The spirit that Samantha Evert celebrates in her Hood Wars argument for Chinatown is attracting all kinds of multicultural, quirky and independent businesses to Somerset, making it t a fantastic area to play in these days. Adding to the growing love for my ‘hood is the fact that we now have VIP Karaoke. Full disclosure: calling me a karaoke “fanatic” is an understatement. I got engaged at the Big Echo in Tokyo and spent hours at the Fantacity Karaoke in Vancouver when I lived there. Considering my pre-Ottawa karaoke history,... | Continue reading article

Let’s get the big ones out of the way: Comiccon and Chinatown Remixed are happening this weekend. That’s not as simple as it sounds – Browncoats Burlesque will be performing Heroes vs Villains: The Aftermath! as part of Comiccon weekend, and there’s a Masquerade. Chinatown Remixed will have – yes, it’s true – remote-controlled robots. And delicious food. So there’s at least half – if not all – of your weekend eaten up by fun. What can you do with the rest of your time? Let’s find out. You’ve heard... | Continue reading article

Apartment613 is pleased to announce our latest project in a never-ending quest for world domination… Apartment613 Talks! We’re planning a series of lectures that will highlight themes and ideas that you’ve come to expect from Apartment613 – except we’ll be discussing them in real life (or IRL). For our first event on May 16 we’re taking on the creative capital. How close are we to being a truly creative Capital? This panel brings together three of Ottawa’s top designers and leaders of Ottawa-based design firms to talk about their experiences... | Continue reading article

Maybe it was Elaina Martin’s humorous comments, her ability to stick to a timetable or her promise of beer tasting but, whatever it was, Westfest’s launch on Friday 13 April was a fab place to be. Martin is the founder, producer and director of the annual festival, now in its ninth year. Martin is larger than life and her enthusiasm, and obvious dedication to the festival, has made Westfest into Ottawa’s premier multi-disciplinary arts event. For three days from Friday, 8 June to Sunday 10 June, Westboro will turn into... | Continue reading article

Growing up, it was a big deal when parents got all gussied up to go out. It was clearly a chance to escape the mayhem of the kids and have a civil night out, all dressed to the nines. But how about getting all dressed up for the kids? That’s what the Ottawa Gala is all about. This annual event gives Ottawans an excuse to get all fancy and support a cause. We had Amy Longard, co-president of the 2012 Ottawa Gala, answer a few of our questions and give... | Continue reading article

The 10th consecutive Kitchen Party coming up on April 13th represents a veritable decathalon of dance parties. It is also a moment to reflect on the musical milestone achieved by Jose Palacios and Pawel Skorupski (aka DJs Hobo and Sweet Cheeks).  What does KP 10 hold in store for the incumbents and newcomers? If it is anything like its predecessors, I strongly advise you to get in kitchen and listen. “Music-wise it is amazing that we can play whatever we want, anything that we like”, Pawel explains, “I can’t really tell... | Continue reading article

Ottawa is chock-full of not-for-profits – from environmental to health organizations, from education to arts and culture groups. Yet in a city where other sectors tend to dominate the workforce, it can be tough to meet people also in the field. This is where mesh steps in – a network for young not-for-profit professionals. For the past year, mesh has provided opportunities for like-minded, similar-job-holding young people (although I was assured that ‘young’ simply refers to state of mind, not age) to connect, chat, and build their networks in the... | Continue reading article

Well, Ottawa, we’ve almost made it through to March. And there’s plenty going on to help celebrate those babysteps we’re taking towards spring… If the warm weather this week wasn’t enough to dispel those Suckuary vibes, Doldrums Winter Music Festival is for you. Raw Sugar, Cafe Dekcuf and the Rainbow have teamed up to bring you a songwriters’ circle featuring some of Ottawa’s best acoustic acts, shows with New Teeth and Ornaments, and a Sunday evening variety show with everything from psychobilly to gypsy jazz. If you need a little... | Continue reading article

This weekend’s all about getting warm – we might be having an early spring, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to stay cozy in the meantime. Kelp Records is all about that this weekend, with their annual Winter Warmer down at the Dom Polski. They’ll have beer, they’ll have food, they’ll have music. What more can you ask for? Dancing? That’ll likely happen, although it’s guaranteed down at Timekode. If a key ingredient of your weekend is crafts, Spins and Needles’ February Monster Party is for you. Before all... | Continue reading article

Time is a-tickin’ towards the day of lovin’ – and this weekend is all set to prep you for it. Sexapalooza will hook you up with practically anything your heart desires, while your vintage lingerie needs can be met at Victoire’s pop-up shop. If you’re doing a bit of nuptial planning, Wed By Hand has got you covered. We’ve even got a sexy guitar night, where the guitars will be sexy and the music even more so. Tonight, the lovely Kathleen Edwards will grace the Bronson Centre, led by the... | Continue reading article