OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: March 26-April 1

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

** 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 _ ** Tuesday-Monday, March 24-30: VERSeFest, Ottawa’s annual poetry festival ** A true celebration of artistic talent across Canada and beyond, the 5th annual edition of VerseFest combines written poetry, spoken word, and French and English in the most ambitious festival to date. Sixty-three talented poets from across the planet will perform from March 24 to March 30 at 21 intimate events happening around the capital city. _ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _ ** March 25 & 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) _ ** Friday, March 27: Garry Elliott, Steve Boudreau, and John Geggie at GigSpace ** Guitarist Garry Elliott and pianist Steve Boudreau have been friends for more than 15 years, and found that they had similar musical tastes and could bring out the best in each other’s compositions. In 2013, they released a duo album of thoughtful, melodic jazz, and they’ve have continued composing and performing together since. For this concert, they’ll be playing with double bass master John Geggie. Expect to hear original tunes, new and old, as well as some Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter. _ – Alayne McGregor , OttawaJazzScene.ca _ ** Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28: Doldrums Music Festival ** Celebrate the arrival of Spring and chase away Winter at the annual Doldrums Music Festival being held this Friday and Saturday at Pressed Cafe and Club SAW respectively. The Friday show will feature live performances by local musicians Winchester Warm, Tindervox, Black Dogs and Riishi Von Rex while the Saturday show will feature post-hardcore/punk duo Big Dick, power pop/blues-punk band Ornaments, psych-rock project Pith & the Parenchymas and post-punk group Dreamphone. _ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _ ** Saturday, March 28: All Nations Laughter ** What’s better than laughing? Laughing together! Comedians Don Kelly, Franco Buscemi, Wendi Reed and Jenn Hayward take the stage at this benefit for the Odawa Native Friendship Centre. _ – Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _ ** 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 by 7pm Friday if you want to play, otherwise email for the address to drop by. _ – Laura Gauthier _ ** Saturday, March 28: Mini Pop Kids ** Remember when K-tel first launched the original Mini Pops in the early 1980s. The popular albums featured talented children singing the pop hits of the 80′s including classics such as Cruel Summer, Video Killed the Radio Star and Rock This Town. Today, the Mini Pop Kids have returned featuring all new kids and all new songs. It’s music for kids to sing along with, get up and dance to, and just have fun with their friends. Recorded and produced in Canada, Mini Pop Kids feature performers ages 10-14 from all across the country. At Centrepointe Theatre. _ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _ ** Sunday, March 29: Sunday brunch at the Museum of Nature - Maple Syrup Season ** The temperature is warming up and it’s time to celebrate maple syrup season. Enjoy a sugar-shack-themed brunch that will include some traditional French Canadian dishes among the variety of delicious buffet items.  Brunch includes general admission to the museum and a 15% gratuity. _ (Sponsored) _ ** Sunday, March 29: Comedy’s Most Wanted: A Fundraiser for the John Howard Society ** A night of stand up comedy at Absolute Comedy on March 29th in support of the Algonquin College public relations students’ Let’s Unlock Change fundraising campaign in support of the John Howard Society of Canada. 3 hilarious comedians, and a night of networking, raffle prizes, and a good time to follow! _ (Sponsored) _ ** Sunday, March 29: ** ** The Slackers, The Beatdown, The Carboard Crowns and The Sentries live at Mavericks ** If you enjoy ska, punk and reggae, be sure to make your way over to Mavericks this Sunday night to check out New York City ska band The Slackers live in Ottawa. The lively 6-piece will be performing alongside Montreal ska/reggae group The Beatdown, Toronto-based ska/punk outfit The Cardboard Crowns and Ottawa ska/reggae band The Sentries. _ – Eliane Laberge, Eventful Capital _ ** 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) _ ** ** ** Monday, April 6: Crush Improv presents ‘Bout Time ** ‘Bout Time! happens the first Monday of every month at the Heart and Crown in the Market, on the Mother McGintey’s stage. The show is hosted by Crush Improv and features different local improvisers each month. A staple of the Ottawa improv scene since 2010, ‘Bout Time! is a unique combination of short and long form improvisation. _ (Sponsored) _ _ For more events, check out ottawastart.com/events/ … and have a great week! _