🚊 The new Alexandra Bridge could be used for an Ottawa–Gatineau tram says Federal government report. The 1901 bridge is being replaced by a new bridge whose initial designs did not include rapid transit. However, a report unreleased to the public have been uncovered that explores how a tram can be added later. – Ben Andrews in the Ottawa Citizen

🚲 A feasibilty study says that central Ottawa-Gatineau can handle 1,200 shareable bikes in 115 stations. Ottawa has not had bike sharing since VeleGo left in 2018. It’s expected that the City would need to invest $9 million to $10 million to bring bikes back, with an annual expense of $450,000 to $2.2 million. – Nathan Fung at CBC

🚌 The Prime Ministers and the president of Finland scrimmage with the Ottawa Charge yesterday. As you do. – Aedan Helmer in the Ottawa Citizen

❓ Apartment 613 is looking for your opinion. The venerable culture website, which has been covering Ottawa arts since 2008, has launched a survey about its past and future and what readers would like. Tell them what you think here.  – CBC

WEDNESDAY

• ✳️ The tension will be palpable at the first Semi-Finals round of the Canadian Improv Games National Festival & Finals 2026. The five teams competing tonight: Canterbury HS (Ottawa Team 1), Elmwood School (Ottawa Team 2), Centennial CVI (Tri-City Team), Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School (Sudbury & Northern ON Team), and Toronto District Christian High (Toronto Team). The action unfolds at National Gallery of Canada, where semi-final rounds continue tomorrow and Friday.  (ByWard Market) 

• Songwriting phenom Royal Wood is touring with Newfoundland’s contemporary folk duo The Fortunate Ones on the Have A Heart tour. (Downtown)  

• Ottawa’s ONLY Hip Hop Jam is a monthly open mic series at Red Bird featuring a live band, emcee, and instruments. Access to the stage is first come, first served. Tonight (April 15) Ottawa-based melodic rap artist NTHN will also perform. (Old Ottawa South) 

• Ottawa Festivals Network turns 30, holds its annual general meeting, and throws in a gig by The Hoarse Men. Overflow Brewing (Heron Gate)    

• 🆓 The Doors Open for Music at Southminster United Church noon concert features violinist Albert Steinberger and pianist Dane Ko, prizewinners of the 2023 Prix Ravel, in their Canadian debut. The two perform a program of French and German sonatas, including their acclaimed interpretation of Ravel’s ‘Blues’.  (Old Ottawa South) 

• Ottawa Little Theatre stages Kimberley Akimbo, the dark comedy about a 16 year old coping with a less than perfect family as well as a life changing disease. Until Sunday April 18. (Rideau-Vanier)   

• Something Rotten! Continues at Glebe Community Centre  

• cicadas continues at the NAC.   

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: The Drama, National Canadian Film Day: Bon Cop Bad Cop, National Canadian Film Day 2026: Les Furies     

• Mayfair Theatre:  Miroirs No. 3, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, Tiger on the Beat   

Gigs

• The John Carroll Show. The Laff

• Death Hawk. Dominion Tavern

• Krystal Jessup, Ness Nost, Al Sam, Natasha Liard, Baby Richman. Irene’s Pub

• Bella Donna. Rainbow Bistro

THURSDAY

• ✳️ The Canadian Improv Games National Festival & Finals 2026 Semi-Finals continue as Eastside Secondary (Kingston Team), Prince Edward Collegiate Institute (Online Wildcard Team), École Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School (Alberta Team), Grant Park High School (Manitoba Team), and Lower Canada College (Quebec Team) compete at National Gallery of Canada. (ByWard Market)

• The Ottawa 67s head into Game 4, Round Two of the 2026 OHL Playoffs.  (Lansdowne)  

• Ottawa’s Spring Shopping event is back April 16-19 at the Originals Spring Craft Sale. Find Made in Canada treasures for your home, pantry, and wardrobe as you visit more than 150 vendors. EY Centre (YOW) 

