OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: August 15-21, 2013

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

** Wednesday-Sunday, August 14-18: St-Albert Curd Festival **

The village of St-Albert is gearing up for the 20th anniversary of Canada’s one and only Curd Festival, and invites everyone to join in the celebration from August 14 to 18. While construction on the new cheese factory is underway, a memorable edition is being churned out at ground level, one that will be sure to warm the hearts and innards of one and all. **

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Jean Labelle _

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** ** Friday-Saturday, August 16-17: Arboretum Arts Festival **

The Arboretum Arts Festival is back for a second edition after a successful first year. For 2013, Ottawa’s new music, food and arts festival is back in full force with 2 days of programming that include local music by Roberta Bondar, Doldrums, Sarah Neufeld, NDMA, Boyhood, Camp Radio, Micheal Feuerstack, Fet.Nat, Flight Distance, Missing Linx, and Her Harbour among others. The lineup also includes Chef Sessions, a concert-like line-up of the city’s forward-thinking chef’s, who will be doling out small courses in 1-hour “sets”, media and art installations, a kids corner and free programming. Check it out and support local. **

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Eliane Laberge _

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** ** Friday-Saturday, August 16-17: Arboretum Arts Festival **

This is the place to be this weekend. It’s a boutique festival at the Arts Court featuring some of the finest food and art Ottawa has to offer. Oh, did I mention all the music? Music from the likes of Owen Pallett, Jim Bryson, Holy Fuck, and Sarah Neufeld (from Arcade Fire) to name just a few. They really are trying to stimulate as many senses as possible. Poke through their website to see what they have to offer including a series of free events. **

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Ryan Bresee _

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** ** Friday-Saturday, August 16-17: National Capital Craft Beer Festival **

Beer lovers won’t want to miss the second edition of the National Capital Craft Beer Festival taking place on August 16 and August 17 at Marion Dewar Plaza in front of the Ottawa City Hall. The 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 mouth-watering 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”.

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Eliane Laberge _

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** ** Saturday, August 17: Fau Mardi sur l’herbe **

The forecast is looking good for the weekend ahead so if you’d like to indulge in some free outdoor electronic music, the Fau Mardi Collective has you covered with Fau Mardi sur l’herbe taking place at the Imaginaire Park beside the Aylmer Marina. The collective is offering a free family-friendly event featuring guest DJs who’ll present a variety of electronic music styles every Saturday of August. You can get the entire programming by clicking below. ** [

](https://www.facebook.com/events/489245204492205/) ** _

Eliane Laberge _

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** ** Saturday, August 17: Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light (Philippines) **

** Wednesday, August 21: Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light (United Kingdom) **

The 18th edition of the Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light fireworks festival continues this Saturday with the team from Platinum Fireworks representing the Philippines. On Wednesday the team from Pains Fireworks will represent the United Kingdom. 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.

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Gordon Dewis _

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** ** Sunday, August 18: Organic Farm Tour and Harvest Table **

Sunday offers an abundance of local food events. The Canadian Organic Growers – Ottawa-St. Lawrence-Outaouais Chapter is hosting an Organic Farm Tour to three local farms, while Savour Ottawa is bringing chefs and local farmers together to create dishes for its annual Harvest Table . Come celebrate the local harvest and meet some of the people who make it possible.

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Denise Deby _

** Sunday, August 18: The Jivewires at Les Brasseurs du Temps **

The Jivewires play jump jazz, taking their influence from the jazz and satire of 40’s and 50’s greats Louis Jordan, Cab Calloway, Wynonie Harris and Louis Prima. It’s high-energy, fun music that often gets their audiences jivin' along to the band’s originals and a few classic tunes from that era. They’re currently recording their fifth album, and will play some new tunes from that at BDT in downtown Gatineau.

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Brett Delmage _

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** ** Sunday, August 18: Dusty Owl Reading Series . **

At 3pm, featuring comedian & writer Kalyani Pandya & spoken word performer Lukayo Faye Estrella, aka Festrell, Mugshots, 75 Nicholas. Funny, thought-provoking, sex positive, geeky, feminist. free/PWYC.

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Amanda Earl _

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** ** Until ** ** Saturday, August 31: My Summer Crush **

My friends at Crush Improv present three (!)weeks of workshops and shows featuring improv theatre artists from across Ottawa and Canada. It’s sponsored by Kichesippi Beer and it all happens at Arts Court. I’ll be playing piano on Thursday nights.

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Glen Gower _

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** ** Fridays & Saturdays in August: Centretown Movies **

Centretown Movies shows popular, family friendly movies in an open-air, walk-in theatre in Dundonald Park. What better way to spend a summer evening? Check their schedule for upcoming films!

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Laura Gauthier _

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** ** Until Saturday, August 24: Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill **

A Canadian tradition at its most colourful! The Ceremonial Guard of the Canadian Forces brings stirring military drill and music to Parliament Hill. Come at 9:45 am to learn more about the ceremony.

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Sara-Lynne Levine _

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** ** Have a great week! **

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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