19 December 2013 / #weekly OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: December 19-January 8, 2013Here are our contributors' picks for the best events in Ottawa this week.** Related: ** New Year’s Eve Events in Ottawa , Christmas Light Displays in Ottawa**** **** ** Thursday, December 19: Star Wars Holiday Special **The annual tradition is back! Zaphod’s will be showing the famously awful Star Wars holiday special. It’s only $5 so it will sell out. If you like Star Wars and haven’t seen this yet, you have to go. It will give you a new appreciation for Jar Jar! Merry Christmas!_Ryan Bresee _**** ** Thursday, December 19: Toronto Queer Zine Fair Survival Tour ** The tour stops in Ottawa, Pressed, 750 Gladstone at 8pm with zinesters Maranda Elizabeth, Eric Levitt,& Eddie O_Amanda Earl _**** ** Friday, December 20: 90s or Bust featuring Wannabe: The Spice Girls Tribute Band ** Want to relive the 90s pop craze with the Spice Girls this week? Then be sure to head to Babylon this Friday. Wannabe will bring you as close to the real deal as you can get with huge personalities, costumes, dance moves, glitter, confetti and platform shoes. After the show, stick around for the 90s or Bust dance party with resident DJs Palm D’or and Pat Johnson._Eliane Laberge _**** ** Friday-Saturday, December 20-21: The Roddy Ellias Trio at Brookstreet Hotel Options Jazz Lounge **Guitarist Roddy Ellias was recognized as a Jazz Hero this spring, but he’s certainly not resting on his laurels. He’s just finished recording a CD (to be released next spring) with his trio with Montrealers Adrian Vedady on bass and Thom Gossage on drums. At their last appearance in Ottawa in November, they played to a full house and lots of applause. And what’s the music like? It will be mostly originals by Roddy, with a few standards thrown in. You can like it for the melodies, you can listen for the underlying complex rhythms, or you can just sit back and enjoy three musicians who thoroughly complement each other and like playing together._Brett Delmage _**** ** Saturday, December 21: Stargazing: Winter Solstice Celebration **Celebrate the shortest day of the year by attending a stargazing party at the Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. Weather permitting, you’ll be able to look through the historic 15-inch telescope at the stars, the planets, and the Moon. This program is free with donation helping the Museum maintain the Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory and the astronomy programs. Dress warmly — all presentations take place outdoors!_Gordon Dewis _**** ** Saturday, December 21: Stargazing: Winter Solstice Celebration **Stargazers of all ages enjoy an evening of astronomy at the Museum’s Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory. Weather permitting, visitors can look through the historic 15-inch telescope at the stars, the planets, and the Moon. Where: Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory_Sara-Lynne Levine _**** ** Sunday, December 22: Rideau Park Annual Choir Christmas Concert ** The Annual Choir Christmas Concert takes place at Rideau Park United Church (2203 Alta Vista at Cunningham) this at 4 pm. The Concert will feature music of Rideau Park’s Chancel Choir, the Northwinds Brass, and Touch of Brass Handbells. All are welcome. Freewill offering. Join us in celebrating the Christmas season. For more information: 613-733-3156._Gordon Dewis _**** ** Thursday, December 26: Up & Up Music Concert Series Presents StillNative ** The Up & Up Music Concert Series presents a Boxing Day special with StillNative live at the Mercury Lounge on December 26. The local rawbeat/rock n' roll band made up of guitarist Patrick Stelle and drummer Max Savage will be giving their last show of the year so be sure to rock out with this dynamic duo for a fun night of live music._Eliane Laberge _** Friday, December 27: Game On! Games at the OPL **Roll the dice, pick a suit or grab a nunchuk! Come play cards, board games or Wii with us! Drop in anytime Friday afternoon to play.Where: Sunnyside Library Branch. When: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Who: Kids age 6-12. Free._Sara-Lynne Levine _** Saturday, December 28 **** : Saturday Morning Cereal Cartoon Party @ the Mayfair **Keep your pyjamas on and come check out some toons' the way you used to watch em', on a Saturday morning with a big bottomless bowl of cereal…but on the big screen! Commercial free!_Laura Gauthier _** Saturday, December 28: Omae / Smith / Hum / Walkington / Fraser at GigSpace **Once a year, Ottawa audiences get to hear saxophonist Kenji Omae when he comes home for the holidays, and plays with jazz musicians from Ottawa and Montreal. Audiences should expect some fine modern jazz with clear and rich sax lines in the intimate ambiance of GigSpace._Brett Delmage _** Tuesday, January 31: New Year’s Eve **K-OS headlines New Year’s Eve on Sparks Street, there’s a Hogmanay party at Ottawa City Hall, and Rick Chiarelli hosts a family event at Ben Franklin Place in Centrepointe. You can find out more about these events and many more in Ottawa at ottawastart.com/newyears_Glen Gower _** Friday, January 3: Michel Delage Quartet at Brookstreet Hotel Options Jazz Lounge **Michel Delage has been making his name in Ottawa jazz circles over the last few years with tasteful and energetic drumming. He also has good taste in the musicians he plays with: full-bodied saxophonist Richard Page, the always-inventive guitarist Lucas Haneman, and the versatile bassist Marc Decho. They should fill Brookstreet’s Options Jazz Lounge with energetic and well-modulated music._Brett Delmage _** Mondays until January 13 **** : Moonlight Yoga **What sounds more lovely than a zen yoga practice under the stars to bring you peace and relaxation during the bustling holiday season? Led by a stellar line-up of instructors in a beautiful setting, Moonlight Yoga is a perfect escape. Give yourself some comfort & joy._Laura Gauthier _** Ongoing: Winter Outdoor Fun! **What better way to spend time than in Ottawa’s great outdoors? Try hiking one of the Gatineau Park or Greenbelt trails , or check out a sledding hill near you. Of course, there’s skating, skiing and snowshoeing, too, but even just walking around your neighbourhood to look at lights in the evening can be a joyful experience._Denise Deby _**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!