Okay, if you’re confused about this winter weather, me too. Storm warnings. Mild weather. No canal yet. Sigh. But we’re Ottawans and so we make the best of it. There are lots of suggestions below, whether you want to get outdoors or not.
All Weekend
The NCC’s Remic Rapids Park Bistro is open for the winter on weekends with soups, chilis, sandwiches, desserts, hot drinks, beer and wine.
Head out snowshoeing with a nature interpreter in Gatineau Park to learn about animal tracks—available every weekend until March 12 in English and French.
Want to get out but don’t have the right gear? Check out the Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library for lots of resources in a friendly no-pressure environment.
There’s plenty of great cinema to catch at both of Ottawa’s independent theatres.
Cold Comfort by Ella Morton is on display at the SPAO until mid-February.
The GCTC’s As You Like It: A Radical Retelling is on until Sunday. This new take on a Shakespearian classic is unpredictable and engaging.
Thursday
The Multicultural Artists Coalition (MAC-CAM) presents a free workshop on Estate Planning for Artists on Thursday, January 26 from 4:30-6pm at Nepean Centrepointe Library, 101 Centrepointe Dr. No charge but registration is required. Speaker Joy (Zhi Mo) Wei is one of the directors of MAC-CAM and practices estate law. https://www.mac-cam.ca/ for more info.
The Ottawa Art Gallery hosts Sketchy Thursdays on the last Thursday of the month. It’s a no-pressure way to learn more and have some creative fun with tons of inspiration within the gallery to draw from.
Every last Thursday of the month, Do It For The Grain (DIFTG) is hosting a free drop-in style meet-up at the National Gallery of Canada (which is free admission every Thursday evening) from 5-6 PM, with free time afterward. Folks who join will be accompanied by DIFTG member Mai-Lan Tomkins, who will show three photo-based works. Afterward, it’s a free hangout time where everyone can explore the NGC collection. Meet in the Great Hall at 5 pm and look for DIFTG signage.
Learn about the history of Ottawa’s oldest bar and Ottawa’s bar culture at this fascinating event with the Bytown Museum and Chateau Lafayette.
Friday
Creative Mornings Ottawa takes place Friday at the Gladstone Theatre this time. The topic is sanctuary and the event features guest speaker Jacqui Du Toit, an Ottawa-based artist who performs theatre, dance and African storytelling with her company 8th Generation Storytelling and provides a creative space for Ottawa’s growing artistic community as the co-owner of The Origin Arts & Community Centre.
Saturday
Tone Cluster—quite a queer choir will perform its first concert of 2023, Cold & Bright, on January 28 at First Baptist Church (140 Laurier Ave W.) featuring all 2SLGBTQIA+ composers and a guest performance by violist Ryan Vis. Be transported to awe-inspiring landscapes of starry skies, untouched snow and frosty branches. Forget the less-than-fun parts of winter (are you sick of shovelling yet?) and embrace the magic of the snowy season. They’ll also be welcoming back the sun and shaking off the frost as they sing hopeful songs for the new year.
Wine and live music? Yes, please! Head to Domaine Perrault for Live Acoustic Music at the Vineyard. Rich McLovin performs in an indoor tasting room with a view of the beautiful snowy outside.
Erik Pohanka is running a “Winter Tree Identification for Beginners”—the second session in the series , which focuses on conifers—at the Mer Bleue Bog.
Sat, Jan 28, 9a-noon, Erik Pohanka leads “Winter Tree Identification for Beginners Series – 02: Specialty Conifers of Ottawa.” Meet Mer Bleue Bog, NCC Greenbelt Parking Lot 22, (5063 Ridge Road, Ramsayville). Bring binoculars, hiking poles.
— OFNC (@OttawaFieldNat) January 20, 2023
Sunday
City At Night and Ottawa Prog Vibes present English electronic music producer and DJ Jody Wisternoff on Sunday, January 29, at 10 pm, with support from Alain M and Steve Finney. This show was postponed due to the pandemic and is finally happening. Tickets start at $22.23 and are available on Eventbrite.
If you want to head out in the fresh snow, check out this Nature Walk in Pinhey Forest put on by CPAWS Ottawa Valley. Primarily aimed at new Canadians, this event is part of the Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program. Spread the word!
Rather stay inside? Hummingbird Chocolate is hosting a paint-your-own chocolate bar drop-in! Sounds creative and delicious!
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