OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Staying cool and being cool from July 21-27

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Yes it’s hot, but that’s no excuse to stay indoors this weekend. There’s so much going on this week that several of our contributors (including me) had trouble picking just one event.

Welcome to our newest contributors, Amanda Earl and Sterling Lynch.

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 THURSDAY, JULY 21

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** Brett Delmage, OttawaJazzScene.ca :

SALSA:

** When it’s hot, get hotter! The 5th Annual Salsa Meets Jazz with Ottawa’s fav, Caridad Cruz is at the Mercury Lounge . Thursday,July 21 - 8:30 p.m. I can’t think of a better way to appreciate Thursday’s forecast heat than listening (and dancing) to Cuban and Salsa beats while sipping cool drinks. Tickets: $20 at the door. ( Photos from last year’s event here. )

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**
 Denise Deby, who writes for
 [
  Green Living Ottawa
 ](http://greenlivingottawa.com/)
 :
   

 
  WATER:
 
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We’ll be getting out of the heat this week by heading for water –




[
 Ottawa’s splash pads and pools
](http://ottawastart.com/swimming.php)




are a great way to cool down without turning up the air conditioner. July 16-23 is also the




[
 Lifesaving Society’s Drowning Prevention Week
](http://ottawastart.com/story/14606.php)




so a good time to sign up for swimming lessons or brush up on water safety.

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** Sterling Lynch , editor of the Ottawa Arts Newsletter : **

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THEATRE:

** To beat the humidity and be a part of Ottawa history, I’d check out Odyssey’s 25th Anniversary show, Carlo Goldoni’s _ The Fan _ . It opens Thursday and runs until August 21.

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

DINOS:

** The Museum of Nature is holding a Dino 3D Tweet-Up at 5:30pm.  It includes a screening of Dinosaurs 3D in the new museum theatre.  It’s free but registration is required .

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 FRIDAY, JULY 22

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** Yasir Naqvi , MPP Ottawa Centre:

FESTIVALS:

** I’m really looking forward to attending the Turkish Festival . It kicks off with a Parade on Friday down Sparks Street from noon to 1 p.m. and the festivities continue Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 pm at Confederation Park. There will be lots of interesting entertainment, delicious food and activities for the whole family.

** Jim Watson , Mayor of Ottawa: **

**

 FESTIVALS:

** I am very much looking forward to the two big festivals going on this weekend in Ottawa! The Turkish Festival, as well as the annual Lebanese Festival which runs until Sunday on the grounds of the St. Elias Cathedral and Banquet Centre, 700 Ridgewood Drive, across from Mooney’s Bay.

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

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 HORSES:

** Dressage at the Park , July 22-23, Nepean National Equestrian Park. Dressage is often called ballet for horses. Instead of speed or jumping ability, dressage shows off a horse’s flexibility, balance, rhythm and responsiveness. Riders perform tests–a pre-determined series of movements–in an arena, sometimes to music. And like figure skating, they are scored by a judge.

** Laura L. Benn of PAWSH Magazine :

 DOGS:

** This weekend (July 22-24) come out to the Rideau Carleton Raceway for a splash of fun at the Take The Plunge Dock Diving Event .  1000 Island DockDogs will be shaking paws with Ottawa animal rescue organizations to raise money for pets in need. This three day outdoor festival involves a 40 foot dock and 40 foot pool for any breed of dog to jump off! Come out and watch, participate or take part in any one of the fun activities happening this weekend! It’s going to be a barking good time! (Dogs most certainly welcome at this event!)

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  SATURDAY, JULY 23
 
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** Laura Nicol, aka @311Laura :

 ARTS, ETC.:

** This Saturday from 9 - 6 head out to Minto Park for the Urban Art Show ! Supporting local talent is always a good thing.  Come out and enjoy 60 artist tents offering a variety of fantastic work, from paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, recycled art, jewelery and more!  Live DJ Spade playing Urban beats, live Graffiti by Dan Metcalfe, the Ottawa Stilt Union performing and break dancing! Buy Art, Have Fun!

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** Andrew King , artist:

 PLANES:

"

** Spitfires and Messerschmitts will carve out the skies once again this weekend in heated aerial battles, but on a much smaller scale as the Ottawa Remote Control Club hosts a Warbird Weekend at their airstrip just south of Bells Corners at 4520 Cambrian Road. The radio control model airplane club that was formed back in 1956 is gathering modellers and airplane enthusiasts on Saturday July 23rd for a model plane show at their airfield on just off Moodie Drive, south of Bells Corners. A collection of radio control model planes from WW1 to present day will grace the skies in aerial demonstrations and performances that will sure to please anyone who is a fan of model airplanes, the whine of tiny engines and the smell of methanol fuel."

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

PINBALL:

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Ottawa’s first-ever pinball show runs Saturday and Sunday at the Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Airport. There’s a tournament plus a free play era with lots of machines. And maybe the Who’s Tommy playing in the background?

** Josee from Frugal Fun Ottawa :

 HEAVY EQUIPMENT:

** My family has two amazing activities on the agenda for this upcoming week. On Saturday and Sunday the War Museum will be hosting free Military Vehicle Demonstrations outside on the North Plaza. My husband can’t wait. (Josee’s other amazing activity is listed below for Monday.)

