Ottawa Answers the Call: The Capital and the Great War
When: April 9, 2014 ñ Jan. 18, 2015
Where: Bytown Museum, 1 Canal Lane, at the Rideau Canal locks between Parliament Hill and the Ch‚teau Laurier hotel
What: This temporary exhibition recounts the history of the ordinary citizens of Ottawa through the formative years of our young nation during the First World War.
Info: www.bytownmuseum.com
PoutineFest
When: April 24-27
Where: Sparks Street Mall
What: Poutine experts and Sparks Street restaurants offer up various versions of Canada’s favourite dish. Bring the whole family and get your curd on!
Info: www.sparksstreetmall.com/poutinefest.html
Ottawa Grassroots Festival
When: April 25-27
Where: The Royal Canadian Legion, Montgomery Branch, 330 Kent St.
What: An annual family-oriented celebration of folk music, dance, and spoken word. Grassroots is an accessible, indoor festival with free daytime activities for all ages, including workshops, sing-alongs, special kids activities and much more.
Info: www.ottawagrassrootsfestival.com
Champlain, the First Account
When: Until April 27
Where: Canadian Museum of History (formerly Canadian Museum of Civilization), 100 Laurier St., Gatineau
What: Take advantage of the last chance to see this display, created to mark the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlainís journey up the Ottawa River, which focuses on the Aboriginal peoples who inhabited the region long before the coming of Champlain, the journey of the French explorer in the Ottawa Valley in 1613, and the impact of his arrival on the First Peoples.
Info: www.historymuseum.ca
Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence
When: May 3 – Nov. 9
Where: Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St.
What: This exhibition explores extraordinary organisms that produce light, from fireflies to deep-sea fishes and mushrooms. Creatures of Light explores the diversity of organisms that glow, and how they do it. Ever wondered what purpose the light serves? Find out how it is used to attract mates, lure unsuspecting prey and defend against predators.
Info: www.nature.ca
Toddler Mornings
When: May 7 & June 4,
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Where: The Ottawa Art Gallery, Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave.
What: Free drop-in tours for parents and caregivers with babies or toddlers in tow. Adults have the opportunity to look at and discuss art with gallery staff while little ones make art inspired by the exhibitions. Strollers are welcome in the galleries. No need to register.
Info: www.ottawaartgallery.ca/content/toddler-mornings-oag
Ottawa International
Children’s Festival
When: May 9-14
Where: LeBreton Flats
What: A six-day extravaganza of quality theatre, dance and music for young audiences.
The only festival of its kind in Ontario to offer international, live performing arts for families and young people, it also features a variety of creative workshops and onsite activities.
Info: www.ottawachildrensfestival.ca
Canadian Tulip Festival
When: May 9-19
Where: Throughout Ottawa/Gatineau
What: The 2014 edition celebrates the floral beauty of the tulip beds in the National Capital. Highlights include the opening ceremonies at the tulip beds, a Floral Friendship Fireworks extravaganza and the closing Grand Spectacle, featuring spectacular displays of floral creations over Dow’s Lake set to music, with the popular international bazaar, family arts activities and more.
Info: www.tulipfestival.ca
Ottawa Comiccon
When: May 9-11
Where: EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr.
What: Bring your family to enjoy this celebration of pop culture and entertainment, featuring celebrities, personalities, fans and exhibitors from the worlds of comic books, sci-fi, fantasy, movies, TV, toys, anime, gaming and more.
Info: www.ottawacomiccon.com
The Little Mermaid
When: May 10, 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Where: Centrepointe Theatre,
What: Les Petits Ballets presents The Little Mermaid, choreographed by Joanna Hughes. This originally choreographed ballet of the classic children’s story is sure to delight the whole family.
Info: www.centrepointetheatre.ca
Mother’s Day at the Canada Agriculture & Food Museum
When: May 11, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: 861 Prince of Wales Dr. (between the traffic circle and Baseline Road)
What: Spend time with your family at the museum for Mother’s Day. Learn about “farm mothers” the animals that work year-round to produce many of the foods on which we depend, such as milk, eggs and meat.
Info: www.cafmuseum.techno-science.ca
Orléans Festival
When: May 31-June 1
Where: Shenkman Arts Centre,
245 Centrum Blvd., OrlÈans
What: A new family-friendly cultural event featuring a youth talent show, magic show, spoken word presentation, as well as local emerging and established musicians, theatre performances and puppet shows.
Info: www.orleansfestival.ca
Westfest
When: June 13-15
Where: Westboro Village
What: An outdoor, three-day celebration of Canadian art and culture, Westfest is a free festival dedicated to showcasing Canadian artists and their work, filling 14 city blocks
with music, contemporary dance, visual art, media art, performance art, spoken word, poetry and fiction readings, Aboriginal art forms, exciting childrenís entertainment, and much more.
Info: www.westfest.ca