Events & Activities in Ottawa: Friday, July 14 – Sunday, July 16, 2017
More To Do
I. Family & Kids Activities this Weekend in Ottawa
1. Canada Parks Day
Pack a picnic lunch and join us for a guided hike and family friendly activities at Healey Cabin! This year, CPAWS-OV will celebrate Gatineau Park (and our Make it a Real Park campaign) by guiding a hike. We will learn about the birds, mammals and plants that live in Gatineau Park. At Healey Lodge, we will provide refreshments, games and crafts for the kids. Details
Gatineau Park, 33 Scott Road, Chelsea
2. Ice Cream Festival
Museum visitors will learn about the journey from cow to cone at the Ice Cream Festival. They can practice their milking technique on the Museum’s wooden cow, and learn how dairying technology now includes milking machines and even robotic milkers. Visitors can help make ice cream with an old-fashioned manual ice cream maker, and then taste the fruits of their labour. Details
3. Classic Car Show
Time to get racing! You can make a wooden car and race it against your friends and family. If you can’t beat them, it’s okay, you can try again with a cardboard car! Classic vintage cars will be on display throughout the day. Details
Cumberland Museum, 2940 Old Montreal Road
Cumberland
4. Celebrate Nepean
Celebrate the 225th anniversary of Nepean at the Bell home, one of the earliest and best-known settler families in the township. Enjoy guided tours, traditional games and music as well as hands-on activities. Details
5. Sound and Light Show
Combining bold digital technology with the architectural splendour of the Parliament Buildings, Northern Lights illuminates Canadian stories of nation-building, partnership, discovery, valour, pride and vision at the heart of our country. Details
July 11 to September 16, 2017
Parliament Hill – 111 Wellingston St., Ottawa
Free
More To Do
II. Live Music
1. RBC Bluesfest
Artists include: P!nk, Tegan and Sara, Brandi Carlile, 50 Cent, Melissa Etheridge, Justin Moore, Sam Roberts Band, Toby Keith, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Tim Hicks, Muse, LIVE, Thornetta Davis, Xavier Rudd, Flume, Migos and more! Details
LeBreton Flats Park
1 Vimy Place, Ottawa
2. Ariane Moffatt
with Marie-Pierre Arthur and Alexandre Désilets. Ariane Moffatt goes symphonic for a night! Leaving aside her piano and synthesizers, she joins forces with the National Arts Centre Orchestra to deliver a new interpretation of her musical universe. She immerses herself wholeheartedly in this symphonic adventure, transforming her electropop pieces into dazzling orchestral gems finely crafted by arranger and conductor Simon Leclerc. Their common interest in exploring the possibilities offered by their collaboration with the NAC Orchestra, and the strong bonds among the three artists are sure to make this concert a memorable event. Details
NAC Southam Hall, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
3. Socalled
with guest Yves Lambert / Le Vent du Nord. Come swing to the boisterous rhythms of the grand masters of Quebec trad music! In this impressive double-bill performance, multi–award‑winning Quebec prog folk group Le Vent du Nord will take the stage in the first half of the show. Nicolas Boulerice on hurdy-gurdy, Olivier Demers on fiddle, Réjean Brunet on accordion, and Simon Beaudry on guitar – has galvanized audiences on 5 continents. Details
Babs Asper Theatre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
4. Sounds of Persia
Sounds of Persia: Canada’s New Music Masters. Sounds of Persia celebrates this country’s hidden gems – a wealth of talented world musicians who have arrived in Canada over the decades. Artists: Amir Amiri, Shaho Andalibi, Showan Tavakol, Behnaz Sohrabi, Sanaz Nakhjavani, Naghmeh Farahmand, Maneli Jamal, and Arif Mirabdolbaghi. Details
Azrieli Studio 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
You may like: Stewart Park Festival @ Perth – July 14 to 16, 2017
5. Music and Beyond
The festival pursues links between other art forms and cultural disciplines and music, including visual art, drama, poetry, dance, architecture, circus, magic, science, comedy, law, food and wine and even yoga. Music and Beyond is virtually unique in the international field of music festivals by making this a core part of its mandate. By tying together a wide range of cultural disciplines, the festival creates a more “festive” atmosphere, helping to attract an even broader audience to music. Music and Beyond strives to reach out to people of all cultural backgrounds and all demographics. Details
Various Venues, Ottawa
III. Theatre & Performing Arts
1. A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Helena loves Demetrius. Demetrius loves Hermia. Hermia loves Lysander. Throw into this mix an enchanted forest, a mischievous fairy, a feuding king and queen and a troupe of terrible wannabe actors and you have a recipe for a hilarious, magical, love-filled summer night.
