We at Apartment613 are big fans of the Maritimes. This blog was itself was sparked by a love of this little rag, and some of us will head out there whenever we’ve got a chance. But when the Maritimes come to us, it’s even better – which is why this kitchen party, this show, and these fiddling championships mean this weekend’s going to be a great one. We’ve also got our fair share of home-grown parties this weekend, what with Folk Fest and Wakefest putting out pretty great lineups. Basia... | Continue reading article

Andrew Cohen’s piece in the Ottawa Citizen last week certainly struck a nerve. At our latest “Urban drinks” at Shanghai, a few fellow bloggers spent some time discussing our annoyance at the suggestion that despite our “education and affluence” we were all working so hard to make a creative and interesting life in a city that (according to Cohen) can’t seem to do anything interesting or creative. We’re obviously Ottawa “apologists” here on Apartment613. We have a great time in Ottawa and we write about a lot of what we... | Continue reading article

La Nouvelle Scène, one of Ottawa’s pre-eminent franco-theatre homes, will be renovated at a cost of $5.4 million. The space will be 30% bigger meaning more space for artists to create, build and prepare for plays says DG Richard Lebel. Great news for French theatre lovers in the region! With Friends of Lansdowne appealing the decision rejecting their claims that the city broke its procurement rules by sole-sourcing the $300-million project to Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, the city is looking to see if it can recoup the costs of... | Continue reading article

Post by resident cupcake expert Sabrina Bowman Although other cities have already moved on to macarons and whoopee pies, Ottawa has just recently hopped on the cupcake train (though we already have our own cupcake video).  The cupcake trend has exploded in Ottawa, with three new cupcakeries opening over the past year.  And why not?  What’s not to like about moist, flavourful, delicate cake crowned with a royal swirl of sweet frosting? In order to help our readers navigate the increasingly crowded sea of cupcake providers in Ottawa, Apartment613 spent... | Continue reading article

Former Algonquin Chief, William Commanda, died at the age of 97 this past week. Commanda was named Officer of the Order of Canada in 2008 for his leadership as an elder and promotion of an intercultural understanding that “raised awareness of the traditions and legacies of Canada’s Aboriginal people.” With the city considering creating the ‘Lord Stanley Plaza’ adjacent to the future Rideau Street LRT stop, Spacing Ottawa takes a look at what’s been in its place for the last 30 years, The Underpass. The Ottawa Citizen asks the question:... | Continue reading article

A poetry slam is an amazing experience. It’s where word nerds get to engage in sport – something that many of us only got to witness in the debate club in high school. Capital Slam has helped to put the national capital on the national poetry map, and has kept it there through regular events featuring top-notch poets from across the country. This month’s slam will feature Edmonton poet (and finalist for her city’s poet laureate position) Mary Pinkoski. We got a few questions in with Mary in advance of her hopping on the... | Continue reading article

Radio-Canada reports that farmers in the Byward Market are having their worst sales in five years, primarily be due to changes in circulation and parking laws. At the same time, Ottawa’s Farmers Market was announcing the opening of a new farmers market satellite location at Bayshore Shopping Centre. Maybe people just like to shop closer to home? By now, everyone knows that the City has won the Friends of Lansdowne lawsuit. OpenFile looks at local media’s take on the decision. Friends of Lansdowne are now considering an appeal. Last wee... | Continue reading article

You may have heard that the 417 was closing this weekend to replace the Carling Bridge. Above, is a stop motion video created by Terri Oda using data from the webcams showing the replacement. From the Ottawa Citizen: Using what’s known as self-propelled modular transporters — SPMTS — the decks of the old bridges were lifted section by section and set aside, and then the new ones are put in their place. The SPMTS, which are assembled at the site to suit the work at hand, are powerful and highly... | Continue reading article

The last weekend of July! Summer is slipping away so fast… mostly because there’s just too much to do! This long weekend is no exception, with a ton of stuff going on in addition to the usual selection of summer festivals (this weekend it’s Busker Fest, Rideau Canal Fest, Ottawa Lumière Festival and Chamber Fest up on the agenda). Those of you looking for a little greenery (other then the leafy kind) should check out Friday’s edition of Cafe Scientifique, which features a talk and film on carbon footprints and lifestyle choices. Then you can head to the Environmental... | Continue reading article

Earlier this year, Ottawa garage rockers The Polymorphines packed their bags and headed south. Way south. As in, Austin, Texas south. That’s where the lads holed up in a studio to record tunes for a new album, and this weekend they’re giving their fans a taste of  what’s to come with their release party for The Slip EP. They even recorded a short film (Is that the Dom Polski? I do believe it is!) to promote the Saturday night show at Mavericks. I got in touch with lead guitarist Alexandre... | Continue reading article