Photo courtesy Aidan Whitely on Flickr
Hey all, since Karen’s away for a bit, I’m stepping in this week and next to share my time-tested recipes for a delicious, mouthwatering weekend in the capital. They’re healthy, filling, and perfect for people with allergies (unless, that is, you’re allergic to fun).
Nothing says spring like clearing out the unwanted crap cluttering up your home and making room for new crap, right? So you’ll definitely want to set your alarm for the crack of dawn Saturday and make your way down to the Great Glebe Garage Sale. It might be a good idea to bike or walk, though, as the construction on Bank Street could make driving a bit touch-and-go. While you’re there, check out the fourth annual Great Glebe Green Garage Sale – a fundraiser for Ecology Ottawa which we just wrote about.
If the (segue alert!) shopping frenzy in the Glebe drives you to the bottle, however, you’re in luck: the Gatineau Festibiere/Beerfest is on from Friday to Sunday at Lac Leamy Park. You’ll get the chance to sample local and artisan beers and hear get gastronomical tips from noted beer expert Mario D’Eer – who’ll be teaming with the Chelsea Pub to create their first very own microbrew. And Tracteur Jack will be debuting a new record Friday night.
Speaking of music: on Friday, the crystalline pop of Toronto trio Austra will be on display at Ritual. That same night, Souljazz Orchestra side project Slim Moore and the Mar-Kays are part of a soul-fuelled double bill at Barrymore’s with Tanika Charles. Snailhouse returns once more to the capital Saturday (it’s time to officially designate Mike Feuerstack an honourary Ottawan, I say) to unveil his new album, Sentimental Gentleman, at Mavericks. Local Canadiana collective The Withering Pines play Raw Sugar that night as well, while three more Ottawa acts – Old Crowns, Scary Bear Soundtrack (featuring our own Gloria Song – so proud!), and The Guilty Minds – hit up Cafe Dekcuf. Moving along to Wakefield: you might know Steve Poltz more for his lyrics than his music (he co-wrote Jewel’s unavoidable 1996 hit “You Were Meant for Me”) but the San Diego-by-way-of-Halifax singer-songwriter will be playing some of his own stuff at the Black Sheep Inn with Meaghan Blanchard on Friday. And on Saturday it’s the “Kingston Hootenanny Night,” with a handful of guests in attendance, including Luther Wright.
There are a couple of burlesque-themed events Sautrday to add to your social calendar. First up is Bump in the Night, a variety showcase by Capital Burlesque at the Rainbow Bistro. Then there’s Unscene Grassroots – Ottawa garage rockers The Polymorphines and experimental post-rockers Trees will be headlining, accompanied by a special performance by burlesque troupe The Sin Sisters.
If creating art rather than absorbing it’s more your thing, Spins and Needles and ooohlala.ca are hosting COmotion on Friday – head down to the Legion Hall (330 Kent Street) and create your own short stop motion video (or just enjoy the beats of DJs Jason Pelletier and Z). The fashionable among you (i.e. not me!) might want to check out I Am Fashion: Rip the Fab Lane at the NAC on Saturday – especially since a percentage of the proceeds are going towards charities in Haiti and the Congo. Also on the socially-conscious front, Bywords is launching the spring issue of its quarterly journal that night at The Manx and raising money for Cornerstone, a local organization dedicated to helping homeless women. And on Sunday it’s the fifth annual Ravenswing DIY Craft and Zine Fair from 11am-4pm at Minto Park in Centretown.
What else, Apartment613 denizens? I’m sure I missed something, so leave us a comment or two and tell us what you’re up to this (race) weekend.