• Ottawa Film Society is the oldest in Canada, currently in its 91st year of screenings. Tonight the Society is screening All Stirred Up (Tous Toquès), a Canadian comedy from 2024, and Flow, both at the Mayfair Theatre. (Old Ottawa South)

• Be inspired and dazzled by the Ottawa Rock N’ Gem Show today through Saturday at EY Centre (YOW) 

• Creepy eco-thriller cicadas continues at National Arts Centre  (Downtown)  

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Palestine 36, The Drama, Limited Edition: A History of Violence 

• Mayfair Theatre: H Is For Hawk 

Gigs

• Meshenka, Kim & Dro, Runner-Up. LIVE on Elgin

• Fotocrime, Unwell, Ultra Love. SAW Centre

• Pinksnail. House of TARG

• Mairi. Rainbow Bistro

• The Deserves. Night Oat

FRIDAY

• The Parenting Times Parent & Child Expo returns to Nepean Sportsplex with activities, meet and greets of characters from popular kids' shows, performances, and products and services for busy families. Continues Saturday. (Nepean)  

• It’s the nail-biting conclusion of the Semi-Final round of the Canadian Improv Games National Festival & Finals 2026. Tonight Holy Spirit High School (Newfoundland Team), RE Mountain Secondary School (Lower Mainland Team), Halifax West High School (Nova Scotia Team), Mark R Isfeld Secondary (Vancouver Island Team), Tommy Douglas Collegiate (Saskatchewan Team) compete at National Gallery of Canada. (ByWard Market)

• You’ve played the game (or maybe not) now experience Materia Symphony, an original work inspired by Final Fantasy VII. Ottawa Pops Orchestra will play the piece originally premiered by Orchestre de jeux vidéo in Montréal. Tonight through Saturday at Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre. (Centretown)  

• If you like Sudoku, jigsaws, cryptic crosswords, and enigmas wrapped up in mysteries, the True North Kanata Puzzle Weekend is for you. Until Sunday at the Holiday Inn & Suites Kanata.   

• Find VHS tapes, vinyl, games, books, electronics and other obsolete technology at the Dead Media Maniacs event at House of TARG (Old Ottawa South)

• Preston Event Centre opens its doors to the C*4 Wrestling Frenzy, featuring Donovan Dijak,  The Blade, Evil Uno, and more.(Little Italy) 

• Kick up your heels at Royal Oak Pub’s Deejay Nash All-Request Country Night (Orléans)  

• Bring your fur baby to the Ottawa Humane Society Microchip Clinic, and they’ll be permanently and easily identifiable if they're found outside their home.  

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: The Christophers, Mile End Kicks, Drunken Cinema: Scooby-Doo

• Mayfair Theatre: Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other, Nirvana the band the Show the Movie, The Room 

Gigs

• The Jenova Projekt, The Struggles Over, Dethrone, Groa Willing, Punishing Grip. Dominion Tavern

• Roddy Elias Trio. The Robo Lounge

• Devin Cuddy. Red Bird

• 80s Dance Party. House of TARG

• Highway Sunrise. Hard Rock Ottawa 

• Pimienta. Night Oat

• Raven, Slackjaw, Infrared, Enforcer. Rainbow Bistro

• Garret Mason. Irene’s Pub

JUST ANNOUNCED

• The Boutique Cornerstone is the annual two-day fundraising pop-up market of gently used high end, fashion forward items, and it's coming up fast (May 1 and 2). As in previous years Shiela Whyte of Thyme & Again at 1255 Wellington St. has donated the business's upstairs space The Nest for the event, which donates 100% of its profits to the Emergency Fund at Cornerstone Housing for Women. Shop items that are priced to sell and help some of Ottawa's most vulnerable people.  

• Get your tickets for the Ottawa Grassroots Festival, April 23 to 26 at First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa.