Let’s Go Ottawa
Ottawa Fall Festivals
- Monday, 12 September 2011 17:58
- Written by Beverley Carkner
Ottawa may be Canada’s Capital, but not all of our parties are political. Here’s a brief overview of some of fabulous fall festivals and celebrations happening in the city and nearby towns and villages.
International Plowing Match & Rural Exp0
Sept 20 – 24
Nearby Prescott-Russell comes alive with this annual autumn competition and exhibition. It’s a tough row to hoe, but someone’s got to do it!
Ottawa International Animation Festival
Sept 21 – 25
It’s the largest festival of its kind in North America and attracts film buffs, art lovers, filmmakers and cartoon fans from around the world! Image (right): La Luna, Director: Enrico Casarosa, Pixar Animation Studios, 2011.
Ottawa Fashion Week
Sept 29 – Oct 2
Ottawa, Canadian and international designers strut their stuff for Spring/Summer 2012 during the seventh annual Ottawa Fashion Week.
Beau’s Oktoberfest
Sept 30 – Oct 2
Local microbrewer Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company presents three days of Oktoberfest fun in Vankleek Hill, an hour east of Ottawa.
Fall Rhapsody
Sept 30 – Oct 16
The annual celebration of fall colours in Gatineau Park, featuring activities, learning and sightseeing for the whole family.
Ottawa International Writers Festival
Oct 20 – 25
Michael Ondaatje, Irshad Manji, Chef Michael Smith, Wayne Johnston, Adrienne Clarkson, Guy Vanderhaeghe are just some of the authors confirmed for this annual event. Image (right): Ian Rankin who appears at the Festival on October 24th
Ottawa Food and Wine Festival
Nov 9 – 13
The longest running event of its kind in Canada, the Festival moves into the all-new Ottawa Convention Centre and expands to five taste-filled days of programming.
Casino du Lac-Leamy Presents Sound of Light
- Friday, 05 August 2011 18:03
- Written by Beverley Carkner
Sound of Light, August 14, 2010 - Germany, Photo Credit Mike Alexander
Beginning Saturday, August 6, the Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light hosts 5 unforgettable evenings of international pyromusical fireworks synchronized to original soundtracks. Fireworks experts from around the world compete for the Zeus Trophy, which was captured by Germany’s Steffes-ollig in 2010. A must see event from August 6 – 20 on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The pyromusical competition begins at 9:30pm.
Sat Aug 6, 2011 – China
Wed Aug 10, 2011 – Italy
Sat Aug 13, 2011 – Canada
Wed Aug 17, 2011 – Germany
Sat Aug 20, 2011 – Casino du Lac-Leamy’s Grand Finale
To enjoy the show, you can bring your own chair or blanket and purchase general admission tickets for Lac Leamy beach or opt for the convenience of grandstand seating with a reserved ticket. To get to the action, a shuttle service is provided by the STO bus service from Ottawa (Wellington Street) and Gatineau (Les promenades, Loblaws (Hull area), Parc-o-bus Robert-Guertin) for $3 per person round trip, FREE for kids 11 years and under.
Check out the schedule of activities for the complete line up of events happening at Lac-Leamy Park and on the Tim Hortons’s stage.
New video: First-class bhangra!
- Thursday, 28 July 2011 18:05
- Written by Jantine Van Kregten
Internet sensation Wilbur Sargunaraj is at it again! He had so much fun in Ottawa back in February filming the video for the popular The Canada Song, he just had to return in the summer. The result? First-class Bhangra — a catchy tune with an all-Ottawa video featuring Parliament Hill, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police horse, Sparks Street Mall, Aboriginal Experiences, the ByWard Market neighbourhood, Rideau Canal and more!
Check it out (I dare you not to sing along):
Free wi-fi near the National War Memorial
- Thursday, 14 July 2011 18:07
- Written by Jantine Van Kregten
Visitors to Canada’s capital who still have a bit of work to catch up on — or who want to share their photos right away, or blog — now have a beautiful new setting to get it done!
The National Capital Commission has installed 20 bright red Muskoka chairs on a plaza just off the east side of Elgin Street where it meets Rideau Street. They’ve stretched some shade sails (from a local company called House of Canvas) across the top to provide a bit of shade. All in all, a beautiful spot — and the best part is, it offers free wi-fi!
So within view of the Fairmont Château Laurier, Rideau Canal, National Arts Centre, National War Memorial, Parliament Hill and steps from a Capital Bixi bike station, you can get caught up on your online life — for free!
The pilot project, based on an employee’s suggestion, runs till October 11, 2011. Check it out!
Early July in Ottawa
- Monday, 04 July 2011 18:10
- Written by Jantine Van Kregten
Well, the euphoria of the Royal Visit to Ottawa of Prince William and Kate Middleton (the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, that is) on Canada Day is finally starting to fade a wee bit. But don’t despair! There are still lots of great activities to fill your days in Ottawa during this early part of July. For example:
The fabulous Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest– a musical party spanning six stages and 12 days just outside the Canadian War Museum – runs July 5-17. Whatever your musical tastes, you should find something that satisfies, from Buddy Guy to Huey Lewis & the News, from Peter Frampton to Death Cab for Cutie, from Jane’s Addiction to Blue Rodeo, plus comedy acts and more!
The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest attracts a huge crowd each year -- but there are six stages, ensuring you'll find something you like!
If you’d prefer the strains of classical music, don’t miss Music and Beyond, which runs July 7-17. The opening night event has a Shakespearean theme and features great Canadian actor Christopher Plummer!
If you want to be active (or watch those who are), you can’t miss the HOPE Volleyball Summerfest on July 9 — the world’s largest one-day beach volleyball tournament! The action’s at Mooney’s Bay Beach and features performances by Big Sugar and Tokyo Police Club. Awesome!
If you’re more a laboratory bum than a beach bum, you’ll love the Canada Science and Technology Museum‘s Chemistry Uncovered event, July 7-10. Besides taking part in exciting hands-on experiments, you can see an amazing magic show, taste some delicious liquid nitrogen ice cream, or, on July 9, catch David Cronenberg’s critically acclaimed movie The Fly (PG-13, with French subtitles), at the Museum’s outdoor after-dark screening (bring blankets or folding chairs and a donation to the Ottawa Food Bank).
If theatre’s more your thing, take a drive to the picturesque town of Perth to catch the Classic Theatre Festival‘s performance of Bell, Book and Candle July 8-31 (or catch The Fourposter August 5-28). Or enjoy the intrigues of a fast-paced version of Shakespeare’s Antony & Cleopatra performed in local parks by the frenetic Company of Fools (until August 20).
The Changing the Guard Ceremony is a longstanding summertime tradition in Ottawa.
Finally, check out some fun FREE activities on Parliament Hill (beyond the tours) like the daily Changing the Guard ceremony at 10am on the front lawn (until August 26) or the spectacular Sound and Light Show — called Mosaika — that uses the Parliament Buildings as a gigantic screen, projecting images and special effects while telling the story of Canada through its people. It’s a winner, running July 6-September 5). Both events are weather permitting.
Get out there and enjoy!
