It’s going to be a great weekend in Chinatown. The weather looks great, making it a perfect day for a stroll through the arch to take in a remixed version of Chinatown. For the fourth year in a row, local Chinatown businesses have teamed up with Ottawa-based artists to turn Chinatown into one huge gallery. From the Daily Grind in the East to Purple Urchin in the West – 54 different locations are taking part. You’ve got a month to take in the art, but today you can take in... | Continue reading article

This weekend is the perfect time to get out and about and enjoy your neighbourhood, so that you’re well-equipped to exercise your democratic right and vote in our continuing Neighbourhood Wars. Jane’s Walk is one way to do it, as is hopping on your bike, but the events below will give you an extra excuse to hit the ‘hoods for a good time! Hintonburgers (the people, not the food) can meander down into neighbouring West Wellington for the 1st Thursday Art Walk tonight. It’s your last chance to catch Where the... | Continue reading article

The Bronson Centre is a happening place this weekend, people – the Joel Plaskett Emergency and Frank Turner tonight, and Measha Brueggergosman Friday night – both shows that promise to bring it. Tonight you can also get your punk/hardcore fix with Dayglo Abortions and EndPrograms at Mavericks, while jazz aficionados can hear inspirations from Dave Frishberg’s songs. Also? The Wooden Sky is out at the Black Sheep – their indie rockings are well worth the trek out there. Rawbeat rockers StillNative will stop by The Daily Grind on Friday, while... | Continue reading article

We’re starting this roundup off with a bit of randomness this week, because why not? While dominoes and card games might be more up your grandma’s alley for stimulating weekend fun, anything with ‘tournament’ in the title gets our bid for a good time. So dust off those dominoes or those euchre skills and head out for your chance to be crowned champion. And this week’s winner of the most intriguing event title goes to the ‘Help the Horses Help Their Animal Friends Day‘, which you’ll have to head to Navan... | Continue reading article

Take an Italian café with a contemporary touch serving up ethically-sourced beans and locally-made treats. Add a dairy case filled with milk, butter and eggs from nearby Cochrane’s Dairy and Stirling Creamery for those early-morning milk runs. Layer on a carefully-edited wall of magazines and newspapers. Combine it all in a Bauhaus-inspired floral shop and the result is Blumenstudio. The brainchild of Katrin (Kat) Kosk and partner Nathan Turner, Blumenstudio is a calm oasis of smooth coffee, colourful blossoms, playful vignettes and subtle beats. Located on an otherwise car-focused stretch of Parkdale Avenue between Wellington... | Continue reading article

Walking into Wunderkammer is like entering an apartment whose owner had recently splurged at an antique store owned by Rilo Kiley. Situated on the trendy intersection of Dalhousie and St Patrick, Wunderkammer’s bright and eclectic décor of antlers, vintage furniture, and nature-inspired artwork is a definite indication of the quirky contents of the store. Co-owners and partners Nathan Dubo and Tamara Steinborn opened the jewelry and gift store in late October 2011 and it has quickly become an Ottawa favorite. While Wunderkammer’s popularity in Ottawa has grown rapidly, its creation began... | Continue reading article

Today’s the day to remember that age-old saying about March, lions and lambs, Ottawa – keep that bright hope for snow-free days going. But don’t worry: there’s a lot going on to lift your spirits this weekend, from some suburban comedy to silkscreening to learning how to write love poems. Mavericks is hosting a night of local and American punk tonight, with Pianos Become the Teeth, Constraints, Sparrows and more. On the other end of the spectrum, the Owl Eyes Project and Dynamite Motel will be at the Elmdale, and it’s... | Continue reading article

Calling all silkscreen ♥-ers! Ottawa’s favourite DIY craft and DJ duo, Spins & Needles, is putting together an art exhibition at Fall Down Gallery, opening this Friday, March 2. Prints & Inks will house all types of graphic works – from clothing, to posters, to prints – and Jason Skilz will be on hand to provide beats. Bring a blank t-shirt or tote bag and you can try the process out for yourself at a mini silkscreening station (pre-made screens are being provided). Two years in the making, Prints & Inks is a... | Continue reading article

Those big wedding shows always promise the perfect, unique day. But can those vendors really know what unique twists and turns you’ll want to bring to your special day? What if you want handmade chocolates? Or a truly one-of-a-kind ring? And how can you reduce the stress of planning it all? This is where Wed By Hand comes in – Ottawa’s wedding show that’s like no other. Sure, they have some of the usual trappings of weddings shows, but with a twist: it’s vegan cake you’ll be sampling, local flowers... | Continue reading article

Ottawa may have fallen into winter weather, but that doesn’t mean you have to let your beloved bike fall to disuse. Ottawa winter cyclists are out there, proving that navigating Ottawa in the cold can still be done with the right gear and attitude. If you’re a winter biking enthusiast or just looking for a chance to get out and try biking on winter roads, then the CfSC is hosting an event for you. To promote winter cycling, Citizens for Safe Cycling is hosting the first ever Ottawa Winter Bike... | Continue reading article