We have arrived at the first weekend of Winterlude here in the nation’s capital! While it doesn’t look as though the canal will be open for skating at any point, there are still plenty of fun outdoor activities to enjoy in this mild winter weather, as well as several indoor activities, if that is more your style.
All Weekend
With it being the first weekend of Winterlude, there are all kinds of fun activities and events taking place. Check out the snow sculptures and go snow tubing at Snowflake Kingdom, enjoy the ice sculptures and outdoor arts performances on Sparks Street, snack on some maple taffy and take in the public art installation in the ByWard Market, along with many other Winterlude happenings at other locations around town.
This weekend marks Four Years of Spark Beer and to celebrate they are throwing a free weekend-long party. There will be new special surprise beers, guest taps, bottle pours, and pizza. Friday night’s party will also feature Mod Nite’s DJ Emmett, and Big Sparky Tunes takes over on Saturday.
Outside the Horticulture Building and the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne this Friday and Saturday night, enjoy a snow screening of Unikkaatuarniq, Stories of the North, in a theatre made of snow. There will be hot beverages and warming stations as well as DJ/VJ performances following the screenings. Come listen to the stories of the Inuit of Canada and Greenland and the Sami of northern Scandinavia told through film and music.
Broadhead Brewery has a series of events running through the weekend. There is Bingo on Thursday, live music on Friday and Saturday, and Remix Wrestling on Saturday night.
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A series of free concerts put on by Winterlude, the Ice Dragon Boat Festival, and Live @ the Rainbow begin this weekend. Wintersleep, M.T. Walker, and Steph La Rochelle take the stage at the Rainbow Bistro on Friday; JJ Wilde, the New Hires, and Stoby on Saturday; and Ombiigizi, Pony Girl, and Jasmine Trails on Sunday. Entry to these concerts is first-come-first-serve, so get there early to guarantee yourself a good spot.
Thursday
Are you interested in synths? If so, you will want to head to House of Targ for their S.O.S. Synthesizer Meet-Up this Thursday at 8pm. This free event is “an informal gathering of Synth Wizards who bring cool stuff for people to try out.” Cicada Sound is bringing their Interactive Synth Lab and Ableton will be demoing their PUSH units. This is also an opportunity to chat with local synth aficionados Hard Science, Annie Socoria, Paraphonique, and more.
Friday
This Friday, you can Snowshoe Under the Stars in Gatineau Park. This week’s hike, led by a Friends of Gatineau Park nature interpreter, brings you on the northern trails around Philippe, Renaud, and Taylor Lakes, and will conclude with a bonfire and some hot chocolate to warm you up. If you do not have snowshoes of your own, they will be available for rent before the event. Reservations must be made ahead of time.
Turn back time this Friday for 70’s Night at Art House. Don your bell bottoms and boogie down to some great disco hits. To ensure you have the full ’70s experience, there will be throwback snacks and drink specials on order.
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Fancy a little burlesque? The Rump Revue is being held at Cafe Dekcuf, featuring Belle Epoque, Lady Tate, Viva van Diva, and more.
Saturday
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Celebrate Ice Cream for Breakfast Day with the Merry Dairy! Visit their shop on Fairmont for ice cream and waffles. With ice cream flavours like Loops of Fruit, Cinnamon Crunch, Roasted Banana, and Sunbutter & Black Currant, you won’t want to miss out!
Looking for ways to improve your overall health and wellness? Ottawa’s first Fitness and Wellness Expo takes place at the Nepean Sportsplex this Saturday. The event is a gathering of experts in the fields of fitness, nutrition, and wellness, and provides a great opportunity to learn more about how to adopt a more active lifestyle.
Music in Greenboro is a volunteer-run, non-profit concert series that supports local musicians and offers high-quality, accessible music for residents in the South Keys and Greenboro area. This year is their sixth season. They have a concert this Saturday at the Gloucester Presbyterian Church, starting at 2pm, featuring pianist Laura Altenmueller. They will be performing a selection of Chopin and Messaien’s preludes. There is free parking on site and admission is by donation.
Nibi Indigenous Arts Festival takes place this Saturday at Shenkman Arts Centre. There will be performances and visual arts by First Nations, Metis, and Inuit as well as a vendor fair, drumming circle, workshops, and an opportunity to try some Indigenous foods such as moose meat chili, bannock, and strawberry drink.
There are all sorts of musical happenings on Saturday night in Ottawa. There’s a punk show at House of Targ featuring Montreal’s Beton Arme, Puffer, and Tenaz, as well as our very own Crisis Party.
It’s Girls Night at Mod Nite at Live on Elgin. Valley of the Dolls will be projected onto the dance floor and DJ Emmett will be spinning some great Motown, soul, R&B, and psych, with a focus on the great girl-group classics.
Ottawa’s Joe Rowe is celebrating his 20th DJ anniversary playing some great house music for White Rabbit at City at Night. Supporting Joe on the decks are Brink and Tanner Castro.
Sunday
If you happen to be an avid cross-country skier, why not try your hand at the Rideau Winter Trail’s first ever Loppet this Sunday? If you’re just getting into the sport, or a loppet is not your speed, you can also come out to watch.
This Sunday afternoon, come experience a Mini Pow Wow at the Canadian History Museum. This condensed version of what is typically a multi-day event is free and will include an opening ceremony, inter-tribals, invited drums, and dancers of many styles.
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Crepu: Our DNA, A Black Hair Art Show takes place at the Canada Science and Technology Museum this Sunday. Online tickets are already sold out, but there will be a limited number of tickets available at the door. The event is an artistic celebration of Black hair through photography, film, performance, and discussion. If you are unable to get a ticket, you can check out our recap on the blog after the event.
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