OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Winterlude (of course) and much more

  ](http://www.flickr.com/photos/rdb466/5439712690/)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/weekly-event-roundup250.gif)

Here are our contributors' picks for the best events in Ottawa this week.  Please add your event suggestions in the comments below!

** Josee from Frugal Fun Ottawa : **

** WINTERLUDE: ** The Winterlude opening ceremony takes place on Friday at the Museum of Civilization, with special programming including musical fireworks. Other Winterlude activities taking place this weekend include the annual free pancake breakfast at Festival Plaza on Saturday (10 am, City Hall), and the annual Beds Race on the canal - the bed parade is at 12:30 on Saturday and the race will go from 1 to 3 pm, weather permitting of course!

**

**

** Brett Delmage, OttawaJazzScene.ca : **

** JAZZ: ** The first Ottawa Winter Jazzfest will present a wide variety of jazz concerts from Thursday, February 2 to Saturday, February 4. You can hear jazz influenced by Brazilian and other world music, groups from the forefront of modern Canadian jazz, the avant-garde improvising IMOO Orchestra, two Ottawa jazz vocalists in an intimate setting, or the swinging piano of Oliver Jones. Find out details and enter a draw by Thursday noon to win free tickets!

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

** MUSIC: ** If you’re looking for something a little different musically this week, check out Yamantaka//Sonic Titan on Friday at Babylon. They’re hard to describe as they can be dreamy and atmospheric one minute and then explode into a wall of rock the next. Their live show is supposed to be a fun spectacle.

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

** MUSIC: ** The Mighty Popo is back in town from touring and plays Friday, February 3, 8:00pm at Cabaret La Basoche, 120 rue Principale in Gatineau. The Ottawa-based Rwandan/Burundian musician always creates amazing sounds, but his latest album, _ Gakondo _ , is full of rich music, poetry and rhythms that reach back to his roots.

** Eugene Haslam , Zaphod’s Owner: **

** MUSIC: ** I’ll be back in Ottawa to see SHEEZER, the all-lady WEEZER cover band , doing only songs from the Blue album and Pinkerton. And people more interesting than me (err….Rivers Cuomo) are fans. The bands' pedigree includes members that play in Hidden Cameras, Gentleman Reg, The Phonemes and By Divine Right. They are at Zaphod’s on February 4.

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

** ART: ** Andrew King opens his new solo exhibition, _ After 8 _ at Wallspace Gallery on Saturday night, February 4. This show features a collection of new art inspired by a recent road trip that recreated 1960s Americana. Andrew gave me a preview of some of the pieces a few weeks back and they’re a very entertaining mix of humour and nostalgia. Continues until February 26.

** Ross Brown , blogger/writer/author/photog: **

** COMEDY: ** Got the winter blues? Need a good laugh? Nova Scotia comedian Nikki Payne takes the stage at the Ottawa Little Theatre on Saturday, February 4. I first saw Nikki on NBC’s _ Last Comic Standing _ and have heard her countless times on CBC Radio’s _ The Debaters _ , and I’ve been hoping for the opportunity to see her perform live. I finally get my chance this weekend.

**

**

** Don from foodieprints : **

** FOOD & DRINK: ** Those of you who prefer wine over beer during Superbowl Sunday, would you consider a wine pairing evening the Saturday before the game (February 4, 7:00pm)? Dubbed Grapes and Gastronomy, Roger Linton from Vintner’s Selection will be hosting a 5-course wine-paired meal, starting with a glass of Angels Gate Archangel Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc. The dishes will be prepared by Adams Apple Catering. The event will be held at Sala San Marco (215 Preston Street) in Little Italy. Tickets are $75 pp and can be purchased by contacting Roger at roger@vintnersselection.com

** Yasir Naqvi , MPP Ottawa Centre: **

** HAPPY NEW YEAR: ** In celebration of the recent Lunar New Year and the start of the Year of the Dragon, his weekend I’ll be attending the Ottawa Chinese Community Association Lunar New Year Festival. It will be held at Mother Theresa Catholic High School, located at 440 Longfields Drive, Nepean on Sunday, February 5th from 10am to 4:30pm.

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

** FAB WOMEN: ** Monday there is a great event for a great cause happening  - FAB Women All Women Gala . Tickets are only 75$ and proceeds go to the Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre. Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau is the keynote speaker and there are raffles, prizes, music, food and a fashion show.

** Amanda Earl , poet & publisher: **

** ART: ** Coco Riot and Elisha Lim , exhibit up til end of February. Venus Envy, 320 Lisgar. Coco Riot and Elisha Lim make art inspired by the fact that they’re trans. Not trans as in “she becoming he”, or “he becoming a she” - but trans as in neither he nor she, as…in “they becoming they”. Do you use “they” too? For your gender pronoun? For your despair with words? Or in general rebellion? Yeah. This art is dedicated to you.

_ ** Have a great week! ** _

** See also: ** Ottawa Winterlude Guide

If you liked this post, please consider subscribing to our blog via email, Twitter, Facebook or RSS. Thank you.