OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: March 19-25

_ Our crowdsourced list of the best events in Ottawa this week. You can find even more events on our Ottawa Event Calendar . _

** Thursday, March 19: Senators Gameday Skate and Open Practice ** Ever wondered what it takes to make it to the NHL and stay there? Here’s your chance to find out. Esso and the Ottawa Senators are teaming up to provide fans the unique opportunity to attend a Senators gameday skate as they prepare for that evening’s game. Join your friends and family in the stands at Canadian Tire Centre as the Senators coaching staff puts the players through their paces in an assortment of high-energy drills while providing players the chance to work on their own individual skills. Starts at 10am at Canadian Tire Centre. _ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _ ** March 21-28: Opera Lyra presents Mozart’s most exuberant comedy, The Marriage of Figaro ** Mozart’s most exuberant comedy, reimagined.  With a nod to _ Downton Abbey _ , _ The Marriage of Figaro _ is set in Edwardian England in this lavishly staged, fast-paced production. It’s a beloved, comic opera full of romance, misadventure and mistaken identity. March 21, 23, 25 & 28 in Southam Hall, National Arts Centre. _ (Sponsored) _ ** Saturday, March 21: Spring. Bike. Ottawa ** Welcome the spring biking season at this gathering hosted by Citizens for Safe Cycling. Learn what’s coming up for cycling in Ottawa, meet other riders and enjoy coffee and cookies. (You can bring used bikes to donate to RightBike’s bike-share, too.) _ – Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _ ** Saturday, March 21: The Griffith Hiltz Trio at Brookstreet Hotel Options Jazz Lounge ** The Griffith Hiltz Trio is a jazz group from Toronto which incorporates influences from Duke Ellington to Otis Redding, from Ornette Coleman to Black Sabbath, from Webern to Kermit the Frog, blending them seamlessly into a purely enjoyable ride. Prepare yourself for rock and roll raunch, classic post-bop, and catchy pop tunes, enhanced by each musician multi-tasking through several instruments. _ – Alayne McGregor , OttawaJazzScene.ca _ ** Tuesday-Monday, March 24-30: VERSeFest, Ottawa’s annual poetry festival ** At Knox Presbyterian Church. There will be over 60 poets from Canada, the USA, Chile, Ireland & More presented by Ottawa’s literary & spoken word reading series. _ – Amanda Earl , Bywords _ ** Saturday, March 28: 2nd Annual Borthwick Cup ** Do you like video games, soccer, socializing, food or any combination thereof? The Ottawa Fury supporter group Stony Monday Riot are hosting a FIFA15 video game tournament and fundraiser including yummy homemade goodies. Great chance to try your video game skills at a chance of up to $1000 in prizes, or just to socialize, have good food and meet some soccer fans in Ottawa. Register soon before all the spots are gone! _ – Laura Gauthier _ ** Saturday, April 4: Culture Chic Affair ** Food, music, fashion and art. Culture Chic Affair event was designed to promote local businesses in Ottawa that cater to African, Caribbean and major cultures that exist in Canada while also supporting charities to help make the community a better place. _ (Sponsored) _ ** ** _ For more events, check out ottawastart.com/events/ … and have a great week! _