This week, you could be sipping martinis in Perth, enjoying a Bach concert in Montreal, seeing a play in Russell or Wakefield, or hiking on snowshoes in Gatineau Park. And if you want to delve into all things Christmas, you could check out a holiday shopping event, craft fair or Santa Claus parade. Happy road tripping!
Enjoy world music in Cornwall
Ladom Ensemble—whose blend of chamber and world music combines piano, cello, accordion and percussion, as well as Argentinean tango, Serbian folk traditions, Persian classical repertoire and progressive rock influences—are giving an afternoon matinée show at the Aultsville Theatre in Cornwall on Sunday, November 24.
See a play in Wakefield or Russell
In Wakefield this weekend, you can see a play by Ron Stoltz about the effects of Quebec’s independence movement and referendum on a group of friends. A co-production of Theatre Wakefield and Dramatic Effect Productions, Maîtres Chez Nous is on stage at the Centre Wakefield La Pêche from November 22 to 24. (If you can’t catch it this weekend, it’s also playing on November 29 and 30.)
The latest production from the Russell Association of the Performing Arts, Noises Off, is a rollicking farce about life backstage at a theatre company—full of bruised egos, slapstick and the odd flying sardine. It’s on at Russell High School from November 20 to 23.
Ride a train with Santa in Smiths Falls
The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario is running its hugely popular North Pole Express event, which gives kids the chance to enjoy a 2km ride on a vintage train with Santa, on November 23 and 24, and December 1. Buy your tickets in advance to be sure of a spot.
Catch an Ian Tamblyn show in Shawville
Local folk icon Ian Tamblyn has been writing and performing since 1972, so he will have a substantial back catalogue to draw from when he gives a show at the Little Red Wagon Winery in Shawville in Saturday, November 23.
Hike in Gatineau Park
The Ottawa Rambling Club has organized a 12km snowshoe hike near Curley Lake in the northwest corner of Gatineau Park on Saturday, November 23. Participants are advised to bring boots, spikes and/or snowshoes, depending on the weather. Guests are welcome; see details on the club’s website under the “About” tab.
Hear Bach in Montreal
Artists from around the world come to Montreal each year to celebrate the music of Johann Sebastian Bach during the Montreal Bach Festival (November 22 to December 7). This year, the choices include a free concert of works by Bach, Brahms and others by Shin-Young Lee at St. Joseph’s Oratory (Sunday, November 24) and two performances of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio by the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (December 3 and 4).
Shop in Westport or Westboro
Boutiques in the pretty village of Westport will likely be thronged on Friday, November 22, during the Holiday Hop and Shop event. You can get entries in a prize draw by visiting a range of local merchants, and shops will be open until 8pm.
The next day, there’s a Vintage Holiday Pop-Up Show at the Westboro Legion in Ottawa. Twenty local vendors will be selling vintage clothing, collectibles, handcrafted giftware and more. The $2 entrance fee benefits the Westboro Region Food Bank.
See Matilda The Musical in Ottawa
Looking for a fun holiday show for the kids? The first-ever production in Ottawa of Matilda The Musical comes to the Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe from November 22 to December 1, courtesy of Orpheus Musical Theatre. Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company created this musical version of Roald Dahl’s classic tale of a smart and imaginative little girl who dreams of a better life—and dares to reach out and get it.
Raise a toast in Perth
Martini Madness in Perth is a one-night celebration on Friday, November 22. Eight restaurants have created special cocktails, appetizers and desserts for the evening—everything from cotton candy martinis and duck confit tacos to salted caramel cake.
See Paw Patrol Live! in Kingston (or next week in Ottawa)
If you have little ones, you’ve probably heard of Paw Patrol. (“Heard of it?” I hear you ask. “I hear it 24/7!”) And you’ll be a hero if you take your kids to see Paw Patrol Live!: Race to the Rescue in Kingston (November 19 and 20). If you can’t get to Kingston this week, no worries; the same show is coming to the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on November 30 and December 1.
Hear Aznavour or Eagles songs in Orleans
In Formidable! Aznavour—The History of a Legend, singer Jules Grison—accompanied by five French musicians—brings the classic songs of Charles Aznavour to the stage of the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans on Tuesday, November 19.
Later in the week, the same venue is hosting a tribute show called Take It Easy: The Music of the Eagles (Friday, November 22). The show includes many of the band’s greatest hits, as well as solo hits made famous by Don Henley and Joe Walsh.
See Santa in Russell, Carleton Place, Rockland, Kemptville and beyond
Santa Claus parades continue this weekend with eight events, including parades in Russell, Carleton Place, Rockland and Kemptville. See my Santa Claus parades post for the full list.
Take a horse-drawn Christmas lights tour in Belleville
On select evenings from November 20 until December 18, the County Carriage Company will be running one-hour Christmas lights tours by horse-drawn trolley in Belleville. The trolley holds up to 15 guests, and a guide talks about the city’s history as the tour winds its way through town.
Get your gourmet fix in Toronto
Heading to Toronto? Feeling hungry? Then check out the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo, a massive event that draws crowds of food lovers to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre annually. Seriously—it’s a sea of fancy fare as far as the eye can see. This year’s event (November 21 to 24) features cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs; a “tasting stage” for wine, beer and spirits; live entertainment; and samples of countless beverages and food products. Even Dan Aykroyd will be on hand (to crown the winner of a Caesar-making competition).
Check out even more craft fairs!
It is Christmas craft fair-a-palooza this weekend, people. If you’re looking for unique handmade items, you’ll probably never find more of a selection than you will in the next seven days. My giant list of Christmas craft fairs and art shows includes 26—yes, 26!—events taking place this week, from Orleans and Barrhaven to Bourget, Smiths Falls, Kemptville, Cornwall, Montebello and Merrickville.
Hear cutting-edge music in Kingston
Looking to shake up your musical senses? Then Tone Deaf, an avant-garde music and sound festival in Kingston, might do the trick. Just to give you an idea of what you could hear, Ann Warde’s installation at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts is “an interactive sound installation that encompasses a variety of sound textures made by vocalizations of animals and subsequent alterations of those vocalizations.” The festival runs from November 18 to 24.
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