July 11, 2017 – Central Park, Glebe
July 12, 2017 – Fisher Heights Park, Nepean
July 13, 2017 – Weston Park, Elmvale Acres
July 14, 2017 – Glabar Park Common, Nepean
July 15, 2017 – Alexander Grove, Stittsville
2. Pardon Me, Prime Minister
The Prime Minister and Chancellor are preparing a puritanical budget taxing amusements such as bingo, gambling and night-clubs out of existence. On the afternoon before its presentation, however, each in turn appears to be the father of the pretty Shirley, the result of a post-party conference night many years ago. Many cover-ups (and uncoverings!) ensue. Details
You may like: Upcoming Ottawa Little Theatre Events
3. Dance Into the Light
Backed by an outstanding seven-piece band, Martin Levac delivers a flawless and spectacular performance of the legendary icon’s greatest solo hits such as In The Air Tonight, Against All Odds, Sussudio, Another Day In Paradise, You Can’t Hurry Love and many more. Martin is approved by Phil Collins himself. Details
1 Blvd du Casino, Gatineau
4. Ottawa Rhythm Festival
Celebrating the 150 anniversary of Canada, this festival will showcase various local drumming groups of diverse cultures along with Gharana Arts’ premiere Kathak (North Indian Dance Form) adaptation of “Sleeping Beauty”. In presenting a range of items, we seek to create an immersive experience of rhythmic exploration. All music and choreography has been originally composed by Gharana Arts. Details
245 Centrum Blvd, Ottawa
5. Romeo & Juliet
Passions soar and hearts break in this 90-minute version of Shakespeare’s love story for all time. Here is love as obsession–love in a time of darkness. Here is craziness in the face of a culture where honour killings are rampant, and death is a better option than marriage to a chosen suitor.
Join us outdoors to celebrate the long evenings and warm weather and enjoy theatre that stands the test of time.
Thurs July 13, 2017 – Clare Gardens Park, Westboro
Fri July 14, 2017 – Strathcona Park, Sandy Hill (at the willow grove)
Sat July 15, 2017 – Dickinson Square, Manotick (near Watson’s Mill)
Sun July 16, 2017 – Par-la-Ville Park, Stittsville
6. The Canada Dance Festival
The CDF, in partnership with Canada Scene, will present a series of contemporary dance works in unique spaces and non-traditional venues. Our 2017 activities once again will take dance off of the stage and into the community, this year as part of the outpouring of arts activities throughout our nation’s capital during this summer’s Canada 150 celebrations. Details
7. Old Stock
Old Stock: a refugee love story is a humorously dark folktale woven together with a high-energy concert. This genre-bending music-theatre hybrid starring klezmer-folk sensation Ben Caplan is inspired by the true stories of two Jewish Romanian refugees immigrating to Canada in 1908. This is a story about how to love after being broken by the horrors of war, about refugees who get out before it’s too late – and those who get out after it’s too late. And it’s about looking into the eyes of God. Details
IV. Sports, & Related events
1. HOPE Volleyball SummerFest
Big Rig Brewery HOPE Volleyball SummerFest – The World’s largest one-day volleyball tournament. The HOPE Main stage every year brings Canada’s most talented musicians to our stage, to entertain our over 20,000 players & spectators. In partnership with NewCap Radio’s Big Money Shot contesting, whose winners play as our opening acts – we will continue to bring the biggest & brightest to rock Mooney’s Bay Beach – The Strumbellas with special guests USS(ubiquitous synergy seeker) and The Lowest of the Low. Details
Saturday July 15, 2017 | 11:00 AM to 07:00 PM
Mooney’s Bay Beach, 2950 Riverside Drive, Ottawa
$20.00 advance and $27.00 at the gate.
