Hello Ottawa

STATISTICS OTTAWA

NUMBER

• 39%

• The reduction in housing starts in Ottawa in April over one year ago. Last year, there were 1,437 housing starts in April. Last month, it was 875.

• – Ted Raymond at CTV

OTTAWAN OF THE DAY

• Roy Allen

• To help celebrate his 100th birthday, Allen is doing the 5k on Tamarak Race Weekend.

• Registration for the May 23 -24 event ends Monday.

• – Ottawa Citizen

QUOTE

“

• [E]xcessive, inappropriate and not supported by credible reasons

– Part of the decision by the Ontario Energy Board denying City-owned utility Hydro Ottawa’s request to raise monthly bills by $6.08.

– Nathan Fung at CBC

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WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

THE DAILY POLL

What are your plans this long weekend?

🔘 Relax and do nothing at all

🔘 I have a long list of tasks that I can finally get to

🔘 I’m going out: a restaurant, out of town, see friends, etc.

🔘 Nothing whatsoever will change with me, long weekend or not

🔘 I’ll be lying back and thinking of England, wearing nothing but black, and, if I have time, choosing national capitals almost at random

• 
  Previously in OTTAWAN polls:

• 
  We asked ‘How are you feeling about the new OC Transpo general manager?’

  • 7% I feel like he is a go-getter and things are going to turn around

  • 53% I think the new boss is same as the old boss and I won’t get fooled again

  • 21% Anyone who is actually putting more vehicles on the rails rather than removing them gets my support

  • 15% He lucked out. Transit staff have been working on fixing things for months before he got here

  • 4% No leader is serious about transit unless he gives up his or her’s driver’s licence
    
    Commentary

▪️ “He certainly can’t be any worse (god I hope not) than the last ones we’ve had over the past 5 or so years. Let’s give him some room to turn this mess around. Check back with this same survery in a year from now.”

▪️ “Ottawa, where public transit came to die.”

▪️ “I want a transit manager who can’t drive. Give me someone who has to walk everywhere with a cane.”

▪️ “I’m sure a lot of the work was done before he arrived, but his approach is sound. We will blame him for other leaders’ mistakes, so we should credit him for the victories.”

▪️ “😑”

▪️ “I rode a 2 car train this morning and it was magical to experience a transit system working fully and normally. If only this was every day!”

▪️ “No real timelines and deadlines – same as the old boss. We deserve and need more effective management.”

▪️ “He takes transit everyday to work which a good leader should do. This shows that he's serious about turning things around for OCTranspo. That's my hope anyways.”

HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS

Talisman Motor Inn T-Shirt The Beachcomber Room tiki bar at the Talisman Motor Inn was where Ottawa swingers could be found in the early 60s 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?
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✳️ Means change from previous edition

FRIDAY

• ✳️ Don’t miss Broadway Across Canada’s production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical at National Arts Centre. Tonight through Saturday.(Downtown) 

• ✳️ Marian sets out to convince Robin Hood and his band of merry Men to give back to the poor in The Heart of Robin Hood. (Kanata) 

• Orléans Fun Fair continues.

• 🆓 Kemptville Buskerfest warms up with a pre-festival party tonight. Free entry but pack some tips for the performers and money for dinner. 

• Those dressed in vintage 1920s-40s style will pay a mere 10 bucks at the door to Ottawa Vintage Swing’s Vintage Party. (Sandy Hill) 

• After you’ve explored the tulips at Commissioner’s Park, wander through SPAO’s ever-evolving, self-guided Photo Walk in nearby Little Italy. 

• Established in 1977, CanGames Tabletop Game Convention takes over Rideau Curling Club today through Sunday. While you can no longer purchase an advance pass, you'll be able to buy one at the door. (Downtown) 

• Join the party for Atlantis Jazz Ensemble's new LP Mystic Suite. Irene's Pub 9:00 pm (The Glebe) 

• If the click of mechanical keyboards intrigues you, be at Next Door Marketing and Event Space on Saturday (May 16) for the Ottawa Mechanical Keyboard Meetup 2026.

• 🆓 The Robo Lounge welcomes Ottawa piano legend Noel Dimar. (The Glebe)  

• Support the local vendors at the Gloucester Night Market at Earl Armstrong Arena. 

• Moulin Rouge! The Musical continues at National Arts Centre. (Downtown)

• Toto Too’s production of Fun Home continues at the Gladstone Theatre. 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: The Wizard of the Kremlin, I Swear, Blue Heron, Restoration: Nowhere 

• Mayfair Theatre: The Christophers, Calle Málaga, The Room

Gigs

•  80s Dance Party. House of TARG

• Flamenco on Tour. Bar Robo

• Steve Hofstetter. Bronson Centre

• The Weeknd Night. The 27 Club

• Thunderslave, Ammo. Avant-Garde Bar

SATURDAY

• ✳️ Canada really should join the Eurovision Song Contest but until the CBC picks it up, watch it on a big screen at Club SAW or at the Hintonburg Public House. Timezones are real, so get there before 3:00 pm.

• ✳️ Both the Canadian Tulip Festival  and Saunders Farm’s Tulipfest are urging us to get out and see the blooms this weekend, when they’ll be at their peak. 

• ✳️ Buy – and read — local at the Stittsville Book Fair for local and Canadian authors. 

• ✳️ Road Trips: It’s Farmers Market Opening Day in Almonte and Pembroke. 

