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OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: May 8-14, 2014

[ Set Sails

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_ Set Sails by J. Michel Carriere, from the OttawaStart Flickr Group _

Here are our contributors' picks for the best events in Ottawa this week.

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** ** Thursday-Saturday, May 8-10: Spur Festival **

Billed as “Canada’s national festival of politics, art and ideas,” Spur Festival comes to Ottawa this year. The eclectic program includes a discussion on how language shapes politics in Canada (Thursday), a walking tour of political and historical Ottawa (Saturday) and sessions on music, comedy, poetry and writing, all with some well-known local and Canadian names attached.

_

Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _

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** ** Thursday, May 8: BlakDenim Album Release Show **

This Thursday, May 8, the RADIOACTIVE music series presents the official album release show of BlakDenim’s VANGUARD(EN) EP. For the occasion, the 9 piece hip-hop, funk, rock, soul, and jazz act that brings together clever lyricism and smooth vocal harmonies, will be performing live at the Mercury Lounge alongside local hip-hop poetry group Missing LinX. This is a certified good time guaranteed, I dare you to attend and stand still.

_ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _

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** ** Friday-Wednesday, May 9-14: Ottawa International Children’s Festival **

The Ottawa International Children’s Festival is a great place to bring your family. This is some of the best live performing arts for children. The Festival focuses on enriching school curriculum and promoting the arts as an integral part of children’s education; strives to present work that excites and challenges audiences of all ages; and prides itself on developing and producing award winning programming that comes from across Canada and around the world.

_ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _

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** ** Friday, May 9-Monday, May 19: Ottawa Tulip Festival **

Besides all the tulips there are a few new events this year, including a fireworks show on May 9, 14 and 17; “Cirque de Liberation” at Queen Juliana Park (near Dow’s Lake) and music series called Capital Sounds.

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Glen Gower _

** Saturday, May 10: Counting Birds in the South March Highlands **

Don’t miss this opportunity to get to know some local bird species, take a guided walk in the South March Highlands and contribute to citizen science! The Ottawa Bird Count invites you to learn about their work and a new project, Ecological Monitoring of the South March Highlands. Starts at 1 p.m.

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Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _

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** ** Saturday, May 10: Stripes & Pins Fashion Show **

If you enjoy fashion, you should head over to Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts this Saturday evening for the Stripes & Pins fashion show. Presented by designer Marcelle Bénédicte, the event will also feature music, entertainment, and art.

_ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _

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** ** Saturday, May 10: Signal, Verse, Noise: the Purdy Show **

Part of the Spur Festival. One night only: a special evening of music, comedy and poetry, featuring Bruce Cockburn, Steven Heighton, Douglas Gibson, Marni Jackson, Rivka Galchen and Anne Fenn. Hosted by David O’Meara. At the National Archives, 8pm.

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Amanda Earl , Bywords _

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** ** Saturday, May 10: The best of traditional Brazilian music returns to Le Petit Chicago **

Sing, dance or at least clap your hands at the best traditional Samba in the region, to celebrate the flowers, the 110th anniversary of Dali and the ‘Wonderful’. Early arrival is highly recommended - Le Petit Chicago is indeed really “petit” (small)." **

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Alayne McGregor , OttawaJazzScene.ca _

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** ** Sunday, May 11: Tulips at Sunrise: A Brown Knowser Photo Walk **

Before you celebrate Mother’s Day, why not capture some images of flowers at dawn? This spring photo walk will start at Preston and the Queen Elizabeth Drive and work its way through the tulip beds around Dow’s Lake. The sun rises just after 5:30 and we will meet just before then, rain or shine, and will shoot until about 7:30–you can be home in plenty of time to bring that special someone breakfast in bed. The event is free to join.

_

Ross Brown , blogger _

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_ Have a great week! _ **

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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