OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Valentine's Day, Winterbrewed, Gatineau Loppet, more...

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

** Thursday, February 14: Single on George Valentine’s Day Party **

Who says Valentine’s Day is just for couples? CTV, Majic 100, BOB FM and TEAM 1200 invite you to Single on George, an evening of Valentine’s feelgood fun at our 87 George Street studios. We’ll cover the caterer, DJ & bar. You bring yourself and maybe a friend or two. And your $50 ticket is an all-in price. Plus we’ll have prizes and a silent auction, with all proceeds going to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. Single on George. The one night you can be our Valentine.

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** ** Thursday, February 14: Heroes and Villains Valentine **

For a Burlesque Valentine’s Day, Retro Joad and Helvetica Bold Present Heroes and Villains Valentine featuring Nerd Girl Burlesque of Toronto. The event, which takes place at Babylon, will include performances by Browncoats Burlesque, Crystal Basement Improv, Jolie Stripes and more.

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** ** Thursday, February 14: One Billion Rising **

One Billion Rising is an initiative with the aim of raising awareness about violence against women in its many forms. 1 in 3 women will be raped or beaten in their lifetime. That’s approximately 1 billion women. To recognize the 15th anniversay of Eve Ensler’s VDAY, join one billion men and women around the world to RISE UP and DANCE.

– _ Laura Gauthier _

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** ** Friday, February 15: Get Your Heart On **

On the Quebec-side, les vendredis complètement malades present Get Your Heart On this Friday, February 15 at the Petit Chicago. DJs Manalogue, Sylv9st9r and Grumpy B will make you dance your heart out while VJ Sacha V take cares of visual projections. Money raised throughout the night will go to the Fondation des maladies du coeur et de l’AVC. Plus, cheap drinks before 11pm!

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_ ** Friday-Sunday, February 15-17: Gatineau Loppet **

This year marks the 35th edition of the Gatineau Loppet, the biggest cross-country ski gathering in Canada. The various ski challenges start and finish at the Mont-Bleu High School in the Hull sector of Gatineau and take place on February 15, 16 and 17. The races are open to anyone wishing to participate and range from 5km Classic to 51 km freestyle.

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** ** Sunday, February 17: A B Series presents Luna Allison & Evalnn Parr **

At Raw Sugar, 7:30pm. $12 door or $9 advanced tickets. CBC calls Parry equally fun & dangerous. As is Allison. A great post Valentine’s event.

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** ** Saturday, February 16: Plants and Animals **

Plants and Animals will be popping into Ritual Nightclub on Saturday. These guys are fun, so it’s a guaranteed good time! Check out this video from their most recent album.

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** ** Saturday, February 16: John Geggie Series 2012-2013: with Jean-Nicolas Trottier. Thom Gossage, and Frank Lozano at the NAC Fourth Stage **

John Geggie opens his 2013 Invitational jazz series on Saturday, playing with three instrumentalists who are very active in the Montreal jazz scene as musicians and composers. While tenor saxophonist Frank Lozano frequently plays in Ottawa including with John Geggie, drummer Thom Gossage has not been here recently. Trombonist Jean-Nicolas Trottier has not been here as a leader at all – although he received the Galaxie Rising Star award at the Ottawa Jazz Festival in 2003, and has played in many well-known Quebec big bands.

_ – Alayne McGregor, OttawaJazzScene.ca _

** Friday, February 15: Winterbrewed Launch Party **

Celebrate Bridgehead and Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co.’s coffee-beer collaboration and kick-off to the Winterbrewed Craft Beer Festival at the Bridgehead Roastery (130 Anderson Street at Preston). Along with food and live music there will be kegs of Winterbrewed and Lug•Tread on hand. Admission is free but, donations for the Food Bank will be accepted – festivities start at 7:00pm.

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** ** Saturday & Sunday, February 15-16: Winterbrewed Craft Beer Festival **

Sparks Street Mall plays host to a celebration of craft beer, artisanal food and winter fun. Sample some of the best craft beer Quebec and Ontario has to offer, warm up with hot beer or cheer on your friends during the snowman building competition. Admission is free but, a tasting glass and beverage tickets must be purchased on site to partake in beer samples. The beer starts pouring at 11:30am and run until 9:00pm on both days.

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** ** Saturday & Sunday, February 15-16: Winterbrewed Craft Beer Festival **

Ottawa’s first winter craft-beer festival runs on Sparks Street as part of the Winterlude festivities. There will be several local breweries on hand as well as food and other treats. Admission is free but you must purchase a wrist band and tokens to partake in any of the beer (and, of course, you must be of legal drinking age). There are activities for every age group. I’ll be there with my camera out and my beer glass at the ready: I hope to see you there.

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** ** Sunday & Monday, February 17 & 18: Funatorium Explorium **

Come and play WITH your kids. Activities designed for parents and kids to have fun together. Great line up of entertainers and activities. It’s THE place to be Family Weekend. At CE Centre (4899 Uplands Drive). Tickets available online or at the door. ($5 off code: FE4KMGRJ)

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

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** ** Sunday & Monday, February 17 & 18: Backyard sugar maker’s workshops **

Do you like maple syrup? Do you have a maple tree in your backyard? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then you are a prime candidate to attend one of the Backyard Sugar Makers Workshops being offered by Fulton’s Pancake House and Sugar Bush this Sunday and Monday from 12:30pm to 2pm. The 90-minute workshop is led by Shirley Fulton-Deugo and Scott Deugo who will teach you and your family how to tap your maple tree and turn the sap into maple syrup. The $20+HST fee covers your whole family and includes one take-home tree tapping kit. Sign up ahead by calling 613 256-3867 or email info@fultons.ca .

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** ** Thursday, February 14 (to March 2): _ God of Carnage _ at the GCTC **

It sounds nasty, but the title of Third Wall Theatre’s new production refers to what happens when two couples meet after their children have a fight on the school playground. I had the chance to preview an excerpt, and the play looks to be hilarious, full of talent and a clever commentary on human nature.

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** ** Have a great week! **

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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