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

 MOVIES:

** “Do you have festival fatigue? Head over to Centretown Movies on Saturday to watch Despicable Me under the stars. It’s a great movie for all ages. Just promise you won’t go Friday night to see Eat, Pray, Love.”

** Oni the Haitian Sensation , Poetician:

CULTURE:

** Jamaica is celebrating its Golden Jubilee! " Memories of Jamaica " featuring the sights, sounds, and flavors of Jamaica- will take place Saturday July 23,2011 under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheila Sealy Monteith- High Commissioner for Jamaica. $80 admission with part of the proceeds going to CHEO.

** Tim Schobert, Classical Music Ottawa :

 CLASSICAL:

** On Saturday the 18th edition of the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival kicks off. There is so much to choose from, it’s difficult to single out any one concert. But I do note that a world première of a work by John Corigliano will be presented late on Saturday night. Continues until August 5.

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    SUNDAY, JULY 24
   
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    Don from
    [
     foodieprints
    ](http://www.foodieprints.com/)
    :
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   FOOD:
  
 **
 On July 24th, rain or shine, the
 [
  16th Annual Ottawa Valley Herbfest
 ](http://ottawastart.com/story/14484.php)
 will be held from 9 am to 5 pm at the
 [
  Herb Garden
 ](http://www.herbgarden.on.ca/)
 (3840 Old Almonte Road). There will be live entertainment, educational presentations, natural therapy demonstrations, guided herbal walks, face painting, and henna.  You can shop at the onsite outdoor marketplace, featuring 90 vendors and artisans. You can eat at the food court. A popular event is the Chef Cook-off, hosted by Sommelier Debbie Trenholm of Savvy Company.
   

   

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  [
   Eugene Haslam
  ](http://www.eugenehaslam.ca/)
  , Zaphod's Owner:
    

  
   FESTIVALS:
  
  "
 **
 The
 [
  Ottawa Turkish Festival
 ](http://ottawastart.com/story/14480.php)
 . It's open to the general public free of charge (except for the Anatolian Night Concert) and will display Turkish art, folk dance, music and gourmet food, where visitors will get an opportunity to celebrate, learn, and savour Turkish hospitality, culture, heritage and cuisine."






   







   

 


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    MONDAY, JULY 25
   
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  Josee from
  [
   Frugal Fun Ottawa
  ](http://frugalfunottawa.ca/index.html)
  :
    

  
   FAMILY:
  
 **
 
 
 Besides the War Museum's Military Vehicle Demonstrations (see above), another can't miss event for us is Chamberfest's free
 [
  Bring the Kids
 ](http://www.frugalfunottawa.ca/calendar/chamberfest.html)
 series which starts on Monday. It's a wonderful way to introduce kids to classical music!









  







  







  










 


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    TUESDAY, JULY 26
   
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  [
   Amanda Earl
  ](http://amandaearl.blogspot.com/)
  , poet & publisher
    

  
   POEMS:
  
 **
 Poet Phil Hall reads at the
 [
  Tree Reading Series
 ](http://www.treereadingseries.ca/)
 , 8pm, Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue, The Library, upstairs. free! His recent books are The Little Seamstress (Pedlar Press, 2010) and Killdeer (Book Thug, 2011). His writing is at times whimsical, full of fancy & fiddle tunes, & at other times, firmly grounded in the real with a deep connection to home. Phil Hall is a poet's poet and an audience favourite.






   







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  [
   Andrew Snowdon
  ](http://twitter.com/#!/snobiwan)
  , writer:
    

  
   THEATRE:
  
 **
 
 
 [
  Secrets of a Soccer Mom
 ](http://ottawastart.com/story/14533.php)
 is on at Arts Court for the rest of the month as part of the Downtown Rideau Summer Fling; take in this hilarious performance (or another Summer Fling show) and get a significant discount on dinner at one of the partner restaurants in the area. Food, entertainment, and air conditioning—what's not to like?
   

 


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    WEDNESDAY, JULY 27
   
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 **
  [
   Ryan Bresee
  ](http://www.twitter.com/coolckcu)
  , radio host of CKCU's
  [
   Whatever's Cool With Me
  ](http://www.coolckcu.com/)
  :
    

  
   STRINGS:
  
 **
 On Wednesday, July 27, the Samurai String Squad are playing at the
 [
  Ottawa Chamberfest
 ](http://ottawastart.com/festivals.php)
 . The group will bust out their cellos to play covers by the likes of Radiohead, NIN and Nirvana, as well as some classical favourites. I dare you to find a cooler concert this week.
   

 


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  BONUS: ALL SUMMER LONG
 
   

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  Lisa from
  [
   couchassassin.com
  ](http://couchassassin.com/)
  :
 **
   

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   MUSIC:
  
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 With Summer almost (gulp) half way done, the time for outdoor dancing is now! No longer shall electronic music be relegated to dark, poorly ventilated nightclubs.  Until September 10, you can dance in the sunshine to some of Montreal's coolest dj's spinning the hottest beats, in Gatineau!  Montreal's legendary outdoor dance festival Piknic Electronik will bring it to the grassy knoll at the Museum of Civilisation, part of the
 [
  PickNik Electronik Music Festival
 ](http://couchassassin.com/event/picknik-electronik-electro-music-festival)
 .
   

 


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  See also:
 **
 [
  Ottawa Events Guide
 ](http://ottawastart.com/events.php)
   

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