45+ fun events in and around Ottawa, March 9 to 15

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Whether you want to shop for seeds or plus-sized fashions, meet an author or a mermaid, make soap or Easter eggs, see foreign movies or youth theatre, or enjoy comedy or St. Patrick’s Day fun, this week’s calendar of events has the information you need to make the most of this week on the cusp of spring.

Work out for a good cause in Hintonburg

The Rise & Run Charity Social Run on Saturday, March 14, is a fundraiser for Back on My Feet, a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction. You’ll need to be energetic for this afternoon event, which starts with a 5K fun run and then moves on to a spin class before rewarding participants with a well-earned party.

Go to two vernissages in Carleton Place

It’s a busy weekend at the Carleton Place Gallery, with two vernissages (exhibition openings) where you can meet the artists.

• On Saturday, March 14, it’s a vernissage for the Ottawa Miniature Gallery, which will be on display until May 15. The mini gallery stands more than 180 centimetres tall and mimics a full-sized gallery space with interior lighting, hardwood floors, 12 showrooms and a sticker graffiti wall. Inside, it features works by some 30 artists from across Ontario.
• On Sunday, March 15, it’s an opening for O Canada, a solo show by artist and instructor Don Bruner. The exhibition, which runs until April 1, features Bruner’s paintings of landscapes and landmarks across Eastern Ontario.

Refresh your craft supplies in Kemptville

The Art and Craft Supplies Yard Sale at the North Grenville Municipal Centre in Kemptville (Saturday, March 14) is billed as a sale by crafters, for crafters. No finished goods will be on sale, but you can buy yarn, paint, beads and all sorts of other creative supplies.

Have some laughs in Ottawa or Kingston

Do you, like me, think that too few women get put on lineups at standard standup comedy clubs? Then check out two funny ladies (disclosure—they’re both friends of mine!) at two shows this weekend.

Sharleen Conrad is one of the comics on the bill at a new clean comedy open-mic night at Nigerian restaurant Suya Royale Grill and Chill on Friday, March 13. The following night, Heather Hurst is the headliner for a comedy night at Cassette, near Baseline and Greenbank. You can buy a show-only ticket or a dinner (beer and burger) and show package.

Speaking of funny women, Carolyn Taylor—star and co-creator of The Baroness von Sketch Show—is one of the three stars of A Perfectly Reasonable Night of Comedy at the Kingston Grand Theatre (Friday, March 13). She joins her fellow Second City alums Peter Oldring and Pat Kelly, creators of CBC Radio’s This Is That, for a night of comedy fun.

Sample fine wines in Prince Edward County

At Élevage: PEC Winter Wine Festival (March 14 and 15), you can taste wines and ciders from local producers at over a dozen sites scattered across Prince Edward County. You can buy a passport that entitles you to five tastings at various venues, as well as one that also includes an “elevated tasting,” such as a cellar tour or the chance to chat with a winemaker.

Track animals in Gatineau Park

Time is running out to join one of the guided animal-tracking snowshoe hikes in Gatineau Park. They take place on Saturdays and Sundays, in English and French, and they’re free! Snowshoes are provided. Register in advance to avoid disappointment. The last outings of the season (weather permitting) will be on March 22.

Pick up kids’ gear in Carleton Place

The Mom2Mom Sale (Saturday, March 14) is an annual fundraising event in Carleton Place for the North Lanark Highland Games and the North Lanark Agricultural Society. Shop for gently used children’s clothing, toys and more. Donations for the Lanark County Food Bank are encouraged.

Discover a Japanese tradition in Ottawa

During a free presentation at the Japanese Embassy in Ottawa on Friday, March 13, local artist Rebecca Benoit Cragg will introduce the history and philosophy of kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with gold. She’ll demonstrate key techniques and introduce a small exhibition of finished pieces that show how breakage can be transformed into beauty. Doors open at 6pm for the 6:30pm event, and seating is first come, first served.

Enjoy films from around the world in Ottawa

The International Film Festival of Ottawa (March 11 to 22) features 22 Canadian and foreign feature-length movies from film festivals around the world, each paired with a short. Screening locations include the ByTowne Cinema, the Ottawa Art Gallery, the Albion Rooms restaurant, the Korean Cultural Centre, the National Archives of Canada and the Mayfair Cinema.

Learn about trees in Kemptville

Nature Journaling North Grenville is a series of free monthly workshops for adults and families in Kemptville. It’s designed to foster a deeper connection to local green spaces through art, photographs and nature observations. This month’s workshop on Friday, March 13 (4:30pm to 6pm) focuses on dendrology—the science of identifying trees from their buds, bark and silhouette. You can bring your own pencils, paper and/or sketch book, and some extra supplies will be available.

See a play in Ottawa or Kingston

This week’s choices for theatre fans include the musical Jesus Christ Superstar at the Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, the Agatha Christie whodunnit The Murder of Roger Ackroyd at Ottawa Little Theatre and a play about Lizzie Borden called Blood Relations at the Gladstone Theatre. And in Kingston, Domino Theatre is staging a farce called Suite Surrender. See my theatre guide for links and details.

You could also check out some of the newest voices on the theatre scene during the Youth Infringement Festival (YIF) at Ottawa’s Arts Court (March 11 to 21). The YIF is an open-access performing arts festival that gives Ottawans aged 16 to 25 an opportunity to develop and produce original work. This year’s productions explore everything from suffragettes to Dungeons and Dragons, and the festival also includes a drag show and a trivia night.

