Happy spring holidays, friends! Whether you’re celebrating Easter, Passover, Ramadan, or just surviving the latest ice storm, let’s all make the most of the long weekend ahead! With the weather turning warmer, and an extra day or two off for some of us, this is a great opportunity to soak in some culture and get set for when Real Spring arrives! Spend the weekend with family, or friends who are like family, and eat all the chocolate. Stay safe and joyful, 613ers!
If you’re feeling creative, consider submitting your poetry to the Apt613 digital poetry chapbook of local works. Since April is Poetry Month, spend the next few weeks jotting down your best stuff, and submit it by April 30.
The very cool and connected music loving folx at Apt613 are back to creating a monthly breakdown of live music, so you can find all the best gigs for April listed here! Similarly, for hip moviegoers, check out the regular Magic in the Dark feature that breaks down the best cinema picks in the city.
All Weekend
Ottawa Little Theatre’s latest production opened this week and is running all weekend, including a matinée on Sunday. Halfway There by Norm Foster is a feel-good theatre experience about the power of true friendship, filled with Maritime wit and wisdom! Tickets are available online at $30 for adults. Shows begin at 7:30pm.
The World Men’s Curling Championship is taking place from April 1-9 at TD Place at Lansdowne. This weekend is your last chance to see some of the biggest names in men’s curling live in person! Cheer on Brad Gushue and the Canadians, or follow an underdog fan favourite. Tickets are still available for all of the events this weekend, with some all-weekend passes still for sale as well.
Thursday
Start the long weekend off right at the Montgomery Scotch Lounge on Gladstone, with local jazz favourites Justin Duhaime Trio. They will take the stage at 8pm, so get there early for the best vantage point. Tickets are $15 on site.
The Digital Arts Resource Centre is celebrating their launch of the new community resource with a Big Gay Screening of four Canadian films, in partnership with Qu’Arts Collective, on Thursday at 6pm. The DARC Microcinema is a space for members to screen their independent media art projects publicly, without charge. Doors open for the free event at 6pm at Arts Court.
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Friday
Make the most of the stat holiday on Friday and bone up on your coffee knowledge at one of the best roasteries in town. Little Victories on Elgin is hosting a Cupping Party with Forward Coffee. Try different roasts and batches and compare bean to bean before bringing home some fresh java for the long weekend. Reserve your spot online by sliding into LVC’s DMs.
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Dominion City Brewing Co. is hosting “Beer School” guided tastings at their tap room on Friday afternoon. Ticket includes a flight of four 5oz draft beer, a 5oz pour of barrel-aged beer, a snack, and a
brewery tour! Full details are here.
The Canadian Jazz Collective Septet was formed in 2022 and is led by three of Canada’s most renowned and award-winning jazz artists, taking a collaborative approach to the presentation of original Canadian jazz on the international stage. Catch this exciting performance in the Azrieli Studio at the NAC starting at 8pm. General admission tickets are still available for $45 online.
Thirteen Strings, Ottawa’s professional Chamber Orchestra, is back with a performance this Good Friday at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre. Between Heaven and Earth will feature works by Vivaldi and Bach, primarily featuring strings. There are still tickets available online for in person or virtual attendees. Students can attend for $10; otherwise, the event is $25 for general admission.
Saturday
Meet the Easter Bunny and go searching for eggs at the Cumberland Village Heritage Museum on Saturday from 10am–4pm. The Heritage Livestock Club of Eastern Ontario will be there with critters to meet, and there will be wool to spin and crafts to complete for everyone. There will definitely also be chocolate! Registration is $25 per group (up to 6 people) and is open online.
Now that spring is springing, this year’s plants and gardens are top of mind for those of us who spend the warm months puttering in the yard. Robert Plante Greenhouses is hosting Ritual Mobile Espresso & Cocktail Bar at the greenhouse this Saturday, so you can get the perfect treat to fuel your garden planning and leisurely Saturday browsing. The treats and brews will be available from 9am–4pm.
“Slack Rock” band PACKS will take over Club SAW Saturday night starting at 8pm. The band is touring to support their latest album Crispy Crunchy Nothing, which they recorded in a rural Quebec cabin last summer. Tickets are $13 online for the all-ages show.
The Ottawa 67s are cruising through Round 1 of the OHL playoffs and are taking on the Oshawa Generals in Game 5 this Saturday at 2pm at the Slush Puppie Centre in Gatineau (while the men’s curling has taken over Lansdowne!). Tickets to this sudden-death Game 5 are general admission, and there are still some available online. There are lots of transportation and shuttle options to the game from Ottawa, so don’t let the new venue scare you off!
Sunday
The Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Lansdowne will be back in the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne this Sunday from 10am–3pm. Expect lots of fun Easter-themed treats and spring goodies! Consider taking public transit: with the curling events happening all weekend on site, parking might not be awesome!
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The Hintonburg Public House is hosting Long Weekend Trivia on Sunday to keep our brains firing after a day of sugar and heavy home-cooked meals. You can call ahead to reserve a seat for the evening. It is $5 per person to play, and all proceeds go to the Parkdale Food Centre. Get there at 8pm for start time!
*Bonus Monday*
If you want to extend the long weekend feeling, July Talk is performing at the NAC. Tickets are still available starting at $40 for the live event that starts at 8pm.
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