This week, it seems as though everyone is waking up from their post-holiday slumber. The schedule is filling up again, with events ranging from a home renovation show in Ottawa and an Agatha Christie play in Kingston to an electronic music festival in Montreal and a blues/gospel concert in Morrisburg. Happy travels!
Browse for local products in Russell
Photo courtesy of the Living Locally Fair.
More than 140 exhibitors—including farmers, food producers, artisans, and representatives of community groups—are expected to be on hand for the 10th annual Living Locally Fair at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School in Russell (Saturday, January 20). If shopping makes you hungry, you can buy a bowl of soup or chili, or just head straight for the baked goods (that would be my choice!). Don’t forget to bring a food bank donation! Admission is free.
Enjoy a winter festival in Pakenham, Renfrew, Laurentian Valley, Petawawa or Embrun
It seems we’ve collectively decided that the way to face all this snow and ice is to get outside and play in them. As a result, there are winter festivals galore on the schedule this weekend, all of them featuring some combination of glow-stick snowshoeing, hot chocolate, outdoor hockey, pancake breakfasts, comedy shows, polar bear plunges, spaghetti suppers…well, you get the idea!
Events this weekend include the Pakenham Frost Festival (January 18 to 27), Frewfest in Renfrew (January 19 to 21), the Alice in Winterland Carnival in Laurentian Valley, near Pembroke (January 20 to 27), Cabin Fever in Petawawa (January 20 to 28) and the Embrun Carnival (January 19 to 28). Looking for ideas later in the winter? Check out my list of more than 30 winter festivals.
Get wedding ideas in Kemptville
The 5th annual Bride and Groom Show is coming to the eQuinelle Golf and Resident Club in Kemptville on Saturday, January 20. Vendors include photographers, caterers, venues, limo companies, wedding planners and more, and there will be a mobile bridal fashion show. Many vendors will be running contests and draws, and visitors are eligible to win a $3,000 door prize of a photo or video package. And admission is free! See the video above from the 2016 show for a taste of the festivities.
See an Agatha Christie play in Kingston
Looking for a classic mystery? Domino Theatre is presenting Murder on the Nile, based on Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, at the Davies Foundation Auditorium in Kingston from January 18 through February 3 (on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays). It features the usual Christie cast of intriguing characters, including a pair of newlyweds, a jilted fiancée, a grumpy aunt and a talkative socialist. Interestingly, though, Hercule Poirot—who appears in both the book and the 1978 movie based on it—doesn’t show up in the theatrical script.
Have a gourmet beer dinner in Foresters Falls
This event is actually next week, but because it’s a mid-week shindig and spaces are limited, I thought I’d give you some extra time to plan. The Whitewater Brewing Company in Foresters Falls is holding a Winter Blues Brewer’s Dinner on Wednesday, January 24. Guests will enjoy a five-course meal, including goodies such as lamb loin roulade and seared scallops, paired with craft beers.
Enjoy Blues on the Rideau in Westport
Chase away the winter blues…with some blues! Toronto’s Juno-winning Jack de Keyzer Band is coming to the Cove Country Inn in Westport on January 19 and 20 as part of the Blues on the Rideau series.
See movies about outdoor sports in Kingston
The Best of the Banff Mountain Film Festival showcases award-winning movies from the Alberta festival, which focuses on mountain sports, adventure and the environment. If you missed it at the ByTowne earlier this month you can catch it in Kingston this week (January 20 to 22).
Get home renovation ideas in Ottawa
Planning some renovations this year? Get inspiration at the Ottawa Home and Remodelling Show at the EY Centre (January 18 to 21). There’s a large roster of speakers, seminars and suppliers, including an appearance by HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler and free chalk-painting workshops. If you buy your tickets online in advance, you’ll save $3.
Celebrate winter in Montreal
Photo of dogsledding at la Fête des Neiges de Montréal © Parc Jean-Drapeau, Gilles Proulx.
This weekend marks the beginning of the four-weekend Fête des Neiges de Montréal (January 20 to February 11). The family-oriented winter festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau features concerts, ice slides, zip-lining, dogsledding, ice-sculpting shows, axe throwing, a life-sized Foosball game and other fun.
Sip wine for charity in Cornwall
You can raise a glass for a good cause at the Seaway International Wine Festival in Cornwall on Saturday, January 20. The event—a fundraiser for the Alzheimer Society of Cornwall and District—features wine, beer and other spirits from around the world, along with live entertainment and gourmet goodies catered by the Ramada Hotel.
Kick back to some gospel and roots music in Morrisburg
Dion Taylor, with her band the Backsliderz, brings her energetic mix of blues, roots, gospel and soul music to the stage at the Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg on Saturday, January 20. A prodigy, she was the musical director of a Regina church by the time she was 10. Ten! Makes me wonder what I’ve been doing with my life. 🙂
Test your knowledge in Renfrew or Eganville
The Renfrew Public Library is holding a fundraising trivia night at Ma-Te-Way Community Hall on Friday, January 19. Teams of six will compete to answer 100 questions. That same night, the Royal Canadian Legion in Eganville is holding a combined trivia night and dance to raise money for the Eganville Food Bank.
Dance till you drop in Montreal
This Thursday sees the launch of Igloofest, a three-weekend electronic music festival on the Jacques Cartier Quay in the Old Port of Montreal (January 18 to February 3). With DJs and musicians from multiple countries—Canada, the U.S., the U.K., the Netherlands and Spain, to name a few—you’ll be able to dance yourself warm no matter how far the mercury falls.
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