FAMILY FUN: WHAT’S ON BEFORE SUMMER’S END
From fairs and festivals to educational events, there’s lots to do — but not much time left to do it
1Watch a movie under the stars. What: Three organizations host the citified version of a drive-in, with screenings outside. Bring a lawn chair or something to sit on.
Centretown movies
When & Where: Dundonald Park on Somerset Street West between Bay and Lyon Streets. There’s a playground, too. Screenings at 9 p.m. The movies: Today: The Sandlot Friday, Aug. 18: My Best Friend’s Wedding Saturday, Aug. 19: Zootopia Friday, Aug. 25: The Secret Life of Pets Saturday, Aug. 26: Bon Cop Bad Cop Information: centretownmovies.wordpress.com/schedule-2017/
Capital Pop-up cinema
When & where: Saturday, Aug. 19, Sparks Street, between O’Connor and Metcalfe. Film starts at 8:45 p.m. The movie: Grease Sing-A-Long Information: www.facebook.com/events/774912372657895/
Movie night at Rideau Hall
When & where: Saturday, Aug. 26 on the grounds of Rideau Hall at 1 Sussex Dr. The movie will be Canadian, but the title won’t be announced until sometime next week. Information: www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=15123&lan=eng
2Celebrate the light at Lumière, one of Ottawa’s most magical festivals.
What: Hundreds of paper lanterns glow in the dark at this festival, which also features acrobats, fire weavers and musicians.
Create or repair a lantern: A lanternmaking workshop will be held on Friday, Aug. 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 at Lindenlea Park ($5 fee). If you need to repair your lantern, there’s a workshop Saturday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the New Edinburgh Community and Arts Centre, 255 MacKay St.
When & where: Lumière is at Village Green and Jubilee Garden in Rockcliffe Park, corner of Springfield Road and Mariposa Avenue. (The usual location in Stanley Park along the river is unavailable this year due to construction.)
Information: lumiereottawa.ca/
3Take a scary ride.
What: The Capital Fair has the same midway that was once featured at the Ottawa Ex. There’s a giant ferris wheel, the frightening Cannon Ball and more than two dozen other rides. The midway rides are free for an hour on opening day, Friday, Aug. 18, between noon and 1 p.m. Admission to the fair itself is free.
What: The fair offers classic carnival food, live performances of everything from hypnotists to dogs doing water sports, an agricultural pavilion, and a kids tent with a petting zoo, pony rides and crafts.
When & where: Aug. 18 to Aug. 27, Rideau Carleton Entertainment Centre, 4837 Albion Rd.
Information: www.capitalfair.ca
4Get in one last swim at a city beach or splash pad.
Beaches: Lifeguards will be on duty at Petrie Island, Mooney’s Bay, Westboro and Britannia Beaches until Sunday, Aug. 27
Outdoor pools: They are open until Aug. 20, except for Bearbrook, which closes Sept. 3. Wading pool close between Aug. 24 and 28, depending on the pool.
Information: ottawa.ca/en/residents/recreation-and-parks/swimming#outdoor-pools
Splash pads: They are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and close for the year on Sept. 11
Information: ottawa.ca/en/residents/recreation-and-parks/swimming#splash-pads
5For the festival fan — Snack on souvlaki and check out Bollywood dancing.
What: The city’s biggest music festivals — blues, jazz and chamber — may be over, but there’s always something to celebrate in this festival-mad city. Here’s an intriguing pair:
Greekfest: An Ottawa tradition since 1976, this is the place to hear Greek music or watch traditional dancing, feast on home-cooked food or learn how to make it, check out some crafts and even take a language lesson.
When & where: Aug. 10 to 20, 1315 Prince of Wales Dr., next to the Greek Orthodox Church
Information: ottawagreekfest.com
SouthAsianFest: This festival is spread out at various venues, but most of the action is at Ottawa City Hall, where there are Bollywood and bhangra dance showcases on the evenings of Aug. 15 and Aug. 16, then a three-day party weekend party called MirchMasalaMegaMela that features non-stop performances, from singers to a SouthAsian Idol contest and a parade on closing day, Aug. 20.
When & where: Aug. 11 to 20, with the biggest events at city hall on the final weekend.
Information: Southasianfest.net
6For the gardener. Learn to take a photograph that does justice to those blooms.
What: The Garden Photo-Fest includes several events that allow garden fans to get expert advice on photography. There’s also a contest if you want to share your prized photos. Some highlights:
Fred & Elizabeth Fountain Garden
Court tour: Explore the redesigned garden court in the Canadian and Indigenous galleries at the National Gallery of Canada. Staff will provide tips on taking photos. Admission fees apply, but you can tour the Taiga and Sunken gardens outside the gallery for free.
When & where: Saturday, Aug. 19 & Sunday, Aug. 20 from noon to 4 p.m. at the National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Dr. Queen Bee Party, Bee in the Photo: As part of celebrations for International Honey Bee Day, radio personality turned nature photographer Sandy Sharkey will teach kids how to take great photos of bees with a camera or smartphone.
When & where: Saturday, Aug. 19, Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Discovery Park, 901 Prince of Wales Dr. The bee day runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the workshop with Sharkey is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Bugs Eye View Workshop: “Budding ” photographer (will the puns never stop?) Jason Michelin will be on hand to chat and offer tips.
When & where: Saturday, Aug. 19 and Sunday, Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Commissioners Park, just northeast of Dow’s Lake on Queen Elizabeth Driveway at Preston Street For more information about all the events: gardenpromenade.ca
7For the procrastinator: Check out these cool exhibits before they leave town.
What: Museums always schedule marquee exhibits in summer, but this year there’s extra heft because we’re celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday. A few highlights: National Gallery of Canada: Canadian and Indigenous Art: From Time Immemorial to 1967 is housed in newly renovated gallery space and features famous works by Tom Thomson, Emily Carr, Norval Morrisseau and others. It runs until Monday, Sept. 4. Photography in Canada: 1960 to 2000 includes work from Edward Burtynsky, Lynne Cohen, Angela Grauerholz and Michael Snow. It runs to Sept. 17. Where: The gallery, 380 Sussex Dr.
Information: gallery.ca Canadian Museum of History: The Snapshots of Canada exhibit includes photos of iconic events and people, from Paul Henderson scoring the winning goal in the 1972 Summit Series to Terry Fox on his Marathon of Hope. It runs until Oct. 2. An exhibit on hockey traces the evolution of the sport and runs until Oct. 9. And while you’re there, check out the new Canadian History Hall if you haven’t already. Where: 100 Laurier St., Gatineau
Information: www.historymuseum.ca