OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Storytelling, Santa Claus Train, grilling fundraiser, was the Grinch a spy?

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Here are our contributors' picks for the best local events in Ottawa this week. This list is also published every Wednesday night in this space. You can bookmark this link for easy access: http://ottawastart.com/weekly

** Thursday, December 13: Swindles, Scams, and Snake Oil **

I’d go for the title alone, but the content sounds fun, too. Ottawa StoryTellers are offering stories and songs about “fictional and real-life swindles and rackets,” as told by veteran storytellers Kathryn Hunt, Tom Lips and Mary Wiggin. It’s at the NAC Fourth Stage at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7).

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** ** Thursday, December 13: Heritage Ottawa Special Lecture: Freiman’s Santa Claus Train **

Ottawa’s premier department store, Freiman’s, operated the Santa Claus train from 1956 to 1967. Santa boarded the train, surrounded by children, at Vars, whose former station is now preserved at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. The arrival to a civic welcome at Union Station, followed by a parade down Rideau Street to Freiman’s was a major Ottawa event. Andrew Jeanes will present the story of this favourite Christmas tradition.

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** ** Friday, December 14: (Final?) Open Mic at Collected Works **

Collected Works Bookstore has great events and tons of community spirit. Sadly, it’s up for sale, and will be out of business if a new owner isn’t found by Dec. 24. On Friday, enjoy some music and show support at the Open Mic on Friday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The performances are likely to be eclectic, and the books are on sale, too. 1242 Wellington Street West.

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** ** Saturday December 15: Steph The Grilling Gourmet’s Camp Misquah Fundraiser **

At FatBoys Restaurant, 34 Murray Street.  A spectacular fundraising event for Camp Misquah, a Camp for adults and youth who have developmental disabilities, featuring Ottawa’s Steph the Grilling Gourmet and Trashed Taxi bringing us retro rock tunes. So come on out for a silent auction with some incredible items and great food!

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** ** Saturday, December 15: The Factory Reading Series at the Carleton Tavern **

Featuring Roland Prevost, Shannon Maguire, Craig Calhoun. One local poet, one Toronto poet & a new to Ottawa short story writer grace the non stage upstairs at one of Ottawa’s oldest taverns. great words combined with excellent eats & lots of suds to wash ‘em down. there will be chapbooks for sale.

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** ** Saturday-Sunday, December 15-16: _ How the Grinch Spied on Christmas _ at the Diefenbunker **

Everyone loves the story of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, but did you ever think of how the Grinch is actually a spy? Learn about the spy techniques that the nasty Grinch used to spy on Whoville. Afterwards,create your very own Antler disguises inspired by the Grinch’s poor dog and craft top-secret cypher wheel ornaments. 1:00pm-3:00pm.

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

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** ** Sunday, December 16: A Very Ayler Christmas **

Ottawa saxophonist Bernard Stepien had a serendipitous realization a few years ago: the jazz written by saxophonist Albert Ayler (a contemporary and friend of John Coltrane) actually had many structures in common with Christmas carols. So Stepien mashed them together – for an original and listenable result! The project has continued to evolve, with new arrangements and new songs promised for the 2012 concert. Get there early, because the Umi Cafe isn’t large!

_ – Alayne McGregor, OttawaJazzScene.ca _

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** ** Sunday, December 16: Amanda Rheaume At Pop-Up Gallery **

The musical talents of Ottawa’s own Amanda Rheaume are presented at Pop-Up Gallery Sunday December 16th 2-4pm. Hang out and experience the vibrant arts scene in Wellington West at our gallery with an afternoon of fun, local music, art and refreshments. Admission is free but space is limited.

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** ** Monday, December 17: Crush Improv’s Elmdale Homage Show **

With the Elmdale Tavern under new management (and under renovation) as of January, this could be Crush Improv’s last performance at the venue for a while. Crush has done a monthly show at the Elmdale for several years, and this show will be a last hurrah. I’ll be there playing piano. Enjoy some stories and some laughs and say a final farewell to this old place.

** Have a great week! **

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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