OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Westfest, Italian Fest, swordfish, Newfoundland rock, free gas, and more

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](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/weekly-event-roundup250.gif) Earlier this week I emailed a few of my favourite bloggers, twitter-ers, friends and followers, and asked them:

** “What upcoming Ottawa event are you most excited about?” **

And with that, a new weekly feature on our blog was born.  Here are their picks for Ottawa’s best events this week:

** Andrea, from a peek inside the fishbowl : **

**

 FAMILY:

** My family will be at Westfest on June 10,11,12. It’s like a giant street party, and we attend every year. I’m excited to have an opportunity to discover some great new music, and am really looking forward to seeing Bif Naked on the main stage this year. And the best thing is, it’s all free!

** Andrew King , artist **

**

 MUSEUMS:

** The Swordfish Recognition Event at the Aviation Museum . On Saturday June 11, from 10-1pm at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, a restored and flying Swordfish from Michael Potter’s Vintage Wings will take centre stage in a special presentation and dedication to Terry Goddard, a Swordfish airman who participated in the attack on the Bismarck.

** Andrew Snowdon , writer **

**

 THEATRE:

** My pick is Daniel Macivor’s This Is What Happens Next , which is still on until the 11th (I believe) at the GCTC. Co-presented with the Magnetic North Theatre Festival, it’s the last solo show from one of Canada’s most prolific and respected contemporary playwrights—and it’s all true. Funny, heartbreaking, touching, and a story well-told by a writer who deserves to be called a genius.

** Arne Berg , photographer **

**

 CONCERTS:

** On Saturday June 11 I will be attending Bif Naked’s Concert at Westfest . I would like to meet Bif Naked who I follow on Twitter ( @bifnaked ) and who is very active tweeting positive calming messages each day.

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

**
 GREEN:
**

The Ottawa Art Gallery’s “Will Work for Food” project is part art installation, part local food garden and part community collaboration. Join in the seed planting at the Arts Court yard, 2 Daly Avenue, on Friday, June 10 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., rain or shine.

** Don from foodieprints : **

**

 FOOD:

** As part of Westfest , restaurants along Richmond open their patios out into the street, welcoming everyone to sit, relax, and have a bite. A highlight is usually delectables from The Piggy Market (400 Winston Ave), pulled pork sandwiches, charcuterie-to-go, and Jamaican patties, everything in-house made.

** Eugene Haslam, Zaphod’s Owner and member of the Board of Directors with the Bytown BIA: **

**

 MUSIC:

** Kathryn Calder at Zaphod’s on Thursday, June 9. She began her professional music career as a teenager, and by the time that most people are just stepping into their first independent record store, she had recorded 2 EPS and 4 CDs.

_ (Eugene promises not to pick a Zaphod’s event every week but this one was too good to pass up.) _

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** Glen Gower (that’s me), Editor/Owner of OttawaStart.com : **

**

 COMMUNITY:

** Members of the Dominion Outreach Centre in Gloucester are giving away $10,000 in free gas .  Saturday June 11 at the Pioneer Gas Station at Shoppers City East (Ogilvie & Blair), starting at 10am while supplies last.  Seriously.

** Heather-Marie Connors, aka @HMSurfacing : **

**

 THEATRE:

** The Magnetic North Theatre Festival is on until June 11th and I am excited to see One Yellow Rabbit’s " Kawasaki Exit " in the studio at the NAC. One Yellow Rabbit is from Calgary and they consistently do interesting work - this one is set in Tokyo so is in both English and Japanese and is part mystery, part romance.

** Josee from Frugal Fun Ottawa : **

**

 FRUGAL:

** Westfest is definitely the place to be this weekend, and the free Kidzone with its 30 foot inflatable slide, giant bouncy castle and carnival games seems like the best free family fun to be had. If crowds aren’t your thing, try Gatineau Park, which is sure to be much quieter during the free Sights and Sounds of Birds nature walks starting at 9:30 am (French) and 11:30 am (English) on Sunday.

** Laura Nicol, aka @311Laura : **

**

 MUSIC:

** Gramercy Riffs, The Allrights, and Charlotte Cornfield are playing Friday, June 10 @ Cafe Dekcuf . Saw Gramercy Riffs open for Hey Rosetta! a few months back and they were great. We accidentally downloaded an album by a band of the same name with a record in the same year as them on iTunes when we got home from the show and were disappointed when we started listening to it. Once we found the correct download though - played it on repeat for a while. Great Newfoundland band.

** Lisa from couchassassin.com : **

**

 ARTS:

** In a time of e-coli in your euro sprouts, buying local has never seemed more attractive. The Basement Artists are throwing their quarterly charity event, featuring exquisite locally made art and music by the lovely Courtney Thomson among others. Music, art & charity on a Sunday - The feel good trifecta.

** Lydia Bociurkiw , photographer: **

**

 CULTURE:

** Looking forward to visiting the four corners of the world this weekend at The Carnival of Cultures June 10, 11 and 12 at Ottawa City Hall. Three days of international music, theater and dance without leaving the city!

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

**

 ARTS:

** “Get some great art bargains Sunday night at the Mercury Lounge, 56 Byward Market. BASEMENT ARTISTS are an intriguing group of talented people who will have their art and photography on display - and on sale. Bands performing : Mean Dog Howl, Courtney Thorman, Vanek & Ed Ambrose. Proceeds from the Art Raffle go to the Max Keeping Foundation.”

** Ming Wu from Photogmusic : **

**

 MUSIC:

** Looking for a mix of rock and pop on June 10th? WHy not see Gramercy Riffs, The Allrights, Charlotte Cornfield at Cafe Dekcuf . Gramercy Riffs originally from St.Johns now living in Toronto. Music is considered indie pop rock. They opened up for Hey Rosetta! back on Feb 19th at the Capital Music Hall. Ottawa’s The Allrights is indie rock. Charlotte Cornfield is indie pop folk.

** Oni the Haitian Sensation , Poetician **

**

 CONCERTS:

** Westfest is free Ottawa people! You might see me rocking out to Bif Naked, naked! In the name of Twitter, Bif Naked and I follow one another on Twitter , we love ourselves today, and I hope to see her in concert at Westfest.

** @ottguy , the supreme ruler of Ottawa’s Twitterverse: **

**

 COMMUNITY:

** Italian Week starts this weekend and if you’re like me and have just avoided the festival the last couple of years because of never ending road work in Little Italy I think it’s only fair that we pay this festival a return visit. I was recently on Preston Street and found the completed construction and addition of a few new stores to fit the area really well. I haven’t been to the festival in about four years but the last time I was there was a blast with lots of local charm and packed streets. Oh, and great pasta. And beer!

** Ryan Bresee , radio host of Whatever’s Cool With Me on CKCU 93.1 FM: **

**

 MUSIC:

** Fred Squire and Kate Maki have a double album release on Friday at 9 p.m. at the Raw Sugar Café and both artists will treat you to some folk with soul. Squire’s last album is a little-known gem!

** Stuntman Stu from Majic 100: **

**

 FUNDRAISER:

** Join me next Wednesday, June 15 for " Baskets with Panache " at the Agriculture Museum. Raising funds to help kids with financial challenges attend the Museum’s school programs and summer day camps. A fun live auction, delicious hors-d’oeuvres with some tasty drinks too! A perfect night out!

_ What are you doing this week? Please add your picks in the comments below. _

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** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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