On the tail end of this year’s first week-long heat wave, and kicking off on the solstice, this weekend is the first official summer weekend! Celebrate the arrival of this stellar season with some great goings-on around town.
All Weekend
The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival takes place this Friday through Sunday at Mādahòkì Farm. This free event features hoop dancers, throat singers, a multi day pow wow competition, workshops, storytelling, a family fun zone, and an artisan market. There will be a Glow in the Dark pow wow with DJ Shub on Friday night and a Saturday night drone show telling the story and teachings of the Seven Grandfathers. It is important to note that there is no public parking on site, so you must take the Festival’s free shuttle from Algonquin College, or be dropped off at the location.
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Ottawa Jazz Festival begins this Friday at City Hall, Confederation Park, and the NAC. This weekend’s lineup features performances by Bellbird, Brass Queens, Begonia, Shabaka, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Nation Beat, and more. Special mention is a performance by Ottawa funk and soul band Smelloship on Saturday night and two free shows on Sunday afternoon. Check out the full festival lineup here and Apt613’s preview post about the festival here.
The Dragon Boat Festival returns to Mooney’s Bay Park this weekend. This free event boasts concerts on Friday and Saturday night, food trucks, exhibitors, and over 115 teams competing in dragon boat races all day long.
A New Brain, a comical musical by Tony award winning William Finn and James Lapine, is in its last weekend at the Gladstone Theatre. If you’d like to know more about the show before buying a ticket, you can read more about the play on the blog.
Ottawa Fringe Festival also wraps up this weekend. With 50 different shows being put on over the weekend, the decision as to what to see can be a difficult one to make. Check out the blog for some helpful reviews; there’s one for over half the performances.
The Latin American Film Festival returns to Jock-Turcot University Centre on the University of Ottawa’s campus this weekend. They will be screening “an extraordinary selection of film productions from 16 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.”
Thursday
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Another installment of the Hintonburg Night Market takes place in the parking lot of the Urban Art Collective this Thursday night. This market promises a great assortment of “local eats, treats, and all things handmade”.
Another night market, The Summer Solstice Indigenous Night Market, takes place in the Byward Market Square this Thursday eve. There will be live entertainment, including a fashion show and pow wow performances; food and drink by Mohawk Soda and Moccasin Joe Coffee; and a great group of vendors.
In addition to some great theatre, Ottawa Fringe also hosts some great events, including Fringe Drag Karaoke with China Doll, outdoors in the Fringe Courtyard. Let the heat warm up those vocal cords and get ready to belt out your favourite tunes under the stars.
Friday
Take advantage of the one day of nice weather between this week’s heat wave and thunderstorms this weekend and head to the Ottawa Jail Hostel on Friday night, where Capital Pop-up Cinema is hosting an outdoor screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Costumes are encouraged, so throw on your fishnets, bring your lawn chairs, and get ready to Time Warp again!
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If you are in the mood for something a little slower-paced this Friday night, why not grab your yoga mat and celebrate the solstice under the full Strawberry moon with Full Moon Yoga in Strathcona Park? The first half of the class will focus on yang poses, while the second half will be spent relaxing into yin poses.
Saturday
An Ottawa Valley Roller Derby double header is rolling into the St. Laurent Complex this Saturday. This double header features a match between the Toronto Roller Derby All Stars and Ottawa Valley Rapids, followed by Toronto Toxins versus Ottawa Valley Roller Derby Bytowne Brawlers. If you’ve never been, come check out the sport! It promises to be full-contact, flat track, and a whole lotta fun!
Ottawa Mystic Market is happening in the Churchill Seniors Centre’s parking lot this Saturday. The market features over thirty awesome vendors; including Miss Vincent, Scarlet Spells and Oils, Toothwurld, and Chickadee Ceramics.
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You’re invited to a Family Dinner at Little Jo Berry’s this Saturday night. Dinner will be provided by Yugirolls, Ottawa’s experts in vegan Chinese food, and dessert and drinks by the Little Jo Berry’s crew – including their famous watermelon soft serve!
Sunday
Centretown Flea Outdoor Market, Ottawa’s biggest weekly outdoor flea market, begins this Sunday at 154 O’Connor. Head on down; you are sure to find something special!
Nepean Visual Arts Centre Open House takes place this Sunday. There will be an afternoon of live performances, art exhibits, workshops, demos, and tours. Food vendors will be onsite with tasty treats to purchase. Groups taking part include: Canadian Showtime Chorus, Capital Circus, Divine Rhythm Creative Arts, Kalinka Dance Group, KingDom Theatre, Les Petits Ballets, Ottawa-Gatineau Printmakers’ Connective, Outaouais Wood Carvers, Suzart Productions, and The Lakeside Players.
