23 January 2014 / #weekly OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: January 23-29, 2014Photo by Danielle Donders, from the OttawaStart Flickr Group .** Here are our contributors' picks for the best events in Ottawa this week. **** Thursday, January 23: Book Launch for _ The Four Walls of My Freedom _**Author and activist Donna Thomson launches _ The Four Walls of My Freedom: Lessons I’ve Learned From A Life of Caregiving. _ The book, which sounds amazing, shares the author’s life and perspectives on raising a son with cerebral palsy, appreciating life and supporting those who care for others. 7-8:30 p.m. at Dovercourt Recreation Centre._Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _ ****** Thursday, January 23: Powering Up Against Climate Change **For anyone who’s interested in checking out ways to start using (or invest in) renewable energy, this session by Bullfrog Power, the Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative and Climate Reality Project speakers will fit the bill. What’s more, the evening includes a complementary bowl of homemade harvest soup. At HUB Ottawa, 7-9 p.m._Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _****** Friday, January 24: Ottawater.com magazine launch **7pm, the launch of the tenth issue of Ottawater.com , an annual PDF magazine curated by rob mclennan featuring new writing by Sylvia Adams, Cameron Anstee, John Barton, Stephanie Bolster, Frances Boyle, Heather Brunet, Sara Cassidy, George Elliott Clarke, Stewart Cole, Anita Dolman, JM Francheteau, Richard Froude, Elisabeth Harvor, Jenna Jarvis, Nicholas Lea, Michael Lithgow, N.L. Lea, Anne Le Dressay, Sneha Madhavan-Reese, Karen Massey, Justin Million, Colin Morton, Andrew Oliveira, Roland Prevost, Adrienne Ho Rose, Armand Garnet Ruffo, Tim Mook Sang, jesslyn delia smith, D.S. Stymeist, Priscila Uppal, Will Vallières, Gabriel Wainio-Théberge, Matthew Walsh and Deanna Young. Some of these contributors will be reading; the Carleton Tavern, 223 Armstrong, 7pm. If you want a poetic variety pack, good beer & company, this is the place to be on a Friday night._Amanda Earl , Bywords _ ****** Friday, January 24: “Still Life” Photo Exhibtion by Zachary Pantalone** If you enjoy photography, be sure to check out Zachary Pantalone’s “Still Life” solo exhibition at the School of Photographic Arts of Ottawa (SPAO). Presented for 2 weeks only, the vernissage is being held this Friday, January 24 inside the Redwall Gallery._ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _** Friday, January 24: ** ** Standing Room Only 10th Anniversary Concert **There’s just nothing like a big band, for music that brings up your spirits, makes you want to dance, and gives you lots to listen to. Standing Room Only has been honing its big band craft for the last 10 years, both at concerts and playing for local swing dancers. It celebrates its 10th anniversary on Friday with a concert which will feature music ranging over four decades, from Glenn Miller to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The band is based in Almonte, Ontario, but its 15 members come from across the Ottawa area, including vocalist Sandy Faux. At the First Unitarian Church._Alayne McGregor , OttawaJazzScene.ca _****** Friday, January 24: Nature Nocturne** The first Nature Nocturne of 2014 is taking place this Friday at the Canadian Museum of Nature. This edition, titled “Horsing Around” in honour of the Year of the Horse, will feature DJ Sash and DJ Biggs incorporating contemporary Chinese Pop into their house music set. Ottawa-based Wide Angle Recordings will also present Cityscape Sessions Live with Blake Sutherland, Return of the Jaded and guests bringing you stunning visuals and cutting edge house music._ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _ ** ******** Saturday, January 25: Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall** Join the Governor General and his wife for an afternoon of winter delights at Rideau Hall in partnership with the Embassy of Austria, the Embassy of Finland, the Embassy of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Embassy of Sweden, the Embassy of Switzerland, and the National Capital Commission. Activities include skating on the outdoor rink, dog sledding, bandy (field hockey on played on ice) and horse-drawn wagon rides, to name a few. Everything is free of charge, so come out to Rideau Hall (1 Sussex Drive) this Saturday. You can park for free off-site at the National Research Council (100 Sussex Drive) and on the streets in the neighbourhood._Gordon Dewis , blogger _ ****** Saturday, Jan 25 **** : Skating Party** In honour of Family Literacy Day, join ALSO Adult & Family Literacy for some skating fun at Jack Purcell this Saturday from 2 - 4 p.m. The event is by donation to support local literacy programs through ALSO Adult & Family Literacy - a small program doing great things!_Laura Gauthier _****** Saturday, January 25: The Ottawa Public Library’s “Human Library” **At the Human Library, you “borrow” interesting people rather than books. Sign up for short, one-on-one, on-site conversations with war vet and Amazing Race Canada second-place finisher Jody Mitic, former Afghan interpreter Maryam Sahar Naqibullah, comedian Martha Chaves, cartoonist Tom Fowler, Métis artist and dancer Jaime Koebel, CBC journalists Waubgeshig Rice, Adrian Harewood or Alan Neal, or many other people with diverse experiences. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at participating branches._Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _ ****** Saturday, January 25: The Daft Punk Tribute Live at Mavericks** Are you a fan of Daft Punk? If you answer yes, then be sure to make your way to Mavericks to check out the Daft Punk Tribute, an 8-piece band with a full horn section interpreting some of Daft Punk’s greatest hits live. Hailing from Toronto, these talented musicians sure know how to get the crowd dancing. The DPT are no strangers to Ottawa, having performed in the National Capital several times before. This has nothing to do with One More Time: A Tribute to Daft Punk. It’s so much better and a guaranteed good time!_ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _****** Sunday, Jan. 26: Walk for Memories** 9am-noon at the Carleton U Fieldhouse. Premier indoor fundraising walk in capital. 100% of proceeds go to support, education, and resources for people with Alzheimer and other dementias. Walk as a team, or individual. Minimum pledges $100 per person. Mayor Watson & CTV’s Jeff Hopper will be there. Questions: thicks@asorc.org _-- [ Max Keeping ](https://twitter.com/#!/max_keeping) _**_ Have a great week! _ **** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide If 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!