The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation happens on Saturday, which could mean some businesses will be closed to observe the day, and Monday is a holiday for some of us in town. There can be no reconciliation without truth, so this weekend is an excellent time to read the various reports compiled by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Take the time this weekend to enjoy the sunshine, reflect on the nature of Truth and Reconciliation and begin October intentionally, friends.
All Weekend
It is the first weekend in October, which means that Fall Rhapsody is upon us! Start visiting Gatineau Park to take in the fall colours and take advantage of the free shuttle that starts running this Saturday. Board the shuttle at Pindigen Park (across from the Canadian War Museum) in Ottawa or at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau and get ready to enjoy the beautiful views near Pink Lake, Mackenzie King Estate and Champlain Lookout.
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This weekend is the perfect opportunity to participate in one of the season’s most quintessential activities—apple picking. There are several orchards to choose from in and around the city, such as Log Cabin Orchard, Mountain Orchards and Pinewood Orchards. Each has its own unique attractions apart from, of course, delicious apples, so you can make a whole day of it before returning home to bake some tasty apple treats.
Ottawa Dance Directive (ODD) and Series Dance 10 #47 presents performances of Gust by Liz Winkelaar and modes of togetherness by Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson at ODD BOX from Thursday to Saturday at 7:30pm at Arts Court. These choreographies explore the intriguing topics of disability, isolation and the triumph of collaboration, self-reflection and being alone/together. Tickets are available online from $28.
‘Tis the season for agricultural fairs, and this weekend it is Metcalfe’s turn to host the festivities. The Metcalfe Fair kicks off on Thursday and runs until Sunday. Some highlights include: a demolition derby, fiddling and step-dancing competitions, the lamb auction and the Holstein show. There will also be a midway with games, rides and more than enough fair food to keep you full and happy all weekend. Day passes for adults are $15 each.
Geeked Out is back again with their Fall edition of Ottawa’s Toy & Collectible Sale on Saturday and Sunday. Held at the Nepean Sportsplex, this two-day event will have 120 vendor booths in a 20,000-square-foot space, with a selection of vintage toys, comics, trading cards, diecast, video games, LEGO, Funkos, artisans and entertainment. Admission is $5 at the door, and there is free parking on site.
It is also Spooky Season (of course), and this is the first weekend of Pumpkins After Dark, a walk-through jack-o-lantern experience at Wesley Clover Parks, featuring over 10,000 carved pumpkins. Tickets begin at $18.95 for adults, and the spooking starts Friday night!
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Thursday
This is the final evening of City Sounds Live 2023—a series of free musical performances that has been happening in multiple outdoor locations across Ottawa for the last couple of months. Presented and curated by the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC), Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and various community organizations (including Apartment 613!), City Sounds Live has showcased 40+ local artists of various genres across the city. You can catch local musicians Danielle Allard, Melissa Lamm and Jasen Colson from 5–7pm at Minto Park in Centretown.
Friday
Niagara alt-rock band James Blonde headlines Live on Elgin on Friday in support of their new album Chameleon. Special guests include Growing Fires and Hans! Tickets are still available online.
Ottawa Architecture Week comes to an end Friday evening at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre. PechaKucha is an event for creatives to meet, present work and share ideas. Japanese in origin, PechaKucha translates roughly into “chit-chat” and is based on the desire to talk less, show more. As such, the speakers follow a simple presentation format of narrating 20 images, which are automatically advanced every 20 seconds. City of Play: Fun in the Capital? is the stepping-off point for short investigative presentations touching on topics from visions of new city spaces to psychological states to artistic pursuits and back. Complimentary snacks will be provided, along with a cash bar. The event is free to attend and begins at 6pm.
Art House Café is hosting their monthly Fever Pitch Hot Jazz, a popular evening blending the spirit of ragtime, the magic of the blues and energy of brass band marches played by a quartet of local musicians. Tickets are $12 in advance online, and sell quickly. Doors open at 8pm. Music starts 9pm and goes until 11. Get there early to get your seat.
Saturday
Saturday is National Truth and Reconciliation Day, and, in commemoration, there will be events throughout the day. The Governor General has a full schedule of events for the weekend, which you can find here. Ottawa is also holding some special events, including educational programming at seven Ottawa Public Library branches.
Admission to the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum is free on Saturday. The Museum of History will also be screening the film Picking Up the Pieces: The Making of the Witness Blanket.
A Remembering the Children gathering will take place on Parliament Hill from 1 to 2:30pm. Hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, in partnership with the the Aboriginal People’s Television Network and the Algonquin Nation, the event will welcome residential school survivors, Indigenous leaders and dignitaries. The Governor General will deliver remarks at the event, which will be broadcast live across the country.
The Ottawa Glassblowing Cooperative (OGC) is celebrating the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch — a free, family-friendly event co-hosted with The Merry Dairy from 10am to 4p.m. at 957C Gladstone Ave. Visitors can watch live glass-blowing and purchase the pumpkins to support the expansion of Ottawa’s growing community of glassblowers. Come early to purchase the pick of the patch. Prices range from $20 to $200, and proceeds from the sale will help finance the OGC’s move to a new studio space. There is free parking on site.
The Ottawa Redblacks host the Alouettes for a special Truth and Reconciliation Day game. There will be special performances by Indigenous musicians and a limited time elk chilli in a bannock bowl for sale. Game-worn orange jerseys will be auctioned off, and there is Truth and Reconciliation merchandise for sale—the proceeds donated entirely to the Wabano Centre. Tickets are still available, and kickoff is 4pm.
24 hour YogaPalooza is taking place at the Ottawa Art Gallery on Saturday and Sunday to benefit children’s cancer patients at CHEO. There will be 12 hours of yoga instruction each day, so you can participate for however long you can from 8am to 8pm both days.
Sunday
Ottawa’s most notorious grudge match is back at TD Place: The 2023 Panda Game between the Carleton Ravens and the UOttawa Gee-Gees kicks off at 12pm. There are still tickets available for this classic match, which is honestly shocking, so if you haven’t gotten yours yet, the time is now. Break out your vintage red and black or maroon, and go crazy for your alma mater.
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Nosy Mag is partnering with First Crush Promotion and the Vanier BIA to present Homecoming: Art Market & Music at the Vanier HUB (271 Marier Ave.) from 1–5pm. The event features a curated art market and a lineup of four new and emerging musical artists. There are no vendor fees, and performers will be paid for their sets. Celebrate creativity, community and a love for all things artistic.
Pedal, jog or walk the streets of Ottawa searching for specific items that make up a Thanksgiving dinner and beyond during Ottawa’s second annual Cranksgiving—a food drive concept on two wheels. Once you’ve collected all items and arrived at the finish, the feast will be donated to support Highjinx, where neighbours help neighbours in need. Bring your items to Clocktower Brew Pub in Westboro on Oct. 1 between 10:30am and 12pm to complete the event. Check out the website for more contact information to get involved.
Every year, local vendors and businesses welcome dogs to the area and create an epic neighbourhood-wide experience. The 8th annual ByWard Barket is happening from 11am to 6pm at outdoor venues and participating businesses in the ByWard Market, and includes a dog costume contest, neighbourhood-wide scavenger hunt, dog-friendly patios and special promotions in select businesses.
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