Get your farming fix at the EY Centre

The EY Centre out by the airport seems like an unlikely location for an agricultural exposition, but that is where the Ottawa Valley Farm Show will be taking place from March 10 to 12. Some 360 vendors will be on hand to showcase the latest in agricultural technology, seeds and more. You can also check out talks and workshops, a quilt and antiques exhibition, a toy auction, and other diversions.

Speaking of seeds…

This week’s Seedy Saturday/Sunday events—which give home gardeners the chance to trade seeds and gardening advice—are taking place in several Eastern Ontario locales, including Carp, Almonte, Cornwall and Kingston on Saturday, March 14.

Hear David Suzuki and Tara Cullis in Kingston

There are still a few tickets left for What You Won’t Do For Love, a hybrid live-theatre and film performance at the Kingston Grand Theatre (Wednesday, March 11). In it, environmentalists David Suzuki and Tara Cullis reflect on their 50-year romantic relationship and ask, “Can we learn to love the planet as much as we love other people?”

P.S.: If you can’t make it to this performance, there are also still some tickets left for the same show at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans on Wednesday, March 25.

Make soap in Carleton Place

During a soap-making workshop at the Carleton Place Collective on Saturday, March 14, Sunflower Soaps will introduce participants to the hot process soap-making method. You’ll make two to three bars of soap to bring home.

Shop for collectibles in Nepean or Perth

In Perth, Kernel Mustard’s Cards, Comics and Collectables Show on Saturday, March 14, will feature more than 50 vendors from across the region offering cards, comics, collectables, toys, art, and pop culture treasures. Bring your own items to swap in the trade zone, admire original artwork and shop for exotic snacks.

The next day (Sunday, March 15), the Ottawa Nostalgia and Collectible Show will bring some 50 vendors of coins, vintage toys, sports cards, model trains, old radios, postcards and more to the Nepean Sportplex.

Take an art workshop in Chelsea

At La Fab sur Mill in Chelsea, you can take workshops to make an encaustic bowl using wabi sabi techniques on Saturday, March, 14, or make a beaded floral brooch on Sunday, March 15.

Thrill to magic in Smiths Falls

In a family-friendly afternoon show at the Station Theatre in Smiths Falls on Saturday, March 14, magician Michael Conway will keep the audience entertained with magic, illusions and comedy. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Visit a sugarbush

Many local sugarbushes are open for the season now, offering taffy on snow, wagon rides and lots of other amusements. Check out my big sugar shack guide for details on sugarbushes throughout Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais.

Browse for plus-size fashions in Ottawa

The Vintage PLUS Pop-Up Sale at the Next Door Market and Event Space (March 14 and 15) is a great opportunity to find plus-size vintage, pre-loved, handmade and indie clothing—all in sizes XL and up. More than 20 vendors will be at the event on Gladstone Avenue, near the Corso Italia O-Train station.

See mermaids in Brockville

The Aquatarium in Brockville is once again presenting its popular show Mermaids (March 14 to 22). Attractions at the family-friendly event include underwater performances by “actual Mermaids,” mermaid-themed activities and mermaid stories.

Catch a concert

Just about every day, I add a few shows to my huge list of local concerts. If you haven’t opened it lately, why not check in and see whether your favourite singer or band is due to swing through our region? This week alone, you can see Alan Doyle at the NAC, Angelique Francis in Orleans and Nepean, Maggie’s Wake in McDonald’s Corners and Athens, and Jennifer Noxon in Chelsea.

Cheer for your hockey heroes

There’s lots of hockey action happening in Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais this weekend.

• Ottawa Senators: At the Canadian Tire Centre, the Sens face off against arch rivals the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, March 11; the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on Saturday, March 14; and the San Jose Sharks on Sunday, March 15.
• Central Canada Hockey League: Games are happening all over Eastern Ontario this week, including in Ottawa, Rockland, Hawkesbury, Carleton Place, Kemptville, Cornwall, Brockville, Renfrew and Pembroke; check this link for more details.
• Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League: This week, you can catch games in Ottawa, Winchester, Smiths Falls, Casselman, Arnprior and Renfrew.
• Gatineau Olympiques: At Centre Slush Puppie in Gatineau, the Gatineau Olympiques are playing the Remparts de Québec on Friday, March 13, and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Saturday, March 14.

Make Ukrainian Easter eggs in Ottawa

The Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada Ottawa Branch is offering a whole day of pysanka workshops on Saturday, March 14, at the Ukrainian Orthodox Hall on Byron Avenue. Participants will learn one of two ways to use wax to create intricate designs on Easter eggs. If you can’t make it this week, the workshops will be repeated on Saturday, March 21.

See Curious George in Kingston

Looking to amuse young children this weekend? You could check out Curious George: The Golden Meatball, a new musical about everyone’s favourite inquisitive monkey. When George’s friend Chef Pisghetti faces competition from a rival meatball maker, George schemes to enter the Chef’s signature dish in the Golden Meatball Contest in Rome. The show is coming to the Kingston Grand Theatre on Sunday, March 15.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Ottawa got a big jump on its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations last weekend, when the St. Patrick’s Day Parade wound through downtown. (I mentioned it in last week’s calendar of events post.) Ottawa, and communities across Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais, are continuing the celebrations this week—even though St. Patrick’s Day itself isn’t until next week! Check out my St. Patrick’s Day guide for the scoop on events in Ottawa, Pakenham, Renfrew, Arnprior, Perth, Brockville, Ladysmith, Quyon, Shawville and lots of other places.

Meet an author in Almonte

Author Emily Austin will be discussing her novel Is This a Cry for Help? at the Almonte Branch of the Mississippi Mills Public Library on Thursday, March 12. The book’s main character is a librarian who returns to work after a mental breakdown only to face conflict with book-banning crusaders. The event is free, but advance registration is required.

Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.

As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.