OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round Up: Some fireworks, some puppets, a cricket game, a beer tasting, and much more

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Once again we’ve asked some of our favourite writers, bloggers, media personalities and twitterers to give us their picks for the best events in the Ottawa-Gatineau area this weekend.

Once again, they’ve come through with an incredibly eclectic list of cool stuff happening around our city.  (And many of them are free.) I recommend the “hit each one for an hour” strategy to take it all in.

Have a great week.

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 Thursday, August 4

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** Ross Brown , blogger/writer/author/photog:

URBAN:

** The House of Paint Festival runs from Wednesday, August 3 to Sunday, August, 7. When we think of photos of Ottawa, we often think of Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, or the Governor General’s residence. The Ottawa CONNECT Art & Photography exhibit at the Fall Down Gallery on August 4 shows photos of another side to our city. The show runs from 8:00 PM to 11 PM. The Fall Down Gallery is at 288 Bank Street, at Somerset.

** Juliette Giannesini , aka Zhu, photographer: ** **

VISUAL ARTS:

** This week, I’m looking forward to the Ottawa CONNECT Art and Photography Exhibit . The event invites people to connect with a different view of Ottawa and features 18 giant, connecting puzzle pieces painted by local artists along with a group photography exhibit exploring Ottawa’s grittier side. It starts on Thursday, August 4 (8 p.m. to 11 p.m.) and takes place at the Fall Down Gallery, 288 Bank St. Ottawa. And of course, I’m excited because three of my photographs were chosen to be part of the group exhibit! I’ll be there on Thursday night, if you feel like dropping by and saying “hi”.

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 Friday, August 5

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** Yasir Naqvi , MPP Ottawa Centre: **

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CRICKET:

** On Friday, I’ll be attending the 7th Annual Rawle Williams Memorial Cricket Game , a charity cricket match hosted by the New Edinburgh Cricket Club and the Nepean Cricket Club in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. The NECC and the NCC host annual charity matches, and have chosen the Canadian Cancer Society in memory of their friend Ravi Saba who lost his battle with cancer in April. The game will be held at Rideau Hall between 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. with dinner is at 7 p.m. I’m a big cricket fan and I’m looking forward to batting an over or two!

** Bryony Etherington, aka @ladylovewell :

PARTY:

** Ottawa Jailhouse Staff and Friends Party (open to the whole wide public). Friday August 5, 2011 5pm-2am 75 Nicholas St. $10 pitchers of Keiths, $3.50 bar rail. If the prices aren’t enough of an incentive, you can get your mug shot taken too!

** Stuntman Stu from Majic 100:

MOVIES:

** Need a free night out with the kids or have a date? Join Majic 100 for “ Movies in the Park ” this Friday night at South Nepean Park in Barrhaven. We’ll be showing “The Incredibles”. First 250 will get a coupon for a free DQ Cone. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs, movie starts at dusk.

** Tim Schobert, Classical Music Ottawa :

CLASSICAL:

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The Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival presents its closing gala concert on Friday with performances by the Pacifica Quartet, the pianist Anton Kuerti, and the soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian and others. Not to be missed!

** Ryan Bresee , radio host of CKCU’s Whatever’s Cool With Me :

MUSIC:

** On Friday, Two Crown King are playing at Zaphod’s. They are all over the map musically and love to let it loose live. Here’s a track to check out . If you dig it, you can download an album for free here .

** Lisa from couchassassin.com :

MUSIC:

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Toronto folk darlings The Wilderness of Manitoba, play an intimate show with local indie heros The Orienteers this friday at Raw Sugar . Go early. it will be packed.

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 Saturday, August 6

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** Max Keeping , CTV Ottawa’s Community Ambassador:

PUPPETS:

** There’s something very magical about puppets. The town of Almonte, a half hour from Scotiabank Place, plays host to hundreds of puppets (and their creators/imagineers) this Saturday and Sunday at the Puppets Up Festival . Puppets from around the world. Eleven troupes. Sixty six shows. Including some, at night, with definite Parental Guidance needed. Two parades - at two o’clock Saturday and Sunday.

If you haven’t checked out Almonte recently, it’s a town with the richest and most diverse culture in the Valley, history written all along its streets, a treasure of artistic and antique boutqiues, good food - and very welcoming folks!

** Max Keeping , CTV Ottawa’s Community Ambassador:

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** FIREWORKS ** :

This is the event I consider one of the best of summer in the capital. Les grand feux du Casino du Lac-Leamy (Casino Sound of Light), lights up the sky over Lac Leamy for five unforgettable evenings, beginning Saturday, August 6th. The world’s best pyrotechnics marry their fireworks art to music; the spectacular shows cost about double the Canada Day event, and feature hundreds of special effects including water bombs. My fave: waterfalls made by fireworks! China is presenting this Saturday. Reserved seating ($20) in the grandstand (about 10,000) is almost sold out for all five nights. Another 10,000 watch from the Lac Leamy beach ($10), which is wired for the sound. The show starts at 9; there are concerts, street performers, food and refreshments at the grandstand site, from 6pm to 11pm.

