OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: St. Patrick's parade, chocolate charity brunch, piggy banks and more...

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/weekly-event-roundup250.gif)

Our contributors pick the best events in Ottawa for the week of March 8-14. You can add your event suggestions to the comments below, or add them to OttawaStart’s Community Listings .

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

** WOMEN’S DAY: ** Mirth with a message—that’s the fourth annual “I _ am _ a feminist, but…," happening on International Women’s Day, Thursday March 8. Several organizations including Amnesty International Canada and the Nobel Women’s Initiative are hosting the event, which offers a talk-show-style panel discussion, a short humorous film, and awards for local women activists.

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

** MAKING WISHES COME TRUE: ** A huge shout out to 97 Algonquin’s Event Management students, who are doing 15 events to raise money for Children’s Wish . ** THURSDAY ** : Crazy Horse Saloon, a country themed night. ** FRIDAY: ** My Condo, Making Wishes Fly, captures Pan Am & 1960’s. ** FRIDA: ** Richelieu-Vanier CC, urban hip hop showcase (see more from Ruvini below). ** FRIDAY: ** Centurion Centre, a ladies night includes a bachelor auction. ** SUNDAY ** : 1pm, Mayfair Theatre, Back to the Future, on and off the screen.

** Ruvini Godakandae from KahootKids.ca : **

** DANCE: ** If you love the hard-hitting and energetic movements of hip hop dance, then Friday’s Dance 4 a Wish fundraiser is not to be missed. Proceeds from the fundraiser, put on by Algonquin College’s Event Management students, will go to the Children’s Wish Foundation. You’re sure to be entertained by some of Ottawa’s finest hip hop crews taking the stage including Driven Dance Ottawa, Culture Shock Dance Troupe, Flavour Factory and more. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are said to be selling fast.

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

** PARADE: ** On March 10, come and attend the 30th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade , starting at 11:00 a.m.  at Ottawa City Hall and finishing by 1:00 p.m. at Lansdowne Park. The Ottawa Food Bank will be collecting non-perishable food and cash along the parade route. Other fun activities during the Irish Week 2012 are detailed here .

** Amanda Earl , poet & publisher: **

** WRITERS: ** Ron Silliman, A B Series on Saturday, March 10 at 8pm at Gallery 101 (301 1/2 Bank St). American poet & blogger extraordinaire comes to Ottawa for what I believe is the first time ever. This is a rare opportunity to hear & meet him. & the event is free! Earlier in the day at 2pm at Gallery 101 he’s giving an artist’s talk and workshop about his life, about blogging, and possibly about the School of Quietude. You have to register ahead of time for the workshop, which is only $5. I am one of the three million people who has visited his blog, a somewhat sporadic follower and am looking forward to the chance to see him in person.

** Yasir Naqvi , MPP Ottawa Centre: **

** COMMUNITY: ** This weekend, I’ll be attending the Celebrate Her Grand Finale Gala , which is part of a week-long fine-arts fundraising and awareness campaign benefiting Ottawa’s Sexual Assault Support Centre and local artists. The Gala is taking place at Patrick John Mills Gallery, 286 Hinchey Ave and it is on Saturday, March 10th from 3 – 6pm.

**

**

** Don from foodieprints : **

** FOOD: ** Looking for a way to kick off the start of March Break with your family and friends? Looking for a fun outing that benefits the community? Consider the 8th Annual Carefor Chocolate Brunch Competition at the Centurion Conference & Event Centre (170 Colonnade Road). A fundraiser, join 400 attendees for brunch, live music, and a silent & live auction, Saturday, March 10. In addition to crowning the 2012 Carefor Chocolate champion, chosen from Ottawa’s passionate chocolate artisans, you’ll get a chance to sample all the chocolate creations and take home containers containing those goodies. The event starts at 10:00 AM. Tickets cost $75 for adults, $40 for children, and free for infants (less than 4 years old).

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

** MUSIC: ** On Sunday, Jack Pine and the Fire will be playing at the Black Sheep Inn from 3-6 p.m.

At their recent CD release show, so many people showed up that they were turning people away in droves. The music is that good. I swear! CKCU-FM is sponsoring a shuttle bus to the venue so you can sit back and enjoy the scenic drive.

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

** BOWLING FOR KIDS: ** All the lanes are booked… you can still drop by for birthday cake, raffles, extreme fun, and to make a donation.  My BIRTHDATE BOWLATHON is on Sunday from 11am-2pm at Merivale Bowling Centre; over 300 people participate, many in costume; none of the $000 in prizes is for bowling skill. The Mayor is one of the VIP’s you’ll meet. Also Wicked Wendy from the BEAR 106.9.

** Jean Labelle ** ** , photographer: **

** MUSIC: ** Spend an evening with Jann Arden. She is playing this Sunday evening at the NAC .

**

**

** Brett Delmage, OttawaJazzScene.ca : **

** JAZZ: ** Léonard Constant and Florquestra Brasil are best known for their infectious rendition of Brazilian and Latin jazz. But now they’re expanding their repertoire: to Leonard Cohen. Hear the combination on Monday, March 12 at Les Brasseurs du Temps in downtown Gatineau.

** Josee from Frugal Fun Ottawa : **

** MARCH BREAK: ** March Break is almost here! Parents looking to entertain the kids can take in Empire Theatres' toonies matinees during the break. For lots more March Break fun, you can check out Frugal Fun Ottawa’s March Break on a Budget listing too!

_ (You can find more March Break info on OttawaStart’s March Break Guide .) _

**

**

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

** MUSEUMS: ** Piggy Banks! The Currency Museum (245 Sparks Street) is featuring an exhibit of slot-backed swine from days past

• also known as piggy banks. Don’t be a boar - come to the Currency Museum where we encourage you to hog all the fun! Thursday, March 8 through Sunday, April 1.

_ Have a great week! _

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

If you liked this post, please consider subscribing to our blog via email, Twitter, Facebook or RSS. Thank you.