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

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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…

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** 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

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