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We ask ourselves these questions every day, and every day we try again to answer them, especially the one about pizza. 

Since we launched in April 2020, we’ve published our Ottawa-Gatineau Craft Brewery Map, given out the Best of Ottawa Awards, and emailed out approximately 1,000 newsletters. And we’re just getting started. You're going to love our new and improved events calendar, for one thing (coming soon!).

But for now, we’re asking if you can help out by signing up as a supporting member of the ottawan.

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– Martha and Darren

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OTTAWA STATS

Ottawan of the Day

• Halim Yanikomeroglu
• – The Systems and Computer Engineering professor at Carleton University has been named a fellow of the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association. The Association gathers 1,500 scientists in different disciplines to work on artificial intelligence in computing, communication, power, medicine, transportation, agriculture, education, and more. (Carleton University)

Quote

• “

• Ottawa Tourism, whatever you do, please do not announce a Tokyo trade mission around the time of the 2 March 2025 marathon.

• – Neil Saravanamuttoo in The 613 making fun of the idea of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe running the ‘big six’ marathons – New York, Chicago, Boston, Berlin, London and Tokyo – on the City’s dime. Sutcliffe has run in five of the cities, and will be participating in the London Marathon while he is there on an Ottawa Tourism junket. That leaves only one more city: Tokyo.

Sports

• 🏒 NHL Ottawa Senators 3 – Tampa Bay Lightning 2 last night

CITY HALL AGENDA

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

🚊 OC Transpo

•  The head of OC Transpo says $1 million per month shortfall is ‘not a huge concern’ . Renee Amilcar says that she hopes that higher levels of government will help out, as the agency has little money in its reserves. Amilcar does not favour a hybrid monthly transit pass for workers who only use transit a few days per week. (Arthur White-Crummey at CBC)
  
  ➕ Related OC Transpo’s internal scorecard shows 26 per cent of buses are late.

✈️ Ottawa International Airport

•  The chief executive officer of Porter Airlines hints at new routes to California, the west coast of Florida, Las Vegas, and the Caribbean. While making no promises or giving dates, Michael Deluce says the airline will be adding new markets over the next six to 24 months. Deluce says Ottawa is his second favourite airport after his airline’s original home, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. (David Sali in the Ottawa Business Journal)

🚨 Ottawa Police Service

•  An Ottawa constable who pleaded guilty to drunk driving in Gatineau has been charged with discreditable conduct under the Police Service Act. The constable led a high speed chase from Highway 5 in Gatineau across the bridge to a University of Ottawa parking lot. Arrested at gunpoint, the constable had twice the legal amount of alcohol and was fined $1,000. His lawyer said the fine was unfair as the constable struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. (Marlo Glass in the Ottawa Citizen) 

📎 Federal Public Employees

•  The president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada says that she has been suspended from her position. Jennifer Carr says that as of Wednesday night, she ‘had been stripped of all duties and access to the union’s network, building and staff’. The Institute says Carr is on leave and vice-president Eva Henshaw is the acting president. Neither Carr nor the Institute has said what happened or who made the decision. (Catherine Morrison in the Ottawa Citizen)
  
  ➕ Related The Union of Taxation Employees is recommending to Canada Revenue Agency call centre workers to file grievances if they are being asked to work outside the hours stated in the collective agreement.

🏘️ House Prices

•  Royal LePage says house prices in Ottawa will increase by 4 per cent by the end of the year. The real estate agency’s House Price Survey figures that the average house price will increase $34,000 to $788,662.  (Josh Pringle at CTV) (The Report)

📚 Ottawa Public Library

•  Part of a $750,000 donation will fund the restoration of a stained glass window from the original 1906 Carnegie-funded library. The Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association made the donation, which will be used to restore and install several public art pieces held by the Library into the new new central library and joint facility with Library and Archives Canada, Ādisōke. (Toula Mazloum at CTV) (Decent picture of the stained glass)

MORE FROM THE OTTAWAN

• 🍺 Our Ottawa-Gatineau Craft Brewery Map

•  

• 🏆 The Best Of Ottawa Awards 2023

•  

• 🎧 Best Podcasts from Ottawa

EVENTS

Is there an event we should know about?
Please use our easy event submission form

Today

•  It’s all about the laughs at the Luxe Blooms Ladies Comedy Night. $10

•  Get down at The Disco Fever Experience. Live musicians and singers bring the hits of the era to life at Théâtre du Casino in Gatineau.  

•  The list of reasons to head to Arts Court for the Ottawa Dance Directive Fundraiser Freakin’ Fun Friday goes something like this: popcorn, cupcakes, karaoke, DJ, dancing and crystal readings. It’s all rounded out with a performance by Compagnie ODD. Tickets from $27.96

•  Irish Film Festival Ottawa opens today with the drama Verdigris, followed by an after party. The festival runs until Sunday (April 14) at the Arts Court Theatre and Alma Duncan Salon.
   
