Blast Scene Technicians Course exercise: Decommissioned OC Transpo Bus explosion. For more details, visit: http://www.cpc-ccp.gc.ca/en/PBLAST_Exercise_OC_Transpo"


(via iheartoctranspo)

See also: Ottawa OC Transpo Guide
If you liked this post, please consider subscribing to our blog via email, Twitter, Facebook or RSS. Thank you.