OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: August 29-September 4, 2013

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

** See also: ** What’s open and closed on Labour Day Monday in Ottawa…

** Thursday, August 29: Portraits of Bluesfest 5 **

Portraits of Bluesfest 5 will feature paintings by a great cast of artists celebrating Bluesfest. All the money raised from the silent auction will got to Blues in the Schools. The event runs from 7-9 p.m. at the Patrick Gordon Framing Studio. Check here for more info:

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Ryan Bresee _

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** ** Thursday, August 29: Portraits of Bluesfest 5 **

Check out the fifth annual fundraiser for Blues in the Schools with 18 of the National Capital Region’s most respected artists. Each artist was asked to create “a portrait of Bluesfest,” a request they were free to interpret in any way.

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Laura Gauthier _

** Thursday, August 29: Urban Pow-wow **

The Canadian Museum of Civilization’s _ Indigenous and Urban _ program wraps up this weekend, but before it does you can catch locally-based and widely-acclaimed group A Tribe Called Red on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. If you haven’t heard, the three Aboriginal DJs blend traditional vocals and drumming with electronic beats and visuals to create music that’s won them four 2013 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards including Best Group.

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Denise Deby _

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** Friday-Monday, August 30-Sept 2: Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival **

The Festival de Montgolfiéres de Gatineau runs all weekend with music, fireworks, buskers, and of course balloons. You’ll see hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes floating above our city all weekend.

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Glen Gower _

** Friday, August 30: Tall Tales: stories around the campfire **

Billings Bridge Estate National Historic Site, 2100 Cabot Street. Starts at 7pm. Marshmallows, stories & more marshmallows - $6 per person; $10 per two & $16 per family. Bring your own blankets & lawn chairs.

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Amanda Earl _

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** ** Friday, August 30: Los Gringos at Irene’s **

Trombonist Mark Ferguson and drummer Peter Beaudoin love Latin jazz, and have written some memorable pieces for the long-standing Ottawa band, Los Gringos. They’re teaming those with their favorite re-arranged Latin classics Friday – which we expect will have everyone up and dancing at Irene’s! Those who attended the tribute to Jacques Emond at this year’s Ottawa Jazz Festival may remember Los Gringos' upbeat set, which easily filled Confederation Park.

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Brett Delmage _

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

My friends at Crush Improv wrap up 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 night.

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Glen Gower _

** Saturday & Sunday, August 31-September 1: Ottawa Mini Maker Faire **

A family-friendly event that brings together enthusiasts across the spectrum of technology. Meet robot makers, 3D printers, engineers, aviation specialists, knitters, woodworkers and solderers and be inspired and entertained - and learn. Above all, the Mini Maker Faire encourages people of all ages to experience the joy and wonder of creating. At the Canada Science and Technology Museum. **

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Sara-Lynne Levine _

** Saturday-Monday, August 31 to September 2: Horse Lovers' Weekend **

Experience the beauty and magic of humans and horses playing together in partnership and harmony. **

** An educational entertainment for the whole family. You will never look at horses in the same way ever again. Daily Presentations, demonstrations, free horseback rides. At Upper Canada Village.

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Jean Labelle _

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** ** Saturday-Monday, August 31 to September 2: Grand re-opening of Mackenzie King Estate **

There’s special programming happening all weekend alog at Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park.

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Glen Gower _

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** ** Sunday, September 1: Last week for Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays **

It’s the last Sunday of the season that some of Ottawa’s parkways will be closed to traffic. Parts of Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, Colonel By Drive and Rockliffe Parkway are all closed from 9am-1pm. There are also roads in Gatineau Park closed from 6am-11am. (It’s also the last weekend for NCC beaches. They’re closed after September 2.)

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Glen Gower _

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** ** Have a great week! **

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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