Hello Ottawa

STATISTICS OTTAWA

PLEASE SUPPORT THE OTTAWAN

WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

THE DAILY POLL

This Independent Book Store Day, what is your relationship to books?

• 🔘 Hard copy with a cup of tea

• 🔘 Kindle under the covers

• 🔘 Audiobook while going for a walk

• 🔘 Doomscrolling on my phone for hours and hours is a kind of reading

• 🔘 They put the TV at the perfect height for me to watch Netflix

Previously in ottawan polls:

We asked, ‘Should the LCBO continue to boycott American beer, wine, and spirits?’

• 47% Yes, it’s one of the few bits of leverage against American tariff threats that we have

• 7% No, it’s been a year and the boycott has made no difference

• 26% I’ve discovered great Canadian replacements for American booze that I would not have previously considered

• 4% I’ve tried Canadian replacements for American booze and find it too expensive or just nasty

• 15% I think you people drink too much

Commentary

▪️ “Keep up the boycott! No loss. US beer is horrible anyway. Mediocre wine and our whiskey is superior. Lots of other alternatives. Just like there are better places to vacation.”

▪️ “Probably the only thing Doug Ford got right in the last few years ...”

▪️ “I’m American and am boycotting American products. I’ve found new Canadian and international brands, and my friends in the US say boycotting booze has made a difference.”

▪️ “Please continue with the boycott. They might understand we still feel very strongly about their strong arm antics.”

▪️ “LCBO is 2nd largest single purchaser of US booze. We’d be foolish to stop using the leverage.”

▪️ “Also yes F them.”

▪️ “A resounding yes! We need to let the US bully know that we are not going to take the tariffs sitting down. We need to keep up the pressure for sure!”

▪️ “Yes, but because of what their president has done to people in Iran. Crimes against humanity is also a good reason to boycott.”

▪️ “We shouldn’t allow them back until Trump is long dead. Yes, we can hold a grudge for a generation or two.”

▪️ “I realized it’s been a long while but it must be helping Canadian producers' bottom lines. At the same time I think Canadian producers need more Canadian supplied materials example – produce aluminum cans 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️.”

▪️ “If they’re going to attack us as unfair and blow up longstanding relationships, why would we buy from them? It’s like the asshole who complains that nobody wants to be in a relationship with them.”

▪️ “100 % they should. I wouldn’t buy it anyway now as I am trying to support Canada & other countries products including alcohol as I feel everyone should.”

▪️ “Do we want the US to treat Canada the same way we treat the US? We would go nuts if Trump said no Canadian product in the US.”

▪️ “Based on Trump’s Admin. pattern, if removed too soon, we will get nothing in return/tariff relief. They are so entitled, they are takers!!”

▪️ “Until they drop their tariffs. Simple.”

▪️ “We should support Canadian made. I no longer drink alcohol but I still have an opinion! I try to NOT buy anything from the USA. It is challenging to do that. We deserve better treatment then what we have gotten from the Dictator. (US president).”

▪️ “And if we’re going to consume alcohol, Canadians make better stuff anyway.”

▪️ “Let’s continue to boycott as many American products as necessary.”

▪️ “The rest of the world has a lot to offer in terms of good beer, great wine and fantastic liquor. No need for the U.S. stuff!”

▪️ “Keep the boycott going! The Trump cronies are complaining so it's clearly working. Why would we give it up in return for nothing?!”

HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS

Club Zinc T-Shirt For underground Ottawa of 80s, Club Zinc was a short, dark light. Help support the ottawan by buying one of our historic logo t-shirts. Shop for t-shirts

THE ROLLING THREE DAY CALENDAR

Is there an event we should know about?
Please use our easy event submission form

✳️ Means change from previous edition

FRIDAY

• ✳️ 🆓 but you must book your ticket(s). You’ll see six or seven short films depending on which program you book at The European Union Short Film Festival  at Arts Court (Downtown)   

• Ottawa Grassroots Festival continues at First Unitarian Congregation's grand sanctuary with performances by Alysha Brillo and OK Naledi.  (Westboro) 

• For bibliophiles, today is Christmas. The Ottawa Indie Bookstore Crawl runs through Sunday at nine local shops. Just pick up your passport at a participating store and visit at least seven of the stores by the end of Sunday. Then, submit your passport for your chance to win the grand prize of $225 to spend at the stores. Each store will have its own activities, author meets, and giveaways, all in celebration of Canadian Independent Bookstore Day.
  
