14 August 2014 / #weekly OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: August 13-20, 2014[ ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/derekmellon/14867029481)_ Maman - National Gallery of Canada. Photo by Derek Mellon from the OttawaStart Flickr Group __ Here’s our crowdsourced list of the best events in Ottawa this week. _**** **** ** Tuesday-Saturday, August 12-16: Youth Can Slam Festival **At the University of Ottawa, a week long festival of spoken word with performers ranging in age from teens to early twenties. Includes workshops, performances, slam competitions & more. _Amanda Earl , Bywords _**** ** Wednesday-Sunday, August 13-17: Festival de la Curd (St. Albert Cheese Curd Festival) ** Canada’s only cheese curd festival features not only cheese curds but music, entertainment, and a look at the reconstruction of the cheese factory after the fire last year._Glen Gower _**** ** Thursday, August 14: ** Crush Improv presents _ My Summer Crush _Opening night for Crush Improv’s summer series at Arts Court. This event kicks off three weeks of workshops and shows by performers from across Canada. Featuring special guest Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall) on August 22 & 23. I’m playing paino on Thursday and a few other nights during the run._Glen Gower _**** ** Thursday, August 14: above/ground press 21st anniversary party **7:00pm at Raw Sugar, 692 Somerset W. Jason Christie, Anita Dolman + Andy Weaver - $6. rob mclennan’s above/ground press has been a prolific chapbook publisher of emerging & established poets. this reading will be a great opportunity to get a taste of Canadian contemporary poetry._Amanda Earl , Bywords _**** ** Friday-Sunday, Augut 15-17: National Capital Craft Beer Festival ** Beer lovers won’t want to miss the third edition of the National Capital Craft Beer Festival taking place at Marion Dewar Plaza in front of City Hall. The now-annual festival allows you to discover the wide selection of craft brewed beers available across the National Capital Region. Thsi year’s programming also features culinary creations offered by artisanal eateries, a speaker series focusing on craft beer and artisanal food, and live musical entertainment presenting regional “Home-Brewed Talent”._ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _**** ** Friday, August 15: Soda Shop ** Mugshots and Harvey & Verns have teamed up to present SODA SHOP, a summer night’s dance party in the spirit of Soc Hops and Rock n’ Roll. Fill your hands with pomade and slick back that hair, throw on your best polka dot dress and head over to Mugshots this Friday night to dance to best Doo Wop, Bubblegum & Rock n’ Roll courtesy of DJs Gina Vinelli, Matty McGovern and Matt Tamblyn. The films American Graffiti, Crybaby and The Outsiders will also be projected on the wall for your enjoyment._ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _**** ** Friday-Sunday, August 15-24: The Capital Fair ** It’s not quite the Super Ex but it’s close. The Capital Fair (formerly the Gloucester Fair) takes place at Rideau Carleton Raceway. Featuring a full midway, monster truck show and free grandstand entertainment._Glen Gower _**** ** Saturday, August 16: Lansdowne Park Official Opening **It’s here, forget the hoopla, so come out and check it out for yourselves! There will be an old-fashioned carnival and picnic in the park. The day will feature free concerts, exhibitions and activities for the entire family._Laura Gauthier _**** ** Saturday, August 16: The Casino Lac-Leamy Sound of Light: Grand Finale **The 19th edition of the Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light fireworks festival wraps up this Saturday with the grand finale where the winner of the festival is announced and a pyromusical show featuring the artistry of Royal Pyrotechnie, the company that has ensured the artistic and technical direction of the Sound of Light event since 2012. This year, the festival is taking place in the backyard of the Canadian Museum of History, so don’t go to Lac Leamy like you have in past years! In addition to some world-class fireworks, there are lots of activities throughout the site and shows on the Tim Hortons stage. The site opens at 6pm, the fireworks start around 9:30pm and everything wraps up at 11pm._Gordon Dewis _**** ** Saturday August 16: Sailing Towards A New Breath of Life **Cruise on the Outaouais River on board the Ottawa River Queen. In support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, enjoy a 4 hour boat cruise and see the Casino’s fireworks finale. Boogie to disco music, create your own costume and win great prizes._Jean Labelle _** Saturday-Sunday, August 16-17: Ottawa Mini Maker Faire **At the Science and Technology Museum. Presented by Artengine, this two-day family-friendly event brings together enthusiasts across the spectrum of technology from robot makers, 3D printers, and engineers to aviation specialists, knitters, woodworkers and solderers to inspire, entertain and allow attendees to learn and experience the joy of creating._ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _**** ** Saturday-Sunday, August 16-17: Ottawa Mini Maker Faire **What is a maker? It’s someone that makes things, ya dingus! Come see some of the coolest things that makers of all types are creating right here in Ottawa and abroad. Robots! Comic books! Lego castles! Hacked arcade machines! 