April showers have brought us May flowers! Although we’re still a week away from the start of the annual Canadian Tulip Festival, some of the early tulips have bloomed in Major’s Hill Park, along the Rideau Canal, and at Dow’s Lake. While I could easily spend a weekend touring the tulips, there are plenty of other options to pass your time this weekend.
All Weekend
Explore your neighbourhood or visit somewhere new this weekend with Jane’s Walk Ottawa-Gatineau 2024. Jane’s Walk offers free walking tours that help connect people with the city around them. Learn more about the history of Jane’s Walk here and check out the 2024 schedule here.
Rose in the Machine is at the National Arts Centre this weekend. The play “is the heartfelt and intimate journey of a mother seeking to understand her daughter’s autism, offering a compassionate window into the polychromatic shades of experience for families with neurodiverse children in Quebec.” On Sunday May 4, the National Arts Centre is dedicating the matinee performance to parents and caregivers of young people on the autism spectrum: discounted tickets and an arts workshop for children during the show are available. Check out the NAC’s event page for more info.
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Cranium Arts Project is an not-for-profit professional music presenter and industry support organization and their annual conference, Cranium Conference and Showcase, takes place this weekend at the NAC. Learn more about the festival here.
Out Of The Box Fibre Artists is hosting their spring art show and sale on Friday and Saturday. Over at Lansdowne, check out the Ottawa Clay Festival and the Ottawa Guild of Potters spring pottery sale.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the ByWard Market on Saturday and Sunday, featuring tacos, margaritas, music, and dancing.On Sunday, head to Broadhead Brewery for their Cinco de Mayo party featuring a Margarita Sour Beer.
The Orléans PoutineFest & Street Food Frenzy takes place May 3-5.
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Cornerstone Housing for Women is once again hosting Boutique Cornerstone, a pop-up sale and fashion-forward fundraiser at Thyme & Again (1255 Wellington Street West). Follow the event on Instagram @boutiquecornerstone for the latest updates.
Les Petits Ballets is a local non-profit ballet school dedicated to offering high-quality, affordable dance education for all ages, abilities, and interests in a positive and encouraging environment. Twice a year, the pre-professional students perform an original full length ballet! Join Les Petits Ballets on May 3 and 4 at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe and experience the timeless tale of Snow White.
Thursday
Celebrate the launch of Honor the Dead by Amy Tector, the latest entry in the Dominion Archives Mysteries series. Amy will be joined by fellow Ottawa mystery writer Katie Tallo, author of the international bestselling Dark August and its sequel, Poison Lilies this Thursday from 7-8pm at Octopus Books (116 Third Avenue).
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The NAC’s Jukebox Lunch Concerts are a series of free midday shows – the perfect way to spend your lunch break! This week’s artist is Izzy Rose. You’re welcome to bring your lunch and enjoy the concerts taking place in Peter A. Herrndorf Place each Thursday from May 2 to June 27.
Celebrate 45 years of business in Westboro with special shopping evenings every Thursday this month. Each Thursday will have its unique theme, promising something special for everyone to enjoy.
Enjoy the music of the Swing Era this Thursday with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Friday
On May 3 four Ottawa-based bands are joining together at allsaints event space for a concert with proceeds going to Operation Come Home in support of youth homelessness initiatives. The bands are: Guest Room Status, Greathunter, Still Life and Street, and The Hunt Club. Other details can be found online.
Take a look at the weekend-long events happening for more ideas for your Friday night!
Saturday
The Hintonburg Fabric Flea Market runs from 9:30am-3pm for all your fabric and sewing needs.
Celebrate Star Wars Day at House of TARG’s space disco dance party.
Check out the Ottawa Mystic Market in Westboro this weekend. Vendors will be set up outdoors in the Churchill Seniors Centre parking lot.
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Join local poet Elaine Marilyse for their poetry chapbook launch show on May 4 at Happy Goat Coffee (Laurel). The show will be the live debut of all fifteen poems from The All-New Filaments, as will several signature cocktails, a few special guests, a carefully-crafted playlist, and an audio-visual presentation—generously supported by a Community ActivArts microgrant from the Ottawa Arts Council.
Broadhead Brewery is being turned into a wrestling arena for Broadhead to the Bone. Tickets are available online for $20.
Cheerfully Made’s spring market is taking over the Almonte Arena this Saturday and is so worth the drive from Ottawa! Get all the info on their event page.
Join Octopus Books to celebrate the launch of How to Abolish Prisons: Lessons from the Movement Against Imprisonment with authors and abolition activists Rachel Herzing and Justin Piché. Presented by Criminalization and Punishment Education Project and Octopus Books this Saturday at 11am at Club SAW.
Sunday
A summer tradition returns this weekend with Zumba on the Hill!
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Another sign of summer? The Ottawa Farmers’ Market moves outside to Aberdeen Square at Lansdowne this Sunday.
Dinosaurs come to life this Sunday at the Algonquin Commons Theatre in an interactive children’s theatre show. Tickets are available online.
Atlético Ottawa take on Valour FC this Sunday at Lansdowne. Tickets are available online. Looking to get caught up on this season of soccer? Check out this preview.
PETALPALOOZA is BEING Studio’s spring art show and market. Not familiar with BEING Studio? It’s a registered charity that provides artistic programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Ottawa region.
For more of what’s happening in Ottawa, stay tuned to @apt613 on X. Out snapping photos? Tag us on Instagram @apt613 for a chance to be featured on our feed. Be sure to use the hashtag #Apt613 so we can share your photos!
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