OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Winter solstice stargazing, Afrika Bambaataa, Jazzin' the Holidays, more...

  ](http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinberthelot/8270075480/)

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 20: Annual Christmas Show with my Mom! **

Every year, my mom co-hosts a Christmas show with me. We play some non-traditional Christmas tunes, read a Christmas story and play How The Grinch Stole Christmas in its entirety. She’s great, it’s a lot of fun and people seem to dig it. Tune in on Thursday from 9:30-noon on 93.1 FM or online at www.ckcufm.com .

_

Ryan Bresee , host of CKCU’s Whatever’s Cool With Me _

**

** ** Friday, December 21: Winter Solstice **

Friday is the shortest day of the year, so head out to the Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory at the Canada Science and Technology Museum in the evening for a free stargazing party. Things start at 7pm and run until 8:30pm. Be sure to dress warmly because they keep the stars outside!

_

Gordon Dewis aka KeeperOfMaps _

**

** ** Friday, December 21: Celebrate Winter Solstice - Star Party **

Curious about the wonders of the night sky? The Universe is yours to discover, so make it a family outing to come explore and celebrate the shortest day of the year at the Canadian Museum of Science and Technology. **

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

**

** ** Sunday, December 23: Afrika Bambaataa Live DJ Set **

If you love hip hop and electro funk, you’ll want to be at Ritual this Sunday, December 23, for the Stamina & Kapacity Annual Christmas Party featuring the legendary Afrika Bambaataa who’s considered the grandfather of Hip Hop culture and the father of Electro Funk. Afrika Bambaataa will be throwing a live DJ set alongside DJs Illo, Kid SL, ThreeSixty and Karl Haze. You can expect the best in Hip Hop/Breaks/Electro/Funk/DnB. As for downstairs in the lounge, Pedro Diaz, the founding father of Ottawa’s Electronic scene and owner of Bowggy Records will be playing Classic House and Techno with DJs Jamez, Rayaz and Balu.

_

Eliane Laberge , blogger _

**

** ** Sunday, December 23: Jazzin' the Holidays **

Seasonal classics with groove and swing and beautiful harmonies: what better way to relax in the middle of holiday preparations? Hear a trio of Ottawa female jazz vocalists, accompanied by four instrumentalists, on Sunday afternoon, and at the same time contribute a charity fundraiser for the Sexual Assault Support Centre. They’ll be at GigSpace on Gladstone Avenue (near Preston); tickets are $20.

_ – Alayne McGregor, OttawaJazzScene.ca _

**

** ** Tuesday, December 25: Christmas at Zaphod’s! **

Not doing the family and friends thing on Christmas but don’t want to hang out at home alone watching Christmas movies? Head to Zaphod’s for Santa’s Electric Ballroom! ** [

](http://zaphods.ca/?p=1041) **

_ Laura Gauthier _

**

** ** All week: Sledding **

Is the forecast really for snow? If so, I highly recommend setting aside the shopping for a while and checking out one of the city’s sledding hills. Dress for the weather, and have fun!

_

Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _

** Have a great week! **

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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