3D-printed Glen Gowers! Who knows what you might see? I went to this event last year and highly recommend it, especially if you have kids._Jake Naylor _**** ** Sunday, August 17: Vintage Motorcycle Show ** Meet the keepers of vintage motorcycles and their prized possessions! You’ll learn about different types of motorcycles from different parts of the world and can test your motorcycle knowledge with our family-friendly scavenger hunt. At Billings Estate. $6 per person / $16/family._ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _**** ** Sunday, August 17: Biodome Garden Grand Opening **Brewer Park Community Garden volunteers had a great idea a couple of years ago: to build a garden that would extend the growing season for fresh, local food. They realize that vision this weekend with the opening of Ottawa’s first Biodome Garden at 11:00 a.m. Come see what makes it unique. (Stay on for Savour Ottawa’s annual Harvest Table —buy your tickets for that in advance—and the regular weekly Ottawa Farmers Market at Brewer Park.)_Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _**** ** Monday-Saturday, August 18-23: Arboretum Music Festival **The only concert that I felt I couldn’t miss this summer was the Constantines at Arboretum Music Festival. If you don’t already know, they are a recently reunited rock’n’roll outfit who, in my humble opinion, are one of Canada’s crown jewels in its history of music, and almost assuredly one of our country’s best-ever live acts. This band is but one of way-too-many reasons why you should visit this new and growing festival, which is a celebration of many of life’s joys - wonderful food, visual and video arts, artistic growth, community collaboration, supporting local - beyond its primary focus of music. Across twelve different venues over the course of a week, come eat, dance, learn, be inspired, drink some beer, make some friends, and - for your own good - see the Constantines. _ (PS: The entire music line-up is killer, and includes Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene, Chad Vangaalen, locals Hilotrons and Steve Adamyk Band, and another one of my must-see acts: Weaves.) (PPS: A PASS FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK IS ONLY $50 SOMEHOWWHATTHEHECKARETHEYTHINKING.) _ _Jake Naylor _**** ** Wednesday, August 20: Julie Doiron and the Wooden Stars **In 1999, Ottawa’s own Wooden Stars teamed up with Julie Doiron, formerly of Eric’s Trip to release an unlikely but excellent album. So excellent, in fact, that it won a Juno in 2000 for Alternative Album of the Year. They are reuniting to perform at this year’s Arboretum Music Festival , so find a way to St. Alban’s Church so that you don’t miss this show. Here’s a tune:http://youtu.be/VpzXhuRO-Rw_Ryan Bresee , CKCU’s Whatever’s Cool With Me _**** ** July 3-August 23: Children’s Activities at Rideau Hall **Enjoy “Storytime at Rideau Hall,” in collaboration with Frontier College. Fridays and Saturdays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., from June 28 to August 23. Learn about heraldry by designing your very own coat of arms. Daily, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Stroll the grounds, bring a picnic and enjoy the children’s play structure.Watch the Relief of the Sentries of the Ceremonial Guard. Daily, every hour on the hour, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 25 to August 22._ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _**** ** June 24-August 23: Changing the Guard on Parliament Hill **See a Canadian tradition at its most colourful! The Ceremonial Guard brings stirring military drills and music to Parliament Hill. Daily at 10:00am on Parliament Hill. And it’s free._ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _**** ** Until September 1: Who glows there? The science of bioluminescence at the Canadian Museum of Nature **What is behind the mysterious science of bioluminescence? What are the organisms that glow and why do they do it? Check out this fascinating natural phenomenon all summer long at the Museum of Nature._ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _**** ** All summer long, June-August: Beaches, pools and splash pads **Celebrate summer, enjoy a mini-holiday or cool down at one of Ottawa’s four public beaches, 56 wading pools and almost 100 splash pads, or Gatineau’s three public beaches, 10 or so wading pools and more than 30 splash pads. They’re open, they’re free and they’re fun._Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _**** ** Anytime: Explore the capital region’s bike paths! **After the completion of the Sawmill Creek pathway recently I am now finally able to get from the South Keys area to the pathways down the river and canal! A great reminder there are constant updates to paths, and beautiful things to see and do along the way. Lots of great resources to make a lovely hour, afternoon, or day of biking the beautiful pathways around the Ottawa and Gatineau areas. Don’t forget Sunday Bike Days are still on! _– Laura Gauthier __ Have a great week! _** See also: ** Ottawa Events GuideIf you liked this post, you should ** subscribe to etcetera , ** our free email newsletter. Featuring cool Ottawa events, interesting local news and contests and giveaways. Thanks!