OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: May 6-13

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

** Friday, May 8: #OttNepalRelief: A Benefit for NEPAL EARTHQUAKE RELIEF @ Zaphod’s ** The people of Nepal need urgent assistance following the recent earthquake. We’re trying to help. There will be bands (SANS FOULARD, BIG JEEZUS TRUCK, JOHNNY VEGAS, THE SONIC DEFENSE), as well as DJs, art auctions (CHRISTOPHER GRIFFIN, ZANETA PERNICOVA, MARC ADORNATO) and prizes galore. All proceeds from this benefit will go to Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Canadian Red Cross. All funds will be directed for Nepal relief only. The Canadian Government will match dollar-for-dollar all funds raised. This is a fundraiser for organizations that have the expertise and means to deliver aid with boots on the ground but need funds to make it effective. _ – Eugene Haslam _ ** Friday, May 8: “What I Would Tell You” Launch ** Ottawa-area parent educator and life-cycle celebrant Julie Keon has supported many other people in their life journeys. Now she’s written “What I Would Tell You,” a reflection on her life as mom to a daughter with a brain injury, to enable others to understand that experience. At Singing Pebble Books. _ – Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _ ** Friday, May 8: The Mike Murley Septet at the NAC Fourth Stage ** Just look at the list of jazz musicians playing in this show: saxophonists Mike Murley and Tara Davidson, trumpeter Kevin Turcotte, trombonist William Carn, pianist David Braid, bassist Jim Vivian, and drummer Ted Warren. They’re all group leaders in their own right, and renowned in the Toronto scene. They’ll be playing from their Juno-nominated album, Still Rollin', and likely more recent tunes as well, in a modern jazz style and with lots of energy. _ – Alayne McGregor , OttawaJazzScene.ca _ ** Friday-Wednesday, May 8-13: Ottawa International Children’s Festival ** The Ottawa International Children’s Festival is always a fun time—for all ages. Hands-on science, an instrument petting zoo, an Earth Stage and other activities complement the marvellous comedy, puppet, acrobatic and musical performances. Check out “Master of Unusual Comedy” Michel Lauzière, the environmentally-themed Jack and the Bean, or some of the other shows on offer. _ – Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _ ** Saturday, May 9: 4th annual Carleton University Outdoor Chemistry Magic Show ** Carleton University’s Chemistry Department is hosting its 4th annual outdoor chemistry magic show! This free event is fun for everyone ages 6 and up, with explosions, a look at the inner workings of fireworks, spontaneous combustions & things that glow in the dark. There will be hands-on activities before the show, so come and make ice cream with liquid nitrogen, encounter lots of interesting smells (including molecules that are left- or right-handed and have different aromas), make slime, and see some of the demonstrations up close. _ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Macaroni Kid Ottawa _ ** Saturday, May 9: ** ** Just in Time for Mother’s Day Book Signing ** Local author Linda Poitevin will be at the Coles Bookstore in Carlingwood Mall on Saturday, May 9th from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. signing copies of Gwynneth Ever After (set on the Quebec side of the river in Aylmer), and Forever Grace (set in cottage country near Perth). She’ll also be giving away a free rose for Mom with each purchase! _ (Sponsored) _ ** Sunday, May 10: Mother’s Day Brunch at the Canadian Museum of Nature ** Let Mom know how special she is. Treat her to a delicious buffet at the beautiful Museum of Nature. After brunching, wander through world-class galleries featuring dinosaurs, mammals, birds, minerals, rocks, ocean wonders and a 19-metre blue whale skeleton. See the new Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year exhibition. _ (Sponsored) _ ** Sunday, May 10: ** ** Rare & Unusual Plant Sale ** Calling all gardeners - you won’t want to miss this great event put on by The Friends of the Central Experimental Farm! _ – Laura Gauthier _ ** Monday, May 11: ** ** MIGRATION: An Art Exhibition Fundraiser At Gezellig ** Join local artists Andrew King, Alison Fowler and Claude Marquis as they present a new collection of artwork exhibited at Gezellig in the heart of Westboro, Ottawa. Entitled “Migration”, this unique exhibit hosted by Steve Beckta will showcase original new pieces for sale by the artists who will be in attendance and provide select auction pieces for auction bidding. All proceeds donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. _ (Sponsored) _ ** Tuesday, May 12: Tree Reading Series ** 8:00 pm. Black Squirrel Books & Tea, 1073 Bank Street. Poetry, including an open mic, feature & free workshop on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday. May 12 - HOT OTTAWA VOICES- Susan Atkinson, Karen Massey & David Stymeist & Tree’s 35th anniversary (wine & cake) Ottawa’s longest running & Canada’s second longest running reading series. Come read your poetry at the open mic & raise a glass to celebrate Tree’s 35th year. _ – Amanda Earl , Bywords _ _ ** Coming up… ** _ ** Thursday, May 21: Le pARTy Art Auction ** Le pARTy, the Ottawa Art Gallery’s signature fundraising event, is a silent art auction of 65 original artworks by regional artists working in a variety of media. This silent art auction attracts hundreds of guests who have a taste for fine art and gourmet food. _ (Sponsored) _ ** Saturday, May 23: Ottawa Soleil Intercultural Themed Dinner-Show-Dance ** Intercultural dinner-show-dance. Discover and experience fine gastronomy with our French Top Chef, enjoy the show, and dance with our artists like you were in a paradise and tropical island. _ (Sponsored) _ _ ** Continuing… ** _ ** Until September 7: Alex Colville. A Canadian Icon ** At the National Gallery of Canada, _ Alex Colville _ offers a fresh perspective on Colville’s work, as he is considered to be one of Canada’s most celebrated artists. Featuring nearly a hundred paintings along with various student works and prints, this exhibition explores the breadth of Colville’s practice. _ (Sponsored) _ ** Until December 31: Mary Pratt: This Little Painting ** What’s the story behind Red Currant Jelly (1972), which the artist Mary Pratt affectionately calls “this little painting”? See how Pratt developed her technique, which today stands as a defining example of painterly realism in Canada, a style strongly associated with the country’s Atlantic provinces. _ (Sponsored) _ _ For more events, check out ottawastart.com/events/ … or add your event via ottawastart.com/start/ _