2. National Capital Regatta
The aim of this Regatta is to bring together the novice sailor and the well-seasoned racer in an atmosphere of friendly competition and camaraderie. Details
July 14 to 16, 2017
Britannia Yacht Club, 2777 Cassels Street, Ottawa
Spectator – Free
3. Ottawa Fury FC
vs. Montréal Impact on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 | 7:00 PM
vs Rochester Rhinos on Saturday, July 15, 2017 | 02:30 PM
Stadium at TD Place, Ottawa
4. GranFondoOttawa
Cycling – 5 Routes. With the look & feel of a tour event offering arches and banners and a hyped up start, Feed-Stations, peloton’s, break-away riders and ending with Festa’s & Expo’s, enjoying food & drink debating who did what on which bike along the route they just conquered.
Saturday July 15th, 2017
Richcraft Recreation Complex, 4101 Innovation Drive, Ottawa
V. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
1. Ottawa Welcomes the World
High Commission for the United Republic of Tanzania: We will be showcasing our culture, food and various Tanzanian produced products and services from the mining, agriculture, energy and fishing industry. You will hear the wonderful rhythmic sounds of Tanzania music and indulge in the yummy cuisine and learn about the magnificent country side. Be sure to join us…it will be an unforgettable experience. Details
Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt: Come learn about Egypt’s history, incredibly depicted in an amazing exhibition that celebrates the long standing Egyptian-Canadian friendship. The exhibition will showcase artifacts, handcrafts and other cultural products crafted by Egyptian artists and manufactured by Egyptian companies. You will not want to miss the exotic dance and musical performances. Details
Tanzania: Friday, July 14, 2017 | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Egypt: July 15 to 19, 2017 | 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM
Ottawa
2. Sunset Dinner Boat Cruise
Carnival of Cultures celebrates Canada’s diversity with a exquisite dinner and a cultural show. Sit down with a loved one, relax, enjoy the sunset on the Ottawa river, have a fabulous dinner while being entertained by Irish, Greek, Indian, Aboriginal, Egyptian and African cultural dancers not to mention an Elvis Impersonator. It will be a romantic, memorable night for the whole family. Details
799 Jacques Cartier, Gatineau
3. Kontinuum
This immersive multimedia production, created by Ottawa 2017 and Moment Factory, unfolds in Ottawa’s future Lyon Light Rail Transit (LRT) station. Visitors descend deep underground into an anomaly in the fabric of reality where invisible frequencies take on physical dimension. Elevate your senses and awaken your imagination in this journey where two realms collide. Which path will you choose? Details
Place de Ville Theatre, 103 Sparks St, Ottawa
4. Kabeshinan Minitig Pavilion
The Pavilion exhibit will involve both archaeological artifacts that underscore this area, the National Capital Region, as an original and central trading place for numerous Indigenous people over the centuries. The Kabeshinàn Minitig Pavilion will host many of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation artists/crafts people along with featured Indigenous Artists in both visual arts and fine crafts from across turtle island throughout the summer months. Details
Victoria Island, 2 Timberslide, Ottawa
5. MOSAÏCANADA 150/Gatineau 2017
Mosaiculture is a most spectacular horticultural technique that combines the following different art forms: sculpture for the structure, paint for the palette of colours, and horticulture as the means of creating living and changing artworks with plants. The theme of the Gatineau exhibit will reflect 150 years of history, values, culture and arts in Canada, represented by some 40 different arrangements.
Details
Parc Jacques-Cartier, 350 Rue Laurier
Gatineau
6. Sky Lounge
Heighten your senses at Sky Lounge, an exclusive culinary flight of fancy that will take you 150 feet in the air to discover Ottawa’s fine dining like never before. Details
7. Canada Scene
In the days leading up to Canada Day, and for weeks after, hundreds of artists from every corner of the country will travel to the nation’s capital to take part in 150 events at venues throughout Ottawa/ Gatineau.CANADA SCENE will bring together talented artists in music, theatre, dance, visual and media arts, film, literature, comedy, circus and culinary arts for an extraordinary national celebration.The festival will shine a spotlight on iconic artists who inspire us, dynamic artists who challenge us, and the diverse cultures that bring us together. Details
National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin Street
Ottawa