Events in Ottawa: March 10 – 12, 2017

1. Inside the Music

Have you ever wondered what it is like to see into the inner workings of an orchestra? How all those violinists manage to move their bows at the same time with the same intensity? And how all the winds and brass manage to play together from different parts of the stage? Guest conductor Richard Hoenich will lead the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra through a public rehearsal of selections. Details

2. Snowshoeing Under the Stars

Enjoy the fresh air and a starry night sky as you join us for Snowshoeing under the Stars at picturesque Pinhey’s Point Historic Site. We’ll teach you the basics of the sport and take you on a hike exploring the varied natural and historical features of this beautiful location on the Ottawa River. Hot chocolate will be served by the open fire following the hike. Details

3. Sugar bush

Visit the historical farm site, see all kinds of animals on the farm site, have taffy on the snow, warm up at the bonfire while waiting for the wagon ride that will take you out to the sugar bush.. Details

1. Mozart and Tchaikovsky

Fresh from the prestigious International Chopin Piano Competition, Quebec’s Charles Richard-Hamelin performs Mozart’s generous and warmly lyrical Piano Concerto No. 23. Paired with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, the last of Tchaikovsky’s compositions premiered in his lifetime and containing a palette of emotions expressing the joy of life to a poignant farewell, the evening promises to be a magnificent showcase of two of the greatest composers of all time. Details

2. Basia Bulat

With an electrifying voice and lyrics like silver arrowheads, Basia Bulat has become one of Canada’s most conspicuous talents. Juno nominated and short-listed for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize, she often appears solo in gigantic halls, winning over crowds with an autoharp or charango, stomping feet and two mighty lungs. Details

3. Wesli

Wesli is a born troubadour whose music is a fusion of Afro, reggae, world music and Haitian Rara. The multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter is back in full force with two new albums under his belt. According to Alain Brunet of La Presse, he is the most remarkable world music phenom that Montreal has to offer the planet. Details

4. Joseph Edgar

Joseph Edgar, an Acadian artist from New Brunswick who is well known in Quebec and other Francophone communities in Canada, is back with his new album, Ricochets. Details

5. Canadiana

An eclectic selection of Canadian Sacred & Secular Songs to celebrate Canada’s 150th Birthday Details

6. Benoit Duchesne

Benoit Duchesne and Maxime Boivin will present a concert of duo guitars that will include contemporary interpretations of standards immediately on the jazz repertoire, several original compositions by Benoit, and improvisation conceived on the spot! French only. Details

7. Ottawa Symphony Orchestra

The concert begins colourfully with Dvorak’s Carnival Overture. In contrast is Oskar Morawetz’s thoughtful and surprising Bassoon Concerto performed by the OSO’s own Principal Bassoon, Ben Glossop. We finish with the ever popular Shéhérazade by Rimsky-Korsakov. Details

1. Ottawa Improv Festival

We’re lining up some pretty awesome local and national talent to show you some of the best of improvised comedy. We’ll also have workshops for those who have never tried improv before, and those who want to hone their skills with some seasoned performers — plus fun late-night programming and more! Over four days, you’ll see hilarious comedians from Toronto, Montreal, Chicago and Ottawa, raise some money for charity and celebrate spontaneous theatre! Details

2. Infinity

How does a new Theory of Time change everything we know about ourselves? Three brilliant minds – a musician, a mathematician, and a theoretical physicist – smash together like colliding particles in an accelerator. Together they learn that love and time are connected in ways they couldn’t have imagined. Infinity is a shocking, funny and revelatory play about love, sex and math by Hannah Moscovitch, developed with Volcano Theatre. Details

3. Gauthier Dance

Thanks largely to the appealing artistic vision of Canadian dancer/founder Eric Gauthier, this young company has become an international byword for performances that are witty, sophisticated and skilful. Chosen for their theatrical charisma, technical prowess and sense of humour, Gauthier’s dancers form a unique and stylish ensemble. Details