** Andrew King , artist:

ART:

** Anyone who missed the Glebe’s Art In The Park this past June may want to check out Art in Strathcona Park . This other great art show is located in the picturesque Strathcona Park beside the Rideau River. This was one of the first art shows I ever participated in, and still try to continue to be a part of since it is a relaxed and unique showcase of Ottawa’s art scene, as well as a fundraiser event for the Ottawa Region Schizophrenia Society. With over 150 artists displaying their work, it’s a great way to see Ottawa artists latest work in one of the city’s little-known nicest parks.

** Eugene Haslam , Zaphod’s Owner:

ART:

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In my old neighbourhood…. Art in Strathcona Park takes place this Saturday from 10am to 5pm. The 11th annual exhibition and sale which will feature 150 talented artists and artisans. There will be a silent auction, entertainment, food and refreshments including a barbeque. Art in Strathcona Park is a fundraising and public awareness event sponsored by the Mental Illness Caregiver Association with proceeds going to the Ottawa Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario. Admission is free.

** Denise Deby, who writes for Green Living Ottawa :

FOOD:

** National BBQ Day on Saturday, August 6 is already a good excuse for a barbecue, but Meal Exchange is encouraging people to use locally-grown food and make healthy food choices. So check out Just Food’s local food guide , visit a farmers’ market and fire up that grill. (But save some room for the National Capital Vegetarian Association BBQ and potluck next week.)

** Josee from Frugal Fun Ottawa :

DOGS:

** Every now and then Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind has an open house at their National Training Centre in Manotick, and I’ve always thought it would be a fun activity for the whole family. The next open house is this Saturday: tour the facility, visit the kennels, meet the guide dogs, and watch training demonstrations. Admission is free, donations are welcome!

** Laura Nicol , aka @311Laura :

ROLLER DERBY:

** This Saturday evening come out to Kanata’s

Jack Charron Arena to see the

Dolly Rogers roller derby team take on the Toronto Rollergettes for a bout that will probably go int

o triple OT and leave one girl barely standing. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, $6 for kids under 12. Doors open at 6:30, game’s at 7:00. There will be a fundraiser bake sale for myself and @JennyBarelyAliv who are cycling across Vietnam for CARE Canada in September. Come out to support a great cause and see a great roller derby!

** Natasha Gauthier , dance & theatre critic and horse competitor:

POLO: ** Don’t miss Ottawa’s first Polo for Heart this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) in Almonte. Only $10! A fundraiser for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

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 Sunday, August 7

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** Don from foodieprints :

ICE CREAM:

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How about the Ice Cream Festival at the Museum of Agriculture ? “Learn about the journey from cow to cone. Practice your milking technique on the Museum’s wooden cow and get the scoop on how dairying technology now includes milking machines, and even robotic milkers.”

** Sara-Lynne Levine, Ottawa Capital Region Macaroni Kid :

SWEETS:

** Enjoy the Ottawa Farmer’s Market for Sweet Tooth Day . Watch a honeyextraction, roll beeswax candles and free honey lollopops for the kids. Lots to see, do (and eat). Let the kids help buy fresh yummy produce and support local merchants.

** Ross Brown , blogger/writer/author/photog:

ART:

** On Sunday, we’re expecting rain. So if you’re going to be indoors anyway, why not check out Caravaggio and His Followers in Rome at the National Gallery of Canada? The exhibit runs until September 11, but why wait any longer? Twelve masterpiece works by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and 40 more by those who were inspired by his genius are on display.

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 Monday, August 8

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** Glen Gower , Editor/Owner of OttawaStart.com :

COMEDY:

** My Summer Crush is at 8pm at the Arts Court Studio. Liven up your Monday night with belly laughs, a beverage in hand, and some live improv. Admission $12.

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 Tuesday, August 9

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** Brad, aka Bradsucks :

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BEER:

** While the New Kids on the Block & Backstreeet Boys on the 4th almost gets my vote – I mean, who knew they were even friends? – I’m gonna go with Craft Beer 101 - “Back to back nights of beer tasting” on the 9th and 10th. Because in my top five favourite things about beer, taste is right up there.

** Amanda Earl , poet & publisher:

LITERARY:

** Hot Ottawa Voices at the Tree Reading Series , Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue including poets Bardia Sinae, Frances Boyle and Kathryn Hunt. Each year Tree offers Ottawans a chance to hear emerging and talented voices that are not as well known in the literary community. Starts at 8pm.  There’s also an open mic, so bring your best short poems along. The Tree Reading Series is one of Canada’s longest running literary series.

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 Wednesday, August 10

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** Gordon Dewis , blogger:

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FIREWORKS:

** The 16th edition of Les grands feud du casino du Lac-Leamy continues on Wednesday with the team from Italy being featured.

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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