OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Parliament Hill Zumba, urban summer camping, fairies and knights, more...

  ](http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazyartist/7633124544/)

_ Here are our contributor picks for the best local events this week. Welcome to our newest contributor Eliane Laberge, who blogs over at Eventful Capital . She leads off this week’s list with a new event happening at SAW Gallery. _

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 Friday, July 27:
 [
  Summer Nights Festival
 ](http://ottawastart.com/story/17398.php)
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](http://ottawastart.com/story/17398.php)
  

Have you ever camped in the city? Well here’s your chance! Kicking off this Friday is the Summer Nights Festival organized by SAW Gallery in collaboration with AXENÉO7. The festival offers 6 days of cinema and music under the stars in a unique urban-summer-camp concept that invites the public to watch outdoor films followed by live music by the campfire performed by local DJs and musicians. Festival-goers can even choose to camp on the grounds for a meager $10 (tent included).
  

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 [
  Eliane Laberge
 ](http://eventfulcapital.wordpress.com/)
 , Blogger
   

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** Friday, July 27: Pinsent Talkin' Blues **

The accompanied poetry of Canadian icon Gordon Pinsent, and intimate one-on-one interviews with Pinsent by writer/broadcaster Eric Friesen. $25, $35. I’ve seen actor Gordon Pinsent many times on tv, had no idea he also wrote poetry. This is a rare opportunity to hear his work & find out more about him.9:30 pm. Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, 310 St. Patrick. (Part of Ottawa Chamberfest.)

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** Friday, July 27: Summer Comedy Competition at Yuk Yuk’s (Preston St) **

I’ve been invited to judge eight amateur comics who are competing compete as part of a summer-long talent competition. The night also features headliner Jeff Elliott. Yuk Yuk’s is inside the Prescott on Preston Street.

** Saturday, July 28: Stories of the Ottawa River Valley **

Ottawa’s local museums and historic sites offer plenty of adventure in the summertime, from guided river tours to kids’ learn-to-garden and archaeology programs. This Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. at Pinhey’s Point Historic Site, you can hear traditional stories told around a campfire—a great way to get to know the history of the Ottawa River.

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** Saturday, July 28: Steering Towards Hope **

The Kidney Foundation is holding their Steering Towards Hope poker run and car show on Saturday July 28 at Scotiabank Place (rain or shine!). The poker run and car show will begin at 8 a.m. Other activities, including live entertainment, a firefighters’ car wash, and a kid zone will start at 11 a.m.

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** Saturday, July 28 - Sunday, July 29: Saunders Farm Fairies and Knights Theme Days

** Grab your favourite fairy or knight costume and get ready for some magical fun at Saunders Farm. For all lords, ladies, knights, dragon slayers and fairies. 7893 Bleeks Road in Munster.

_ – Sara-Lynne Levine, Ottawa Capital Region Macaroni Kid _

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** Saturday, July 28: Chamberfest: Cuban Connection at St. Brigid’s **

The Ottawa Chamberfest is bringing in some excellent jazz musicians this summer, in its series of late-night concerts at Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts and Humanities in Lowertown. Some concerts are straight jazz, and others, like this one, are crossovers: the chamber ensemble The Gryphon Trio meets Toronto Latin jazz musicians Hilario Durán and Roberto Occhipinti, as well as Juno jazz winner Phil Dwyer.

_ – Alayne McGregor, OttawaJazzScene.ca _

** Sunday July 29: Herbfest **

This Sunday, come out to picturesque Almonte for the 17th Annual Herbfest at the Herb Garden (3840 Old Almonte Road). There, you can participate in food demonstrations and judge a Chef Cook-Off. The cook-off pits talented chefs from newly opened Brut Cantina Sociale, well established Tennessy Willems Wood-Oven Pizzeria, and ever creative Essence Catering against one another. For only $4 (advance ticket), enjoy a chef cook-off, demonstrations, family fun activities, herbal walks and the chance to buy local herbs to spice up your food!

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** Monday, July 30: Zumba Dance Party on Parliament Hill **

I’ve seen hundreds of people doing yoga on Parliament Hill , and now the action’s going up a few notches with a noon hour Zumba event sponsored by Metcalfe St Chiropractic and Wellness Centre.

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** Monday, July 30: Sharon Van Etten at Maverick’s **

Sharon Van Etten is one of those artists you listen to and wonder why more people don’t know about her. She’s toured quite a bit with The National and if you like them, I think you’ll like her. Here’s a track:

_ ** And finally, looking ahead… ** _

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** Friday, August 17: Share the Puck Golf Tournament **

Sign up now for Share   the Puck Golf Tournament and help raise funds to help remove   some of the financial barriers young hockey   players and their families face in participating in one of Canada's favourite pastimes!

** Have a great week!

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** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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