4. Les Passants

Through a series of vignettes, everyday situations develop into curious scenarios that explore trust, risk, and our ability to navigate human relationships. Performed in French with English surtitles, this world premiere is part of a three-city, national, bilingual theatre project.Details

5. Catch Me If You Can The Musical

Catch Me If You Can follows the adventures of Frank Abagnale Jr., a suburban kid in the early 1960s who leaves home before graduating from high school and parlays a gift for telling tall tales and forging checks into an around-the-world spree. Doggedly pursued by FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Frank manages to pose as an airline pilot, an emergency room doctor and a lawyer, and wins the heart of nurse Brenda Strong along the way. Details

6. Finishing the Suit

Love makes us cross oceans, throw over birthrights, overturn dynasties—or put the final touches on a bespoke suit. Come back with Bear & Co. to 1972, when being out of the closet outside one’s home can get you jailed. But inside a Jewish tailor’s shop, all secrets are on the measuring table, as the tailor puts the finishing touches on a morning suit. Eavesdrop with us as he remembers—and mourns—the two great loves of his life: a young, brash Irish actor, and an enigmatic, battle-weary Duke. Details

7. Daryn Jones, Dave Merheje

Daryn Jones became a staple of Canadian television in 2006 when he took on the role of host and creative producer of MTV Canada’s flagship series MTV Live. During his six years on MTV he became known for his sharp wit and infectious energy. While there, he had the opportunity to interview a variety of newsworthy guests including Tom Cruise, Jake Gyllenhaal, Weird Al Yankovic, Adele and Quentin Tarantino. Details

8. Puccini’s TOSCA

Late yesterday evening the glamorous, impetuous soprano Floria Tosca was hurried into Police Headquarters by personal assistants of Police Chief Scarpia. She is known to have been a very close friend of Mario Cavaradossi for the past year. Is she implicated in a plot? Is there a “deal” being made? Internationally celebrated soprano Maria Knapik sings Floria Tosca. With her voice and dramatically sensual stage presence, Knapik is the perfect Floria. Charismatic tenor Steeve Michaud is Mario Cavaradossi – her romantic counterpoint – while acclaimed Canadian/British baritone Jeffrey Carl plays the manipulative Baron Scarpia with striking menace. Kyle McDonald, Cesare Angelotti; Ryan Hofman, A Sacristan; and Corey Arnold, Spoletta, comprise the rest of the cast. Details

Ottawa Senators

1. The Future is Feminist – International Women’s Day

Ottawa’s biggest International Women’s Day celebration, featuring the annual Femmy Awards ceremony honouring local feminist change-makers, an activist fair, powerful arts performances, great food and drink, AND a dance party! Details

2. Ottawa Irish Festival

Ottawa Irish Festival is held each year to celebrate the contributions of the peoples who immigrated from Ireland over the years to build this country and have left a legacy of several generations in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. Featuring a variety of cultural and social events, including the annual St. Patrick’s Parade and Party, and the Erin Luncheon in support of St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa. Details

3. Spring Market

Crafters, Artisans & Businesses Expos. Details

4. St. Patrick’s Day Ceilidh

St. Patrick’s Basilica Ottawa Knights of Columbus Council 12158 and Parish presents its annual Supper and Dance. Supper is a traditional Irish Stew (meat or vegetarian), salad, coffee and dessert. Music program will include ceilidh bands lead by Ottawa’s own Paddy G and the Mennie Man. Irish dance demonstration and a singalong will be followed by Celtic social dancing called by Brian Armstrong. Details

5. Ottawa – Gatineau Golf Expo

Details

6. O-Town Showdown

A weekend of competitions in Ottawa focusing on great social dance skills, awesome attitude, creativity, and fun! Details

7. Beau’s St. Patrick’s Party

Join us for the second annual Beau’s St. Patrick’s Party!
After the Ottawa St. Patrick’s Day Featuring: Live music from The Peelers, Bodh’aktan, and BLAKDENIM,, 12+ Beau’s Beers on Tap, Guest taps from across Ontario! Irish-inspired cuisine, Traditional Entertainment, Activities, and more!Details