WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
TODAY
Cyclists, engage: The annual meeting of the Citizens for Safe Cycling brings together organizations and people to talk about cycling routes and improvements. Open to all, 6:30 p.m., Tom Brown Arena, 141 Bayview Rd. The keynote speaker is Fraser McLaughlin of Montreal’s Eco-Counter. Cost: Free, but register in advance on eventbrite.ca. The World of Women social networking for entrepreneurs is hosting a social wine tasting to launch the Prescott-Russell chapter. Domaine Perreault winery, 1000 Perreault Rd., Navan. Tickets: $35.
TUESDAY
The Home Run is a 5K to raise awareness about refugees and stateless people, while raising funds for the Refugee 613 network, helping newcomers start their lives in our city. 7 p.m., 55 Colonel By Dr. Cost: $40. runottawa.ca
WEDNESDAY
The Gladstone Theatre’s DeathFest — a tribute to the gore of William Shakespeare — started with Desdemona, and continues with Macbeth, opening at 7:30 p.m., on until Oct. 1. Tickets: $22 to $38. thegladstone.ca Got some lip-synch mad skillz to shame Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anna Kendrick into quitting? There’s a throwdown for solo or groups at Live on Elgin, 8 p.m., 220 Elgin St. Be warned: there will be theatrical sorts at this battle, as it’s a fundraiser for the new Pretty Ugly Theatre Company. Tickets: $12 at the door; battlers $20/2 person group, $5 for each additional member, includes door fee.
THURSDAY
The Metcalfe Fair, a tradition since 1885, begins today on 24 acres just south of Ottawa, with a cattle show at 11 a.m., midway rides from 4 p.m. and a demolition derby at 7 p.m., continuing all weekend with music, including Ambush ($15 in advance) on Saturday night, 2821 8th Line Rd. Admission: $3 to 10, weekend passes $10 to $25. metcalfefair.com Join in a panel on indigenous resistance after a screening of the documentary When Two Worlds Collide (Peru, 8 p.m.), at the One World Film Festival, which runs over three days. Friday is a night of stories from the Syrian crisis, including the Canadian première of After Spring, produced by The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart, and a series of short films made by girls living in Jordan’s refugee camps. On Saturday see The Black Panthers: Vanguard of a Revolution (7:15 p.m., with a panel discussion on activism to follow), all at Library and Archives Canada. Tickets: $12 to $15. oneworldfilmfestival.ca Swan Lake becomes Swan Loch, with Caithream Celtic Dance Fusion, combining highland and modern dance, with four shows over three days, starting at 7:30 p.m., Shenkman Arts Centre, 25 Centrum Blvd. Tickets: $15 to $20. shenkmanarts.ca
FRIDAY
#MacMyCheese festival opens its ooey-gooey goodness doors just in time for lunch, and quick half at the craft beer hall, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., then on all weekend at Festival Plaza, at city hall. Admission: Free. macmycheesefest.ca Then “come on down” for The Price is Right and a chance to spin The Big Wheel, play Plinko and, maybe, win a new car, 8 p.m., TD Place. Tickets: $58.65 to $68.65. tdplace.ca Oktoberfest returns to Barrhaven: Start the weekend with some craft beer (plus wine, and cider and espresso and schnitzel and poutine); there’ll be an oompah band and a human foosball tournament. From 4 p.m., Clarke Fields Park. On Saturday local musicians Lemon Cash and The Start play. Tickets: $20/day. oktoberfestottawa.com
SATURDAY
Brain-eating monsters hunt down the runners on the Zombie Run for Humanity obstacle course. Zombies should be on site for 9 a.m., and human runners leave in waves every 15 minutes from 10:45 a.m. to noon, Karters Korner, 6336 Fallowfield Rd., Stittsville. Cost: $59.50 to $69.50 for runners; $49.50 to $59.50 for zombies. zombierunforhumanity.com Culture Days brings free access to art, dance, theatre and art across the region, much of it hands-on: enjoy Nigerian drumming at the Museum of History, try glass-blowing, toddler crafts at the library, try dance of all kinds: from Persian to ballet (for all ages). Full schedule: culturedays.ca. Tokyo master Ikebana instructor Koka Fukushima will demonstrate her avant-garde style of Japanese flower-arranging, hosted by the Embassy of Japan, 7 p.m., Canadian Museum of History theatre, 100 Laurier St. Gatineau. Advance tickets: $25: 613-852-4522 or cmcaughery@rogers.com. www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp No drink tickets needed at Whisky Ottawa tasting event, where samples are included in the ticket price, along with relevant cocktails and snacks, 7 to 10 p.m., War Museum, 1 Vimy Plc. Tickets: $109, $149 for VIP tickets including an hour earlier start, tutored tastings and a whisky debate master class. whiskeyottawa.ca
SUNDAY
Get your hands dirty at International Archaeology Days at the Archeaological Institute of America, noon to 3 p.m., Desmarais Building, University of Ottawa. Interactive portion runs from noon to 2 p.m., followed by university students sharing stories. Cost: Free. archaeological.org The Zombie Walk is on in downtown to benefit the Ottawa Food Bank. Audrey’s Costume Castle is helping with funding and providing makeup for the zombies and door prizes. Starts at about 4 p.m. at city hall. Free Fall Fest with scavenger hunts, bouncy obstacle course, live music, barbecue and food contests for best pie, jam, bread and soup, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Windsor Park, 1 Windsor Ave. (Those competing in the soup category should bring a full pot.) The 15th Ottawa Community Record Show, with vinyl and CDs (maybe even 8-tracks and cassettes) with DJ Andrew McKean, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Anthony’s Banquet Hall, 523 St. Anthony St. Admission: $4.