Poutine, skating and folk music on the menu
What's happening in the city on the last weekend in April, writes Lynn Saxberg.
When it comes to poutine, it's hard to improve on the basic combination of crispy fries, squeaky cheese curds and hot, velvety gravy. But at the eighth edition of Ottawa's Poutinefest, set to run Friday through Sunday in conjunction with the Mac My Cheese festival at Marion Dewar Plaza in front of Ottawa City Hall, an array of poutiners and mac 'n' cheese purveyors will let their imaginations run wild in coming up with mouth-watering variations, including exotic and extreme creations, as well as veggie, vegan and gluten-free options. Other activities include a poutine-eating contest, a poutine-judging contest and potato games, plus a beer garden to wash it all down. Find the list of vendors at ottawapoutinefest.ca. Admission is free.
SKATING
See champion skaters Patrick Chan and Elvis Stojko in a new show directed and choreographed by another skating champ, Kurt Browning, when Stars on Ice lands at the Canadian Tire Centre at 4 p.m. Sunday. Taking place a month after the World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, the display also includes performances by contenders Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, Deanna Stellato-dudek and Maxime Deschamps, Ottawa's Kaiya Ruiter and Olympian Madeline Schizas, to name a few. Tickets start at $32, plus taxes and fees, available at ticketmaster.ca.
FOLK
Enjoy some of Canada's finest singer-songwriters during the 12th annual edition of the Ottawa Grassroots Festival, which starts today and runs through the weekend. The opening-night concert with Lynn Miles at Irene's Pub is sold out, but there are two days of concerts and activities at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave., on Friday and Saturday, plus a grand finale back at Irene's on Sunday. One highlight for families is a series of free daytime concerts and activities at the Unitarian church on Saturday, including a songwriters' circle, a kids show, gardening workshop and Cajun two-step dance lessons with Ottawa musicians Michael Ball and Jody Benjamin. For complete schedule information and details on how to buy tickets, go to ottawagrassrootsfestival.com.
ART
The Ottawa Art Gallery launches a spring exhibition today that celebrates the cultural impact of one of Canada's leading art schools. Curated by Penny Cousineau-levine, Art School Confidential celebrates the 50th anniversary of the visual arts department at the University of Ottawa, anchoring the exhibition on the work of 50 artists who have taught or studied there. A vernissage takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday on the thirdfloor Alma Duncan Salon of the gallery at 50 Mackenzie King Bridge. Register for a free ticket at eventbrite.ca.