16 August 2012 / #festivals #weekly OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Hip Hop Karaoke, Film Fest, Beer Fest, Carivibe Parade, more...[  ](http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazyartist/7775451988/) The fireworks at Lac Leamy. Photo by [ Mitch Carriere ](http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazyartist/7775451988/in/pool-ottawastart) , shared on the [ Ottawastart Flickr Group ](http://www.flickr.com/groups/ottawastart) . Here are our contributors' picks for the best local events in Ottawa this week. This list is published every Wednesday night on the OttawaStart Blog .**** ** August 16: Hip Hop Karaoke **If you love karaoke and hip-hop music, then Mugshots is the place to be this Thursday, August 16 for the third edition of the Ottawa Hip Hop Karaoke. Hosts DJ So Nice and MC Atherton took on the initiative and started this movement 2 months ago. The gentlemen promise a night of fun with this twist on traditional karaoke that steps away from the conventional “mom n’ pop video screen bouncy ball read-a-long half-assed last-minute-plan-with-your-girlfriends-in-korea-town karaoke jam”. If you think you got what it takes to rap along to your favorite hip-hop song, there may or may not still be an open spot for you this Thursday. Whether you attend as a performer or member of the public, this is sure to be very entertaining!_Eliane Laberge , blogger _**** ** August 16: Ottawa International Film Festival: World Premiere of the Feature Film Thirteen Downs **Thirteen Downs was shot in Ottawa and stars a friend of mine, an amazing 13 year old Singer/Songwriter/Actor Sophia Radisch. Come see a local rising star in her first feature film, so years from now you can say “I knew Sophia when…” It starts at 7 pm at the Empire Theatres at the World Exchange Plaza._Arne Berg , photographer and celebrity watcher _**** ** Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18: National Capital Craft Beer Week ** Ottawa’s first Craft Beer Week wraps up this weekend with a festival of brewers at Marion Dewar Plaza, City Hall. Brewers and food vendors will whet your whistle and fill your belly. Festival passes are available by contacting the NCCBW Web site. Admission to the grounds is open to all ages, but you must be of legal drinking age to purchase beer (please drink responsibly). The gates are open from 11:00am until 10:30pm on both days._Ross Brown , blogger/writer/author/photog __ (also recommended by Don from foodieprints ) _**** ** Saturday, August 18: Fireworks at Casino du Lac Leamy **Best show of the summer? The international fireworks competition at Gatineau’s Lac Leamy concludes Saturday night with the announcement of the winning country, and the Grand Finale – a 27-minute spectacle of more than 4,000 pounds of explosives synchronized to music. The grandstand is still not sold out ($21 a seat)…it holds 10,000 people; and another 10,000 can be accommodated on the Lac Leamy beach (general admission $10). This is the 17th year for the festival, voted best in the Outaouais and on the Top 100 North American list._Max Keeping __ (Also recommended by Jean Labelle , and Gordon Dewis ) _ _ _**** ** Saturday, August 18: Screening of I’m Fine, Thanks: Ottawa International Film Festival ** The film, follows the journey of five filmmakers over 42 days and 10,000 miles as they interview every day people and social celebrities who have struggled with the expected, achieved “success” as defined by society and made the dramatic shift from complacency to living their dreams. I’m Fine, Thanks documents their newfound paths to freedom, fulfillment and success on their terms. In true entrepreneurial and community spirit, I’m Fine, Thanks was partially crowdfunded, raising over $110,000.00 from almost 4500 backers to complete the groundbreaking film. The film’s crowdfunding campaign is one of the most successful in film history and broke Kickstarter.com’s crowdfunding platform records for highest number of backers for a documentary._Laura Nicol _**** ** Saturday, August 18: Ottawa Lumiere Festival **Through lantern-making and performance workshops, and community outreach initiatives Lumière encourages people to come together and share their own creations and view the creations of others in a celebration of light and community. In New Edinburgh / Stanley Park._Eugene Haslam , Zaphod’s Owner _**** ** Saturday, August 18: Renée Yoxon & Mark Ferguson at GigSpace ** Two of Ottawa’s brightest jazz lights – vocalist Renée Yoxon, and pianist/trombonist/arranger Mark Ferguson – are writing for and planning their first album together. This fall, they go into the studio to record it. They’re previewing the music at a special concert this Saturday at GigSpace (953 Gladstone Avenue in Hintonburg). Tickets are $35 in advance ($40 at the door) which includes the concert, a copy of the album, and refreshments._ – Alayne McGregor, OttawaJazzScene.ca _**** ** Saturday August 18: Carivibe Street Parade and Block Party ** Celebrate Caribbean culture in Ottawa and come attend this fun event! Should be a great opportunity for street photographers (watch these colourful customs!) and music lovers._Juliette Giannesini , photographer _****** Saturday-Sunday, August 18-19: International Stone Balance Festival ** ** **Ottawa Rock Art and Italy’s Stones Association Balance International ART bring the first international Ottawa-Balanced Art World International festival right here to Remic Rapids on the Ottawa River (where artist John Felice Ceprano has been building his rock sculptures every summer for over 20 years.) It’s an opportunity to take in the work of stone balance artists, live music and performances in the natural setting of the Ottawa River._Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _**** ** Sunday, August 19: Evening Hymns** Evening Hymns is the work of Jonas Bonnetta. His new album, Spectral Dusk comes out this month. Written after his father’s passing, the music is both sad and beautiful. He’s performing Sunday at the Raw Sugar Cafe. You can stream the new album in its entirety here ._Ryan Bresee , host of CKCU’s Whatever’s Cool With Me _**** ** All week: Festivals, festivals, festivals ** Besides the festivals mentioned above, local festivals this week include: the St. Albert Curd Festival, Greek Fest, Musiqu’en Nous, Calabogie Blues & Ribfest, Pride Week, the International Stone Balance Festival, and the Ottawa Valley Music Festival. Here’s a full list…_Glen Gower , Editor/Owner of OttawaStart.com _** See also: ** Ottawa Events GuideIf you liked this post, please consider subscribing to our blog via email, Twitter, Facebook or RSS. Thank you.