Weekly Ottawa Event Round-Up: Astronomy, writers, food, fundraisers and more...

  ](http://www.flickr.com/photos/guidedbycthulhu/7107960649/)

[

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

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

** SENATORS: ** Thursday night, April 26, is Game 7 between the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers, and the Sens are opening up Scotiabank Place for a free viewing party on the massive new Bell HD Screen . Parking and admission is free with a donation to the Ottawa Food Bank. And yes, beer and concessions stands will be open. Doors open 6pm, game starts at 7pm.

** Tanya Snook , aka Spydergrrl ** :

** FESTIVALS: ** The Writer’s Festival comes to Ottawa from Thursday to Monday, offering a wide variety of events for all tastes. From slam poetry classes to lunch with Giller Prize winner Vincent Lam to the All in a Day Songwriter’s Circle, there definitely seems to be something for every literary taste. There’s even a pretty geeky pick: the session with Nora Young from CBC Spark who will be looking at The Virtual Self, exploring the digital trails we leave behind during our online interactions.

**

**

** Brett Delmage, OttawaJazzScene.ca : **

** MUSIC: ** “My Pal Frishberg” is Ottawa vocalist Renée Yoxon’s tribute to Dave Frishberg, an American pianist and composer who has been writing witty and infectious songs for more than four decades.  Never heard of him? Betcha you’ve heard “Peel me a grape” or “You’d Rather Have the Blues”. Discover the delights of his songs for $20 on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the NAC Fourth Stage .

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

** BOOKS: ** Two book events that aren’t part of the International Writer’s Festival (though you should check that out too!) ** Thursday ** , it’s the official book launch of Paved with Good Intentions: Canada’s development NGOs from idealism to imperialism . Authors Nik Barry-Shaw and Dru Oja Jay will discuss their critique of Canada’s development industry. 7pm, T.A.N. Coffee. ** Saturday ** , meet award-winning author and journalist Noah Richler and talk with him about his new book, What We Talk About When We Talk About War. Noah will be at Octopus Books between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and we invite you to grab a coffee and come on by.

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

** MUSIC: ** Measha Brueggergosman is performing at the Bronson Centre on Friday. Name sounds familiar, but you can’t quite place her? Think big hair and even bigger voice. She recently signed to Ottawa’s Kelp Records and has just released an album where she covers everyone from Feist to Cole Porter. Here’s her doing a duet with Martin Short . Yes, that Martin Short.

** Max Keeping : **

** FESTIVAL OF MAPLES: ** The sun is forecast to return in time for Saturday’s Festival of the Maples in Perth . Good weather usually means up to 25,000 people in the town. The main streets are lined with maple syrup operations, sales, tastes, sidewalk sales, entertainers. Starts with breakfast (pancakes with maple syrup of course) at 8am; official opening at 10:30 (my priviledge). Full children’s activities. I recommend this as a family road trip.

**

**

** Sara-Lynne Levine, Ottawa Capital Region Macaroni Kid : **

** ASTRONOMY: ** On Saturday, April 28, celebrate International Astronomy Day at the Museum of Science and Technology , 10:00am-4:00pm. Curious about the wonders of the night sky? The universe is yours to discover, so make it a family outing and come explore with us. Enjoy activities for all ages that are out of this world! Explore the night sky in the inflatable planetarium, safely observe the Sun (weather permitting), visit the Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory, or make your own astronomy craft to take home.

** ** Juliette Giannesini , aka Zhu, photographer: ** **

** VEGETARIANS: ** Calling all vegetarians and foodies in the capital! This Sunday is the 2012 Veg Fest , from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Glebe Community Centre. You will be able to sample delicious food and get to know new bakeries, restaurants and other food places. If you are still hesitating, see the pictures of last year’s Veg Fest —amazing food!

** Amanda Earl , poet & publisher: **

** FICTION: ** Sunday, April 29, 8:30pm Venus Envy, 320 Lisgar St.; Cocktales with Tamara Faith Berger,  Daniel Allen Cox,  Megan Butcher, Nerys Parry and Jasmine Aziz , part of Ottawa International Writers Festival. An evening of transgressive fiction hosted by Amanda Earl. $10. Come sit amongst the dildos & the floggers whilst listening to lascivious stories from some of Canada’s best underground writers.

** Andrew King , artist: **

** MODEL SHIPS: ** It’s the official start of the Rideau Nautical Modellers at Andrew Hayden Park on May 1. The west pond of Andrew Hayden Park is afloat with a variety of radio control model ships, submarines, and sailboats every Tuesday night from 6-8:30pm. Watch as the skilled modellers ply the waters of the park pond with their scale nautical creations each and every Tuesday night. More info can be found on their website: www.rideaunautical.ca

**

**

** Don from foodieprints : **

** FOOD/FUNDRAISER: ** Bon Appetit Ottawa has been hyped as “the best cocktail party” of the year. Held this year on May 1 at the CE Centre (4899 Uplands Drive), from 5:30-9 pm, the 16th annual food and drink event features over 80 restaurants, caterers, wineries and breweries. Tickets cost $75 each ($45 tax receipt), with proceeds being donated to 22 local charities, including the YMCA/YWCA Children’s Camp, Bruce House, The Causeway Foundation, St. Joe’s Women’s Centre, and the Harmony House.

** Denise Deby , from Green Living Ottawa : **

** ART: ** I’m aiming to get to Wall Space Gallery’s exhibit, Where the Wild Things…Aren’t? , running this week until May 6. It features diverse works by nine artists and invites us to reflect on our relationship with nature—sounds intriguing. On April 26 at 7 p.m., guest speaker John K. Grande will talk about the show and his own work on art and ecology.

**

**

** MISCELLANY: ** April 27: Cafe Scientifique - the value of marine protected areas at Museum of Nature … April 27-29: Art in the Attic in Almonte … April 28: The Dalai Lama is at the Ottawa Civic Centre … April 28: Kanata Bike Exchange … April 28: Yoga Day for Human Rights … April 28: Grassroots Festival … April 28: Nordic walking demo … April 29: Stars on Ice at Scotiabank Place … April 30: Red Hot Chili Peppers at Scotiabank Place … May 2: Dino Gangs with Dr. Philip Currie … May 2: A Taste of Quebec Artisan Cheese …

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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