From an Easter Bunny Hop in Kemptville and a comedy show at Carlingwood to international jazz in Chelsea and Irish movies at Arts Court (or online), there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais this weekend!
Cover photo of rabbit by Gary Bendig on Unsplash.
Catch a concert in Nepean, Chelsea, Morrrisburg, Cornwall or Pembroke
As part of the St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage series, Juno-winning singer-songwriter Leela Gilday will be on stage at the Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg on Friday, April 8. Based in the Northwest Territories, the Dene artist is known for her captivating storytelling. Opening the concert will be Ottawa singer-songwriter Jack Pine.
Friday is also the night that the Music at Mill Road series will present an international jazz concert at La FAB sur Mill in Chelsea. The six musicians’ influences include everything from Brazilian bossa nova to Tanzanian folk music.
That same night, ABBA tribute band ABBA Revisited will be playing Pembroke’s Festival Centre for the Arts. On Saturday, the Legendary Downchild Blues Band will be in the same venue, with Juno-nominated singer Miss Emily as their opening act.
Also on Saturday, April 9, country star Meghan Patrick is bringing her new tour to the Meridan Theatres @ Centrepointe in Nepean, with Kris Barclay opening. And in Cornwall, famed Canadian cellist Ofra Harnoy—winner of five Junos and a member of the Order of Canada—will be playing with her namesake trio at the Aultsville Theatre.
Enjoy Irish movies in Ottawa
This year’s Irish Film Festival Ottawa (April 8 to 14) is a hybrid event, with live screenings at the Arts Court Theatre in downtown Ottawa and movies streaming online as well. Films include the comedy/drama Death of a Ladies’ Man, starring Gabriel Byrne as a carousing college professor; Steps of Freedom, a documentary about Irish dance; and Doinnean, a thriller about a man searching for his missing wife and son.
Learn about the Arctic in Arnprior
Explorer David Reid will be giving a presentation on Friday, April 8, about one of the more under-the-radar Arctic explorers, Dr. John Rae. Even though Rae was the first to discover what happened to the Franklin expedition, his story has gone largely untold, until now. The in-person event at the Arnprior and District Museum is free, but you need to reserve in advance by phone or email (details are in the link).
Enjoy Easter fun in Kemptville
Kemptville is getting a “jump” on its Easter festivities by hosting its Easter Bunny Hop a week before the long weekend! On Saturday, April 9, from 10am to 1pm, many businesses in downtown Kemptville will be giving out treats to kids and, in some cases, organizing fun activities for the little ones. For instance, the To Be Continued consignment shop will be having a colouring contest, and the Get Cronk’d Fitness Studio will set up an all-ages obstacle course. Look for the Easter Bunny Hop poster in the window of participating businesses.
Be part of a live comedy recording in Ottawa
Ottawa comic Jenn Hayward will be headlining two shows (at 7pm and 9pm) by some of Ottawa’s top comedians at Cobrie restaurant at the Carlingwood Shopping Centre on Friday, April 8. The shows will be part of a live album for Howl & Roar Records. Have your laugh recorded for posterity! (The video above is one of the episodes of her YouTube series, Jenn Tries Stuff.)
Check out a new maker space in Ottawa
Makers and the people who love to buy their products have a new place in Ottawa to meet and mingle: 70B Beech. The artists’ hub is launching this weekend with an opening pop-up sale, in person and online (April 8 to 16).
Looking for more ideas for things to see and do in our region? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or pick up a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide, from which this post is adapted.
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.