OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: October 17-23, 2013

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Here are our contributors' picks for the best events in Ottawa this week.

** Thursday-Sunday, Oct 17-20: Merrickville Jazz Festival 2013 **

For the third year, jazz fans in Merrickville have organized four days of jazz shows, featuring 14 Ottawa-Gatineau groups, plus two singers from Southern Ontario (Brenda Lewis, and Julie Michels & Kevin Barrett). If you live in the valley and would like some jazz closer to home, or if you missed these artists' shows in town, consider making the fall drive and catching one or more concerts. A full festival pass, day passes for Saturday or Sunday, and individual concert tickets are all available. **

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Brett Delmage _

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** ** Friday, October 18: Kenny vs. Spenny **

Remember these two dudes challenging each other to ridiculous competitions on TV? Things like who makes the most convincing woman or who can sell more bibles. They are bringing that act to Algonquin College on Friday. This has the potential to be very funny!

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Ryan Bresee _

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** ** Friday-Sunday, October 18-20: Start-up Weekend **

This is basically an intensive 2.5 days of networking, thinking, working, and building a business idea from thin air with a bunch of people you just met. (Kind of like cramming all the good parts of the tech bubble into a single weekend Tickets are still available for budding entrepreneurs and even interested parties who want to come out and hear the final pitches (+judging and winners!) on Sunday night. **

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Tanya Snook _

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Friday-Sunday, October 18-20:

4th Annual ByWard Market Oktoberfest **

Free concerts on Oct. 18 & 19 on Clarence Street. Family fun on Oct. 19 & 20. And the best part - all free!

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Laura Gauthier _

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** ** Saturday, October 19: Kids’ Lit Café **

Ottawa is home to many well-loved authors and illustrators of children’s and teen books, and several of them will be at the Ottawa Public Library’s Greenboro branch from 2-4 p.m. to talk about their books. Meet Jan Andrews, Caroline Woodward, Dylan Stephenson, Charles de Lint, Von Allan, Kevin Bolger, Jeff Ross, Tudor Robins, Ben Hodson, Alan Neal and Éric Péladeau. Learn about storytelling, writing and illustration, hear about the Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre’s Parents as Authors project and enjoy crafts and refreshments.

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Denise Deby _

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** ** Saturday, October 19: Kids’ Lit Café **

The Children’s Literature Roundtable, in partnership with the Ottawa Public Library, invite you to an interactive and family friendly showcase of local children’s and teen authors and illustrators including Alan Neal, Charles de Lint, Jeff Ross, Eric Péladeau, Kevin Bolger, Caroline Woodward, Dylan Stephenson, Manon Corriveau Côté, Ben Hodson and Jan Andrews. Come and enjoy a craft station, writing workshop, storytelling, refreshments and more!

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Sara-Lynne Levine _

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** ** Saturday, October 19: A B Series with Steve McCaffery **

8pm in the Court Room, Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue. a well-known poet with 35 books published & not often in Ottawa. A B Series, Global Poetry, Music & Innovative Art

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Amanda Earl _

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** ** Saturday, October 19: Alice Russell Live in Ottawa **

British Soul singer Alice Russell will be in Ottawa this Saturday, October 19 performing live at Ritual. Presented by World Famous Music, Russell is bringing her stripped down six-piece band to the national capital for one night of powerful soul music. Ottawa’s own Souljazz Orchestra will warm up the crowd alongside Deejay Zattar.

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Eliane Laberge _

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** Saturday-Sunday, October 19-20 **

** : On Common Ground Studio Tour **

Head out for a lovely drive to South Mountain for the On Common Ground Studio Tour. Open 10-5 each day. There are 9 stops on the circular route, with 20 talented artists and craftspeople ready to show you their work and explain to you just how they do what they do. A wonderful way to discover a beautiful community just south of Ottawa and support local artists.

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Laura Gauthier _

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** ** Sunday, October 20: 4in1 Music Sessions **

The 4in1 Music Sessions are back with a Harvest Edition taking place at a new location this coming Sunday afternoon. The October 20 instalment, being held at the Soshal Group on Ross Avenue, will feature free live acoustic performances by Paterson Hall, Craig Mainprize and Pony Girl.

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Eliane Laberge _

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** ** Tuesday October 22: Red Green **

The Red Green Show is a Canadian television comedy that aired on various channels in Canada, with its ultimate home at CBC Television from 1991 until the series finale April 7, 2006. A brand new Red Green one man show with all new jokes and stories is coming to the Algonquin Commons Theatre and you won’t want to miss it! ** [

](http://www.redgreen.com/ottawa-on-102213.html) ** _

Jean Labelle _

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** ** Tuesday, October 22: The Travers Debates 2013 **

If you’re interested in Canadian politics, big ideas and lots of laughs, you won’t want to miss The Travers Debates, a celebration of the late journalist R. James Travers and a fundraiser for the foreign corresponding fellowship that bears his name. The evening’s two debates feature prominent politicians and journalists, with the reportedly very funny Bob Rae as moderator. Get your tickets soon, because they’re likely to sell out in advance. **

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Denise Deby _

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** ** Have a great week! **

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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