OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: July 31-August 6, 2014

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_ _ Here’s our crowdsourced list of the best events in Ottawa this week. _

** See also: ** What’s open and closed on Colonel By Day / August Civic Holiday, Monday August 4

** Thursday-Sunday, July 31-August 3: Cracking-Up the Capital Summer Fest **

A summer evening, great comedy and the knowledge that you’re supporting a good cause—that’s what you’ll get with Cracking-Up the Capital, four nights of laughs in support of mental health. Every evening offers several talented comedians; on Sunday “Best of the Fest” presents Mary Walsh, Jim McNally, Don Kelly, Brendan McKeigan, Geoff MacKay and Mike MacDonald. If that and the reasonable ticket prices aren’t enough to entice you, there’s a free Mood Ring with every ticket (limited time offer) so you’ll know for sure that you’re having a good time.

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Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _

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** ** Thursday, July 31-Sunday, August 3: Cracking Up The Capital Festival **

Check out some world-class comedy starting Thursday and running through the weekend at The Cracking Up The Capital Comedy Festival. Over the course of the festival, you can check out an amazing lineup of comedians including the likes of Mary Walsh, Dave McConnell, Mike MacDonald, Rick Currie and Wafik Nasralla (to name a few). Check out the website for the complete lineup and show schedule.

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Gordon Dewis _

** Thursday, July 31-Monday, August 4: Ottawa International Busker Festival **

Ottawa’s annual Busker Festival (aka Buskerfest) takes place on Sparks Street. It’s free but you should take along some cash to give to the buskers in appreciation of their performances. This year’s performers come from Canada, Argentina, Australia, the United States, Great Britain, and the Netherlands.

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Glen Gower _

** Thursday, July 31: A Year in Reflection: Emerging Artists Group Show **

Starting this Thursday, July 31, Studio Sixty Six presents “A Year in Reflection”, a summer exhibition featuring art works by emerging artists including Anna Griffiths, Anthony Tremmaglia, Cindy Mersky, Darren Kooyman, Delphine Sullivan, Dante Penman, Jamie Kronick, Niya Mirtcheva, and Patrice Stanley.

_ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _

** Thursday, July 31: Bluesprint Series with PINE and the Sick Sick Sicks **

Ottawa Bluesfest organizers have launched a series of showcases called The Bluesprint Series. Held at the Bluesfest School of Music and Art, the series highlights up and coming local musicians who will have the opportunity to perform in an intimate setting and potentially win $1000. It’s pretty awesome to see the biggest and most popular music festival in the National Capital Region encourage artistic development and the local cultural scene with this initiative.

_ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _

** Friday, August 1: In/Words and Capslam: A summer poetry show **

7:00 pm at Pressed, 750 Gladstone. Dalton Derkson, Kevin Matthews, Stephen Brockwell, Brad Morden, JM Francheteau Avonlea Fotheringham; ticket info on site.

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Amanda Earl , Bywords _

** Friday-Monday, August 1-4: Algonquin Park by Bus **

Yearning for a few days away in the great outdoors, but don’t have a car, or prefer not to drive? Take Parkbus from Ottawa to Algonquin Park and back this long weekend. You need to make your own camping or lodging arrangements and bring (or rent) your own equipment, but you can buy a ticket online for the non-profit, express bus service that stops off at several campgrounds and canoe outfitters in the park.

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Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _

** Saturday, August 2: The Casino Lac-Leamy Sound of Light: Hong Kong (China)

Wednesday, August 6: The Casino Lac-Leamy Sound of Light: Canada **

The 19th edition of the Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light fireworks festival kicks off this Saturday featuring the team from Glorious Entertainment Production Limited representing Hong Kong (China) and continues on Wednesday with the team from Garden City Display Fireworks representing Canada. This year, the festival is taking place in the backyard of the Canadian Museum of History, so don’t go to Lac Leamy like you have in past years! In addition to some world-class fireworks, there are lots of activities throughout the site and shows on the Tim Hortons stage. The site opens at 6pm, the fireworks start around 9:30pm and everything wraps up at 11pm. For more information about the festival, including ticket information, check out the website.

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Gordon Dewis _

** Saturday-Monday, August 2-4: Ottawa BAWI 2014 at Remic Rapids **

BAWI stands for “Balanced Art World International”, and it’s a festival of rock balancing at Remic Rapids. If you’ve ever biked on the Sir John A. MacDonald parkway you’ve seen John Felice Ceprano creating his carefully-balanced rock sculptures along the edge of the river. This weekend he’ll be joined by artists from around the world.

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Glen Gower _

** Monday, August 4: Crush Improv’s Bout Time **

The monthly improv comedy show at the Heart & Crown in the Byward Market. Two teams compete in a fast-paced night of comedy and music. $5 admission, show starts at 8pm. I’ll be playing piano.

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Glen Gower _

** Anytime: Explore the capital region’s bike paths!

** After the completion of the Sawmill Creek pathway recently I am now finally able to get from the South Keys area to the pathways down the river and canal! A great reminder there are constant updates to paths, and beautiful things to see and do along the way. Lots of great resources to make a lovely hour, afternoon, or day of biking the beautiful pathways around the Ottawa and Gatineau areas. Don’t forget Sunday Bike Days are still on! _

– Laura Gauthier _

** Thursday, July 24 to Friday, August 22: Free Play Group in the Park **

All summer long Mothercraft will be offering FREE fun filled mornings in the parks with learning through play. Activities will be arts and crafts, colaberative activies, gross motor activities and sing and dance along with MONKEY ROCK Monday, Wednesday (bilingual), Thursday & Friday. Tuesday park day is French (Monkey Rock will not perform). Check the web site for times and locations.

_ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _

** July 3-August 23: Children’s Activities at Rideau Hall ** Enjoy “Storytime at Rideau Hall,” in collaboration with Frontier College. Fridays and Saturdays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., from June 28 to August 23. Learn about heraldry by designing your very own coat of arms. Daily, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Stroll the grounds, bring a picnic and enjoy the children’s play structure.Watch the Relief of the Sentries of the Ceremonial Guard. Daily, every hour on the hour, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 25 to August 22.

_ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _

** June 24-August 23: Changing the Guard on Parliament Hill **

See a Canadian tradition at its most colourful! The Ceremonial Guard brings stirring military drills and music to Parliament Hill. Daily at 10:00am on Parliament Hill. And it’s free.

_ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _

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** ** Until September 1: Who glows there? The science of bioluminescence at the Canadian Museum of Nature **

What is behind the mysterious science of bioluminescence? What are the organisms that glow and why do they do it? Check out this fascinating natural phenomenon all summer long at the Museum of Nature.

_ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _

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** ** All summer long, June-August: Beaches, pools and splash pads ** Celebrate summer, enjoy a mini-holiday or cool down at one of Ottawa’s four public beaches, 56 wading pools and almost 100 splash pads, or Gatineau’s three public beaches, 10 or so wading pools and more than 30 splash pads. They’re open, they’re free and they’re fun.

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Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _

_ Have a great week! _

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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