•  Spend the evening watching nail-biting freestyle motocross tricks as FMX World Tour roars into The Arena at TD Place. Tonight only.
   

•  The way Spring is going so far it’s not hard to imagine that the Summer cottage season is far behind. Get ready with a trip to the Ottawa Cottage Life & Backyard Show, today through Sunday at EY Centre.

•  Michelle Thrush uses humour and honesty to tell the story of her transformation from a girl with a tumultuous childhood to Gemini Award-winning actor and artist. Inner Elder plays until Saturday (April 13) at the National Arts Centre’s Azrieli Studio.

•  Ottawa Little Theatre’s production of Grand Horizons continues until May 22.

•  ByTowne Cinema: Wicked Little Letters, La chimera, The People’s Joker

•  Mayfair Theatre: The Taste of Things, The Old Oak, Dawn of the Dead

  Gigs

•  Charlie Elder (5:30 pm) Mikhail Laxton. Montgomery Scotch Lounge

•  Remi’s Dance Floor Time Machine - A 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s Dance Party. House of TARG

•  Funk Yo Self, Aspects. Irene’s Pub Restaurant

•  Saturn Sunrise, Myles Bell Band, Sunny Spot. Avant-Garde bar

•  Funk Night with Brass Camel and Mecca of Stank. Rainbow Bistro

•  Queens of the Stone Age. Canadian Tire Centre

•  The Slackers with Some Ska Band. Overflow Brewing

•  Mikhail Laxton. Montgomery Scotch Lounge

•  Cam Kahin. Dominion Tavern

•  Korpiklaani, Visions of Atlantis, Illumishade. Brass Monkey

Tomorrow

•  DJs and other vinyl enthusiasts will find LPs, CDs, and other music treasures at Ottawa Record Fair III. Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
   

•  Michelle Thrush’s Inner Elder closes tonight. National Arts Centre’s Azrieli Studio.

•  Take refuge from the rain with the Whisky Tasting and Trivia Night by Ottawa Pipes & Drums at Brigid’s Well pub. Whisky Sommelier Robert Miller will take participants on a tour of four Scottish distillery regions. $50 for the tastings and trivia, or $20 without the whisky tasting.

•  This is the final weekend for maple activities as the 2024 season winds up. Visit Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm, Fulton’s Sugar Bush, or Proulx Maple & Berry Farm for a final wander through the (snowless) trails and a shopping trip for locally produced syrup.

•  Atletico Ottawa’s home opener against York United is also an awareness campaign for Canadian Blood Services. The ‘Save a Life’ initiative allows ticket holders to sign up for the Canadian Blood Services Stem Cell Registry.

•  Ottawa Cottage Life & Backyard Show continues at EY Centre.

•  New work by BC artist Erica Hawkes, who self-describes her style as "Nouveau-Seven" (she’s influenced by Art Nouveau and the Group of Seven) is up at Wall Space Gallery. The Verrnissage is this afternoon from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

•  Take your physical health to another level with an all day extravaganza that covers fitness classes, strength and bodyweight workouts, and more. Come for a workout or stay the whole day of classes and workshops. FitPalooza runs all day at Collège La Cité Athletic Facility and Excentricité, 801 Aviation Parkway, Building H, Ottawa.

•  Join the Fabrications 7th birthday celebrations on Saturday from 11:00 to 5:00 pm: the first 50 people to enter the store will receive a swag bag, and everyone gets a spin at the wheel of prizes. There will also be cake, but you know cake eventually runs out, so get there early. 1677 Carling Ave.

•  House of TARG takes us back to the 90s with Big Shiny Tunes LIVE with VJ Jeff The Temp. Toronto tribute band Big Shiny ‘90s will play all the best music of the era. Doors open at 9:00 pm. $12 cover.

•  The new Pet Valu at 1295 Carling Ave opens with a Rescue Event: meet pets looking for forever homes courtesy of Forever Family Dog Rescue. Nail trims are also available for a donation. 11:00 am - 3:00 pm.

•  Global Pet Foods in Orléans is also holding an Adoptables event and nail trims will be available for $15. 1675 Tenth Line Road.

•  Take the entire family to see some grown ups wrestle for glory at the Megaslam event at Dom Polski Hall. Catch singles and tag team matches all night long. Presented by Acclaim Pro Wrestling.

