OUT OF TOWN

ALMONTE CELTFEST. July 10 to 12. The festival keeps Celtic heritage alive in the Ottawa Valley. Musical performers include Hadrian’s Wall, a local band that blends Celtic music with jazz and rock; The Peelers, a Celtic punk band; and Steel City Rovers, a Celtic roots band. See website for ticket information. Gemmill Park, 182 Bridge St., Almonte, almonteceltfest.com. FREE ART IN THE BARN. July 10 to 12. Now in its fifth year, this event sees more than 40 artists who belong to the Rideau Lakes Artists’ Association display and sell their work to art lovers from around the region. Lombardy Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, Highway 15 at Kelly’s Road, Lombardy, rideaulakesartists.com. CALABOGIE BLUES AND RIBFEST. Aug. 14 to 16. Juicy ribs, soulful blues, and family-friendly activities come together at this summer festival in Calabogie. This year’s performers include Americana blues guitarist Keb’ Mo’ and electric blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland. Camping for tents and RVs is available on-site. See website for ticket and camping information. Calabogie Peaks Resort, 30 Barrett Chute Rd., 613-752-2720, calabogieblues.com. CLASSIC THEATRE FESTIVAL. July 10 to Aug. 2: Barefoot in the Park. In this Neil Simon comedy, which features a colourful cast of New York characters, a free-spirited wife teaches her husband, a buttoned-down lawyer, to stop and smell the roses. $30. Aug. 7 to 30: Wait Until Dark. In this classic thriller, written by English playwright Frederick Knott of Dial M for Murder fame, a blind woman fends off a gang of drug runners who have invaded her apartment. $30. 54 Beckwith St. E., Perth, 877-283-1283, classictheatre.ca.

GLENGARRY HIGHLAND GAMES. July 31 and

Aug. 1. One of North America’s largest celebrations of Celtic heritage, the festival includes piping, fiddling, dancing, sports, pageantry, and food. See website for schedule and ticket information. 34 Fair St., Maxville, 613-527-2876, glengarryhighlandgames.com. MOUNTAIN MAN MUSIC FESTIVAL. June 26 to 28. Formerly the Calabogie Country Music Festival, this event brings an impressive collection of Ontario musicians into the spotlight, with acts such as the Steve Marinner Band, Whisky Legs Trio, Adam Karch, Al Wood, and Andria Simone headlining. More than a dozen other artists covering a variety of genres take the stage over the three days of the festival. Camping for tents and RVs is available on-site. See website for ticket, schedule, and camping information. Calabogie Peaks Resort, 30 Barrett Chute Rd., 613-752-2720, mountainmanfestival.com.

PERTH GARLIC FESTIVAL. Aug. 8 and 9. This festival pays homage to the “stinking rose,” a herb that for centuries has played a role in cooking, healing, and (reportedly) warding off vampires. Partake in cooking demonstrations, sample food and wine pairings, enjoy live music, and more. $5. Perth Fairgrounds, 50 Arthur St., Perth, 613-267-5322, perthgarlicfestival.com.

PUPPETS UP! INTERNATIONAL PUPPET FESTIVAL.

Aug. 7 to 9. An ideal outing for families, this longstanding festival brings puppet theatre to the forefront. Events include a variety of familyfriendly performances, an adults-only cabaret show, a puppet parade, workshops, face painting, and more. A vendor market allows future puppeteers a chance to add to their collection. See website for ticket information. Almonte Fairgrounds, 14 Bridge St., Almonte, puppetsup.ca.

ST. LAWRENCE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL. July 18

to Aug. 22. Two classic Shakespearean oeuvres play out along the banks of the St. Lawrence River: the classic and tragic love story of Romeo

and Juliet and The Comedy of Errors, the Bard’s humorous tale of mistaken identities. See website for ticket information. Kinsmen Amphitheatre, Water Street W., Prescott, 613-925-5788, stlawrenceshakespeare.ca.

STONE FENCE THEATRE. July 15 to Aug. 12: Here Comes the Train — The Ottawa Valley Railway

Story. This musical tells the story of Ontarians who worked for and lived along the railways during the era of the steam locomotive. Supper included with select tickets. From $15. 178 Jane St., Eganville, 613-628-6600, stonefence.ca.

THOUSAND ISLANDS PLAYHOUSE. July 1 to 26:

Blind Date. In this improvisational comedy, a member of the audience is invited onto the stage each night to be a blind date for performer Mimi.

Firehall Theatre. July 24 to Aug. 22: Don’t Dress

for Dinner. A man who sends his wife away for a weekend so that he can rendezvous with his mistress gets more than he bargained for when he enlists his best friend as his alibi in this comedy.

Springer Theatre. Aug. 14 to Sept. 13: Bed and

Breakfast. A gay couple faces new challenges when they escape the hustle and bustle of city life to open a bed and breakfast in rural Ontario.

Firehall Theatre. General $32, student/child $16, under 30 $20, senior $30. Springer Theatre: 690 Charles St., Gananoque; Firehall Theatre: 185 South St., Gananoque; 866-382-7020, 1000islandsplayhouse.com.

TWIST FIBRE FESTIVAL. Aug. 22 and 23. Over 125 exhibitors from across the fibre industry converge on this festival, including fibre producers, animal breeders, and artisans. In

addition, there are workshops, activities, and a fibre-art exhibition. See website for ticket information. 530, rue Charles Auguste Montreuil, Saint-André-Avellin, festivaltwist.org.