OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: April 23-29

_ Our crowdsourced list of the best events in Ottawa this week. You can find even more events on our Ottawa Event Calendar . _

** April 22-28: Ottawa International Writers Festival Spring Edition ** The festival takes place twice a year; it’s one of my favourite activities. Check out my three picks here: _ – Amanda Earl , Bywords _ ** Thursday, April 23: Moving Ottawa Towards 100% Renewable Energy ** We might have something to learn from Burlington, Vermont: they’re shifting from non-renewable to clean energy. Hear from two of the people involved. Hosted by the Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative and 1125@Carleton. _ – Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _ ** Thursday-Sunday, April 23-26: Ottawa Grassroots Festival ** The 4th annual Ottawa Grassroots Festival is being held from April 23 to April 26 at the Montgomery Legion. For this edition, the programming includes performances by headliners Old Man Luedecke, Connie Kaldor, Stef Paquette, and Eric Dubeau among several others as well as workshops, jam sessions, choirs a KidsZone and more. _ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _ ** Thursday-Saturday, April 23-25: ** ** Darren Frost - X-Rated Comedy Tour Live At Yuk Yuk’s ** To celebrate the release of Darren Frost’s The Darkness Within Box Set, the critically acclaimed and celebrated comedian will be starting a cross-country tour at Ottawa Yuk Yuk’s on Elgin Street. He was twice awarded top ten comedy moments of the year by Toronto entertainment magazine Now with another mention in the year end comedy wrap of 2012. Darren has been awarded the prestigious Kari award for Best Performance in a Commercial in Canada. He has also performed in various comedy festivals including Just For Laughs, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and LOL Sudbury. _ (Sponsored) _ ** Saturday-Sunday, April 25-April 26: ** ** Vibrant! The 2015 OVCC Artisans @ Archives Spring Market ** The OVCC | Artisans @ the Archives launches spring with a celebration of the work of some of the best artists and artisans from across Ottawa, the Valley and the Outaouais. Celebrating pottery, glass, jewellery, paintings & drawings, wood turning, gourmet foods, fashion & accessories, photography, furniture & decor, sculpting, body & beauty and more. Come and enjoy our one-stop shopping experience. _ (Sponsored) _ ** Saturday, April 25: R.A.P.S.Ody ** R.A.P.S.Ody is Ottawa’s new monthly event where urban artists come together to compete in a classic “cypher” hip hop format meant to be inclusive and open to all. Happening this Saturday evening, the third edition will feature spoken word artists, rappers, dancers, beatboxers, singers and a live performance by special guest Gutta King Chris of Ottawa. _ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _ ** Saturday, April 25: Nurturing Creativity with David Usher ** There are lots of great events going on with the Ottawa’s Writers Festival - but this one stood out for me. Not only is the talk by Canadian rock band Moist’s lead singer - it’s on a very interesting topic. Not everyone is born with creative genius - but Usher argues you can nurture it and bring it out - even if you think you’re not creative. Should be an interesting night! _ – Laura Gauthier _ ** Saturday, April 25: Maker Space North Warehouse Party ** This Saturday at Maker Space North, there’s going to be a garage and dance clash Warehouse Party with Ottawa’s Silkken Laumann, New Swears and Beat Cops performing live alongside DJ Matt Tamblyn. The event will also feature art installations, visual projections as well as food and drinks by Belmont Snack Bar. _ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _ ** Saturday, April 25: kick IT a dance club for kids ** A hoppin’ afternoon dance club for four to ten year olds – a place where kids can let loose and show off their moves or even learn new ones from our enthusiastic in-house dance crew. Kids are free to get creative on the dance floor with the bangin’ beats and get crazy in the photobooth. While your kids are bustin’ their moves. Feel free to visit the Big Kids Coffee Bar where there are tasty treats for all ages. Or better yet – join them on the dance floor and show ‘em what you’ve got! At Centrepointe Theatre. _ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _ ** Saturday, April 25: The Rob Frayne Dream Band at the Westboro Royal Canadian Legion ** Ottawa jazz composer Rob Frayne is presenting his fourth Dream Band concert this Saturday. It’s his biggest ever, and features an 18-piece big band that includes a Juno award-winning sax player, a Hammond organ, and a tuba. To complement his big sound and deliver his vision of a concert that will span the decades and centuries, he’s also featuring big visuals, with a choreographed and improvised modern dance element. _ – Alayne McGregor , OttawaJazzScene.ca _ ** Sunday, April 26: Hair Donation Ottawa … a cancer research fundraiser ** Hundred of brave souls will be donating their ponytails of six inches or longer and/or shaving their heads during the annual event and raising funds for the Ottawa Hospital and CHEO Research Institute. All 6″+ hair donations go to 360-Hair , a Canadian company providing free wigs for financially challenged children and young adult cancer patients across Canada. _ (Sponsored) _ ** Sunday, April 26: Community Conversation for Walking With Our Sisters ** The communities of Chelsea, Wakefield and Kitigan Zibi are hosting this discussion, lunch, music and drumming event in support of Walking With Our Sisters, a memorial to murdered and missing Indigenous women. WWOS, a collaborative art installation made up of more than 1700 beaded moccasin vamps, will be coming to Ottawa this fall. _ – Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _ ** Tuesday, April 28: Blog Out Loud ** Part of the Ottawa International Writers’ Festival, Blog Out Loud is an open mic night for local Ottawa bloggers. Ten writers will read their favourite post from the past year out loud to a live audience. Posts may be funny, sad, angry, or moving – but all are personal stories from interesting lives. _ – Glen Gower _ ** Friday-Sunday, May 1-3: ** ** Ottawa PoutineFest ** Get your Forks Ready for Ottawa PoutineFest!  The World of Poutine is set to take over Downtown Ottawa, May 1-3 at Marion Dewar Plaza near City Hall.  20 Vendors featuring your local favourites and some special guests from Montreal and Toronto will be serving Poutine from around the world for your tasting pleasure. _ (Sponsored) _ _ For more events, check out ottawastart.com/events/ … or add your event via ottawastart.com/start/ _