•  ByTowne Cinema: Wicked Little Letters, La chimera, The People’s Joker

•  Mayfair Theatre: Twelve Tales, The Taste of Things, Dawn of the Dead, Saturday Night Sinema

  Gigs

•  Retro/Underground classic goth night. Swizzles Bar and Grill

•  Petr Cancura and Marc Deho. Art House Café

•  New Wave Dance Party with The Underground. Taproom 260

•  Midnight Mayday. Bar Robo

•  Kaeley Jade (5:30 pm and 7:30 pm), Klo E and Samie. Montgomery Scotch Lounge

•  Hot 89.9’s Totally 2000s Dance Party. Bronson Centre Music Theatre

•  Murray Kinsley, Wicked Grin. Irene’s Pub Restaurant

•  Class of 91, Drift Current, Juventud. Dominion Tavern

•  Sarah Segal-Lazar, Jumpin Joel Flash, the Magic Machine, Ottawa Guitar Trio. Rainbow Bistro

•  Bobby Dove. National Arts Centre

•  Benj Rowland, Ali McCormick. Red Bird

•  Ball & Chain, the Wreckers. Atomic Rooster

•  Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum, Wilderen. Brass Monkey

Sunday

•  Back for a 3rd year, the Black Business Expo is an opportunity to find more than 100 Black-owned businesses under one roof. It’s also a day of networking, shopping, entertainment, and discovery, and great food. Meet Black business owners and shop the products and services, or listen as panels discuss all things entrepreneurship. Tickets from $6.66.

•  Find out what happens to our singing voices as we age with Choral Singing and the Aging Voice - Why Does My Voice Wobble? Presented by Live from the Glebe.

•  The Eastern Ontario Craft & Gift Spring Market brings 90 vendors to Nepean Sportsplex. If you like free admission, door prizes, a raffle, and potentially scoring the perfect Mothers Day gift, get yourself there between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

•  It's Ottawa Cottage Life & Backyard Show's final day at EY Centre.

•  Cantata Singers of Ottawa perform a programme of songs inspired by ice and snow. The music selections originate in Arctic countries including Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Canada.

•  Take your tastebuds on an adventure as Soca Kitchen extends its Blind Tapas Tasting to Sundays from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 224 Beechwood Ave.

•  ByTowne Cinema: Limbo, Wicked Little Letters, La chimera, Exhuma

•  Mayfair Theatre: Mamma Mia! Sinaglong, The Taste of Things, Dawn of the Dead

  Gigs

•  Blues & Brews Concert Series - JW Jones solo. Bistro L’Autre Oeil (Aylmer QC)

•  Roots Movement Band. Atomic Rooster

•  Voices for Palestine - A Concert for Children’s Relief. Rainbow Bistro

•  The Wakefield Conspiracy featuring CLEAR, The Land, and Alasdair Gillis (3:00 pm show). Irene’s Pub Restaurant

•  The Sunday Night Revue. Irene’s Pub Restaurant

Monday

• Although there’s no need to dress ‘fancy,’ A Very Vine Improv Show Spring Fling declares that the night will be “tasteful” and the laughs will be “delightful.” Tickets $10.

• Find out why photographer Curtis Perry has been called ‘an artist with the camera’ (Sarah Slean) in his exhibition State of Play at Art House Café.

• ByTowne Cinema: La chimera, Wicked Little Letters

• Mayfair Theatre: The Old Oak, The Taste of Things, Enter the Clones of Bruce

  Gigs

• Bluegrass Mondays featuring Tyler Comeau and Highway 10. Red Bird

• Open Mic Night. Art House Café

• Karaoke Mondaze. Atomic Rooster
   

Just Announced / Now Booking

• In its ninth year, the 2024 Common Markets Spring edition once again takes over the lobby spaces of the National Arts Centre for one day only. Taking place Sunday May 5 from 11:00 pm to 4:00 pm, it will be one of your final opportunities to find something locally made to give to Mom the following week.

• Creative Continuum 2024’s theme, GARDENING, invites participants to view our local arts community as more than an ecosystem – it is a garden requiring cooperation, intention, and care. Creative Continuum 2024 will explore topics like climate action, place-making, and creative entrepreneurship that bring together community, artists, and change-makers to generate forward-thinking, action-oriented discussions. Friday May 10 at Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource (815 St. Laurent Blvd).

• Ottawa Art Gallery’s Give to Get Art Auction is not only one of the coolest events on the Ottawa social calendar; the funds raised help keep admission to the space free and assist local artists. For the first time this year, in addition to artworks participants will also bid on the chance to win commissions from a variety of artists. Tickets from $150.43. Thursday May 16 at the Alma Duncan Salon, Arts Court.

• Experience Greece without the hassle of air travel. Maker Food Co’s Greece Tasting Menu will pair a tasting menu with five fantastic wine selections. $139.99 per person, Wednesday May 22.

DEALS OF THE DAY

BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

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