Out&About: October 20-26, 2017

Ottawa International Writers Festival, Various Locations, October 19-24
It’s that time of year again where Ottawa gets literal! Turning the page onto their 20th year, The Ottawa International Writers Festival’s 2017 outing has multiple page turners for you to flip to. The fall edition includes guests Alan Doyle (of Great Big Sea fame), Ron Sexsmith, Ken Dryden, Adam Gopnik and more.

Ottawa Chamber Players at Church of the Ascension, October 21
Ascension's Jazz & Chamber Series kicks off their season with a special concert featuring The Ottawa Chamber Players, celebrating not only Canada’s 150th year, but also Ascension’s 140th  year in Old Ottawa East. Tickets are $15 – $20.

Sweet Alibi and the Artichoke Hearts at the Black Sheep, October 21  
A nominee for the 2016 Canadian Folk Music Awards Vocal Group of the Year and for the 2016 Western Canadian Music Awards Roots Duo/Group of the Year, Sweet Alibi plays the Black Sheep on October 21. Joined by the Artichoke Hearts, it promises to be a night of good music and good times. Show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 General Admission.

All-Canadian Jazz at Pressed, October 21
Jazz up your Saturday night and hear jazz compositions created by both local and national musicians from across the nation in honour of Canada 150. Music provided by Betty Ann Bryanton (vocals and percussion), David Miller (keyboard and vocals) and Howard Tweddle (acoustic and electric basses). Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 limited at the door.

2017 Culture Shock International Showcase at le collège La Cité, October 22
Want to improve your technique on the dance floor? Want to learn from some of the best international choreographers out there? This Sunday, October 22nd, Culture Shock Canada is putting on 2017’s Showcase Master Class! The classes feature the best of the best instructors, including rnel Clavario (Culture Shock LA, Kaba Modern, KINJAZ, W.O.D. Hall of Fame Award), David Lee (Culture Shock LA, Soul Fresh, Club House, Boogizone's Breed) as well as two mystery instructors who will be announced shortly. Tickets are $50.00 in advance and $75.00 at the door — get yours and enjoy the best class of your life!

Making Fermented Vegetables at Kinburn Community Centre, October 22
Get hype for health! This Sunday, Wild Oak Homestead is having a workshop on how to ferment your own vegetables. Lacto-fermentated foods can have a lot of health benefits, and Sarah and Michael from Wild Oak will be teaching you how to do it yourself! Fermentation is an ancient practice that you can easily integrate into your life. Check out this free and informative workshop, where some of Wild Oak Homestead’s unique fermented foods will also be available. 

Let's Paint the Black Cat in Manotick at Mill Tavern, October 23
Hey, all you amateur artists! Or anyone who wants to pick up a paintbrush — for $40 this Monday you can enjoy an evening of food, drink, and painting fun! You’ll be provided a 16’ x 20’ stretched canvas, acrylic paint, brushes, easels, and apron, and set free to explore your creativity. Painting lasts around 2 hours, with time beforehand to get yourself a drink, some snacks, and a seat with your friends. What better way to spend a Monday night?

Bytown Birthday Bash: A century of community! At Bytown Museum, Oct 25
Happy birthday Bytown, you’re 100! The Bytown Museum is celebrating a century this Wednesday, come by and enjoy live music and refreshments! It’s not a birthday party without drinks and a band. Raise a glass for the next 100 years!

The Julian Taylor Band, NAC, October 26
In an era where lovers of all things music seem to be pushed into one style or genre, The Julian Taylor band breaks through the barriers and pushes through the pigeon holes for music without limits. Rhythm and blues, hard rock, folk, the band explores it all in a soulful stew that cannot be classified. They even work in a little hip hip, yo! Hear for yourself as they take the stage at the NAC.

ARTinis 2017 at Shenkman Arts Centre, October 26
What do you get when you cross art and martinis besides the delicious word-merge ARTinis? You get the annual benefit soirée for the AOE Arts Council. You also get culinary carnival of delectable’s by way of a three-course tasting menu. Taking place at the Shenkman, the event also features live music, art demos and a couple other surprises. Attendees are urged to come in costume…if they dare!

Ottawa REDBLACKS, TD Place at Lansdowne, until October 27
We’re inching closer and closer to the Grey Cup and the defending champs are awaiting the cheers on home turf. Could the RedBlack repeat? Tickets on sale now!

The Phantom of the Opera at the NAC, Oct 18-29
The theatre's favorite masked musical monstrosity returns to the National Arts Centre stage just in time for Halloween. Three decades since it first took the world by storm, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera remains a macabre delight. If you think you know The Phantom think again. This production has been given some breathtaking new updates with critics raving that the show is bigger and better than ever before.

NEXT WEEK:

The 11th Greath Pumpkin Charity Ball, Saint Brigids Haunted Castle, October 28
The 11th time's the charm (and other spells!) for one of the biggest Halloween bashes in O-town! Join over 700 costumed revelers in the spooked up Saint Brigids where all floors are open for frightful fun in support of the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing – National Capital Region, St. Jude Children's Hospital and the Ottawa Food Bank. Few tricks but lots of treats by way of Audrey's Costume Castle & Dancewear, Malabar, Dynamix Productions, Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity, St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts, Alison Wonderland, BCI: Light is Art and Chef Justin Scott.

Sir John A. Mcdonald: The Musial, Centrepointe Theatre, November 2-4
A history lesson has never been more musical as the life of Canada's first Prime Minister melodically takes the stage at Centrepointe. Penned by one of our most prolific writers, Gord Carruth, the production pulls no punches as it strives to tell all sides of the story. From the Canadian Pacific Railway Scandal to the murder of Thomas D’Arcy McGee; from the trial of Louis Riel to the atrocities committed against our aboriginals, audiences will experience Canadian history for what it really is. With still two months left of our 150th birthday you still have plenty of time to brush up on Canada's past. Why not do it with a song or two?