  Here’s where to go: Octopus Books and Evermore Booktique (The Glebe), Books on Beechwood (Vanier), Perfect Books (Golden Triangle), Singing Pebble Books (Old Ottawa East), Love Lyla Books (Westboro), The Spaniel’s Tale  and World of Maps (Hintonburg), and in Almonte, Mill Street Books.   

• The  Irish Film Festival opens with Christy (2025). All screenings happen at the Canadian Museum of Nature Theatre (Centretown).

• Two icons of Canadian music will be performing an intimate concert of their hits tonight. Dan Hill & Andy Kim bring their In Story & Song tour to Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe for one night only. 

• Celebrate the release of Sean Murphy’s book Echoes From the Pit: Ottawa's Heavy Metal Underground, 1988 - 1995 at the release party, featuring bands you might not have seen in a long time. (ByWard Market)

• The aroma of gravy and cheeseacurds will be drifting westward from Orléans Poutinefest & Street Food Frenzy starting today and continuing all weekend at 255 Centrum Blvd.  It's more than Poutine; visit the food trucks and get down to the live music. (Orléans)  

• 🆓 Find a one-of-a-kind Mother's Day gift at the Out of the Box Fibre Fling today and Saturday at Kitchesippi United Church. Bring a donation for Ottawa Food Bank. (Britannia) 

• Saunter up to the Deacon Brodies bar where you'll sample Perth Brewery's Honey Lager and non-alcoholic Play Lager. (Golden Triangle) 

• Strong Towns gathers at Braumeister Bierhalle for its Ottawa Monthly Social. (Hintonburg)

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Folichonneries (Follies), The Christophers, Drawn In: The Night is Short, Walk On Girl 

• Mayfair Theatre: The Blue Trail, Modern Whore, The Rocky Horror Picture Show  

Gigs

• Wry and Ginger. Hard Rock Ottawa

• Minor Gold. Red Bird

• Kozé. National Arts Centre

• Serene Dark. Dominion Tavern

SATURDAY

✳️ Local Spring cleaning, Clean Up the Capital events:  

• Beacon Hill

• Riverside South    

• South March Highlands
   

• ✳️ If you are looking to buy a bike, visit the Bell Centennial Arena at 50 Cassidy Rd, Nepean between 8:30 am and 11:00 am for the 1st Kanata Scout Group’s annual sale.

• ✳️ 🆓 Find a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day gift at the Out of the Box Fibre Fling at Kitchesippi United Church. Bring a donation for Ottawa Food Bank. (Britannia) 

• ✳️ 🆓 but you must book your ticket(s). You’ll see six or seven short films depending on which program you book at The European Union Short Film Festival  at Arts Court (Downtown)  

• ✳️ Cross all fingers and toes: Sens vs Hurricanes, Round 1, Game 4, here at home. 

• You want to get out in the warm air and sunshine, but you can't make up your mind where to go. Head to the Ottawa Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show at Nepean Sportsplex where you'll meet experts in all the outdoor activities you can imagine.(Nepean)   

• The Ottawa Charge invites you to the final game of the regular season, where a win will secure their place in the playoffs. The Fan Appreciation Game will have all the excitement of a regular match up but with added giveaways, pre-game action along Electric Avenue, and deals on beer. (Lansdowne)  

• Ottawa Grassroots Festival continues at First Unitarian Congregation's grand sanctuary with performances by Meredith Moon and Irish Millie (Westboro) 

• Tonight's screenings at the Irish Film Festival are: Saipan (2025), Horseshoe (2025), and Aontas (2025).  All screenings at the Canadian Museum of Nature Theatre (Centretown).  

• Road Trip: Watch as teams compete in the sap tapping and wood cookie categories of the 50th Perth Festival of the Maples. 

• Ottawa Mystic Market: Beltane marks the ancient Celtic transition to summer. Next Door Ottawa (Little Italy) 

• Wander 4000 square feet of vendors, artists, writers, and creators at Capital Comic Book Convention (Billings Bridge)  

• Road Trip: In an inspired collab, the Hummingbird Chocolate and Gilligallou Bird Inc Tandem Tour will give participants a history and tour of the Hummingbird Chocolate operations, followed by a presentation about the tiny birds who are currently migrating their way to breeding grounds in Canada. (Almonte)

• 🆓 Bytown Sea Shanty Collective brings the party to Beyond the Pale Brewing Company (City Centre location). 

• Come and meet adoptable felines at Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue Day (Orléans). 