• ✳️ The Heart of Robin Hood continues at the Ron Maslin Playhouse. (Kanata) 

• The Fray brings their Summer of Light Tour to Hard Rock Ottawa (Gloucester)

• Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish is a family-friendly telling of a story from the Kwantlen First Nation village of Squa’lets (Downtown) 

• After a very long winter, the Log Farm reopens today for a summer season of indoor and outdoor play and interactive experiences of country life. (Nepean) 

• Dive into the single-afternoon Moonwake: Afterlight short film festival from emerging Canadian filmmakers. (Old Ottawa South) 

• Get your fill of pierogi, sausages, sauerkraut, goulash, and other Polish delicacies at Polish Fest (ByWard Market) 

• Don't forget to tip the street performers at Kemptville Buskerfest. 

• If the click of mechanical keyboards intrigues you, be at Next Door Marketing and Event Space on Saturday (May 16) for the Ottawa Mechanical Keyboard Meetup 2026.  

• Orléans Fun Fair continues 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Last One For The Road, Spectacle: Where Is the Friend’s House?, The Wizard of the Kremlin, Detour: Collateral  

• Mayfair Theatre: Moonwake: Afterlight Short Film Festival, Calle Málaga, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Saturday Night Sinema  

Gigs

• Brian Wallin and the Sexy Crime Fighting Band. Irene’s Pub

• Joel Sauve. Hard Rock Ottawa

• Stone's Throw. The Black Sheep Inn (Wakefield) 

• Switched-On synths. House of TARG

• Gully Boys. LIVE on Elgin

• Eternal Rest. Avant-Garde Bar

• Emo Night Ottawa (with live bands). The 27 Club

SUNDAY

• Sunday matinée: The Heart of Robin Hood continues at the Ron Maslin Playhouse. (Kanata) 

• 🆓 When you’re out and about near Ottawa Art Gallery, drop into the Studio for some creative self expression.(Sandy Hill)   

• A tradition since 1984, the May Show Festival in Vankleek Hill will offer live music, local crafts, and food, all under one roof.

• Get down to the authentic sounds of The Start at the Retro 80s Bash. (Golden Triangle) 

• The 15th Gentlemen’s Ride is a rare chance to glimpse a gaggle of well-dressed fellas pass by astride motorcycles of all styles. Looks like there’s still time to register (but are your natty threads back from the cleaners?). 

• Sit with the trees. (Dominion Arboretum) 

• It’s going to be a beautiful day to watch Atlético Ottawa take on Halifax Wanderers FC (Lansdowne) 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Blue Heron, The Wizard of the Kremlin, I Swear, Drawn In: Ghost in the Shell 

• Mayfair Theatre: Killhouse, Exit 8 

Gigs

• Legendary Sunday Afternoon Blues Jam. Rainbow Bistro

• Garden of Roses (Tribute to Guns 'n' Roses). Overflow Brewing

• The Sunday Night Revue with special guest Bosko Baker's Do Makers. Irene’s Pub

• Melissa Payne, Kyler Tapscott. Motel Chelsea

• Summer's Brother: The Sweeter Spring Tour with Special Guests. LIVE on Elgin

• Bella Donna and Friends. Rainbow Bistro

MONDAY

• Kids get to explore their culinary prowess at Boston Pizza Barrhaven’s Victoria Day Pizza Party. Reservations are a must. (The Haven)

• Watch the Ottawa Charge take Montréal Victoire to the cleaners in Game 3, Home Game 1. (Kanata)  

• It’s a holiday Monday. Where are you getting your poutine? Barrhaven Ribfest & Poutine, that’s where. (Barrhaven) 

• The Soca Kitchen’s Victoria Day Patio Party is a warm weather feast of $5 Margaritas and $5 Fish Tacos. (Beechwood)

• This week’s Campus to Stage concert at The Robo Lounge features emerging jazz trio Kelly Zalzalah (baritone sax), Nic Code (piano), Quinn Beneteau (drums). (The Glebe) 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: The Last One For the Road, Blue Heron, The Wizard of the Kremlin, Detour: Collateral 

• Mayfair Theatre: Calle Málaga, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Lorne

Gigs

• Anuv Jain’s Dastakhat World Tour 2026. Bronson Centre Music Theatre

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

• Whisky Wonderland 2027 tickets go on sale Saturday, which also happens to be World Whisky Day, at 10:00 am. Before you buy, however, you might want to consider membership in the Whisky Explorer Society, which will save you 20% off the ticket price.  

DEALS OF THE DAY

Tribe vintage apparel store is holding a special sale in honour of the Canadian Tulip Festival. Today through Sunday, linen and silk items are 30% off.   If you're shopping in person at Perth Brewery, you'll get a free Bucket o' Beer branded bucket with the purchase of 24 cans (while quantities last). Just toss in your cans and some ice and you're ready for summer fun.   Enjoy an extra 25% off sale items in the June Swimwear Sale on Sale event.   The Long Weekend Stock Up Event continues at Bite, the Canadian-made insect repellent. Spend $50 and get 15% off, while a purchase of more than $100 will get you a 20% discount. The sale ends on Monday.

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BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

Xavier Trudeau, son of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, was the halftime show at Tuesday’s Blackjacks game at TD Arena, performing R&B under his stage name Xav.

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

Comment of the Week: ‘You keep missing Sunday events ... or at least putting the word Sunday which confuses me to no end ...LOL’

THE END

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