OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Bicycle art, cat show, bar birthday, plaid parade, more...

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Here are our contributors' picks for the best local events in Ottawa this week. This list is also published every Wednesday night in this space. You can bookmark this link for easy access: http://ottawastart.com/weekly

** November 5-11: Remembrance Week at the Canadian War Museum **

Remembrance Day is fast approaching. The Canadian War Museum is holding guided tours and gallery animations offering a hands-on approach to remembering, while Witness to History activities allow visitors to meet veterans of the Canadian Forces and hear how their personal experiences affected who they are today. On Remembrance Day itself, admission to the museum is free.

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Gordon Dewis aka KeeperOfMaps _

More about Ottawa’s Remembrance Day ceremonies here…

** Thursday, November 1: Ottawa Jazz Orchestra: Kings of Swing at the Soloway JCC **

After more than a year’s absence, the Ottawa Jazz Orchestra is back, with a doubleheader concert for big band music fans. Their concert at the Soloway JCC will feature the music of the two most prominent Jewish bandleaders from the Swing Era – Benny Goodman and Artie Show – who also, coincidentally, were both jazz clarinet masters. Local clarinetists Dave Renaud and Scott Poll will perform with the orchestra, and OJO artistic director Adrian Cho will talk about Goodman’s and Shaw’s contributions to jazz.

_ – Alayne McGregor, OttawaJazzScene.ca _

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** ** Thursday, November 1: BONNE FÊTE, KAFFE 1870! **

The Rockwells + Great Food + Drink Specials + YOU this Thursday = Happy 5th Birthday, Kaffe 1870! The night will mark the day the bar was taken over by the sweetest husband (J.J) & wife (Leigh Irvine) team who used to man the Manx Pub in Ottawa, and the cutest Bartender “Marker” who ran the quaint & cool _ those-were-the-days _ Aloha Room under Barrymore’s. Kaffe 1870 is the nicest (and therefore, most comfortable) bar on the Wakefield strip with great food, patio, Tuesday film nights , Open-Mic Wednesdays , live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and a non-stop incredible view of that river. On Thursday, Kaffe 1870 will be closed during the day to get the party ready-set to kick off at 4:00 pm. Whether a regular, or if you’re looking for a new pub you can definitely call “home,” GO!

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Sylvie Hill , writer, performer & educator _

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** ** Friday, November 2: Self Propelled – A Bicycle-Inspired Art Show **

Over a dozen Ottawa artists have come together to create and show some bike-inspired works, thanks to Five Cents Tattoo and Tall Trees Cycles. The vernissage is Friday from 7-11 p.m. at Grey Area Gallery, 430 Parkdale Ave., with local establishments like Kichesippi Brewery and Union613 providing food and drink. Local art, local refreshments–of course it’s part of Apartment613’s Support Local month .

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Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _

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** ** Friday, November 2: Eliades Ochoa from Buena Vista Social Club **

Live in concert at the Canadian Museum of Civilization this Friday, November 2. The Grammy Award winning guitarist and singer from Cuba will be performing with an 8-piece band as part of his Canadian tour. This is a rare opportunity to see this Cuban sensation live. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online.

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Eliane Laberge , blogger _

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** ** Saturday, November 3: Plaid Parade **

Do you ever wish that you had the opportunity to rock your plaid shirts and accessories for everyone to see? Well, this is your chance to do so at Ottawa’s very-first Plaid Parade taking place this Saturday, November 3 at 11:00 am. Organizers encourage participants to bring their bikes and show-off their best plaid pieces.

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Eliane Laberge , blogger _

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** ** Saturday, November 3: St. Thomas the Apostle Church Snowflake Bazaar **

Halloween’s wrapped up so ‘tis the season of Church Bazaars! You could probably just drive past any church and find one, but I’ll be helping my grandma out at St Thomas the Apostle on Alta Vista Dr. this Saturday from 10-2 - so come say hi! A great chance to get yummy baked goodies, handicrafts etc and support the community.

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** _ Laura Gauthier _

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** ** Saturday & Sunday, November 3-4: Ottawa Cat Show **

I am not a cat fan. I’m allergic and I prefer dogs. But I know a lot of our readers like cats. The Ottawa Valley Cat Club has a show at the Nepean Sportsplex this weekend. Meow.

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Glen Gower , Editor/Owner of OttawaStart.com _

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** ** ** ** Sunday, November 4: ** ** ** Camp Fortune annual Open House ** Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! 10am to 4pm. New to skiing, or want to be that snowboarder chick? It’s the perfect time to get up to the mountain, sign up for lessons on the spot or pick up your pass. Staff is all around to chat with you, and you can meet some of the friendly instructors like I did last year: Super Dave , Supervisor & Mayor of Fortune – I’m looking at _ you _ !  Many local retailers will also be on site showcasing the season’s new equipment. Come check it out, and enjoy some free snacks and beverages, as well as activities for the kids. Last year, Camp Fortune built a snow ramp and these little dudes on skateboard-like mini snowboards went flying off ramps and such! Super fun to watch and get you geared for the season ahead! **

** _

Sylvie Hill , writer, performer & educator _

** Sunday, November 4: Bywords Quarterly Journal Fall Launch & Editors’ Reading ** Four readers from the issue plus a rare reading by some of our editors & music by Jesse Rose, who plays a baritone guitar & sings low. At 2:00pm at Collected Works (1242 Wellington W).

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Amanda Earl , poet & publisher _

** Monday, November 5: Crush Improv at the Elmdale Tavern **

I’m playing the piano with the gang from Crush Improv. Show starts at 8:00pm, admission is pay-what-you-can (suggested $5). The funniest thing happening in Ottawa on a Monday night.

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Glen Gower , Editor/Owner of OttawaStart.com _

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** ** Wednesday, November 7: Writer Kayt Sukel at Collected Works ** **

** Why does love make us so crazy? Join Kayt Sukel , science blogger and author of _ Dirty Minds: How Our Brains Influence Love, Sex and Relationships _ , in a lively and funny examination of the big questions about love and sex from the perspective of the latest brain science. You’ve wondered. I’ve wondered. Today we’ll get some answers! At Collected Works Bookstore (1242 Wellington Street West), 7pm. **

** _

Sylvie Hill , writer, performer & educator _

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** ** Have a great week! **

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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