From a Latin American film festival to concerts galore, there are lots of ways to have fun in and around Ottawa this week without leaving home (or your neighbourhood). You could even bid on the chance to co-host a local CBC Radio show for a day!
Buy from artisans online
Cheerfully Made’s Spring Market (May 6 to 9) gives you the chance to shop online for countless unique products made by local artisans and crafters.
Catch some Latin American movies
The Ottawa-based Canadian Film Institute is holding its annual Latin American Film Festival online this year (May 7 to 14). You can choose from more than a dozen movies from across Central and South America, including This Is Cristina, a black-and-white Chilean comedy about a newly separated 30-something woman who fights with her best friend and dives back into the dating world; Kimura, a Panamanian drama about a boxer with a tragic past; and The Goalkeeper, a Bolivian movie about a bus driver who tries to rescue a victim of sex trafficking. Individual tickets and multi-film passes are available, and the movies are presented with English subtitles.
Learn a new craft
Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Vanier Museopark is offering a free online craft class for children aged 3 to 8. The two-hour class will take place on Facebook starting at 10am on Saturday, May 8. In this one, tots will find out how to make “sweet words jam,” using paper, a mason jar and other simple supplies. Colour me intrigued.
The Globe and Mail’s free online craft club is back next week with another class. In this one (Tuesday, May 11, 7pm), adults will learn how to make a tiny bowl and spoon with instruction from Calgary miniaturist and artist Tom Brown. If you’d like to see recorded versions of previous craft club classes—including sessions on collaging and soap making—you’ll find them archived on the Globe’s website.
Enjoy a virtual show
On Friday, May 7, Lost Baggage Musical Theatre of Ottawa is presenting A Quarantunes Cabaret: Disney Edition, featuring local artists singing songs from Disney musicals. It sounds like fun for the whole family, and it streams live on YouTube at 7:30pm.
Westport’s Some Kind of Choir is presenting a free livestreamed concert on YouTube on Friday, May 7, beginning at 7pm.
Also on Friday, Broadhead Brewery is livestreaming a two-hour show by singer-songwriter-guitarist-drummer Ryan MacIntyre on Facebook, starting at 8pm.
That same evening, Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Loig Morin (see video above) will be releasing his new album during a National Arts Centre Canada Performs show, streaming live and free on Facebook at 8pm.
(By the way, did you know that hundreds of performances staged during the NAC’s Canada Performs series are still available to stream online, for free? Choose from concerts, readings, dance performances and more, by artists from across Canada.)
And the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival has had to overcome a few hurdles with this one, but its big-ticket fundraiser has been rescheduled and is a go for Wednesday, May 12. The 33z play Dolly Parton benefit concert and fundraising auction will see 33z (an ensemble of top Ottawa musicians, including Petr Cancura and Kellylee Evans) playing lots of Dolly’s beloved tunes. The auction items include everything from VIA Rail vouchers to the chance to co-host CBC Radio’s “All in a Day” with Alan Neal. You can also buy a snack package to enjoy with the concert, featuring treats from the SmoQue Shack, gin cocktails from Collective Arts Brewing and more.
Pop into a farmers’ market
Last week, I mentioned that the Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Lansdowne Park (Sundays, 9am to 3pm) had moved outside for the season. This week, the region’s farmers’ market circuit really kicks into high gear. Markets holding their season openers this weekend include the Kanata Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, 9am to 3pm, Kanata Centrum), the Carp Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, 8:30am to 1pm, Carp Fairgrounds), the Ottawa Farmers’ Market in Westboro (Saturdays, 9am to 3pm, Byron Linear Park) and the new York Street Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, 8am to 1pm, York Street) and the Carleton Place Farmers‘ Market (Saturdays, 8:30am to 12:30pm, 7 Beckwith Street). Note that the ByWard Market’s produce stands and the Parkdale Market are also now open (both daily, 9am to 5pm).
Go for a walk
Despite stay-at-home orders and other restrictions, we’re still allowed to go out for a walk—as long as we stay within our communities and keep our distance. If you’re seeking inspiration for your next urban stroll or nearby nature hike, why not check out some of these posts?
- Take an art walk in Westboro
- Six ways to shake up your neighbourhood walk
- A walk around Ottawa’s Little Italy
- Why you shouldn’t miss New Edinburgh-Lindenlea
- Hiking and walking in and around Ottawa
- Chelsea, Quebec: Hiking, shopping, bistros and more
Looking for more ideas for things to see and do in our region? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter.