It’s a super-eclectic lineup this week, with everything from a classical music fun run in Kingston to a free music festival in Arnprior. I have the scoop on three theatre premieres, a canoe clinic at Frontenac Provincial Park, a horse-lovers’ day, a vegetarian festival, a book fair, Doors Open Ottawa…all sorts of things to lure you off the couch and onto the road. Happy travels!
Chill out in Chelsea
Chelsea Days takes place this weekend (June 3 to 5) in the popular Gatineau Hills village. The roster of activities includes an open-air showing of the movie Pan, art exhibits, an open mic night, free fitness classes, cat-themed workshops at the local cat café, a music festival, geocaching and more.
Browse for jewellery in Burnstown
The Bittersweet Gallery in Burnstown is holding its spring open house on Saturday, June 4, showcasing the work of jewellery designer Anne-Marie Chagnon. Proceeds from sales that day will go to support ovarian cancer research.
Get literary in Wellington Village
Photo copyright Laura Byrne Paquet.
Prose in the Park (June 3 to 4) is a free festival celebrating writing in its many forms. It starts with a poetry reading on Friday night at the Origin Studio, 57 Lyndale Avenue, then moves outdoors to Parkdale Park (next to the Parkdale Market) with panels and a book fair on Saturday.
Enjoy free tunes in Arnprior
Bluegrass, county, Celtic and other traditional tunes will be wafting out over Robert Simpson Park this Saturday, June 4, during the Arklan Priorpalooza Music Festival in Arnprior. The free event features concerts by almost a dozen acts and also includes dragon boat rides, face painting, food vendors and a beach!
Prep for the wilderness at Frontenac Provincial Park
Looking to polish your camping and canoeing skills? All sorts of workshops are going on this weekend at Frontenac Provincial Park north of Kingston. There’s a canoe clinic on Saturday, June 4, and workshops on tarping and “single burner gourmet cooking” on Sunday, June 5.
Peek behind closed doors in Ottawa
Photo of interior of Laurier House National Historic Site (former home of two prime ministers) copyright Laura Byrne Paquet.
Ever wanted a glimpse inside a high commission or a Hindu temple? Curious about what goes on at Le Cordon Bleu or the National Research Council? This weekend is your chance to see inside dozens of the capital’s buildings during Doors Open Ottawa (June 4 and 5). The free event features everything from a guide dog training centre to a former prime ministerial residence.
Get your exercise on the 1000 Islands Parkway or in Kingston
Celebrate National Health and Fitness Day by participating in the first annual 1000 Islands Parkway Challenge on Saturday, June 4. Enjoy scenic views of the St. Lawrence River as you run, walk, bike or travel by wheelchair for 15K, from Brown’s Bay to the Rockport Recreation Hall. Then enjoy the rewards: a barbecue lunch, a tour of Rockport and live entertainment.
If you want to register for the Beat Beethoven Run in Kingston on Sunday, June 5, you’d better hurry—registrations close on Thursday, June 2. The twist with this 8K race or 4K fun run/walk is that you have to get to the finish line before the Kingston Symphony finishes playing 50 minutes of Beethoven music.
Catch a play in Kingston or Perth
Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre isn’t the first novel I would think of making into a novel, personally, but it sounds like this production manages it without the need for can-can dancers, helicopters or crashing chandeliers. It sounds quite intriguing, actually. Jane Eyre: The Musical is on for three nights (June 2 to 4) at the Grand Theatre in Kingston.
If you’re in the mood for something a bit lighter, Kingston’s Domino Theatre is presenting Calendar Girls (June 2 to 18). The comedy—based on a true story—tells the tale of a group of “mature” women who raise funds for a hospital renovation by posing nude for a calendar.
And if you sometimes “tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen/pour yourself a cup of ambition,” then you’ll be interested in Studio Theatre Perth’s production of 9 to 5: The Musical. It’s based on the hit 1980 Dolly Parton movie about working women getting their revenge on an evil boss. (And, yes, I know many more of the lyrics by heart. I watched that movie a lot in high school. In fact, I may still have s blazer with giant shoulder pads somewhere in the back of my closet.)
Browse for art in Chesterville
Photo courtesy of Art on the Waterfront.
A two-day festival celebrating all things artistic unrolls this weekend in Chesterville: Art on the Waterfront (June 4 and 5). With more than 50 artists and vendors on hand, you’ll find lots to see and do (and buy!). As well as artists’ stalls, there will be live music, kids’ activities, a talent show, a quilting show, model train displays and all sorts of other fun.
Chow down on cheese in Picton
Crazy about Camembert? Batty about Brie? Then head to Picton in Prince Edward County this weekend for the Great Canadian Cheese Festival (June 4 and 5). One of the country’s biggest cheese shows, it features a food court, a grilled cheese competition, seminars on charcuterie and craft beer (and how well they pair with cheese, of course), tasting opportunities galore and much more.
Start your engines in Kingston
Great big trucks doing amaaaazing things! If souped-up vehicles are your cup of tea, Kingston is the place to be this Friday, June 3, for Monster Spectacular at the K-Rock Centre. You can even get tickets for something called Extreme Seats!
Channel your inner hippie in Almonte
Flickr/Creative Commons photo by Nick Page.
Do you like puppies, campfire songs, burritos, tie-dying and communal suppers? Most importantly, do you like Volkswagen camper vans? If so, here’s the weekend event for you: BusFusion, an annual VW van gathering in Almonte (June 2 to 5).
Get your art fix and support refugees in Old Ottawa South
Two events will draw visitors to Windsor Park on the shore of the Rideau River (just north of Billings Bridge) this Sunday, June 5. The popular Windsor Park Art Show features more than 30 artists and artisans, including photographers, jewellery makers, painters, potters and more. Also in the park, the Food Fundraiser for Refugees offers the chance to sample dishes from Syria and Burundi, while supporting local refugee families from those countries.
Kick back with the blues in Wakefield
The Lucas Haneman Express rolls into the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield on Friday, June 3, to entertain the crowd with a unique take on the blues. The show starts at 9pm.
Enjoy traditional drumming and dancing in Maniwaki
Take in a weekend filled with First Nations drumming and dancing at the Kitigan Zibi Traditional Pow Wow (June 4 and 5) in Maniwaki. The free event starts each day with a sunrise ceremony, then features prayers and blessings for the competitors before the performances. There are youth games and a dinner on Saturday night, and the pow wow concludes on Sunday with a feast.
Eat your greens in Ottawa
Flickr/Creative Commons photo by Michael Stern.
Vegetarians, vegans and those who just want to eat better will be making their way to the RA Centre this weekend for Ottawa Veg Fest (June 4 and 5). With presentations, cooking demonstrations and a marketplace featuring roughly 80 vendors, you’ll come away with fewer excuses for not eating beets or broccoli.
Bike ’til you drop in upstate New York or Montreal
The Wilmington Whiteface Bike Fest takes to the slopes of the Adirondacks this weekend (June 3 to 5) in Wilmington, New York. While it’s mainly for serious mountain bikers, non-cyclists can watch trick riders or enjoy family activities such as face painting.
Meanwhile, the Go Bike Montreal Festival is running until Sunday, June 5, with several bike tours on the island of Montreal.
Pet a horse in Nepean
Ottawa Horse Day is a chance for families to get up close with horses and learn more about them. There will be pony rides, show jumping demonstrations and polo games, as well as food vendors, kids’ activities and lots of other fun. It all happens at Wesley Clover Parks at 401 Corkstown Road.
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