• Get up close to the 2026 Model Train Show at Galeries Aylmer. 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema:  The Christophers, Folichonneries (Follies), Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (35mm Screening)  

• Mayfair Theatre: Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, The Big Red One, Saturday Night Sinema https://mayfairtheatre.ca/schedule/ 

Gigs

• Barry and the Blasters. Rainbow Bistro

• Joe Ray McDonald: Redneck Jazz. The Robo Lounge

• Bon Enfant et Choses Sauvages. Minotaure

• The Tiptides, Hungtingtons, Passenger Princess. Dominion Tavern

SUNDAY

Local Spring cleaning, Clean Up the Capital events: 

• Vars   

• Chapel Hill Park 

• Blackburn Hamlet
   

• Residents opposed to the redevelopment of the golf club into housing are rallying on front of the Kanata Golf Club Clubhouse, 7000 Campeau Drive,  at 1 pm for a one-hour protest to ‘Save Our Community, Save Our Greenspace’.

• Residents are gathering at Christ Church Bells Corners, 3861 Old Richmond Road, from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm to view the Reimagining Robertson Road Action Plan.

• Ottawa Mystic Market: Beltane marks the ancient Celtic transition to summer. Next Door Ottawa (Little Italy)  

• Atlético Ottawa meet Vancouver FC at TD Place (Lansdowne) 

• Register for the Ottawa Grassroots Festival Open Mic (1:00 pm to 5:00 pm).  (Westboro)

• Buy something local for Mom at the Spring Craft Market at the National Arts Centre  (Downtown) 

• The Irish Film Festival concludes with No Ordinary Heist (2026) and Báite (The Drowned) (2025). All screenings at the Canadian Museum of Nature Theatre (Centretown). 

• Kurt Browning himself directed the new Stars on Ice show featuring some of Canada's Olympians. (Kanata)   

• The two performances of Newfoundland Songbook promise foot-tapping, heart-swelling songs, sea shanties, and ballads. (Orléans)

• Buy, sell, or trade at the Ottawa Guitar Show. (Ellwood) 
   

Get Creative

• At the Paint Nite: Sunflower Bouquet, $20 of your fee will support MS Canada. (Centrepointe) 

• Choose one of three sessions for the Junk Journal + Collage Supply Swap at Motif Boutique. (Hintonburg) 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: A Tribe Called Love, The Christophers, Meet Cute: La La Land, Twin Peaks: Season 2, Episodes 3-6.  

• Mayfair Theatre: The Blue Trail, The Big Red One  

Gigs

• Bywater Call. Overflow Brewing Co

• Cuir from France, Balm Squad, Scally Cap Brats. Dominion Tavern

• Rod's Blues Jam. Atomic Rooster

MONDAY

• Turn that business idea into a plan with Invest Ottawa’s Starting a Business in Ottawa: Rules, Resources, and Roadmaps (Virtual) . 

• Start the week with the Spring Watercolour Workshop at Wallack’s Art Supplies & Framing. In tonight's session you'll paint a ladybug. (The Glebe)  

• Beyond the Pale varies the price of beer according to demand in Insider Trading Happy Hour Stock Market. (Centretown West) 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: The Christophers, Folichonneries (Follies) 

• Mayfair Theatre: The Blue Trail, Modern Whore, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, The Big Red One 

Gigs

• Karaoke Mondays. Atomic Rooster

• Advance Base & Nicholas Krgovich. Rainbow Bistro

• Jasmine Trails. Fono Hifi Lounge

JUST ANNOUNCED

• Learn how to carve a spoon next Tuesday at Lee Valley Tools. 

DEALS OF THE DAY

Just in time for spring, Made in Canada skorts are 50% off at Up! Pants.

SHARE THE OTTAWAN

If you find the ottawan useful, please share it with your friends.

Your referral count: 0

Click to Share

Or copy & paste your personal referral link:

https://theottawan.com/r.php?refer=

BUT, ONE MORE THING …

Two museum suggestions have come forth: the City invites everyone to visit the Barbara Ann Scott Gallery to ‘take a journey back in time and explore Ottawa’s farming history at the City of Ottawa Archives latest exhibit, Cultivating Community: Agriculture Rooted in Ottawa’s History’.

The gallery is open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (except holidays) at City Hall. 

Meanwhile, Faces magazine recommends visiting the 24,000 item Barbie Museum inside the Carp Road Flea Market.

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

Comment of the Week: ‘Great coverage of some great events and places. Exactly why we subscribe.’

THE END

the ottawan is written and edited every working weekday by Martha and Darren. Is there something that Ottawa should know about? Email us at hello@theottawan.com. We read every single comment.